Starting and ending in Kathmandu, this 14 night/15 day itinerary is considered to be one of the most comprehensive programs offered in Nepal. It allows guests to experience all aspects of this wonderful and exciting country. It has been designed so that the minimum amount of time is spent travelling between each destination, enabling one to enjoy the best that each activity can provide. The Royal Nepal Spectacular features the 5-star Yak & Yeti Hotel (in Kathmandu), the 5-star Shangri-La Village (in Pokhara), Ker & Downey Lodges (while on trek), Ker & Downey River Camp (on the Seti Gandaki River) and Tiger Tops Tented Camp (in Royal Chitwan National Park).
ITINERARY Day 01 - Kathmandu:
Arrive KTM, reception at airport and transfer to the centrally located 5 star Yak & Yeti where you will receive a full briefing on your program. Day 02 - Pokhara:
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a 35-minute flight to Pokhara, the rural capital of western Nepal. Transfer to your hotel. There will be a trek briefing by the Ker & Downey group leader & you will be introduced to your porters, who issue your trek packs & assist you with packing.
Day 03:
After breakfast, transfer with guides & porters to your trek start point. Your walk will follow a ridge-line in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Ker & Downey's Sanctuary lodge is located. Lunch at the lodge with the afternoon free. (Trek time 3 hours) Day 04:
Leave the lodge walking out through the outlying farms following the Modi River Valley. Soon you begin to climb out of the valley & up towards the mountains. Lunch is a picnic en route with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Arrive in the afternoon at Ker & Downey's Himalaya Lodge (Trek time 5 hours). Day 05:
Day free in Ghandruk to explore this mountain village, which is not only a major recruitment centre for the famous Gurkha soldiers but is also the hub of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). ACAP promotes many varied ecological projects. The ACAP headquarters is well worth a visit. Day 06:
Leave the Himalaya Lodge walking out through the village of Ghandruk & trek through unspoiled forest to Sanctuary Lodge in Birethanti (different route from Day 4). picnic lunch en route. Afternoon free to explore the local village of Birethanti with your guide. (Trek time 5 hours). Day 07:
Leave the Sanctuary lodge & trek to Ker & Downey's Basanta Lodge in Dhampus. Walk through sub-tropical forests & pass through the villages of Patlekhet & Majgaun. Picnic lunch en route. (Trek time 5 hours). Day 08:
Depart along the ridge & descend through the wooded hillside to the valley floor. Transfer by vehicle to your hotel in Pokhara (40 minutes). The afternoon is free to wander among the shops, or take a boat out on the lake. (Trek time 2-hours). Day 09:
After breakfast, transfer by minibus to the rafting start point, a journey of some one & half-hours through the countryside. Here you will be met by your experienced boat crew, who will give you a full briefing prior to launch. All items for your overnight stay will be carried in the raft in waterproof bags supplied by Ker & Downey. The remainder of your luggage will travel in the vehicle to your raft finish point. Day 10:
Optional morning trek to a local village. Afternoon free to explore the surrounding forests & riverbank of this unique safari style river camp. Day 11:
The morning is spend rafting. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route. On completion of the rafting, transfer to the Royal Chitwan National Park. The journey to the Narayani River takes some two hours. From here you are transferred to camp by canoe and four-wheel drive vehicle. On arrival at camp, you will receive a briefing prior to dinner. Day 12:
The day is spend game viewing on elephand back and on foot. There are also lectures on the wildlife of the Park. Day 13 - Kathmandu:
After early morning game viewiing and breakfast at camp, you will be transferred to the airfield for your 30 minute flight back to Kathmandu Day 14 - Kathmandu:
In the morning, experience the most spectacular mountain flight in the world. The plance departs Kathmandu and flies eastwards, alongside the Himalayas, giving you eye-level views of the highest peaks on earth, including Mt. Everest. The flight lasts one hour. After lund, enjoy a half-day sight seeing trip with a qualified guide. Your route will take you to the ancient city of Patan and the Temple Complex of Boudhanath. A delightful evening will be spend in the company of your Nepalese hosts. Day 15 - Departure:
Transfer to airport for your onward journey.
RATES
Nepal Sampler
2 Persons
3 or more
Air Fare
First Class
$810
$776
$1290 - $1360
Tourist
$702
$668
$1290 - $1360
HOTELS
In order to make the travel experience more convenient and confortable, we have selected the following hotels in the various stops.
Cities
Deluxe
First Class
Tourist
Kathmandu
Yak & Yeti
Shangrila
KTM Guest House
Chitwan National Park
Tiger Tops
Chitwan Jungle Lodge
Chitwan Jungle lodge
Cost includes Accommodation on twin sharing basis with breakfast. All transfers between airport-hotel-airport. Sightseeing by English speaking guide. All meals on trek & Chitwan National Park (Tiger Tops or Chitwan Jungle Lodge).
Cost does not include Expenses of a private nature ie, laundry, drinks, telephone calls, meals (unless specified), insurance, airport taxes, excess baggage charges and all manner of gratuities.
If you wish us to make your hotel reservations in Kathmandu prior & post of your trip please find below our recommended list of hotels and their rates: 1. YAK & YETI $478.00, Single supplement $370.00
2. SHANGRI LA $346.00, Single supplement $248.00
3. NIRVANA GARDEN $148.00, Single supplement $67.00
4. KTM GUEST HOUSE $108.00, Single supplement $44.00
The above cost inlcudes 4 nights (2 nights prior and 2 nights after tour/trek) accommodation on twin sharing basis with breakfast. Room is standard in all hotel expcet at Nirvana Garden where it is in deluxe. Cost also includes arrival & departure airport transfer (escorted by our representive in Kathmandu). Cost does not include lunch and dinner, beverages, laundry, gratuities etc.
OPTIONAL TOURS
Based on minimum of two persons- Costs are per person.
Bhutan
4 nights/5 days
$1360
Darjeeling/Sikkim
4 nights/5 days
$995
Tibet
4 nights/5 days
$895
Mountain Flight
$135
NOTE: Airfares quoted are estimates only and are based on West Coast departures (Los Angeles or San Francisco). A High season surcharge of $200 will be charched for departure during the following months: June-July-August & December 1- January 15 Optional Tours airfares are not included.
