Few places in the world have such a splendid variety
of natural beauties as the Annapurna region. It is a rare combination of
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long arrays of snow-capped peaks, crystal clear lakes, turbulent rivers
with deep gorges, Tibetan monasteries, hot -spring, and picturesque
villages inhabited by simple and friendly ethnic people. No one can fail
to be impressed by the diversity highlighted on this adventure. The
snow-covered peaks of the Annapurna HIMAL, white water fun on the
TRISHULI River, and an elephant-back safari in the jungle offer a taste
of Nepal's remarkable pleasures.
Day 01 : Arrive in Kathmandu
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in
Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and
shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our
guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many charms on your own
too.
In the evening a delicious and traditional NEPALI WELCOME DINNER awaits
you.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02 : Kathmandu City Tour
After breakfast, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said to be 2000
years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We
will then processed to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath.
After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) -
which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley -
famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch
the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Kathmandu - Pokhara
Early breakfast will be served before 7:00 AM. This morning you will be
drive to Pokhara (200km.) The same is through picturesque valleys and
mountains.
Reach Pokhara by late afternoon. Enjoy one of the most beautiful
Himalayan Panoramas in the world. The Annapurna and famous "Fishtail"
mountain peak of Machhapuchhare tower over the tropical setting of
Pokhara and you spend some time there as the scenic highlight of your
trip sinks in.
In the evening you will prepare yourself for your trek to Poon Hill.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 04 : Pokhara - Tikhedhunga (1491m.) Trek starts toDay.
After breakfast approx.730 AM drive to Nayapul (42km) 1.5 hr by Car via
large village of Lumle and walk about 20 minutes to Birethanti, a large
and prosperous town.
The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through bamboo
forests and past a large waterfall and swimming hole. Beyond a pasture
used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where you have Lunch.
After lunch climb steadily up the side of the valley, reaching Hile at
1495m near by Tirekhedhunga. Along the way, various hamlets offer ample
camping possibilities but if Ghorepani is the objective for the next Day
it is better to push on to Tikhe Dhunga.
Overnight in Tirkhe Dhunga.
Day
05 : Tikhedhunga - Ghorepani (2855m) Breakfast served in morning at
7:00 AM.
From Tirkhedhunga the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge
near the camp site at Tirkhedhunga. The trail ascends a steep stone
staircase to the large Magar village Ulleri at 2070m. Above the village
the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. Proceed
through the magnificent Rhododendron and Oak Forest.
There is a hut with water and a small camp site about 1 hr. above
Ulleri. The trail crosses two sparkling clear streams before making a
short, final climb to Nangethanti. Your lunch spot will be Nangethanti.
Thanti is a Nepali word meaning "rest house" or "Dharmasala".
In the winter the trail can be covered with snow. From Nangethanti about
one hours trek, climb to Ghorepani at 2850m.
Arrive at the top of the Ghorepani pass and camp there.
Overnight in Ghorepani.
Day 06 : Ghorepani - Poon hill - Tadapani Wake up early morning
at 5:30 AM and start your journey. Climb to Poon Hill (3195m) in around
1 hr. The same provides better and unobstructed views and sunrise over
the high Himalayas. You can see lots of White Mountain Peaks from Poon
Hill. After sunrise, you'll return to camp in time for breakfast.
Ghorepani means "horse water" and it is no doubt a welcome
watering stop for the teams of horses, mules and ponies that carry loads
between Pokhara and Jomsom.
From Ghorepani the trail climbs south on muddy path through the deep
forests. It finally emerges on a grassy knoll that offers good mountain
views - including views of Machhapuchhare (not visible from Grohrepani
pass) and a panorama all the way south to the plains of India. It is
similar to the views from Poon Hill.
Climb along the ridge of pine and rhododendron forests to a maximum
height of 3030 metres then descend to at a second pass called Deurali,
at 2960 metres. The trails along the ridge hide the mountains. The same
makes a steep, sometimes treacherous, descent on a narrow path alongside
the stream, as the descent continues. The stream has some clear pools
alongside the trail and finally becomes a series of waterfalls over a
jumble of boulders. The steep descent becomes more gentle way as it
reaches Banthanti. Stop for Lunch and it would be for 1 hour
approximately.
From Banthanti, the trail follows the stream down to a bridge where it
again starts climbing, leaving the moist high mountain forests and
entering a field of cane - making some ups and downs past to a vantage
point called "Tadapani (2540 metres).
It offers a brief view of the mountains. Tadapani means "far water".
The village water supply comes from a long distance away and usually
takes porters more than half an hour to fetch a load of water.

Overnight
in Tadapani.
Day 07 : Tadapani - Landrung After an early breakfast start for
Landrung - it takes approx. 6 hours from Tadapani.
The trail descends through the forests and then terraced fields, to the
Khummu Khola. The Ghandrung trail descends steeply from Tadapani,
through forests and a short steep descend among rocks lead to a stream
crossing. Then the descent continues gently over streams and finally
leads out on the ridge to Ghandrung.
Lunch spot for the Day would be Ghandrung. Ghandrung is a huge Gurung
village at 1940 metres and is the second largest Gurung village in Nepal
and is a confusing cluster of closely spaced, slate-roofed houses. There
are neatly terraced fields situated both above and below the town. There
is a large handicraft factory at the top of Ghandrung. The views of
Annapurna South from here are out-standing. Machhapuchhare, seen from
here in its "fishtail" aspect, peeps over a forested ridge.
From Ghandrung, descend all the way down hill to Sauli Bazaar. The down
hill trail leads to the river and then climbs to Landrung - another
Gurung village at 1550 metres.
Overnight in Landrung.
Day 08 : Landrung - Dhampus
Early breakfast as has become a rule during the trek by now.
From Landrung, It's an easy walk past fields, a school and some unusual
oval-shaped houses and descends to Tolka - a small settlement at 1710
metres, with several lodges along the trails. The trail emerges into the
main Modi Khola Valley. The trail climbs through forests alive with
birds, fern and orchids in to a huge side canyon of the Modi Khola.
After crossing a stream on a suspension bridge at 1690 metres, the
trail starts climbing back. First point will be Bichok (also known as
Bheri Kharka). The trail then climbs through forests to a clearing on
the top of the hill at 2010 metres, where there are great views of the
mountains. (Actually there is no adjective describing the views. One has
to experience the same)
Break for lunch will last approx. an hour.
From Deurali all way is downhill to Dhampus at 1580 metres. It takes
approx. 2 and ½ an hour. The trail goes down through Pothana and a
Police Check Post. At Dhampus, you are again rewarded with great views
of the mountains that continue to improve as you ascend along the ridge.
Overnight at Dhampus.
Day 09: Dhampus - Pokhara
Breakfast in the morning.
From Dhampus, proceed all the way downhill through the villages to
Phedi. Starting at an elevation of 1580 metres, in a village and then
forests that is so overgrazed that the same look like a manicured
municipal park, the trail goes down steeply to the ridge at Phedi at
1080mtres.
It takes approx. 2 hours from here to catch up with the vehicles and
drive back to Pokhara.
Lunch at hotel in Pokhara.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 10: Pokhara City Tour
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing around Pokhara valley. Pokhara
Valley is also called "Magic Land" or Dreamland" of
Nepal. Explore the various interesting places of Pokhara. Enjoy boating
in Phewa Lake overlooking the region of Annapurna Areas, David Falls,
Mahendra Cave and some Temples.
After lunch you're free to shop for souviners or rest.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 11 : Pokhara - Rafting - Royal Chitwan National Park
After breakfast take a scenic drive to Chitwan, on the road that follow
the Trisuli River for most of the distance. Along the drive to the
rafting spot you will see beautiful sceneries.
Rafting on the Trisuli River. This River is very popular as access to
the Prithivi Highway makes "breaking off" the journey easy.
Trisuli is also an ideal beginner's River. After few hours rafting drive
to Chitwan National Park. Upon arrival, rooms are assigned and there
will be a short briefing on the program and facilities of the Lodge.
4:00 PM: Elephant-back safari: Guests will ride on an elephant to
explore the jungle and wildlife. You will be able to see the one-horned
rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth
bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. This exciting ride
lasts for 2-3 hours.
7:00 PM: Dinner in the central dining hall. Overnight at Chitwan.
Day 12 :Royal Chitwan National Park
5:30 AM: Wake-up call followed by tea or coffee, then proceed on a
Nature Walk. This encounter on foot with the environment will introduce
the main features of eastern Chitwan. Sal forest, open grassland and
reverie jungle. Our guides will help you identify some species of birds,
plants and other wildlife that you may encounter.
8:30 AM: Breakfast
9:30 AM: Elephant briefing program: Learn more about these fascinating
animals during a visit to our elephant stable. (For the brave ones there
is even a crash course in riding and leading the elephants)
1:00 PM: LUNCH. After lunch, Canoeing: A traditional dug-out canoe
takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti river to view aquatic birds
and the animals of the river banks. Back to resort through the Jungle.
7:00 PM: Tharu Stick dance: Farmers of the nearby villages will show
some of their traditional skills and dances.
8:00 PM: Dinner around the campfire.
Overnight at Chitwan.
Day
13 : Royal Chitwan National Park- Kathmandu
5.30 AM: Bird Watching (or another elephant ride) after early morning
tea/coffee.
8.00 AM: Breakfast
9.00 AM: Luggage down and departure
9.30 AM: to Kathmandu. The actual program for your stay, will be given
to you on arrival at Resort / camp. The activities are adjusted to the
season and weather conditions. Naturally, it may not always be possible
to follow this schedule to the minute and the circumstances may force us
to alter the program at short notice. On safari in the jungle you will
be accompanied by expert naturalists who will advise on safety
procedures and we request you to respect their judgment at all times. If
you wish to stroll in the forest alone, a guide will have to accompany
you for your safety.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 14 : Departure
After breakfast free for you until time to leave the international
airport for your final destination.