Nepal Explorer Adventure

Day 1 / Kathmandu (1360m)
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Our airport representative will be waiting for you in the arrival hall, located after passing out of the customs area. Look out for the Peregrine signboard. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes. A briefing given by our group leader is scheduled for the late afternoon. He will discuss our trekking program and co-ordinate any last minute arrangements. The evening is free, but usually our tour leader will organise an evening meal (optional) at one of Kathmandu’s fine Nepali restaurants. Alternatively you can enjoy a dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 / Kathmandu (1360m)
In the morning we explore Kathmandu on an organised sightseeing tour. We visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. We also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further sightseeing and exploration. You may wish to take the option of the spectacular flight over Mount Everest, or wander into the centre of town and explore the Durbar Square area, or just relax in the spacious hotel gardens. Alternatively you may wish to arrange for a taxi to take you out to Bhaktapur, probably the most fascinating of the medieval towns in the Kathmandu Valley.

Day 3: Chainabatthi (1410m)
(Fly to Pokhara. Driving time: approx 1½ hours; trekking: approx 2 hours)
An early departure from the hotel this morning as we are transferred to the domestic terminal at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport. From here we fly to Pokhara, with a flight time of about 30 minutes and often spectacular views of the main Himalayan chain to the north. After arriving in Pokhara we are transferred by road (private bus) to the starting point of the trek at Lumle which we should reach in the early afternoon. Our first day’s walk is particularly easy, following sub-tropical terrain traversing through the villages of Lumle, Chandrakot and finally to our lodge at Chainabatthi located high above the Modi Khola Valley with super views of the fishtail peak, Machhapuchhare, and Annapurna South.

Day 4: Trek to Landruk (1565m)
We commence today with a short walk through terraced fields to the village of Majhgoan. From here we continue to contour above the Modi Valley, with fine views of the Annapurnas to the north. We then enter forested regions and cross a small suspension bridge to reach the pretty settlement of Mathigoan. Continuing on, the trail passes through very pretty countryside, gradually ascending through a forest with cliffs and waterfalls adding to the beauty of the area. We stop for lunch at Bhichuk and enjoy a few hours relaxation. In the afternoon it is a shorter walk to our lodge at Landruk. Again we have views of the Annapurna Mountains and across the Modi Valley where the largest village of the region, Ghandruk, can be seen. Landruk is another unique and predominantly Gurung village, famous for its cultural richness and astounding natural setting. 5-6 hours

Day 5: Trek to  Pothana (1990m)
We rise early to view the sunrise, then after breakfast we begin a gradual ascents through rhododendron forests that are particularly spectacular during March and April when the trees are in flower. We reach our lunch spot at Tadapani in the late morning and there are fine views of Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare and Lamjung Himal (6931m) from our lodge. The afternoon is free to relax as the next leg of our journey heads off the main trail to the wilderness and Tadapani will be our last village for the next two weeks.

Day 6: Trek to Dhampus and Drive to Pokhara (850m)
From Pothana the trail descends through forests of rhododendron to Dhampus (1700m), a large village spread out along on a hilltop only a short walk from the main road to Pokhara. It is inhabited by a mix of people including Gurung, Brahman, Magar and Chhetri. It is here in Dhampus that we are rewarded with more spectacular mountain views. We have only a short trek today as we head back to the main road. After saying farewell to our porters we are transferred by coach back to Pokhara, where we stay at the Hotel Barahi, located close to the lakeside. This hotel has a swimming pool, so you may wish to bring your swimming costume. This evening there is an opportunity to travel to Sarangkot to watch the sunset. Sarangkot is a 1600 metre high hill, situated on the northern shores of Phewa Lake offering fantastic panoramic views of the Annapurna ranges. 5 hours trekking and 1 hour driving

Day 7: Sightseeing Pokhara (850m)
We start early this morning and take a boat ride across the lake to the Peace Pagoda, where we enjoy excellent views of the mountains and across Pokhara. It is certainly worthwhile taking a boat for a row out on the lake (Phewa Tal), which is the second largest in Nepal. The remainder of the day has been allocated for further exploration in the peaceful surroundings of Pokhara. Your leader can advise you of sightseeing opportunities or you may just wish to relax and laze around the hotel swimming pool. The lakeside area has good shopping opportunities and internet cafés. Pokhara has an interesting old area as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery. There are various small museums scattered around town including the International Mountain Museum, which is well worth a visit.

Day 8: Drive to Royal Chitwan National Park
We leave Pokhara In the morning and drive to Royal Chitwan National Park. After arriving and settling in, we are introduced to the camp staff and resident naturalists who will discuss our program at Royal Park Wildlife Resort. There is some flexibility and activities may vary with the time of the year and known wildlife movements and locations. We may visit the elephant camp to see how their handlers, known as phanits, care for these beautiful animals. A late afternoon safari riding on elephants takes us into the forest and grasslands to observe the varied and exciting wildlife in the park. In the early evening the local Tharu dance troupe may perform a cultural program. We then enjoy dinner and afterwards we are free to relax in the bar and discuss the day’s sightings or listen to the exotic sounds of the jungle at night. 4 hours driving

Day 9: Jungle Adventure in Royal Chitwan National Park
An early morning excursion could include either another elephant safari to different parts of the park in search of the great Indian rhino or a jungle walk in search of exotic bird life and deer. Tiger sightings are rare these days, but these magnificent animals do inhabit the park. After breakfast we leave the lodge for a trip by dugout canoe on the Rapti River. This is an exciting trip with chances to view marsh mugger crocodiles and various birds that inhabit the riverbanks. A program is organised for us for the rest of the day that may include further walks with a naturalist guide, excursions by jeep or a visit to one of the nearby villages.

Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu (1360m)
There is an early morning safari and a final chance to catch a glimpse of more of the exotic wildlife of the area. This is also our last chance to spot some of the animals that we may not have previously seen. After breakfast we drive on to the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. The evening is free but usually our group leader will organise an evening meal (optional) at one of Kathmandu’s fine Nepali restaurants. 5 hours driving

Day 11: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2652m)
Early morning take the spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m), flying parallel to giant Himalayan Mountains bordering Nepal and China (Tibet). The flight time is about 40 minutes and we land at an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa in the mid-1960s. After landing we have time to explore the village while our Sherpa crew sort and load our trekking equipment. In the afternoon we begin our trek by descending towards the Dudh-Kosi River where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunrikharka (2713m). The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat
(2550m) it is a short walk to Phakding. 40 min flight and 3 hrs trek.

Day 12:  Jorsale (2810m)
From Phakding we cross the river and head up the valley, following porters from the south that are ferrying supplies to Namche Bazaar. The trail keeps close to the river valley and is lined with beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest that is very spectacular in the spring months, when the flowers are in bloom. We cross the Dudh Kosi River at Benkar, where there are tantalising glimpses of the snow-capped peaks of Kusum Kanguru (6369m) and Thamserku (6623m). At the far end of the village of Monjo we enter the national park before crossing the Dudh Kosi River to our lodge at Jorsale (2810m), where we arrive in time for lunch. The afternoon free, giving us an opportunity to do some exploring around the village. The day has been deliberately kept short to aid with acclimatisation, which is a very important process. 4 hours Treks

Day 13: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3446m)
A little tougher and includes a steep ascent trek to Namche Bazaar, continues upstream on generally flat terrain, crossing back to the right bank to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi Rivers, where we start the steep climb to Namche Bazaar. After crossing a large and stable suspension bridge high above the river, we slowly ascend at a steady pace. There are some fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Taweche (6542m) come into view for the first time. After arriving in Namche Bazaar, we enjoy lunch with the afternoon is free to bargain in the shops for Tibetan artefacts or simply relax and marvel at the beautiful scenery. 4 hrs Treks

Day 14: Explore Namche Bazaar (3446m)
Namche is a prosperous village situated in a large protected hollow. It gained its importance during the period when Tibetan salt was traded for the lowland grains of Nepal. Today a limited amount of trade still exists at Namche and Tibetans are often seen in the village trading rugs and Chinese-made goods, clothing, salt and dried meat.

It is recommended that you take the opportunity to see both the sunrise and sunset views from the national park headquarters above the village. The stunning vista includes a superb panorama of the Khumbu peaks and great views of Everest. After breakfast, we climb towards the park headquarters and cross the little-used Shyangboche airstrip. We take a short break at the Everest View Hotel before descending to the patchwork of fields at the village of Khumjung. We trek past the school and onto our lodge at the head of the village. The village of Khumjung is located away from the main trail to Everest and is a truly peaceful and tranquil setting. The most notable peaks seen from here are Kantega, Ama Dablam and Mount Everest itself.

Day 15: Trek to Phakding (2652m)
We spend a leisurely morning in Namche and take the final opportunity to view Mount Everest before descending steeply to the river, where we cross the suspension bridge and then continue back to Jorsale. Here we take lunch and in the afternoon leave the national park at Monjo to retrace our steps along the Dudh Kosi River. We cross to the western bank at Benkar and follow a beautiful and easy trail through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with views of Kusum Kangaru forming a backdrop. We reach Phakding, our stop for the night, in the mid-afternoon. 5 hrs Trek

Day 16:  Lukla (2800m)
From Phakding we ascend out of the river valley back to the airstrip and our lodge accommodation at Lukla. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with our Sherpa companions. 3 hrs Trek

Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu (1360m)
We rise early in the morning to be ready for the arrival of our aircraft for the flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu we are met and transferred back to our starting hotel.

Day 18: Bhaktapur Sightseeing (1360m)
We have allowed a further day in Kathmandu for sightseeing, shopping and exploring the bazaars and markets. Located in the south of the city, Patan is also worth a visit with its own Durbar Square full of historic structures and statues of past kings. Alternatively, a visit to Bhaktapur is highly recommended if you have not done this already.

Day 19: Departure from Kathmandu (1360m)
Our trip ends today after breakfast and you are transferred out to the airport for your flight home or your onward journey. If you wish to stay on in Kathmandu, please pre-book your post-tour accommodation before you commence your travels.