Annapurna Explorer

Kathmandu, the incredibly diverse capital of Nepal is a fascinating blend of centuries old Hindu and Buddhist shrines, traditional architecture and a city embracing the 21 century. Upon arrival, your leader will transfer you to your hotel from the airport. Your hotel is in the heart of the city close to Thamel, a popular choice with tourists, with colourful handicraft stalls, trekking gear shops and excellent restaurants. In the evening, after your trek briefing, you have the option of going out for a group dinner with your trek leader.

Flight: 25 minutes
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Pokhara. If the weather is clear there are fine views of the Himalayan range to the north. Upon arrival at the airport there will be a transfer waiting for you to take you to your hotel which is located close to the Phewa Lake.
Pokhara is one of the largest city of Nepal in terms of area, and the second largest city in terms of population. Due to its proximity to the Annapurna mountain range, the city is a base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna Circuit through the Annapurna Conservation Area region of the Annapurna ranges in the Himalayas.
Meals included: Breakfast

Drive: 2.5 hours Trekking: 1.5 hours
A leisurely start this morning for the drive to Nayapul and then by 4WD through the terraced hillside high above the Modi Khola Valley with super views of the fishtail peak, Machhapuchhare, and Annapurna South. At the village of Kimche (1630m) you begin our trek and follow a well-defined path of stone flags that contours its way through fields of wheat and millet to the largest village of the region, Ghandruk. This Gurung village is well known for the number of its menfolk who have served in the British Gurkha regiments. Your lodge is located above the main village in a quiet location, where you enjoy fine mountain views, in particular Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare (6993m) and Gangapurna (7455m).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 4 hours
It’s an easier walk today as you leave the terraced hillsides and the village of Ghandruk behind to enter oak and rhododendron forest. This is a particularly beautiful part of the trek, as your trail crosses over streams and passes small waterfalls under the canopy of the forest. There are no villages on the trail, but there are a few teahouses at Baisi Kharkha providing welcome drinks and a place to rest. There are fine views of Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare (6993m) and Lamjung Himal (6931m) along the way and you reach your overnight halt at Tadapani in time for lunch. The village is perfactly situated to catch some wonderful sunset and sunrise views.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 5 hours
After enjoying the sunrise you initially descend to a small stream and then begin a series of short ascents and descents through rhododendron forest that is particularly spectacular during March and April, when the trees are in flower. You will reach Bhantanti, a group of small hotels, for an early lunch before crossing a series of small streams and continuing to climb through forest to reach the open ridges at Deurali. After a quick tea break you ascend onto a ridgeline, where there are great views of the Dhaulagiri massif, from where it is a short downhill walk to the village of Ghorepani.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: approx 6 hours
In the morning you rise early to enjoy the sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from the world famous Poon Hill (3210m). If conditions are clear one can see three eight thousand metre peaks Manaslu in the east, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, as well as a sea of other snow capped mountains. This is a major highlight of the trip and it is really worthwhile making the effort to get out of bed and head uphill by torchlight to experience this magnificent vista. You return to your lodge for breakfast and then make a leisurely start for the descent through beautiful rhododendron forest to Nangethanti where you stop for lunch. In the afternoon you continue trekking through the forest to arrive at Ulleri a few hours later. After settling into our lodge there is plenty of time to explore this picturesque village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 2 hours Driving: 2.5 hours
You make an early start to get the most out of the day. From the lodge at Ulleri there is a steep descent of over 500 metres on a stone staircase to the suspension bridge that crosses the Bhurungdi Khola. From here it is only a few minutes to Tirkedunga. After a welcome drink and a chance to give the knees a well-earned rest you walk to the nearby road head where you board hired jeeps at Hille for the drive back to Nayapul. At Nayapul, you will board a private vehicle that will take you back to Pokhara. You will arrive at your lakeside hotel in the afternoon. In the evening there is the option to dine out at one of the many lakeside restaurants.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Driving: 1 hour. Rafting: 3 hours
From Pokhara it is a short drive to Damauli where you meet your rafting team. After a safety briefing and putting on life jackets and helmets you take to the water. The Seti River is an easy ideal introduction to whitewater rafting and over the next two days you drift slowly downstream through beautiful countryside with plenty of small fun rapids. The night is spent camping on the river bank.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Rafting: 2 hours Driving: approx 2 hours
Warmed by the sun's rays, you enjoy breakfast whilst the guides break camp and load the rafts. This morning you will enjoy a pleasant combination of bouncing rapids, magnificent scenery before you join the Trisuli River from where it is just over a kilometre to our pull out point at Gai Ghat. After a short break you drive to Chitwan arriving in time for lunch. After settling into your lodge your options will include jeep safaris into the forest and grasslands to observe the varied and exciting wildlife of the park including Rhino, Sloth Bear and varieties of deer. If you are very lucky you may see Leopard or even Tiger. A canoe ride on the Rapti river gives you the opportunity to see both Mugger and Gharial crocodile and a guided walk through the nearby village highlights the unique Tharu culture.
Meals included: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. Weather permitting, you will again have stunning mountain views of the Himalayan range. On arrival in Kathmandu you are met and transferred back to the hotel with the rest of the day free for shopping or further sightseeing.
Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip ends today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements. A departure transfer to the airport is included.
Meals included: Breakfast