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 Nepal: Nepal Annapurna Panorama

Tour code: NNP
Revised:
Nov 09

This tour is designed as an all round introduction to Nepal and its beauty, including a short trek, a rafting and a wildlife experience, commencing in the shadow of the Annapurnas. If it is your first time to the country and you are not sure about going on a longer trek, or if you like multi activity holidays then this tour is for you!

Dominating the mountains of central Nepal is the mighty Annapurna Himal. This region to the north of Pokhara has rightly gained the reputation for being one of the finest trekking regions in the country. Our route not only shuns the heavily trekked trails to the west but ventures into a region that few have travelled before. It skirts under the graceful 'fish tail' of Machapuchare (22,492ft) and the great crest of Annapurna II (26,041ft). In the lower valleys we pass through Brahmin and Chettri villages, while higher up we will meet Gurungs and Magars, those hardy hill folk famed for their exploits as Gurkha soldiers. The river rafting begins from Chauradi and offers the excitement of whitewater rapids as well as relaxation as we descend the Trisuli River to The Chitwan National Park. Here activities include safaris on elephant back, canoe and on foot. If you are very lucky one may catch sight of the elusive Bengal tiger. On the way back to Kathmandu, you have a night in a resort with some of the best panoramic views of the mountains anywhere in the country


Grade

This trip is graded moderate. It is well within the capabilities of any normally active person, but to gain the best rewards you should be physically fit. Like all Himalayan treks it does have its ups and downs. And some steep and sometimes muddy slopes. Difficulties with altitude should not be a problem as the maximum elevation is 8695ft.


Climate

Weather in the world’s highest mountain range is never totally predictable but we would expect clear and settled conditions. In the early stages the days will be warm, around 70 F/20 C. As altitude is gained, though the days will still be pleasantly warm, it will be chilly early morning and night time temperatures can be down to freezing.


Equipment & Clothing

All general equipment and cooking equipment is provided. Also provided free of charge is a Trek Pack including a sleeping bag, two insulated sleeping mats, down/fiberfill jacket, waterproof poncho and duffle bag.  A detailed list of other recommended clothing and equipment will be sent with confirmation of booking.


Included

International/domestic arrival/departure airport transfers. 3 nights accommodation at a 5* hotel in Kathmandu on a bed & breakfast basis, half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with an English speaking guide and all entrance fees. 1 welcome evening meal in Kathmandu. 2 nights at a hotel in Pokhara. 1 night at Everest Panorama Resort on a full board basis. 2 days whitewater rafting with complete camping services. 2 nights accommodation at Chitwan National Park on a full board basis with all jungle activities & National Park fees. 5 days fully catered camping trip in the Annapurna region with breakfast, lunch & dinner and all the trekking support crew. National park fees, conservation fees and all entrance fees. Trekpack for use during the trek, which includes down or fiberfill jacket, duffel bag, two insulated mats, a poncho, air pillow and sleeping bag with inner liner.


Not Included

International flights (unless you have requested them), Passport, visa, insurance, immunization fees, lunch and evening meals while in Kathmandu (budget £20 per meal without drinks), airport transfers and taxes.


The Trekking Day

A typical day begins just after 6 a.m. with an early morning mug of tea served through the tent flap. After a hot breakfast, during which the camp will be struck and the porters loaded, we begin our walking in the pleasant cool of the morning. Lunch is around 11 a.m. This midday break usually lasts about an hour or so. After walking for around  three hours in the afternoon, we will aim to pitch camp around 4 p.m. You will have an hour or so to relax and reflect before the day is rounded off with a hot three course meal. However, there may be the opportunity of visiting a nearby village to have contact with the local people. The two rafting days also have a similar  structure about them.


Flights

We will on request source International flights from London Heathrow to Kathmandu via Doha with Qatar Airlines. Note that these fly out of London on the day before the first day of the tour (Day 1 of itinerary). 

Flight routing exemple:

Outbound Depart LHR 21.25  - arrive Doha 07.05
               Depart DOH 10.25 – arrive KTM 17.30

Inbound Depart KTM 09.00 – arrive DOH 11.50
            Depart DOH 17.10 – arrive LHR  22.00 (same day)


Health Matters

There are no statutory vaccinations required when visiting Nepal. Recommended vaccinations include Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Diptheria, Polio, Tetanus and Meningitis. Also consider Rabies vaccine as this may be carried by monkeys and dogs. If you are visiting The Chitwan National Park or the  ‘Terai’ you should take anti malarial medication. You should consult your doctor or vaccination centre for up-to-date information.

A medical kit will accompany the trek. We do, however, recommend that each person carry a small personal first aid kit. A suggested list of contents will be sent to all members, as well as more general information on health matters.


Documents

A visa is required for Nepal and you must have a valid passport. Visas for Nepal if applying directly with the Nepal Embassy will cost £35 for a single entry. Instead, you could use the postal visa service of www.travcour.com  but there is an additional fee of  £25 +  £7 postage and packing. Trekking documents are required, but these are organised by us in Kathmandu. You can purchase visas on arrival into Kathmandu but we would not recommend this option as the queues are long and the situation regarding availability can change at any time.


Books & Maps

For information on the sights of the Kathmandu valley, its history and culture, we suggest ‘Rough Guides’ & ’ Lonely Planet travel guides’.  A good general guidebook (although without so many hints) is the Insight Guides series Nepal.  There are many books on Trekking in Nepal. Perhaps the most well known are those by Stephen Bezruchka, or Stan Armitage.  A usefully realistic account of what happens on trek is found in Mike Harding's Footloose in the Himalayas.

There are accounts of the most important great expeditions such as John Hunt The Ascent of Everest. Reinhold Messner The Crystal Horizon.

Note: That a good company for sourcing outdoor / trekking books is ‘Cordee’: www.cordee.co.uk

Another company: ‘Cicerone Press,’ www.cicerone.co.uk Publish their own trekking guides to areas of the  Himalaya. Recommended is:

Annapurna: A Trekker's Guide by Kev Reynolds
ISBN 1852843977
Price: £15.00

A trekking map is normally issued to you at your trek briefing in Kathmandu, if not these are readily available in the town, although they are somewhat lacking in detail!


 

Outline Itinerary

The following itinerary is intended as a working guide only and may be subject to variation as a result of local conditions, weather and group progress.

We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten) any trek at any time if necessary.

1000m=3281ft.  1km=.62 miles.

Day 1: Flying into Kathmandu along the northern border of Nepal on a clear day is in itself an unforgettable experience with the entire Nepalese Himalayas sprawling out below you.  After transferring to your 5* hotel, you will be given a chance to catch your breath, meet the other group members that weren't on your flight and then be given a briefing on all relevant aspects of your holiday by your Group Leader. A traditional Royal Nepali feast then highlights the evening.

Day 2: Half-day excursion visiting Kathmandu with its many temples and pagodas, afternoon free.

Day 3: Fly to Pokhara, 30 mins, 915m. 

(Please note that the brochure desription is incorrect and you will fly to Pokhara and not travel by bus.)

Your group leader will meet you at your hotel in the morning and take you to the airport for the flight to Pokhara. On a clear day, the views are breathtaking and it is a good idea to have your camera in your daypack ready for any photographic opportunities that the flight provides. Overnight hotel.

Day 4: Drive to Damphus 1550m, 2 hours. Trek to Landrung 1799m, 6 hours.

Start walking up into the foothills of the Himalaya. Spend the first night on the Damphus ridge, with its spectacular sunset views of Machhapuchare and the Annapurnas. This popular trail through quaint villages, past stands of acacia, fig, bamboo, banana conifers and rhododendrons leads to the village of Landrung.Overnight camp.

Day 5: Trek to Ghandruk 1951m, 6 hours.

It’s then down to the Modi Khola (River), the mighty flow that originates in the melting glaciers of the Annapurna sanctuary, and up the other side to the large, thriving Gurung township of Ghandruck. It might be a possible to visit the ACAP (Annapurna area conservation project).Overnight camp.

Day 6: Trek to Tadapani  2700m, 5 hours.

Leave the picturesque village of Ghandruk and head on to the sheep-herders’ village of Tadapani (far water), surrounded by evergreen forests of rhododendron.Overnight camp.

Day 7: Trek to Ghorepani. 4 hours, 2800m. Ghorepani means “horse water”. It’s a water stop for the horses and ponies colourful caravans which travel between Pokhara and Jomson. Overnight camp.

Day 8: Excursion to Poon Hill, and trek to Hille 1524m, 4 hours. 

Turn east, ascend to Ghorepani Deurali and a sunrise visit to Poon Hill, famous for views on the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri.

Day 9: Trek to Nayapul 5 hours, 1015m. and drive to Pokhara. Overnight hotel.

Days 10 & 11: Rafting. Early morning on day 10, sees us busing from Pokhara to our rafting put-in point. The trekking crews return to Kathmandu and we meet our rafting guides and crew. A full safety briefing is given and then it's onto the river to practice some of the various paddle strokes you will need to know before entering the first of the rapids and the excitement. With names like "Upset" and "Surprise", you can be sure of having fun! During the stretches of quieter water, we can let the world drift by and take in our new surrounds. Rafting days are more relaxed than trekking days, but follow the same general routine. Each raft will be guided by an experienced Raft Captain and assistant, and is fitted with a waterproof canoe barrel for storage of clothing and equipment. This barrel is not bottomless however and only essentials should be taken with you. Lunches and camps are made on the riverside on lovely little sandy beaches that provide excellent opportunities to swim and sunbathe. Remember that the sun here is strong and if you burn easily, you will need a good sunscreen. Also the river can be rocky, so before any jumping in, please check to make sure it is clear to do so!

Our second day's rafting is a further continuation of the fun and has the added advantage that the countryside changes as the Trisuli meets the Marsyangdi River at Mugling and turns southwards to India. The river narrows and some beautiful gorges are passed, often monkeys are seen scampering through the trees and the river takes on an almost primordial aspect with dense forests of tall trees and clinging vines right down to the water's edge.

Days 12 & 13: Chitwan  A short private bus ride from our night's camp and we are in the Terai and soon at the pick-up point for the  Chitwan National Park. Four-wheel drive vehicles or sometimes elephants are used to take us from the main road to the camp where, after almost two weeks in a tent, you are given a twin bedded room with hot showers and towels! The temptation is to luxuriate in them but the jungle beckons. After a briefing from the naturalist guides you will commence an exploration of this intriguing area. The Lodge has a programme that allows you to experience all the different activities such as elephant safari, jungle walks, canoe rides down the nearby Rapti River, elephant briefing, bird watching and so on.

The main animals that people come to see are the One-Horned Rhino and the Bengal Tiger but remember that both animals are extremely rare and difficult to find, especially the tiger. The jungle is thick and dense, unlike the plains of Africa, and the activities not to miss are the dawn and dusk tours when the animals are at their most active, as during the day they often lie up through the heat. The day is the time of the birds and with over 400 species in the park, this incredible variety is well worth the jungle walk and view tower visit.

You will be together as a group on all activities and the real secret to seeing animals in Chitwan is to work together. When you go out on activities, the quieter you are and the more subdued the clothing the far greater chance you have.

Day 14: Everest Panorama Resort. Transfer by private bus to the E.P.R  for a relaxing day enjoying this wonderful hill country. From this resort in early morning, before the clouds bubble up, or at dusk, you can get  perhaps the finest overall  views of the Himalayas in Nepal. You should get an extensive glimpse of an array of mountains from Dhalaugiri to Makalu! Afternoon activities are available for those who would like to experience the excitement of mountain biking, fishing, pony trekking or a monastery walk nearby.  After a delicious buffet dinner, a party in the coziness of the "Base Camp Bar" is not unknown as the sun slips down over the mountains.

Day 15: Return to Kathmandu and your hotel in the morning. Your group leader will collect the "Trekpack" from you and then you're free, with time to continue exploring this wonderful city, shopping for souvenirs and trying out the various restaurants in Thamel.

Day 16: Depart. Time to fly home. Please make sure that you have collected all your valuables from the security deposit and settled all your hotel bills. Coordinating with your flight time, the transport staff will pick you up and take you to the International Airport for your flight home.

   
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Sherpa Expeditions, 131a Heston Road, Hounslow TW5 0RF, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 8577 2717 Fax: +44 (0)20 8572 9788
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