Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked central Himalayan country in South Asia.Take an 11-night trip to the Kingdom of Nepal on a journey of discovery. Stay in Kathmandu for two nights where you visit World Heritage Sites. Next, travel to Pokhara, a lakeside town with panoramic views of the Himalayas. Begin a 5-day trekking experience that takes you to amazing locations offering breathtaking views. Cross suspension bridges and waterfalls, and trek among oak and rhododendron forests. Stop in Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Grandruk for lodging and meals throughout this tour. Continue to Chitwan National Park, home to rhinoceros and Bengal tigers, for a two-night stay. A full day of jungle activities includes an elephant safari. Finally, return to Kathmandu for one night on your way back home.
Arrive in Kathmandu and check into your hotel.(D)
After breakfast, full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city.(B/L/D)
Overland transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (Hotel Kantipur or similar) (B/L/D) Suggested optional activity: Rafting for 3 hours on the Trishuli River.
Meeting the Sherpa trekking crew and drive to Nayapool. Begin trekking towards Birethanti, a large and prosperous town with a winning street paved with large stones. After crossing two suspension bridges over the Modi Khola River, stop for lunch. Beyond Birethanti the trail is well defined at first but then loses itself in the rice fields. An hour past Birethanti and Beyond Mathathanti, start climbing towards Sudre and Hille. Walk further up to Tikhedhunga. Overnight at your lodge. (4 miles: 4-5 hrs gradually up) (B/L/D)
Begin your journey towards Tikhedhunga. Once there, cross a bridge and waterfall taking in the views. Then, head uphill toward Ulleri. From Ulleri, an hour-long journey takes you to Banthanti, a settlement in a forest clearing at 7,545 feet (2,300m), offering breathtaking views of Annapurna south and Mount Fishtail. After lunch, head uphill through oak and rhododendron forests to Deurali and then further to Ghorepani. Arrive and transfer to your lodge. (7 miles: 3hrs steep up, about 3600 steps; 3 hrs gradually up through forest). (B/L/D)
An early morning excursion takes you to Poon Hill, which provides an even better and unobstructed view of the high Himalaya peaks such as Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak, and Dhampus Peak. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast. After breakfast, continue to trek towards Tadapani. Stop in Banthati for lunch. Beyond Banthanti, the trail starts climbing, leaving the moist, high mountain forests and entering a field of cane. The trail climbs steeply for about 30 mins before reaching Tadapani, which means "Far Water". This is an ideal place to see the views of Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and the Glacier Dome. Spend the night at your lodge. (7 miles: 1 hr steep up from Ghorepani to Poon Hill, and 45min return; 3 hrs sleep up through rhododendron forest; 2 hrs steep down; 1 hr short ups and downs) (B/L/D)
This morning, descend through a forest of wildflowers. Try and spot some of the long-tailed monkeys that inhabit this area! Arrive in the village of Ghandruk, beautifully set against the peaks of Mount Fishtail, Annapurna South, Ganga Purna, Annapurna III, and Hiun Chuli. Visit the Annapurna Area Conservation Project, the Gurung Museum, and a sheep wool weaving workshop. Overnight at your lodge in Ghandruk. (4 miles: 3-4 hrs gradually down)(B/L/D)
The trail descends at first on a stone staircase and then traverse high above a river on a wide stone-paved lane. The trail keeps heading downhill through terraced fields at Kily, onto a suspension bridge over the Sadhu Khola, finally arriving alongside Modi Khola in Shauli Bazaar where you stop for lunch. Continue on this beautiful trail until you arrive at Nayapool. From here, drive back to Pokhara (about 1 hr) and transfer to your hotel. (Hotel Kantipur or similar) (9 miles: 4-5 gradually down) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, take a scenic drive along the Marshyangdi River to Chitwan National Park, in the lowland of Nepal. After lunch in a jungle camp, you are escorted for a short walking tour of the village. In the evening, walk along the riverbank and enjoy the romantic sunset view. Watch a presentation on wildlife by an expert naturalist. (Hotel Parkland or Unique Wild Resort) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, take a canoe trip to explore the aquatic life of Chitwan National Park. You will have the opportunity to see some rare bird and aquatic life. Walk back to camp for lunch, In the afternoon, enjoy the Elephant Back Safari. The elephant takes you inside the dense forest and grassland in search of the Great Asian One-Horned Rhinoceros, leopards, sloths, deer, monkeys, wild boar and 460 different species of birds. The Royal Bengal Tiger, being territorial and nocturnal in behavior, will normally not appear during the day, but you may be lucky and have an unforgettable sight of the king of the forest. In the evening, enjoy a Tharu Tribal Dance. (B/L/D)
Tour ends today. Enjoy half a day at leisure to explore Kathmandu or take part in an optional tour. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight home or onward to a new destination. (B)
Remarks:
- Porter will be available as required. Passengers must limit their baggage weight to a maximum of 28.6 lbs (13 kg). Note: You will carry your day pack (toiletries, creams, mineral water, etc.) yourself.
- Lodges subject to last-minute confirmation; other lodges may be substituted. Some lodges may not be up to international standards; may not have private bath, and may have limited access to hot water
- Major credit cards accepted; credit card authorization required.
- Shivalaya Tours & Travels general cancellation policy applies; Optional Travel Insurance not included.
- Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all destinations are available.
Includes:
- Airport transfers in Kathmandu
- Overland transfers as per itinerary.
- 3 nights stay at 3-star Hotel in Kathmandu.
- 2 nights stay at Hotel Kantipur or similar in Pokhara.
- 2 nights stay at Hotel Baghmara or similar Resort in Chitwan.
- 1 night in lodges/bungalow accommodation in Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Grandruk.
- Breakfast daily, 11 lunches, 11 dinners. - Sightseeing tours with English-speaking guides and entrance fees, trekking as per itinerary with guide, tour of Chitwan National Park including elephant safari, ox-cart ride, canoe ride, Tharu Dance performance
- Gurung Museum entrance fee.
- TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) fee - per person. - ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) fee - per person.
Excludes:
- Any expenses of personal nature such as tips, laundry, table drinks, telephone calls, etc.
- Any item not mentioned above.
- Optional Travel Insurance.
