Nepal - Culture, Safari, Trekking, Yoga

COMFORT

Day 1: Namaste in Nepal

Welcome to Nepal - upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport, you will be greeted by your Nepalese guide. A transfer to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu follows. Look forward to the first group dinner at the hotel, where there will also be a brief meeting about the trip and the trekking. (Departure from Germany/Austria/Switzerland usually the day before).

Day 2: Kathmandu

Fortified by breakfast, today is all about culture. In the centre of Kathmandu, you will explore the traces of the former kings. In the old royal city, now Dhurbar Square, is also the home of the living goddess Kumari. Gather unforgettable impressions of Nepalese culture before heading to the "Little Tibet" of Kathmandu. This refers to the area around the famous Bodnath Stupa - one of the largest Buddhist sanctuaries in Nepal. With the scent of incense in the air and Buddhist sounds, this special place invites you to linger.

Day 3: Kathmandu - Pokhara

After breakfast, embark on an adventurous journey to Pokhara (about 210 km - about 8 hours). Enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding hill landscape with numerous rice terraces and the beautiful valleys of the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers during the drive.

Day 4: Pokhara - Kande - Landruk

Trekking approx. 5-6 hrs. (↑ approx. 350m, ↓ approx. 650m)

In the morning, take a bus for about 1.5 hrs to the starting point of the trek in Kande (about 1,770 m), where your support team (porters) awaits you. The trek initially leads partly over stone steps to the Australian Camp - the highest point of the day at over 2,000 m - and continues to Pothana. With a bit of luck, you will be treated to a fascinating view of the Annapurna Massif with the peaks of Macchapuchhre, Annapurna II and IV, as well as Annapurna South. A gravel path takes you past idyllic villages to Tolka and along the broad Modi Khola Valley to your destination for the day, Landruk (about 1,570 m). In the evening, look forward to a relaxing yoga session to loosen up your muscles after the first day of trekking. You will stay in typical local lodges/tea houses this night and the following nights.

Day 5: Landruk - Chhomrong

Trekking approx. 5-6 hrs. (↑ approx. 950m, ↓ approx. 300m)

Yoga for breakfast! Start each day of the trek with a yoga and meditation session (about 1 hour). Strengthened by breakfast, you descend with unobstructed views of the peaks of Hiunchuli and Annapurna South to the riverbank of the roaring Modi Khola to New Bridge (about 1,350 m). To set the tone for what lies ahead today, you cross the first large suspension bridge over the Modi Khola. The highlight comes a bit later and shortens the path to the lunch break. In the afternoon, a steep climb follows to Chhomrong (about 2,170 m). The village where you will stay tonight charms with its allure and a fantastic view of the mountains - you are tantalisingly close to Annapurna South (7,219m).

Day 6: Chhomrong - Tadapani

Trekking approx. 5-6 hrs. (↑ approx. 1,000m, ↓ approx. 400m)

In the morning, hike about 30 minutes uphill, after which you are rewarded with an impressive view over the surrounding valleys. With this view in tow, continue downhill to the suspension bridge over the Kimrong Khola. Then, the path leads uphill through terraces, typically planted with millet, maize, wheat, or rice. After lunch, another scenic highlight awaits: a mystical rhododendron forest with impressive flora and fauna. Distracted by this natural beauty, or with a bit of luck, even a monkey or two, you reach your destination for the day, Tadapani (about 2,630 m).

Day 7: Tadapani - Ghorepani

Trekking approx. 5 hrs (↑ approx. 800m, ↓ approx. 600m)

If the weather is fine, enjoy your breakfast with a wonderful view of the Annapurna range before heading towards Ghorepani (about 2,840 m). The landscape reveals itself anew today - through a gorge with many waterfalls, you hike uphill to Deurali and enjoy your lunch break already at 3,000 meters. In the afternoon, the path leads over the Deurali Pass (about 3,190 m), from which, weather permitting, a breathtaking view - including of Dhaulagiri - awaits you. After a short descent, you reach the small mountain town of Ghorepani.

Day 8: Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Hile

Trekking approx. 1 hr (↑↓ approx. 400 m) and approx. 4-5 hrs (↓ approx. 1,400m)

Highlight: Very early in the morning, before sunrise, you venture the about 50-minute climb to the famous viewing platform at Poon Hill (about 3,210 m). Enjoy the natural spectacle with a cup of coffee or tea in hand: at sunrise, the snow-capped 8,000m peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, as well as many other 7,000m peaks of both mountain ranges, shine - an unforgettable mountain panorama unfolds before your eyes.

Back at the accommodation, there's still a delicious breakfast before your path today leads downhill to Hile (about 1,430 m). Rhododendrons, small streams, and of course, the stone steps, which demand your concentration today, accompany you. In Hile, where it is also noticeably warmer, enjoy the last evening of the trek together with the support team.

Day 9: Hile - Nayapul - Pokhara

Trekking approx. 3 hrs (↑ approx. 100 m, ↓ approx. 500 m) - Drive to Pokhara (approx. 2 hrs.)

From Hile, you hike in the morning on a gravel road, through small villages and the town of Birethanti for about 3 hours to Nayapul (about 1,070 m). Here the trekking ends and the support team bids farewell. By bus, it takes about 2 hours back to Pokhara. The afternoon is at your leisure. Enjoy the splendid location of the city with a walk by the lake, a stroll along the "Lake Side" - a very famous shopping street - or relax with a well-deserved massage (bookable on-site through your tour leader).

Day 10: Pokhara

After a hearty breakfast, take a boat ride on the beautiful Phewa Lake, followed by a visit to a Tibetan refugee village. The Tibetans demonstrate their craftsmanship here, producing carpets and various artefacts. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the world of Ayurveda. Be surprised by the programme at one of the numerous Ayurveda Centres in Pokhara. The evening is at your disposal.

Day 11: Pokhara - Chitwan

Head south! An adventurous drive awaits you towards the south, specifically to Chitwan National Park (driving time about 5 hours). As you drive further away from the mountains and the playful hill landscape of Nepal, you get to know another side of Nepal - the flatlands, also known as Terai. Before dinner, take a walk through the surrounding villages of the indigenous Tharu people.

Day 12: Chitwan National Park

The day is entirely dedicated to the national park. After breakfast, start with a canoe trip on the Rapti and Young Rapti rivers, where, with a bit of luck, you might spot crocodiles, Ganges gharials, and numerous birds. Then, take a walk through the forest in search of more wild animals. After lunch, a jeep safari is on the agenda. Enjoy the unique flora and fauna of the national park. Overnight in Chitwan.

Day 13: Chitwan National Park - Kathmandu

Today, you drive on the Nepalese "Highway" back to Kathmandu. Once again, enjoy the view of the surrounding rice terraces and the valley of the Trishuli River (driving time about 6 hours). Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 14: Departure

Today it's time to say goodbye. Depending on your flight time, a transfer to the airport will be arranged.

In the hotels (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan), a continental/Nepalese breakfast buffet is available. It includes coffee/tea, toast, jam, fruit, yoghurt, fruit juice, eggs (omelette, hard-boiled, scrambled, etc.), small sausages or bacon, and always something local (e.g., vegetables in spicy sauce with typical bread).

In the National Park, there is also an evening buffet with typical Nepalese/continental dishes including soup and dessert (suitable for vegetarians).

During the trekking, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included (exclusively vegetarian). The dishes are prepared on-site in small kitchens by locals using almost exclusively local, sometimes even home-grown, ingredients. Be delighted by the Nepalese cuisine.

During the trekking tour, you will be accompanied by a local, trained yoga teacher. What better place to learn the art of yoga than in a Hindu/Buddhist country, where yoga also originated. Your yoga teacher speaks English - all yoga and meditation sessions will be conducted in English.