Travelpack

Highlights: Kathmandu - Pokhara

Alternate travel dates: 16 Jan 18 - 30 Apr 18

Hotels:
Kathmandu - Hotel Himalaya / Hotel Shambala
Pokhara – The Begnas Lake Resort & Villas

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu. Upon arrival, meet-welcome and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Himalaya / Hotel Shambala, Kathmandu

Day 2: Full day tour of Kathmandu city, Swoyambhunath stupa and Patan city
After breakfast, visit of old Kathmandu city with its stone paved lanes, colorful bazaars, the Temple of the Living Goddess - Kumari who is considered to be the incarnation of the "Virgin Goddess". The old Durbar Square consists of the old palace and innumerable temples of different architecture.

Continue to Swoyambhunath stupa, situated west of Kathmandu. It is a 2500 years old Buddhist stupa located at a top of green hillock with the eyes of Buddha painted on its pinnacle overlooking righteous behaviour of the valley inhabitants.

Later visit Patan city, also known as Lalitpur or the "city of beauty". Patan is well known for its intricately carved temples, narrow lanes and quaint shops. See the intricately stone-carved Krishna temple, Patan Durbar Square and Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (golden temple).

Overnight: Hotel Himalaya / Hotel Shambala, Kathmandu

Day 3:
Fly Kathmandu/Pokhara, Drive Pokhara/Phedi
Trek to Dhampus (3-3.5hrs walk)
This morning we take a scenic flight to Pokhara, west of Kathmandu and the starting point of our trek. The Pokhara Valley offers a spectacular panorama of Nepal’s central Himalayas with Annapurna I and III, Machapuchare and Manaslu dominating the skyline. A short drive to Phedi in the Annapurna foothills brings us to our Sherpa staff, where we allow time to load up supplies. Our trek starts right out with a steady up-hill climb and a series of stone steps passing through villages and ultimately arriving at Dhampus. Enjoy big views of Mt. Machhapuchhre, ‘The Fish Tail’ (22,885'), from our first night’s camp spot. All meals included while trekking, from breakfast on Day 3 through breakfast on Day 13.

Trekking: 3+ hours.

Overnight: Local lodge/tea house

Day 4: Trek to Landrung (1640m / 5hrs walk)
After breakfast, walk along a soft uphill trail through protected forestland which is almost like a gentle staircase. You shall cross over a small windy pass (Deurali) soon after which you can stop for lunch. Several peaks of the Annapurna range can be seen from here including the photogenic Mt. Macchapuchare (6,993m).Now that you are in the Modi Khola valley, descend slowly to the village of Landrung through forests and small local farms. Landrung is a wellknown village of the Annapurna area with a rich Gurung culture. Traditionally, men from this village are serving soldiers in the Gorkha regiments. Annapurna South (7,219m) and Hiunchuli (6,441m) are prominent peaks visible from here.

Overnight: Local Lodge or tea house

Day 5: Trek to Chomrong (1939m / 6hrs walk)
The day begins with a descent to the modi khola river and we traverse along its east bank.

The afternoon's walk will be a steep uphill for a couple of hours to the top of a ridge and then descend shortly to Chomrong.

Overnight: Local Lodge or tea house

Day 6: Trek to Himalaya Hotel (2400m / 5hrs walk)
Walk up the Modi Khola gorge through a thick bamboo and rhododendron forest and pass along numerous high waterfalls to reach a small clearing besides the Modi river as it thunders downhill.

Overnight: Local Lodge or tea house

Day 7: Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp (3720m / 6hrs walk)
The trail now becomes obliterated with boulders and we follow the left bank of modi river carefully because of the moss covered rocks. A steady climb of 2 hours brings us to Machhapuchare base camp.

Overnight: Local Lodge or tea house

Day 8: Excursion to Annapurna Base Camp (4095m) & trek to Doban (2400m) (7hrs walk)
The view at Annapurna Base Camp is something beyond imagination as one stands in the center of a vast amphitheatre of some of the highest peaks in the world ie., Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, Glacier dome, Tent Peak, Gangpurna and Machhapuchre.

Overnight: Local Lodge or tea house

Day 9: Trek to Chomrong (1939m / 6hrs walk)
Walk down to Chomrong, a beautiful spread out village at the mouth of gorge leading into the sanctuary

Overnight: Local Lodge or tea house

Day 10: Trek to Ghandrung (1980m / 5-6hrs walk)
After breakfast slowly walk down the stone steps to cross the Modikhola river on a hanging bridge at the base of the steps. There are small pockets of fresh river water where one can wash oneself while taking care not to slip on the wet rocks. Upon crossing the bridge walk along farming terraces of paddy, maize and millet before slowly ascending along well laid out stone steps to reach this scenic and well-planned Gurung village - perhaps the largest and most beautiful in the entire Annapurna area. The afternoon may be spent exploring Ghandrung village with its neat rows of ochre-coloured houses and well kept gardens. The headquarters of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project is located here.

Overnight: Local Lodge or tea house

Day 11:
Trek to Nayapool (1070m / 4hrs walk)
Dive to Pokhara (1.5 hrs)
It’s a gentle hike this day as we follow a mountain stream along a wide village trail. Quite likely that we will encounter colourful mule-trains as they ferry goods to and from the Kaligandaki valley. Reach Nayapool & drive to Pokhara, transfer to your hotel booked separately.

Overnight: Begnas Lake Resort, Pokhara

Day 12: Drive Pokhara/Kathmandu
After breakfast, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu retracing the same highway.

Overnight: Hotel Himalaya / Hotel Shambala, Kathmandu

Day 13: Departure Transfer
After breakfast, transfer to international airport in time to connect your outbound flight.

Offer Includes

Meal Plans