Action and adventure in the mountains, rivers and jungles of Nepal

Kathmandu & Annapurna trek
After exploring Kathmandu you’ll spend a night in the nearby one-time capital of Bhaktapur before travelling west to Pokhara. Here you embark on a fully-supported trek into the foothills of the Himalaya, walking between remote villages and overlooked by the imposing Annapurna range.

Rafting & Chitwan National Park
After a night in the little hill-top village of Bandipur you walk to the put-in point for a white water rafting adventure. You join the mighty Seti River, born in the high Himalaya, and take an adrenalin-fuelled ride downstream before arriving at Chitwan National Park. Here you explore the jungle by elephant in search of the famous one-horned Indian rhino before returning to Kathmandu.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight flight to Kathmandu

Day 2: Kathmandu After your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. The evening is free to dine at one of Kathmandu’s many excellent restaurants. Hotel - 1 night

Day 3: Kathmandu And Bhaktapur After breakfast you begin a day’s sightseeing in Kathmandu. Exploring the old city, you’ll wander through narrow streets and alleyways, discovering hidden temples and meeting the friendly locals. Exotic produce and a bewildering mix of people are everywhere - you're likely to see Ghurkhas from the area east of Pokhara, Tibetan women in their striped aprons, traders from India, and sadhus - Hindu holy men - perhaps on pilgrimage to one of the many temples and shrines of the valley. You make your way to Swayumbhunath, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site for stunning views across the Valley. After time to visit the atmospheric Pashupatinath Temple, you’ll drive to Bhaktapur - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one time Valley capital. Still a functioning town, Bhaktapur is a superb place to spend the night; a city of potters and pagodas, this is the East as people imagine it! Guesthouse - 1 night (B)

Day 4: Pokhara From Kathmandu you drive west along the winding highway that links Kathmandu with Pokhara. The road initially climbs slowly out of the Kathmandu Valley and then drops down between steeply terraced fields of rice. You pick up the Trisuli River and continue as far as Pokhara. Located by the side of lovely Phewa Lake, you should arrive with time to stroll down to the water’s edge to perhaps enjoy a cool lassi (yoghurt drink) or take a boat trip. This evening you will have a full briefing to prepare you for the trek. Hotel - 1 night (B)

Day 5: Trekking In The Annapurna You drive a short distance to Kasyari (approx. 30 mins) on the eastern edge of the Pokhara Valley. Leaving the vehicle behind you walk through the verdant farms and cross Bijaypur stream. Farmers at work in the countryside greet you with a warm smile as you start a climb through villages to an open area next to a public tap (1.5 hr approx) where the views of the mighty Annapurnas open up. After lunch, continue climb through lush surrounding to emerge on to a dirt track coming in from Bijaypur (approx. 20 mins). Follow the dirt track through the authentic Middle hill countryside for the remainder of the day as the track flattens out right up to Kalikasthan (approx. 2 hrs) at 1160m. The campsite is at an elevated spot away from the dirt track offering great views of the Annapurnas to the north and the picture-perfect view of Begnas Lake to the southeast.

Day 6: Annapurna Trek Fortified with your first on-trek breakfast (food on trek is a highlight!) you leave camp and follow tracks through bushes, farms and a dense forest down to a small settlement known as Kuikulgaun. On the way, you will get the first glimpse of the Madi River, which you’ll follow for the rest of the day. The trail continues at a gentle gradient through farms and villages to reach the lunch spot before climbing through Sal forest for about an hour to join the same dirt track you followed at the start of the day. This leads you past numerous settlements to the campsite at Sabi, (approx. 1.5 hr), located at 840m near the banks of the Madi River, fed by the glacial melt waters of the Annapurnas.

Day 7: Trekking Crossing a small stream, the walk briefly continues through farms before you take the rock-strewn course beside the Madi River, climbing steeply up the well-laid stone steps to a hill (approx. 30 mins). A descent for about 20 mins to get on a trail that eases all the way up to the lunch spot by the river banks at Sikles Phedi (approx. 2 hrs), reached by crossing a small stream at Sodha. After lunch, the trail rises steeply on stone steps to the campsite at Parje at 1980m (approx. 3 hrs) as the view down into the valley below starts to gain in magnificence. By now you are well into the swing of trail life and feeling fitter for the fresh air, exercise and plentiful food. Notice as time passes the villages change in style, depending on not only the altitude, but available materials and ethnic make up.

Day 8: Trekking Hike to Sikles at 1980m (40 mins/ slightly uphill) - a delightful little village with ever so welcoming inhabitants, picturesque terraced fields, alpine meadows and the vista of the giants of the Annapurnas. Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna II (7937m) and the monolithic hulk of Lamjung Himal, with its dozen or more summits, are all impressively above 6500m, while sliding down from the heights of Annapurna II is the huge icefall and glacier, the origin of the Madi Khola. This Gurung village is a true embodiment of the real and raw beauty of Nepali countryside.

Day 9: Trekking From our campsite at Parje, we trek north-west with the snow-capped peaks to our right. The day starts on a trail going up through the bushes and traversing quite a few streams (numbers of which can increase in the monsoon and post- monsoon periods) for about 1.5 hr. The trail gets even steeper as it enters a dense forest. Lunch break is taken in another 1.5 hr. Soon after lunch we make the steep climb up to our night’s perch (approx. 3 hrs), a grassy wooded knoll known as Tara Top (Starlight Top) at 3050m.This is the vantage-point for spectacular 360-degree views that include most of the Annapurna massif - not to mention half of central Nepal including the Himalayan foothills dropping away towards the Ganges and the Indian plains. Clear skies at dusk and dawn will leave indelible impressions of sunset and sunrise on photographs and memory alike.

Day 10: Trekking As you leave your high-point, much of the harder trekking is now done and today progress is more or less along the same 2500m contour, in the lee of the mountains to the north. This is the definitive enchanted forest - mossy banks, orchids on the high boughs and grassy clearings. Whether it is the sweet scents of the post monsoon or the delicate colours of the spring's rhododendron blossom, each season has its own rewards. As you descend the air gets warmer and more humid as you lose around 1400m in 4 hrs approx. Your walk today is to Ghalegoan and your last night's camp, perched above the river that sweeps down from Machhapuchhare, the famous soaring twin-peaked mountain whose name means 'fishtail'. (1620m)

Day 11: Return To Pokhara Descending from Ghalegaon you arrive at Bhurjung Khola (stream) in about 2 hrs, a tributary of the Seti River which you see snaking its way through in the distance. En route south, the peaks you have enjoyed so much now only fleetingly reveal themselves as you lose height and they become obscured by the forests above you. You reach the road-head where your transport awaits and takes you back to your base in Pokhara Base Camp for lunch (1.5 hr drive). Tonight you celebrate in style – an end of trek party to bring you together with the trek staff one last time. (915m / 4 hours) Hotel – 1 night (BLD)

Day 12: Bandipur - Forgotten Village From Pokhara you drive east along the winding highway that links Pokhara with Kathmandu, and continue as far as Dumre. Here you turn south, off the main highway, and climb to a ridge set at an altitude of 1005m - and the delightful village of Bandipur. Winding its way along the ridge itself, Bandipur’s main street has many three or four storey brick buildings with carved wooden windows. The small temples in the town add to the atmosphere in what is a traditional Nepali hill village. You can sit and relax or stretch your legs with a walk through the village and out into the surrounding countryside for superb views up the Marsyangdi river valley and to the Himalaya beyond. Many of the range’s giants can be seen including Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and the distant Annapurnas. Guesthouse (multishare and shared facilities) - 1 night (BLD) Please note that single rooms may be unavailable during the peak seasons due to the limited number of rooms.

Day 13-14: Rafting The Seti River Leaving Bandipur you trek for approximately five hours to the put in point for your two-day white water rafting trip. After an important safety briefing, you don lifejackets and helmets and begin your journey downstream. Turbulent rapids are interspersed with sections of calmer water, so there are plenty of chances to admire the scenery and spot wildlife along the way. Lunches and camps are prepared by the crew on the banks of the river on quiet, sandy beaches - ideal for sunbathing or swimming. Your second day of rafting presents you with a change of scene as the Seti meets the Trisuli River. The river narrows and you pass through some beautiful gorges. NB: Due to changing water levels you may raft the Trisuli River on some departures. River camps - 2 nights (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)

Day 15-16: Chitwan Jungle The rafting trip concludes with 2-3 hours raft down to the take-out at Gaighat. You bid adieu to your rafting crew and embark on a short bus journey brings you into the low lying Terai region, characterized by a dramatic change in landscape as the road heads to the warmer climes and to the periphery of the world-famous Chitwan National Park, spread over 932 square kilometres of floodplain. The park is home to varied wildlife and birdlife, including the famed symbol of Chitwan, the one-horned rhino, and the elusive royal Bengal tiger, of which there are believed to be around 80 roaming in the park. An experienced jungle guide will accompany you on your excursions, perhaps the most exciting of which is your safari on elephant-back, penetrating deep into the jungle. Rhino, bison, wild boar, monkeys, and a wide array of birds (over 400 species on record) are a common sight, and with luck on your side even the royal Bengal tiger, bear and leopard are a possibility, albeit a slim one. Another highlight of the trip is the canoe ride on Rapti River, which drapes the national park, the banks of which are home to sun-bathing 'mugger' crocodiles and the unique long-nosed 'gharial' crocodiles. Afterwards you walk to the Elephant Breeding Centre. Elephants at the breeding centre are well attended to and are taken out by their mahouts (elephant drivers, whose commands they’re used to and follow) on a daily basis between the hours of 10:30am and 3pm, where they go into jungle for collecting fodder, safaris and bathing. However, please remember that elephants are naturally wild animals and their behaviour can at times be erratic and highly unpredictable, especially in the absence of their trainer and controller. Therefore in the interests of visitor safety, please be advised that elephants are chained during the centre’s opening hours. Please also keep your distance from elephants while embarking and disembarking on safari. Keeping you engrossed and buoyed over the span of your stay will be a ride on an age-old mode of transportation (an ox cart to a ‘Tharu’ village), bird-watching walk on the periphery of the national park, dancing to the tunes and moves of the ‘Tharu’ artistes and an informative slide show on the rich flora and fauna of the jungles of Chitwan. Hotel - 2 nights (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)

Day 17: Kathmandu A short transfer to the small airport at Bharatpur and you board your flight to Kathmandu. You hope to arrive around lunchtime, leaving a full afternoon to wander the little streets around Durbar Square and do some last-minute shopping. Later this evening your group leader is sure to arrange a ‘last supper’ where you can look back over your adventures before sadly returning home. Hotel - 1 night (B)

Day 18: Depart Kathmandu The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on group flights transfer to the airport and depart on your overnight flight home. (B)

Day 19: Arrive Home

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Cost Includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing.
- Daily breakfast in hotels
- All transfers and sightseeing as on itinerary.
- English speaking local guides
- permits
- Sightseeing admission fees
- Service on domestic airfare bookings.

Cost Does Not Includes
- Lunch and dinner
- Drinks, tip and other expenses of personal nature such as phone, laundry etc.
- Extra expenses or loss due to nature and unforeseen events beyond the control of our management.
- Travel Insurance
- International airfares and airport taxes.