Day 01
Depart UK

Day 02
Kathmandu
Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Day 03 – B
Kathmandu
Today you will take a walking tour to explore the old city of Kathmandu. Visit Durbar Square, which is listed as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site. It is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets dating back to the 12th and 18th centuries.

You will also see the Temple of the Living Goddess, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal residential quarter and the Mahadeva and Parvati Temples.

Later visit Swayambhunath, situated on the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu. The temple is colloquially known as the ‘monkey temple’ because of the large tribe of roving monkeys who guard it.

Day 04 – B
Kathmandu | Pokhara
In the morning you will leave for your 30 minute flight to Pokhara, which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to hotel.

Receive a trek briefing in the afternoon, the rest of the day is free for trek preparation.

Day 05 – B
Pokhara
In the early morning drive to Sarangkot, a beautiful village best known for its sunrise. On a clear day you will have an unobstructed view of the Himalayan mountains. Return to hotel for breakfast. A short boat trip will take you to the opposite side of Phewa Lake, from where you will hike to the World Peace Pagoda. It is located high above Pokhara.

In the afternoon take a guided tour of Pokhara’s natural beauty: see the Gupteshor Mahadev Caves and Devi’s Fall.

Day 06 – B L D
Pokhara | Nayapul | Ulleri [2073m]
A scenic one-hour drive from Pokhara takes you to the starting point of your trek. You will cross the suspension bridge over the Modi Khola River and then ascend slowly through terraced fields and classic mountain villages.

Along the way you will encounter mule or goat caravans carrying supplies to the mountains, heralded by the musical bells they wear. The stunning peaks of Machhapuchare and Annapurna visible over the green ridges will greet you from time to time as you continue up to Tikhedhunga. From there you will ascend a stone staircase to Ulleri.

Day 07 – B L D
Ulleri | Ghorepani [2855m]
Today begins with a real heart-starter. You will have a steep ascent to get you going before a more gradual uphill walk takes you to your camp at Ghorepani. You will pass through delightful villages and see the beautiful, dense rhododendron forests that are so characteristic for Nepal at these altitudes!

On a clear day you have see stunning mountain views from Ghorepani, making the climb well worth it! At Gorepani you are on the main Annapurna Circuit route and there are likely to be lots of travellers passing through this ridge-top settlement in both directions.

Ghorepani literally means “horse water” and it is a popular stopping place for the mule trains which ply the route from Pokhara to Jomsom and beyond. The impressive peak which can be seen across the broad valley of the Kali Gandaki to the northwest is Dhaulagiri.

Day 08 – B L D
Ghorepani | Ghandruk [1950m]
For everyone staying at Ghorepani it is a must to walk up to the celebrated view point of Poon Hill, which overlooks the village. Dawn is the best time to go, so you will have a wakeup call for 5am and head up the well marked track by torchlight. Witness the spectacular sunrise from the viewpoint: The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow before the sun slowly climbs up.

Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, before trekking on to Tadapani through rhododendron forest.  If you are lucky you will encounter some wild animals, such as langur monkeys climbing through the trees. From Tadapani you will have excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare.

From Tadapani the trail descends through beautiful forests to Ghandruk. This is a stunning village of Gurung people, one of Nepal’s most famous ethnic groups, known for their distinctive dialect, culture, costume, and lifestyle. Ghandruk is also home to many soldiers from the famous Gurkha regiments. From the village you can have stunning views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Fishtail.

Day 09 – B L D
Ghandruk | Birenthanti | Nayapul | Pokhara
Today the trail descends to Sauli Bazaar for about two hours and then an easy walk for another hour to reach Birethanti. 45 minutes later you will come to Nayapul. Your trek ends here, you will be picked up and drive to Pokhara about one hour away.

Day 10 – B
Pokhara
Today you will go on a day trip to Bhimad. It takes just an hour’s drive from Pokhara to reach Bhimad. Experience real Nepali village life and enjoy your morning meal with a local family. Visit different family homes, see how they live and enjoy their hospitality. Drive back to Pokhara after your evening meal.

Day 11 – B
Pokhara | Chitwan National Park
Drive to Chitwan National Park.
TENTATIVE PROGRAM BASED ON THREE NIGHTS AT MACHAN WILDLIFE RESORT
Pick-up by Landrover or elephants at the roadside village of Sunachuri, 2.5 km from the Resort. Upon arrival, lunch will be served, rooms assigned and there will be a short briefing on the program and facilities.
4:00 PM: Elephant-back safari: Guests will ride on elephant to explore jungle and wildlife: spot 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.
Dinner in the central dining hall.
7:00 PM: Slideshow presentation. A jungle expert will introduce background data and history of the Royal Chitwan National Park, as well as some other topics relating to wildlife. Your questions are most welcome.
Dinner in the central dining hall. Overnight at Machan Wildlife Resort.

Day 12 – B L D
Chitwan National Park
5:30 AM: Wake-up call followed by tea or coffee, then proceed on a nature walk. This encounter with the environment on foot will introduce the main features of eastern Chitwan: Sal forest, open grassland and riverine 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 the elephant stables. For the brave ones there is even a crash course in riding and leading the elephants.
1.00 PM: Lunch at the poolside terrace.
Remaining hours before the afternoon program: take a dip in the pool, or relax on your veranda. Hammocks and the library are at your disposal.
4:00 PM: Canoeing. A traditional dugout canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti river to view aquatic birds and the animals of the river banks. Back to the 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 Machan Wildlife Resort.

Day 13 – B L D
Chitwan National Park
6.00 AM: Wakeup call and early breakfast to proceed to a whole day walk to Churia hill where a pine vegetation exists. The hike introduces different vegetation and you have good chances to see some Bison.
Arrive Machan at 5.30 PM.
Evening entertainment and Dinner. Overnight at Machan Wildlife Resort.

Day 14 – B L D
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: Transfer to the airport and flight to Kathmandu.
In the afternoon visit Pashupatinath, one of the most important Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world. It draws wandering Sadhus from all over India.

A short walk away you will find Boudhanath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world. Around here you will experience vibrant and unfettered Tibetan culture from the large community of Tibetan exiles.

Today’s tour is an ideal experience to compare and contrast the different faiths but also see how they overlap and exist in harmony.

Day 15 – B
Kathmandu
In the early morning you have the opportunity to take an optional Himalayan flight. A one-hour mountain flight is a very special opportunity to have close views of Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,848m, and other peaks of the Himalayas.

In the afternoon visit Patan. Patan’s Durbar Square contains some of the finest Newari urban architecture in all of Nepal as well as Hindu and Buddhist monuments.

Day 16 – B
Kathmandu
Today is free for leisure activities. Enjoy a traditional farewell dinner with cultural programme in evening.

Day 17 – B
Depart Nepal | Arrive UK
Drive to the airport, your guide will help you and bid you farewell.