Into Nepal: Walks & Wildlife

Into Nepal: Walks & Wildlife Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Destination: Nepal
Programmes: Walking & Trekking
Activity Level:
3 out of 7 - Moderate
14 Days: Flight Inclusive
13 Days: Land Only
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: TNC

Trip Overview

Trek between teahouses in the Annapurna foothills and go wildlife spotting in Chitwan National Park

This immersive adventure is the perfect introduction to Nepal and Himalayan trekking. Our route takes us through the Annapurna foothills, staying at low altitude and certainly one of the most spectacular of the Himalayan massifs. Throughout the trek, we pass through villages among steeply terraced fields, where in spring the rhododendron forests provide a colourful foreground to the splendid mountain vistas. And after, we explore another side of Nepal by going in search of roaming wildlife at Chitwan National Park. With the help of an expert naturalist, we explore the home of the one-horned rhino, while also spotting birds, crocodiles, deer and boar.

Why trek with Exodus?

More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal
Exodus annually commissions independent air-safety audits on domestic carriers in Nepal and only use those approved as part of the audit
Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid
All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage
Speak to Exodus office staff who have done the trek themselves

At a Glance

Five nights in hotels, five nights in simple teahouses, and two nights in a jungle lodge
Travel by air-conditioned private bus and one internal flight
Six days of walking with full porterage
Small group size (maximum 16 clients). Minimum age: 16
Low altitude throughout (maximum altitude: Poon Hill summit at 10,531ft/3,210m)
Good introduction to Himalayan walking

Highlights

Enjoy sunrise at the Poon Hill summit with views of majestic peaks
Experience traditional culture in the Gurung village of Ghandrung
Relax with a post-trek stay in the lakeside city of Pokhara
Visit a Tibetan refugee village and learn how to make traditional momo dumplings
Join an expert naturalist for a wildlife-watching adventure in Chitwan National Park
Ride a dugout canoe down the Rapti River in search of crocodiles

Is This Trip for You?

This trip has been graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

It is a great introduction to Himalayan trekking with six days of walking and full porterage throughout, so you need only carry a daypack. You also visit Pokhara and Chitwan, both popular destinations that complete a well-rounded experience of Nepal.

When trekking in the Annapurna region, many of the trails include stone steps which can be uneven in places. A fairly decent level of fitness is required, with experience of hill walking as there are quite a few steep uphill walks and stone steps with some long ascents and descents. The most challenging section of this trip is on day three (first trek day) where you will have a continuous ascent of steps to tackle for up to three hours (with water/tea breaks). This could be even more of a challenge for anyone suffering knee problems and we highly recommend you bring walking poles to assist you.

Altitude is not a concerning factor, the maximum height you reach is on the Poon Hill summit at 10,531ft (3,210m) with an average altitude of 7,362ft (2,244m). The ascent is taken at an even pace and each night is spent at low to medium altitudes (below 9,840ft/3,000m). There are three to five hours of walking on most days.

Exodus has more than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal and our experienced English-speaking local leaders receive regular training and are qualified in first aid.

Nepal flight safety

Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.

Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:

The current travel advice for Nepalissued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
The Air Safety Network entry for Nepal

In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we will remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident the airline meets acceptable safety standards.

We appreciate you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you consider all the information above when deciding to book this trip.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Group

The group will generally be between four and 16 people.

We have representatives in Kathmandu who look after your transfers to and from the airport and will be available to answer other questions you may have about your trek. There is an Exodus desk and noticeboard in the Hotel Ambassador in Kathmandu. The desk is manned morning and evening.

All departures will have an English-speaking Nepali tour leader throughout the trip. All Exodus leaders are highly experienced and have undertaken Exodus leader training courses and wilderness first-aid training. The trekking guides are licensed by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and receive additional training through Exodus.

The leaders are assisted by additional guides (where necessary) and there is one porter for every two passengers to carry the kitbags. All your main gear is carried for you and you only need to carry whatever you require for that day’s trek. Porters carry two client kitbags each – kitbags should be restricted to 22lb (10kg). All the trekking staff are insured by our local partner in Nepal.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: Kathmandu
End City: Kathmandu

Land Only Itinerary

The tour starts at the Hotel Ambassador in Kathmandu. There will be a full trip briefing this evening with your leader and a chance to meet your fellow travellers. If you have free time after arrival, you may want to relax into the adventure with a drink at the in-house rooftop bar and lounge Foreign Affairs, with it’s 360 degree views from the sun terrace over Kathmandu valley.

Accommodation: Hotel Ambassador (or similar)

We take a 30-minute flight to the city of Pokhara this morning, which allows us to bypass a long, bumpy, uncomfortable drive and maximise our time in the Himalaya. On a clear day, we get magnificent views of those same mountains from the right side of the plane.

From the airport, we drive for 1hr 30min to Birethanthi, a riverside village at the confluence of the Modi Khola and the Burundi Khola. After a lunch stop here, we begin our hiking in the Annapurna massif with a two to three-hour warm-up walk that follows a jeep track past the small village of Hille and into another small village, Tirkhedunga, where we spend our first night in a teahouse.

Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 5,050ft/1,540m)

Distance covered: 4mi (7km)

Ascent: 1,781ft (543m); Activity hours: 2hr 30min to three hours

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is short in distance but quite tough as we are ascending all day. There is a long, fairly steep climb up a stone staircase through the neatly terraced hillsides to the village of Ulleri. Many of the trails in this area are stone steps made many years ago to prevent erosion. Don’t worry though, there are many resting places and teahouses on the way up so we just take it slowly and stop for a refreshing cup of tea en route. Continuing through Ulleri, we stop tonight at lower Banthanti.

Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 7,250ft/2,210m)

Distance covered: 2mi (4km)

Ascent: 2,566ft (782m); Activity hours: 4

Meals included: Breakfast

Today our trail winds onward and enters a rhododendron forest. In spring, the forest is ablaze with colour and, as we walk, trains of mules provide colourful and noisy interludes to the continuous ascent (there are many stone staircases today).

Finally, we emerge at Ghorepani, a splendid mountain vista appearing before us – Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhare, Lamjung and other Himalayan giants. We continue up through Ghorepani to our lodge in Upper Ghorepani, usually arriving by lunchtime.

Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 9,515ft/2,900m)

Distance covered: 4mi (7km)

Activity hours: 4

Meals included: Breakfast

We get up early this morning for our walk to Poon Hill (our highest altitude point at 10,530ft/3,210m). The early wake up will be worth it when we see the spectacular sunrise views of the Annapurnas, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare and Lamjung. The trail to Poon Hill takes just under an hour and is up a stone staircase.

Descending back to the lodge, we have a well-deserved breakfast and then set off for the village of Tadapani. We head east back into the forest and ascend to the Deurali Pass at 10,140ft (3,090m). We then descend into the rhododendron forest through Deurali, where there are a few lodges, and further down to Banthanthi for lunch. After lunch, the trail undulates on a rocky trail through the forest with a final climb up to Tadapani, where we stay tonight with magnificent views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare.

Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 8,630ft/2,630m)

Distance covered: 6mi (10km)

Ascent: 1,969ft (600m); Activity hours: 4/5

Meals included: Breakfast

After wonderful sunrise views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare from the lodge, we descend through the forest to the Bhaisi Kharka area. We eventually emerge from the forest and see the large Gurung village of Ghandrung spread below.

It is the largest of the villages in this area and new lodges have been built around the traditional Gurung houses. We reach the lodge by lunchtime; in the afternoon, we can explore the village. There is a small Gurung museum that shows how the traditional houses once were. From the lodge, we can relax and take in the wonderful views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare.

Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 6,365ft/1,940m)

Distance covered: 4mi (6km)

Ascent: 171ft (52m); Activity hours: 4

Meals included: Breakfast

We end our Himalayan journey today trekking through farmland and forest down to the Modi Khola valley and onto Birethanthi, where we meet our transport for the 1hr 30min drive back to Pokhara.

The afternoon is free to enjoy this lakeside town. There are plenty of shops selling Tibetan handicrafts and restaurants along the lakeside to explore.

Accommodation: Hotel Dahlia (or similar)

Distance covered: 5mi (8km)

Activity hours: 3-4

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we head to the Tibetan refugee camp in Tashiling, a 15-minute drive out of Pokhara. Established in 1964, when hundreds of Tibetans fled instability in their home region, the Tashiling camp is now a permanent home to around 100 families. You meet some of the residents and take part in a cookery experience, learning how to make the popular Nepalese snack momos, which originated from Tibet and was introduce to Nepal by the refugees. Before leaving, you have a chance to look around the local carpet handicraft centre, souvenir shops and Tibetan traditional food shops with any purchases directly supporting the community.

We also have an optional visit to the International Mountain Museum in the afternoon, which delves deep into the history of mountaineering across the planet or maybe take some time to stroll by or perhaps even a boat trip on the lake.

Accommodation: Hotel Dahlia (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We leave Pokhara this morning (with magnificent Annapurna views on clear days) and embark on a four to five-hour drive to Chitwan. Along the way, we are accompanied, in parts, by the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. The road heads towards Kathmandu for about 56mi (90km) before turning south to Chitwan National Park.

We should arrive around lunchtime; this afternoon, we meet our naturalist guide who will go over the activities for the next two days followed by a bird walk late afternoon in the local area.

Accommodation: Jungle Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is dedicated to discovering the wildlife of Nepal and exploring the jungle in Chitwan.

In the morning, we take a traditional dugout canoe made from a single tree trunk along the Rapti River, our naturalist guide helping us to spot birdlife and crocodiles as we gently cruise on the water.

After lunch, we head out from our resort on a jeep safari through Chitwan National Park. Along the way, we keep our eyes peeled for several deer species, wild boars, endangered one-horned rhinos and the very rare Bengal tiger. Our certified guides are typically local to the park, often from the indigenous Tharu community, who have a long history of living in close harmony with the nature of the Chitwan region. Their knowledge of the local ecosystem, animal behaviour and traditional practices makes them excellent nature guides.

This evening, we watch a Traditional Stick Dance performance, an important part of Tharu culture. The dance is performed by members of the Tharu community, who use long sticks to create an engaging, energetic performance. It is believed to have originated as a means of protecting the Tharu communities from various threats, including wildlife and evil spirits, and is now a celebration of Tharu identity and a way to preserve and showcase their cultural heritage to visitors.

Please note, the order we do activities is decided by the naturalist depending on local factors.

Accommodation: Jungle Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you have the option to rise early and head out before breakfast for a bird-watching walk in the Bagmara Community Forest, around a five to 10-minute stroll from our resort, joined by a naturalist guide.

Then, after a leisurely breakfast, we set off for the five-hour drive back to Kathmandu arriving in the evening. Our journey takes us out of the lowlands to travel once more alongside the Trishuli River, before arriving at the Himalaya foothills. Taking a Chinese-built road running parallel to the range, the journey slows as we pass through the hilly region. Our reward, however, is plenty of amazing Himalaya views encompassing terraced farms, numerous villages and the adjacent Trishuli River.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we typically have time to refresh before dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Ambassador (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

For those keen to see the highest mountain in the world, there is the option of an early morning Everest sightseeing flight from Kathmandu. This can be booked and paid for locally with help from your leader.

Today is also your chance for sightseeing in the capital. A local Guide will escort you on a city tour, visiting one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Boudhanath, and the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath.

Accommodation: Hotel Ambassador (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

The trip comes to an end after breakfast. However, if you’d like a little more time to explore Kathmandu, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Ascents, descents and distances

All ascents, descents and distances listed above have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders, in many cases with satellite-based mapping software. Please note, different GPS measuring devices can give differing results, particularly on winding paths or in mountainous terrain. Measurements stated throughout these trips notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated will vary depending on the pace of your group.

Accommodation

Hotels & Lodges

This tour spends three nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu, five nights on trek in lodges (teahouses), two nights in a hotel in Pokhara and two nights in a jungle lodge in Chitwan.

The hotels used may vary by departure date. In Kathmandu, we stay at the Hotel Ambassador within walking distance of the Thamel district. In Pokhara, we use Hotel Dahlia or Hotel Kausi and in Chitwan we use a jungle lodge on the edge of the Community Forest Reserve.

The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains. The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on).

Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable, and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch (flashlight) is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approximately 150-350 Nepalese rupees per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental.

The bedrooms are almost all twin share. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are generally unheated and can get cold at night, so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.

Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main lodge building, most of these are now western seated but some may still have Asian squat style. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it the bin provided – do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty please either refill it or ask the lodge to.

Lodges now have hot ‘showers’ (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees per shower).

Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand-sanitiser gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes.

Extra accommodation
If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu or Pokhara either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your sales representative.

Single accommodation
If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan only (subject to availability). In the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.

*Nepal teahouse images are provided as examples and may not always be the same properties used on every trek.

Single supplement from £ 295

Food & Drink

All breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners are included in this trip.

The breakfasts on trek are fixed set menus, usually porridge or muesli with either toast, chapatti or pancake, plus an egg or omelette and a cup of tea/coffee. You may also be able to supplement your included breakfast with additional items on the teahouse menu should you wish. Items not included in the set breakfast should be ordered and paid for separately.

We do not include lunch and dinner on trek allowing you to choose what you want to eat. Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route. Dinner will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as teahouses base their room rate on it).

The menus in the lodges are almost identical to one another but offer a varied choice, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises curried lentils and meat or vegetables, rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos, a type of Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed and filled with meat or vegetables.

Although meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money – we recommend using hand sanitiser.

If you have a gluten-free diet, we strongly recommend you bring extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available to you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are from powder/packets and contain gluten.

If you buy imported food and drink on trek, you will spend more than the suggested amount.

Drinking water

Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity, on this trip it is generally recommended to carry a 33floz (one litre) water bottle and drink at least 67floz (two litres) per person per day.

However, we strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in the trekking areas of Nepal.

You can top up water bottles at tea breaks and lunch stops along the way with some villages offering safe drinking water stations selling UV-treated water for about 50 rupees (US$0.40) per litre.

The teahouses also sell boiled water for approximately 150-300 rupees (US$1.15-US$2.30) per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot-water bottle.

Alternatively, all teahouses provide free cold water. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend you bring a reusable bottle/water bladder/Camelpak (ideally two) and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available including Steripens or purification tablets, which are the quickest and easiest options to use on trek – we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time. Make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions).

Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates more than 99.99 percent of all microbiological contaminants from any non-saltwater source – visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15 percent off their first order and, better still, 15 percent of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. These bottles filter the water as you drink through the spout may not be the most efficient while on the go on a trek. Please note, if the water freezes it will clog up the filter. In this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.

Transport

A private air-conditioned minibus with seatbelts is used for the main road journeys and private hired jeeps are used in Chitwan National Park.

An internal flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is included in the tour. All internal flights in Nepal are subject to weather conditions; if the flight is cancelled due to fog or bad weather, for example, travelling by road will be unavoidable.

This point-to-point trekking trip requires you to walk between each overnight stay under your own steam. Other forms of transport may be available along the route (horses, jeeps etc) but Exodus is not able to take responsibility for the safety or cost of any transport that customers choose to take even if provided with the assistance of our leader or staff.

Nepal flight safety

Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.

Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:

The current travel advice for Nepalissued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
The Air Safety Network entry for Nepal

We appreciate you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you consider all the information above when deciding to book this trip.

Weather & Seasonality

The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time, and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15C to 30C (59F to 86F).

Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.

Mid-September to November: The main trekking season in Nepal. Daytime temperatures will be up to 25C (77F). Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping to about 5C (41F).

December to end of February: Despite the cooler conditions, this is an ideal time to trek in Nepal. For this particular trip, December is the best month to go to this area as the skies are usually very clear, the days are sunny, and the mountain views are at their best. Early mornings and evenings are cold with temperatures down to about 5C (41F) but days are pleasant and sunny with temperatures up to 22C (72F). The trails are also much less busy at this time of year. Chitwan will be cold in the early mornings and evenings but pleasantly warm in the daytime.

March to May: Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons and there can be rain. Temperatures rise to 30C (86F) and above in Chitwan and in Kathmandu. On trek, the days will be hot (up to 25C/77F). Nights will be a bit cooler. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek at this time. The Annapurna region is famous for its rhododendrons at this time.

Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable; you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat Rd, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Phone: +977 1-4514432
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Kathmandu Airport (KTM)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 25 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Kathmandu Airport (KTM) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Kathmandu
Location end: Kathmandu

What To Take

Essential Equipment

All luggage for the trek should be packed in the Exodus kitbag provided or in a similar soft duffel bag. Many people find it easiest to pack the Exodus kitbag inside a wheelie case which can be left at the Kathmandu hotel free of charge with anything not needed for the trek, while the kitbag will be carried by your porter on the trek.

When packing, please consider the quantities/volume of the items you bring. Decant larger toiletries into small reusable bottles, take a lightweight travel towel etc. Each porter carries two kitbags, therefore, please limit your kitbag to 22lb (10kg) per person. Your leader will weigh each bag before departing Kathmandu and may ask you to remove non-essential items and leave them in Kathmandu if your kitbag is too heavy.

The weight allowance on the domestic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 33lb (15kg) checked-in baggage and 11lb (5kg) for hand baggage – any excess is chargeable.

Please note, many Nepalis wear traditional clothing, so we suggest you dress conservatively. T-shirts are preferable to sleeveless tops and it is not advisable to wear tight or revealing clothing. Although long shorts (knee length) are acceptable, we recommend a skirt for women rather than shorts for the trek.

Two passport photos for your trekking permit (plus an additional one if getting a visa on arrival in case the electronic machines are down)
Daypack
Three-to-four-season sleeping bag (four-season for November/December departures)
Sleeping bag liner
Three-season jacket
Large water bottle
Trekking pole(s)
Refillable water bottle/water bladder (also known as a hydration pack/CamelBak, which are useful for rehydrating on the go)
Water purification treatment/Steripen
Waterproof walking boots (worn in)
Waterproof jacket and trousers (pants)
Gaiters for winter and spring departures
Trainers (sneakers)/sandals for the evening
Warm hat
Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip salve with sun protection
Scarf/buff (which can be pulled over your nose and mouth to protect against fine mountain dust)
Gloves
Several pairs of walking socks
Thermals
Warm mid-layer (fleece)
Light/mid-weight trousers (pants) – warmer for winter
Walking shorts or a skirt for women
T-shirts/shirts/base layers
Light cotton clothes in dull colours for Chitwan
Dry bags to line daypack and for packing clothing in the kitbag
Mosquito repellent (please refer to advice on avoiding dengue fever in vaccination section)
Small personal first-aid kit
Toilet paper
Towel
Hand-washing gel
Biodegradable mini toiletries for the trek (please do not bring full-size items and limit to essentials)
Biodegradable plastic bags (so as not to leave a trace if nature calls between teahouses)
Headtorch (head lamp)
Plug adaptor
Solar charger/spare batteries/powerbank

Equipment hire

The following equipment can be hired through Exodus – the equipment is good quality and will keep you warm but it is bulky and you should take this into account when packing due to the porterage weight limit. For the majority of the trek, the climate will be warm, particularly when on the move. You would most likely only require warmer clothing for day 4 on arrival to Ghorepani and day 5, for the dawn walk and waiting for sunrise at Poon Hill.

Hire equipment should be requested and paid for in advance of travel but will be provided locally in Kathmandu and returned when you arrive back in Pokhara post-trek.

Approximate hire prices are:

Down jacket (approximately 1.8kg): from £42 / US$54
Four-season sleeping bag (approximately 2.3kg): from £56 / US$72
Package including a down jacket and a four-season sleeping bag: from £70 / US$90

Donations for porters, children and the elderly

If, while packing, you find space in your bag then you may be interested in donating to one of Exodus’ projects. Exodus supports a Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu, as well as children in local schools in Kathmandu and various villages, and an old people’s home in Kyanjin Gompa in the upper part of the Langtang Valley. If you have any old walking gear, this can be donated to porters. Similarly, any warm clothing or blankets would be appreciated by the old people’s home – please leave these items with your leader or at the Exodus desk at the Hotel Ambassador or Royal Singi Hotel. Books, stationery, games, warm clothes/underwear etc suitable for children aged five to 18 years should be taken to the Ambassador Garden Home in Thamel and given to Prakash Lammichanne. Contact number: +977 1 4700724.

Optional Equipment

Trekking pole(s)
Gaiters

Exodus kitbag

If you book this trip, we provide an Exodus kitbag to pack your luggage in while on trek. Once you have booked, you will be sent instructions on how to claim your free bag (they are not sent automatically). Please note, if you book less than three weeks before the departure date, we cannot guarantee your kitbag will arrive before your trip starts. If this is the case, please contact us on customerops@exodus.co.uk (or customeroperations@exodustravels.com if you’re based in the US or Canada). See www.exodus.co.uk/kitbags for full T&Cs.

Practical Information

Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months when you submit your application for a visa. You should also ensure your passport is up to date, valid for the entire length of your stay and that you have completed the emergency contact details page inside your passport.

Visa

Nepal

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Nepal. Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/nepal
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/nepal
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Nepal.html

You can obtain your visa in advance or on arrival. If possible, apply in advance as queues on arrival can be very long and the Immigration Department of Nepal has suspended visas on arrival for certain nationalities – please check if this applies to you with your nearest embassy or consulate.

Visa in advance: Apply for this through your local consulate or embassy. The Nepalese government has an online application system, but it is currently only accepting payments through Nepalese payment channels.

Visa on arrival: When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, there will be three lines. If you have already secured your visa, go straight to the Immigration line. If not:

Fill in a tourist visa form at the electronic kiosks. After inserting your passport, the machine will automatically fill out an application form, take an electronic photograph of you and print a paper slip. If the machine won’t read your passport, complete the details manually using the touchscreen. We recommend taking a passport photo with you just in case.
- This process can be completed through the online immigration portal (click ‘Visa On-Arrival’) within 14-days prior to arrival in Kathmandu, helping you to avoid lengthy queues at the kiosks when you come through immigration – ensure you print and bring the confirmation with you. If you have completed your visa on arrival form in advance, go directly to the visa fees counters with your printed confirmation and skip the kiosk queues.
Proceed to the visa fees collection counter and pay the visa fee (in cash, if possible). Make sure to keep the receipt. Card payments are not always possible, so paying in cash is easiest, most currencies are accepted but US dollars are preferred.
Go to the relevant immigration desk and present your tourist visa form, payment receipt and passport to obtain your 15-, 30- or 90-day visa stamp. Please check you have been given the correct visa duration.

Vaccinations and Health

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. However, recommended vaccinations include polio, tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A.

The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. The risk is highest in the low lying southern ‘terai’ districts bordering India.

A yellow fever certificate is only required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of transmission.

Dengue fever is a known risk in Nepal. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available; therefore, the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. There was a dengue outbreak in September 2022 with a number of cases recorded in Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley. We therefore recommend you take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites such as wearing full length trousers, long sleeves and applying insect repellent during the day as well as at dawn and dusk.

Altitude is not a factor of consideration on this trip as all activities take place below 6,560ft (2,000m).

Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.

Local Time

Nepal's time zone: Asia/Kathmandu (UTC +05:45)

Electricity

Nepal's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard), D (three round pins) and M (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz Mains electric 'load shedding' (planned temporary power cuts) occur regularly throughout towns and cities in Nepal. On teahouse treks, the majority of lodges now have electricity and charging facilities in the communal areas for batteries, for a fee. Battery life can be affected by cold; lithium batteries are best.

Money

Nepal's currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR) It is illegal to import or export rupees, but foreign currency is not limited, provided it is declared on arrival. Keep your change receipts, as you will need them if you want to change rupees back into hard currency at Kathmandu airport.

ATM Availability

There are ATMs in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other major towns.

Please do not rely wholly on ATMs as many are broken or run out of money. Often there are ATM lounges (a small room with numerous different ATMs). Some banks have a withdrawal limit equivalent to about US$120 per time but there is usually a transaction fee, if you need to withdraw more money than this you should look for another ATM with a higher limit (others have a maximum withdrawal limit equivalent to about US$360 per time).

Credit cards are accepted in many of the larger shops and restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

We recommend taking your personal spending money in cash (US dollars, British pounds or euros can all be changed easily). Please note that any marked, torn or damaged notes may not be accepted. Please remember, £50 notes, Scottish or Irish currency cannot be changed in Nepal. Cash can be changed easily at the airport on arrival in Kathmandu or at money changers in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Hotels in Nepal can also change up to US$300 per person. Please note, travellers cheques can NOT be exchanged in Nepal. Our staff will advise you about how much money to take with you on the trek.

You need to withdraw/exchange enough money in Kathmandu to last the duration of your trek – to cover meals, drinks, tipping and other incidentals. It is a good idea to carry spare cash on the trek in case of an emergency. Carrying cash is unavoidable so we suggest splitting it up into a few different places – but remember to keep track of how much you have stashed where.

Prices of food and amenities in teahouses are generally more expensive than you may expect. Please allow 4,000 – 5,400 rupees (US$30-US40) per day for lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, showers, toilet roll and charging on trek, and for meals not included in Kathmandu or Pokhara (where costs will be at the top end of the scale). This amount is given as a rough guideline only.

Optional excursions

Several optional tours and activities are available from Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Prices for a half-day sightseeing tour start from approximately 4,600 Nepalese rupees (US$35) per person, based on a group of six and above. For all trips, return transport and a qualified sightseeing guide are included. The price does not include lunch or entry fees. Please inquire with your leader in Kathmandu, who can provide further information.

An optional Everest sightseeing flight is available on your free day (weather permitting) from around 27,750 rupees (US$210) per person – subject to change. Anyone taking an internal sightseeing flight in Nepal should pay attention to the statement ‘Flying in Nepal’.

Tipping

Tipping is customary in Nepal and usually expected. Tipping can often be an awkward affair, especially when in an unfamiliar country where you are not sure when or how much to tip. As such, your tour leader will usually offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty, which will be used to tip hotel porters, local guides, assistant guides, porters, and the drivers. Your leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size, but a rough guideline is provided below.

A tip for the leader is at your discretion and separate to the amount he will suggest for the other staff. We suggest you send an envelope around the group at the end of the trip and you can put in what you like and give to the leader on the last evening.

The following are guideline amounts received by each staff member from the group as a whole.

Tour leader: 32,500-36,000 rupees (usually tipped on the last night in Kathmandu)

Your trekking crew (tips are usually given on the last evening of the trek in Ghandrung)

Trekking guides: 21,000-26,000 rupees for each guide
Trek porters: 12,000 rupees for each porter

General tipping guidelines:

Drivers:
- Pokhara to/from Biretanthi (per each-way transfer): 500 rupees in total from the group
- Pokhara to Chitwan: 1,500 rupees in total from the group
- Chitwan to Kathmandu: 1,500 rupees in total from the group
Hotel porters: 105 rupees each time for each room
Teahouses and lunch stops on trek: it’s customary to round your bill up to the nearest 50 rupees or 100 rupees
Restaurants: 10% of the bill if good service

To help budget for the tips, generally there will be one member of trek staff (leader/guide) for every four clients. You also have one porter for every two clients to carry your luggage. If you are unsure on how much to personally budget, you can check with your leader when you arrive in Kathmandu. Please try to give all tips in local currency.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

The mountain lodges are a source of local employment, sell locally made handicrafts, carry out cleaning campaigns in the village and contribute towards school building and improving the water supply.
The use of a local leader and trekking support staff (guides, porters/yak herders) means our customers will be well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
It was not until 2005 that the ancient tradition of chhaupadi (banishing menstruating women and girls to huts or sheds during their period) was made illegal in Nepal. In rural parts of the country, menstruation is still a taboo subject. Since 2018, Exodus has supported the Freedom Kitbag Project, providing reusable sanitary wear and education in reproductive health to many hundreds of women and to their wider communities.
Exodus has had a deep connection with Nepal since the 1980s and over the years has supported, and continues to support, many Himalayan Community Projects, including an elderly person’s home, the High Altitude Workers Welfare Association, providing solar cookers, smokeless stoves and running medical camps in hard-to-reach communities, to name but a few.
Visiting the Tibetan Tashiling refugee village as part of this trip allows the local community to share their history and traditions with groups taking part in a momo-making cookery class. We offer opportunities to build a sustainable income as the villagers have diversified their opportunities with most working in the carpet handicraft centre and some opening their own shops selling souvenirs and Tibetan traditional food.

Places

By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for reusable bottles.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

A vegetarian diet is common in Nepal, especially in the mountains where eating meat is not generally recommended due to hygiene concerns and a lack of refrigeration facilities. The staple diet is dal baht, which comes in various forms but generally includes lentil dal, vegetable curry, and rice.
The tea houses use solar power as much as possible.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you. When trekking – biodegradable soap, shampoo, and toilet paper are recommended. Keep to paths to reduce damage to plants and disturbances to wildlife.
Plastic waste reduction: Avoid using plastic bottles or buying mineral water and instead use refillable water bottles wherever possible. Buy boiled water or carry water purification treatment (we recommend purification tablets or a SteriPEN or similar type of handheld UV water purifier).
Try to buy locally made handicrafts but be wary of items made from wild animals e.g. shahtoosh shawls made from endangered Tibetan antelope.
If, while packing, you find a spare bit of space in your bag then you may be interested in donating to one of our projects. Exodus supports a Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu and also distributes clothing to villages and schools.

Cultural respect:

The Nepalese greeting is ‘namasté – with hands held in front of the face, the higher they are held, the more respect it exudes. Men will shake hands with men but not with women.
Walk in a clockwise direction around temples or monuments. Ask permission before entering places of worship and remove your shoes. Leave leather behind before entering Hindu temples.
Pointing your feet (the least sacred body part) at people or religious places or pointing or beckoning with a single finger is considered impolite.
Displays of affection should be kept at bay and loose-fitting clothing that covers legs and shoulders is advisable, especially when visiting homes, monasteries or temples.
Do it like the locals! The left hand is associated with toilet duties, so eat, wipe your mouth, pass food, give and receive with your right hand. Only handle your own food and drink.
Ask before you capture people on camera. Exchanging a few words or gestures beforehand can go a long way. Offering (and actually sending) a copy via post is a great way to benefit both parties!

Important Information

Optional activities and excursions

If you would like to join an optional activity or excursion outside those listed in the itinerary, your leader may be able to assist with selecting a provider. However, Exodus has not assessed the safety standards of activities or excursions that are not listed in the Trip Notes. All optional activities or excursions are undertaken at your own risk.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.

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