Annapurna area is the most popular trekking region in Nepal, every year visited by 70 percent of trekkers, and for good reason. the deep valleys and high mountains encircling the giant Annapurna himal embrace a wide range of peoples and terrains, from subtropical jungle to a geographic extension of high, dry , Tibetan Plateau. The scenery is superb mix of lush vegetation, mountain peaks and an endlessly changing procession of people.
Flora and Fauna
As can be imagined, the range of geographical and climatic regions has led to a diverse variety of flora and fauna within the Annapurna region. Both Pokhara and Besishahar are below 1000 meter elevation and their climate is quiet tropical. These parts of area are heavily cultivated and the landscape, therefore, largely consists of terraced paddy fields for most of the year. The area is also famous for its winter crops of oranges, which can be purchased fresh from the trees along the trails in the foothills. As you progress higher up into the hills the natural vegetation changes from the tropical species to more temperate stands of forest trees including oak, beech and rhododendron. These finally give way to coniferous forests of pine and, ultimately, juniper just below the tree line. In the rain shadow, to the north of the mountains, the landscape is quite barren being an extension south of the Tibetan plateau. Here there are only stunted bushes and shrubs except for close to the rivers where irrigated cropping is possible.
Native animals to be seen include many birds the most obvious being the pika, blue sheep and Himalayan Tahr.
People and culture
The most prominent ethnic groups in the Annapurna region are the Gurung, the Thakali and the Manangba. The Gurungs are the most widely distributed being found from the hills of Gorkha district to as far west as Palpa. There heartland, however, is centered on the hills and valleys between the Marsyandi river and the kali Gandaki. The Thakali come from the upper kali Gandaki valley around Jomsom where their traditional farming has being supplemented by trade and, in particular, hotel and restaurant businesses. The Manangba are found in the upper reaches of the Marsyandi River and are in many ways similar to the Gurungs to whom they are possibly related. They are skilled traders and trace their roots back to Tibet. Religiously, the Manangba and the Gurungs of the upper hills is Buddhist with traces of their ancient, shamanistic faith still apparent. The communities live further south are predominantly Hindu.
All of the communities, particularly the Gurungs are famed for their cultural performances, which are easily seen while trekking in the region. Many villages along the trails will arrange performances for trekkers during the main seasons.
Day 01: Arrival and Transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu or self sight seeing tour around kathmandu valley
Day 03: By tourist bus to Pokhara. the bus journey will take 6 -7 hrs. Over night in hotel
Day 04: Pokhara to Tirkhedhunga(1577m) or to Ulleri village (2070m) 5-6 hrs of trek
Day 05: Tirkhedhunga to Ghorepani(2850m) 6-7 hrs of trek
Day 06: Ghorepani/ Poon hill to Tadapani(2650m) 6-7 hrs of trek
Day 07: Tadapani to Ghandruk village(1940m) 4-5 hrs of trek
Day 08: Ghandruk/ Nyapul to Pokhara 5 hrs of trek
Day 09: Free day in Pokhara
Day 10: By Regular tourist bus to Royal chitwan National Park. The bus journey will take approx 4-5 hours (out side the park).
Day 11: Activities at chitwan national park such as (Elephant back ride, jungle walk, canoe trip, tharu stick dance and Elephant wash).
Day 12: Activities at chitwan national park
Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu. The bus journey will take approximately 5-6 hours.
Day 14: Free day in Kathmandu or self sight seeing tour around kathmandu valley
Day 15: Tour ends ( Departure for onward destination)
Day 01: Arrival and transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu
Upon arrival in Kathmandu. Our airport representative will be waiting outside the airport terminal a few metres from the exit door. Please check your name at play card. He will bring you to hotel in kathmandu. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes
Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu or self sight seeing around valley (option are)
Mount Everest flight
It is possible to book a flight to see Mount Everest whilst you are in Kathmandu. The cost is US$ 190.00 (subject to change) per person .
The one hour Everest flight takes off from Kathmandu Airport and flies east where you can see magnificent mountains, including Mount Everest, from a height of around 25,000 feet. You can enjoy a seemingly endless chain of snow capped peaks as you fly above the clouds, over glaciers and lakes, rivers and gorges from your private individual window. This excursion offers a great opportunity to experience and photograph the aerial view of the highest mountain peaks in the world, the Kathmandu valley and the landscapes of Nepal.
Swoyambunath Temple (Monkey Temple)
The famous Swayambunath Temple is perched on a hill outside Kathmandu and has a square golden stupa rising from a lovely white dome. Monkeys play on the steps up to this temple. Swayambhunath is said to be more than 2000 years old and is a very holy place for Buddhists as well as Hindus. You have a wonderful view over Kathmandu from here.
Bouddhanath Stupa (Buddhist temple)
Bouddhanath Stupa, the biggest stupa in Nepal, lies about 7 km east of the capital. The Bouddhanath stupa, also called by many as Khasti Chitya, is one of the oldest stupas in the country. After 1959, many Tibetans arrived and settled in Bouddhanath area. The stupa, a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site, is included in World Heritage Cultural site list by UNESCO
Pashupatinath Temple (Hindu Temple)
Situated 5km east of kathamandu, the temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with two tired golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest for Hindus. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activites performed in the Temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. The Temple was listed in the UNESCO world heritage Monument List in 1979
Patan
The ancient city of Patan, lying 5 km southwest of kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts, The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. The diversity of the medieval culture that allowed both Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy of impressive sightseeing in this city for today’s visitors.
Patan Durbar Square:
Situated in the heart of the city, constitutes the focus of visitor’s attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, Temple and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Patan durbar Square consist of three main chowks or countryards, the Central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshar narayan Chowk, The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture. The Royal Bath called Tushahity. It was listed in the UNESCO world Heritage Monument list in 1979.
Krishna Mandir:
Built in 1637 AD, the temple of Lord Krishaa holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and is completely 21 spires and is completely mad of stone
Day 03: By Tourist bus to Pokhara.The bus journey will take 6 -7 hrs .
Pokhara is set in a lovely valley at the foot of the Machapuchare so you get spectacular views of the mountains from all parts of the town. It is quite different from Kathmandu, with few temples, but it does have plenty of scenic attractions and is close to the mountains. There are some interesting short walks or bicycle rides from Pokhara, you can swim and canoe on Lake Phewa or just watch the last rays of the sun stream across the dip in the mountains that hold the lake. Along the lakeside road there is a continuous stretch of small hotels, restaurants and shops; it’s an area which still has a bit of the old hippy scene feel about it.
Day 04: Pokhara to Tirkhedhunga(1577m) 5 hour of walking
After breakfast take a bus ride to Nyapul(trek starting point) for one hour than trek to Birethanty for 30minates where trekking permit and national park permit will be checked. The trail continues along the Bhurungdi Khola pasing through small villages and water fall you will reach a small village called Tirkhedhunga. Where you will spend a nights.
Day 05: Tirkhedhunga to Ghorepani(2850m) 6-7 hour of walking
After crossing the suspension bridge over the Bhurungdi Khola, you will have to start a steep ascent to Ulleri( 2073m)using a continues stone steps. This is the hardest ascent in this course. From Ulleri trail continues gradually uphill through small village and Rhododendron forest you will be in Ghorepani.
Day 06: Ghorepani/ Poon hill to Tadapani (2650m) 6-7 hour of walking
Rise early to climb up Poon Hill to watch a magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas. We then continue to Tadapani, trekking through open grassland and deep forests. On the way there are excellent views of Annapurna South and the Manaslu range. Approx 6 hours trekking
Our trail today is one of the most glorious imaginable. First we rise early to climb Poon Hill for the most incredible sunrise that you will ever see. The views are the same as the previous afternoon but the sunrise adds a further dimension and many travellers will consider this to be one of the main highlights of the trip. We return to Ghorepani for breakfast before continuing, climbing steadily through rhododendron forest. The forest clears every so often, providing absolutely beautiful views of the Dhaulgiri Massif.
Once we have reached the top of the ridge we continue on a stunning ridge walk through the forest with lovely views of Dhaulgiri poking through the trees. We then start to descend and continue downhill through jungly forest, with moss covered trees, thick foliage and lianas hanging down. We follow the river as it leaps and jumps down waterfalls, and continue down for several hours. After a final ascent we then arrive in Tadapani where we stay in a teahouse with stunning views of Annapurna South, Machapuchare and down the valley to the horizon.
Day 07: Tadapani to Ghandruk village(1940m) 4 hour of walking
Trail continues down hill through forest for 4hours to reaching Ghandruk village. This is the village of Gurungs, where the path of annapurna sanctuary branches off.
Day08: Ghandruk/ Nyapul to Pokhara( 5 hour of walking)
Walking down hill through stone path for one hour and haif hour you will reach to Modi khola. From here trail continues through bank of river to reach to Nyapul. From where bus will bring you to Pokhara
Day 09: Free day in Pokhara or self sight seeing (option are)
Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty. Situated at an altitude of 827m from the sea level and 200km west of Kathmandu valley, the city is known as a center of adventure with several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panaromic views of Himalayan peaks.
The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic. So today the city has not only become the starting point for most popular trekking and rafting destinations but also a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.
The climate of Pokhara is slightly warmer than Kathmandu with daytime temperature hovering around 15 degrees Celsius in winter and 35 degrees in summer. The monsoon season which lasts from mid-June to mid-September is very wet; in fact Pokhara records the highest rainfall in the country. Best time to visit is between October and April.
The activities of foreign visitors to Pokhara focus around two districts known as Damside and Lakeside (or Pardi and Baidam, in Nepali, respectively). These two areas, with their strips of hotels and restaurants, are a few kilometers south-west of the main Pokhara bazaar. More
Sarangkot
The view of the Annapurna Himalaya from Sarangkot is almost a religious experience. From here, you can see a panoramic sweep of Himalayan peaks, from Dhaulagiri (8167m) in the west to the perfect pyramid that is Machhapuchhare (6997m) and the rounded peak of Annapurna II (7937m) in the east. Most people come here at dawn or dusk, when the sun picks out the peaks in brilliant colours.
Fewa lake
Fewa Lake, the second largest lake in the Kingdom, is the center of attraction in Pokhara. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of Pokhara.
Mahendra cave
Another of nature’s wonders in Pokhara is the Mahendra Gupha. This large limestone cave is locally known as the House of Bats, an apt name for it. A two-hour walk to the north of Pokhara, it is best to bring your own torch to see the stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the local winged residents.
Seti River
Another of Pokhara’s natural wonders that unfailingly interests visitors is the Seti river. Flowing right through the city, this river runs completely underground at places. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth is over 20 meters! Mahendra Pul, a small bridge near the old Mission Hospital, provides a perfect view of the rivers’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by its powerful flow.
Barahi Temple
The Barahi temple is the most important monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the center of Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female force Shakti. Devotees can be seen, especially on Saturdays, carrying male animals and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.
Museum
The Pokhara Museum, located between the bus stop and Mahendra Pul, reflects the ethnic mosaic of western Nepal. The lifestyles and history of ethnic groups such as the Gurung, Thakali and the Tharu are attractively displayed through models, photographs and artifacts. One major attraction is a display highlighting the newly-discovered remains of an 8000-year-old settlement in Mustang.
Devi’s Fall
Locally known as the Patale Chhango (Hell’s Fall). Devi’s Fall (also known as Devin’s and David’s) is a lovely waterfall lying about two km south-west of the Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin, David..) was washed away by the Pardi Khola and disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall.
Day 10: By bus to Royal chitwan National Park. The bus journey will take 4 -5 hours (out side the park).
On your arrival at Chitrasari you will be received by our staff. You will then be transferred to our Resort where you will be offered refreshments & be given a briefing on our Resort & its facilities. After being given your programe for the day, your room will then be allocated to you.
1:00- Lunch.
15:00 - Elephant briefing & bathing.
16:00 - Elephant safari. An excellent opportunity to see four different kinds of deer, rhinoceros, wild boar, monkeys, leopard, sloth bear and the Royal Bengal Tiger (if you are lucky). You will also encounter many other smaller mammals that have made Chitwan their home.
19:00 - Thaw cultural dance presentation (which you can also participate in) by the local villagers or a slide show presentation on almost everything under the Chitwan sun.
20:00 - Dinner.
Day 11: Activities at inside the park (Elephant back ride, jungle walk, canoe trip, tharu stick dance and Elephant wash).
05:30 - Wake up call.
06:00 - Tea/coffee followed by nature walk. An excellent opportunity to see a great many of those 524 different species of birds found in Chitwan.
07:50 - Breakfast.
09:00 - Canoe ride along the Rapti river. An excellent opportunity for bird watching and for seeing the 2 rare species of crocodiles; the Marsh Mugger and the fish eating Gharial.
10:00 - Visit to the Government Elephant Breeding Center. Walk/drive back through the Tharu villages to our Resort where you can take a leisurely swim or relax by the poolside. You can also spend the time before lunch to gaze at the fishes found in Chitwan in your own fish pond or play a game of tennis or pool table with your friends or just spend a few quiet moments in our library with a book. You can even let your children play by themselves in our children’s playground. Your choices are limitless.
13:00 - Lunch.
15:00 - Visit to the National Park Visitor’s center where you can learn more about the history of the National Park and about wildlife.
16:00 - Village tour to a nearby ethnic Thaw village where you will learn more about the life and lifestyles of the Thaws.
19:00 - Tharu cultural dance presentation or a slide show presentation.
20:00 - Dinner.
Day 12: Activities at chitwan national park
05:30 - Wake up call. Tea/coffee followed by elephant safari, nature walk or you can just spend the morning as you prefer.
07:30 - Breakfast.
09:00 - Drive to Bees Hazzar Taal (Twenty thousand lakes) where you will see crocodiles and lots of birds in and around these lakes.
11:00 - Back to our Resort where you can spend time at leisure.
13:00 - Lunch.
15:00 - Jungle Drive through the grasslands, riverine forests and sal forests to Kasara (the National Park’s head quarters) Gharial hatchery farm where you will learn about how crocodiles are brought up at this farm & then later released into the rivers.
19:00 - Thorn cultural dance presentation or a slide show presentation.
20:00 - Dinner.
Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. The bus journey will take 5-6 hours.
05:30 - Wake up call. Tea/coffee followed by elephant safari, nature walk or you can just spend the morning as you prefer.
07:30 - Breakfast.
09:00 - Departure for Kathmandu.
Day 14: Free day in Kathmandu or self visiting to Bhaktapur city
Bhaktapur is "the city of Devotees". It is locally known as "Khwopa and Bhadgaon" which is world renowned for its elegant art, fabulous culture , colourful festivals, traditional dances and indigenouslifestyle of different people of different religion. For its majestic monuments, temples and the native typical newar lifestyle best known for their long history of craftsmanship, the ancient city is also variously known as the " City of Culture ", "Living Heritage " , "Nepal’s Cultural Gem " and "An open museum". Given such unequaled opulence in ancient art and culture, Bhaktapur is more like an open museum, and the ambiance here is such that it instantly transports visitors back by centuries. This conch shaped hostoric city is spreading over an area of 6.88 square KM at 1,401 meters above sea level, which was founded in the 12th century by King Anand Dev Malla.Bhaktapur was the capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom till the 15th century AD. The many of Bhaktapur’s greatest monuments were built by thethen Malla rulers.
The ancient ritual dances and festivals are still observed by the locals with the same fervour and ehthusiasm as their ancestors did centuries ago. King Yaksha Malla (15th ventury) heavily fortified this city. Bhaktapur has its gem in Durbar Square and Changu Narayan temple-- a World Heritage site listed by the UNESCO. Strewn with unique palaces, temples and monasteries best admired for their exquisite artworks in wood, metal and stone, the palatial enclave has bewitched pilgrims and travelers for centuries.Yet, they are not all though. Stretching all along the township, the panoramic Himalaya levitates in the skyline as if to keep vigilance on the city’senviable beauty and splendor.It grows from a collection of villages strung along the old trade
Day 15: Tour ends ( Departure for onward destination)
Price Per Person US$ 625.00 (Price are based on standard class hotel)
Price for meals and drinks during the trek Allow US$ 22-25 per person per day for trekking (off-course you are going to pay every day directly by yourself to the tea houses during the trek.it is just a guideline)
Single supplement US$ 150.00 per person ( you will get single room in kathmandu, Pokhara, chitwan national park and during the trek. you can also book your trekking tour as a single person with us. in this case we will charge little higher)
Additional night in kathmandu will cost US$ 35.00 for Double room with Bed and Breakfast and US$ 30.00 for single room.
Trekking prices with out hotel in kathmandu and in pokhara will cost US$ 550.00 per person.
Off-course it is always possible to upgrade the hotel in kathmandu according to your budget and interest. But it will cost you extra and you need to pay the differences.
Hotel we use in this tour (Standard class hotel)
Kathmandu Prince Hotel (standard class hotel)
Thamel, Chhetrapati, kathmandu, Nepal Tel : 4255961, 4255282, Fax : 977-1-4255282
E-Mail : [email protected] Website : www.kathmanduprincehotel.com
Or
Potala Guest House (Standard class hotel)
Thamel, chetrapati, Kathmandu Tel : 4226566, 4220467
Email: [email protected] Website : www.potalaguesthouse.com
Or
Hotel Marsyandi Mandala (Standard class hotel)
Thamel, Chhetrapati, Dhobichour, Kathmandu,
Email: [email protected]
http://www.marsyangdimandala.com
Hotel we use in Pokhara
Hotel Kantipur (Delux hotel in Pokhara 2 Star)
VIP Area Lake -Side Pokhara, Nepal
E-mail: [email protected]
http://hotelkantipur.com
Delux class hotel
Hotel Manasulu (3star)
Address: 230, Hotel Marg, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
Website: www.hotelmanaslu.com
Grand Hotel Kathmandu (4star)
Email: [email protected]
http://www.grandhotelnepal.com
Hotel Manang Pvt. Ltd (3star)
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4700389, 4700993
Email: [email protected],
http://www.hotelmanang.com
Hotel Yellow pagoda (4 star)
Contact Information
Kantipath, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977 1 4227345, 4220041
[email protected]
www.yellowpagoda.com
Radission hotel kathmandu (5star)
https://www.radisson.com/kathmandu-hotel-np/nepkathm
Hotel Yak & Yeti (5star)
GPO Box no. 1016
Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel : +977-1-4248999, 4240520
Fax: +977-1-4227781/ 4227782
http://www.yakandyeti.com/
Hotel Barahi (Delux hotel 3 star)
Lakeside,Pokhara-6,
http://www.barahi.com
Hotel Temple tree resort and spa (Delux hotel in Pokhara) 4 star
Gaurighat, Lakeside 6, Nepal
[email protected]
http://templetreenepal.com
Fishtail Lodge Pokhara (5star)
P.O. Box 10
Lakeside, Pokhara, Nepal
Tel: +977 61 465071/460248/460258
Fax: +977 61 465072
E-mail:
[email protected] / [email protected]
http://fishtail-lodge.com/fishtail/
shangri-La Kathmandu & Pokhara (5star)
Address: Lazimpat, Kathmandu Nepal
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +977-1-4412999 I 4419743
Shangri-La Pokhara:
Address: Gharipatan, Pokhara, Nepal
http://hotelshangrila.com/
Note: As per our company rule to confirm your booking with us we do need photo copy of your passport, one passport size photo graph, international flight details (Date of arrival , date of departure ,flight number ) and 15% of total amount as a down payment. Rest remaining other amount you can pay to us upon your arrival in kathmandu. Once you agreed to booking with us then we can provide you our bank details to make wire transfer or you can also pay by major credit cards such as visa, Master or by American express. in this case you need to send us copy of your credit cards. But it will cost you 5% extra because it is the rule of our local bank.
WE DON’T HAVE FIXED DEPARTURE DATES FOR THIS TOUR.BUT WE CAN SEND YOU ALL THE DETAILS ON THE REQUEST.IF SOME ONE WHO IS WILLING TO BOOK THIS TRIP AS A PRIVATE TOUR THEN THE TOUR WILL DEPARTURE ANY DATES AS PER YOUR REQUIREMENT.
What’s Included
- Airport Pickup and Drop by private Transport (Only for International flight)
- All the ground Transportation by tourist bus ( Kathmandu to Pokhara, Pokhara to Chitwan national park and chitwan to Kathmandu)
- All the Trekking transfer by private transport (toTrekking starting point, Trekking ending point to Pokhara
- 4 night hotel in Kathmandu at tourist standard hotel with bed and Breakfast (Centrally located, attach bathroom, hot and cold shower)
- 3 night hotel in Pokhara at tourist standard hotel with bed and Breakfast (Centrally located, attach bath room, Hot and cold shower)
- 4 nights 5days trekking in lodges (Lodges are Simple but clean enough and has a hot and cold shower)
- Annapurna National Park Permit and TIMS card (We need two photograph each for permit)
- One experience trekking guide (trained by Ministry of tourism), one trekking porter between every 2 clients and their meals/accomodation/transportation/salary/insurance and their equipments are included in price
- Trekking Map for Annapurna region
- 3 nights accomodation at chitwan national park in tourist standard hotel( centrally located, attach bathroom, hot and cold shower)
- All the meals while at chitwan national park (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- All the activities in chitwan national park such as (Elephant Back Ride, Canoe Trip in Rapti River, Jungle Walk, Bird Watching Tour, Culture Dance, Elephant Wash, visiting Elephant breeding center, Jeep drive and Nature Guide).
- All the entrance fees at chitwan national park.
- Sleeping bag for trekking
- All the govt tax
What’s not Included
- Personal bar bill, travel insurance/International airfare/Domestic airfare.
- Items of personal expenses such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry, tips etc.
- Nepal entry visa fee US$ 40 (duration 30 days from date of issue)- Available at Royal D)Nepalese Embassies and Royal Nepalese Consulates abroad or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
- Sight seeing tour and All the entrance fees of temple in Kathmandu and Pokhara valley.
- All the meals during the trek ( Allow US$ 22-25 per person per day for trekking )
- Tips for trekking guide and trekking porter
