Trekking in the beautiful Annapurna Massif is astonishing in so many ways– where else could you embark on a trail which leads you, through so many variations of landscape and altitude, towards the base of some of the worlds highest peaks, in so short a time?
Annapurna Base Camp is spectacular, thanks to its setting within the famous Annapurna Sanctuary, a cirque amid the high and mighty peaks of Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m) Machhapuchhre (6993m) and Hiunchuli (6441m).
On the way to the Base Camp you will climb up to the famous Pun Hill, in time to enjoy a unique, sunrise 360 degree panoramic and uninterrupted view of peaks from Dhaulagiri to Hiunchuli – all this, incredibly, before breakfast!
You will be amazed by the variety of this special trek which starts off in a low altitude area of rice paddies, and moves on, within the short period of less than two weeks’ trekking, to reach high alpine meadows, and glaciers, at altitudes of over 4000m.
Before embarking on the trek, you will have a day or two in Kathmandu, where you will visit various World Heritage sites to get an idea of the special cultural scene which is Nepal – where Hindus, Buddhists and many other religions exist together quite amicably. Wonderful Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples will be part of your new experience, and you may even have the chance of enjoying a meal in a mediaeval palace courtyard.
A remarkably short and scenic flight will take you to Pokhara, and from the plane you will have your first view of the amazing Himalayas– an uninterrupted range of endless peaks during almost the whole of your flight! After arriving in Pokhara you will leave fairly promptly for the starting point of your amazingly diverse mountain trek.
The trekking trail takes you through dense Rhododendron and Bamboo forests, along narrow river canyons, and onto a superb ridge within striking distance of the 8000m+ Dhaulagari. You will get a taste of many different cultures on this varied trek, as you pass from lowland Brahmin and Chhetri settlements to the Gurung and Magar villages at higher altitudes.
Your trekking experience starts and ends in Pokhara, known as Lake City, thanks to its idyllic setting. Pokhara is very close to some of Nepal’s highest peaks, and indeed the stunning Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) mountain watches over the town and is unforgettably reflected in the waters of Lake Phewa: you may enjoy, and photograph, this reflection yourself if you take a boating trip on the lake. Pokhara is bursting with small cafes, souvenir shops, bookstores and all else to make your short stay here relaxing and restorative before the next leg of your Nepalese adventure, which starts with a fascinating and memorable bus drive down through gradually reducing climate elevations to an altitude of just about 160m above sea level!
Chitwan National Park is the focus of this last part of your trip to Nepal. The park is another sanctuary – in complete contrast Annapurna Sanctuary - this time for endangered animal species, such as the Royal Bengal Tiger and One-Horned Rhinoceros, situated in far south Nepal, at the border with India, with different ethnic groups and culture. It enjoys a sub-tropical climate, which invites new experiences and further relaxation. Whilst in Chitwan you will take an Elephant Safari into the jungle, ride in Oxcarts to the nearby Tharu villages, see the unique Breeding Centre with baby elephants, look out for crocodiles on the river banks, take a cross-river journey in a dugout canoe, see exotic birds such as Peafowl, Pied Kingfishers and Painted Storks, wash elephants during their daily river bath, join in local dancing, and relax at your resort among exotic plants and birdlife!
After this very special experience you will return to hustling, bustling Kathmandu for some souvenir shopping and a visit to a couple of charity projects for disadvantaged people, run by Jamarko, where you may meet young children at a daycare centre/informal school, and women who are being trained in the manufacture of traditional Nepalese textiles and other handicraft skills.
At last, and all too soon, it will be time to say farewell to Nepal, and the people you have met there, as you prepare for your bus ride to the airport, accompanied by our staff who will wish you bon voyage and hope to see you again.
