Luxury Annapurna and Chitwan - 14 Days

Luxury Annapurna and Chitwan - 14 Days

This route is an excellent opportunity to experience the culture of traditional life in the Nepali countryside, as you share the route with shepherds and donkey trains and witness traditional Nepali farming life. You'll also get those incredible views that Nepal is famous for with overnights in luxury lodges along the way. You'll then leave the mountains for the jungle to experience a completely different side of Nepal before returning back to Kathmandu.

Highlights
• Experience traditional life in the villages of the Annapurna foothills
• Enjoy stunning views of the Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri
• Learn about Gurung culture, the largest ethnic group in the Nepal Himalaya
• Stay in the famous Ker & Downey lodges for a taste of luxury each night
• Relax at a jungle resort for a couple days before returning to Kathmandu

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Kathmandu!

As you fly into Kathmandu, you'll have beautiful views over the city, the Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. After going through customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you and guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to get you settled into your hotel.

Day 2 Explore Kathmandu

After breakfast, there are then a number of ways you can spend your day given the numerous famous sights around the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day or we can provide a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private jeep to take you around).

Day 3 Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and overnight in Pokhara

Day 4 Drive to Phedi and trek to Dhampus (1700m)

Day 5 Trek from Dhampus to Landruk (6,234 ft / 1900 m)

After breakfast, you'll trek up to the village of Pothana and onwards to Deurali through rhododendron and orchid forest that holds a variety of bird species. From on top of the ridge at Deurali, you'll have great views of the Himalaya, including

Mt. Dhaulagiri, the highest mountain in this region.

You'll have time to enjoy the views and a well-earned rest, then descend through forest to Tolka, a small beautiful Gurung village rich in culture. You'll then proceed on to Beri Kharka and, from here, the trail descends through forest and villages to Landruk. Landruk is a large Gurung village situated above the Modi River where you'll stay the night in a local teahouse.

Day 6 Trek from Landruk to Ghandruk (6,365 feet / 1,940 m)

Enjoy the last moments of your higher elevation views with breakfast in Landruk. Then, the trail begins with a steep descent towards the Modi Khola (river) for about an hour, followed by a steep ascent of 2-3 hours through scattered villages to Ghandruk, with great views of the Himalaya en route.

Eventually, you'll reach the village of Ghandruk, one of the largest Gurung settlements in western Nepal. Once here, you will have time to enjoy the landscapes and snow-capped peaks like Gangapura, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Mount Annapurna.

Day 7 Trek from Ghandruk to Kimche, Drive to Pokhara

Day 8 Explore Pokhara 

Today, you'll have a full day in Pokhara to relax or enjoy a variety of activities. You may want to explore the cafés and restaurants, go shopping, or perhaps do something more adventurous like paragliding or mountain biking.

Day 9 Drive to Chitwan

Day 10 Explore Chitwan

Day 11 Drive back to Kathmandu

Day 12 Depart Kathmandu