Skip to main content

Exploring the Himalayas

Asia > Nepal

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia.

 

It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People’s Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. Kathmandu is the nation’s capital and the country’s largest metropolis. Nepal has rich geography. Nepal is popular for mountaineering, containing some of the world’s highest and most challenging peaks. The mountainous north has 8 of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest 29,029ft (8848m), called Sagarmatha in Nepali. It contains more than 240 peaks over 20,000ft (6096m) above sea level. The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized. By some measures, Hinduism is practiced by a larger majority of people in Nepal than in any other nation. Buddhism, though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically with Nepal as the birthplace of the Buddha.

Pricing starts at:

$3,500

Pricing Estimate
BASED ON 2-4 PEOPLE

$3,500

per person

All of our adventures are private, customizable and individually tailored just for you! Please fill out the REQUEST QUOTE  form to connect with one of our Adventure Architects to plan your next journey!

Sample Itinerary. All of our journeys are individually custom tailored.

1

Day 1: KATHMANDU

Upon arrival into Tribhuvan Kathmandu International Airport and are personally met and transferred to hotel. Tonight there is a welcome dinner and briefing.

Overnight The Inn Patan (Dinner)

2

Day 2: KATHMANDU

Today we do some sightseeing in Kathmandu and surrounds. You head to Bhaktapur, the best preserved of the Medieval cities of the Valley, its foundations around the Dattatreya Temple in the 9th century make for a casual walk through a fairly well-preserved though very much lived-in city, via ancient temples, some outstanding, others hidden via the Taumadi Square and it's great 5-storyed Nyatopola Temple to end in the Durbar Square with its monuments to the Malla Dynasty, responsible for the antiquity that surrounds. We can lunch at a nice restaurant off the Taumadi Square, watch the daily life flow around and below. Dinner at a beautiful Nepalese restaurant.

Overnight The Patan Inn (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

3

Day 3: POKHARA / ANNAPURNAS – SANCTUARY LODGE

In the morning we fly to Pokhara (3,300ft / 1,000m), we rendezvous with our team and transfer by road with guides & porters to our trek start point 1 hour away. 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 (3,750ft / 1,150m) 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: 3-4 hours.

Overnight Ker & Downey Sanctuary Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4

Day 4: ANNAPURNAS – HIMALAYA LODGE

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. It is from Himalaya lodge (6,600ft / 2,012m) that there are magnificent close up views of the surrounding mountains. Trek: 5-6 hours.

Overnight Ker & Downey Himalaya Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

5

Day 5: ANNAPURNAS – 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 Ker & Downey Himalaya Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

6

Day 6: ANNAPURNAS – GURUNG LODGE

After breakfast, we leave the Himalaya lodge and trek to Ker & Downey's Gurung Lodge at (4,620ft / 1,450m). We walk 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 trekkers coming down from the Annapurna Sanctuary. We continue descending for about 2 or 3 hours until we reach Shauli Bazaar. From here, we follow the Modi River until reaching the Sanctuary Lodge. We will have lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge before we ascend again partly on well-paved steps and partly on switch-backs. We reach the Gurung Lodge after about 2 hours. Trek time 5-6 hours.

Overnight Ker & Downey Gurung Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

7

Day 7: ANNAPURNAS – BASANTA LODGE

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 3.5 hours, we arrive at the Basanta Lodge (5,000ft / 1,525m). 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 Ker & Downey Basanta Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

8

Day 8: POKHARA

After breakfast, we depart along the ridge and descend through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. Trek time 1.5 hours. We then transfer by vehicle to Pokhara 30 mins away. We enjoy lunch at an outdoor restaurant and enjoy the views of Phewa Lake. You then have the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore this quaint town of shops, cafes, and Annapurna range backdrop.

Overnight Temple Tree Resort & Spa (Breakfast, Lunch)

9

Day 9: KATHMANDU / DEPART

After breakfast we fly back to Kathmandu, depending on departures you have time for last minute or grabbing a meal or heading into Pashupatinath to see the traditional sadhus.

(Breakfast)

Accommodations

THE INN PATAN

is a gem of a boutique hotel. It is a traditional Newari town-house and over a 100 years old, and has been lovingly restored by the owner/architect Rohit Ranjitkar, who has cleverly retained all of its wonderful architecture and feel, yet applying modern touches to ensure an absolutely comfortable stay. It is built around a delightful central courtyard which features inviting little alcoves to sit down to enjoy a tasty Nepali dinner. The historic brick and timber building features many of the fantastic woodcarvings which Kathmandu is famous for. With just 10 rooms, the Inn Patan provides a fantastic bolt-hole from which to explore this secret corner of Kathmandu.

KER & DOWNEY LODGES

are the premiere destinations for travelers wishing to trek Nepal at a leisurely pace and in total comfort. The collection of lodges is spread out within the Annapurna Conservation Area, separated by picturesque terrain and a moderate half day hike. Each lodge offers a unique view and new perspective on the region, overlooking its hidden villages and shadowed by its towering peaks. Private baths with hot running water com standard in all of the guest rooms, with cozy blankets and down bedding warmed nightly by a hot water bottle. Hearty meals are served family-style in the lodges’ traditional dining rooms, inviting spaces to relax and recall the sights of the day’s trek. Spacious terraces plus a large fireplace and lounge area complete the shared spaces in the lodges.

TEMPLE TREE RESORT & SPA

is a boutique hotel combining western standards with the distinctive architecture and culture of Nepal’s western Himalayas. Named after the fragrant temple tree plant frangipani found in Nepal. They offer a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, privacy when preferred and attentive service. Nestled close by Phewa Lake in the Pokhara Valley, Temple Tree is framed by the foothills and majestic peaks of the Annapurna mountain range. The air is pure and clean and the sub-tropical climate warm and pleasant.

  • Trained Himalayan guide & porters
  • Vehicles w/ water & drinks and professional drivers
  • All relevant Park fees & entrance fees
  • All accommodation and meals as described in the itinerary
  • Transfers as described in the itinerary
  • Plane flight roundtrip Kathmandu / Pokhara
  • Drinks on the hike (potable water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate)
  • International flights
  • Entry visas
  • Tips & Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Alterations to this itinerary (i.e. if different accommodations and services are provided then the price will most likely vary up or down)
  • Laundry
  • Beverages in hotels (except those in your personal vehicle)
  • Medical evacuation, Hospital bills and international evacuation in the event of an emergency (travel insurance mandatory)

Pricing starts at:

$3,500

Pricing Estimate
BASED ON 2-4 PEOPLE

$3,500

per person

All of our adventures are private, customizable and individually tailored just for you! Please fill out the REQUEST QUOTE  form to connect with one of our Adventure Architects to plan your next journey!