Nepal

Cultural highlights of Kathmandu Valley

Mar 16

Meet Tashi after breakfast for introductions and a briefing about the trip, and then depart for a full-day city tour with his guide to see the most important cultural sights in the city. You’ll visit the Boudhanath Stupa and the Pashupatinath Temple, which highlight Hindu and Buddhist architecture. You will enjoy expansive city views from the Monkey Temple, then spend the afternoon visiting the old city of Patan, where you will find beautiful crafts made by local artisans. In the evening, Tashi will host a wonderful Nepalese welcome dinner at a restaurant close to your hotel where you will also enjoy a traditional dance performance.

Bardia National Park

Mar 17-20

Fly to Nepalgunj in the lowlands of Nepal – a striking shift in scenery from your previous days. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed with refreshments and then transferred to your lodge, a journey of approximately two hours. Along the way, you'll get a sense of life in the Terai, Nepal's southern lowlands bordering India. As you approach the lodge, you'll cross the Babai River, where you might spot sunbathing marsh mugger crocodiles. Upon reaching the lodge, savor a delightful Nepali lunch in the serene outdoor garden.

In the late afternoon, embark on a thrilling jeep safari hoping to spot elusive tigers and leopards in Bardia National Park. Dusk, when the day cools down, is an opportune time to catch a glimpse of these majestic cats as they patrol their territories. After the safari, gather around an inviting outdoor fireplace before transitioning to the Golghar (Nepalese for dining room) for a satisfying dinner.

Bardia, the largest national park in the lowland Terai region, was originally established to protect tigers and their prey. It began as a wildlife reserve and expanded in 1988 to ensure ample deer habitat, fostering a thriving tiger population. In 1997, additional surrounding areas, forests, and private lands managed by park authorities and local communities were designated as a buffer zone.

Over the next three days, you'll have ample time for jeep safaris across Bardia National Park's grasslands, woodlands, and riverbanks. Early breakfasts set the tone for full days spent in the park, complete with picnic lunches along the picturesque riverbanks – a prime location for tigers to suddenly emerge from the towering elephant grass (reaching heights of up to 8 meters!). Keep an eye out for shy, smooth-coated otters that occasionally appear along the rivers. Your knowledgeable guides will track tiger footprints from the jeep, as these creatures are known to stroll along the park's roads. As you explore, you'll encounter herds of exquisite chital (also known as spotted deer), a favored prey of tigers. Additionally, black-faced langurs and rhesus macaques will likely make appearances along your route.

Fly to Pokhara and trek to Majgaon at 4,600ft

Mar 21-22

Fly to Pokhara, the second largest city in Nepal. Pokhara has a great range of altitudes within the city, from 2,700ft in the south to 5,700ft in the north, and offers spectacular views of several majestic mountain chains including Lantang, Manaslu, and Annapurna.

Tashi’s assistant, your main trek guide, will meet you at the airport to drive one hour to your starting point in Lumle at about 6,500ft. During the drive, you’ll stop to photograph the breathtaking panoramas of the Annapurnas. Local porters will transport your luggage as you trek from Lumle, walking about one hour to the village of Chandrakot, situated at about 5,200ft. From this village, take in spectacular views of Annapurna South, the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain (locally known as Machapuchare). From Chandrakot, you will walk through a forested area along a well-worn trail for about one hour to your lodge in Majgaon, situated at about 4,600ft.

One your second day in Majgaon, you can relax and absorb the views. If you’d like to explore more, you may walk to the local villages of Tanchowk, Majhgaun, and Patlekhet. Your local guides will offer you other spectacular day hikes as well.

During your four days of trekking, look for resident and migrant birds including shrikes, magpies, treepies, orioles, drongos, flycatchers, bulbuls, warblers, and sunbirds. Spot Himalayan vulture and other raptors, including eagles and hawks, in flight. Perhaps the unafraid Himalayan whistling thrush (also known as blue whistling thrush) will sing from the lodge’s roof during dawn and dusk. The most common birds in the area are the Himalayan bulbul and the crimson sunbird.

Trek to Landruk at 5,200ft

Mar 23

After breakfast, bid farewell to Majgaon and depart for Landruk. The trail passes through blooming rhododendrons and forests punctuated with Gurung villages. After about four hours, you will arrive in the beautiful village of Landruk where you’ll enjoy lunch and then visit a Gurung village and watch the birds found there.

Trek to Ghandruk at 6,700ft

Mar 24-25

In the morning, soak in the view of the majestic mountains, and after breakfast, begin your last day of trekking. You’ll descend the steep trail towards Modi Khola through scattered villages with beautiful views of the Himalayas, and then a steep ascent to reach Ghandruk. The lodge respects the Gurung architecture with a large common dining room with a friendly fireplace and spectacular views of the mountains, including Gangapurna, Machapuchare (Fishtail), Mount Annapurna, and other snow-capped peaks. On your second day, explore the fascinating village and visit the local museum.

Drive to Pokhara for lunch, lake walk, and Peace Pagoda

Mar 26

After a walk to the main road, return to vehicle transportation and drive to Pokhara, about one hour away. After lunch, walk along the lakeside to find the special birds in the hotel gardens. You’ll see abundant waterbirds and perhaps even an osprey fishing. Drive up to the famous Peace Pagoda for beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and Pokhara, and watch overhead for raptors, such as eagles and vultures, riding the thermals.

Annapurna helicopter flight and leisurely afternoon village walk

Mar 27

Board a helicopter at your lodge and fly through the snowcapped Himalayan range to Annapurna Base Camp. This flight is both thrilling and peaceful as you soar above the snowy peaks and the vast drop offs. Take in an ariel view of the mountains, valleys, lake, and town. This experience puts an exclamation point on your journey though Nepal. Later take a pleasant village walk, go birding, and enjoy the luxury of your lodge.

Return to Kathmandu

Mar 28

Fly back to Kathmandu and enjoy some free time to reflect on this amazing experience and prepare for your journey onward. Dine with the Tenzing family in the evening at their lovely home.

Join optional morning scenic Everest flight before heading to the airport for flights home.

Mar 29

Arrive home.

Mar 30