El Nepal – Itinerary
Important information:
- This is the basic program. There are many other options, including a flight over Mt. Everest, and bike trips. We can build different itineraries based on individual groups’ needs.
- The trek route and general plans can change based on various constraints, flight changes, weather conditions, and/or other considerations that the tour guide or escorts take into account for the participants’ benefit.
- To register, contact: Gur Kozer,
Tel: +972-524-359-990,
mrgn@zahav.net.il
On our trips, we will visit Kathmandu Valley, and experience village life and farming as it was over a hundred years ago. We will continue to the Royal Chitwan Nature Preserve where we can see wildlife including rhinoceroses, alligators, and deer. The Nature Preserve is also home to bears and tigers, but they can’t always be seen during the course of a tour. From Pokhara, we will fly to Jomsom, where we will begin a 6-day trek, on foot, into the beautiful countryside. The trek includes ascents and descents as befit the Himalayas, and at its highest point reaches an altitude of 3,000 meters. We’ll pass through remote villages that are accessible only by foot. We will stay at hostels that will also provide us with meals. Every day includes 4-6 hours of walking at a leisurely pace, with frequents stops, which allows us to visit villages and meet with welcoming villagers. We will cross rivers on hanging bridges, tour evergreen forests along rivers and waterfalls, and arrive at picturesque villages with slate houses built on the edge of the cliff. We’ll look out at some of the tallest peaks in the world including Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, both of which are over 8,000m high. We will gaze at the summits of Machhapuchchhre- the mountain shaped like a fish tail. We will wake up in the middle of the night to watch the sun rise over the peak of Poon Hill, and walk the length of the Kali Gandaki, the deepest ravine in the world. We’ll continue through breathtaking settings, while the snow-covered Himalayas dominate the view. We’ll conclude with a descent through rice field terraces and small farms. We’ll sail on Lake Fewa, tour the city of Pokhara, and fly back to Kathmandu. We’ll continue with interesting cultural sites in Kathmandu Valley, including the city of Bhaktapur, and tiny agricultural villages. We’ll finish by relaxing at one of the hotels that look out over the Himalayan peaks.
Day 1- Arrival in Kathmandu
Reception at the airport, transfer to the hotel, and free time to rest.
Independent tour of Thamel (a popular area for tourists and backpackers) where you can buy any additional gear you may require, and get to know Nepal’s unique markets. We’ll conclude with dinner and a local folklore performance.
Overnight – Kathmandu
Day 2- Kathmandu and its surroundings
Early wake-up. Travel to Daxinkali Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. We can observe sacred rituals, how the Hindus start their day, and their prayer rites.
Travel to Swyambhunath, an ancient Buddhist temple, also known as the “Monkey Temple.” Throughout the temple and its grounds, many monkeys roam freely, and they will join us as we climb the steps to the temple. The monkeys give the entire experience a very surreal feeling.
Continue to Kritipur, an ancient Newari city.
Return to Durbar Square in Kathmandu, lunch on own.
Tour Durbar Square, a Kumari temple, and an art gallery close to the Thamel area.
Overnight – Kathmandu
Day 3- Rafting & Chitwan National Park
Breakfast at the hotel followed by two-hour ride to the starting point of our rafting trip on the Trisuli River. The rafting is optional; members of the group who chose not to go rafting will have 3 hours on their own.
Travel to Chitwan National Park.
The Chitwan Nature Preserve is located in the lower altitude region of Nepal, close to the border with India. Most of the residents of this region are Hindu, and their lifestyle is very similar to that of Indians. In the evening, we will be briefed about our visit to the park, which will last 2 days and nights.
Evening- Tharu traditional music and dance show.
Overnight – Chitwan Lodge
Day 4- Safari in Chitwan
Canoeing down a river (10-15km) on the banks of which we will see alligators and crocodiles.
Hike through the jungle with local guides, in the hope of seeing wildlife. Visit the nearby crocodile breeding center. Lunch in the jungle.
Return by jeep through the 20,000 Lakes Region.
Overnight – Chitwan Lodge
Day 5- Chitwan & Pokhara
Safari on elephants’ backs. Wild animals treat elephants as part of life in the nature preserve and are not frightened of them so that riding on their backs allows us to get closer to the animals without them running away.
Visit to the elephant breeding center.
Return to the hotel for lunch, then continue to Pokhara. During the four-and-a-half-hour trip, we will pass through villages and cities.
If we arrive on time, we will go sailing on Lake Fewa.
Overnight – Pokhara
Day 6 – Flight to Jomsom, trek on foot from Jomsom to Ghasa (altitude: 2,010m)
Early wake-up, amazing flight over the Kali Gandaki ravine, and along the length of the Annapurna mountain range. We’ll land in the small town of Jomsom. We’ll tour the local museum and depart for a trek on foot to Ghasa, a site famous for its bird observatory. Panoramic views of Himalayan peaks will unfold before our very eyes:
Mount Nilgiri North (7,061m), Nilgiri Central (6,940m), Nilgiri South (6,839m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), and Tukuche Peak (6,920m).
Overnight – tea house (guesthouse) in Ghasa
Day 7 – Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (altitude: 1,190m)
Following hotel breakfast, the trek will continue to the village of Tatopani, ahike of approximately 6 hours. The crowning moment of the day will be the incredible Rukse Waterfall, located in the deepest canyon in the world, between two peaks- the Annapurna (8,091m) and the Dhaulagiri (8,167m). The trip will last approximately 5 hours.
After we settle into our rooms, we can rest and revitalize our muscles in the Tatopani Hot Springs – natural springs located on the slopes of Mt. Kali Gandaki. According to local legend, bathing in them heals skin afflictions. What is certain is that bathing in the springs is refreshing- both physically and emotionally.
Overnight – tea house (guesthouse) Tatopani
Day 8 – Trek from Tatopani to Sikha (altitude: 1,935m)
After breakfast, we will continue our trek on foot to Sikha. The route is slightly harder and includes some climbing, so the day will include only 4-6 hours of walking. The sights of mountain peaks and beautiful villages will make the effort worthwhile.
Overnight – tea house (guesthouse) Sikha
Day 9 – Trek from Sikha to Ghorepani (altitude: 2,853m)
Another day of steep climbs and 5 hours of hiking.
Ghorepani is the largest of the Gurund/Magar villages, and boasts several, high-quality hostels.
Overnight – tea house (guesthouse) Ghorepani
Day 10 – Ghorepani to Poon Hill (altitude: 3,210m) and on to Tirkhedhunga (altitude: 1,540m)
Early wake up and climb up Poon Hill (approximately 1 hour).
From the top of Poon Hill, we will watch the sun rise over the snow-capped mountains, creating the appearance of fire on the hilltops. We will be able to see Dhaulagiri, Nilgir, Annapurna, Annapurna I, Fishtail, South Himchuli, Mardi Himal and many others.
Return to the hotel in Ghorepani for breakfast.
Trek on foot, downhill, to Tirkhedunga, which will include stone steps.
Overnight – tea house (guesthouse) in Tirkhedunga
Day 11 – Trek from Tirkhedunga to Nayapul travel to Pokhara
After breakfast, trek on foot, downhill, to Nayapul. This will be a day of walking through small villages along the river.
Travel to Pokhara (approximately 1.5 hours).
In the evening, we will have the option of driving to Shrangkot to watch the sunset.
Overnight – Pokhara
Day 12 – Pokhara and the surrounding area, walking tour, and sailing
After breakfast, a tour of Pokhara Valley. The villages located on the lake face one of the most incredible views of the Himalayan Mountains. Mt. Annapurna and the famous “fish tail”- Mt. Machapuchhare- dominate the tropical view from Pokhara.
During our tour, we will visit Mahendra Cave, Davis Fall, the famous Setu George, and several temples, including Bindhabasini Temple.
We will return to Fewa Lake, the largest lake in Nepal. We will sail to the Barahi Temple, located in the middle of the lake. From there, we will sail to the other side of the lake, and try to make time for shopping.
Overnight – Pokhara
Day 13 – from Pokhara to a tour of Kathmandu Valley and Dhulikhel
After breakfast, flight to Kathmandu. From the airport, we will depart immediately for a tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will visit Pashupatinath Temple in Bouddhanath (a cremation site). We will continue from there to Durbar Square in Bhaktapur. After lunch, free time to tour Bhaktapur’s many unique sights—Golden Gate, 55-Window Palace, Nayatapola Temple, Barahi Temple, Pottery Square, National Art Gallery, Rice Paper Workshop.
We will continue to Dhulikhel, an hour’s ride from Bhaktapur.
Overnight – hotel with a breathtaking view in Dhulikhel
Day 14 – From Dhulikhel to Nagarkot, walking route
After breakfast, a short tour through local villages with frequent stops at lookout points. Return to the hotel.
We will depart for a walking tour of nearby villages. We will get to know the villages, walk through the rice paddies, and visit the villagers in their home. The tour will last 3-4 hours, and we will arrive in Nagarkot towards sunset.
Overnight – hotel with a stunning view of the Himalayas in Nagarkot
Day 15 – Watching the sun rise and Changunarayan Temple
Early wake-up to watch the sun rise over the mountains.
After breakfast, we will visit Changunarayan Temple, one of the most ancient in Nepal.
We will continue to Patan, one of Nepal’s ancient capital cities for a tour of the main square where we will marvel at the stunning buildings and the ancient statues.
Return to the hotel to rest.
In the evening we will wander through the Thamal market for fun and shopping.
Dinner and a traditional music and dance show.
Overnight – Kathmandu
