The Sacred Mountain Trek
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Country: Nepal |
Description |
| Starting and ending in Kathmandu, this
9 night / 10 day features the main reason why most people
come to Nepal: Trekking in the Himalayas. The minimum
amount of time is spent traveling between each destination,
enabling one to make the most of their time in Nepal.
The Sacred Mountain Trek features the 5-star Yak &
Yeti Hotel (in Kathmandu), the 5-star Shangri-La Village
(in Pokhara) and Ker & Downey Lodges (while on trek). |
Itinerary |
DAY 1: KATHMANDU (4265 ft / 1300 meters):
Arrive in Kathmandu; reception at airport and transfer
to the centrally located Yak & Yeti Hotel. We will
have a full briefing on our program followed by a sightseeing
trip to Durbar Square. There will be a welcome dinner
at a local restaurant, followed by a short walk back
to the hotel.
Overnight Yak & Yeti Hotel, deluxe room (D)
DAY 2: TREK TO SANCTUARY LODGE: (3750ft/1150m) This
morning we fly to Pokhara (3300 ft /1000 m). We’ll
have a briefing at the Ker & Downey head office
before we transfer by road with guides & porters
to our trek start point {1-hour}. Our walk will follow
a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas
with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route
then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Ker &
Downey's Sanctuary Lodge is located. The lodge has magnificent
views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain,
or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known. A picnic lunch
is provided with a late afternoon arrival at the Lodge.
(Trek time 3-4 hours).
Overnight Sanctuary Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 3: TREK TO HIMALAYA LODGE, GHANDRUK. (6,600ft/2,012m).
After breakfast, we leave the lodge walking out through
the outlying farms following the Modi River Valley.
Soon we begin to climb out of the valley & up towards
the mountains. The trail passes through small hamlets,
terraced rice fields and forests with spectacular views
of the surrounding valley. Snacks are provided along
the trail. Hot lunch is served on arrival at the lodge
in the early afternoon. (Trek time 5-6 hours). It is
from this lodge that there are magnificent close up
views of the surrounding mountains.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 4: HIMALAYA LODGE: We wake up this morning with
tea and coffee served in the garden and watch the sunrise
over Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna,
and the Fishtail. After enjoying a relaxing breakfast
and the glorious views from the Himalaya Lodge, our
guide will take us on an exploration of this mountain
village and the surrounding countryside. Ghandruk was
once a major recruitment centre for the famous Gurkha
soldiers. The women of Ghandruk maintain a local industry
of weaving traditional Nepalese rugs.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 5: TREK TO SANCTUARY LODGE, BIREHTANTI: (3750ft/1150m)
After breakfast, we leave the Himalaya Lodge walking
out through the village of Ghandruk. Buffaloes and goats
graze in the surrounding fields and you may have to
make way for the donkey and mule trains that convey
goods to and from the Gurkha settlements. You may also
meet some of the trekkers coming down from or heading
up to the Sanctuary itself. We continue descending for
about 2 or 3 hours until we reach Shauli Bazaar. From
here, we follow along the Modi River until reaching
the Sanctuary Lodge. We’ll have lunch at the lodge
followed by another opportunity to walk to the village
of Birethanti. Or you may choose to spend the afternoon
relaxing by the river bank. (Trek time 4 hrs).
Overnight Sanctuary Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 6: TREK TO GURUNG LODGE, MAJGAUN: (4620ft/1,400m)
Following a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Sanctuary
lodge & trek to Ker & Downey's Gurung Lodge.
The lodge is built along the lines of a traditional
Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of
the surrounding valley and mountains. Trek time to the
Lodge is just 2 hours. After lunch at the lodge, you
will be escorted to the local village of Tanchok. There
will be a talk at a local house, now made into a museum.
The contents of the house illustrate how the local people
live, together with the tools and implements of day
to day traditional village life. There will also be
a visit to the school and should there be more than
6 guests, the school children will visit the lodge and
perform a number of local dances and songs typical of
the region.
Overnight Gurung Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 7: TREK TO BASANTA LODGE, DHAMPUS (5000 ft / 1525
m).This morning we start out trekking through the unspoiled
village of Patlekhet. Our walk takes us through sub-tropical
forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and
magnolias. Along the way, we will stop at the village
of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell
their souvenirs. After about 3 1⁄2 hours, we arrive
at the Basanta Lodge. From the lodge, there are sweeping
views of the entire Annapurna Range. After lunch at
the lodge there will be an optional walk through the
old village of Dhampus.
Overnight Basanta Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 8: TREK TO POKHARA (3300 ft /1000 m) After breakfast,
we depart along the ridge & descend through the
wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley
floor. Trek time 1 1⁄2 hours. We then transfer
by vehicle to the Shangri-La Village Resort in Pokhara
(30 minutes). On the way back to Pokhara, the vehicle
can stop on request at the Tibetan refugee camp where
you will have time to explore the temple complex. We’ll
arrive at the Shangri-La Village in time for lunch.
The rooms at the Shangri-La are filled with ethnic touches.
Surrounding the rooms are spacious, landscaped gardens,
water features, a swimming pool and stunning views of
the surrounding mountains. The rest of the afternoon
is free to explore the lakeside where most of Nepal’s
Tibetan curio shops are located.
Overnight Shangri-La Village Resort (B, L, D)
DAY 9: After breakfast, transfer to the airport for
our flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu,
we’ll visit Boudhanath, home to the largest Buddhist
Stupas in Nepal and a great place for last minute shopping.
We’ll then return to the hotel.
Overnight Yak & Yeti Hotel, Deluxe room (B)
Day 10: After an early morning breakfast, we will have
the option to experience one of the most spectacular
mountain flights in the world. The plane departs Kathmandu
and flies eastwards, alongside the Himalayas, giving
us eye-level views of the highest peaks on earth, including
Mt. Everest. The flight lasts one hour. After the mountain
flight, we return to the hotel for breakfast (time permitting)
before returning to the airport for our onward journey
(B) |
Departure |
| Kathmandu, Nepal |
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Included |
Two nights' accommodation at the Yak
& Yeti Hotel:
Deluxe rooms
Daily Breakfast
Welcome dinner at a nearby local restaurant
One nights' accommodation at Shangri-La Village Resort,
Pokhara:
Deluxe rooms
Full Board
Six nights' accommodation in Ker & Downey's Lodges.
Featuring:
Solar heated showers, flush toilets and electricity
All meals, snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee while
on trek
All laundry while on trek
Evening Happy Hour including soft drinks and local alcoholic
Services of qualified Ker & Downey guides and porters
The loan of Ker & Downey Trek Pack, which includes
duffel bags, daypacks, hat and scarf (these items you
may keep) walking stick, poncho
Down jackets, warm hats and gloves are provided in the
lodges
A comprehensive group First Aid Kit, carried by your
guide
Sightseeing in Kathmandu:
Durbar Square and Boudhanath
All internal air and land transfers in Nepal
All permits
Use of trained guides throughout your trip
Sacred Mountain Trek excludes:
International air, departure taxes, insurance, gratuities,
Mount Everest Flight |
Departure Dates |
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October 14, 2008 - October 23, 2008; November 11 - November 20, 2008; December 22, 2008 - December 31 2008; January 12 - January 21, 2009 (15% discount on this departure!); February 16 - February 25, 2009; March 5 - March 14, 2009; April 3 - April 12, 2009; October 15 - October 24, 2009; November 4 - November 13, 2009
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