We have designed this 15-day adventure in Nepal to enable you to travel in comfort and provide you with some incredible photographic opportunities.

Our adventure begins with several days exploring the Kathmandu and staying in the exquisite Heritage-style Dwarika’s Hotel. Kathmandu itself offers superb photographic opportunities with its sacred temples and colourful bazaars. (The Trip will be led by Garry Hunter who is a renowned photographer and has visited Nepal , Tibet & other parts of Asia) several times.

From Kathmandu we fly west to the beautiful Pokhara valley and do a short relatively easy 4 day trek into the Annapurna foothills and followed by a 2 night stay in the award winning Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge that provides spectacular mountain vistas.

From Pokhara we head to the Seti River for a 2-day rafting trip, which offers gentle rapids and stunning scenery. The river trip concludes down in the Royal Chitwan National Park where one has the opportunity to enjoy elephant safaris, walks and boats trips.

The trip will be led by Garry Hunter who is a renowned photographer and has visited Nepal several times.

ITINERARY

15th December: Arrival in Kathmandu Upon arrival you will be met and assisted by Steve Webster and transferred to award winning Dwarika’s Hotel which is located 5 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the tourist district of Thamel. Upon arrival a briefing about Kathmandu and your forthcoming trip will be conducted in which maps and other general information will be distributed. This will also offer you the ideal opportunity to ask any last minute questions that you may have. 16th December: Kathmandu A half-day sightseeing tour will also be arranged. In hidden corners of fabled Kathmandu, the ancient past lingers on in a maze of narrow streets crowded with turmeric sellers, small golden temples, wandering cows, and traditional workshops. Our half-day exploration takes us to places such as in to the old part of the Kathmandu City and to the 2000-year-old Bhoudanath Stupa. About Kathmandu: Once a traditional medieval city of breathtaking Newari architecture, Kathmandu is now fully grown into an urban capital with a population of half-million people. Nevertheless, it has not lost its magic, especially in the ancient, narrow streets and in countless temples and shrines where Buddhist and Hindu iconography mix in fantastic ways. Bodha is a 1,400-year-old stupa that attracts pilgrims from across Buddhist Asia. At Bodha, we see pilgrims circling the stupa to make a kora, turning the stupa's giant prayer wheels as they go. With new monasteries sprouting up all around it, Bodha is rapidly becoming a world centre of Tibetan Buddhist study. Swayambu is an ancient Buddhist temple with commanding views of the valley. We make a steep climb of 300 steps to reach this stupa. Swayambu was established as a shrine around 500 BC and by the 13th century AD, had become an important centre of Buddhist learning. Its eyes, painted on four cardinal points, keep watch over the Kathmandu Valley. Pashupatinath, with its triple-roofed temple, burning ghats, and wandering sadhus (holy men) along the sacred Bagmati, is one of four major sites of Shiva worship on the subcontinent. Its temples and ghats are set along the Bagmati because the waters of this river eventually river flow south to join the mighty Ganges, holy river of India. Entrance to Pashupatinath's inner temple precinct is for Hindus only, but from the outside, we are able to see the huge structure of Nandi, the bull, and a smaller statue of Hanuman. Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel. 17th, December: Fly Kathmandu-Pokhara and begin trek Transferred to the airport for the 30min flight to Pokhara. After arrival in Pokhara, transfer by road with guides & porters to the trek start point {1-hour}. The walk will follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Ker & Downey's Sanctuary Lodge is located at 3470 ft/1060 meters. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known. Lunch is at the lodge followed by an optional walk to the nearby village of Birethanti or the afternoon is free to explore the surrounding river valley. (Trek time 3 hours) Overnight Sanctuary Lodge, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 18th December: Sanctuary Lodge – Himalaya Lodge In the morning, leave the lodge walking out through the outlying farms following the Modi River Valley. Soon you begin to climb out of the valley & up towards the mountains. Lunch is a picnic en route with spectacular views of the surrounding valleys. The trail passes through small hamlets, terraced rice fields and forests. Arrive in the afternoon at Ker & Downey's Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk at 6600 ft / 2000 meters (Trek time 5 hours). It is from this lodge that there are magnificent close up views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight Himalaya Lodge, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 19th December: Himalaya Lodge Rest day/local exploration. 20th December: Himalaya Lodge – Gurung Lodge After breakfast, leave the Himalaya Lodge walking out through the village of Ghandruk towards the Modi River. Midway down, we pass through the village of Kimche. After about 3 hours, reach the village of Lamakhet where you will have a picnic by the banks of the river. After lunch, cross the Modi river and trek to the Gurung Lodge in the village of Majhgaun at 4750 ft / 1450 m. The uphill trek to the Gurung Lodge takes about 2 hours and passes through the village of Patlekhet and terraced farmland. (Total trek time 5 hours.). The Gurung Lodge is built along the lines of a traditional Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Overnight Gurung Lodge, breakfast, lunch, and dinner 21st December: Gurung Lodge – Basanta Lodge This morning start out trekking through the unspoilt village of Majhgaun. Our walk then takes us through sub-tropical forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias. You will also pass through the village of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell their souvenirs. After about 4 hours, reach the Basanta Lodge in time for lunch. After lunch there will be an optional trek to the old village of Dhampus. From the lodge, there are sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range. The altitude of Dhampus is 5000 ft / 1525 meters. Overnight Basanta Lodge, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 22nd December: Basanta Lodge – Pokhara - Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge After an early breakfast, depart along the ridge & descend through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. Trek time 1 ½ hours. From take a 1-hour drive to the award winning Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is situated on a hilltop ridge, a thousand feet above Pokhara Valley. It has spectacular, panoramic views of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail Mountain), and three of the world’s 8,000m peaks, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna. The nineteen elegant and spacious rooms are arranged around the hilltop in thirteen individual hand cut stone bungalows, blending naturally into their surroundings. Sited to maximize the breathtaking vistas and set in private gardens, each room has a private veranda, adjoining bathroom and is furnished with twin or super-king sized beds. Activities available from the Lodge include a ridge top walk visiting local villages; a full day Gurung Village trek circuit exploring the picturesque communities of Tulaswor, Chiteipani, and Lankachhar; naturalist-guided nature and bird watching walks; or relaxing in Col. Jimmy’s Library reading about some of the more famous mountain expeditions. A beautiful swimming pool is located in a strategic site at the end of the ridge and reflects the high mountains which drop away to the Bijaypur river far below. 23rd December: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Relax, or take optional day hikes from the Lodge. 24th December: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge – Seti River Take the 1-hour drive to the Seti River. Upon reaching the put in point you will be given a full safety briefing, with instructions on rafting techniques for people preferring to raft with a paddleboat. The Seti River offers a fine combination of superb scenery and gentle rapids. Overnight Seti River Fixed Camp: The Camp is a fully staffed facility and is situated on a grassy bank overlooking the beach and river. Accommodation is in large safari style equipped tents. Each tent has twin beds with sheets and blankets and the necessary amenities required for your stay. There are well appointed western style toilets and showers with hot and cold running water concealed in separate buildings near your tents. There is a large central dining room built in traditional style where guests gather for their meals. Food is both Continental and Nepalese. In keeping with the surroundings, kerosene lamps, torches and candles are provided after dusk since there is no electricity in the camp. 25th December: Seti River Photographic opportunities from the Camp. Day at leisure or exploring the local villages etc. 26th December: Seti River - Tiger Tops Tented Camp After a hearty breakfast and packing we leave camp at about 9.30 am. Today we have time to explore, bird-watch, photograph and learn about the local people. A packed lunch is served enroute. After going through a good series of grade 2+ rapid, we reach the confluence of the Trisuli River. Notice the difference in temperature of this much colder glacial river. After 15 minutes we end our trip at Gai Ghat and take e the 2-hour drive towards the Royal Chitwan national park and the Tiger Tops Tented Camp. Upon arrival in Chitwan you will be met and transferred to Tiger Tops Tented Camp by boat and landrover. Upon arrival at the Camp, you will be briefed by the resident Guest Relations officer regarding the Park and the wildlife programmes available. The Tiger Tops Tented Camp is located in the Surung Valley in the heart of the Royal Chitwan national Park. Situated on high ground overlooking tall grasslands with the river, middle hills and the snow capped Himalayas beyond. On clear days several 8,000-meter peaks including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu can be seen from the Tented Camp. The central dining area will be your special place for relaxation. Built in traditional Nepali style, it has a well stocked bar and an attractive open fireplace. Accommodation is in twelve large safari tents with comfortable twin beds, separate hot and cold shower amenities and jungle toilets. Western and Nepali cuisine is served. Activities at the Camp include wildlife viewing from elephant back, jungle walks, bird-watching, landrover drives, river safaris, elephant camp visits, wildlife viewing and photographing from machans (blinds). All wildlife activities are escorted by experienced naturalists. Wildlife in Chitwan includes the greater one-horned rhinoceros, spotted deer, hog deer, sambar deer and barking deer as well as a wide variety of birdlife. With a bit of luck, there is always the chance of glimpsing the leopard, sloth bear and Royal Bengal tiger. Overnight at Tiger Tops Tented Camp. 27th December: Tiger Tops Tented Camp Wildlife activities and overnight at Tiger Tops Tented Camp 28th December: Royal Chitwan National Park - Kathmandu Transferred to Megauli airstrip for your flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival met and transferred to the Dwarika’s Hotel. 29th December: Kathmandu Day free for shopping. In the evening a farewell dinner will be hosted by the directors of Escape2Nepal. Overnight Dwarika’s Hotel. 30th December: Depart Transferred to the airport for your international departure. Activities at the Lodge include wildlife viewing from elephant back, jungle walks, bird-watching, landrover drives, river safaris, elephant camp visits, wildlife viewing and photographing from machans (blinds). Every evening a slide show explains more fully about the flora and fauna of the National Park. All wildlife activities are escorted by experienced naturalists. Note: Whilst this trip is labelled as a photographic adventure it should be noted that that it is perfectly acceptable to bring non-photographic partners along. The group will be limited to a maximum of 16 persons, including partners.

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