ACTIVE NEPAL

Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu

On arrival in the bustling capital of Kathmandu you will be met and transferred to Dwarika's Hotel. Here you will spend the rest of the day at your leisure so that you can relax after your long journey. Dwarika's Hotel is the best in Kathmandu and is packed full of character and style. Although recently built, it was modelled on the architectural grandeur of the palaces of the Newar Kings. The seventy-nine rooms and suites are light and airy and furnished with handmade furniture and the walls are adorned with Napali art dating back as far as the 14th century. The food is exquisite and the service is of the highest standard offering guests a comfortable and relaxing stay.

Overnight: Dwarika's Hotel

Day 2 Kathmandu - Kathmandu Valley

Spend the day exploring Kathmandu with your personal guide. Highlights include the remarkable Durbar Square which is full of traditional pagoda temples or Swayambhunath (The Monkey Temple) which is a huge and atmospheric Buddhist stupa set on a hill.

Overnight: Dwarika's Hotel

Day 3 Pokhara

Upon arrival you will be met and helped with organising your luggage. Our trekking operators will provide you with a duffle bag in which to pack what you need for the trek plus a day pack in which to carry your small items like sunscreen, guide books, camera etc. Once you are ready you will be driven to the trek start point where you will proceed on your trek to Birethanti where you will spend one night at Sanctuary Lodge. Sanctuary Lodge is located at 1150 metres a short walk up a gentle hill from Birethanti. Overlooking the Modi Kohla river it boasts spectacular views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain or Machhapuchhre as it is locally known. The lodge features ten twin rooms all overlooking the charming terrace which are surrounded by a flower-filled garden and although simple the lodge is perfectly comfortable. Each room has an en-suite bathroom and the service is great with a surprise hot water bottle in your bed or tea being brought to your bedroom first thing in the morning.

Overnight: Sanctuary Lodge

Day 4 Annapurna foothills - Ghandruk 

After a filling breakfast you leave the lodge on your climb out of the valleys and into the mountains. You will pass through small hamlets, terraced rice fields and forests with spectacular views of the surrounding valley. Along the way you will be provided with snacks and lunch will be served upon arrival at Himalaya Lodge which is located at an altitude of 2012 metres. You will spend the next two nights staying at Himalaya Lodge. Located on the edge of the mountain village of Ghandruk it has spectacular views of the massive peak of Annapurna South (7,219m) and its neighbour Hiunchiuili (6,441m). The lodge itself is fairly simple, as you would expect from accommodation far from any roads and where the only method of transport is on foot, but you will be very well looked after by the charming staff here. Comprising of eleven rooms, Himalaya lodge is modest but comfortable and each room has cosy beds and an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold running water.

Overnight: Himalaya Lodge

Day 5 Ghandruk

Wake up this morning with tea and coffee served in the garden and watch the sunrise over the huge surrounding mountain peaks. After enjoying a relaxing breakfast your guide will take you on an exploration of this mountain village and the surrounding area. Ghandruk itself is renowned for being a recruitment centre for Gurkha soldiers.

Overnight: Himalaya Lodge

Day 6 Majgaon

After breakfast, you will leave Himalaya Lodge whilst passing through the village of Ghandruk. Buffaloes and goats can be spotted grazing in the surrounding fields and you may have to make way for the donkey and mule trains that ferry goods to and from the various Gurkha settlements. En route you will descend until you reach Shauli Bazaar where you will then follow the river on to Sanctuary lodge. Here you will have a bite of lunch before ascending the well paved steps and hair-pin paths until you reach Gurung Lodge. Situated at an altitude of 1400 metres and set amongst terraced lawns this lodge comprises of five cottages each containing two rooms. The twin bedded rooms come equipped with inviting warm bedding, lovely high ceilings and en-suite slate bathrooms. The view into the valley of the Annapurna range is breath-taking and a good home-cooked dinner at the end or a hard days trekking is a fitting way to end the day.

Overnight: Gurung Lodge

Day 7 Pokhara 

Trek to the village of Lumle where you will meet your vehicle and be transferred back to Pokhara. En route you can stop and visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp on request. Once back in Pokhara you will be transferred to Tiger Mountain Lodge where you will spend the next two nights. Accommodation comes in the form of hand-cut stone bungalows with spacious verandas. Comprising of just nineteen rooms set on a ridge overlooking the Pokhara Valley, this boutique hotel offers rustic comfort with smart and discreet service.

Overnight: Tiger Mountain Lodge

Day 8 Tiger Mountain Lodge

Today you will have a day at your leisure. The hotel can organise a number of activities ranging from walks in the surrounding hills, to bird and butterfly watching, to village visits, or an organised day trip to Pokhara. Just ask your hosts and they will be happy to accommodate your requests.

Overnight: Tiger Mountain Lodge

Day 9 Seti River Rafting

Drive to your rafting start point where you will receive a full safety brief from your experienced boat crew before proceeding to raft downstream. Floating down river you will get the chance to see village life along the banks as well as the abundance of different bird species. Towards the afternoon you will reach Seti River Camp where you will spend one night before embarking on your second day of rafting. Seti River Camp is located right on the banks of the Seti River and this permanent tented camp is incredibly remote as it is only accessible by river or by a long six hour walk from the nearest main road. The sixteen individual walk-in tents come with slate roofs and attached en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water. They are simple but comfortable and your stay here will really cement the outdoor experience.

Overnight: Seti River Camp

Day 10 Seti River Rafting 

Spend the morning rafting down the five class two rapids before being transferred by vehicle to Chitwan National Park and enjoying an afternoon safari. Tonight you will be staying at Barahi Jungle Jungle Lodge. Situated along the banks of the Rapti River and directly overlooking the Chitwan National Park, Barahi Jungle Lodge is the first eco-jungle lodge of Chitwan, a tourist district of Nepal for adventure, wildlife, spa and eco-tourism. This quiet retreat is nestled on 12.18 hectares of virgin land surrounded by pristine wilderness, where you will find different types of plants, flora and fauna native to the Chitwan district and the National Park. The lodge offers 35 deluxe boutique guest rooms, built as individual and two-in-one private villas, including one suite with a private swimming pool. Wide glass doors open into private balconies quietly overlooking a spectacular view of the Rapti River and the dense forests of the Chitwan National Park. Interiors are tailored with an authentic jungle theme rich in regional textures creating a light and airy atmosphere. Each guest room features a decor with a blend of contemporary and traditional Nepali furnishings with indigenous elements such as used wood, bamboo, munj (elephant grass), animal artifacts and other natural materials.

Overnight: Barahi Jungle Lodge

Day 11 Barahi Jungle

Spend the day on a variety of different safaris viewing everything from: elephant, leopard, tiger, one horned Asiatic rhinoceros, as well as deer, gharial crocodiles and a wide variety of birdlife.

Overnight: Barahi Jungle Lodge

Day 12 Barahi Jungle 

Spend your last morning on safari before flying back to Kathmandu.

Overnight: Dwarika's Hotel

Day 13 Depart

Fly home via Delhi.