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Itinerary:
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DAY 1: KATHMANDU (4265 ft / 1300 meters):
Upon arrival you will be met and assisted by a Ker & Downey representative and transferred to the Gokarna Forest Resort. This Resort features an ayurvedic health spa and an 18-hole golf course. The resort is just a 15 minute drive from Boudhanath and 25 minutes from the airport yet feels a world apart from the crowded city. It is located on a hill top which was once the private hunting grounds of the Royal Family. There will be a briefing on our program. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through the surrounding forest and visit hidden temple.
O/N Gokarna Forest Resort
DAY 2: TREK TO SANCTUARY LODGE: (3750ft/1150m)
After an optional early morning flight to Mount Everest,
we fly to Pokhara (3300 ft /1000 m). We’ll have
a briefing at the Ker & Downey head office before
we transfer by road with guides & porters to our
trek start point {1-hour}. Our 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. The lodge has magnificent views of
the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre,
as it is locally known. A picnic lunch is provided with
a late afternoon arrival at the Lodge. (Trek time 3-4
hours).
Overnight Sanctuary Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 3: TREK TO HIMALAYA LODGE, GHANDRUK. (6,600ft/2,012m).
After breakfast, we leave the lodge walking out through
the outlying farms following the Modi River Valley.
Soon we begin to climb out of the valley & up towards
the mountains. The trail passes through small hamlets,
terraced rice fields and forests with spectacular views
of the surrounding valley. Snacks are provided along
the trail. Hot lunch is served on arrival at the lodge
in the early afternoon. (Trek time 5-6 hours). It is
from this lodge that there are magnificent close up
views of the surrounding mountains.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 4: HIMALAYA LODGE:
We 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, our guide will take us
on an exploration of this mountain village and the surrounding
countryside. Ghandruk was once 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 (B, L, D)
DAY 5: TREK TO SANCTUARY LODGE, BIREHTANTI: (3750ft/1150m)
After breakfast, we leave the Himalaya Lodge walking
out through the village of Ghandruk. Buffaloes and goats
graze in the surrounding fields and you may have to
make way for the donkey and mule trains that convey
goods to and from the Gurkha settlements. You may also
meet some of the trekkers coming down from or heading
up to the Sanctuary itself. We continue descending for
about 2 or 3 hours until we reach Shauli Bazaar. From
here, we follow along the Modi River until reaching
the Sanctuary Lodge. We’ll have lunch at the lodge
followed by another opportunity to walk to the village
of Birethanti. Or you may choose to spend the afternoon
relaxing by the river bank. (Trek time 4 hrs). Overnight
Sanctuary Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 6: TREK TO GURUNG LODGE, MAJGAUN: (4620ft/1,400m)
Following a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Sanctuary
lodge & trek to Ker & Downey's Gurung Lodge.
The lodge is built along the lines of a traditional
Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of
the surrounding valley and mountains. Trek time to the
Lodge is just 2 hours. After lunch at the lodge, you
will be escorted to the local village of Tanchok. There
will be a talk at a local house, now made into a museum.
The contents of the house illustrate how the local people
live, together with the tools and implements of day
to day traditional village life. There will also be
a visit to the school and should there be more than
6 guests, the school children will visit the lodge and
perform a number of local dances and songs typical of
the region.
Overnight Gurung Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 7: TREK TO BASANTA LODGE, DHAMPUS (5000 ft / 1525
m).
This morning we start out trekking through the unspoiled
village of Patlekhet. Our walk takes us through sub-tropical
forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and
magnolias. Along the way, we will stop at the village
of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell
their souvenirs. After about 3 1⁄2 hours, we arrive
at the Basanta Lodge. From the lodge, there are sweeping
views of the entire Annapurna Range. After lunch at
the lodge there will be an optional walk through the
old village of Dhampus. Overnight Basanta Lodge (B,
L, D)
DAY 8: TREK TO POKHARA (3300 ft /1000 m)
After breakfast, we depart along the ridge & descend
through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to
the valley floor. Trek time 1 1⁄2 hours. We then
transfer by vehicle to the Shangri-La Village Resort
in Pokhara (30 minutes). On the way back to Pokhara,
the vehicle can stop on request at the Tibetan refugee
camp where you will have time to explore the temple
complex. We’ll arrive at the Shangri-La Village
in time for lunch. The rooms at the Shangri-La are filled
with ethnic touches. Surrounding the rooms are spacious,
landscaped gardens, water features, a swimming pool
and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The
rest of the afternoon is free to explore the lakeside
where most of Nepal’s Tibetan curio shops are
located.
Overnight Shangri-La Village Resort (B, L, D)
DAY 9: SETI RIVER CAMP (1000 ft / 300 m)
After breakfast, we transfer to Damauli, a journey of
some 11⁄2 hours through the countryside. Here
we will be met by our experienced boat crew, who will
give us a full briefing prior to launch. The Seti River
has no road access so the river and surrounding valley
remain pristine. Floating down the river gives us a
chance to see village life along the banks as well as
the abundant variety of birds. There will be a picnic
lunch on a sandy beach on the way to the camp. Today,
there are 2 small rapids of no more than grade 2 and
are no longer than 165 ft / 50 metres. The remainder
of the trip is very much a float experience. Upon arrival,
you will be shown to your safari style tent with beds,
changing room, veranda and attached bathroom. Rafting
time 2 to 3 hours depending on water levels.
Overnight Seti River Camp (B, L, D)
DAY 10: Today we will have a layover day at the Seti
River Camp. This second day allows us time to truly
relax. In the morning, we’ll hike through surrounding
forests to remote nearby villages where no other travel
companies go. After our hike, we can take a dip in the
river. Lunch is at the camp. The afternoon is free to
explore the landscaped gardens, riverbank, or just relax
in a hammock or tree house. Evenings are spent around
an open fire of driftwood, at this unique safari-style
river camp.
Overnight Seti River Camp (B, L, D)
DAY 11: The morning is spent rafting. There are 5 class 2 rapids. Again, each is no more than 165 ft / 50 metres. The remainder of the trip is a float when you can enjoy the surrounding countryside. Rafting time will be 2 to 3 hours depending on water levels. On completion of the rafting, we transfer by vehicle to Kathmandu, a 4 hour drive. The road follows the Trisuli River before climbing over the ridge of mountains that surround the Kathmandu Valley. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon with the the rest of the day and evening free.
Overnight Gokarna Forest Resort (B, L)
Day 12: Depart
This morning there will be an early morning sightseeing trip to Boudhanath before transferring to the airport for your international departure. Boudhanath is the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal and a great place for last minute shopping. (B)
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