Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival At Kathmandu (1350m)

   • On arrival at Kathmandu Airport, clear customs and apply for Nepal Visa. 

   • Meet tour company representative with a placard displaying your name.

   • Transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu.

   • If there is enough time in the afternoon, explore Thamel or surrounding sites.

   • Welcome dinner in the evening.

   Overnight at hotel. 

2. Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu city

   • In the morning, go on a guided tour of two world heritage monuments - Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. Boudhanath is one of the most popular and biggest Buddhist stupas in the world and a magnet for Tibetan Buddhism. 

   • Nearby, visit one of the holiest and venerated Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. The golden-roofed pagoda-style temple hosts numerous monuments, cremation site, a deer and monkey park and an eastern classical music centre.

   • Prepare for trekking on the next day. 

   Overnight in Kathmandu hotel.

   Option: Take a mountain flight in the morning (6:40 a.m. - 7:40 a.m), that offers a bird's eye view of the magnificent landscape and Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Everest. 

3. Day 3: Kathmandu-Pokhara (850m)

   • Leave for Pokhara after breakfast. 

   • Either drive for 6-7 hours to Pokhara or take a 30 min scenic flight.

   • Option: It is a 3 hrs drive to Charaundi, the put-in point for Rafting on Trishuli River that ends at Kuringhat; then continue drive to Pokhara. (Rafting cost will be charged extra.)

   • On arrival at Pokhara, meet the guide and transfer to the hotel. The day is free at leisure to explore Pokhara on your own.

   Overnight at hotel.

4. Day 4: Pokhara - Nayapool - Ghandruk (2012m, 5-6 hrs)

   • Drive for one and a half hours to Nayapool (1011m), the starting point for trekking.

   • From Nayapool, the trail steadily progresses along Modi Khola to Birethanti, then gradually passes through paddy fields crisscrossed by roads.

   • Up ahead the muddy trail snakes through terraced hills via Sauli bazaar, a perfect lunch spot. 

   • Now the trek goes towards North, up the Modi Valley on an uphill journey till Ghandruk. Settled by ethnic Gurung communities, the village is instantly recognisable by slated roof houses and rhododendron trees with a backdrop of majestic mountains including Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare, and Hiunchuli, which are clearly visible in the morning. 

   Overnight at local lodge. 

5. Day 5: Ghandruk - Tadapani (2630 m, 3-4 hours)

   • It will take at least 3-4 hours on a steady trek to reach Tadapani from Ghandruk. 

   • The trail passes through quiet rhododendron forest that reverberates with occasional singing and chirping of birds. 

   • The final section of this trek runs through the village of Bherikharka, on a slightly uphill leg to Tadapani.

   Overnight at local lodge.

6. Day 6: Tadapani - Dobato (3426m) - Bayali Kharka (3492m) 6-7 hours

   • The trail from Tadapani to Dobato has fewer trekkers and a mesmerizing panorama of the Dhaulagiri range including Kali Gandaki Valley. There are no settlements or tea houses along this trail that inclines gradually. 

   • By late afternoon, reached Bayali Kharka, a seasonal yak pasture. The pasture is a good viewpoint for spectacular peaks of Dhaulagiri range, as well as the sprawling valley of Kali Gandaki and Ghorepani. 

   • On reaching Dobato, there's a trail that diverts west to Mule Peak (3637m). Interested trekkers who would like to see more of the wonderful Himalayan peaks, can take a side trip to Mule Peak. It will take 30 min to reach the Mule Peak and another 30 min to climb down. Mulde Peak offers the clear view of over two dozen mountain peaks including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Lamjung Himal etc, along with an equally breathtaking view of Phewa lake in Pokhara Valley. 

   Overnight at a  local lodge (BLD) (3,426m) 

7. Day 7: Bayali Kharka - Upper Chistibang (2990m, 3-4 hrs) - Khopra Danda / Kopra Ridge (3660m, 4-5 hrs)

   • The first section of the trail from Bayali Kharka to Upper Chistibang descends continuously, passing through the thickly wooded area. The trail offers picturesque views of green hills and far away villages with a backdrop of beautiful snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

   • At Upper Chistibang, originally called Dhankharka, stop for lunch, served at a community lodge. 

   • After leaving Upper Chistibang, the trail begins to climb steadily through alpine meadows to reach the isolated yak pasture known as Khopra Danda. Located above tree-line, Khopra Ridge is an excellent viewpoint and houses Khopra Danda Community Lodge. 

   • Go for a short walk down to lower part of Khopra which offers a breathtakingly close-up panorama of Mt Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Fang and Annapurna South, as well as the world's deepest gorge of Kali Gandaki down below.

   Overnight at local lodge. 

8. Day 8: Khayer Lake (4620m, 10~11 hrs)

   • Early in the morning, have warm breakfast and begin day trek to Khayer Lake.

   • Since there are no teahouses along the way and around Khayer Lake, carry along a lunch pack. 

   • The trek immediately begins to ascend crossing nearby cliffs with stunning views of Himalayan mountains. The final part of the trek is particularly steep, till Khayer lake. Dedicated to Goddess Barahini, the lake is ensconced deep into a hill just below the summit of Annapurna South. The lake is spread in an area of approximately 2 sq.km. 

   Overnight at community lodge.

9. Day 9: Khopra Danda - Paudwar (2000m, 4-5 hrs)

   • From Khopra Danda, the trek is entirely downhill all the way to Paudwar. Paudwar is a densely settled Magar village that also has a community operated cheese factory and local honey facility. 

   • There would be plenty of time to take a village tour, taste the cheese and honey, and interact with locals. 

   • Choose either a homestay or local lodge for overnight (subject to availability)

10. Day 10: Paudwar - Tatopani  (1185m, 4-5 hrs)

    • Paudwar to Tatopani is a downhill walk through an unpaved road. Tatopani has a famous natural hot spring for relaxing and healing. 

    Overnight at local lodge. 

11. Day 11: Drive from Tatopani to Pokhara - 5/6 hrs

    • After breakfast, drive from Tatopani to Pokhara. 

    • Rest of day is free at leisure in Pokhara.

    Overnight at hotel. 

12. Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu

    • Drive to Kathmandu

    • Alternatively, you can drive to Lumbini or Chitwan National Park for Jungle safari (BL) (1,350m)

13. Day 13: Kathmandu

    • Sightseeing at Bhaktapur (B) (1,350m)

14. Day 14: Departure

    • Last minute shopping or exploring Kathmandu. 

    • Late morning transfer to the airport for the onward flight or continuing on with other explorations in Nepal