Day #1
Depart UK. Below is the provisional itinerary.
Day #2
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel.
Day #3
Optional flight to view the world’s highest and most famous mountain, Mt. Everest. Afterwards, a day spent exploring Kathmandu with its mixture of bazaars, temples, ancient architecture and more modern buildings. Rickshaws, taxis and hooting motorists add to the din and create that special atmosphere that Kathmandu is famous for.
Day #4
A scenic drive to Pokhara through city and town, over stunning mountains, and through deep river valleys, with views of terraced rice fields. A great way to see the Nepal countryside.
Day #5
Today we will have the chance to explore the interesting suburb of Pokhara known as Lakeside, with an optional boat trip and visit to the World Peace Pagoda on the top of the hill overlooking the city.
Day #6
Drive to Phedi (3,000ft/914m). We then start our trek with an 8km walk to Australia Camp (6,561ft/2000m), our first vantage point to see the Himalaya range, through dense forest, along the hillsides and through mountain villages stopping at Dhampus for lunch.
Day #7
Today we trek to 13km to Landruk (5,431ft/1,646m) through chestnut forests with occasional views of the snow-capped peaks, enjoying bridge-crossings and lunch at Tolka village. After arrival there is a chance for an optional two hour waterfall hike.
Day #8
Our next trek is 5km to Ghandruk (6,600ft/2,012m), across the valley, down through fertile terraces, then up again meeting the friendly people of the foothills, where we finish for lunch and have the afternoon option to visit Old Gurung Museum and sample the fare at the German bakery.
Day #9
We visit Ghandruk old village, a major recruitment centre for the famous Gurkha soldiers, then trek 11km to Tadapani (8,497ft/2,590m), a magnificent spot in the midst of the magnolia and rhododendron forest, overlooking great views.
Day #10
Today we trek 12km to Ghorepani (9,022ft/2750m), which is famous for its panoramic views of Dhaulagiri (8617m), Annapurna II (7937m), and beyond to Manaslu (8136m). Part of the trek takes us steeply uphill in an attractive forested gorge, and along a high ridge at around 3000m.
Day #11
We have the option of an early morning hike to Poon Hill, (10,531ft/3,210m), to catch the sunrise over the Himalayan peaks. After breakfast we walk 13km along the old Trans-Himalaya trade route where you will often see laden mule trains. We make the classic descent, losing 500 metres of vertical height on a steep staircase to Tikedunga (5091ft/1552m).
Day #12
Our final trek is a leisurely 11km down a river valley to Naya Pul. After lunch at a riverside restaurant we return to our hotel and have the rest of the day to enjoy Pokhara
Day #13
Today we return to Kathmandu by coach.
Day #14
We will have the chance to explore Kathmandu further before enjoying a cultural dinner on our last evening. We have links with a church Kathmandu, and we may have the opportunity to meet with them.”