- Trekking to Annapurna South Base Camp
- Through the mountain villages around the sacred mountain Machapuchare
- Panorama of the eight-thousand-foot Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri
- Three days rafting on the Kali Gandaki River
- Royal Cities – Kathmandu and Bhaktapur (UNESCO)
Tour Program:
1.-2. DAY 2 – 3: BY AIR PRAGUE – KATHMANDU
Air transfer from Prague to Kathmandu.
3. DAY 2: KATHMANDU
Sightseeing of the royal city, historic centre and Durbar Square, climb the Buddhist stupa Svayanbhunath with a view of the city.
4. DAY 4: TRANSFER TO POKHARA
A full day transfer by bus through the foothills of the Himalayas, along the Trishuli and Seti rivers, to the city at the foot of the mountains, Pokhara.
DAY 5-13: TREK TO THE SOUTHERN BASE CAMP OF ANNAPURNA
Morning transfer to the town of Phedi, which will be the starting point for your trek. Trekking through terraces with rice paddies, Gurung villages and suspension bridges over the Modi Khola River to Tolka (1700m), the next day to Chhomrong (2170m). From Chhomrong a gradual climb along the river, up stone steps, through rhododendron groves and oak forests via Dobhan (2600 m) and Deurali (3230 m) to the amphitheatre of the Himalayan peaks of Machhapuchare BC (3700 m). Exceptional views of the panorama of Annapurnas, Gangapurnas and the sacred Machhapuchare. On the sixth day of the trek, you will ascend to the highest point of your trek, the base camp below the south face of the Annapurnas, Annapurna BC (4130 m). Here you will have views of the perpendicular south face of Annapurna, the surrounding Himalayan giants and the glaciers falling into the valley. Return by the same route via the villages of Bamboo (2310 m) and Jhinu Danda (1780 m), where you will bathe in warm thermal springs; the trek ends at the village of Birethanti (1025 m).
DAY 14-16: RAFTING ON KALI GANDAKI
Descend to the main road from Pokhara, short drive to the Kali Gandaki River between Kusma and Baglung villages. You will cover a distance of about 55 km during the three days rafting on the Kali Gandaki River. A safety briefing with English speaking guides will take place at the beginning of the rafting. The duration of the trip throughout the day will be approximately 5 hours. The ride will always be interrupted by a picnic lunch on one of the sandy beaches. On arrival at the campsite, you will unpack your tented camp and can spend your evenings taking short walks in the surrounding countryside or just sitting by the fire and enjoying the surrounding nature. The river flows through a beautiful and varied landscape, with narrow canyons, lush vegetation with plenty of wildlife and birds, alongside traditional lowland villages. You will be able to admire views of snow-capped mountain peaks and a series of waterfalls. On the afternoon of the third day, you will transfer by bus (approximately 4.5 hours) back to Pokhara. (The Kali Gandaki River program can be substituted with a 3-day program in Chitwan NP – see Notes below.)
DAY 17: POKHARA
Relaxing day in Pokhara, boating on Lake Phewa, climbing to the Peace Pagoda above the town with views of the Himalayan eight-thousanders panorama. Possibility to visit the Mountaineering Museum.
DAY 18: TRANSFER BY AIR TO KATHMANDU, BHAKTAPUR AND PASHUPATINATH
Morning air transfer to Kathmandu; visit the temple complex and funerary burning ghats of Pashupatinath and the royal city of Bhaktapur with handicrafts in the streets.
DAY 19-20: KATHMANDU – PRAGUE BY AIR
Depending on the flight connection, return to Prague on the 19th or 20th day.
Further information
Price includes:
- English-speaking local guide
- international airfare Prague – Kathmandu – Prague at the price of 22 000 CZK
- 1x transport by minibus from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- 1x domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu (18th day)
- transport by minibus to Phedi on boarding the trek
- accommodation in cities – 3x hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast and 3x hotel in Pokhara with breakfast level 2** (always double room)
- accommodation on the trek – 9x lodge accommodation (simple double rooms furnished with a bed with mattress, pillow and blanket, own sleeping bag is required)
- 3-day rafting (includes: transport to the river and back to Pokhara, instructor and raft leader, 2x full board, 1x lunch, rental of necessary rafting equipment, rental of tents and mattresses)
- trekking permit and permit to Annapurna area
- transfers from the airport to the hotel and back
- information materials
- CK insurance against bankruptcy
Price does not include:
- Nepalese visa – 40 USD (to be arranged upon arrival at the airport)
- single room – extra charge on request
- other meals, (on the trek see separate section below)
- individual transportation in the cities
- entrance fees to monuments
- hot water for washing up on the trek (at an additional cost of 1-3 USD/person)
- porters on the trek (see optional services)
- insurance for medical expenses or cancellation fees (we are happy to arrange)
Optional services/excursions:
- porter during the whole trek – approx. 165 USD (we recommend one porter for 2 people, the porter is able to carry about 21 kg)
Difficulty:
Although this is a relatively short trek, the difficulty of this trek can be classified as moderate. It is more challenging mainly due to the considerable elevation gain. On the first two days of the trek, we will cover a series of ascents and descents through side valleys, then we will ascend gently along the Modi Khola River until we reach Annapurna Base Camp. Especially in the second half of the ascent, our progress will be more gradual and the daily stretches shorter, due to the necessary acclimatization. The highest point reached will be the BC Annapurna at 4130 m, where you will also spend one night.
The rafting on Kali Gandaki is moderate to difficult, it is classified WW grade 3 to 4. Even moderately experienced participants can do it, but the condition is to be able to swim.
Rafting on Kali Gandaki will be confirmed according to the current water conditions and conditions. The program may be changed for rafting on the Trishuli River, which is of the same difficulty level. In the case of this option, it is a 2 day rafting and 0.5 day canyonig with a return straight back to Kathmandu. A free day in Pokhara is then included right at the end of the trek!
Meals:
In addition to the meals included in the price, it is possible to visit a number of restaurants in the cities with a very varied diet. On the trek it is possible to eat in the lodges where we will be staying, there is a choice of menus. For breakfast they usually prepare eggs in different ways, porridge, flour pancakes and soups. For dinner the menu usually includes several types of soups, pasta – noodles, potatoes, dal bath (lentils and rice), eggs and vegetables. Meals are mostly vegetarian and for hygiene reasons we do not recommend eating locally sourced meat on the trek. The cost of a full day’s meals ranges from 18-22 USD/person/day.
Suitable time of the year to do this trek:
This trek can be done in two main seasons, except the monsoon season which is from June to September. In the spring season, from March to May, there are generally hot days with occasional rain showers, which gradually diminish. Magnolia and rhododendron forests bloom beautifully in the foothills of the Himalayas. The period from October to November is characterised by clear skies, slightly cooler weather and generally good visibility. Temperatures in Kathmandu range between 22-28 °C in spring and autumn. At an altitude of around 4000 m, temperatures are around 10-15 °C during the day, dropping to freezing at night.
Note: We can replace the Kali Ghandaki River program with a 3 day visit to Chitwan NP, Nepal’s oldest national park, if you wish. Chitwan NP is home to more than 700 species of animals, including the “King of the Jungle” the Indian tiger and the Indian rhino. The program in the NP is as follows: bird watching, boat ride to see the gavials, jungle trekking with game viewing, jeep safari, elephant ride in the jungle.
Organizer.
Note: Program subject to change.
