Annapurna Panorama Private Tour

Friday. Welcome to Nepal. Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel where you will receive a welcome drink and a briefing about your trip.

Today you explore the Kathmandu Valley, starting with the Buddhist Stupa of Bodhnath which is a fabulous example of Buddhist temple architecture and a great place to observe Buddhist life and culture. Your next stop is the ancient city of Bhaktapur, Nepal’s cultural gem which has maintained its traditional way of life and is famous for its pottery. We visit Bhaktapur’s incredible Durbar Square to try your hand at pottery making in Pottery Square. Your final stop of the day is Patan Durbar Square, home to more than 50 temples and shrines. This evening enjoy dinner and a cultural Nepali dance performance.

Kathmandu – Chitwan. On day 3 travel by road to Chitwan National Park (approx 5 hr drive), arriving in time for lunch. Chitwan is hailed as one of Asia’s finest game parks, home to more than 500 species including the endangered one horned rhino, various types of deer, Indian elephant and the elusive Bengal tiger.

Over the next two days you can enjoy a selection of activities offered by the lodge including a jeep safari, hoping to encounter the one horned rhino, various types of deer, boar, monkey, leopard and if you're very fortunate the Bengal tiger. Other activities at the lodge include a local village walk and nature walk in the jungle, a scenic dugout canoe ride down the Rapti River and bird watching. You'll also watch a traditional Tharu dance performance one evening with dinner.

Chitwan National Park – Pokhara. Today, take the short flight from Chitwan to Pokhara. Arriving early afternoon the rest of the day is free to relax and take a stroll around this scenic lakeside town. Pokhara is the gateway to the magnificent Annapurna Range, which boasts five mountains over 7200m and has one of the Himalayas most distinctive mountains - Machhapuchare with its unique ‘fishtail’ peak.

Pokhara – Nayapul - Ulleri. Meet your trekking guide and porters at the hotel this morning and drive to Nayapul (1070m). From here, travel by jeep to Hile where you begin the Annapurna trek. The picturesque trail climbs steadily and as we climb, the tops of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli begin to merge from behind the hills. You continue trekking to Ulleri, where you spend the first night of our trek in a lodge.

Ulleri – Ghorepani. From Ulleri, the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. The fields soon give way to deep forest as the trail climbs to Banthanti where you stop for lunch. Beyond the village of Banthanti, there are magnificent oak and rhododendron forest. From here, Ghorepani is reached in about 3 hours, after passing some sparkling clear streams and tea shops.

Ghorepani – Tadapani. An early morning trek up Poon Hill provides spectacular unobstructed views of the High Himalayas. After enjoying the mountain scenery, return to Ghorepani for breakfast before continuing the trek. The trail climbs a stone staircase until you reach the ridge where you’ll then trek downhill to the village of Banthanti for a lunch break. From Banthanti the trail starts climbing, leaving the high mountain forests behind and entering a field of cane. The trail then climbs steeply again before reaching your base for the night.

Tadapani – Chomorung. Your trek today starts with a steep downhill walk through the forest before the trail eases as we reach Gurjung, the village of the Gurung people. From here its an easy walk to Chomorung.

Chomorung – Ghandruk. Today your trail heads gradually downhill to Kimyo Khola. Crossing the river we start our ascent to Ghandruk, a beautiful village which is also inhabited by the Gurung tribal people.

Ghandruk – Nayapul – Pokhara. After breakfast, you begin the final leg of the trek. Descend steeply on flag stone steps, then continue through forests and a landslide area. The trail is downhill for about two hours until you reach Shyauli Bazaar. From here, continue your gentle descent; walking along the river bank and passing terraced fields and stopping for lunch in Birethati village, en route to Nayapul. Here you meet the waiting vehicle and drive back to Pokhara. After hotel check in, relax and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Pokhara – Kathmandu. Fly back to Kathmandu this morning and in the afternoon explore more of the city. After visiting the beautiful Swayambhunath stupa, walk to Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is home to more than 50 stunning temples and shrines. You’ll also enjoy a rickshaw ride through the bustling back streets of the city which is a great way to observe the everyday life of the locals.

Wednesday. Your tour comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport.

An optional Everest scenic flight is offered on the morning of day 2 or day 13 (subject to availability) so if you’d like to book this please ensure that you onward flight on day 13 does not depart before midday.