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Mountain Vistas & River Quests in Nepal

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 Trip Length
13 Days
 Trip Starts
Kathmandu
 Trip Finishes
Kathmandu
13 Day Mountain Vistas & River Quests in Nepal Itinerary (Exodus)
Countries Explored: Nepal
Trip Style
Exodus Edits
Budget
Affordable
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
ENX

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Exodus 13 Day Mountain Vistas & River Quests in Nepal. This two-week jaunt explores the contrasts of Nepal, witnessing the best of its energy and its serenity. Get swept up in the dynamism of Kathmandu before hiking into the Annapurna Range on an unforgettable four-night Himalayan trek, staying in comfortable mountain lodges. And there’s more: you’ll raft through jungle and overnight in a safari-style tented river camp, then journey to sub-tropical Chitwan National Park on a soul-stirring wildlife adventure.

Itinerary

On the transfer from the airport, you'll get a glimpse of Kathmandu's colour and chaos before arriving at Hotel Mulberry, a calm oasis in the buzzing Thamel area. Head to the rooftop infinity pool to catch the views before joining the welcome briefing with a complimentary cocktail (or mocktail). Tonight, dinner with your new group is included and afterwards we'll head to Jazz Upstairs, a popular local haunt (if the jazz bar's closed today then you'll go tomorrow).

Your first full day in Kathmandu has you fully immersed in its sights, sounds and flavours. After breakfast, you'll step out into the city's alleyways on a street food and sightseeing tour. Travelling alongside the locals on foot and by cycle rickshaw, you'll get under the skin of this intoxicating place, visiting Asan Tole, the busiest market square in the city. You'll try chiya, milky tea, and check off the city's architectural and cultural highlights: Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath ‘Monkey Temple'. For anyone wanting to do an optional Everest mountain flight, these generally take place in the morning (weather permitting) so it's a trade off with some of the sightseeing.

You'll leave Kathmandu behind after breakfast, taking a 30-minute morning flight to Pokhara. This lakeside town is the gateway to the Annapurna Range and the adventure capital of Nepal. It's where your four-day mountain trek begins. You'll have a briefing at the trekking office before an hour-long drive to the start point. Today's three to four-hour walk follows a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas, before descending to the Modi River Valley. A picnic lunch is provided on the way. Tonight, you'll stay at Ker & Downey's Sanctuary Lodge at Birethanti. You'll arrive in time for drinks and nibbles at happy hour with views of the sacred and unclimbed Mount Machhapuchhre, or Fishtail Mountain.

The trek continues after breakfast, following the Modi Khola River and past small farms with an ever-present backdrop of Mount Machhapuchhre. A long climb up stone steps follows, passing through the rice fields and forest. After about five hours' walking, you'll arrive at Ker & Downey's Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk in time for a late lunch. Now at 6,500 feet, you'll see distant villages and terraced fields, surrounded by the iconic mountains.

The sunrises from Ghandruk are worth getting up early for. Enjoy the tranquillity of the view before your trek continues, descending steeply down the valley to cross a suspension bridge that leads to a stone staircase rising to Landruk village. You'll pass under the cliffs where honey hunters climb up on ropes to harvest wild honey (seasonal). Lunch will be ready as you arrive at Ker & Downey's La Bee Lodge. The afternoon is yours to savour the views or explore the village with your guide and learn about the Gurung community.

There's a more leisurely day of trekking ahead today, with no steep inclines. You'll pass through villages and farmlands on the way to Majgaon, where lunch is in a village house with a demonstration of how rice wine and selroti bread is made. Tonight we stay in another comfortable Ker & Downey lodge; either Gurung or Mala Lodge (varies depending on departure date).

After breakfast, you'll trek for about an hour to the village of Chandrakot. Enjoy the views before continuing for another half hour to Lumle where you'll be met and transferred back to Pokhara, about an hour's drive away. You'll check into Bodhi Suites, an elegant hotel that will feel heavenly after your trek. A spa, sauna and rooftop pool provide some well-deserved post-trek pampering.

Namaste. Start the day right with a morning yoga class. A cookery class follows where you'll learn to make momo dumplings and devour them for lunch. An afternoon bike ride explores the countryside around Lake Phewa, with its mountain backdrop reflecting off the water.

You'll leave Pokhara behind after breakfast today, ready for a day on the water. After driving through the countryside to Damauli for about 90 minutes, you'll meet an experienced rafting crew for a briefing before hitting the Seti River. You'll raft through two small Grade II rapids, but the majority of today's raft ride is gently floating past villages and jungle, stopping for a picnic en route. You'll reach Ker & Downey's Seti River Camp where home for the night is in a safari-style tent with a veranda and en suite bathroom.

The rafting adventure continues this morning, upping the ante with five Grade II rapids. Long sections of calmer waters in between means there's ample opportunity to enjoy the lush surrounds. After a few hours, you'll be driven to Chitwan National Park, a famous reserve of marshland and grassland that's home to Indian one-horned rhinos, monkeys, elephants and the elusive leopards. At Jagatpur Lodge, you'll meet your naturalist guide before heading out on a bullock cart ride to visit a Tharu village. Tonight, there's a bush BBQ dinner.

A jam-packed morning exploring Chitwan is lined up today. There's an early morning birdwatching walk before breakfast. Then a trip along the Rapti River in a dugout canoe, looking for crocs. Before dinner, there's a jeep safari, making a stop in a scenic spot for sundowners. If you're lucky, you may encounter some rhinos or some of the several species of deer.

There's an optional birdwatching walk this morning, before a late morning flight from nearby Bharatpur to Kathmandu. Back in the city hullabaloo, the afternoon is yours to explore.

After breakfast, a transfer will return you to Kathmandu airport.

Trip Inclusions

  • A four-day trek through the Annapurna Range (suitable for the uninitiated!) with spellbinding views of ‘Fishtail' Mountain
  • Raft through the jungle along the Seti River and share stories around the campfire
  • Delve into Chitwan National Park in search of the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros

  • Five nights in comfortable hotels, four nights comfortable Ker & Downey mountain lodges, a night in a safari-style tented river camp and two nights in a comfortable jungle lodge
  • Four days point-to-point walking with full porterage (low altitude throughout)
  • Free arrival & departure transfers
  • All breakfasts, eight lunches and nine dinners
  • All transport (including two internal flights) and listed activities
  • Tour leader throughout, plus specialist guides where necessary
  • Overnight jungle rafting adventure on Seti River
  • Chitwan wildlife safari in search of endangered rhinos and more
  • Complimentary happy hour drinks in the Ker & Downey lodges & Seti River Camp
  • Trek pack including a souvenir water bottle, sun hat and scarf
About Exodus Travels
About Exodus Travels

From classic small group tours & family adventures, to walking holidays, cycling trips and self-guided tours. Read more

Exodus Trip Leaders
Exodus Trip Leaders

Exodus chooses their Leaders carefully. Professional, dedicated and are passionate about sharing their home countries. Read more

Accommodation with Personality
Accommodation with Personality

Wherever possible, Exodus chooses properties that are locally owned and that reflect the area you are visiting. Read more

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Exodus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Exodus. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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