The Annapurna Sanctuary & Chitwan National Park Wildlife Excursion - Itinerary
19 Days (from arriving in Nepal to departing)
2 Nights at Kathmandu Guest House
2 Nights at Pokhara Garden View Hotel
2 Nights at Muruni Lodge, Chitwan
2 Nights at Park Village Resort
10 Nights Camping
Trek Grade - 1 Easy/Moderate
Price £1295 all-inclusive land only
DAY 1
Arrive In Nepal - Hotel Accommodation (Kathmandu Guest House)
A member of our team will meet you at Nepals Tribhuvan International Airport and welcome you to the country. We transfer by private coach to the comfortable Kathmandu Guest House situated in the very centre of the Thamel tourist district of the city where your upon arrival drinks will be served. After settling into you Garden Facing Room which is en-suite and on a sole occupancy basis we will all meet and have a group meeting. Over dinner at the hotel you will be able to get to know your trekking companions and we can answer any questions you may have.
DAY 2
Kathmandu City Tours - Hotel Accommodation (Kathmandu Guest House)
We have organised two facinating tours for you today to absorb your new surroundings and to immerse yourself in the Nepalese culture yet still allowing you to have a relaxing day after your long travels the day before. You will have free time to explore this amazing city and do some shopping sould you wish to buy any last minute items for your trek.After breakfast we are taken by private bus to the Monkey Temple at Swayambunath where our expert local guide will provide us with a fascinating tour of this stunning place and also point out the distant Himalayan Peaks from this superb view point.. We return to the Kathmandu Guest House for lunch at Café Bahal and then in the afternoon take an exciting rickshaw ride around the city's famous Durbar Square where again we will have an expert tour guide. In the evening prior to dinner at a local resturaunt we will provide the group with a multi-media presentation about your trek over some pre-dinner drinks. We have some stunning images that will hopefully give you a taste of things to come.
DAY 3
Fly to Pokhara/Phewa Lake Tour - Hotel Accommodation (Pokhara View Garden)
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the short flight to Pokhara, a beautiful town set on the banks of the Phewa Lake. We will be staying at Pokhara View Garden Hotel which is very comfortable and from the rooftop we can get fantastic views the nearby Himalayas including the spectacular Machapuchare. Pokhara is smaller and much less hectic than Kathmandu and is the perfect starting point for our trek. Your first day in Pokhara can be spent just relaxing although we have arranged a visit to Devi’s Falls. Locally known as the Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall). Devi's Fall (also known as Devin's and David's) is a lovely waterfall lying about two km south-west of the Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin, David) was washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall . In addition to visiting we also have arranged a boat trip on the beautiful Phewa Lake which affords some stunning views of the not too distant Himalayas. This boat trip of approximately one hour is a fantastic way to absorb this truly amazing place and it is the perfect view point for capturing those panoramas with your camera.
Day 4
Birethanti to Hille - Camping
Drive an hour to Birethanti (1100m) from Pokhara. Trekking starts through the lush, green Modi river valley, past waterfalls with plunge pools. This is a short day to ease you into your trekking pace and to allow us the ideal rate for acclimatisation. Height gain today is approx 420m
DAY 5 Hille to Ghorepani - Camping A gentle climb through pasture and cultivated fields following the beautiful Bhurundi Khola river before ascending more steeply up towards Ulleri, a Magar village. As the trail climbs higher, you walk up beside the cascading river through refreshingly cool oak and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2840m.)
DAY 6
Ghorepani to Tadapani/Climb Poon Hill - Camping
Early-morning climb to the Poonhill and enjoy sunrise over the peaks and magnificent mountain panoramic view. A short ascend to Deurali pass for a spectacular panorama over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. Trail descends steeply through dense moss-covered forest rich with bird life to Tadapani (2540m) for beautiful sunset views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchre.
DAY 7
Tadapani to Chhomrung - Camping
The trail drops down from Tadapani, through dense rhododendron forest. The route starts the long ascent high above the west bank of the Modi Khola, and continues up to the village of Chhomrung (2040m.) Towering above the village is the mighty peak of Annapurna South, with the Fishtail facing it across the valley.
DAY 8
Chhomrung to Dovan - Camping
We walk through the forest to Kuldi Ghar, before the route goes steeply down a bank of rock and then levels out, running through riverside bamboo thickets along the base of the gorge. Hiunchuli 6441m and Gandharba Chuli 6248m can be seen which provide us with impressive views of the towering giants that surround us.
DAY 9
Machhapuchre Base Camp - Camping
The track remains on the west bank of the Modi, now flowing through a more open valley, and eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier and the Modi follows a deep cliff to the right. This is the site of Machhapuchhre base camp (3480m) from which can be seen a spectacular panorama of mountains.
DAY 10
Annapurna South Base Camp - Camping
The route begins on a broad grassy path, before climbing over lateral moraine and down to the beautiful ablation valley. We soon reach the British Expedition Annapurna South Face Base Camp (4234m.) The best views are probably obtained from the crest of the moraine, which we follow until it is cut through by the glacier flowing down from Himal Chuli to the north.
DAY 11
Annapurna South Base Camp to Dovan - Camping
Descend and follow the same route to a pleasant Himalaya hotel, which lies on the boundary of the Sanctuary.
DAY 12
Dovan to Jhinu Danda - Camping
The trail passes the small village of Khuldi Bikas, before continuing through rhododendron and bamboo fields to the Alpine-style village of Chhomrung. And shortly after this we arrive at Jhinu Danda for the night.
DAY 13
Jhinu Danda to Pothana - Camping
After an easy descent and to the Gurung village of Landrung, the trail contours for a while before crossing a pass just before Bheri Kharka. Soon after this we arrive at the village of Pothana with the Idi Khola below us.
DAY 14
Pothana to Pokhara - Hotel Accommodation (Pokhara View Garden)
It's a short climb down to Phedi, where we will be met at the road and driven back to Pokhara. Pokhara will seem like a teeming metropolis after the serenity of the hill trails. Settle in back at your hotel and reflect on the amazing journey you have just had into the very heart of the Annapurnas. With this being your last night in Pokhara we arrange a party for the sherpas and porters who have just looked after you on your trek. We will have a fantastic group dinner with drinks and view the trekking photos through our digital projector. Say our goodbyes to the sherps and porters.
DAY 15
Chitwan National Park Activities - Accommodation (Maruni Sanctuary Lodge)
Transfer to Chitwan National Park by private coach. Arrival at the Maruni Sanctuary Lodge Refreshment, briefing & check into your Cottage Go for the Tharu Village Walk. Refreshments and Relax Bike ride to the river beach to view the sunset.
DAY 16
Chitwan National Park Activities - Accommodation (Maruni Sanctuary Lodge)
Wake-up call with tea & biscuits Elephant Safari – great fun. Breakfast Jungle walk and bird watching with guide Lunch Bull-a-cart ride around the local village. Dinner then ‘Tharu’ Cultural Dance display.
DAY 17
Chitwan National Park/ Fly to Kathmandu - Hotel Accommodation (Park Village Resort)
Wake-up call with tea & biscuits Canoeing, Bird-watching and a visit to the Elephant Breeding Centre Breakfast Departure – Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to the beautiful Park Village Resort
DAY 18
Shivapuri National Park Walk - Hotel Accommodation (Park Village Resort)
Early Breakfast at Park Village Resort. Start walking towards the Shivapuri National Park via the ancient temple of the Vishnu -the biggest monolith of the Sleeping Vishnu. Continue walking uphill towards the National Park via Buddhist monasteries and villages. Reach the top of the hill walking through the jungles path guided by our expert tour guide. The tour is also guided by a bird specialist.Have packed lunch on the top of the hill. Drive back to Park Village Resort and dive into the pool or use the sauna or steam bath.We have a special last night group dinner at the hotel and after this have we have a sneek preview of our trek video(the uncut version) shown in one of the fantastic conference rooms at the hotel making excellent use of the superb multi-media facilities and relaxing whilst having a well earned drink.
DAY 19 Depart After breakfast we will take a shuttle into the city for any last minute shopping that you may wish to do and retyrn to the hotel for lunch at the excellent restaurant. We will transfer you to the Tribhuvan International airport for you flight home and we will take care of evrything for you including getting you and all of your bags to check-in. Your departure tax is also organised and paid for by us. We say our our final farewells and we hope to see you again in the future sometime.