Incredible Nepal Heritage Tour & Trek

Incredible Nepal Tour | Annapurna Foothills Luxury Trek, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bandipur & Chitwan Wildlife Safari
Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu 1340m (4395′) | Transfer Kathmandu Guest House
Welcome to Nepal! You will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by a representative from Kamzang Journeys or Khumbu Adventures (our partners in Kathmandu) Doma, Lhakpa and Nuru Sherpa). Look for a sign with your name on it as you leave the arrival area. We strongly suggest purchasing a NTC (Nepal Telecom) SIM card as you leave the airport if you have an unlocked phone. It’s very useful for data in the remote regions of Nepal. We will transfer you to the Kathmandu Guest House (or see Great Stays tab for luxury, boutique, and other hotel options in the Kathmandu Valley) where your room has been booked for you. Drink plenty of water to hydrate after your flight, and enjoy your first evening in Kathmandu …

We’ll need your travel medical insurance, a copy of your passport and Nepali visa, and one (or more) visa-sized photos (inquire if we need for your trek); please have them ready to give to Lhakpa, Doma or Nuru. And please ask if you need your gear checked, or have shopping or sightseeing questions!

Thamel is a myriad of shops of all imaginable varieties, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, climbing walls, colorful banners and signs, and eccentrically clad backpackers. Enjoy dinner at Roadhouse Cafe, New Orleans, Yin & Yang, Third Eye, or one of Thamel’s other restaurants … (B)

Day 2 – Kathmandu
Enjoy a free day exploring Kathmandu’s many World Heritage sites or embark on a tour of the beautiful Kathmandu valley, surrounded by Himalayan snow peaks (See Kathmandu Valley Tours for optional tours with a qualified guide, car, and entrance fees included). Or just relax at the hotel, visit the spa, have a massage, wander Kathmandu’s fascinating streets, pop into neighborhood Hindu temples and Newari-styled courtyards, join in on koras of the Buddhist temples. (B)

Cafe Caravan & Dolpo Gallery
Dolpo Artist Tenzin Norbu creates wonderful Dolpo paintings, the prints (and some originals) are available from our Cafe Caravan at Boudhanath Stupa, housed in one of Boudha’s original historic buildings, decorated in a bright, Tibetan style and overlooking the magnificent stupa!

Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Nuru Wangdi Sherpa (Khumbu Adventures & Café Caravan) has his Kathmandu guide license and a large SUV vehicle, and can arrange any sightseeing you might want to do in Kathmandu and the Kathmandu valley. He is often available for guiding your excursions as well. Mobile + WhatsApp: +977 9803633783 (WhatsApp)

Massage in Kathmandu (Ramji of Relieving Hands)
Ramji is a blind masseur trained by Seeing Hands in Kathmandu, who now offers wonderful at home (or hotel) massages, with his own massage table and oil. He is truly a master masseur, a real healer and VERY highly recommended. His prices are extremely reasonable. Let us know if you want help to arrange a massage.
Relieving Hands by Ramji

Kathmandu | World Heritage Sightseeing Tours – Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Durbar Square & Swayambunath
Kathmandu is filled with World Heritage sites and sacred destinations, crowded with traditional neighborhoods and colorful festivals. Spend a few days exploring Nepal’s exotic capital and the history-laden Kathmandu valley. We can arrange sightseeing guides and vehicles as required. See Kathmandu Heritage & Happenings for more details.

We recommend beginning with Pashupatinath in the early morning and moving on to Boudhanath mid-morning. Hindu Pashupatinath on the sacred Bagmati river and its sacred temple complex is one of Nepal’s most important sites, a powerful cremation site, and Nepal’s most important Hindu temple. Here, monkeys run up and down the steps of the burning ghats, and trident-bearing saddhus draped in burnt-orange and saffron sit serenely meditating when they’re not posing for photos-for-rupees. Local guides can explain the significance of the complicated ceremonies. Please be respectful when taking photos.

Boudhanath, in the midst of traditional monasteries (gonpas in Tibetan) and hung with long strings of multi-colored prayer flags, attracts Sherpas, Tibetans, and tourists alike for daily circumambulations (koras) of the iconic stupa. The striking Buddha eyes of Boudhanath Stupa watch over a lively and colorful Tibetan community and attract pilgrims from all over the Himalayan Buddhist realm. There are wonderful spots for lunch at Boudhanath (Roadhouse Cafe has wood-oven pizzas and a breathtaking view of the stupa and colorful Nepals circling it), and it’s a good place to learn the technique of thanka painting and purchase a thanka (Buddhist mural). See also Bhaktapur for more options for shopping for thankas.

Wander through the many temples, pagodas, courtyards, and the museum at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a timeless gathering spot and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kathmandu Durbar Square, including the old royal palace, is Kathmandu’s ‘Palace Square’, a showcase for the world-renowned artisans and craftsmen of Kathmandu and a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist palaces, temples, stupas, and statues. The Malla and Shah kings ruled over the Kathmandu Valley during the centuries of the building of the layers of this Durbar Square. Along with their opulent palaces, the square surrounds numerous courtyards and temples, all works of art with intricate and often erotic carvings. Kathmandu Durbar Square is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. The social, religious and urban focal point of the city, Durbar Square is often the site of festivals, marriages, and other ceremonies such as Teej. Some important structures are Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages.

In the evening (take the interesting back streets from Durbar Square) climb the many steps to the gilded Swayambhunath stupa (known as the monkey temple) which rises from the Kathmandu valley floor at 1420 meters and is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Swayambunath, the ‘self-created’  stupa, was founded over 2000 years ago at a time when the Kathmandu valley was filled by a large lake, with a single lotus in the center. Mythology says that Manjusri, a bodhisattva, drained the lake with one cut of his sword and the lotus flower was transformed into the stupa. From its commanding views of Kathmandu, circumambulate Swayambunath’s white-washed stupa, painted with distinctive Buddha eyes, the complex a unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. Another interesting time to visit Swayambunath is in the mornings when Nepalis visit the temple dedicated to the God of Smallpox with colorful offerings for the goddess.

Stop to photograph reflections in Kathmandu’s many pokharis or ponds, including the beautiful Rani Pokhari (queen’s bath) near New Road, and the Naga Pokhari (pond of the snake gods of the underworld) just beyond the palace gates. The many bathing ghats, square enclosures with steps leading down to water spouts, often decorated with naga heads, are also interesting and colorful gathering spots.

Day 3 – Fly Pokhara 830m | Lakeview Resort, Temple Tree Resort & Spa or Himalayan Front Resort
Transfer to the domestic airport for the scenic flight to beautiful Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city 198 kilometers west of Kathmandu. En route, look down on rivers flowing towards the Terai from the Himalaya and Tibet, over a patchwork of terraced villages and green hills with the Ganesh, Langtang, Manaslu and Annapurna ranges in the distance, to balmy, sub-tropical Pokhara.

One in Pokhara you will be met by a representative of Lakeside Resort, Temple Tree Resort & Spa or Himalayan Front Resort and transferred to your hotel. There is endless opportunity to spend extra time in Pokhara, so at least one day in this balmy town is a must. Options including a stroll part-way around Phewa Lake, paragliding or zip-lining from Sarangkot, paddling on the lake, a morning hike up to Shanti Stupa via a short canoe trip or a day of shopping for the creative locally produced crafts along Lakeside Road.

Rooms at the Temple Tree Resort & Spa, centrally located in Pokhara, are filled with ethnic touches, and surrounding the rooms are landscaped gardens, an infinity pool and a great spa which offers ayurvedic massage and treatments. Himalayan Front in Sarangkot is situated in the hills above Pokhara in Sarangkot, a wonderful new resort with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The AC cottage rooms at Lakeview resort are traditionally decorated, and the hotel is located right across from  Phewa Lake, with wonderful lake views from the cafe … (B)

Day 4 – Drive Lumle + Trek Birethanti 1025m| Trek Sanctuary Lodge
A private vehicle will transfer you, with your guide and porter, to Lumle, from where you will start the trek into the wonderful, green central Annapurna region. Once checked into the Annapurna Conservation Area, your trek will follow a ridge line in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the green Pokhara valley. The trail then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Ker & Downey’s beautiful Sanctuary Lodge is located.

From its vantage overlooking the Modi River, the Sanctuary Lodge is also afforded stunning views of the sacred Fishtail Mountain in the distance. This stylish lodge was handcrafted by local artisans and enjoys a prime location on a promontory with half a mile of river front views. Travel to the nearby village of Birethanti to visit the local school and to watch mule trains journey across the river via suspension bridge. Hearty meals are served family-style in the lodge’s traditional dining rooms, inviting spaces to relax and recall the sights of the day’s trek. Spacious terraces plus a large fireplace and lounge area complete the shared spaces in the lodges, with Sanctuary Lodge also including a cozy library. A picnic lunch is provided with a late afternoon arrival at the lodge. (1 hr driving, 3-4 hrs trek) (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Trek Gandruk 2015m | Himalayan Lodge
After breakfast, you will start trekking from the lodge, hiking through the outlying farms following the Modi River Valley. You will hike straight up stone steps through a dense forest first thing in the morning, afterwards contouring less steeply along paddy fields, past slate roof houses and a few small tea-houses. Soon you begin to climb out of the valley and up towards the Himalayan peaks ahead. The trail passes through small hamlets, terraced rice fields and forests with spectacular views of the surrounding valley. A short descent brings you to Tolka (1750m), another large and scenic Gurung village. The grassy trail lined with ferns and sub-tropical trees ascends after the village, and after crossing a few small streams and contouring around terraced hillsides we reach the hillside village of Gandruk. Lunch will be served on arrival at Himalayan Lodge, in the early afternoon.

Ker & Downey’s Himalaya Lodge overlooks the slate-roofed village of Gandruk, once a popular recruitment location for the Gurkha soldier regiments. Villagers today craft traditional hand-woven rugs as they have for generations, and also participate in ecological endeavors via the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating and bustling Gurung village, a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, white-washed, slate-roofed houses with porches and traditionally-carved windows, water buffaloes in thatched huts and open slate patios. Enjoy the magnificent views of the Annapurnas from the lodge, or hike up a bit along the cobbled steps for sunset views in the evening. Annapurna South and Hiunchuli dominate the horizon while Macchupucchre resembles a fish tail. Annapurna I and Gangapurna are just visible in the distance if the weather is clear. (5 – 6 hrs) (B, L, D)

Gandruk | Himalayan Lodge | Optional Extra Day
Enjoy a full day of spectacular mountain panoramas (Machhapuchhre, or Fish Tail peak), experiencing the unique Gurung culture and cuisine of Gandruk and visiting some of the local Hindu temples above the village. There is lots to keep one busy in this picturesque village, and the villagers are friendly, always ready for a laugh or a chat. Gandruk is perhaps largest and most prosperous village in the Annapurna foothills region, with two interesting museums, local restaurants featuring their unique Gurung cuisine and many guest houses. Wander through Gandruk’s stone paths, returning to the Himalayan Lodge for a traditional lunch, and enjoy a rosy Himalayan sunset in the late afternoon, pure heaven! (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Trek Landruk 1565m | Bee Lodge 
After enjoying a relaxing breakfast and the glorious views from the Himalaya Lodge, you start our trek to to Lhandruk, a classic Himalayan day of trekking through green, textured fields along wonderful village-lined trails ahead. Leaving the village of Ghandruk, the trail descends steeply to the banks of the Modi River. Here, you’ll be at the base of the cliffs where the famed honey hunters of Nepal climb on ropes to collect the honey. Cross a suspension bridge to the opposite banks of the Modi, from where it’s about a hour’s trek up switch backs and steps to reach the village of Landruk, where you stay in Ker & Downey’s Bee Lodge. Take advantage of the ‘chautara’ or stone resting spots, along the way. Landruk is a hillside and sprawling Gurung village painted in pastels, worth a bit of exploration through its narrow, slate alleys. The lodge offers more wonderful views of the Annapurna range.

You will arrive in Landruk in time for lunch, and afterwards your guide will take you on a exploration hike of this mountain village. Watch the local Gurung women weaving with their wooden looms, drying vegetables to make a spicy ‘achar’, sorting lentils for dal or involved in the morning’s washing at the village taps. (4 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Trek Majgaun 1400m | Gurung Lodge 
Wake to a misty morning of Himalayan peaks, with Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South rising majestically out of the shrouded valley, an awesome sight. Another wonderful day of trekking, starting with a gentle wander through the extensive village of Landruk, endlessly interesting. Today’s trek contours the side of the hill, with small ups and downs, passing through villages and farmland. You’ll reach Kerr & Downey’s Gurung Lodge in time for lunch with optional afternoon hikes to the surrounding villages. Tribal-style houses and manicured gardens comprise Gurung Lodge on the edge of the village of Majgaun with incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and wonderful photographic opportunities. Enjoy the vivid colors at sunset over the Annapurna peaks at sunset. (4 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Trek Dhampus 1525 m | Basanta Lodge
This morning we start out trekking through the unspoiled village of Patlekhet. Our walk takes us through sub-tropical forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell their souvenirs. Continue to climb through lovely rhododendron forests and you soon reach the small hamlet of Pothana, a possible stopping point for the night. The wonderful views continue at Deurali, with quaint, Himalayan villages opening up below us. Soon we reach Dhampus and Kerr & Downey’s Basanta Lodge, from where we’ll enjoy sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range, including  the Phedi and Mardi Valleys. After lunch at the lodge there will be an optional walk through the old village of Dhampus. Afternoon activities include nature walks through thick forests of bamboo, conifer and rhododendron, as well as farming demonstrations on the steep hillside terraces. (3 1/2 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Trek Ghattekhola + Drive Pokhara 830m | Transfer Hotel
After breakfast, you’ll set off on a 1 1/2 hour walk to Ghattehola, where you will transfer by vehicle to the Temple Tree Resort + Spa or Himalayan Front Hotel in Pokhara (depending on whether you want to be in town, or up on a ridge with Himalayan views). On the way back to Pokhara, the vehicle can stop on request at the Tibetan refugee camp where you will have time to explore the temple complex. We’ll arrive at the centrally located Temple Tree Resort in time for lunch. The rooms at the Temple Tree are filled with ethnic touches. Surrounding the rooms are landscaped gardens, water features, a swimming pool and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You’ll have a chance to enjoy lunch and dinner at local restaurants. The afternoon is free to explore the lakeside where most of Nepal’s Tibetan shops are located. (1 1/2 hrs trek, 1/2 hour drive) (B)

Day 10 – Drive Bandipur 1030m | The Old Inn
Leaving Pokhara in a private vehicle, we set off on a lovely drive to the traditional Newari village of Bandipur, a showcase of one of Nepal’s oldest cultures, beautifully preserved high on a ridge above the road connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu. Bandipur was once ruled by Tansen (Palpa) on the main trade route with Tibet, and is now a timeless yet vibrant town with lovely guest houses and cafes. We’ll arrive via the steep 8 kilometer road which winds up from the highway, far above the Marsyandi River.

We stay at The Old Inn in Bandipur, a boutique inn surrounded by old shops, houses, temples and community centers, and if the weather is clear are treated to snow-capped Himalayan panoramas. (Heritage Rooms +$25)

Day 11 – Drive Chitwan National Park World Heritage Site | Maruni Sanctuary Resort | Afternoon Wildlife Safari
Another few hours of scenic driving to Chitwan National Park, where you check into the wonderful Maruni Sanctuary Lodge and your wildlife safari begins.

Experience the Chitwan World Heritage Site in the comfort of the Maruni Sanctuary Lodge, located in a pristine natural environment on the edge of the Chitwan National Park. Maruni Sanctuary Lodge offers you an excellent opportunity to view rare and endangered species in their rich natural habitat. The park is home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tigers and the narrow-snouted gharial crocodile. Maruni is located between two villages of the Rana Tharu Community, who traditionally consider themselves people of the forest. You’ll have a chance to meet with them and see how they live. Maruni wildlife guides are attentive and have good English skills, and are truly interested to share their culture, their knowledge of the wildlife and its fascinating habitat with you. Maruni’s rooms are large, clean and well furnished and bathrooms have modern plumbing and hot water to ensure you can relax comfortably after jungle and cultural explorations.

After lunch at the lodge, you will have time to visit some of the local Rana Tharu villages and the elephant dung paper factory in the nearby village, followed by an afternoon walking wildlife safari and dinner at the restaurant.

+ NOTE: Kamzang Journeys doesn’t encourage elephant safaris or elephant rids in Nepal National Parks. Your Chitwan Wildlife Safari will be customized for you, and you are free to choose which activities you would like to do.

Day 12 – Chitwan Wildlife Safari
A full day of activity today, starting with a breakfast of fresh produce followed by a bird watching dug-out canoe trip down the river in the morning mist, with Kingfisher on every tree top. You will visit the elephant breeding sanctuary and after lunch head out on elephants for some rhino and wildlife spotting, good fun and a great way to view the wildlife up close. At sunset, tired and happy, you’ll head back to your rooms for a shower and dinner at the hotel restaurant.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
Elephant Safari
Canoe Safari
Jungle Walk
Bird Watching Safari
Elephant Breeding Center
Ox Cart Ride
Tharu Cultural Dance Program
Village Walk Museum Visit
Bicycle Tour
Elephant Bathing
Nature Walk
Jeep Safari
Gharial Conservation Trip
Tiger Tracking

Option | Extra Day in Chitwan
Continue your wildlife safaris, or relax for a day and rent a bike. (+$125 Per Person)

Day 13 – Chitwan Morning Wildlife Safari | Fly Kathmandu
Another magical morning of bird watching, a walking safari or tracking a rhino followed by a transfer to the Bharatpur Airport for your flight back to the hotel in Kathmandu. Your wonderful boutique-style rooms will be much appreciated, enjoy a warm shower and dinner.

Day 14 – Depart
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Thanks so much for traveling with us, and we hope to see more of you in the future!

Namaste!

Amazing Nepal | Chitwan Wildlife Safari, Kathmandu, Pokhara + Bandipur

Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu 1340m/16,350′ | Kathmandu Guest House | Upgrade Sangri La, Hyatt, Yak & Yeti + Dwarika’s
Welcome to Nepal! You’ll be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by Lhakpa or Doma of Khumbu Adventures (or a representative from your hotel) who will have a sign with your name on it. Transfer to your hotel where your rooms have been booked for you. We’ll need your travel medical insurance, a copy of your passport and Nepali visa and one (or more) visa-sized photo, so please have them ready to give to Lhakpa or Doma.

The Kathmandu Guest House is one of Kathmandu’s first guest houses, originally a Rana Palace. Located in the tourist hub of Thamel, it’s a beautiful hotel with a large garden and a lovely outdoors cafe. Options to upgrade to one of Kathmandu’s other world class hotels: Dwarika’s, Kathmandu’s premier hotel built and decorated with traditional Kathmandu valley architecture, is an oasis of calm located near the airport, where you can relax by the pool, visit the award-winning spa, enjoy the serene, historic surroundings and dine at one of their world-class restaurants. Yak & Yeti is one of Kathmandu’s historic hotels, with a lovely pool and garden, located just off Durbar Marg, a tree-lined, upscale road of shops and hotels. Shangri La is in Lazimpat (a few kilometers outside Thamel), and features a beautifully landscaped garden with a small pool, Asian decor in the rooms and an outdoor cafe, as well as great restaurants. The Hyatt is a wonderful, world class hotel located near Boudhanath, with a large pool, a great buffet breakfast, a gym and a mix of Buddhist and Hindu decor in the lobby and rooms.

Drink plenty of water to hydrate after your flight, and enjoy your first evening in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu | Optional World Heritage Sightseeing Tour 
Kathmandu is filled with World Heritage sites and sacred destinations, crowded with traditional neighborhoods and colorful festivals. Spend a few days exploring Nepal’s exotic capital and the history-laden Kathmandu valley. We can arrange sightseeing guide, vehicles and guides as required. See Kathmandu Heritage + Happenings for more details.

We recommend beginning with Pashupatinath in the early morning, and moving on to Boudhanath mid-morning. Hindu Pashupatinath on the sacred Bagmati river and its sacred temple complex is one of Nepal’s most important sites, a powerful cremation site and Nepal’s most important Hindu temple. Here, monkeys run up and down the steps of the burning ghats, and trident-bearing saddhus draped in burnt-orange and saffron sit serenely meditating, when they’re not posing for photos-for-rupees. Local guides can explain the significance of the complicated ceremonies. Please be respectful when taking photos.

Boudhanath, in the midst of traditional monasteries (gompas) and hung with long strings of multi-colored prayer flags, attracts Sherpas, Tibetans and tourists alike for daily circumambulations (koras) of the iconic stupa. The striking Buddha eyes of Boudhanath Stupa watch over a lively and colorful Tibetan community and attract pilgrims from all over the Himalayan Buddhist realm. There are wonderful spots for lunch at Boudhanath (Roadhouse Cafe has wood-oven pizzas and a breathtaking view of the stupa and colorful Nepals circling it), and it’s a good place to learn the technique of thanka painting and purchase a thanka (Buddhist mural). See also Bhaktapur for more options for shopping for thankas.

Wander through the many temples, pagodas, courtyards and the museum at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a timeless gathering spot and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kathmandu Durbar Square, including the old royal palace, is Kathmandu’s ‘Palace Square’, a showcase for the world renown artisans and craftsmen of Kathmandu and a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist palaces, temples, stupas and statues. The Malla and Shah kings ruled over the Kathmandu Valley during the centuries of the building of the layers of this Durbar Square. Along with their opulent palaces, the square surrounds numerous courtyards and temples, all works of art with intricate and often erotic carvings. Kathmandu Durbar Square is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. The social, religious and urban focal point of the city, Durbar Square is often the site of festivals, marriages and other ceremonies such as Teej. Some important structures are Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages.

In the evening (take the interesting back streets from Durbar Square) climb the many steps to the gilded Swayambhunath stupa (known as the monkey temple) which rises from the Kathmandu valley floor at 1420 meters and is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. . Swayambunath, the ‘self created’  stupa, was founded over 2000 years ago at a time when the Kathmandu valley was filled by a large lake, with a single lotus in the center. Mythology says that Manjusri, a bodhisvatti, drained the lake with one cut of his sword and the lotus flower was transformed into the stupa. From its commanding views of Kathmandu, circumambulate Swayambunath’s white-washed stupa, painted with distinctive Buddha eyes, the complex a unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. Another interesting time to visit Swayambunath is in the mornings, when Nepalis visit the temple dedicated to the God of Smallpox to with colorful offerings for the goddess.

Stop to photograph reflections in Kathmandu’s many pokhari’s, or ponds, including the beautiful Rani Pokhari (queen’s bath) near New Road, and the Naga Pokhari (pond of the snake gods of the underworld) just beyond the palace gates. The many bathing ghats, square enclosures with steps leading down to water spouts, often decorated with naga heads, are also interesting and colorful gathering spots.

Day 3 – Fly Pokhara 830m
Up early for our short but scenic flight to Pokhara, 198 kilometers west of Kathmandu. You will fly high above the north-south rivers flowing down towards the Terai from the Himalaya and Tibet, over terraced villages and green hills with the Ganesh, Langtang, Manaslu and Annapurna ranges in the distance, to balmy, sub-tropical Pokhara.

You’ll check into Lakeview Resort right on the lake, or can upgrade to Temple Tree Resort & Spa just down the road. Enjoy the afternoon to wander the shore of Phewa Lake, drink fresh juice, do some shopping, or sit and relax at the hotel with a book. Head to Moondance Cafe for dinner and drinks in the evening, an atmospheric restaurant just near the hotel.

Royal Treatment in Pokhara!
Treat yourself to the ultimate Pokhara destination, a stay at the luxurious Himalayan Front Resort in Sarankot, high up in the hills above Pokhara and Phewa Lake. Or indulge at the stylish Temple Tree Resort & Spa, with a beautiful infinity pool, spa + massage facilities and boutique rooms at the heart of the lakeside section of Pokhara.

Day 4 – Pokhara
There is endless opportunity to spend extra time in magical Pokhara; at least one full day in this balmy town is a must. There are endless activities in Pokhara and on Phewa Lake, ranging from day hikes + bicycle trips, to a paddle on Phewa Lake + hike up to Shanti Stupa for views, to paragliding and zip lining from Sarankot, to a pampering spa + unique massage. Enjoy a wonderful day of shopping for the creative locally-produced crafts along lakeside, and don’t miss a dinner at Moondance Cafe just down the road.

Day 5 – Drive Bandipur 1030m
Leaving Pokhara in a private vehicle, we set off on a lovely drive to the traditional Newari village of Bandipur, a showcase of one of Nepal’s oldest cultures, beautifully preserved high on a ridge above the road connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu. Bandipur was once ruled by Tansen (Palpa) on the main trade route with Tibet, and is now a timeless yet vibrant town with lovely guest houses and cafes. We’ll arrive via the steep 8 kilometer road which winds up from the highway, far above the Marsyandi River.You will stay at The Old Inn in Bandipur, a boutique inn surrounded by old shops, houses, temples and community centers, and if the weather is clear are treated to snow-capped Himalayan panoramas. There is lots to explore serene Bandipur, which including a Hindu temple, cobbled streets with locally produced crafts and traditional architecture. The views of the surrounding middle hills and traditional villages is breathtaking at sunset and sunrise, and it’s fascinating to watch life go by in the streets of Bandipur. (B, L) (Heritage Rooms +$25)

Day 6 – Drive Chitwan National Park Maruni Lodge or Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge| Afternoon Wildlife Safari
Another few hours of scenic driving to Chitwan National Park, where you check into the wonderful Maruni Sanctuary Lodge and your wildlife safari begins.

Experience the Chitwan World Heritage Site in the comfort of the Maruni Sanctuary Lodge, located in a pristine natural environment on the edge of the Chitwan National Park. Maruni Sanctuary Lodge offers you an excellent opportunity to view rare and endangered species in their rich natural habitat. The park is home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tigers and the narrow-snouted gharial crocodile. Maruni is located between two villages of the Rana Tharu Community, who traditionally consider themselves people of the forest. You’ll have a chance to meet with them and see how they live. Maruni wildlife guides are attentive and have good English skills, and are truly interested to share their culture, their knowledge of the wildlife and its fascinating habitat with you. Maruni’s rooms are large, clean and well furnished and bathrooms have modern plumbing and hot water to ensure you can relax comfortably after jungle and cultural explorations.

After lunch at the lodge, you will have time to visit some of the local Rana Tharu villages and the elephant dung paper factory in the nearby village, followed by an afternoon walking wildlife safari and dinner at the restaurant.

ELEPHANT NOTE | Kamzang Journeys doesn’t encourage elephant safaris or elephant rids in Nepal National Parks. Your Chitwan Wildlife Safari will be customized for you, and you are free to choose which activities you would like to do!

Day 7 – Chitwan |  Wildlife Safari
A full day of activity today, starting with a breakfast of fresh produce followed by a bird watching dug-out canoe trip down the river in the morning mist, with Kingfisher on every tree top. You will visit the elephant breeding sanctuary and after lunch head out on elephants for some rhino and wildlife spotting, good fun and a great way to view the wildlife up close. At sunset, tired and happy, you’ll head back to your rooms for a shower and dinner at the hotel restaurant.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
Elephant Safari (Walking with Elephants)
Canoe Safari
Jungle Walk
Bird Watching Safari
Elephant Breeding Center
Ox Cart Ride
Tharu Cultural Dance Program
Village Walk Museum Visit
Bicycle Tour
Elephant Bathing
Nature Walk
Jeep Safari
Gharial Conservation Trip
Tiger Tracking

Option | Extra Day in Chitwan
Continue your wildlife safaris, or relax for a day and rent a bike. (+$125 Per Person)

Day 8 – Chitwan | Morning Wildlife Safari + Fly Kathmandu
Another magical morning of bird watching, a walking safari or tracking a rhino followed by a transfer to the Bharatpur Airport for your flight back to the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel where your wonderful boutique-style rooms will be much appreciated, enjoy a warm shower and dinner.

Day 9 – Kathmandu
Relax over breakfast at the garden of the hotel in Kathmandu, and head out after breakfast on one of our many optional Kathmandu sightseeing tours!

Day 10 – Depart
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Thanks so much for traveling with us, and we hope to see more of you in the future!

Extra Days in Kathmandu | Customize your Journey!
We have plenty of great suggestions for extra days, or weeks, in Nepal! See our Nepal & Kathmandu Modules | Customize Your Trip! to put together the perfect journey.

Mountain biking, rafting, vespa tours or yoga retreats around the Kathmandu valley or Pokhara, trips to Bhaktapur or Patan (Kathmandu Valley’s other historic capital cities), a visit to the Newari temple of Changu Narayan and a night at the Fort Hotel in Nagarkot for sublime Himalayan panoramas, an Everest sightseeing flight, a luxurious stay at Temple Tree Resort & Spa, paragliding, hiking or zip-lining in Pokhara, a spa & wellness getaway at Dwarikas Resort in Dhulikhel, a relaxing excursion to Chitwan National Park Wildlife Safari & Tharu Villages (staying at Maruni Sanctuary Lodge) or Bardia National Park, a weekend of adventure, sauna and pampering at The Last Resort or five-star treatment in historic Dwarika’s in Kathmandu.

Kamzang Journeys can customize any of these excursions for you, just inquire! Namaste!

Chitwan Wildlife Safari | Maruni Sanctuary Lodge

Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu 1340m/16,350′ | Kathmandu Guest House (Optional Upgrades)
Welcome to Nepal! You’ll be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by Lhakpa or Doma of Khumbu Adventures (or a representative from your hotel) who will have a sign with your name on it. Transfer to your hotel where your rooms have been booked for you. We’ll need your travel medical insurance, a copy of your passport and Nepali visa and one (or more) visa-sized photo, so please have them ready to give to Lhakpa or Doma.

The Kathmandu Guest House is one of Kathmandu’s first guest houses, originally a Rana Palace. Located in the tourist hub of Thamel, it’s a beautiful hotel with a large garden and a lovely outdoors cafe. Options to upgrade to one of Kathmandu’s other world class hotels: Dwarika’s, Kathmandu’s premier hotel built and decorated with traditional Kathmandu valley architecture, is an oasis of calm located near the airport, where you can relax by the pool, visit the award-winning spa, enjoy the serene, historic surroundings and dine at one of their world-class restaurants. Yak & Yeti is one of Kathmandu’s historic hotels, with a lovely pool and garden, located just off Durbar Marg, a tree-lined, upscale road of shops and hotels. Shangri La is in Lazimpat (a few kilometers outside Thamel), and features a beautifully landscaped garden with a small pool, Asian decor in the rooms and an outdoor cafe, as well as great restaurants. The Hyatt is a wonderful, world class hotel located near Boudhanath, with a large pool, a great buffet breakfast, a gym and a mix of Buddhist and Hindu decor in the lobby and rooms.

Drink plenty of water to hydrate after your flight, and enjoy your first evening in Kathmandu!

Kathmandu | Optional World Heritage Sightseeing 
Kathmandu is filled with World Heritage sites and sacred destinations, crowded with traditional neighborhoods and colorful festivals. Spend a few days exploring Nepal’s exotic capital and the history-laden Kathmandu valley. We can arrange sightseeing guide, vehicles and guides as required. See Kathmandu Heritage + Happenings for more details.

We recommend beginning with Pashupatinath in the early morning, and moving on to Boudhanath mid-morning. Hindu Pashupatinath on the sacred Bagmati river and its sacred temple complex is one of Nepal’s most important sites, a powerful cremation site and Nepal’s most important Hindu temple. Here, monkeys run up and down the steps of the burning ghats, and trident-bearing saddhus draped in burnt-orange and saffron sit serenely meditating, when they’re not posing for photos-for-rupees. Local guides can explain the significance of the complicated ceremonies. Please be respectful when taking photos.

Boudhanath, in the midst of traditional monasteries (gompas) and hung with long strings of multi-colored prayer flags, attracts Sherpas, Tibetans and tourists alike for daily circumambulations (koras) of the iconic stupa. The striking Buddha eyes of Boudhanath Stupa watch over a lively and colorful Tibetan community and attract pilgrims from all over the Himalayan Buddhist realm. There are wonderful spots for lunch at Boudhanath (Roadhouse Cafe has wood-oven pizzas and a breathtaking view of the stupa and colorful Nepals circling it), and it’s a good place to learn the technique of thanka painting and purchase a thanka (Buddhist mural). See also Bhaktapur for more options for shopping for thankas.

Wander through the many temples, pagodas, courtyards and the museum at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a timeless gathering spot and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kathmandu Durbar Square, including the old royal palace, is Kathmandu’s ‘Palace Square’, a showcase for the world renown artisans and craftsmen of Kathmandu and a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist palaces, temples, stupas and statues. The Malla and Shah kings ruled over the Kathmandu Valley during the centuries of the building of the layers of this Durbar Square. Along with their opulent palaces, the square surrounds numerous courtyards and temples, all works of art with intricate and often erotic carvings. Kathmandu Durbar Square is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. The social, religious and urban focal point of the city, Durbar Square is often the site of festivals, marriages and other ceremonies such as Teej. Some important structures are Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages.

In the evening (take the interesting back streets from Durbar Square) climb the many steps to the gilded Swayambhunath stupa (known as the monkey temple) which rises from the Kathmandu valley floor at 1420 meters and is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. . Swayambunath, the ‘self created’  stupa, was founded over 2000 years ago at a time when the Kathmandu valley was filled by a large lake, with a single lotus in the center. Mythology says that Manjusri, a bodhisvatti, drained the lake with one cut of his sword and the lotus flower was transformed into the stupa. From its commanding views of Kathmandu, circumambulate Swayambunath’s white-washed stupa, painted with distinctive Buddha eyes, the complex a unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. Another interesting time to visit Swayambunath is in the mornings, when Nepalis visit the temple dedicated to the God of Smallpox to with colorful offerings for the goddess.

Stop to photograph reflections in Kathmandu’s many pokhari’s, or ponds, including the beautiful Rani Pokhari (queen’s bath) near New Road, and the Naga Pokhari (pond of the snake gods of the underworld) just beyond the palace gates. The many bathing ghats, square enclosures with steps leading down to water spouts, often decorated with naga heads, are also interesting and colorful gathering spots.

+ Kathmandu World Heritage Sightseeing Tour | Pashupatinath, Boudhanath + Swayambunath (+$75)
+ Kathmandu Durbar Square Walking Tour | Durbar Square (+$50)
+ Entrance Fees not Included for Single Person

Day 2 – Fly to Bharatpur 185m + Transfer Maruni Sanctuary Lodge or Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge | Chitwan Afternoon Wildlife Safari
Transfer to the domestic airport for the short flight to Nepal’s tropical terai, landing at the small Bharatpur airport mid-morning. Look for a sign with your name on it. A representative of the Maruni Sanctuary Lodge will be waiting to greet you, and transfer you to the Maruni Sanctuary Lodge (1/2 hr drive)

Experience the Chitwan World Heritage Site in the comfort of the Maruni Sanctuary Lodge, located in a pristine natural environment on the edge of the Chitwan National Park. Maruni Sanctuary Lodge offers you an excellent opportunity to view rare and endangered species in their rich natural habitat. The park is home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tigers and the narrow-snouted gharial crocodile. Maruni is located between two villages of the Rana Tharu Community, who traditionally consider themselves people of the forest. You’ll have a chance to meet with them and see how they live. Maruni wildlife guides are attentive and have good English skills, and are truly interested to share their culture, their knowledge of the wildlife and its fascinating habitat with you. Maruni’s rooms are large, clean and well furnished and bathrooms have modern plumbing and hot water to ensure you can relax comfortably after jungle and cultural explorations.

After lunch at the lodge, you will have time to visit some of the local Rana Tharu villages and the elephant dung paper factory in the nearby village, followed by an afternoon walking wildlife safari and dinner at the restaurant.

+ NOTE: Kamzang Journeys doesn’t encourage elephant safaris or elephant rids in Nepal National Parks. Your Chitwan Wildlife Safari will be customized for you, and you are free to choose which activities you would like to do!

Day 3 – Chitwan Maruni Sanctuary Lodge | Full Day Wildlife Safari
A full day of wildlife safaris today, starting with a breakfast of fresh produce followed by a bird watching dug-out canoe trip down the river in the morning mist, with Kingfisher on every tree top. You will visit the elephant breeding sanctuary and after lunch head out on elephants for some rhino and wildlife spotting, good fun and a great way to view the wildlife up close. At sunset, tired and happy, you’ll head back to your rooms for a shower and dinner at the hotel restaurant.Your wildlife experience is customized for you.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
Elephant Safari (Walking)
Tiger Tracking
Jeep Safari
River Canoe Safari
Jungle Walk
Bird Watching Safari
Elephant Breeding Center
Ox Cart Ride
Tharu Cultural Dance Program
Village Walk Museum Visit
Bicycle Tour
Elephant Bathing
Nature Walk
Gharial Conservation Trip

Option | Extra Day in Chitwan
Continue your wildlife safaris, or relax for a day and rent a bike. (+$125 Per Person)

Day 4 – Chitwan Morning Wildlife Safari. Fly Kathmandu
Another magical morning of birdwatching, time to visit some of the local Rana Tharu villages and the elephant dung paper factory, and finally it will be time to head to the airport for your short flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu to relax for the afternoon.

Day 5 – Depart | Transfer TIA Airport 
We transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Let us know if you would like to extend your visit and stay longer in Kathmandu or the Kathmandu valley. We’re happy to customize your stay in Nepal!

Trip Dates
Custom Departures
14 Days

Trip Price (Tiger Tops Wildlife Safari)
$4280
14 Days

Trip Price (Maruni Sanctuary Wildlife Safari)
$3690
14 Days

+ 1905 or Yak & Yeti (Kathmandu)
+ Temple Tree Resort + Spa (Pokhara)
+ Hotel Single Supplement – $300

Kathmandu Guest House Single & Double Upgrades 
+ Deluxe Upgrade Kathmandu Guest House (3 Nights) – $135
+ Suite Upgrade Kathmandu Guest House (3 Nights) – $225

Kathmandu Guest House | Extra Nights Room Price
Includes Breakfast & Taxes

Standard Single – $55
Standard Double – $65
Deluxe Single – $100
Deluxe Double – $110
Suite Single – $130
Suite Double – $140

Includes

• Kathmandu Guest House, Kantipur Temple House or Dwarika’s in Kathmandu
• Lake View Resort, Shangri La Resort or Temple Tree Resort in Pokhara
• Domestic Flights on Yeti Airlines
• Departure tax
• Airport pick-ups & drops
• ACAP permit
• TIMS card
• Private car to Chitwan
• Kamzang Lodge Trekking: All meals from lodge menu, herbal teas and French press coffee, double rooms at lodges, small medical kit, porters & Nepali guide

Excludes

• International flights
• Travel or travel medical insurance
• Nepal visa
• Meals in Kathmandu (while not on trek)
• Helicopter rescue cost
• Equipment rental
• Alcohol & soft drinks
• Showers & hot water bottles
• Laundry
• Tipping & other items of a personal nature

Tips & Extra Cash
Allow approx $200 for meals (while not on trek), shopping & drinks (on trek). We recommend $150 per trekker divided between the staff for tips.

Trip Advisor Reviews

Client Comments
Thank you for everything you did to make our anniversary trip special. From the extras at our hotel rooms to the amazing quality, warmth and hospitality of every person who works with you – we were blown away by the trip you planned. We loved meeting you, Lhakpa, Doma and all the guides, drivers and porters who created such a hassle-free and seamless environment for us to explore beautiful Nepal.  Thank you so much – you created a truly life changing and unforgettable trip for us.
– Kim + Bob (USA), Private Amazing Nepal Trek 2016 (Honeymoon Trip)

Kim and her colleages at Khumbu Adventures arranged a solo trek for me at very short notice in November 2013 – and did it even whilst most of them were leading another trek in Mustang! They made the complex easy. From a wonderful guide to helping me arrange evacuation when I got sick, I was always in knowledeable, kind, efficient hands. I recommend Kamzang Journeys without reservation and I’ll be using them when I return to Nepal in September 2014!
– Nick A (UK), Private Everest Trek 2013

Tsering Sherpa is marvelous, extremely responsible, serious, devoted, very thoughtful, discreet and very pleasant to trek with. He is very helpful, well travelled, speaks good English, is well-mannered and has a good experience as a mountaineer and a climber.  He is very powerful, strong and quick, and smiles a lot! He seems to know everybody on the trail, is active in his community and is respected by other Sherpas. On trek he was a good counsellor on food, and of course respectful of tradition and of the Tibetan Buddhist faith. With him we felt very secure as he knows the trail and all the short cuts.
– Nan & Odette (France), Private Everest Base Camp Trek 2014

Viney was my private guide to trek to Everest base camp in October 2013.  I felt very secure with him the entire time.  He was always attentive to my wellbeing from the time we started in x (kim pls fill in) where we ended up slogging through rainfall and mud due to the cyclone left over from India, all the way through to the end of our trip in Lukla.  I could count on him without a doubt every day of the entire 3 weeks we spent together.  Thanks to Viney for an excellent trek!
– Lori C (USA), Private Everest High Passes Trek 2014

Last May I spent almost three weeks hiking with Mingma in the Khumbu region of Nepal and we explored the Gokyo lakes, Gokyo valley and we climbed Gokyo Ri. Mingma is an experienced mountain-guide, knows all the summits in the region, the Sherpas and routes.  He is responsive of the challenges, strong and kind, but he is very calm in case of difficult situations. While we walked together, he was attentive and he always tried to accommodate my phyisical condition and my spiritual eagerness. We spent wonderful time together and I immensely enjoyed every moment of the trek. I am planning to walk with him again in 2015!
– Kati K (Hungary), Private Gokyo Lakes Trek 2014

Tashi was the perfect guide for me. I was going solo, and looking mostly for solitude; Tashi’s temperament was the perfect match for mine. When he had something to say, it seemed eerily to come right when I was about to ask him a question about the very thing he started to speak about! He has a real passion for the natural world he lives in and for the Sherpa people and their traditions, too. I ended up falling ill with something and here again Tashi was the perfect guide – helpful but not smothering or overly-solicitous. I will be back, and with my family and I’m certain to request that Tashi accompanies us when we return.
– Nick A-H (UK), Private Everest Base Camp Trek 2013

Thanks for looking after my friends Ian & Adam so well! They were really pleased and very impressed with the arrangements made by Kamzang Journeys and particularly pleased with the guide, Karma, who did a wonderful job of looking after them on their trek. Everything went to their satisfaction and it exceeded their expectations. He’s now got a taste of Nepal and thinking about doing another trek there sometime!
– Viv D, friend of Paul & Patrick, Private Annapurna Peaks & Villages, Helambu Trek 2014

I have traveled the world and I have never been as cared for as I was in my trek in Nepal.  Karma was beyond attentive and professional. He has become family. The very best of Nepal and mankind can be found in this young man.
– Dave M, Annapurna Peaks & Villages 2013

Read More Testimonials
Travelers’ Comments

Trip Highlights

• Kathmandu World Heritage Sites
• Dwarika’s Hotel
• Annapurna Foothills Trek
• Spectacular Himalayan Panoramas + Traditional Villages
• Kerr & Downey Luxury Lodges
• Private En-suite Bath Facilities
• Hot Showers + Hot Water Bottles
• Family Style Dining + Delicious Meals
• Chitwan National Park + Wildlife Safaris
• Chitwan Maruni Sanctuary Lodge
• Pokhara + Phewa Lake
• Temple Tree Resort + Spa or Himalayan Front Hotel
• Spa + Massage
• The Old Inn at Bandipur
• Optional Everest Sightseeing Flight

Kim Bannister Photo Gallery | Trip & Trek Photos
Kim Bannister Photography

Travel Reading | Enhance Your Trip!
Travel Books

Royal Chitwan National Park

History
Royal Chitwan National Park has long been one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 square kilometers in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprising the Tikauli forest, from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat, extends for an area of 175 square kilometers and was declared Mahendra Mriga Kunj (Mahendra Deer Park) by the late King Mahendra in 1959. In 1963, the area south of Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. The area was gazetted as the country’s first national park in 1973. Recognizing its unique ecosystems of international significance, UNESCO declared RCNP a World Heritage Site in 1984. In 1996, an area of 750 square kilometers surrounding the park was declared a buffer zone which consists of forests and private lands. The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. The government has made a provision of plowing back 30-50 percent of the park revenue for community development in the buffer zone.

Features
The Chitwan valley consists of tropical and subtropical forests. Sal forests cover 70 percent of the park. Sal leaves are used locally for plates in festivals and religious offerings. Grasslands cover 20 percent of the park. There are more than 50 different types of grasses, including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp.), renowned for its immense height, growing up to 8 meters in height. The shorter grasses (imperata) are used for roof thatching as well as mats, rope and paper making.

A total of 68 species of mammals, 56 species of herpeto fauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of one-horned rhinoceros, gaur, royal Bengal tiger, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, pangolin, gangetic dolphin, gharial crocodile, golden monitor lizard and python. The park harbors not only the world’s largest terrestrial mammal (wild elephant) but also the world’s smallest terrestrial mammal (pygmy shrew). A total of 544 species of birds has been recorded so far including 22 globally threatened species including critically endangered Bengal florican, slender-billed vulture, white rumped vulture and red headed vulture.

The park houses a diversity of ecosystems, including the Churia hills, ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia hills rise slowly towards the east from 150 meters to more than 800 meters. The western portion of the park is comprised of the lower but more rugged Someshwor hills. The park shares its eastern boundary with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve.

Tharus are the main indigenous ethnic groups in Chitwan. They are well known for their resistance to malaria. Traditionally they are farmers and practice their own unique tribal culture. A stroll or a ride through the Tharu village will provide an opportunity to see their traditional farming and relics. Traditional Tharu stick dance gives an insight into their culture

Climate
Conditions are subtropical with a summer monsoon from mid-June to late-September, and a relatively dry winter. Mean annual rainfall is 2400mm with about 90% falling in the monsoon from June to September. Monsoon rains cause dramatic floods and changes in the character and courses of rivers. Temperatures are highest (maximum 38°C) during this season and drop to a minimum of 6°C in the post-monsoon period (October to January), when dry northerly winds from the Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau are prevalent.

Trip Photos
Chitwan National Park

Annapurna Foothills Trek
The beautiful Lower Annapurnas (Annapurna foothills) trek starts just 25 kilometers north of Pohara, and is often referred to as the Poon Hill trek because of the incredible sunrise Himalayan panoramas from this viewpoint above Ghorepani. Macchapuchare (Fish Tail Peak) is the most renown mountain in this region, an unmistakable peak which rises above the clouds. Views from Poon Hill are awe inspiring, and include the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges: Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, III, + IV, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna and Manaslu!

Our Annapurna Peaks & Villages Trek features terraced slopes, green rice paddies, rhododendron forests, local cultures and traditional Gurung and Magar villages, Ghorepani and Gandruk being two of the largest Gurung villages in the Annapurna region. It’s a wonderful, shorter low altitude trek in the lower Annapurna region is the perfect introduction to the diversity and excitement of trekking in Nepal. We start the Nepal trek in steamy Hindu villages, where water buffaloes wallow in the rivers, colorful, sari-clad women sit and weave by thatched huts, and villagers perform ancient rituals to appease their local deities. The sub-tropical forests come alive with an immense variety of bird life, waterfalls thunder down from steep cliff sides and monkeys chatter from the tree-tops.

Trekking higher into the green, terraced hills we wander through ancient, mossy rhododendron forests to reach the cooler Buddhist and animistic middle hills, where chortens and prayer flags send prayers out to the gods and the Gurung and Magar inhabitants look more Tibetan than Nepali. Terraced fields and tropical fruit trees surround the neat, white-washed Gurung villages of the higher regions, leading the eye to vistas dominated by some of the Himalaya’s most majestic peaks. The Annapurna region is truly the heart of the Nepal Himalaya.