This itinerary provides something for everyone and in addition to being great fun for the whole family it also provides a good combination of interesting culture and unsurpassed scenery. The trip has been designed specifically with both adults and children in mind. Our managing director, Steve Webster, has done this trip countless times with his own family and never ceases to get tired of watching the children enjoy the excitement of seeing the snow capped mountains or rafting down the Seti River, or riding elephants in Chitwan National Park.

This trip is available on a private basis to suit your own dates and may be modified if required to make it slightly longer or shorter. Modifications may affect the cost. The trek is not too long or too high on trails that are well used and within relatively easy reach of Pokhara and Kathmandu. Accommodation on trek is in comfortable lodges with ample staff always at hand to look after you and if required even carry the little ones.

Optional upgrade to Deluxe Heritage Hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika’s Hotel): US$ 250.00 per adult/150 per child.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Upon arrival you will be met and assisted by an Escape2Nepal representative and transferred to Shangri-la Hotel which is located 15 minutes from the airport and 5-10 minutes from the tourist district of Thamel. This Hotel provides comfortable accommodation and excellent facilities as well as one of Kathmandu’s best gardens. Day 02: Kathmandu A pre-trek briefing will be conducted today 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.  A half day sightseeing tour will also be arranged. Overnight Shangri-la Hotel. Day 03: 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 Day 04: 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 Day 05: Himalaya Lodge Wake up this morning with tea and coffee served in the garden and watch the sunrise over Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and the Fishtail. After enjoying a relaxing breakfast and the glorious views from the Himalaya Lodge, the guide will take you on an exploration of this mountain village and the surrounding countryside. The maximum altitude will be about 8000 ft or 2400 m. Ghandruk is a major recruitment centre for the famous Gurkha soldiers. The women of Ghandruk maintain a local industry of weaving traditional Nepalese rugs. Overnight Himalaya Lodge, breakfast, lunch, and dinner Day 06: 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 Day 07: 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 Day 08: Basanta Lodge – Pokhara 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. We then transfer by vehicle to Pokhara (30 minutes) and on to the Shangri-la Village Resort which boasts a swimming pool and offers excellent facilities. Day 09: Pokhara – Seti River After breakfast at the hotel take the  1 ½ hour drive to the Seti River.  Here you will be met by your experienced boat crew, who will give you a full briefing prior to launch. All items for your overnight stay will be carried in the raft in waterproof bags. The remainder of your luggage will travel in the vehicle to your raft finish point. 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 attached western style flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. 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. Day 10: 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 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. Day 11 : Tiger Tops Tented Camp Wildlife activities and overnight at Tiger Tops Tented Camp Day 12: Tiger Mountain Tharu Safari Lodge Transferred through the jungle by landrover and boat to the Tiger Mountain Tharu Safari Lodge. Situated on high ground overlooking the lush forests of the park, the Tiger Mountain Tharu Safari Lodge is styled after the traditional ‘longhouse’ of the Tharu people in a tranquil garden setting with all modern facilities including a swimming pool, a tennis court and saddle club. Activities at Tharu Safari Lodge include: walks to explore the surrounding villages and countryside or the Lodge’s organic farm, wildlife safaris, bullock cart trips, tennis, badminton,  table tennis, horse and pony riding, pony cart rides, nature walks, birdwatching, boat rides, river sunset viewing or relaxing by our beautiful swimming pool.  In the evening we feature local tribal dancing before dinner.  Living mainly along the southern strip of Nepal, Tharus are the indigenous and colourful people inhabiting the Terai lowlands. Overnight at the Tiger Mountain Tharu Safari Lodge. Day 13: Tiger Mountain Tharu Safari Lodge  – Kathmandu - Shangri-la Hotel. Transferred to the Bharatpur airstrip for the 30 minute flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival you met and transferred to the Shangri-la Hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Day 14: Day in Kathmandu Today enjoy a leisurely lunch at the exclusive Shivapuri Heights Cottage in the hills just north of Kathmandu. Overnight at the Shangri-la Hotel. Day 15: International flight Transfer to the International airport for your final departure from Kathmandu.

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