Annapurna and Chitwan in Luxury

Day 1: Start Kathmandu.

The tour starts at our hotel in Kathmandu this afternoon. Free arrival transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied Exodus with your flight details in advance and have requested one. The group flights are scheduled to arrive in the mid-afternoon. This evening there will be a full trip briefing.

Hotel Shangri La 

Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing tour including Durbar Square and Boudhanath Stupa.

For those who wish, there is the chance to do an optional Everest sightseeing flight early this morning; this can be booked locally through your leader on day 1.

We will leave the hotel late morning for our Kathmandu sightseeing tour. First, we drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Boudhanath to see the famous Buddhist stupa with its huge mandala; one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and indeed in the world.  We have lunch nearby and then continue to Kathmandu Durbar Square (which also has UNESCO status), one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley.  Although the Kathmandu Durbar Square was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake the many palaces, temples and courtyards in the Newari style are interesting. There will be a full trip briefing today.

Hotel Shangri La

Day 3: Drive to Pokhara; orientation walk

We leave Kathmandu early this morning and drive to Pokhara - traffic leaving Kathmandu can prolong the journey but once out of Kathmandu city, the journey usually takes around 6 hours depending on the road and traffic conditions. In the afternoon your leader will take you for an orientation walk along the shore of Phewa Lake. Pokhara is a pretty lakeside resort at the foot of the Annapurna range. 

Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Pokhara

Day 4: Walk through farmland and forest down to the Modi River Valley to Sanctuary Lodge, offering fine views of the sacred 'Fishtail' Mountain

We have a short drive to our trek start point, from where we follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Ker & Downey's Sanctuary Lodge is located. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhare, as it is locally known. A picnic lunch is provided today.  

Ker and Downey Lodge (Sanctuary Lodge, 1,025m)

 

Day 5: Picturesque trek through villages, padi rice fields and forest to Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk.

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge to start the trek through the scattered small farms. Following the Modi Khola and with constant views of Mt. Machhapuchhre ahead, you will soon climb the valley towards the mountains. It is quite a long climb up stone steps passing through the rice fields and forest, but we take plenty of stops. Finally, we arrive at Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk in the early afternoon to a late lunch that is served on arrival as you enjoy the spectacular views of Annapurna Massif.Ker and Downey Lodge (Himalaya Lodge, 2,012m)

Day 6: Descend to cross the river by suspension bridge, then climb to La Bee Lodge in Landruk.

Although we can see Landruk across the valley we have to descend to the river and climb up the other side to get there! Leaving the Ghandruk village, the trek descends steeply to the banks of Modi River. Crossing the suspension bridge, we trek up a stone staircase to Landruk village, enjoying the views of the Annapurna Range and passing under the cliffs where honey hunters climb up on the ropes to harvest the wild bee honey. Lunch will be ready as we arrive at our lodge. After lunch, you may either rest and enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains, or go on a sightseeing tour in the village with your guide.

Ker and Downey Lodge (La Bee Lodge, 1,565m)

Day 7: Gentle walk to Gurung or Mala Lodge at Majgaon; afternoon free to relax in the garden or explore the village.

You will start your trek passing through the village and farmlands with views of the Annapurnas behind. Today is an easier walk to Majgaon with no steep up or downhills. We will arrive at the lodge by lunchtime and in the afternoon you can enjoy the views of the mountains from your room itself or spend time in the garden. There is also the option of a guided village walk.

Ker and Downey Lodge (Gurung / Mala Lodge, 1,400m)

Day 8: Trek through sub-tropical forests to Basanta Lodge at Dhampus, with spectacular views of the entire Annapurna Range.

Starting your trek today, you continue trekking towards Patlekhet, a small village on the way towards Pothana. Pothana is used by Tibetan traders to sell their souvenirs and gifts to the tourist trekking up and down the trails to Annapurna Base Camp. As you reach your lodge in Dhampus, you get the spectacular views of the entire Annapurna range. Once at the lodge you will be served hot lunch after which you can take a short walk into Dhampus village.

On the Christmas departure (18 December 2021) a cultural performance at Basanta Lodge is included to celebrate.

Ker and Downey Lodge (Basanta Lodge, 1,525m)

Day 9: Short descent through wooded hillside to Phedi; transfer to Pokhara; free afternoon (optional boat trip on Lake Phewa).

After breakfast, we depart along the ridge & descend on a stone staircase through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. Trek time 1.5-2hrs hours. We then transfer by vehicle to the hotel in Pokhara (1hr). The afternoon is free to explore Pokhara. You may want to visit the interesting mountain museum or you can go for a boat ride on Phewa Lake or hire a bike for a cycle along the lakeshore. Or you may simply want to relax by the hotel pool or wander along the lakeside browsing in the shops. Your leader will brief you on the various options available.

Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Pokhara

On the Christmas departure (17 December 2020) a special dinner is included in Pokhara to celebrate.

Day 10: Drive to Chitwan; take an ox-cart ride around Tharu village and witness a traditional Tharu dance.

We drive from Pokhara to Chitwan, which will take about 4 hours. On a clear day look to the left as we leave Pokhara for the magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna Range. The road takes us back to Mugling, from where we turn south to the lowlands of Nepal and our jungle lodge in Chitwan. We should arrive by lunchtime and after lunch we’ll meet our naturalist guide who will go over the programme of activities. In the late afternoon we take an ox-cart ride around Tharu village and witness a traditional Tharu dance. 

The knowledgeable staff from the lodge will accompany us on all the excursions. Kasara Lodge

Day 11: Explore the jungle on a bird-watching walk, take a dugout canoe ride down the Rapti River in search of crocodiles and try to spot rhinoceroses on a jeep safari.

Activities may be offered in a different order but usually, the programme will include an early morning bird watching walk before breakfast. Before lunch there will be another activity, normally a trip along the Rapti River in a dugout canoe, looking for crocodile and observing the many birds. Then before dinner, we set out on a jeep safari. If we are lucky we may encounter the Indian one-horned rhinoceros or some of the several species of deer found here. 

Kasara Lodge     

Day 12: Morning flight to Kathmandu; free time.

For those who wish, there is a bird-watching walk early this morning. We then transfer to Bharatpur airport and catch a flight to Kathmandu.

Hotel Shangri La, Kathmandu

Day 13: End Kathmandu

The trip finishes after breakfast. Those travelling on the group flights to London will transfer to the airport for their flight back to the UK.