mountains & wildlife tour
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Duration
12 days
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Group
16 Pax
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Difficulty
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Accommodation
Hotel / Lodge
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Season
All Season
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Nepal Experience Tour tries to provide travelers with a taste of the country's rich culture and amazing natural landscpaes. It is the country of the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest and the birthplace of Lord Buddha. There are over 100 different ethnic groups residing within a dramatic landscape that rises from 150 meters in the south to 8,848 meters at the summit of Mt Everest in the north. Our Nepal Experience Tour is an exciting mix of adventure to experience and explore the rich and diverse Nepalese landscape and culture that will satisfy both mind, body, and spirit. This 12-day tour begins by visits to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu followed by a scenic Mt. Everest flight among the high and mighty Himalayas. We also trek in the beautiful Annapurna region, one of the most popular trekking regions in the world, visit popular landmarks in the beautiful lake city of Pokhara and end our tour with stunning nature walks and a jungle safari in the tropical jungles of Chitwan. Nepal Experience Tour is indeed a tour fit for anybody who wishes to delve into the beauty of this small but naturally rich country in a limited amount of time. Being a combination of adventure and leisure, this tour guarantees its visitors fun to the fullest.
Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 m/4,264 ft)
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Day 2
Scenic Mt. Everest Flight and Kathmandu Sightseeing
Early in the morning we leave our hotel for an hour-long mountain flight and acquire the closest possible aerial views of the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest, the world’s second highest peak, Kanchenjunga and other high Himalayas along with a clear glimpse of the Tibetan Plateau. In the afternoon, we visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Durbar Square is rich with ancient palaces with spectacular art and architecture. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest places for Hindus. The ancient Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world and the Swayambhunath Stupa meaning the "the self-existent" is popular among foreigners as the Monkey Temple owing to the large monkey population residing in the area. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Included meals:Breakfast
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Day 3
Fly to Pokhara and trek to Ulleri (2050 m/6725 ft): 30 min flight and 6 hours trek
We fly to Pokhara early in the morning. We can catch amazing views of the Himalayas from the right side of our airplane. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, the beautiful lake city, we are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, the five peaks of Annapurna and others. After taking a rest, we drive to NayaPul and start the trek. We pass through sub-tropical valley forests, sometimes on the carved trail on the side of the cliff. After lunch, we cross the ModiKhola (river) via a suspension bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga. The Ulleri Hill with thousands of steps and boulders that continually go upward will really prove a test of our stamina. We reach Ulleri by late afternoon. Overnight in Ulleri.
Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 4
Ulleri to Ghorepani (2750 m/ 9020 ft): 4 - 5 hours trek
After breakfast, we ascend to the Ghorepani village. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means ‘horse-water’ owing to its role as an important campsite for traders before it became a trekker's stop. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and crafts. The town has two parts: one in a saddle and the other a few hundred feet lower. We stop at the higher part of the Ghorepani village that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains including Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather especially in the evenings. Overnight in Ghorepani. Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 5
Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani (2,700m/8,860 ft): 6 - 7 hours
To catch the sunrise over the Himalayas, we make an early morning climb along the steep trail to the viewpoint of Poon Hill (3,210m/10,529ft), the most popular trekking destination of the Annapurna region and a great viewpoint to enjoy amazing views of Mustang, Pokhara and more than 20 of the highest mountains including the close-up views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The snowy peaks of the high mountains loom above and around us glowing in the morning light. After taking photographs and having some coffee or tea or hot chocolate, we return back to Gorepani. After breakfast, we head east and climb a nearby ridge. We descend through rhododendron forests, pass by spectacular waterfalls along the way and reach Tadapani to spend the night. Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 6
Tadapani to Ghandruk (1,940m/6,360 ft): 3 - 4 hours
From Tadapani, we make a steep descent through the dense and dark forest. This part of the trek will be through a thick forest of old rhododendron trees, that when are in bloom, actually turn into gardens of dazzling red flowers when seen from the air or from afar. By afternoon, depending upon the season of travel, we will be pleasantly surprised by the sight of cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the ravine. After trekking for a while, we enter the village of Ghandruk, a slope settlement with stone houses mostly inhabited by the Gurung people. Along with enjoying the towering views of the Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains, we also acquaint ourselves with the simple but rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people at the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk.
Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 7
Ghandruk to Pokhara (823m/2,700ft): 4-hour trek and 1-hour’s drive
Today, we trek from Ghandruk to NayaPul then drive back to Pokhara. The trek will be downhill all the way to Birethanti. We step onto a staircase paved with stone slabs, curving in and out of the village followed by terraced farms. It keeps on going down almost without any break from Ghandruk until ModiKhola river valley. By the time we arrive at Birethanti, some of us might feel like we just participated in a downhill marathon. But our ordeal is not over yet. From Birethanti, a half-an-hour's walk takes us into NayaPul. The journey on foot comes to an end at Nayapul. Then, we drive from Nayapul to Pokhara for an overnight stay.
Included meals:Breakfast Lunch
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Day 8
Sightseeing in Pokhara
Early in the morning we leave for Sarangkot, a hill that overlooks the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges in the north and Pokhara city in the south. From here, we catch amazing views of the sun as it rises in the mighty Himalayas. We then head back to Pokhara and continue touring the city’s landmarks. Davis Fall is a unique waterfall that flows directly into a narrow and deep canal which has no end. The Shiva Cave is located near to Davis Fall and houses a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, a primary Hindu God. We also do some boating in Phewa Lake, the largest lake in Pokhara and visit Barahi temple. located at the center of the Lake. We visit the famous International Mountain Museum (IMM) that records, documents, and chronicles the past and present development of mountaineering activities in the world and the Himalayas in particular. We also tour the Tibetan refugee camp and witness how the refugees keep themselves busy by producing and trading woolen carpets and other handicraft items. Overnight in Pokhara.
Included meals:Breakfast
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Day 9
Drive from Pokhara to Chitwan (815 m/2,674 ft): 134km/4-5 hours
After breakfast, we say goodbye to the beautiful northern skyline of Pokhara and drive towards Chitwan, a city located at the foot of the Churia range and famous for housing Chitwan National Park (CNP), the first national park in Nepal, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon reaching Chitwan, we take a jungle/nature walks depending into the national park. During nature walks we enjoy the company of a wide variety of flora and fauna and spend some time bird watching. In the evening, there will be a presentation on the wide range of flora and fauna of CNP. Overnight in Chitwan. Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 10
Chitwan National Park
Today, we excite the animal lover inside us. Early in the morning, we will be mounted on elephant backs for a jungle safari through dense grasslands to witness wildlife in their natural habitat. After breakfast, we visit the elephant stables and even enjoy bathing the elephants. During the afternoon we can either drive through the jungles by Jeep or followed by a canoe ride down the Rapti River. During the safari, we go deep into the jungle and spot deer, the endangered one-horn rhinoceros, along with other wild animals. If lucky, we may even spot the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. While canoeing, we may get a close look at the Gharial and Mugger Crocodiles along with fresh water dolphins, otters and varieties of water birds. Or, we may even go for birding or nature walk and come closer to a variety of wild flora and fauna found in the park. Overnight in Chitwan. Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 11
Drive from Chitwan to Kathmandu: 127km, 4-5 hours
Early in the morning, we engage ourselves in birding as Chitwan National Park is also home to a large variety of resident and migratory birds. We then have breakfast and drive towards Kathmandu. Our journey will be on the Terai plains while in and near Chitwan and gradually move to a more winding road as we come closer to Kathmandu. Along the way, we can enjoy the beautiful hilly terrains and small houses. We reach Kathmandu in the evening.
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Day 12
Final Departure
Life on Trek
Trekking staff
Whilst on the trek, the Nepali guides and porters will ensure that you are well looked after. Every trek has an English speaking guide, known as the Sirdar, who is in overall charge. It is his responsibility to organize the trek en route and manage the guides and porters and deal with the local peoples and they are experts in trek organization, as well as being able to discuss the local culture, religion, and landscape. In addition there will be other guides, sometimes referred to by the generic term Sherpa, who will be your walking companions on the trek and will assist the Sirdar in organizing the logistic of the trek. On camping treks there will be full kitchen crew who are responsible for all aspects of catering. And finally there will be porters who are the transportation system of the Nepali mountains. They will carry the duffle bags and other equipment as necessary.
Accommodation
- Fully equipped Camping treks - accommodation is provided in spacious 2 person tents. We use this method for our climbing trips and some treks where lodges are less frequent.
- Lodge trek - accommodation is provided in the local Nepali lodges, some times known as tea- houses. It is usually necessary to share a double room. We use this method for our treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions.
Food
On camping treks, all food is prepared by the trek cook - an expert in preparing delicious camp food. And most importantly, special care is taken to provide well - boiled, purified drinking water. On lodge treks, food is provided in the lodge and this ranges from delicious local specialties to common western dishes. If necessary, bottled water can be purchased from the lodges for a small fee, although many trekkers prefer to use fresh water with the added precaution of a purifying agent. You could bring some Chocolate or special energy drinks for yourself as these are hard to get in the Himalayas.
A typical trekking day
A typical day revolves around the Nepal sunrise and sunset. The day starts with an early wake up call. You then pack up your gear and enjoy a rousing breakfast before starting your morning's walk. The Sirdar will already be organized loads to porters and or animals, and your group will then set off on the trail at a leisurely pace, enjoying the view and stopping to take photographs. After 2-3 hours walk you stop for lunch. This lasts for about 90 minutes which gives you time to relax, or explore the local village. The afternoon's walk is usually shorter and we arrive at the campsite or tea-house in plenty of time to relax and savour the surroundings. Later in the evening dinner is served, giving you an opportunity to sample the delicious food, talk over the day's events, and look forward to another special day on the trails of Nepal.
Health and safety on the trek General
- A comprehensive first aid kit is carried on the trek. However we advise that you also carry your personal first aid kit which includes specific items of preference.
- We will, in an emergency, arrange for helicopter evacuation. (Note that you are required to hold insurance for this unlikely eventuality).
- All meals on our camping trips are prepared to strict hygiene standards specifically for our groups, under the supervision of the trekking staff.
- We use tea-houses that we now have strict hygiene standards and provide a broad menu.
High Altitude
Anyone can be affected by Altitude Sickness. However, our itineraries are specifically designed to minimize the risks associated with trekking to high altitudes by building in acclimatization and rest days. In the event of any symptoms we will ensure that the individual descends to a lower altitude to gain a quick recovery.
And finally……….. It must be stressed that whilst trekking in the Nepal Himalaya is challenging and rewarding, you must be prepared for he occasional inconvenience or discomfort. The correct mental attitude to trekking is as important as being physically prepared.
Equipments
All equipment and food, and your own personal backpacks are carried by the porters or pack animals. It is only necessary to carry a camera or small daypack ! On camping treks all necessary camp equipment is provided - this includes dining tent, dining table and chairs, toilet tent, foam mattresses, and all cooking equipment. The only kit that you will need to bring is your own personal equipment and clothing.
Recommended Trekking Kit
The following is a list of clothing and accessories that we recommend that you take with you. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However we recognize that you may have your own personal preferences for clothing which may be equally as suitable.
Footwear
- Walking boots with suitable ankle support that have been worn - in prior to the trek, and which are waterproof.
- Trainer or casual shoes, for trekking andor for traveling
- Warm socks for colder areas.
- Gaiters ,,in case of rain or snow.
Leg wear
- 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 for colder areas.
- Warm shirt, possibly fleece, for colder areas.
- Fleece jacket or warm wool jumper.
- Windproof, waterproof outer shell garment for higher altitudes.
- Down jacket (optional for cold nights & mornings: can be hired in Kathmandu cheaply)
Head Hands
- Wool or fleece hat, or balaclava.
- Hat or cap for sun protection while trekking.
- Sunglasses or goggles.
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm
- Warm gloves.
Other Items
- Strong rucksack, or large holdall to be carried by porters
- Day sack to be carried personally.
- Plastic bags or stuff sacks to storeseparate trekking gear inside your main bag.
- One liter water bottle.
- Personal first aid kit to include essential items.
- Sleeping bag 4 season.
- Torch, ideally head torch.
- Camera and film! - for those not to be forgotten shots of the Himalaya.
- Toilet items and towel.
- Large handkerchief bandana for neck.
Recommended Mountaineering Kit
In additional to the items mentioned above for trekking the following is a list of the additional specialist items which are required for the trekking peaks.
- Plastic or Leather mountaineering boots, with gaitors & crampons that have been tested for a good fit.
- Fleece trousers or salopettes.
- Additional mitts and gloves suitable for climbing.
- Ice ace, and ski poles (Note: ice axe can hired in Kathmandu)
- Climbing harness
- 2 X tape slings
- 2 X screw gate karabiners.
- Descended abseil device Ascender
9 days
Moderate
Moderate To Strenous
