Locations: KATHMANDU-POKHARA-DHAMPUS-LANGDRUG-GHANDUNG-NAYAPOOL-POKHARA-CHITWAN-KATHMANDU

Operational period: Entire year
Best period : October - March

Trek Grade: D+

NTRODUCTION This is a classic introduction to trekking in Nepal. On arriving in Kathmandu, we have two days to take in the sights of the city and surrounding valley before taking our flight to Pokhara where we stay one night. The next day we start out on our trek, travelling at a gentle pace though the stunning scenery of the foothills of the Himalayas. We move on each night until we reach the welcoming town of Ghandung on the third night of the trek.

Here we stay three nights to enjoy some great walking without the consideration of packing up each night. The Annapurna range towers above us, providing a fantastic backdrop for our walking.
 

Meet assist upon arrival and transfer to hotel.

The Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal is the political, commercial and cultural hub. Spread across an area of 360 square kilometers and at an altitude of 1336 meter above the sea level, Kathmandu is an exotic and fascinating showcase of a very rich culture, art and tradition. The valley, roughly oval bowl measuring 24 km east-west and 19 km north-south, is encircled by a range of green terraced hills and dotted by compact clusters of red tiled-roofed houses.

A remarkable legend speaks that the valley was once covered by a lake until the Bodhisattva Manjushri raised his sword of wisdom and sliced a passage through the mountain walls, draining the water and creating the first settlements.   (MEAL - D )

Overnight at hotel.
 

After Breakfast at hotel commence sightseeing

0930 to 1230 hrs: Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa.

Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in Pagoda Style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Pashupatinath is the centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

Boudhnath Stupa: One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Furthermore it is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list this site is considered very much like Mecca for the Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the stupa.

After the morning sightseeing proceed to Kathmandu City . Here disembark the coach and do a walking tour into the by lanes of the Old City visiting the monuments in the Kathmandu city eg. Durbar square, Kumari temple, Hanuman Dhoka, Seto Machendranath and the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty. Later walk to Thamel area to shop for Nepalese souvenirs. Walk around the busy narrow streets of thamel and see old houses / structures, hawkers selling various products of daily need etc etc. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant called Rum Doodle. The Rum Doodle Restaurant and Bar in Thamel is very popular amongst mountaineering expeditions and trekking groups. It serves steaks, pastas and pizzas amidst live music. This walk with lunch can be done at a easy pace and can take 2.5 hours.

At 1530 hrs proceed by coach to Swoyambhunath Stupa which will take 30 minutes drive. After sightseeing at Swoyambhunath return to hotel by 1730 hrs.

PM: Kathmandu City: Known as Kantipur, is the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. A 218 square miles of land, situated above 4400 ft above sea level, Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's traditional culture and arts. Kashtamandap the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and the Durbar Square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka, Seto Machendranath and the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty.

Swoyambhunath Stupa: watches over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. The stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swoyambhunath is also known as Sengu and is listed as a World heritage site.   (MEAL - B/L/D ) Overnight at hotel.
 

EVEREST MOUNTAIN FLIGHT There are everyday mountain flights over the Everest region. These flights duration is about 50 minutes and supplies breathtaking views of all the mountain peaks that come under the region of Everest as well as several others. Everest mountain flights are conducted early in the morning between 06.30 and 08.00am. Once the flights take off it can go as high as 25,000 feet! The experience itself is thrilling and worth remembering once you are in the country of the Himalayas. Jetstream-41, the state-of-the art technology based aircraft is used for the flight with guaranteed window seat for all the passengers.

After Breakfast at Hotel commence sightseeing

0930 - 1230 hrs: Patan City: Located about 5 km south of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, on the southern side of the Bagmati River, Patan is one of 3 royal cities in the valley. A destination for connoisseurs of fine arts, Patan is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments. The city of Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty. It was expanded by Lichhavis in the 6th century A.D. and again by the Mallas in medieval period. Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life.

After Patan sightseeing must see the Patan Museum ( which is not part of a regular sightseeing tour ) . The Patan Museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. Its home is an old residential court of Patan Darbar, one of the royal palaces of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. Its gilded door and window face one of the most beautiful squares in the world and Tibetan handicraft centre.

After visit to the museum proceed for lunch to the Cafe de Patan, a popular local restaurant in the Patan area which caters to Nepaleese and Continental cuisines.

1400 hrs: We could take them to Godavari Botanical gardens ( 30 mins drive from Patan city ). Godavari Botanical garden is located on the foot of Pulchowki hill. It consists of mainly open parkland type habitats and several fast flowing streams. Some of the special birds found here were Spotted and Black-backed Forktails, Rufous-gorgetted, Slaty-backed and Rusty-tailed Flycatchers, Hodgson's Redstart, White's Thrush, Chestnut-headed and Grey-bellied Tesia, Grey Bushchat and Asian Barred Owlet amongst others. It also homes the pink, white and red rhododendrons and a variety of colorful orchids. This is a interesting area to walk around for the group members

Return to hotel by 1700 hrs.

Evening: Proceed to a local family's house for dinner (without folk dance). Maximum 10 pax per family. If more than 10 pax then the group will split into two houses in the same locality or proceed to Nepalese Restaurant (with folk dances). The group will travel in the same coach from the hotel and back.   (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight at hotel.
 

After breakfast we suggest an early morning flight to Pokhara. Leave Pokhara and travel by road to Suikhet Phedi, 20 KM / drive 30 minutes away. From here, the trail ascends steeply through forest and later through paddy fields to the village of Dhampus where you stay overnight in Tea house.  (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight in Tea house
 

After breakfast, the trail goes up to Pothana Village and onwards up to Deurali through Rhododendron and orchid forest. From on top of the ridge at Deurali we have magnificent views of the mountains, including Mt Dhaulagiri, the highest mountain in this region. We enjoy the views while having a well earned rest and then we descend through forest to the small village of Tolka, a small Gurung village very rich in culture and very beautiful. We proceed on to Beri Kharka and from here, the trail descends through scattered forests and villages to reach Landrung. Landrung is a large Gurung village situated above the Modi River where we will stay the night in a local tea house. Lunch will be served en-route. Dhampus (1650m) to Landrung (1646m)  (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight in Tea house
 

From Landrung the trail descends along the ridge and down to the Modi River at New bridge. It is a steep ascending to the village of Jhinu, for overnight stay in the lodge Walk through the scattered forests for about 45 minutes down to riverside where there is two hot spring ponds. Relaxe some time in hot spring and come up to Jhinu for overnight stay.   (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight in Tea house
 

After breakfast, the trail goes steeply down towards the river for about one hour. From here, steep ascent for about two to three hours through the scattered villages with a beautiful view of the Himalayas to reach Ghandrung, one of the biggest Gurung settlement in western Nepal. One can have a good view of Gangapurna, Machapuchhre (Fishtail), Mt. Annapurna south and other snowy mountains. If time permits, visit ACAP (ANNAPURNA CONSERVATION AREA PROJECT) head office, local museum and village.   (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight in Tea house
 

After breakfast will visit local villages with guide and Overnight in Ghandrung.  (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight in Tea house
 

After breakfast we descend along gentle paved trails through forest and terraced fields to Kimchi (1638m). We then follow the ridge downhill to Kehone Danda and on to Kliu, after which we cross a suspension bridge over the Sadhu Khola (river), finally reaching the Modi Khola at Seuli Bazaar (1140m).

Following flatter trails along the Modi Khola we walk through lovely forests and terraces to Birethanti and on to Nayapul on the Pokhara-Baglung highway. From here we relax as we drive about 1 hour to Pokhara. Ghandrung (1951m) to Nayapul (1070m); drive to Pokhara (800m)

Rest of the day at leisure   (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight in Hotel
 

After breakfast at Hotel. Half day city tour, covering the following,

Devi's fall: Locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall), Devi's fall (also known as Devin's or David's) is an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen. An interesting modern legend says that a foreigner named David was skinny dipping in the Pardi Khola (river) when the floodgates of the dam were opened, sweeping him into an underground passage beneath the fall, never to be seen again.

Seti River Gorge: It is carved by Seti River and is one of the natural wonders of Pokhara. KI Singh Bridge at the Bagar, Mahendra Pool & Prithivi Highway Bridge near Bus Park provides a perfect view of the river's dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by the turbulent flow of white water like milk.

Mahendra Cave: Mahendra Cave lies north of the Pokhara valley. It is a large limestone cave, which is one of the few stalagmite stalactite caves found in Nepal.

Tibetan Village: Tibetan Village Tashiling in the south and Tashil Palkhel in the north of Pokhara Valley are the two Tibetan villages, which is inhabited by the Tibetan people who keeps themselves busy by producing and trading woolen carpets and other handicrafts.   (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight at Hotel
 

After breakfast drive to Chitwan ( approx 5-6 hrs). Arrive Chitwan and check in at the hotel. Lunch at the resort. Evening take an Elephant / jeep Safari. During dinner have a talk with the local naturalist.  (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight at the resort
 

Early Morning Elephant / jeep Safari / jungle walk. Return to hotel for breakfast. Afternoon at leisure. Lunch at the resort. Evening Elephant / jeep Safari. Later enjoy Tharu dance at the resort before dinner.

(Resort generally provides two elephant safari's, one jeep safari, one jungle walk and one canoe ride as per jungle plan over the two package - subject to change depending on weather conditions and availability of elephants)  (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight at the resort
 

Early morning drive to the river bed and do the canoe ride to spot birds. Return to hotel for breakfast. Late morning drive to Bharatpur airport ( approx 1 hr) . Fly back to kathmandu at 1230 or 1420 hrs .  (MEAL - B/L/D )

Overnight at hotel
 

Breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day free till departure.

Breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day free till departure. Lunch will be at a local Restaurant either Rum Doodle or Red Carpet or Cafereenain before departure to the airport.

Transfer to Tribhuwan international airport for onward journey.  (MEAL - B/L)