On the Trail of Annapurna

Welcome to Nepal!

It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from Yeti Holidays will meet you at the airport and escort you to hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities.

Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: None

After breakfast at the hotel, commence the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city, Swayambhunath and Patan city.

KATHMANDU CITY: Kasthamandap, the source of the name Kathmandu means ‘made from the timber of a single tree’. Also known as Kantipur, the capital Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's art and culture. It is a place for rest, relaxation and easy-day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments. Kathmandu Durbar Square with its arrays of temples, Seto Machhindranath and the ancient palace of the former Nepali Royals enriches your experience of the centuries old civilisation.

SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA: Said to be around 2000 years old, this Buddhist Stupa sits atop a hill. The main stupa is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire crowned by a pinnacle of Copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The hill of Swayambhunath is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples. You’ll get a scenic view of Kathmandu city from there.

PATAN CITY: Located about 5 km south of Kathmandu, Patan is one of 3 royal cities in the valley. A destination for connoisseurs of fine arts, Patan is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments.

Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty later expanded and enriched by the Licchavi and the Malla rulers in the medieval period. Patan Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. The former Royal palace complex is the centre of Patan’s religious and social life, and houses a beautiful museum. One remarkable monument here is 16th century temples dedicated to the Hindu go Krishna, built entirely of stone.

Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to domestic airport fly to Pokhara [25 minutes] and continue drive to trek put in point at Bhadauray.

Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty. At an elevation lower than that of Kathmandu, it has much more tropical feel to it; a fact well appreciated by the beautiful diverse flowers that prosper in this environment. The enchanting city with a population of around 95,000 has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panaromic views of Himalayan peaks. The valleys surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forest, gushing rivers, emerald lakes and of course, the views of world famous Himalayas. The serenity of the lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic.

Pokhara is the most popular destination for visitors to Nepal. The city is also known as the center of adventure. There is little in its past by way of neither history nor culture impact and the only important role that the old Pokhara played was that it was along the route of trade between India and Tibet. Today it is one of the fastest developing cities of Nepal, mainly due to tourism.

The natural beauty of its lakeside location and its proximity to the mountains has made it the natural choice for trekkers and adventures. Pokhara is also the base for some of most famous trekking circuits of Nepal. By itself surrounding area provides ample scope for short walk and day trips, suitable for children or weary trekkers, which can be made around the valley.

Upon arrival in Pokhara meet, assist by our trek crew and transfer to local restaurant for Lunch. After lunch drive to Bhadauray. From Bhadauray go uphill on a broad trail that climbs gently to Naudanda, on the top of the ridge at 1430m. Naudanda is a large village with a police check post, school and several hotels varying from tiny bhattis to well developed, western-style hotels. Campers should consider the school yard or the ridge behind the village. The views of the entire Annapuran range in the morning make a night stop in Naudanda worth the sleepless night caused by barking dogs in the middle of the village. To the south, there are excellent views of Phewa Tal and the city lights of Pokhara. There are several hotels and another good campsite about 15 minutes above the village on the top of the ridge.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast walking 1 hour the trail traverses along the southern slopes of the Kaski ridge below the crest. Pass Kaski village and after about 1 hour rach Maudanda 1450m a large village the main trade route leading to the Kali Gandaki, Mustang and Tibet join the trail from the Yangdi Khola here and pony/mule trains will be frequently met until we leave this trail and most other trekkers and contour south of Salyan.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The trail descends a steep dusty trail that switchbacks down to the Modi Khola. Passing a few houses near the river, the route crosses a suspension bridge at 1065m. On the far side of the bridge is Birethanti, a large and prosperous town with a winding street paved with large stones. A trail up the Modi Khola to Ghandrung begins at Birethanti just behind the first house of the village.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

From Tikhendhunga the trail drops down and crosses the Burungdi Khola, then climbs all the way up to Ghorepani via very steeply up to village Ulleri. The Ulleri Hill with thousands of steps and boulders that continually go upward would really prove a test of your stamina. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means "horse-water" owing to its role as an important campsite for traders before it became a trekker's stop. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and craft. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather especially in the evenings.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Rest day in Ghorepani. Sunrise excursion to Poon Hill, which has even more amazing and unobstructed views of the massive peaks of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Early morning we climb the steep trail to the famous viewpoint of Poon Hill to enjoy the sunrise over Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Mt. Annapurna I , Annapurna South , Annapurna III , Machhapuchhare (Fishtail.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After a breakfast at Ghorepani we descend through passes through the blazing rhododendron and oak forest, picturesque waterfalls making our way to Beshi Karka.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

On proceeding further, you pass through Pothana and reach Deorali. At this point, you find yourself high up on the East side of the Modi Khola cascading down the Annapurna Circuit Sanctuary surrounded by complete ambience of nature. Continue with your trekking for four hours until you reach picturesque Gurung settlement of Landrung. Spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli instil more zest and excitement into your adventure spirit.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The trek leads slowly downhill on even paths. There's no climbing and plenty of spots along the way to lie back in the grass. You'll also come across several traditional tea houses where the cheerful local women will beckon you to come over and try their tea. You'll arrive in Dhampus by late afternoon; this is the starting point for expeditions to the summit of Mount Everest. You'll spend the night in a basic lodge where you can have chance to meet the trekker who did Annapurna circuit trek, or you can just sit back with a mug of masala tea and enjoy the amazing view.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

After breakfast, you will leave for Hyangia where a driver will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara which will take 45 minutes. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish in this friendly town on the lake. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

After breakfast commence the sightseeing tour of Pokhara city....

Bindabasini temple: Bindabasini Mandir is of great religious importance to Hindus living in the Pokhara region. It is a vital hub of religious fervour. The temple itself is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, who is Pokhara's chosen guardian deity. Durg a, also known as Shakti or Kali has numerous manifestations and at the Bindabasini temple she is seen as Bhagwati, a blood-thirsty aspect of the goddess. Durga appears in the form of a Saligram. A Saligram, according to Hindu mythology is a propitious stone. It is said that the temple was created after the goddess ordered king Khadag Bum Malla to set up her statue here. The Bindabasini temple was then founded in BS 1845. Since its establishment, Bhagwati has been an object of worship here on a daily basis. Animal sacrifices are typically presented at the temple on Saturdays and Tuesdays. The Hindu festival of Dashain sees large numbers of believers coming to offer sacrifices at Binhyabasini Mandir. Indeed, there is little space for tourist during the festival of Dashain.

Seti River: Nature has gifted Pokhara Seti gorge is a remarkable natural beauty in exotic valley Pokhara. Seti River means White Water River. It is silently flows in centre part of Pokhara. The silver colour river made the wonderful Gorge, which called Seti Gorge. Seti Gorge is an unique and wonderful looking. It flows through the deep rifts of the Conglomerate Mountains. It flows deep into the ground right from Bagar near KI Singh Bridge to Sita Paila, Dhunge Sangu. The Seti River flows almost 40 to 50 meters down the rift. Mostly it can see from KI Sing Bridge at Bagar, Mahendra Bridge at Mahendrapool market and Chinese bridge at Lakhan chowk. Seti river flows from North West to South of this exotic valley Pokhara in silently by this Gorge.

Devi's fall: Locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's fall), Devi's fall is an amazing waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen. It was named after Devi, a Swiss lady who was swept away when the floodgates were accidently opened, never to be seen again.

Gupteshwor Mahadev cave is probably the longest and attractive cave in south Asia which is located at the pristine location of northwestern part of Pokhara, a world famous tourist destination in Gandaki zone and Kaski district.

Ancestors called this place as desolate Khatri Tara. At that time water steam used to come out from this place and some courageous youngsters used to go inside and catch fishes. In 1970, 1980 and 1982 a British Expedition Organization named British course Research Cave Expedition expatiated this cave and published about it in The Atlas Great Cave of the World. This cave was formally established in 1994-01-01 which is a religious and touristic destination and called as Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave.

PM: Boat ride at Phewa Lake: Spend a quiet time boating in the ultimate lake where the reflections of Mount Annapurna and Machhapuchhare range falls. You will also see a variety of fishes while boating. An island temple is located at the middle of the lake. Thick forest lies on the adjoining southern slopes of the lake. It’s hard to escape the draw of Phewa Lake and any visitor with even a few spare minutes should endeavour to take a boat out on the water to fully experience the wonderful views of the reflected mountains.

Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.

Today, after breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. You can spend the evening leisurely; perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping.

Evening free time for shopping in the local tourist market -Thamel or just relax at the Hotel.

Thamel is the epi-center for shopping in Kathmandu. It can be a stressful place because of the street vendors, rickshaw drivers and high speed motorbikes. But there is no question that it is jam- packed with shops, selling everything from ready-to-wear Western clothes, embroider T-shirts, Tibetan carpets, clothing, Thangkas (Buddhist paintings) and curios (“singing bowls” etc), Pashmina shawls, Nepali souvenirs like khukuris (Gurkha’s traditional knife) and madals (drums), jewellery, paper products (the local lokta plant is used to make a fine & unique paper – a nice and practical souvenir or gift), colorful masks and puppets, metalwork & woodcarvings

Dinner at local restaurant with cultural program: If you are traveling to any country, you would not go back without trying its national food. "typical Nepali Bhojan ", the name ‘Bhojan’ directly interpreted in English means food, but the restaurant is about more than just a house of food.

The house, the setting, is also special. It dates back over 150 years. A renovated 4 storey building, it originally belonged to the royal priest of the king of Nepal.

Taste authentic organic Nepalese food. Enjoy simultaneously local folk dances and songs. Dining at typical Nepali restaurant, meaning House of Food, is a unique experience. Fascinating Nepalese cultural décor and artifacts bring past and present alive. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast.

We ensure that that you will leave Kathmandu with cherishing memory and an experience of a lifetime. Our representative will drive you to the airport in time for your flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast.