On arrival at Kathmandu Airport, you'll be greeted by our driver and whisked away to your hotel. Once you've freshened up and recovered from yoru flight, your Nepal trip package really begins and you can take a stroll around the area to soak up the typical Nepalese atmosphere, maybe even find a good spot to eat. Definitely check out one of the many rooftop restaurants Thamel has to offer. Your hotel, located just outside the centre of Kathmandu is full of character and has a beautiful serene courtyard garden.

Day 2 will be completely free for you to explore, acclimatise, and do as you please.

Today on the Nepal trip package you'll be picked up by our driver for a one-hour drive to the village of Chisapani. Here you'll meet the guide and porter who will be travelling with you during the next few days of your Nepal trip package. Then, it's time to lace up your hiking boots and begin the trek along a steep path with breathtaking views. You'll trek through the Nepalese countryside, in all its beauty and variety. On the way, you'll pass a water basin and several small Tamang villages where the children will run out to meet you and stare in curious amazement. After a short break the trek will continue through oak forests filled with rhododendrons and eventually you'll end up back in Chisapani, where you'll stay in a lodge built especially for trekkers. You'll spend the night at an elevation of 2300m.

Today your Nepal trip package continues as you trek through beautiful terraced fields and idyllic villages. The local children love it when you stop to play with them for a while; hide-and-seek or kicking a ball around is guaranteed to make them smile. It'll certainly be an unforgettable experience for everyone. However, even though it may be tempting we don't recommend giving them any money or sweets. You'll spend the night in the friendly village Kutumsang. This is a traditional Tamang village with a great rural atmosphere at an elevation of 2130m.

Today you'll begin the long climb to the highest point of the trek at a whopping altitude of 3490m. As the vegetation becomes more sparse you'll soon be rewarded with beautiful views across the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys below. During the last part of the trek you'll start to see the peaks of the Himalayas appear out of nowhere. At the top of Tharepati you can catch your breath and enjoy of the view of the snow-capped peaks around you. You'll spend the night in a unique lodge built into the rock face. After dinner you'll hit the sack, and they'll be time to take in all the experiences so far on your Nepal trip package...

This is one of the most spectacular days of the Nepal trip package. At dawn you'll enjoy some amazing views as the soft morning light slowly colours the mountains. You then descend through a forest of giant trees with the Himalayan peaks glistening through the treetops. After heading downhill for a couple of hours the temperature will become more pleasant. Before long the path will start a steep decline before ending at the river running through the valley. You'll have a chance to catch your breath here before embarking on the strenuous climb towards the Tarkegyang Village at 2740m. Your efforts will be rewarded the moment you reach this place. Tarkegyang is a very lovely, historic settlement with narrow streets and a Tibetan temple with a traditional prayer wheel. Tonight you'll be the honourable guests of none other than the mayor himself. He speaks excellent English and can tell you many fascinating stories about life in the villages. A fun and incredible experience.

Today is the most laidback day of the entire Nepal trip package. The trail for today will remain fairly level throughout the journey, and on the way you'll see local farmers working the fertile terraces. After crossing several streams and waterfalls, you'll end up in the village of Sermathang at 2620m. There's an unusual monastery at the highest point of the village, which has allegedly been home to a very strict elusive Buddhist order for the past few decades. The members of the order are very rarely seen, but in the evening you'll hear their meditative prayers echoing through the valley. Ask the guide to stay in the Mountain Lodge tonight - it's a cosy lodge run by a very friendly family. The mother of the house is a truly fantastic cook but more importantly, this family takes care of a Tibetan refugee's child as well as a very poor young girl from a neighbouring village. By staying the night here you can do your bit for the family.

 Today you will say goodbye to your hosts and prepare for the hefty 2km trek downhill. Don't forget to look back on the way down. In the distance you'll see the majestic silhouette of the Himalayas and you can catch a glimpse of the river far below. For the major part, the descent is very gradual. Later on you'll head upwards again for a short climb before your final descent. Once you reach the bottom you'll cross the river to Melamchi Bazaar at 830m, which is essentially the end point of the trek and next stop on your Nepal trip package. Melamchi is a lively trading town with a rural character, though after all the tiny villages you passed on the way it'll seem like a huge town. You will spend the night in a friendly guesthouse with views across the river. The evenings are surprisingly warm here compared to the cooler nights you experienced high up in the mountains.

After a rejuvenating night in the lowlands you'll head back to Kathmandu by 4-wheel drive. As you pass through the countryside you'll see local farmers busying themselves with their bales of hay and rice mats. Tourists rarely visit this area. We think it's worth including this in the Nepal trip package because of its rural beauty. Via a steep and bumpy road you'll head downhill until you reach the Kathmandu Valley. You'll spend the night in the same hotel you stayed in at the beginning of your Nepal trip.

Chitwan is at its most beautiful at dawn. There's a mystical atmosphere on the plains as the first golden light sweeps across the villages. The river is simply magical at this time of day. Elephants stride through the water, rickety ferries glide along the river and a lost rhino graze in the grass.

This morning you and your guide will hop into a wooden canoe and you'll glide down the croc lined shores of the Rapti River, a real highlight of your Nepal trip package. After about 30 minutes you'll get out of the boat and you'll go for a jungle walk. You'll hike along narrow paths through the forests and plains where the high grass seems almost impenetrable. It's a little scary knowing that this grass is a hiding spot for rhinos, leopards and other wild animals, but don't worry - your experienced guides know what they're doing!  As sweet and harmless as the rhinos may seem, don't underestimate these beasts. They have very poor eyesight, and, as a result, they tend to storm into any unfamiliar noise or smell - so be sure to follow your guide's instructions very closely.

On Day 12 of your Nepal trip package, you'll have a chance to enjoy a leisurely breakfast whilst looking out upon Chitwan National Park. The restaurant offers a stunning view of the river and grassy plains scattered with water buffalos, elephants and many colourful birds. You may like to go for a small walk around the lodge grounds. During the morning walk we came across children in their school uniforms on the way to their classes. 

Afterwards you'll have quite a drive ahead of you to reach Pokhara. Pokhara is very traditional, peaceful and has a great atmosphere, making it all the more charming to visit. There's a beautiful lake in the area that's simply breathtaking at sunrise. Rent a boat and head across the lake for some well deserved relaxation. Tonight you'll spend the night in a friendly comfortable hotel in the heart of Pokhara.

Today will be relatively laidback compared to other days on your Nepal trip package. 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 exchange stories with other trekkers, or you can just sit back with a mug of masala chai and enjoy the amazing view.

After breakfast, you will leave for Phedi where a driver will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara. In Pokhara, you'll check into the same hotel you stayed in at the beginning of the trek. 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. You can rent a boat and row out onto the lake or grab a burger or a curry in one of the many restaurants, another highlight on your Nepal trip package.

Your Nepal trip package ends after breakfast this morning, so you'll either continue with your journey or pack your things for the flight home. We can arrange your transfer to the airport for you - just ask one of our travel specialists.

If you have any questions about this Nepal trip package, please feel free to call or email us. If you would like to request this itinerary, please fill out our quote request form.
 

Best time to travel
The best time of year for trekking in Nepal is spring (March - May) or autumn (October-November). Summer (June - September) is monsoon season and the rain can make travel difficult with landslides blocking the road. Chitwan can get very water-logged in the wet season and leeches can be an irritation so its best to visit in the dry months. Trekking in the rainy season isn't much fun, especially above 1000m. Paths are muddy and slippery and trekking is often cancelled due to poor weather conditions. The winter months (December - February) can be pretty cold and many of the higher mountain passes blocked because of the snow.

Food and drink
The trekking lodges offer some good value meals and drinks and you can get a satisfying meal for less than £4. The menu consists of local dishes like Dahl Bhaat (rice with lentils), steamed momos (a type of filled roll) and bread. Often you can Western dishes such as soup, pasta, pizza or pancakes. During the day the many tea houses or 'bhatti's' are a great place to stop off for a drink.

Guides
Trek guides and porters will often be young guys who are local and have good local knowledge to be able to get you safely from place to place. The guides will speak some English, but will not necessarily have conversational levels of English. In contrast, the city tour guides will impart lots of historical and cultural information on your Kathmandu city tour. The porters often speak very little English and will often communicate with you through your guide.

Luggage
You will be accompanied by one porter for every two people. The porter can carry 15-30 kg so it's wise to take only the essentials and perhaps carry some things yourself in a daypack. You can leave the rest of your luggage at the hotel where you were staying before the start of the trek, or at our local agent's office.  

Tipping
It's not compulsory but tipping the porters and guides is customary and always greatly appreciated. A rough guideline is £1-£2 a day for the porter and guide.