Trekking - Annapurna - Ghandrung Trek & Chitwan Safari

Ghandrung Trek and Chitwan Safari (12 Days)

Trip Facts

Trekking Type: Lodge Trek
Trekking Grade: ▲ (?)
Maximum Altitude: 1940 m.
Best Season: October - May

Day white water Rafting on the Trisuli, few places in the world have such a splendid variety of natural beauty as the Annapurna region. It is a rare combination of long arrays of snow-capped peaks, crystal clear lakes, and turbulent rivers with deep gorges, Tibetan monasteries, hot-springs, and picturesque villages inhabited by simple and friendly ethnic people.

Trekking Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu; you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening a delicious welcome traditional Nepali dinner awaits for you. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Kathmandu City Tour
After breakfast, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then process to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Kathmandu - Pokhara
After breakfast, you have breakfast being of the early morning before 7:00 AM. This morning you will be drive to Pokhara (200km), departure early in the morning, approximately 6 hrs away by tourist bus. You see along the drive good scenery. You will be arrive late afternoon at Pokhara. Pokhara lakeside villages sits, "front row center" to one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas in the world. The Annapurna and famous "Fishtail" mountain peak of Machhapuchhare tower over the tropical setting of Pokhara and you spend there will be the scenic highlight of your trip. In the evening you will prepare yourself for your trek to Poon Hill. O/N stay in Pokhara.

Day 04: Pokhara - Tikhedhunga (1491m.)
After breakfast, 7:30 AM we drive to Nayapul (42km) 1.5 hr by Car via large village of Lumley and walk about 20 minutes to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through bamboo forests and past a large waterfall and swimming hole. Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where you have Lunch. After lunch climb steadily up the side of the valley , reaching Hile at 1495m near by Tirekhedhunga. Along the way, various hamlets offer ample camping possibilities but if Ghorepani is the objective for the next day it is better to push on to Tikhe Dhunga. Stay overnight in Tirkhedhunga.

Day 05: Tikhedhunga - Ghorepani (2855m)
Breakfast will be served in morning 7:00 am and then we will leave Tirkhedhunga, the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge near the camp site at Tirkhedhunga. The trail ascends a steep stone staircase to the large Magar village Ulleri at 2070m, where the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. There are magnificent more pleasantly through rhododendron and oak forest. There is a hut with water and a small camp site about 1 hr. above Ulleri. The trail crosses two sparkling clear two streams before making a short, final climb to Nangethanti. Lunch will be on spot in Nangethanti. Thanti is a Nepali words meaning "rest house" "Dharmasala". In the winter the trail can be covered with snow. From Nangethanti about one hours trek, climb to Ghorepani at 2850m. Arrive at the top of the Ghorepani pass and camp there. Stay overnight at Ghorepani.

Day 06 : Ghorepani - Poon hill - Tadapani
After breakfast, the early morning 5:30 am, wake up and start to you journey climb to Poon Hill (3195m) around 1 hr. to provides better unobstructed views and sunrise over the high Himalayas. You can see a lots of White Mountain peaks from Poon Hill. After sunrise, you'll return to our camp and time for breakfast. Ghorepani means "horse water" and it is no doubt a welcome watering stop for the teams of horses, mules and ponies that carry loads between Pokhara and Jomsom. From Ghorepani the trail climbs south on muddy path through the deep forests. It finally emerges on a grassy knoll which offers good mountain views, is including views of Machhapuchhare and a panorama all the way south to the plains of India. It is similar views from Poon Hill. Climbing along the ridge in pine and rhododendron forests to a top 3030 metres then descend to at a second pass also called Deurali, at 2960 metres. The ridge along the trail hides the mountains as makes a steep, sometimes treacherous, descent on a narrow path alongside the stream, as the descent continues. The stream has some clear pools alongside the trail and finally becomes a series waterfall over a jumble of boulders. The steep descent becomes more gentle way to reaches Banthanti and stop for Lunch approx.: 1 hour. From Banthanti, the trail follow the stream down to a bridge where the trails start climbing, leaving the moist high mountain forests and entering a field of cane, making some ups and downs past to a vantage point "Tadapani" (2540 metres) that offers a brief view of the mountains. Tadapani means "far water". The village water supply is a long distance; it takes porters more than half an hour to fetch a load of water. Stay overnight in Tadapani.

Day 07: Tadapani - Ghandrung
After the breakfast in the morning, we start a journey, 8:00 am to Landrung, it takes approx.: 6 hours. From Tadapani, the trail descends through the forests then terraced fields, to the Khummu Khola. The Ghandrung trail descends steeply from Tadapani, through forests, a short steep descend among rocks lead to a stream crossing, and then the descent continues gently past over streams, finally leading out on the ridge to Ghandrung.

Ghandrung a huge Gurung village at 1940 metres is the second largest Gurung village in Nepal and is a confusing cluster of closely-spaced, slate-roofed houses. There are neatly terraced fields situated both above and below the town. It is wonderfully easy to get lost in the network of narrow alleyways while trying to trek through the village. There is a larger handicraft factory at the top of Ghandrung. The views of Annapurna South from here are out standing. Machhapuchhare has been seen from here in its fish tail aspect, peeps over a forested ridge. ACAP has visitor centre and an office in Ghandrung and provides offers information about it activities. Stay overnight in Ghandrung.

Day 08: Ghandrung - Pokhara
From Ghandrung all the way down hill through village and terraced fields to Syauli Bazaar. It takes approx: 2 hours. Along the way you can see good views Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare too. From Syauli Bazaar, the trails follow the Modi River till Nayapul. Lunch will be provided in Birethati. After lunch you have very short treks about 20 minutes to Nayapul, catch our vehicle and drive to Pokhara.

You will be free in Pokhara, valley is also called "Magic Land" or Dreamland" of Nepal, to explore the various interesting place like a boating in Fewa Lake over looking the region of Annapurna Areas, David Falls, Mahendra Cave and some temples. After lunch you're free to shop for souvenirs or rest. Stay in Pokhara.

Day 09: Pokhara - Rafting - Chitwan National Park
After breakfast, we drive to Chitwan, on the road that follows the Trisuli River for the most of the distance. Along the drive you see beautiful scenery; we'll continue our journey to till rafting spot point. We have rafting on the Trisuli River. This River is very popular as access to the Prithivi Highway makes "breaking off" the journey easy. Trisuli is also an ideal beginner's River. After few hours rafting drive to Chitwan National Park upon arrival, rooms assigned and there will be a short briefing on the program and our facilities. 4:00 PM: Elephant-back safari: Guests will ride on an elephant to explore the jungle and wildlife you will be able to see the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Bengal tiger. This exciting ride lasts for 2-3 hours. 7:00 PM: Dinner in the central dining hall.

Day 10: Chitwan National Park
5:30 am: wake-up call, welcome morning with tea or coffee serving, and then proceed on a Nature Walk. This encounter on foot with the environment will introduce the main features of eastern Chitwan. Sal forest, open grassland and reverie jungle. Our guides will help you identify some species of birds, plants and other wildlife that you may encounter.
8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 am: Elephant briefing program: Learn more about these fascinating animals during a visit to our elephant stable. (For the brave ones there is even a crash course in riding and leading the elephant)
12:00 pm: Lunch, after lunch, we take you with the experience pleasure on canoe-ride: a traditional dug-out canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti river to view aquatic birds and the animals of the river banks. Back to resort through the Jungle.
7:00 pm: Tharu Stick Dance (farmers of the nearby villages will show some of their traditional skills and dance.
08:00om: Dinner around the campfire.

Day 11: Chitwan National Park - Kathmandu
5.30 am: Bird Watching (or another elephant ride) after early morning tea/coffee.
8.00 am: Breakfast
9.00 am: Luggage down and departure at
9.30 am: Depart for Kathmandu.
The actual program for your stay will be given to you on arrival at Resort / camp. The activities are adjusted to the season and weather conditions. Naturally, it may not always be possible to follow this schedule to the minute and the circumstances may force us to alter the program at short notice. On safari in the jungle you will be accompanied by expert naturalists who will advise on safety procedures and we request you to respect their judgment at all times. If you wish to stroll in the forest alone, a guide will have to accompany you for your safety. Stay overnight in Kathmandu

Day 12: Depart Kathmandu
After breakfast, you are free until we pick you up to the international airport for your next destination.