Annapurna Luxury Lodge Trek

Welcome to Nepal! Fly into the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu where an airport representative from your tour will meet you. Your guide will brief you with more details about your tour package when you arrive at your hotel. Enjoy a traditional dinner to welcome you to Nepal.

After breakfast in your hotel, take a guided sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley, experiencing the highlights of this vibrant city. Visit a well-known Buddhist temple called Stupa Swayambunath, or the “Monkey Temple”. From this point, high on a hill, witness the inspiring view of the mountains and the Kathmandu Valley that surrounds you. Stupa Swayambunath is the oldest and most mysterious shrine in Kathmandu, attracting Buddhist visitors and tourists from all over the world to view its distinctive white dome and sparkling gold spire. Next, drive to the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple on the Indian subcontinent, and the crematorium beside it. Finally, your tour concludes with a visit to Patan Durbar Square where you can see many notable temples and palaces from past centuries, each an excellent example of traditional Nepalese architecture.

If you choose, you can begin this day with an incredible early morning flight to see Mount Everest. Later, fly to Pokhara (1,000 m/3,300’) with spectacular views of the mountains from above. Here you’ll meet your trekking guides and porters and transfer by car for about an hour to reach the trailhead. Begin your trek by following the trail along a ridge that overlooks the beautiful Pokhara Valley in the lower foothills of the Annapurna range. The trail then descends into the Modi River Valley to reach the Sanctuary Lodge (1,150 m/3,750’). From this lodge, you’ll have a clear view of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain). This mountain is considered sacred by the local people and remains unclimbed by human beings. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the trail and arrive at the Sanctuary Lodge in the late afternoon.

Follow the Modi River valley through the farms at the outskirts of the village. Soon the trail begins to climb up out of the valley and into the mountains. You’ll pass through forests, small villages, and rice fields, always with incredible views of the valley below. Snacks will be provided along your trek today, and you’ll be served a hot lunch in the early afternoon when you arrive at the Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk (2,000 m/6,600’). This lodge brings you much closer to the mountains and the views are simply breathtaking.

Wake up early this morning and enjoy coffee and tea served to you in the garden as you watch an incredible sunrise over the surrounding mountains. From here you can see the peaks of Annapurna 1, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Mountain. Enjoy a slow morning with a relaxing breakfast at the Himalaya Lodge surrounded by these exquisite views, then take a guided tour of the village of Ghandruk. Ghandruk is well-known as a former recruitment center for the renowned Gurkha soldiers. Today, the local women drive the weaving industry, producing gorgeous traditional rugs. When you have fully explored the village and its surrounding countryside, return to the Himalaya Lodge to spend another night.

As you leave Ghandruk, there is a steep descent down to the banks of the Modi River. The cliffs that rise from this place are where the famous Nepalese honey hunters climb up ropes in order to collect honey. Cross the Modi River via the suspension bridge, then follow the trail up a series of switchbacks for about an hour until you come to Lhandruk (1,565 m/5,415‘). Once again, the village offers more beautiful Annapurna vistas. After a total of 4 hours on the trail, you should reach the lodge in time to eat lunch. Spend the afternoon on a guided exploration of the village.

Trek for about 4 hours to the wonderful Gurung Lodge in Majgaun. The trail today follows the contours of the side of a hill, with gentle ups and downs. You’ll pass through farmland and villages on this leisurely walk, and you should reach the Gurung Lodge (1,400 m/4,620’) in time to eat lunch. In the afternoon, optional hikes are available to explore nearby villages. Spend the night in the Gurung Lodge.

Leave Majgaun and start the day with a trek through Patlekhet, and unspoiled village. Continue walking through beautiful sub-tropical forests where you can see the abundant plant life, including rhododendrons, magnolias, and tree orchids. Stop along your trek in Pothana, a village inhabited by many Tibetan traders who sell souvenirs. After Pothana, continue hiking for about 3.5 hours and you’ll arrive at the Basanta Lodge in Dhampus (1,525 m/5,000’). Eat lunch in the lodge and enjoy the panoramic views of the whole Annapurna mountain range. In the afternoon, there is an optional tour through the ancient village of Dhampus. Return to Basanta Lodge to spend the night.

After breakfast in the lodge, leave Dhampus and follow the trail as it traces the ridgeline then descends through terraced farmland and wooded hillsides to reach the valley floor. This trek takes about 1.5 hours. Here in the valley, a vehicle will meet you to transport you to Pokhara. The drive to Pokhara takes about 30 minutes, with an optional stop to visit a Tibetan refugee camp and explore a temple. You should arrive at your hotel in Pokhara, the Temple Tree Resort, in time to eat lunch. You’re sure to enjoy this beautiful resort filled with local Nepalese details. In addition to comfortable rooms, enjoy a swimming pool, landscaped gardens, and water features. You can’t miss the amazing mountain views from the hotel. In the afternoon, you are free to explore the lakeside area as you wish. If you’re interested in shopping, there is a great concentration of Tibetan curio shops here. Spend the night in the Temple Tree Resort in Pokhara (830 m/2,640’).

Transfer to Damauli, a 1.5-hour drive through the beautiful countryside. In Damauli, you’ll meet your experienced boating crew and guides, and prepare for a rafting trip on the Seti River. You’ll be amazed at the pristine, untouched river and the surrounding valley, as there is no road access to the Seti River. As you float down the river, notice the many different species of birds that call this valley home. You’ll also have the chance to witness village life along the banks of the river from a unique perspective. Stop on a sandy beach for lunch then continue down the river to reach the Seti River Camp (300 m/1,000’). Other than two short sections of class II rapids, today’s rafting journey is a gentle float down the river. Depending on the water levels, it will take about 2-3 hours on the river to reach the camp. When you arrive, settle in at your comfortable, safari-style tent that has beds and room to change, a veranda, and a connected bathroom tent.

Today is a day to rest and relax at the Seti River Camp. After breakfast, your guide will lead you on a hike through the forest to visit some truly remote villages nearby where tourists rarely visit. After the hike, enjoy a refreshing swim in the river before eating lunch at the camp. Your afternoon is unplanned and free for you to explore the riverbank, wander the lovely landscaped gardens or just put your feet up in a treehouse or hammock. In the evening, gather around a driftwood campfire under the stars.

After breakfast, return to the river and spend the morning rafting. You can expect five short sections of class II rapids, but most of the trip is a relaxing float through the delightful countryside. Depending on the water levels, it will take 2-3 hours to reach your destination. Leaving the river behind, it is time for a 4.5-hour drive back to Kathmandu. Enjoy this scenic drive along the Trisuli River, then over the mountain ridge and into the Kathmandu valley. After arriving at your Kathmandu hotel in the afternoon, you have free time for the rest of the day.

Today is a free day to explore Kathmandu at your leisure. This extra day is added to your itinerary in case of bad weather delaying any part of your tour. It is up to you how you will spend your day, but there are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing or shopping, or you may choose to simply relax in the hotel.

Sadly, your tour has reached its end. Depending on your flight time, you may have free time to explore before it is time to return to the airport. There are options for souvenir shopping or exploring cultural sites near your hotel. Your guide can help you find what you’re looking for, then an airport representative will escort you to the airport and help with any details. Have a pleasant journey!