Day 01: Kathmandu City tour
Today we have planned a guided city tour of Kathmandu where we shall explore the ancient and historical heritages in the medieval cities of Kathmandu and Patan. With an experienced guide, you shall have insider information about the heritages listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site List including the famous Hindu pilgrimage of Pashupatinath Temple at the bank of holy Bagmati River. Other heritages includes the ancient stupas of Boudhanath, one of the world’s largest stupas, and Swayambunath, one of the oldest stupas in Nepal, with rich cultural ensembles, artifacts and ages-old monuments carrying the legacy of Buddhism in Nepal. We shall also pay visit to Patan Durbar Sqaure, a large complex with historical royal palace, a temple with unique style, resting places, artistic water taps and intricate carvings in many monuments. Later in the day, we shall have interaction with the trek leader to clarify issues regarding the trek. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu to Pokhara (800m) by Bus/Car/Air
Today we shall leave the historical capital city of Nepal and leave for the tourism capital of this nation, the Lake City of Pokhara. The mode of transportation may be by land transportation or by flight. Flight of around 30 minutes shall take you over beautifully arranged lush and rolling hills, green valleys, perennial rivers weaving the valleys and majestic Himalayas guarding the vast landscape since time unknown gives us its close up view. The overland trip to Pokhara valley takes us through the twisting and turning highway along mighty Trishuli and Marshayngdi River, cool waterfalls, rural settlements, lush hills, valleys, terraced farmlands and warm welcoming locals if you stop by to interact with them. Fishtail Mountain shall be among the first to welcome you in the beautiful landscape of Pokhara. Rest in the hotel and in the afternoon you may stroll around the quaint Phewa Lake. Stay overnight in Pokhara.
Day 03: Pokhara to Phedi by private Jeep then trek to Landruk. 1565m (5/6 hrs)
Today we shall begin our trek towards our destination which makes this our first trekking day. After breakfast we shall drive by a private jeep to the trailhead of Phedi in less than an hour and prepare ourselves for the trek ahead. The destination for today is Landruk. We begin our trek out of the valley along a staircase that overlooks the green lush valleys with river cutting through it, and takes us through landscape with terraced fields, some small remote villages having houses with tiled roofs, and have views of layered hills with Himalayas rising above them all. After an hour of climbing we shall reach beautiful Dhampus village that provides us with the view of Annapurna Peak, Fishtail Mountain and others. Descending from Dhampus we traverse through Deurali village, walk along the stone paved trail and through Australian base camp before ascending to Pothana where we shall have our trekking permits checked. The uphill climb in and out of valleys, across several wooden and suspension bridges continues as we now climb to Bhichok Deurali and continue ascending to Pritam Deurali before we gradually descent through stone steps to scenic Tolka village. Continuing through rural settlements, across bridges and past scenic landscape we reach to Landruk. Stay overnight in Landruk.
Day 04: Trek from Landruk to Tadapani. 2630m (5/6hrs)
After enjoying pleasant sunset yesterday and waking up with romantic sunrise today, we shall now leave beautiful Landruk and head northwest to Tadpani, the destination of overnight stay for today. From this Gurung settlement the ups and downs of the trail takes us to the Modi River across which we traverse with gradual ascent to another large and popular inhabitation of Gurung community, the Ghandruk village. Known for well preserved cultural ensembles, unique arrangement of houses, panoramic views of Himalayas including Annapurna South (7,219m), Hiuchuli Peak (6,441m), Fishtail Mountain (6,993m)and others, and museum, Ghandruk is an important stop today. Further moving ahead through the dense oak and rhododendron forest, cascading mountains and streams and lush vegetation, we reach to the village of Tadapani. You shall have beautiful sight of mountain vistas including Annapurna South, Annapurna I, II and III, Lamjung Himal (6,931m) all along the way to Tadapani. Stay overnight in Tadapani.
Day 05: Trek from Tadapani to Bayeli Kharka.
After watching marvelous sunrise over the glittering Himalayas, we shall take on a trail to Bayeli Kharka. This trekking trail shall be a route seldom used for trekking and rather used more by the locals. We shall navigate through the thick forest of rhododendron, pine and bamboo which opens up to open area where the superb Annapurna range and Fishtail Peak appears above the tree line. Through small hamlets with few tea shops, we further walk ahead to ascent over the Deurali Pass and navigate through rhododendron forest to reach Dobato, an open grazing land. This spot provides you with superb view of Fishtail Mountain and Annapurna South. From this spot the trail now descends for sometime before climbing a final ascent to reach Bayeli Khark, the place of stay for today. Stay overnight in Bayeli Kharka.
Day 06: Trek from Bayeli Kharka to Upper Chistibung.
We shall start from the overnight stay in Bayeli Kharka and head for Upper Chistibung. Through the oak and rhododendron forest dense and lush, our ascent is slow and gradual. We shall pass through meadows and grass lands, open areas and pastures with dzo grazing (crossbreed of cow and yak) besides the number of temporary huts built by local herders. We may have the national bird of Nepal, Danphe, and Himalayan Thar in the higher ridges of our trail during our trek to Upper Chistibung. This small and temporary settlement shall be the place of overnight stay for today. Stay overnight in Upper Chistinung.
Day 07: Trek from Upper Chistibung to Khopra.
Today we shall leave Upper Chistibung which has views of rolling hills stretching almost to the southern border of Nepal and head on for the ultimate destination of this trek, the Khopra Danda. As we leave the hamlet of Upper Chistibung and progress ahead, the vegetation slowly changes to alpine meadows and the trail requires a steady and gradual march ahead. Slowly you shall reach to higher altitudes above the tree line and saunter through pastures and alpine grasslands with the glimpse of Annapurna South before ascending to Khopra. Little further after ascending to Khopra, we shall walk to the community lodge at Khopra ridge for breathtakingly amazing views. Stunning panoramic views of Annapurna South, Mt. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri Peak is seen besides overlooking the torrential Kali Gandaki River far below in the deep valley. After exploring this small yet beautiful settlement we shall take rest in our teahouse. Stay overnight in Khopra.
Day 08: Trek from Khopra to Khaire Lake then back to Khopra Danda.
In another important section of this trek, today we shall trek to the sacred Khaire Lake. Exploration of this scenic landscape continues as we traverse slowly and gradually along the ridges to reach Khaire Lake which provides awesome views of Fang Mountain and other snowy peaks. Khaire Lake is considered a sacred lake, taking bath in which is believed to provide salvation to the followers. Considered revered by Buddhist alike, there are several shrines and holy monuments at the shore of the lake where pilgrims pray with deep respect and faith. Exploring the blue watered holy lake we shall now return to teahouse at Khopra Danda. Stay overnight in Khopra Danda.
Day 09: Trek from Khopra Danda to Bayeli Kharka.
After reaching and exploring the ultimate destinations of this trek, now we shall retrace our steps back the same trail and have an overnight stay at Bayeli Kharka. The descent from this hill takes us to Upper Chistibung after an hour and then ahead through the dense forest of oak, rhododendron and pine the descent continues. With the views of Annapurna South and other sibling peaks, we shall walk through the grass lands and pastures of buffalos and Dzo, and lush green landscape before reaching the destination of Bayeli Kharka. Our day shall end with a beautiful sunset over the snowy mountains including Annapurna south. Stay overnight in Bayeli Kharka.
Day 10: Trek from Bayeli Kharka to Ghandruk. 1940m (5/6 hrs)
The downhill walk in this second half of our trekking expedition to Khopra Danda continues today as we leave for Ghandruk today. In a gradual trek from Bayeli Kharka, we shall reach to Dobato for awesome Mountain View and ahead through smaller settlements, ascent over Deurali Pass, and past several summers graze lands we reach to Tadapani. Tadapani has trail junction with trails that lead to Ghorepani, to Annapurna South base camp and to Ghandruk. The trail from Tadapani to Ghandruk is overall descent with ups and downs along the trail surrounded by dense forest, lush hills and views of glittering peaks. Take proper rest as you reach to beautiful Gurung settlement of Ghandruk. Stay overnight in Ghandruk.
Day 11: Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapool (1100m) then drive to Pokhara by private Jeep.
In this final section of trekking in our expedition, today we shall have a long descent to Nayapool. We start our trek with the superb view of southern part of Annapurna sanctuary which is dominated by Annapurna South and Hiuchuli Peak also shows its presence. We walk on a trail on the foothills as Landruk village perched above the river valley of Modi River appears to us. Past the terraced cultivation areas, we shall head towards Kimche village across the Canyon of Chane Khola River, rice cultivation areas near Chane and Kimche past the stone steps en route. Ahead we trek with the views of green and golden terraced cultivation, green and lush hills, and pleasant views before walking on the flat trails before the settlement of Syauli Bajar. Now on, we shall gradually trek down to the bottom of the Valley of Modi Khola River past the regular views and smaller settlements with some teahouses and resting places. Finally we cross the Modi Khola River and descent to Nayapool, thereby completing our trek to Khopra Danda and Kaile Lake. From here we have an hour drive to Pokhara. Stay overnight in Pokhara.
Day 12: Pokhara to Kathmandu by Bus/Car/Air.
Today we shall return back to Kathmandu after an interesting adventure in the Annapurna region. We may either take on a short yet scenic flight over beautiful landscape, lush hills and valleys with the beautiful and close up view of the snowy mountains or a drive along twisting roads through rural settlements, and past cool waterfalls, accompanied by pristine and mighty rivers, to reach Kathmandu. After being transferred to the hotel, you may take rest for the rest of the day or go for some souvenir shopping or stroll around the streets of Kathmandu in the areas surrounding to your hotel. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
