Description
DAY 01: Kathmandu Arrival
Afternoon arrival in Kathmandu. On arrival, you will be welcomed by our staff and transferred to hotel. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 02: Katmandu
In the morning visit Kathmandu city, a city that looks like a living museum. You will visit the Durbar square, Hanuman Dhoka, Mahadev and Parvati temple, Machhender Bahl, temple house of Kumari, the vestal virgin or the living goddess.
Later visit Swaymbhunath stupa, a Buddhist shrine believed to be more than 2000 yrs old on the hillock of western part of Kathmandu.
Afternoon visit Patan.
Overnight in hotel in Kathmandu.
DAY 03: Kathmandu – Pokhara (by flight)
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Pokhara. Afternoon Boat ride in Phewa Lake and visit Barahi Temple. Overnight in the hotel.
DAY 4: Trek to Sanctury Lodge: (3750ft/1150m)
We transfer by road with guides & porters to our trek start point {1-hour}. Our walk will follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Ker & Downey’s Sanctuary Lodge is located. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known. Lunch is at the lodge followed by an optional walk to the village of Birethanti. Or you may choose to spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding river valley (Trek time 3-4 hours). Overnight Sanctuary Lodge
DAY 5: Trek to Himalaya Lodge, Ghandruk (6,600ft/2,012m).
After breakfast, we leave the lodge walking out through the outlying farms following the Modi River Valley. Soon we begin to climb out of the valley & up towards the mountains. The trail passes through small hamlets, terraced rice fields and forests with spectacular views of the surrounding valley. Snacks are provided along the trail. Hot lunch is served on arrival at the lodge in the early afternoon. (Trek time 5-6 hours). It is from this lodge that there are magnificent close up views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight Himalaya Lodge
DAY 6: Himalaya Lodge:
We wake up this morning with tea and coffee served in the garden and watch the sunrise over Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and the Fishtail. After enjoying a relaxing breakfast and the glorious views from the Himalaya Lodge, our guide will take us on an exploration of this mountain village and the surrounding countryside. Ghandruk was once a major recruitment centre for the famous Gurkha soldiers. The women of Ghandruk maintain a local industry of weaving traditional Nepalese rugs.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge
DAY 7: Trek to Bee Lodge, Landruk (5415ft /1565m)
After enjoying a relaxing breakfast and the glorious views from the Himalaya Lodge, we start our trek to Landruk. After 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. You’ll then cross a strong suspension bridge to the opposite banks of the Modi. From here is it about an hour’s trek up switch backs and steps to reach the village of Landruk. Landruk affords more glorious views of the Annapurna range. Trek time about 4 hours. Arrive in time for lunch. Your guide will take you on a exploration hike of this mountain village after lunch.
Overnight La Bee Lodge
DAY 8: “Trek to Gurung Lodge, Majgaon (1400 m) (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we leave the Bee Lodge & trek to Ker & Downey’s Gurung Lodge. Todays trek contours the side of the hill, with small ups and downs, passing through villages and farmland. Trek time to the Lodge is about 4 hours. You’ll reach the Gurung Lodge in time for lunch with optional afternoon hikes to the surrounding villages.
Overnight Ker & Downey Gurung Lodge
DAY 9: Trel to Basanta Lodge, Dhampus (5000 ft / 1525 m).
This morning we start out trekking through the unspoilt 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. After about 4 ½ hours, we arrive at the Basanta Lodge. From the lodge, there are sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range. After lunch at the lodge there will be an optional walk through the old village of Dhampus. Overnight Basanta Lodge
DAY 10: Trek to Pokhara (3300 ft /1000 m)
After an early breakfast, we depart along the ridge & descend through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. Trek time 1 ½ hours. We then transfer by vehicle to Pokhara (30 minutes). 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.
DAY 11: Pokhara – Kathmandu(Flight)
Morning transfer to airport to back to Kathmandu.
Afternoon sightseeing of Bhaktapur. Overnight.
DAY 12: Kathmandu
Optional:Morning Helicopter flight to Everest.
In the afternoon visit Pashupatinath Temple the most sacred of Nepal’s Shiva shrines (Non Hindus not permitted in main shrine). Behind the temple are the cremation grounds.
Also visit Bodhnath Stupa, the largest Buddhist stupas in the world is said to have been built in 5th century AD. Bodhnath has all seeing eyes of Buddha.
DAY 13: Kathmandu
Departure transfer to the Airport.
