Trip Dossier

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu 

As you fly into Kathmandu on a clear day, the views of snow-capped mountain peaks spread down below you are almost breathtaking. This begins a memorable experience that stays with you for a long time. An escort from our office will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities. Your first overnight in Kathmandu.
 
Day 2: Free at your own leisure

After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about what to do in your next free day.

The choice is yours: either you can stroll around the nearby market on your own or you can opt for a half/full day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest. The cost for this extra tour is not added in the trek cost and you have to pay extra depending on the places you choose to visit. This extra tour gives you deep insights into Nepal’s iconic monuments that have been recognized by UNESCO as world heritage sites.  Sansui Treks will give you an orientation on your program & you will also get the opportunity to ask us any questions you may have regarding our upcoming adventure. When this is done, you might find time to shop around the city in the evening time if you need any gears for the trek. Overnight at your hotel

Day 3: Drive to Nayapul 1,070m via Pokhara 820m. 6-7 hrs 

We begin an early start by the main east-west highway leading west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest city and a remarkable tourist spot. Leaving the city suburb, the road climbs to the valley rim and begins its descent along the Trisuli River valley. This scenic journey drive takes us on the long winding road through many villages and farmlands. As the drive continues we begin to get a glimpse of Ganesh, Manaslu and the Annapurna snow capped peaks, our drive takes us through Pokhara with a brief stop and continues for another short one & a 1/2 hour drive which takes us up the newly built Chinese highway to Nayapul (new bridge) where we stop for the night at our lodge.
 
Day 4: Trek to Purano Gaon. Approx. 1,450m - 3-4 hrs

From Nayapul, soon we will leave the main traffic behind, heading towards west in the less frequented area by the trekkers for a few days. to begin with, we will cross the bridge over the river Modi, where the path leads to a gentle walk with a few ups and gradual portion passing through small farm villages, cultivated terraces and farm fields till we arrive at a small farm village called Purano gaon for our first overnight.
 
Day 5: Trek to Ramche approx. 2,350m. 5-6 hrs

A steady climb out of the village on the next day leads on to a ridge at 2,300 meters and your first views of Dhaulagiri Himal at 8,167m, stretching across the horizon is a spectacular experience to get. It is a day of a-little-bit-up-and-a-little-bit-down, as the Nepalese would describe it. The small trails wind through rhododendron and pine forest with full views of the mountains at Ramche, before gradually climbing to open grazing pastures and to camp at Phulbari. Here, in a beautiful location, the entire Dhaulagiri ranges lie before us! Arrayed in a dazzling spectacle; A photographer’s paradise, virtually. We bunk out here.
 
Day 6: Trek to Ghorepani 2,860m via Punhill 3,193m. 5-6 hrs 

From Ramche, our walk begins with a climb into a serene forest of pines and rhododendron most of the way to the scenic Poon Hill, after 2-3 hours of walking amidst a picturesque environment to the view point hill at Poon Hill, where if the weather is clear, we can get panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and all the way to Manaslu range in the east. After a great moment at this wonderful spot, our route descends towards the main trail at Ghorepani, where we will come across fellow trekkers, teahouses, lodges and the mule caravans. We will be Camping at Ghorepani Deurali where we can still savor magnificent views of the Dhaulagiri range of mountains with Annapurna Fang (Vara Shikar) and Annapurna South. Here, we will have time to enjoy ourselves with the lovely snowcapped landscapes while enjoying our meals.
 
Day 7: Trek to Chistibung. 3,150m. 5-6 hrs 

After Ghorepani, our trek continues to Chitre village which is just an hour descent through cool dense forest of rhododendron, oaks and pine trees. Arriving at Chitre we will leave the main busy road behind, and our path splits near the Dhaulagiri Lodge as the walk passes through farmlands and terraces, and then descends towards the stream for an hour, where we cross the stream on a wooden log bridge, near the water mill. From here our trail leads to a climb for nearly an hour to Sotaa village, where we catch up even more views of  the Dhaulagiri range of mountains, after Sotaa village the walk follows a winding gentle path through the rain forest area for an hour with a few ups and downs in between till we come to a stream, from the stream gorge our route takes a steep climb through forest of pines, oaks and rhododendron trees, the walk continues passing a few clearings and pasture fields. From the last top meadow, an hour steep climb brings us to a small place at Chistibung for the overnight camp.
 
Chistibung has one house which serves as a shop and a shelter for the locals and porters and two small grounds for camping purposes. Today, it’s a good pleasant walk, away from the main trekking trail, where we will be in blissful isolation from the main trekking routes and busy trails for another few days in complete wilderness, except for a few scattered trekking groups around this region, on the other side of these mountains hiking on more familiar trails. We crash out here.
 
Day 8: Trek to Khopra Ridge. 3,730m. 3-4 hrs

The ridge above our camp becomes our destination today, and it should be accomplished in a steady but comfortable morning walk, we trek through the forest and above the tree line. Once atop the Kopra ridge we contour around the grassy alpine meadows to our campsite. From the camp, marvelous scenery can be seen below us as our eyes take in the Kali Gandaki valley gorge, across the valley we behold a panorama of snow capped mountains from the Dhaulagiri range including Tukuche and Nilgiri peaks and just near the camp, the towering peaks of Vara Shikar, often known as Annapurna Fang and the Annapurna South also come into our sights. Overnight at Khopra Ridge.
 
Day 9: A day for rest at Khopra Ridge to enjoy this wonderful environment and its landscapes

At leisure, we can go for a short hike around the ridge. Khopra ridge had always been a summer pasture for the local Shepards from Chitre, Ghorepani, and Ghara and as far from Ghandrung and Kimche Khola village. Along with its amazing scenery of the surrounding snow capped peaks and magnificent landscape views, for anyone who has the energy, a good walk to Bhara, also known as ‘Khayer Lake’ at 4,247m can be done in a day, taking about 5-6 hours both ways.
 
Bhara Lake is considered to be a sacred lake, which is actually a glacier fed lake from the peaks of Annapurna South and Bhara Shikhar (Annapurna Fang). villagers from nearly all over Annapurna area and as far as Ghasa and Tatopani come here for pilgrimages once a year in auspicious times around the month of August to take part in the holy rituals where they sacrifice young goats and sheep’s blood in the lake and offer prayers to the mountain and the spirits of nature. In heavy snow conditions, the trail to Bhara Lake or even up to this ridge is not recommendable as the path is narrow with big drops and the snow around this area takes time to melt as it is hidden from direct sunlight. 
 
Day 10: Trek to Dobato 3,420m. 5 hrs 

After a wonderful time here at Khopra /Khayer, our walk continues with a long descend back to near above Chistibung, reaching the near bottom the walk is on a gradual path for sometime through verdant rain forest; after few hours of good hiking, we come to a small clearing, we might stop here for lunch depending upon the time. After a stop here, our walk continues to a slow climb for an hour through the rhododendron and pine wood forest, coming to an open large pasture with a strong wooden Shepard’s shade, from here our route diverts east with a short climb to a ridge through dwarf rhododendron bushes. from the ridge, a few minutes of descending brings us to a small path above the cliff side, this almost level path for 5-10 minutes could be tricky walking in snow and hailstorms, which could happen sometimes; however, this small section has to be undertaken cautiously. After reaching the other side of the ridge near the boulders, the walk is on a downhill slope overlooking superb views of the surrounding landscapes, Annapurna range including the most magnificent majestic peak Machhapuchare and Dhaulagiri ranges to the west. From here, a gradual climb of less than two hours brings us to our overnight camp at Do Bato, which is a cowherd stop full of scattered temporary built shades in the middle of rhododendron and magnolia forest with excellent and close-up views of the Annapurna Mountains and as far as the Manaslu range to the east.
 
Day 11: Trek to Ghandrung. 1,950m. 5-6 hrs 

After a wonderful morning along with its superb views, today's walk leads us back to another popular trekking area at Ghandrung village. The morning trek is more or less a descend all the way to Tadapani, the path passes through numerous Shepard huts and pasture fields amidst the lovely forest of rhododendrons and pines trees and then walking through the rain forest until we arrive at Tadapani, a great scenic place in the middle of the forest with more grand views of the Annapurna and Manaslu range of mountains. From Tadapani onwards will be back on the normal trekking trail, where there are numerous teahouses and lodges en-route from Tadapani. After a stop here at Tadapani, a gentle walk follows through the enchanting alpine forest for an hour coming to a small place at Bhaise Kharka, from here a downhill path takes us all the way to Ghandrung for another two hours.
 
Ghandrung, one of the largest villages in the Annapurna region, is mainly inhabited by Gurungs, an ethnic hill tribe of Tibetan Buddhism sect, unlike the Buddhists of Everest or from other high areas, the Gurung community are shepards and do not follow the ways of strict Buddhism, like other fellow Buddhists from the highlands; however, they are famously known as Gurkhas who have been serving in the British and Indian Armies for centuries.
 
At Ghandrung (it also goes by the name of ‘Gandruk’) village we will have time for a visit around the Gurung houses, ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) head quarters and the museum nearby. Our afternoon will be at ease to marvel the views of Annapurna South and the top portion of Mt. Machhapuchare 'the fish tail'. Overnight at a clean lodge in Ghandrung.
 
Day 12: Trek to Tolkha. 1,700. 5hrs

From Ghandrung, the trails go downhill passing through paddy terraces and small hamlets for an hour to the Modi River; after crossing the bridge over the raging Modi River, an hour of climbing brings us to Landrung village. From Landrung an easy walk takes us on the winding trail overlooking excellent surrounding landscapes and valleys below, after few hours of good walking, a short steep climb from the suspension bridge reaches us to our overnight camp at Tolkha. Tolkha is a small scattered village with a primary school and majestic views of the Annapurna South.
 
Day 13: Trek to Dhampus Phedi and drive to Pokhara. Approx.4-5 hrs walk and 1/2 hr drive

From Tolkha, after a two hours of good hiking, the trail leads us to the last uphill of this trek, the climb takes an hour up to a small pass at Deurali ridge at 2,250 meters. Deurali, a nice spot with 2-3 teahouses, offers great views of landscapes with snow capped peaks from Dhaulagiri to Annapurna range, a nice walk from here lead us through the lovely forest with more brilliant  scenery of the Annapurnas and Mt. Manaslu range, all the way to the village of Pothana. Pothana, situated in the midst of the woods overlooking majestic views of Annapurna and Manaslu range and superb scenery of green fertile valleys and the lakes at Pokhara in the distance. An easy downhill walk through the forest and meadows leads us to Dhampus with constant views of the central western and eastern Himalayas; from Dhampus village our hike takes us to about two hours of descents at Dhampus phedi on the motor able Pokhara-Baglung highway which is also the start and ending point of various trekking routes in the Annapurna region. From Phedi, an hour drive brings us to our camping site near the Shore of Phewa Lake in Pokhara.
 
Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu 

We catch a morning tourist coach from Pokhara to Kathmandu. From Pokhara we have the options to either fly or drive to Kathmandu. The flight is for about 30 minutes and the drive takes approx 6-7 hours. This is a highly scenic drive through lush rural countryside via the main highway to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, your day is free to do what you would like to do best.
 
Maybe you could go in for some last minute shopping to pick up some souvenirs for the loved ones at home, or maybe you could just chill with a few beers at your hotel. At eventide, we visit an upscale Nepalese restaurant for a delicious Nepalese supper to celebrate a trip well enjoyed. While savoring our meal, we will be entertained to a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles, we are going to enjoy this evening to the hilt. Overnight at your hotel
 
Day 15: Depart Kathmandu for that sweet place we call ‘home’ - Adios Buddies!

Our office escorts will take you to the airport for your flight home. If you’d like, you can stay longer for short tours or go on a game drive to National parks, or go-wild rafting can be another option. Going overland to Tibet will also be a wise move if you have extra time. Feel free to contact us if you care to make a decision at: info@incentiveholidays.com – We will be glad to help you. It’s been wonderful knowing you. Bon Voyage! And take care.

Please note: This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and fluctuating weather patterns may necessitate variations of the program. Be aware that all times stated are approximate, and may vary with individual fitness, group strength, trail and weather conditions. Should any changes be required, our senior trek leader will make the final decision after consulting with the group. Other than this, we operate as per the program.

Trip Information

Accommodation

A ‘Camping trek’ is a term used for sleeping in tents. The tents we provide are ‘Two men or couple domes’ or ‘A’ shaped. A foam mattress with insulation underneath is used for sleeping. Clients need to have their own sleeping bag. Bags or cloth packs are used as pillows. It’s a matter of choice, if you want, you bring your own ‘Air pillow’ and freak out anyways, and this is adventure in the wild…the rougher it gets the better.

We have a pool of hotels in Kathmandu under 3 Star categories which we provide to clients in connection with this program, unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a choice of their own. You can check on the description of such hotels through our website. Accommodation is never a problem, the choice exclusively yours.

Dining

At ‘Incentive Holidays’ – its zero tolerance on cutting of cost when it comes down to feeding our trekking guests, because we know how tough it is on the trails; we provide three tasty, bountiful and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Western dishes. To start the day, breakfast is ‘king size’ [the first meal of the day] consisting of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereals followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread. Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads. 

After a lengthy gritty day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3 course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetables, meat, rice and pasta dishes completed with a simple dessert. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals. We use as much fresh produce as possible and special diets are regularly catered for. The local trek leaders are able to maintain very tight controls on health and hygiene in the kitchen with respect to general cleanliness and food preparation and also within the group with respect to personal hygiene. This has allowed us to maintain extremely high standards of health over many years of planning treks - and good health is vital to an enjoyable and successful trek and climb. All foods are well cooked and vegetables are treated by potassium permanganate or iodine. Boiled water is served for drinking. Antiseptic soaps and potassium or iodine treated water are provided for washing. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for. ‘Gluttony is a sin’ but there are no restrictions on the grub we serve to our guests on the mountains; we leave it up to our trekking guests who are the best judge of their own appetites.

Cost Inclusion / Exclusion

Cost Inclusion

• 3NHotel accommodation on twin sharing basis in BB plan at KTM-PKR
• 1NHotel accommodation on twin sharing basis in BB plan at -PKR                     
• 10N accommodation at a Normal hotel /lodge/ home stay during trekking 
• One English speaking guide 
• Porter (1 Porter for 2 Pax)
• 3 meals (Breakfast, Lunch & dinner) everyday during Trekking 
• National park fees
• TIMS
• Airport pick up and drop 
• Farewell Nepali cultural dinner at Kathmandu 
• All ground transfer as per itinerary (KTM-PKR-KTM by tourist coach)

Cost Exclusion

• International Air Fare
• Domestic Air Fare
• Entrance Fees
• Daily Meals (Lunch & Dinner) during Kathmandu
• Tips to Guide & Driver
• Bar Expense
• Telephone, Laundry and Internet
• Personnel Insurance
• Emergency Evacuation
• All other personal expenses
• Nepal visa fee

Popular Sightseeing places in Kathmandu:

• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square
• Patan Durbar Square
• Pashupatinath Temple
• Boudhanath Stupa
• Swayambhunath Stupa

Half day sightseeing includes visit two of these places and full day sightseeing includes three of these places inside the ring-road of Kathmandu. Besides the above mentioned places, the charges will apply depending on the distance accordingly.

Travel Date

The best time to visit for a trip of this kind would be in the Spring and Autumn. It is wonderful duringthis time of the year when an overall beauties of the landscapes found in these trips are so distinct & stunning, due to clear weather pattern & sunny blue skies. Our program could be changed to accommodate individual group choices and preferences in order to give you proper holidays that become signature ventures for a lifetime.