Trekking in Nepal

Day 01. ARRIVE KATHMANDU
Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be met, assisted and escorted to your hotel by our representative.

After checking in, you can relax for sometime and later in the afternoon proceed for half day sightseeing of Kathmandu city and Swoyambhunath Stupa.

Kathmandu City: Kathmandu Durbar with its medley of temples and shrines is the traditional seat of the royalty where Kings are crowned and their coronations are performed. The big bell; Kal Bhairav Temple; Jagannath Temple with its erotic carvings on the temple struts; Kasthamandap - the temple believed to have been built from the wood of a single tree and from which the city of Kathmandu derives its name, are some views you will enjoy on this tour. But on top of the list is the Kumari Ghar - the temple of the living goddess. For most of the year, the Kumari is available to greet people from the balcony of the temple. Photography is strictly prohibited here. Spend some time browsing through a typical Nepalese market place.

Swoyambhunath Stupa: These 2000 years old stupas are situated approx. 1.8 miles west of Kathmandu on a hillock overlooking the Kathmandu valley. This is one of the most glorious Buddhist temples. It is decorated with the famous "Buddha's eyes", and is surrounded by temples and Tibetan monasteries.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02. IN KATHMANDU
After an early breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing of Pashupatinath and Boudhnath.

Pashupatinath: Lying on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, this is the country's most important Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in 1696 with a two-tiered golden roof and silver doors and is famous for its superb architecture. Each year it draws numerous devotees from all over India.

Boudhnath Stupa: It lies approx. 5 miles east of Kathmandu. This is one of the largest Buddhist Shrines in the world, dating before the birth of Christ. It is the religious center for Nepal's considerable population of Tibetans and there are a number of thriving monasteries. This area is also referred to as 'little Tibet'.

In the afternoon visit Patan City.

Patan: Also known as Lalitpur meaning city of devotees is where you will visit the Patan Durbar Square with its exquisite architectural masterpieces depicting the Newar craftsmanship. Krishna Mandir - a stone structure with 21 spires; Hiranya Varan Mahabihar - the Golden temple; and Mahaboudha - a masterpiece in terra cotta, are some of the other highlights of the tour. After the tour you will continue to the Tibetan Resettlement Camp where Tibetan refugees are rehabilitated. You will see women weaving carpets on their looms.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03. KATHMANDU - POKHRA
After an early breakfast proceed by surface to Pokhra.

Pokhra is situated approx. 131 miles east of Kathmandu and is one of the most scenic spots in the country. The Himalayan panorama of the Annapurna range with the dominating peak of Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail) forming the backdrop for the city is a sight to behold. There are many lakes in Pokhra, the major being Phewa lake which is situated on the southernmost point of the city and is a popular tour spot.

Relax in the afternoon and later in the evening enjoy a boat ride on Phewa Lake.

Stay overnight in Pokhra.

Day 04. POKHRA - TOLKA (6 HOUR'S WALK)
After an early breakfast drive from Pokhra to Kanre for about an hour. We sort out our gear; we commence our walk to Tolka (1850mts). As soon as we leave Kanre, the trail climbs up through the forest and reaches the Australian camp (1950mts) in about one and half hours where one is rewarded by a panoramic view of the Himalayas extending from Dhaulagiri 1(8167mts) to Lamjung Himal (6932mts). After a detour we continue to walk to Pothana (2050mts), a walk of half an hour, during which you will enjoy the splendid views of Machhapuchhre/Mt. Fishtail (6995mts), Annapurna South (7219mts), and Hiunchuli (6441mts). Another 2 hours uphill trek through dense forest of rhododendron and fir, you will arrive at a small pass called Deurali at 2150mts, from where you can once again enjoy the view of the mountains we saw from Pothana. After a steep descent through a dense forest of birds, ferns and orchids walk along Modi Khola Canyon down to picturesque Tolka village at 1850mts. The descent is another 2 hours walk.

Stay overnight in lodge at Tolka.

Day 05. TOLKA - CHOMRONG (6 HOUR'S WALK)
This morning after breakfast we continue our trek to Chomrong (2170mts). The walking time is approx. 6 hours.

At first the trail descends a long stone staircase to a suspension bridge past some streams, paddy fields of rice and wheat and some unusual oval-shaped houses looking down the Modi canyon valley. This will bring us to the village of Landruk at 1646mts in about an hour. This village has a large collection of teahouses and lodges. The trail now turns up north of the Modi Khola valley, passing alongside rice terraces, then through forests, where one can enjoy a very classic waterfall. After about an hour's walk we arrive at Himal Pani from where a stiff climb will lead to Jhinu Danda at 1750mts where we stop for lunch. There is a nice natural hot spring bath down the river about 15 minutes away and if you so desire you could take a dip. After lunch, we start to walk for Chomrong. It's a long, steep climb, broken only by a few teahouses and a cluster of tea shops at Taglung and then the trail rounds up a bend and enters the big village of Chomrong, a predominantly Gurung village. This village lies tucked close to Mt. Hiunchuli (6441mts) and is the best place to see Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Machhapuchhre.

Stay overnight in a lodge at Chomrong.

Day 06. CHOMRONG - TADAPANI (5 HOUR'S WALK)
This morning, if the weather permits we wake up quite early to enjoy the magnificent sunrise over the snow-capped Himalayas. After breakfast, we start to walk for Tadapani, trekking through some terraced fields of rice and buckwheat past schools, and villages. After walking for about 2 hours we will cross the Kyumun Khola on a suspension bridge and will arrive at a small village called Chhule. Thereafter, it's a long steep walk up through a dense forest of rhododendron, Daphne, firs and pine. This is particularly good for those who have an interest in bird watching. One also gets to see lots of wild flowers blooming in the spring months of March - April. At the end of the day we reach Tadapani, a clearing in the middle of the forest that affords an excellent view of the Himalayas from Annapurna to Mt. Machhapuchhre.

Stay overnight in lodge at Tadapani.


Day 07. TADAPANI - GHOREPANI (5 HOUR'S WALK)
This morning, the trail gently descends through a thick forest of rhododendron, Daphne, and bamboo. In about an hour we cross a small stream on a wooden bridge and arrive at the top of a ridge. Then we walk for some more time and reach the village of Banthati located in the shadow of a huge rock face where some teashops and lodges are located. Now we have a steep climb to Deurali Pass at 3078mts, which will be covered in approx. two and half hours. The view from here is excellent. To the west one can see Mt. Dhaulagiri (98167mts), the pyramid peak of Annapurna in the south, while below is the deepest gorge in the world called 'The Kali Gandaki valley'. We descend through the tree line of rhododendrons and after an hour we reach Ghorepani at 2853mts.

Stay overnight in lodge at Ghorepani.


Day 08. GHOREPANI - TIRKHEDUNGA (4 HOUR'S WALK)
Today we will take an early morning excursion to Poon hill at 3210mts (an hours trek), from where we will enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayan ranges of Dhaulagiri I (8167mts), Tukuche Peak (6920mts), Dhampus peak (5950mts), Nilgiri South (6839mts), Baraha Sikhar (7647mts), Annapurna South (7219mts), Hiunchuli (6441mts), Machhapuchhre (6993mts) and Lamjung Himal. After enjoying the splendid view, we come down to Ghorepani for breakfast. From Ghorepani the trail follows all the way down through a thick forest of rhododendron, oak, and firs past some crystal clear streams, ravines and local teahouses. As we go further down one can enjoy a better view of Annapurna South (7273mts) and Hiunchuli (6441mts) from behind the hills and then reach the village of Ulleri, where we will stop for lunch. Beyond Ulleri, the trail descends a stone staircase until Bhurungdi Khola at 1410mts, where we will cross the river on a suspension bridge and finally arrive at Tirkhedunga (1540mts).

Stay overnight in lodge at Tirkhedunga.


Day 09. THIRKHEDUNGA - POKHRA
Today, the trail is simple along the left bank of Bhurungdi Khola. We cross some fields of rice and wheat and after about two and half hours reach the prosperous town of Birethanti at 1089mts, situated on the opposite bank of the Modi Khola. We will cross the confluence of two rivers on a steel bridge to arrive at Naya pool at 1130mts. From here we will board the vehicle to return to Pokhra. The drive to Pokhra is of one and a half hours.

Upon arrival in Pokhra check in at the hotel and relax.

Stay overnight in Pokhra.

Day 10. POKHRA - KATHMANDU
After an early morning breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu.

After checking in at the hotel the rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel or explore the city centre.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 11. LEAVE KATHMANDU
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport in time to connect to the flight for onward destination.