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Poon Hill and Chitwan |
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A Private tour, trek and safari in Nepal |
Ref: NP04
15 days
from £1585 (minimum 2 passengers)
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Destination:
Nepal
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The tour below is one of contrasts. You will have time to explore the temples, squares and palaces of Kathmandu and also walk through beautiful foothills covered in picturesque villages and terraced fields. You will climb to one of the most famous vantage points in the Himalaya to watch sunrise on some of the worlds highest peaks before travelling to the jungle to go in search of the tiger. The trek is fully supported, allowing you to enjoy the hospitality of the villagers and absorb the wonderful scenery while travelling in the classic trekking manner first employed by the early climbing expeditions - good food, comfortable camps and walks through air so fresh that the great snow-clad peaks hang before you in sparkling clarity. Our private tours mean you can travel whenever you want, with whoever you want rather than be tied to group departures and itineraries. The prices listed are for 2 people travelling together. For groups of 4+, please contact us for a reduced quote.
The Kingdom of Nepal, once known as the Forbidden Kingdom, is surrounded by Tibet and the Himalayas to the north and India and the jungle to the south. Although small in comparison to its neighbours it contains some of the most spectacular and beautiful scenery in the world, while offering one of the most colourful and diverse cultures in Asia.
The main valley of Kathmandu is itself surrounded by mountains and home to the 3 main cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. For centuries they vied for supremacy and eventually the war-like Kathmandu won. Today it is a vibrant modern city but still with its history and tradition permiating life. Rush hour congestion is as likely to be caused by a resting sacred cow as too much traffic and amid the neon signs, small shrines and temples are still daubed with sacred paint and stewn with flowers.
Outside Kathmandu, Nepal is a land of contrasts, its scenery varying from the highest peaks on earth inhabited by the hardy Sherpa people, down to lowland swamp and jungles where only the malaria -resistant Tharu tribe can survive. Its religion is officially Hindu but many, including the Tibetan exiles, practise Buddhism and everybody celebrates everybody elses festivals. That they can worship 33 million gods, and also follow a religion that recognises none, seems natural in a country of such diverse peoples.
The Kathmandu Valley and many places in Nepal are important to both religions, with important sources of the Ganges being places of pilgrimmage to many Hindus, while many of the chapters in the Buddhas life having taken place in the Nepalese lowlands. Terraces climbing hillsides, villages perched on ridges, deep valleys with suspension bridges across raging rivers, Tigers and, who knows, the Yeti, Nepal has a lot to offer.
Highlights Include:
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Excellent views of the Annapurna range
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Classic trekking holiday
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Chitwan National Park
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Elephant safari to see rhino and tiger
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City of Kathmandu
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Day 1 | Depart from the UK by scheduled flight. | Day 2 | Arrive in Kathmandu. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to either relax or explore the City. | Day 3 | A full day of sightseeing in Kathmandu. The tour starts with a visit to Swayambhunath, known as the monkey temple and the largest and most sacred of the Hindu temples, offering good views of the surrounding valley. You will also visit the Cremation grounds on the banks of the Bagwati river at Pasupatinath and the main Buddhist Stupa at Bodnath, the centre of the Tibetan community in Kathmandu. There will also be time to visit Durbar Square, the bustling heart of the old town and home to the Living Goddess, one of the many deities worshiped in Nepal. | Day 4 | An early start for the spectacular drive down to Terai (Jungle Lowlands) and the Chitwan National Park. Overnight at the lodge. | Day 5 | A full day at the Chitwan National Park looking at the flora and fauna. As well at Tiger and leopard, the park is also home to the asian Rhino and 2 types of crocodile. The day will be spent exploring the park by foot and elephantback looking for the animals, as well as the colourful and varied local birdlife. | Day 6 | After a morning spent game-watching in the park you drive to to Pokhara. Here you are met and transferred to your hotel. Evening at leisure. | Day 7 | Today is the start of your trek. You drive to Nayapul where you meet all your trekking crew, before taking to the trail and walking to and camping at Tirkhedhunga in the picturesque Annapurna foothills. | Day 8 | Today you continue trekking, following footpaths that have for cenruries been the main trade and communication routes for the region. You pass though several villages, with the chance to stop for drinks, and see the spectacular terraces that make Nepal so famous. Your destination is the large village of Ghorepani, meaning "horse water" because of its important position at the junction of these ancient trade routes piled by mules and ponies. Camp overnight. | Day 9 | A very early morning so as to be at the top of Poon Hill in time for the sunrise. As dawn lights up the summits of Dhauligiri, Annapurna 1 and Machapuchure you witness one of the most spectacular views in the Himalaya- the worlds tallest mountains emerging for the day from a vantage point with a 360 degree view. When the sun is up you return to Ghorepani and drop down through thick rhodadendrum forest to the village of Tadapani, meaning "hot water" after nearby thermal springs. We will trek to Tadapani. Camp overnight. | Day 10 | Today you descend along the Khimnu Khola (river) to its confluence the Modi Khola, beforel trekking to Ghandruka and Gurung Village, home of famous Gurkhas. | Day 11 | Continuing down the Modi Khola the rail turns and starts a steep climb to the village of Landrung. You will then walk through a dense rhododendron forests as you climb towards Potana before you arrive at the ridge top village of Dhampus. This will be your last night camping. | Day 12 | Our trek ends at Phedi where you say goodbye to your trekking crew and drive to Pokhara, situated on the edge of a picturesque lake and the perfect place to unwind after the trek. | Day 13 | Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. | Day 14 | A free day in Kathmandu for last minute shopping or sightseeing. Many people wish to visit Bhaktapur, perhaps the best preserved of all the Kathmandu valley cities. Its central Durbar square is now protected as a World Heritage site. | Day 15 | Transfer to the airport in time for your flight home. Arrive UK. |
Departures Between | Price from | 01 Nov 02 - 30 Apr 03 | *£1585 | 20 Sep 03 - 09 Dec 03 | *£1670 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
Price is per person based on two sharing and includes:
- International flights
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Internal flights and transfer costs
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Hotels and breakfast in Kathmandu and Chitwan
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All camping equipment (except sleeping bag) and full-board on trek
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English-speaking guide and porters on trek
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Game-viewing, one session on elephant back
Not included: Main meals in Kathmandu. Sleeping bag (they can be hired locally in Kathmandu). Personnal equipment (boots, daypack etc.). Insurance.
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Poon Hill and Chitwan
A Private tour, trek and safari in Nepal
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