ANNAPURNA IN LUXURY

Itinerary

• Flight Inclusive itinerary
• Land Only itinerary

Day 1

Depart London.

Day 2

Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to the Royal Singi Hotel in the early evening.

Day 3

Today there is a half-day tour of Kathmandu, led by a trained local guide. The tour visits the Durbar Square in the heart of the old city. Here is the old Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving and four fine towers. Outside is Kumari Chowk, home of the Kumari, the young girl who is revered as a living goddess. All around is a maze of temples and images, such as the terrifying Black Bhairab, and Shiva and Parvati gazing benignly down on their subjects. Leading away from the square in all directions are narrow alleys, full of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing – you may like to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. There will also be a full trek briefing today.

Day 4

We transfer to the airport for the flight to Pokhara during which on a clear day we get superb views of the Annapurnas.

After meeting our local guide we have a short drive to our trek starting point. For the next five days we walk through unspoilt villages and carefully cultivated terraces, where life has remained unchanged for generations. Forests of conifers, rhododendrons and bamboo surround us and beyond the forests are the Himalaya – Machhapuchhare, the sacred 'Fishtail' mountain is our companion as is the great bulk of Annapurna South, which towers above us at Ghandrung.

Day 5 - 8

In the afternoon of the last day of the trek we meet our transport, which will take us back to Pokhara. In Pokhara we stay in a hotel close to the lakeside. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore this interesting lakeside resort, maybe hiring rowing boats for an hour on the Phewa Lake, visiting Devi Falls, Mahendra Caves or one of the Tibetan refugee villages, or we can simply relax in one of the many garden restaurants. (Please note that any luggage not required on the trek can be left in Pokhara at the start of the trek and collected at the hotel at the end the trek.)

Day 9 - 10

We spend a whole day at this peaceful camp on the riverbank. There is an optional day walk through forested hillsides to visit the Kalika School, one of our Responsible Tourism Projects. We have been helping the school in various ways over the past few years and have bought land for the school, built toilets and provided school equipment for the children. The children love to meet our groups and practice their English. Or you can just relax and laze around by the river and enjoy the calm serenity of the water.

Day 11

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Day 12

We raft in the morning and then rejoin our transport for the short drive to Chitwan, where we spend two nights in a comfortable safari lodge. The most popular way of seeing the animals is on elephant-back, and we will be very unlucky not to see the Indian one-horned rhinoceros and several species of deer. It is also possible to make trips along the Rapti River in a dugout canoe, looking for crocodile and observing the many birds. We stay in a safari lodge, which has a knowledgeable and helpful staff, who accompany us on all the excursions. The lodge has a complex of two roomed huts with attached bathrooms and a larger dining room/bar area.

Day 13

After breakfast we drive back to Kathmandu, arriving in the afternoon.

Day 14

There should be time this morning for last minute sightseeing or shopping. You may like to make an excursion to Patan and Bhaktapur, the other two main cities in the valley, both of which have interesting Durbar squares. There is also the possibility to do an early morning scenic mountain flight to view Everest. This can be booked in Kathmandu when you first arrive and costs approx US$161 (not including airport transfers) payable preferably in cash or travellers cheques.

In the afternoon we depart Kathmandu.

Day 15

Arrive London.