From the moment you arrive in Kathmandu, your senses will be in overdrive. The wide array of sights, smells, and sounds will leave you awestruck. While in Kathmandu, ride on a rickshaw through crowded streets, marvel at medieval temples, or stroll the backstreets to experience the cultural and artistic heritage. Once you begin your 5-day trekking journey, be prepared for a truly amazing experience. As you trek your way up and down, through rice fields, cane fields, across suspension bridges, and past waterfalls, you’ll truly be immersed in the aura of the Himalayas. At many moments, you’ll have pristine views of Himalayan peaks, standing in high mountain forests, or in a roadside village, where you’ll stop for lunch. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for long-tailed monkeys as you trek your way through Nepal. This trekking package, which sold very well on Groupon, is for the energetic, seeking tranquility, magnificence and spiritual serenity.
Day 1 – Arrive in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu. Remember to have two pieces of photo ID and USD $25.00 per person ready to get your visa on arrival after clearing Immigration and Customs (Passport expiration at least 6 months away). After clearing Immigration and Customs, transfer for check-in at hotel. Hotel Shakti/Shambala/Yak & Yeti or similar
Day 2 - Kathmandu (1,400m/4,600 ft)
After an early morning yoga class at the Mandala-Yoga Studio, enjoy a day at leisure to explore the area on your own or take an optional tour. (B)
Day 3 - Kathmandu/Pokhara (827m/2,713 ft)
Overland transfer on tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. For $110 extra per person, you can transfer partially doing a river rafting trip (3 hours) and then private transfer to Pokhara. Hotel City Park/Mount Kailash Resort/Grande or similar (5 hours driving) (B)
Day 4 - Pokhara/Hille/Tikhedhunga (1,540m/5,052 ft)
Meet the sherpa trekking crew and drive to Nayapool. Begin trekking towards Birethanti, a large and prosperous town with a winding street paved with large stones. After crossing two suspension bridges over the Modi Khola River, stop for lunch. Beyond Birethanti the trail is well defined at first, but then loses itself in rice fields. An hour past Birethanti and beyond Mathathanti, start climbing towards Sudre and Hille. Walk further up to Tikhedhunga. Overnight at your lodge. (4 miles: 4-5 hrs gradually up) (B)
Day 5 - Tikhedhunga/Ghorepani (2,874m/9,429 ft)
Begin your journey towards Tikedunga. Once there, cross a bridge and a waterfall taking in the views. Then, head uphill towards Ulleri. From Ulleri, an hour-long journey takes you to Banthanti, a settlement in a forest clearing at 7,545 feet (2,300m), offering breathtaking views of Annapurna south and Mount Fishtail. After lunch, head uphill through oak and rhododendron forests to Deurali and then further to Ghorepani. Arrive and transfer to your lodge. (12kms/7.5 miles: total 6 hours - 3 hrs steep up, about 3,600 steps; 3 hrs gradually up through forest) (B)
Day 6 - Climb Poon Hill (3,210m/10,531 ft)/Tadapani (2,647m/8,684 ft)
An early morning excursion takes you to Poon Hill, which provides an even better and unobstructed view of the high Himalaya peaks such as Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak, and Dhampus Peak. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast. After breakfast, continue to trek towards Tadapani. Stop in Banthati for lunch. Beyond Banthati, the trail starts climbing, leaving the moist, high mountain forests and entering a field of cane. The trail climbs steeply for about 30 mins before reaching Tadapani, which means "Far Water." This is an ideal place to see the views of Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and the Glacier Dome. Spend the night at your lodge. (7 miles: 1 hr steep up from Ghorepani to Poon Hill, and 45 min return; 3 hrs steep up through rhododendron forest; 2 hrs steep down; 1 hr short ups and downs) (B)
Day 7 - Tadapani/Ghandruk (1,980m/6,500 ft)
This morning, descend through a forest of wildflowers. Try and spot some of the long-tailed monkeys that inhabit this area! Arrive in the village of Ghandruk, beautifully set against the peaks of Mount Fishtail, Annapurna South, Ganga Purna, Annapurna III, and HiunChuli. Visit the Annapurna Area Conservation Project, the Gurung Museum, and a sheep wool weaving workshop. Overnight at your lodge in Ghandruk. (4 miles: 3-4 hrs gradually down) (B)
Day 8 - Ghandruk/Nayapool/Pokhara (1,070m/3,510 ft)
The trail descends at first on a stone staircase and then traverses high above a river on a wide stone-paved lane. The trail keeps heading downhill through terraced fields at Kilu, onto a suspension bridge over the Sadhu Khola, finally arriving alongside Modi Khola in Shauli Bazaar where you stop for lunch. Continue on this beautiful trail until you arrive at Nayapool. From here, drive back to Pokhara (about 1 hr) and transfer to your hotel. Hotel City Park/Mount Kailash Resort/Grande or similar. (15kms/9 miles: 4-5 hrs gradually down) (B)
Day 9 - Pokhara/Kathmandu
After breakfast drive to Kathmandu. It’s around a 5-hour scenic drive along the riverside hilly road. After returning to Kathmandu, you have the afternoon and the evening to stroll along the streets of Kathmandu for some last-minute shopping. There is a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Hotel Shakti/Shambala/Yak & Yeti or similar. (4-5 hrs drive) (B/D)
Day 10 - Departure
Upon check-out, service ends. (B)
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| Departure Dates | Land & Air *
| Land Only * | Single Supplement |
|---|
* Prices are per person double occupancy land only
* Airfare from New York City, United States is appoximately $1100 per person for departures between March 1 - May 25, September 1 - December 10, and $1600 per person for departure between May 26 - August 31 and December 11 - January 10, including taxes and fuel surcharges. Inqure Pacific Holidays at the time of reservation.
For Current prices of this tour program please call Pacific Holidays 1-800-355-8025 or email sales@pacificholidaysinc.comScroll right for more info »»
Tour includes
- Roundtrip airport transfers in Kathmandu
- Overland transfers as per itinerary via tourist public bus
- One twin room for 3 nights at Hotel Shakti (Standard)/Shambala (First Class)/Yak & Yeti (Deluxe) or similar in Kathmandu
- One twin room for 2 nights at Hotel City Park (Standard)/Mount Kailash Resort (First Class)/Grande (Deluxe) or similar in Pokhara
- 1 night each for 4 nights in lodges/bungalow accommodations in Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Ghandruk
- Breakfast daily (9 total per person)
- One farewell dinner
- Sightseeing tours with English-speaking guides and entrance fees: one yoga class in Kathmandu;
- trekking as per itinerary with a guide;
- TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) fee - $20 per person
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) fee - $24 per person
Rates do not include
- International air to and from Nepal
- Nepal visa fee
- Lunch and dinner
- Any expenses of a personal nature, such as tips, laundry, table drinks, telephone calls, etc.
- Optional Travel insurance
- Any item not mentioned above
Remarks
- Travel period valid on select dates in 2022 and 2023
- If above hotels not available at the time of reservation, alternative hotels at the same category could be used. Prices may differ.
- Itinerary changes made after initial confirmation incur a $100 per person service fee
- Major credit cards accepted; credit card authorization required.
- Travel protection strongly recommended and non-refundable.
- Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights and air fares from various US cities are available.
For more information of these hotels, please click the hotel name.
IMPORTANT. Please prepare the following to bring with you when you travel to Nepal:
1. Two passport sized photos for TIMS card & ACAP permit
2. A copy of the front pages of your passports to provide the local tour operator upon arrival
Please also consider packing the following for the trek:
Trekking Gear
• 1 Strong back pack to be carried by porter & 1 day pack to be carried personally
• Sleeping bag, 4 season
• 1 Plastic water bottle & 1 Thermos
• Plastic bags or stuff sacks to store/separate trekking gear inside your main bag
• Personal first aid kit to include essential items (including Diamox & other medicines)
• Toilet items and towel
• Large handerchief/bandana for neck
• Charger/Adapter
Foot
• Walking boots with suitable ankle support that have been worn-in prior to the trek, and which are waterproof
• Sandals or booties (for walking around at night, and/or sleeping in)
• Warm socks for colder areas
• Gaiters, in case of rain or snow
Leg
• Loose, casual trousers for trekking
• Thermal leggings for colder areas
• Long skirt for women as an alternative to trousers
• Waterproof trousers
Body
• Selection of T-shirts, and long sleeved shirts, preferably not cotton
• Thermal shirt, possibly fleece, for colder areas
• Windproof, waterproof outer shell garment for higher altitudes
• Down jacket (optional for cold nights & mornings; can be hired in Kathmandu cheaply)
Head/Hands
• Warm hat with ear flaps
• Hat or cap for sun protection while trekking
• Sunglasses or goggles
• Sunscreen lotion and lip balm
• Thick gloves
Optional items
• Binoculars
• Books
• Altimeter
• Compass
• Playing cards / backgammon / chess set
Porters will be available as required. Passengers must limit baggage weight to a maximum of 28.6 lbs (13 kg). Note: You will carry your day pack (toiletries, creams, mineral water, etc.) yourself.
Porters will carry up to 13kg per pax (needs to be in bag not in suitcase), they will carry the rest of what you bring on hike. You can leave some luggage in the hotel in Pokhara.
