Upon arrival we will be met by a representative of World Expeditions Schools and transferred to the comfortable group hotel located in the centre of the action! We will have the afternoon to freshen up and take a walk around the city before a pre-trek briefing. We will discuss the itinerary, Nepal, food and culture as well as ask any questions that we have about the trip. Afterwards we will receive our kit bags, down jackets and sleeping bags, ready for the trekking part of the trip. Afterwards we will have our first taste of Nepali cuisine in a local restaurant and celebrate our arrival in the Himalaya.

Meals:  D

After breakfast we will be taken on an exciting tour of Kathmandu, a city designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, and brimming with religious, historical and cultural monuments. There is so much to see so we will pack as much as we can into this morning and afternoon. Firstly we will visit the vibrant Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu. The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams (Holy Abodes of Shiva on the continent). Over the past times, only born Hindus were allowed to enter the temple. Boudhanath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. The stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. We journey a short distance to the medieval town of Bhaktapur, known as ‘Khwopa’. This fascinating settlement is rich with temples, monasteries and palaces, with ornately carved features such as the famous ‘Peacock Window’. The main square, Durbar Square, is also UNESCO world heritage site, and is best appreciated by sitting and watching while one of the many religious festivals and processions passes by.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we will take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest town (820 m)(2460 ft), and our base for setting out into the Himalaya. Situated on Fewa lake at 820 m (2460 ft) above sea level, the city has some stunning views of the nearby Annapurna mountains. We will drive to the trail head at Khara for an hour. before kitting up, taking a quick stretch, before beginning the first leg of the trek. The trail firstly winds uphill through terraced fields where locals grow millet, buckwheat, potatoes and rice, before heading through mixed oak and rhododendron forest. This is a short day with plenty of time to reach camp, designed to ease the group gently into the trek and acclimatize them. Stunning views of Annapurna and surrounding peaks greet us on reaching our campsite at Dhampus, a small community that exist on farming and shepherding, as well as the nascent tourism industry. We will set up camp and enjoy a hearty meal and a cup of tea, before settling in for our first night under canvas. Trekking time: 2 - 3 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After a (hopefully) bright sunrise in the mountains we will continue our trek through a series of Gurung villages where lifestyles have not changed substantially over the centuries, following a river down a valley and stopping for regular breaks to consider the evidence of geographic interest around us. Erosion, volcanic activity and climate change has continually altered the landscape around us, and the people that live here have adapted very efficiently to cope. After a picnic lunch with mountain views, we follow the trail along a river to the prosperous village of Landruk where we camp for the night. Landruk is a small village of around 1000 inhabitants and is well known locally for its honey hunting festival and its traditional Gurung culture. Trekking time: 4 - 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After an early breakfast we backtrack for an hour through the morning before following a trail high above the stunning Modi Khola gorge, its sheer walls rising up high around us, created by millenia of melting glacial waters that run down from the mountains. This is a great stage of the trek which will lead us again out into terraced fields and ancient oak forest (with a few ups and downs to cross tributaries) before a gradual ascent to the village of Ghandruk. We will have ample time to explore this ancient settlement and include visits to the local museum and learn about about the community that has provided the backbone of the famous Gurkha regiments for many years. Our destination is the beautiful and ornate village of Ghandruk, home to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Trekking time: 3 - 4 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

The morning views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare are stunning, and will remain with us as we walk for around 2 hours on a broad trail that traverses and descends to our lunch stop at Syaulibazar. After lunch we drive to Pokhara and will stay in hotel in Pokhara. Driving time: approximately 2-3 hours Trekking time: approximately 2 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we transfer to Chitwan by road. On arrival we are briefed on the planned activities during our stay. Late afternoon and early morning are the best times to sight wildlife, so other times tend to be for less energetic activities. We will have lunch at our lodge and commence our activity program.

Meals:  B,D

A full day’s activities are available including jungle walks, canoe rides, bird-watching and jeep safari, as well as lectures on other fauna. Our concession area is the territory of many species of wildlife including 3 tigers, 5 leopards, 7 rhino, and many deer, boar, bear, peacocks, an extraordinary number of bird species and is occasionally visited by wild elephants.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we will transfer by road north to Kathmandu. We will enjoy a final group meal with some hearty Nepalese food and discuss what we have learned and enjoyed from our expedition to Nepal. Driving time: approximately 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

We will drive to the airport for our flight home, and to say goodbye to this beautiful mountain kingdom.

Meals:  B