Annapurna & Dhaulagiri (Sunrise & Sunset Specials) Panorama Lodge Treks
Mardi Himal, Poon Hill & Khopra Danda Treks
Kokhe Danda, Mohare Danda, Muldai Hill Panorama Viewpoints!
Nepal Himalayan Trekking

Annapurna Foothills (Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Panorama) Lodge Treks | Poon Hill, Khopra Danda & Mardi Himal – Nepal Himalayan Trekking
Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu 1340m (4395′) | Transfer Kathmandu Guest House
Welcome to Nepal! You will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by a representative from Kamzang Journeys or Khumbu Adventures (our partners in Kathmandu) Doma, Lhakpa and Nuru Sherpa). Look for a sign with your name on it as you leave the arrival area. We strongly suggest purchasing a NTC (Nepal Telecom) SIM card as you leave the airport if you have an unlocked phone. It’s very useful for data in the remote regions of Nepal. We will transfer you to the Kathmandu Guest House (or see Great Stays tab for luxury, boutique, and other hotel options in the Kathmandu Valley) where your room has been booked for you. Drink plenty of water to hydrate after your flight, and enjoy your first evening in Kathmandu …

We’ll need your travel medical insurance, a copy of your passport and Nepali visa, and one (or more) visa-sized photos (inquire if we need for your trek); please have them ready to give to Lhakpa, Doma or Nuru. And please ask if you need your gear checked, or have shopping or sightseeing questions!

Thamel is a myriad of shops of all imaginable varieties, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, climbing walls, colorful banners and signs, and eccentrically clad backpackers. Enjoy dinner at Roadhouse Cafe, New Orleans, Yin & Yang, Third Eye, or one of Thamel’s other restaurants … (B)

Day 2 – Kathmandu
Enjoy a free day exploring Kathmandu’s many World Heritage sites or embark on a tour of the beautiful Kathmandu valley, surrounded by Himalayan snow peaks (See Kathmandu Valley Tours for optional tours with a qualified guide, car, and entrance fees included). Or just relax at the hotel, visit the spa, have a massage, wander Kathmandu’s fascinating streets, pop into neighborhood Hindu temples and Newari-styled courtyards, join in on koras of the Buddhist temples. (B)

Cafe Caravan & Dolpo Gallery
Dolpo Artist Tenzin Norbu creates wonderful Dolpo paintings, the prints (and some originals) are available from our Cafe Caravan at Boudhanath Stupa, housed in one of Boudha’s original historic buildings, decorated in a bright, Tibetan style and overlooking the magnificent stupa!

Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Nuru Wangdi Sherpa (Khumbu Adventures & Café Caravan) has his Kathmandu guide license and a large SUV vehicle, and can arrange any sightseeing you might want to do in Kathmandu and the Kathmandu valley. He is often available for guiding your excursions as well. Mobile + WhatsApp: +977 9803633783 (WhatsApp)

Massage in Kathmandu (Ramji of Relieving Hands)
Ramji is a blind masseur trained by Seeing Hands in Kathmandu, who now offers wonderful at home (or hotel) massages, with his own massage table and oil. He is truly a master masseur, a real healer and VERY highly recommended. His prices are extremely reasonable. Let us know if you want help to arrange a massage.
Relieving Hands by Ramji

Kathmandu | World Heritage Sightseeing Tours – Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Durbar Square & Swayambunath
Kathmandu is filled with World Heritage sites and sacred destinations, crowded with traditional neighborhoods and colorful festivals. Spend a few days exploring Nepal’s exotic capital and the history-laden Kathmandu valley. We can arrange sightseeing guides and vehicles as required. See Kathmandu Heritage & Happenings for more details.

We recommend beginning with Pashupatinath in the early morning and moving on to Boudhanath mid-morning. Hindu Pashupatinath on the sacred Bagmati river and its sacred temple complex is one of Nepal’s most important sites, a powerful cremation site, and Nepal’s most important Hindu temple. Here, monkeys run up and down the steps of the burning ghats, and trident-bearing saddhus draped in burnt-orange and saffron sit serenely meditating when they’re not posing for photos-for-rupees. Local guides can explain the significance of the complicated ceremonies. Please be respectful when taking photos.

Boudhanath, in the midst of traditional monasteries (gonpas in Tibetan) and hung with long strings of multi-colored prayer flags, attracts Sherpas, Tibetans, and tourists alike for daily circumambulations (koras) of the iconic stupa. The striking Buddha eyes of Boudhanath Stupa watch over a lively and colorful Tibetan community and attract pilgrims from all over the Himalayan Buddhist realm. There are wonderful spots for lunch at Boudhanath (Roadhouse Cafe has wood-oven pizzas and a breathtaking view of the stupa and colorful Nepals circling it), and it’s a good place to learn the technique of thanka painting and purchase a thanka (Buddhist mural). See also Bhaktapur for more options for shopping for thankas.

Wander through the many temples, pagodas, courtyards, and the museum at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a timeless gathering spot and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kathmandu Durbar Square, including the old royal palace, is Kathmandu’s ‘Palace Square’, a showcase for the world-renowned artisans and craftsmen of Kathmandu and a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist palaces, temples, stupas, and statues. The Malla and Shah kings ruled over the Kathmandu Valley during the centuries of the building of the layers of this Durbar Square. Along with their opulent palaces, the square surrounds numerous courtyards and temples, all works of art with intricate and often erotic carvings. Kathmandu Durbar Square is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. The social, religious and urban focal point of the city, Durbar Square is often the site of festivals, marriages, and other ceremonies such as Teej. Some important structures are Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages.

In the evening (take the interesting back streets from Durbar Square) climb the many steps to the gilded Swayambhunath stupa (known as the monkey temple) which rises from the Kathmandu valley floor at 1420 meters and is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Swayambunath, the ‘self-created’  stupa, was founded over 2000 years ago at a time when the Kathmandu valley was filled by a large lake, with a single lotus in the center. Mythology says that Manjusri, a bodhisattva, drained the lake with one cut of his sword and the lotus flower was transformed into the stupa. From its commanding views of Kathmandu, circumambulate Swayambunath’s white-washed stupa, painted with distinctive Buddha eyes, the complex a unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. Another interesting time to visit Swayambunath is in the mornings when Nepalis visit the temple dedicated to the God of Smallpox with colorful offerings for the goddess.

Stop to photograph reflections in Kathmandu’s many pokharis or ponds, including the beautiful Rani Pokhari (queen’s bath) near New Road, and the Naga Pokhari (pond of the snake gods of the underworld) just beyond the palace gates. The many bathing ghats, square enclosures with steps leading down to water spouts, often decorated with naga heads, are also interesting and colorful gathering spots.

Day 3 – Fly Pokhara. Drive Ulleri 1960m
Transfer to the domestic airport for the scenic flight to semi-tropical Pokhara. Nepal’s second-largest city is 198 kilometers west of Kathmandu; en route, you will look down on rivers flowing towards the Terai from the Himalaya and Tibet, over terraced villages and green hills with the Ganesh, Langtang, Manaslu, and Annapurna ranges in the distance, to balmy, sub-tropical Pokhara.

Once in Pokhara a private vehicle will transfer you, your guide, and porter to Ulleri, where you will spend the night at your first Himalayan lodge in the traditional Middle Hills village of Ulleri, where you have the chance to sample some traditional Nepali fare. Enjoy the expansive Himalayan panorama at sunset and sunrise! Peaks in the Annapurna Foothills region include Annapurna South, Macchapuchari (Fishtail Peak) and Mardi Himal. (3 hr drive)

Day 4 – Trek Ghorepani 2860m
After a hot breakfast at the lodge, your trek into the wonderful, green and cultural Annapurna foothills begins. You will spend much of the trekking day ascending on stone steps and trail through a lovely rhododendron forest, as you reach higher altitudes. The trail continues through dense, damp forests, the treetops swaying under the weight of the langur monkeys. There are several clearings in the rhododendron forest, many of them with local tea houses. There are many chautaras (rest spots) en route; take advantage of these to drink some water, have a rest, and admire the Himalayan views. More trekking through open forests, which now include birch and bamboo, followed by a few more kilometers more of contouring around green hillsides to reach Ghorepani.

Ghorepani, which means ‘horse water’, is a busy trekking village with a real Himalayan ambiance and the gateway from the Annapurna Circuit to the Poon Hill viewpoint. You will stay at a lodge in the newer, upper section of the village, and have a wander around town in the afternoon, after lunch at the lodge. There are bookshops and lots of local (or Kathmandu-made) souvenirs to buy, plenty to keep you busy for a few hours. Don’t miss the sublime alpenglow on the Himalayan peaks in the evening! (4-5 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Trek Swanta 2520m or Chistibang (Evergreen Cottage) | Morning Hike Poon Hill
You’ll be up before sunrise for the spectacular Himalayan panorama from Poon Hill, an hour’s steep climb above Ghorepani. Poon Hill is a popular viewpoint so you will share the views with other trekkers! The Himalayan views are dominated by Annapurna South (7219m), Annapurna l (8091m), Machhapuchhre (6993m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Lamjung Himal (6931m) as well as the Ganesh Himal range, Dhaulagiri (8167m), Niligiri and Tukuche Peak (6920m). Don’t leave the viewpoint too quickly as the mountains emerge into the deep blues of the morning sky later in the morning.

Leaving Ghorepani, you trek north and pass through the hamlet of Chitre (2390m), soon afterward reaching an intersection in the trail where you’ll head right, or north, to Swanta village (2215m). There are three different intersecting trails here, the upper crosses Dhastre Khore Khola a bit further along the trail, and the lower ones reach and follow it from the south. You will continue to contour on one of the upper trails, gaining altitude to reach the Dhan Kharka ridge, or continue on to Upper Chistibang. Evergreen Cottage is one of these spots. You’ll check into your lodge for the evening and enjoy the rest of the afternoon in this remote setting. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Trek Khopra Danda 3600m
Trekking north, you follow a forested ridgeline trail, passing by Dhan Kharkha (or Chistibang) to reach the sublimely beautiful Khopra Danda. Settle into your lodge, and get out to explore this spectacular viewpoint, making sure to catch sunset and sunrise tomorrow morning. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Khopra Danda | Khopra Danda | Day Hike Khayer Lake 4660m or Ridgeline Panorama Hike
An incredible hike to the stunning and Khayer Lake, situated at 3640 meters, crystal clear amongst Himalayan peaks with the small Khayer Barah Hindu Temple marking this sacred spot. Hindus believe that bathing in this sacred lake will help attain Nirvana. There are  Hindu and Buddhist shrines along the lakeside as well.  where Khayer Lake is Considered to be a sacred lake by the Hindus, and it is believed that bathing in the lake will help attain Nirvana. As Hinduism and Buddhism are interrelated, you can even see a number of Hindu and Buddhist shrines on the lakeside. Carry a packed lunch with you as it will be a long day trip, returning to the lodge at Khopra Danda for the evening. (7-8 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Trek Dobato 3350m | Afternoon Hike Muldai Viewpoint 3680m
Leaving Khopra Danda, you will follow the trail heading southeast to Bayeli village (3432m) where there is an intersecting trail to Hidden Lake (4372m) to the left (northeast). Trekking along the spectacular Timuje Dhanda ridge trail, you will soon reach your lodge at Dobato, where another intersecting trail leads southwest to the viewpoint at Muldai Viewpoint. From this vantage point there are fantastic Himalayan views of Manaslu and Ganesh Himals, the Annapurnas and Macchapuchari, a viewpoint even better than Poon Hill! Enjoy this vast panorama, and continue back down to your lodge at Dobato for a cup of hot chai! (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Trek Tadapani 2630m | Sunrise Hike Muldai Viewpoint 3680m
If you missed the fabulous Himalayan panorama from Muldai Viewpoint yesterday, you can trek up for sunrise this morning. Trekking southeast through more beautiful Himalayan landscapes, you pass through the Hindu shrine at Jaljalal, and Isharu village (3137m), followed by Meshar village (2670m) before finally reaching Tadapani. Once in your lodge, enjoy the late afternoon Himalayan views, either from the lodge deck or the nearby view tower. (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Trek Jhinu Danda 1780m or Landruk 1685m
Trekking east, you can either take the slightly northern route through Kimrong (1800m) and then over the Chomrong Pass, or follow the Kot Danda ridge on the middle trail to Samrung (1575m). Both trails lead to Jhinu Danda, where there are nearby hot springs for a wonderful soak! You can either spend the afternoon here at Jhinu Danda, or continue on past New Bridge (crossing the Modi Khola here) and Namidung, a Gurung village, to larger Landruk for the evening. Landruk is a sprawling, hillside Gurung village painted in pastels, worth a bit of exploration through its narrow, slate alleys with more wonderful views of the Annapurna range. If you end up in Landruk, your guide will take you on an exploration hike of this mountain village. Watch the local Gurung women weaving with their wooden looms, drying vegetables to make a spicy ‘achar’, sorting lentils for dal or involved in the morning’s washing at the village taps. (B, L, D)

LODGE NOTE | Upgrade to Nepal Mountain Lodge’s La Bee Lodge in Landruk (+$175)

Day 10 – Trek Kokar Forest Camp 2600m, Mardi Himal Low Camp 3050m or Badal Danda 3210m
Wake to the beautiful, misty middle hills of the Annapurnas sunrise, layers of steely blue-grey peaks up and down the valley. Trekking north following the undulating trail along Manjh Danda ridge, trekking through lovely forests of bamboo, oak and rhododendron, you reach Kokar Forest Camp, a stopping point for the night if you have stayed at Jhinu Danda, with intersecting trails heading south. Or continue to trek northeast, reaching Mardi Himal Low Camp, located in a small clearing, after several hours of forest hiking. As you trek higher climbs, the region turns to Himalayan cloud forest, with ferns, lichen, moss, and a variety of colorful orchids amongst the trees. En route, you’ll be treated to Himalayan panoramas of Hiunchuli, and the ridgeline route to Annapurna South, the Modi Khola river valley, leading up into the Annapurna Sanctuary, below.

There are no teahouses along the way, so you will carry a packed lunch and a bit of extra water. From most of the camps, you’ll be treated to views of Macchapuchari Peak (Fishtail) and Mardi Himal, with the Annapurna foothills opening up below. From Low Camp, you have the option to hike another hour or so to Badal Danda (Cloud Hill) for the night. Although there are not as many lodges here, there are wonderful mountain views. (3-5 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 11 – Trek Mardi Himal High Camp 3600m
Trek north along the stunning Nangge Danda ridgeline trail, you ascend through more forested hillsides of bamboo, oak and rhododendron as you trek to Bahal Danda, into a more alpine region. You will pass Mardi Himal Base Camp (if you didn’t stay there last night) finally reach your highest sleeping point of the Mardi Himal trek, Mardi Himal High Camp. You’ll have views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Macchapuchari as you hike, the river valley far below. From High Camp, trails lead northwest past Suselbukeni Kharka (grazing pastures), past to Mardi Himal BC West (4500m), or northeast past Gujji Kharka to Mardi Himal BC South (4120m). Mardi Himal is just north of the West base camp, 5553m. High Camp is located in another clearing, a high grazing pasture high up in the Annapurna foothills. (3 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 12 – Mardi Himal High Camp | Day Hike Mardi Himal Base Camp 4500
An epic Himalayan trekking day, ascending steeply up the hillside to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trail is a bit more challenging than the other trekking days, and a bit more exposed as you trek on rocky, cliffside trails and stone steps. You will reach the ridge top after about two hours of hiking, noted by the Mardi Himal Base Camp sign. You may opt to continue another two hours following the ridge to an even more spectacular viewpoint, the true Base Camp. As well as Mardi Himal and Macchapuchari, enjoy the awesome views of the elusive Annapurna I, Gangapurna, and Annapurna II. (6 -7 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 13 – Trek Siding 1850m & Bhiujung 1400m
Taking the eastern route down, it’s a wonderful Middle Hills day of trekking day to Siding (Sidhing) and on to Bhiujung, through traditional, thatched hut villages with terraced fields and buffaloes grazing in their paddocks, heading back through the forested part of the Mardi Himal trekking region. (6 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 14 – Trek Lumre & Drive Pokhara | Transfer Hotel
One last descent, generally steep and often on stone steps, through another forest of rhododendron, to reach the road-head at Lumre. Your guide will check you out of the Annapurna Conservation Area, and you’ll board a jeep to Pokhara, probably back in time for lunch. Once in Pokhara, you’ll check into Lakeview Resort or choose to upgrade to Hotel Barahi or Temple Tree Resort & Spa. Enjoy the afternoon in this sub-tropical setting. See Extra Day Pokhara below fsuggestions. We suggest heading to Moondance or Roadhouse Cafe for dinner and drinks in the evening, great restaurants nearby on Lakeside Road. (3 hrs + 3 hrs drive) (B) 

HOTEL NOTE | Upgrade Temple Tree Resort & Spa or Hotel Barahi (+$85 & $75)

Extra Day – Pokhara
Endless opportunities to enjoy relaxed, sub-tropical Pokhara! Wander the shore of Fewa Lake, go paragliding or zip-lining, wander along the lakeside (Lakeside Road takes you all the way along the southeast side of the lake and there is a beautiful new walking trail right along the lake), rent a bicycle, paddle across the lake to Shanti Stupa and hike up for spectacular views (or bike around the lake and to the stupa, a challenging ride), enjoy a glass of fresh juice while doing some shopping, or just sit and relax at the hotel (bring a swimsuit) with a book. Take a boat ride to Fish Tail Lodge on the opposite side of Fewa Lake for an afternoon drink and a panoramic view of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchre, or ‘Fish Tail’ mountain. Or take a taxi to visit Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge “Located on a ridge half an hour outside Pokhara, the lodge is an ideal base for guests to relax in a rural mountain setting, away from the bustle of Nepal’s cities. With a central lodge, bar and dining room, the comfortable rooms are arranged in clusters of cottages resembling a Nepali village.” Inquire at reception to book any activities, including a massage or spa treatments, and there is wondeful shopping for the creative locally-produced crafts along Lakeside.

Day 15 – Fly Kathmandu | Transfer Hotel
After breakfast, board the morning flight back to Kathmandu (with options to take an afternoon flight or stay extra days in Pokhara). You have the afternoon in Kathmandu for shopping, some sun in the garden of the Kathmandu Guest House or your luxury or boutique hotel, shopping or perhaps a visit to Boudhanath for some ‘koras’ to give thanks for the safe journey in the mountains. (B)

Option | Extra Days in Kathmandu
See our list of World Heritage sightseeing tours and more, and enjoy an extra few days in magical Kathmandu!

Day 16 – Trip Ends | Transfer TIA Airport
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Namaste!

Not Enough of Nepal?
We highly suggest taking advantage of your trip to Nepal, adding on excursions into the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Bandipur, Gorkha, the Annapurna Foothills, and Chitwan and Bardia National Park. Enjoy heritage tours, mountain biking, Kathmandu valley hiking, Himalayan panoramas with a hike down from the Chandragiri Cable Car, whitewater rafting, yoga and meditation courses, Nepali cooking classes, Buddhist or Hindu retreats, and much more. There are many wonderful, boutique, luxury, and heritage lodges in the Kathmandu Valley, and many options for world heritage sightseeing tours, bicycle trips, hikes, and craft-cuisine tours. Nepal boasts world-class restaurants, chic cafes, timeless alleyways to wander through, countless Hindu and Buddhist festivals, and lots of great shopping.

Don’t miss an Everest sightseeing flight or epic helicopter tour, sightseeing trips to Bhaktapur, Patan, and Panauti (Kathmandu Valley’s other historic and/or capital cities), a weekend at Shivapuri Heights Resort or Dwarikas in Kathmandu, a night at the Fort Hotel in Nagarkot for sunrise and sunset Himalayan panoramas, a spa and wellness getaway at the ultra-luxurious Dwarikas Dhulikhel Resort and visits to ancient temple and monastery complexes such as Namo Buddha, Changu Narayan, and Dakshinkali. Spend a night at The Old Inn in Bandipur or Three Mountain Lodge en route to Pokhara, or The Famous Farm in Nuwakot, and get to know Nepal’s Newar heritage.

Enjoy a luxury 3-6 day trek in the Annapurna Foothills, staying in the wonderful Ker & Downey luxury lodges. Relax in heritage style at Temple Tree Resort in Pokhara for some pampering at the spa and infinity pool, try out paragliding, zip-lining, and enjoy a morning of boating on the lake and the hike to Shanti Stupa. Once refreshed, drive to Chitwan National Park, spending a few nights at Maruni Sanctuary Resort or Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge for wildlife and bird spotting, river trips, and safaris in style. Tiger Tops also owns Karnali Lodge at Bardia National Park, reached by flight from Kathmandu, and there are nearby archeological sites to visit nearby.

Namaste!

Nepal Modules
Nepal & Kathmandu Modules | Customize Your Trip!

Annapurna Foothills (Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Panorama) Mardi Himal Lodge Trek – Nepal Himalayan Trekking
Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu 1340m (4395′) | Transfer Kathmandu Guest House
Welcome to Nepal! You will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by a representative from Kamzang Journeys or Khumbu Adventures – our partners Doma, Lhakpa and Nuru Sherpa in Kathmandu. Please look for a sign with your name on it. Transfer to the Kathmandu Guest House (or see Kathmandu Hotels Tab for luxury, boutique, and other hotel options in the Kathmandu Valley) where your room has been booked for you. Drink plenty of water to hydrate after your flight, and enjoy your first evening in Kathmandu …

We’ll need your travel medical insurance, a copy of your passport and Nepali visa, and one (or more) visa-sized photos, so please have them ready to give to Lhakpa, Doma or Nuru. And please ask if you need your gear checked, or have shopping or sightseeing questions. 

Thamel is a myriad of shops of all imaginable varieties, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, climbing walls, colorful banners and signs, and eccentrically clad backpackers. Enjoy dinner at Roadhouse Cafe, New Orleans, Denchenling, Yin & Yang, Third Eye, or one of Thamel’s other restaurants … (B)

Day 2 – Kathmandu
Enjoy a free day exploring Kathmandu’s many World Heritage sites or embark on a tour of the beautiful Kathmandu valley, surrounded by Himalayan snow peaks (See Kathmandu Valley Tours for optional tours with a qualified guide, car, and entrance fees included). Or just relax at the hotel, visit the spa, have a massage, wander Kathmandu’s fascinating streets, pop into neighborhood Hindu temples and Newari-styled courtyards, join in on koras of the Buddhist temples. (B)

Kathmandu | World Heritage Sightseeing Tours – Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Durbar Square & Swayambunath
Kathmandu is filled with World Heritage sites and sacred destinations, crowded with traditional neighborhoods and colorful festivals. Spend a few days exploring Nepal’s exotic capital and the history-laden Kathmandu valley. We can arrange sightseeing guides and vehicles as required. See Kathmandu Heritage & Happenings for more details.

We recommend beginning with Pashupatinath in the early morning and moving on to Boudhanath mid-morning. Hindu Pashupatinath on the sacred Bagmati river and its sacred temple complex is one of Nepal’s most important sites, a powerful cremation site, and Nepal’s most important Hindu temple. Here, monkeys run up and down the steps of the burning ghats, and trident-bearing saddhus draped in burnt-orange and saffron sit serenely meditating when they’re not posing for photos-for-rupees. Local guides can explain the significance of the complicated ceremonies. Please be respectful when taking photos.

Boudhanath, in the midst of traditional monasteries (gonpas in Tibetan) and hung with long strings of multi-colored prayer flags, attracts Sherpas, Tibetans, and tourists alike for daily circumambulations (koras) of the iconic stupa. The striking Buddha eyes of Boudhanath Stupa watch over a lively and colorful Tibetan community and attract pilgrims from all over the Himalayan Buddhist realm. There are wonderful spots for lunch at Boudhanath (Roadhouse Cafe has wood-oven pizzas and a breathtaking view of the stupa and colorful Nepals circling it), and it’s a good place to learn the technique of thanka painting and purchase a thanka (Buddhist mural). See also Bhaktapur for more options for shopping for thankas.

Wander through the many temples, pagodas, courtyards, and the museum at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a timeless gathering spot and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kathmandu Durbar Square, including the old royal palace, is Kathmandu’s ‘Palace Square’, a showcase for the world-renowned artisans and craftsmen of Kathmandu and a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist palaces, temples, stupas, and statues. The Malla and Shah kings ruled over the Kathmandu Valley during the centuries of the building of the layers of this Durbar Square. Along with their opulent palaces, the square surrounds numerous courtyards and temples, all works of art with intricate and often erotic carvings. Kathmandu Durbar Square is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. The social, religious and urban focal point of the city, Durbar Square is often the site of festivals, marriages, and other ceremonies such as Teej. Some important structures are Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages.

In the evening (take the interesting back streets from Durbar Square) climb the many steps to the gilded Swayambhunath stupa (known as the monkey temple) which rises from the Kathmandu valley floor at 1420 meters and is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Swayambunath, the ‘self-created’  stupa, was founded over 2000 years ago at a time when the Kathmandu valley was filled by a large lake, with a single lotus in the center. Mythology says that Manjusri, a bodhisattva, drained the lake with one cut of his sword and the lotus flower was transformed into the stupa. From its commanding views of Kathmandu, circumambulate Swayambunath’s white-washed stupa, painted with distinctive Buddha eyes, the complex a unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. Another interesting time to visit Swayambunath is in the mornings when Nepalis visit the temple dedicated to the God of Smallpox with colorful offerings for the goddess.

Stop to photograph reflections in Kathmandu’s many pokharis or ponds, including the beautiful Rani Pokhari (queen’s bath) near New Road, and the Naga Pokhari (pond of the snake gods of the underworld) just beyond the palace gates. The many bathing ghats, square enclosures with steps leading down to water spouts, often decorated with naga heads, are also interesting and colorful gathering spots.

Cafe Caravan & Dolpo Gallery
Dolpo Artist Tenzin Norbu creates wonderful Dolpo paintings, the prints (and some originals) available from our Cafe Caravan at Boudhanath Stupa, housed in one of Boudha’s original historic buildings, decorated in a bright, Tibetan style and overlooking the magnificent stupa!

Day 3 – Fly Pokhara 830m. Drive Kande 1770m + Trek Pitam-Duerali 2140m
Transfer to the domestic airport for the scenic flight to semi-tropical Pokhara. Nepal’s second-largest city is 198 kilometers west of Kathmandu; en route, you look down on rivers flowing towards the Terai from the Himalaya and Tibet, over terraced villages and green hills with the Ganesh, Langtang, Manaslu and Annapurna ranges in the distance, to balmy, sub-tropical Pokhara.

One in Pokhara a private vehicle will transfer you, your guide, and porter to just past Kande, a 45-minute drive, from where you begin your trek into the wonderful, green and cultural Annapurna foothills. You’ll start the trek with a 1-2 hour climb to a forested ridge top at just over 2000 meters, where you’ll have views of Australian Camp in a clearing nearby, and expansive views of the Annapurna range through the rhododendrons. Continuing north, you trek through the colorful trekking village of Pothana (1890m), and soon afterward reach Pitam-Deurali overlooking the Annapurna Foothills region, with views of Annapurna South, Macchapuchari (Fishtail Peak), and Mardi Himal. (45 min drive + 2½ hrs trek) (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Trek Kokar Forest Camp 2600m
Wake to the beautiful, misty middle hills of the Annapurnas sunrise, layers of steely blue-grey peaks up and down the valley. You’ll head east, leaving the Annapurna Foothills trail, trekking through lovely forests of bamboo, oak and rhododendron ridge to Kokar Forest Camp, with intersecting trails heading south. There are no teahouses along the way, so you will carry a packed lunch and a bit of extra water. From camp, you’ll be treated to more views of Macchapuchari Peak (Fishtail) and Mardi Himal, with the Annapurna foothills opening up below. (4-5 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Trek Mardi Himal Low Camp 3050m or Badal Danda 3210m
Continue to trek northeast along the wonderful, forested ridge, you reach Mardi Himal Low Camp after several hours of hiking, located in a small clearing. As you trek higher climbs, the region turns to Himalayan cloud forest, with ferns, lichen, moss, and a variety of colorful orchids amongst the trees. En route, you’ll be treated to Himalayan panoramas of Hiunchuli, and the ridgeline route to Annapurna South, the Modi Khola river valley, leading up into the Annapurna Sanctuary, below.

There are no teahouses along the way, so you will carry a packed lunch and a bit of extra water. From Low Camp, you’ll be treated to views of Macchapuchari Peak (Fishtail) and Mardi Himal, with the Annapurna foothills opening up below. From Low Camp, you have the option to hike another hour or so to Badal Danda (Cloud Hill) for the night. Although there are not as many lodges here, there are wonderful mountain views. (3-5 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Trek Mardi Himal High Camp 3600m
Trek north along the stunning Nangge Danda ridgeline trail, you ascend through more forested hillsides of bamboo, oak and rhododendron as you trek to Bahal Danda, into a more alpine region. You will pass Mardi Himal Base Camp (if you didn’t stay there last night) finally reach your highest sleeping point of the Mardi Himal trek, Mardi Himal High Camp. You’ll have views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Macchapuchari as you hike, the river valley far below. From High Camp, trails lead northwest past Suselbukeni Kharka (grazing pastures), past to Mardi Himal BC West (4500m), or northeast past Gujji Kharka to Mardi Himal BC South (4120m). Mardi Himal is just north of the West base camp, 5553m. High Camp is located in another clearing, a high grazing pasture high up in the Annapurna foothills. (3 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Mardi Himal High Camp | Trek Mardi Himal Base Camp 4500m
An epic Himalayan trekking day, ascending steeply up the hillside to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trail is a bit more challenging than the other trekking days, and a bit more exposed as you trek on rocky, cliffside trails and stone steps. You reach the ridge top and Base Camp after about two hours of hiking, from where the south face of the sacred Machhapuchare dominated the landscape. Incredible views of the massive blue glaciers of the Sanctuary wall below. As well as Mardi Himal and Macchapuchari, enjoy the awesome views of the elusive Annapurna I, Gangapurna, and Annapurna II, the vast panorama sweeping to include Dhaulagiri to Ganesh Himal. You may opt to continue another two hours following the ridge to an even more spectacular viewpoint, a further Base Camp. (6 -7 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 8 –Trek Siding 1850m + Bhiujung 1400m
Taking the eastern route down, it’s a wonderful Middle Hills day of trekking day to Siding (Sidhing) and on to Bhiujung, through traditional, thatched hut villages with terraced fields and buffaloes grazing in their paddocks, heading back through the forested part of the Mardi Himal trekking region. (6 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Trek Lumre + Drive Pokhara | Transfer Hotel
One last descent, generally steep and often on stone steps, through another forest of rhododendron, to reach the road-head at Lumre. Your guide will check you out of the Annapurna Conservation Area, and you’ll board your private jeep to Pokhara, probably back in time for lunch. Once back in Pokhara, check into your lovely room at Lakeview Resort right on Phewa Lake, hop in the hot shower, and head out to a celebratory dinner out on Lakeside. We recommend Moondance Cafe just up Lakeside Drive. (3 hrs + 3 hrs drive) (B) 

HOTEL NOTE | Upgrade Temple Tree Resort & Spa or Hotel Barahi (+$85)

Optional Extra Day Pokhara | Adventure & Spa Day!
There is endless opportunity to spend extra time in Pokhara, so at least one day in this balmy town is a must. Options include a stroll part-way around Phewa Lake, paragliding or zip-lining from Sarankot, paddling on the lake, a morning hike up to Shanti Stupa via a short canoe trip or a day of shopping for the creative locally-produced crafts along Lakeside. Inquire at reception to book any activities, including a massage or spa treatments! (B)

Day 10 – Fly Kathmandu | Transfer Hotel
After breakfast, board the morning flight back to Kathmandu (with options to take an afternoon flight or stay extra days in Pokhara). You have the afternoon in Kathmandu for shopping, some sun in the garden of the Kathmandu Guest House or your luxury or boutique hotel, shopping or perhaps a visit to Boudhanath for some ‘koras’ to give thanks for the safe journey in the mountains. (B)

Option | Extra Days in Kathmandu
See our list of World Heritage sightseeing tours and more, and enjoy an extra few days in magical Kathmandu!

Day 11 – Trip Ends | Transfer TIA Airport
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Namaste!

Not Enough of Nepal?
We highly suggest taking advantage of your trip to Nepal, adding on excursions into the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Bandipur, Gorkha, the Annapurna Foothills, and Chitwan and Bardia National Park. Enjoy heritage tours, mountain biking, Kathmandu valley hiking, Himalayan panoramas with a hike down from the Chandragiri Cable Car, whitewater rafting, yoga and meditation courses, Nepali cooking classes, Buddhist or Hindu retreats, and much more. There are many wonderful, boutique, luxury, and heritage lodges in the Kathmandu Valley, and many options for world heritage sightseeing tours, bicycle trips, hikes, and craft-cuisine tours. Nepal boasts world-class restaurants, chic cafes, timeless alleyways to wander through, countless Hindu and Buddhist festivals, and lots of great shopping.

Don’t miss an Everest sightseeing flight or epic helicopter tour, sightseeing trips to Bhaktapur, Patan, and Panauti (Kathmandu Valley’s other historic and/or capital cities), a weekend at Shivapuri Heights Resort or Dwarikas in Kathmandu, a night at the Fort Hotel in Nagarkot for sunrise and sunset Himalayan panoramas, a spa and wellness getaway at the ultra-luxurious Dwarikas Dhulikhel Resort and visits to ancient temple and monastery complexes such as Namo Buddha, Changu Narayan, and Dakshinkali. Spend a night at The Old Inn in Bandipur or Three Mountain Lodge en route to Pokhara, or The Famous Farm in Nuwakot, and get to know Nepal’s Newar heritage.

Enjoy a luxury 3-6 day trek in the Annapurna Foothills, staying in the wonderful Ker & Downey luxury lodges. Relax in heritage style at Temple Tree Resort in Pokhara for some pampering at the spa and infinity pool, try out paragliding, zip-lining, and enjoy a morning of boating on the lake and the hike to Shanti Stupa. Once refreshed, drive to Chitwan National Park, spending a few nights at Maruni Sanctuary Resort or Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge for wildlife and bird spotting, river trips, and safaris in style. Tiger Tops also owns Karnali Lodge at Bardia National Park, reached by flight from Kathmandu, and there are nearby archeological sites to visit nearby.

Namaste!

Nepal Modules
Nepal & Kathmandu Modules | Customize Your Trip!

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Khopra Danda Lodge Trek & Tatopani Hot Springs – Nepal Himalaya Trekking

Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu 1340m (4395′) | Transfer Kathmandu Guest House
Welcome to Nepal! You will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by a representative from Kamzang Journeys or Khumbu Adventures – our partners Doma, Lhakpa and Nuru Sherpa in Kathmandu. Please look for a sign with your name on it. Transfer to the Kathmandu Guest House (or see Kathmandu Hotels tab for luxury, boutique, and other hotel options in the Kathmandu Valley) where your room has been booked for you. Drink plenty of water to hydrate after your flight, and enjoy your first evening in Kathmandu …

We’ll need your travel medical insurance, a copy of your passport and Nepali visa, and one (or more) visa-sized photos, so please have them ready to give to Lhakpa, Doma or Nuru. And please ask if you need your gear checked, or have shopping or sightseeing questions. 

Thamel is a myriad of shops of all imaginable varieties, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, climbing walls, colorful banners and signs, and eccentrically clad backpackers. Enjoy dinner at Roadhouse Cafe, New Orleans, Denchenling, Yin & Yang, Third Eye, or one of Thamel’s other restaurants … (B)

Day 2 – Kathmandu
Enjoy a free day exploring Kathmandu’s many World Heritage sites or embark on a tour of the beautiful Kathmandu valley, surrounded by Himalayan snow peaks (See Kathmandu Valley Tours for optional tours with a qualified guide, car, and entrance fees included). Or just relax at the hotel, visit the spa, have a massage, wander Kathmandu’s fascinating streets, pop into neighborhood Hindu temples and Newari-styled courtyards, join in on koras of the Buddhist temples. (B)

Kathmandu | World Heritage Sightseeing Tours – Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Durbar Square & Swayambunath
Kathmandu is filled with World Heritage sites and sacred destinations, crowded with traditional neighborhoods and colorful festivals. Spend a few days exploring Nepal’s exotic capital and the history-laden Kathmandu valley. We can arrange sightseeing guides and vehicles as required. See Kathmandu Heritage & Happenings for more details.

We recommend beginning with Pashupatinath in the early morning and moving on to Boudhanath mid-morning. Hindu Pashupatinath on the sacred Bagmati river and its sacred temple complex is one of Nepal’s most important sites, a powerful cremation site, and Nepal’s most important Hindu temple. Here, monkeys run up and down the steps of the burning ghats, and trident-bearing saddhus draped in burnt-orange and saffron sit serenely meditating when they’re not posing for photos-for-rupees. Local guides can explain the significance of the complicated ceremonies. Please be respectful when taking photos.

Boudhanath, in the midst of traditional monasteries (gonpas in Tibetan) and hung with long strings of multi-colored prayer flags, attracts Sherpas, Tibetans, and tourists alike for daily circumambulations (koras) of the iconic stupa. The striking Buddha eyes of Boudhanath Stupa watch over a lively and colorful Tibetan community and attract pilgrims from all over the Himalayan Buddhist realm. There are wonderful spots for lunch at Boudhanath (Roadhouse Cafe has wood-oven pizzas and a breathtaking view of the stupa and colorful Nepals circling it), and it’s a good place to learn the technique of thanka painting and purchase a thanka (Buddhist mural). See also Bhaktapur for more options for shopping for thankas.

Wander through the many temples, pagodas, courtyards, and the museum at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a timeless gathering spot and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kathmandu Durbar Square, including the old royal palace, is Kathmandu’s ‘Palace Square’, a showcase for the world-renowned artisans and craftsmen of Kathmandu and a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist palaces, temples, stupas, and statues. The Malla and Shah kings ruled over the Kathmandu Valley during the centuries of the building of the layers of this Durbar Square. Along with their opulent palaces, the square surrounds numerous courtyards and temples, all works of art with intricate and often erotic carvings. Kathmandu Durbar Square is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. The social, religious and urban focal point of the city, Durbar Square is often the site of festivals, marriages, and other ceremonies such as Teej. Some important structures are Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages.

In the evening (take the interesting back streets from Durbar Square) climb the many steps to the gilded Swayambhunath stupa (known as the monkey temple) which rises from the Kathmandu valley floor at 1420 meters and is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Swayambunath, the ‘self-created’  stupa, was founded over 2000 years ago at a time when the Kathmandu valley was filled by a large lake, with a single lotus in the center. Mythology says that Manjusri, a bodhisattva, drained the lake with one cut of his sword and the lotus flower was transformed into the stupa. From its commanding views of Kathmandu, circumambulate Swayambunath’s white-washed stupa, painted with distinctive Buddha eyes, the complex a unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. Another interesting time to visit Swayambunath is in the mornings when Nepalis visit the temple dedicated to the God of Smallpox with colorful offerings for the goddess.

Stop to photograph reflections in Kathmandu’s many pokharis or ponds, including the beautiful Rani Pokhari (queen’s bath) near New Road, and the Naga Pokhari (pond of the snake gods of the underworld) just beyond the palace gates. The many bathing ghats, square enclosures with steps leading down to water spouts, often decorated with naga heads, are also interesting and colorful gathering spots.

Cafe Caravan & Dolpo Gallery
Dolpo Artist Tenzin Norbu creates wonderful Dolpo paintings, the prints (and some originals) available from our Cafe Caravan at Boudhanath Stupa, housed in one of Boudha’s original historic buildings, decorated in a bright, Tibetan style and overlooking the magnificent stupa!

Day 3 – Fly Pokhara. Drive Ulleri 1960m. Trek Ghorepani 2860m
Transfer to the domestic airport for the scenic flight to semi-tropical Pokhara. Nepal’s second-largest city is 198 kilometers west of Kathmandu; en route, you will look down on rivers flowing towards the Terai from the Himalaya and Tibet, over terraced villages and green hills with the Ganesh, Langtang, Manaslu, and Annapurna ranges in the distance, to balmy, sub-tropical Pokhara.

Once in Pokhara a private vehicle will transfer you, your guide, and porter to Ulleri, where you will spend the night at your first Himalayan lodge in the traditional Middle Hills village of Ulleri, where you have the chance to sample some traditional Nepali fare. Enjoy the expansive Himalayan panorama at sunset and sunrise! Peaks in the Annapurna Foothills region include Annapurna South, Macchapuchari (Fishtail Peak) and Mardi Himal. (3 hr drive)

Day 4 – Trek Ghorepani 2860m
After a hot breakfast at the lodge, your trek into the wonderful, green and cultural Annapurna foothills begins. You will spend much of the trekking day ascending on stone steps and trail through a lovely rhododendron forest, as you reach higher altitudes. The trail continues through dense, damp forests, the treetops swaying under the weight of the langur monkeys. There are several clearings in the rhododendron forest, many of them with local tea houses. There are many chautaras (rest spots) en route; take advantage of these to drink some water, have a rest, and admire the Himalayan views. More trekking through open forests, which now include birch and bamboo, followed by a few more kilometers more of contouring around green hillsides to reach Ghorepani.

Ghorepani, which means ‘horse water’, is a busy trekking village with a real Himalayan ambiance and the gateway from the Annapurna Circuit to the Poon Hill viewpoint. You will stay at a lodge in the newer, upper section of the village, and have a wander around town in the afternoon, after lunch at the lodge. There are bookshops and lots of local (or Kathmandu-made) souvenirs to buy, plenty to keep you busy for a few hours. Don’t miss the sublime alpenglow on the Himalayan peaks in the evening! (4-5 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Trek Swanta 2520m or Chistibang (Evergreen Cottage) | Morning Hike Poon Hill
You’ll be up before sunrise for the spectacular Himalayan panorama from Poon Hill, an hour’s steep climb above Ghorepani. Poon Hill is a popular viewpoint so you will share the views with other trekkers! The Himalayan views are dominated by Annapurna South (7219m), Annapurna l (8091m), Machhapuchhre (6993m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Lamjung Himal (6931m) as well as the Ganesh Himal range, Dhaulagiri (8167m), Niligiri and Tukuche Peak (6920m). Don’t leave the viewpoint too quickly as the mountains emerge into the deep blues of the morning sky later in the morning.

Leaving Ghorepani, you trek north and pass through the hamlet of Chitre (2390m), soon afterward reaching an intersection in the trail where you’ll head right, or north, to Swanta village (2215m). There are three different intersecting trails here, the upper crosses Dhastre Khore Khola a bit further along the trail, and the lower ones reach and follow it from the south. You will continue to contour on one of the upper trails, gaining altitude to reach the Dhan Kharkha ridge, or continue on to Upper Chistibang. Evergreen Cottage is one of these spots. You’ll check into your lodge for the evening and enjoy the rest of the afternoon in this remote setting. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Trek Khopra Danda 3600m
Trekking north, you follow a forested ridgeline trail, passing by Dhan Kharkha (or Chistibang) to reach the sublimely beautiful Khopra Danda. Settle into your lodge, and get out to explore this spectacular viewpoint, making sure to catch sunset and sunrise tomorrow morning. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Khopra Danda | Day Hike Khayer Lake (4660m)
An incredible hike to the stunning and Khayer Lake, situated at 3640 meters, crystal clear amongst Himalayan peaks with the small Khayer Barah Hindu Temple marking this sacred spot. Hindus believe that bathing in this sacred lake will help attain Nirvana. There are  Hindu and Buddhist shrines along the lakeside as well.  where Khayer Lake is Considered to be a sacred lake by the Hindus, and it is believed that bathing in the lake will help attain Nirvana. As Hinduism and Buddhism are interrelated, you can even see a number of Hindu and Buddhist shrines on the lakeside. Carry a packed lunch with you as it will be a long day trip, returning to the lodge at Khopra Danda for the evening. (7-8 hrs) (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Trek Tatopani 1250m
Descending, you take a back trail through forests and rhododendron to reach the Annapurna Circuit and the wonderful hot springs of Tatopani. Enjoy an afternoon soak before returning to the lodge for a chilled beer …. (4-5 hrs (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Drive Pokhara | Transfer Hotel
Your guide will check you out of the Annapurna Conservation Area, and you’ll board your private jeep to Pokhara, probably back in time for lunch. Once back in Pokhara, check into your lovely room at Lakeview Resort right on Phewa Lake, hop in the hot shower, and head out to a celebratory dinner out on Lakeside. We recommend Moondance Cafe just up Lakeside Drive. (4 hrs drive) (B) 

HOTEL NOTE | Upgrade Temple Tree Resort & Spa or Hotel Barahi (+$85)

Day 10 – Fly Kathmandu | Transfer Hotel
After breakfast, board the morning flight back to Kathmandu (with options to take an afternoon flight or stay extra days in Pokhara). You have the afternoon in Kathmandu for shopping, some sun in the garden of the Kathmandu Guest House or your luxury or boutique hotel, shopping or perhaps a visit to Boudhanath for some ‘koras’ to give thanks for the safe journey in the mountains. (B)

Option | Extra Days in Kathmandu
See our list of World Heritage sightseeing tours and more, and enjoy an extra few days in magical Kathmandu!

Day 11 –  Trip Ends | Transfer TIA Airport
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Namaste!

Not Enough of Nepal?
We highly suggest taking advantage of your trip to Nepal, adding on excursions into the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Bandipur, Gorkha, the Annapurna Foothills, and Chitwan and Bardia National Park. Enjoy heritage tours, mountain biking, Kathmandu valley hiking, Himalayan panoramas with a hike down from the Chandragiri Cable Car, whitewater rafting, yoga and meditation courses, Nepali cooking classes, Buddhist or Hindu retreats, and much more. There are many wonderful, boutique, luxury, and heritage lodges in the Kathmandu Valley, and many options for world heritage sightseeing tours, bicycle trips, hikes, and craft-cuisine tours. Nepal boasts world-class restaurants, chic cafes, timeless alleyways to wander through, countless Hindu and Buddhist festivals, and lots of great shopping.

Don’t miss an Everest sightseeing flight or epic helicopter tour, sightseeing trips to Bhaktapur, Patan, and Panauti (Kathmandu Valley’s other historic and/or capital cities), a weekend at Shivapuri Heights Resort or Dwarikas in Kathmandu, a night at the Fort Hotel in Nagarkot for sunrise and sunset Himalayan panoramas, a spa and wellness getaway at the ultra-luxurious Dwarikas Dhulikhel Resort and visits to ancient temple and monastery complexes such as Namo Buddha, Changu Narayan, and Dakshinkali. Spend a night at The Old Inn in Bandipur or Three Mountain Lodge en route to Pokhara, or The Famous Farm in Nuwakot, and get to know Nepal’s Newar heritage.

Enjoy a luxury 3-6 day trek in the Annapurna Foothills, staying in the wonderful Ker & Downey luxury lodges. Relax in heritage style at Temple Tree Resort in Pokhara for some pampering at the spa and infinity pool, try out paragliding, zip-lining, and enjoy a morning of boating on the lake and the hike to Shanti Stupa. Once refreshed, drive to Chitwan National Park, spending a few nights at Maruni Sanctuary Resort or Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge for wildlife and bird spotting, river trips, and safaris in style. Tiger Tops also owns Karnali Lodge at Bardia National Park, reached by flight from Kathmandu, and there are nearby archeological sites to visit nearby.

Namaste!

Nepal Modules
Nepal & Kathmandu Modules | Customize Your Trip!

Dates
Custom Departures
11 or 17 Days

Traditional Trek Price
$1880
11 Days (Mardi Himal or Khopra Danda Treks)

$2580
17 Days (Mardi Himal & Khopra Danda Trek)

+ Kathmandu Guest House, Lake View Resort
+ Hotel Single Supplement $150

Boutique Trek Price
$2280
11 Days (Mardi Himal or Khopra Danda Treks)

$2980
17 Days (Mardi Himal & Khopra Danda Trek)

+ 1905 or Yak & Yeti (Kathmandu)
+ Temple Tree Resort + Spa (Pokhara)
+ Hotel Single Supplement – $300

Kathmandu Guest House Single & Double Upgrades 
+ Deluxe Upgrade Kathmandu Guest House (3 Nights) – $135
+ Suite Upgrade Kathmandu Guest House (3 Nights) – $225

Kathmandu Guest House | Extra Nights Room Price
Includes Breakfast & Taxes

Standard Single – $55
Standard Double – $65
Deluxe Single – $100
Deluxe Double – $110
Suite Single – $130
Suite Double – $140

Includes

• Kathmandu Guest House, Kantipur Temple House or Dwarika’s in Kathmandu
• Lake View Resort, Shangri La Resort or Temple Tree Resort in Pokhara
• Domestic Flights on Yeti Airlines
• Departure tax
• Airport pick-ups & drops
• ACAP permit
• TIMS card
• Private car to Chitwan
• Kamzang Lodge Trekking: All meals from lodge menu, herbal teas and French press coffee, double rooms at lodges, small medical kit, porters & Nepali guide

Excludes

• International flights
• Travel or travel medical insurance
• Nepal visa
• Meals in Kathmandu (while not on trek)
• Helicopter rescue cost
• Equipment rental
• Alcohol & soft drinks
• Showers & hot water bottles
• Laundry
• Tipping & other items of a personal nature

Tips & Extra Cash
Allow approx $200 for meals (while not on trek), shopping & drinks (on trek). We recommend $150 per trekker divided between the staff for tips.

Client Highlights & Reviews
Travelers’ Comments

Trip Advisor Reviews

Trip Highlights

• Dwarika’s Heritage Hotel or Kathmandu Guest House (Kathmandu Hotels)
• Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Himalayan Front or Lakeview Resort (Pokhara Hotels)
• Kathmandu World Heritage Sites
• Annapurna Foothills, Mardi Himal + Khopra Danda Treks Trek
• Spectacular Himalayan Panoramas
• Traditional Villages + Lots of Culture
• Pokhara Activities + Phewa Lake
• Optional Chitwan National Park + Wildlife Safaris
• Opitonal Spa + Massage Treatments
• Optional Everest Sightseeing Flight

Client Comments
Thank you for everything you did to make our anniversary trip special. From the extras at our hotel rooms to the amazing quality, warmth and hospitality of every person who works with you – we were blown away by the trip you planned. We loved meeting you, Lhakpa, Doma and all the guides, drivers and porters who created such a hassle-free and seamless environment for us to explore beautiful Nepal.  Thank you so much – you created a truly life changing and unforgettable trip for us.
– Kim + Bob C (USA), Amazing Nepal Trek 2016 (Honeymoon Trip)

Kim arranged a solo trek for me at very short notice in November 2013 – and did it even whilst most of them were leading another trek in Mustang! They made the complex easy. From a wonderful guide to helping me arrange evacuation when I got sick, I was always in knowledeable, kind, efficient hands. I recommend Kamzang Journeys without reservation and I’ll be using them when I return to Nepal in September 2014!
– Nick A (UK), Private Everest Trek 2013

A friend and I just returned from Nepal and gladly we picked a local company that had good reviews. Kim Bannister is the owner of Kamzang Journeys and has an apartment in Kathmandu where she spends much of her time managing her company. It was my friend’s dream to trek in Nepal. A great local company is where to go, and Kamzang Journeys is the company! Every detail of our trip was handled with personal attention and was top quality. My friend’s dream came true. There are not enough good things that I can say about Kim and her staff. Oh by the way their rates are less expensive because they are local. Win, win, win.
– Robert + Craig (US), Annapurna Peaks + Villages Trek 2016

Kim arranged a solo trek for me at very short notice in November 2013 – and did it even whilst most of them were leading another trek in Mustang! They made the complex easy. From a wonderful guide to helping me arrange evacuation when I got sick, I was always in knowledeable, kind, efficient hands. I recommend Kamzang Journeys without reservation and I’ll be using them when I return to Nepal in September 2014!
– Nick A (UK), Private Everest Trek 2013

Tsering Sherpa is marvelous, extremely responsible, serious, devoted, very thoughtful, discreet and very pleasant to trek with. He is very helpful, well travelled, speaks good English, is well-mannered and has a good experience as a mountaineer and a climber.  He is very powerful, strong and quick, and smiles a lot! He seems to know everybody on the trail, is active in his community and is respected by other Sherpas. On trek he was a good counsellor on food, and of course respectful of tradition and of the Tibetan Buddhist faith. With him we felt very secure as he knows the trail and all the short cuts.
– Nan & Odette (France), Private Everest Base Camp Trek 2014

Viney was my private guide to trek to Everest base camp in October 2013.  I felt very secure with him the entire time.  He was always attentive to my wellbeing from the time we started in x (kim pls fill in) where we ended up slogging through rainfall and mud due to the cyclone left over from India, all the way through to the end of our trip in Lukla.  I could count on him without a doubt every day of the entire 3 weeks we spent together.  Thanks to Viney for an excellent trek!
– Lori C (USA), Private Everest High Passes Trek 2014

Last May I spent almost three weeks hiking with Mingma in the Khumbu region of Nepal and we explored the Gokyo lakes, Gokyo valley and we climbed Gokyo Ri. Mingma is an experienced mountain-guide, knows all the summits in the region, the Sherpas and routes.  He is responsive of the challenges, strong and kind, but he is very calm in case of difficult situations. While we walked together, he was attentive and he always tried to accommodate my phyisical condition and my spiritual eagerness. We spent wonderful time together and I immensely enjoyed every moment of the trek. I am planning to walk with him again in 2015!
– Kati K (Hungary), Private Gokyo Lakes Trek 2014

Tashi was the perfect guide for me. I was going solo, and looking mostly for solitude; Tashi’s temperament was the perfect match for mine. When he had something to say, it seemed eerily to come right when I was about to ask him a question about the very thing he started to speak about! He has a real passion for the natural world he lives in and for the Sherpa people and their traditions, too. I ended up falling ill with something and here again Tashi was the perfect guide – helpful but not smothering or overly-solicitous. I will be back, and with my family and I’m certain to request that Tashi accompanies us when we return.
– Nick A-H (UK), Private Everest Base Camp Trek 2013

Thanks for looking after my friends Ian & Adam so well! They were really pleased and very impressed with the arrangements made by Kamzang Journeys and particularly pleased with the guide, Karma, who did a wonderful job of looking after them on their trek. Everything went to their satisfaction and it exceeded their expectations. He’s now got a taste of Nepal and thinking about doing another trek there sometime!
– Viv D, friend of Paul & Patrick, Private Annapurna Peaks & Villages, Helambu Trek 2014

I have traveled the world and I have never been as cared for as I was in my trek in Nepal.  Karma was beyond attentive and professional. He has become family. The very best of Nepal and mankind can be found in this young man.
– Dave M, Annapurna Peaks & Villages 2013

Kim Bannister Photo Gallery | Trip & Trek Photos
Kim Bannister Photography

Travel Reading | Enhance Your Trip!
Travel Books

Royal Chitwan National Park

History
Royal Chitwan National Park has long been one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 square kilometers in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprising the Tikauli forest, from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat, extends for an area of 175 square kilometers and was declared Mahendra Mriga Kunj (Mahendra Deer Park) by the late King Mahendra in 1959. In 1963, the area south of Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. The area was gazetted as the country’s first national park in 1973. Recognizing its unique ecosystems of international significance, UNESCO declared RCNP a World Heritage Site in 1984. In 1996, an area of 750 square kilometers surrounding the park was declared a buffer zone which consists of forests and private lands. The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. The government has made a provision of plowing back 30-50 percent of the park revenue for community development in the buffer zone.

Features
The Chitwan valley consists of tropical and subtropical forests. Sal forests cover 70 percent of the park. Sal leaves are used locally for plates in festivals and religious offerings. Grasslands cover 20 percent of the park. There are more than 50 different types of grasses, including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp.), renowned for its immense height, growing up to 8 meters in height. The shorter grasses (imperata) are used for roof thatching as well as mats, rope and paper making.

A total of 68 species of mammals, 56 species of herpeto fauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of one-horned rhinoceros, gaur, royal Bengal tiger, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, pangolin, gangetic dolphin, gharial crocodile, golden monitor lizard and python. The park harbors not only the world’s largest terrestrial mammal (wild elephant) but also the world’s smallest terrestrial mammal (pygmy shrew). A total of 544 species of birds has been recorded so far including 22 globally threatened species including critically endangered Bengal florican, slender-billed vulture, white rumped vulture and red headed vulture.

The park houses a diversity of ecosystems, including the Churia hills, ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia hills rise slowly towards the east from 150 meters to more than 800 meters. The western portion of the park is comprised of the lower but more rugged Someshwor hills. The park shares its eastern boundary with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve.

Tharus are the main indigenous ethnic groups in Chitwan. They are well known for their resistance to malaria. Traditionally they are farmers and practice their own unique tribal culture. A stroll or a ride through the Tharu village will provide an opportunity to see their traditional farming and relics. Traditional Tharu stick dance gives an insight into their culture

Climate
Conditions are subtropical with a summer monsoon from mid-June to late-September, and a relatively dry winter. Mean annual rainfall is 2400mm with about 90% falling in the monsoon from June to September. Monsoon rains cause dramatic floods and changes in the character and courses of rivers. Temperatures are highest (maximum 38°C) during this season and drop to a minimum of 6°C in the post-monsoon period (October to January), when dry northerly winds from the Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau are prevalent.

Trip Photos
Chitwan National Park