Today you arrive in Kathmandu and transfer from Tribhuvan International Airport by private vehicle to your hotel. After a short pre-tour briefing before dinner the evening is free for you to relax in this wonderful medieval capital.

Today you kick off with a guided sightseeing tour of wonderful Kathmandu, which includes visits to places of historic and religious significance, such as Bodhnath and Swayambhunath (commonly known as the Monkey Temple), old Hindu temples, stunning palaces in and around the city’s Durbar Square area and medieval market squares.

A trek is one of the great highlights of a visit to Nepal – and you don’t need to be super-fit to enjoy one. The route we have planned is graded as ‘Moderate’ and can be accomplished by any reasonably fit individual that enjoys days out walking. All gear is carried by our own team of porters leaving you to walk with nothing more than a daysac. Unencumbered you’ll enjoy great mountain views as you walk from village to village enjoying cameo images of Nepal and stunning mountain views. Walking for around 6 hours per day, days are active but not exhausting. Each afternoon you’ll arrive in a specially chosen teahouse or lodge where the simple facilities are more than made up for by the ambience, company of other trekkers and your Nepali hosts.

This morning you fly to Pokhara, famous for Phewa Lake and mountain views, then drive to Naya Pul, a journey of approximately 1hr. Here you’ll meet the trailhead and proceed downhill from the road to follow the river to Birethanti (1025m).

Now continuing gently uphill for a couple of hours you reach Hille (1475m); with the streams, waterfalls, tropical vegetation and green fields this area has a lush and exotic feeling. Passing a suspension bridge in Tikedhunga you’ll ascend for about 45 mins to your overnight stop at Ulleri (1960m).

Altitude: 1960m’ trekking: 6hrs.

The day’s trek is an ascent to famous Ghorepani at 2750m. After a warming tea you set off contouring above the river for the first half hour. Then ahead is the famous staircase that seems to go on endlessly. This slow and steady climb passes many homes and tea houses and soon you'll get the first view of Annapurna South.

Higher up you’ll enter a wooded area cross a stream and, past this, enter Banthanti at 2300m. Beyond Banthanti you again enter a wooded area of jungle thick with vegetation and mossy trees. Then, follow a stream up a narrow valley with more stairs to climb and emerge from the jungle at Nangathanti (2520m); from here its just an hour to Ghorepani at 2750m.

Altitude: 2750m; trekking: 5hrs.

Rising early you’ll make the ritualistic ascent of nearby Poon Hill, at 3190m (45mins) hardly a hill! The effort is well-worthwhile as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Range as they flaunt themselves garbed by hues of the rising sun.

Returning to your teahouse you’ll collect your daypac and hit the trail to Tadapani (2590m). The trail from Ghorepani wends its way north along the ridge line with magnificent views of the Annapurnas stretching out from east to west – this is what trekking is all about!. You follow a forested ridge for a while, with views to both sides, and then descend steeply down a muddy slope to a small settlement. Continue down a narrow, muddy gorge which is heavily forested, following sometimes closely a stream.

Eventually, the gorge widens and the trail enters an open area with a view down a larger valley. Here you descend steeply to a stream before climbing through dense forest to ascend to Tadapani, 2700m.

Altitude: 3190m; trekking: 6hrs.

A relatively short day’s trek today, starting on a trail that contours the forested hillside descending steadily with some steep downhill sections. You reach the small settlement of Bhaisi Kharka where the two routes to Ghandruk converge; here you’ll continue to descend until you meet the path following the Kyunri Khola.

Crossing the stream, a short walk leads to Ghandruk at 1940m through the northern edge of the village. Ghandruk is a delightful, ornate Gurung village which has grown large and prosperous on the pensions of retired Gurkha soldiers. From here dramatic views of the peaks of Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and the so-famous Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) opens up.

Rest of the day can be spent wandering around the village, visiting the local museum and the ACAP office.

Altitude: 1940m; trekking: 4hrs.

Leaving Ghandruk, a steep descent n steps marks the start of the day. As soon as you cross the stream you, find yourself at a trail junction. Stay on the left-hand trail and your descent down the steps resumes. Cross another stream and make a short descent to the village of Chane. Another long stretch of downhill path will get you to Syauli Bazaar and then on to Birethanti from where the roadhead is at a short distance away.

As your trek ends you travel to Pokhara for a chance to relax by the shores of famous Phewa Lake where the Himalayan peaks you have been enjoying over recent days are exquisitely reflected in the tranquil waters of the lake.

Here you can relax in the numerous cafes and restaurants, walk to the dramatic World Peace Pagoda, take a boat trip or visit the old part of town.

Around 2 hours east of Pokhara along the main highway that links Kathmandu with Pokhara a road veers off south, winding 8km into the hills. Once an important staging post on the road between Tibet and India Bandipur almost died when the construction of the main road south took away its raison d’etre. The once prosperous hill town with its finely carved Newari buildings and stunning Himalayan views fell into decline, people moved out and it became a shadow of its former self.

Today it has come to the attention of travellers to Nepal, largely it has to be said, as a result of our work in restoring your accommodation for tonight – The Old Inn. A few years ago this striking property on Bandipur’s main street was falling down, its bricks crumbling and woodwork rotting. We at Himalayan Encounters set about restoring it to its former glory, finally completing the task in 2002. Today it provides comfortable yet unpretentious accommodation for travellers that want to see a different side of Nepal. Visitors’ stays has benefited local people who sell foodstuffs to the Old Inn, staff it and provide some guiding services: sustainable tourism in action.

The town straddles a high ridge and has spectacular views down to the Marsyangdi Khola river and Annapurnas and The Old Inn has some of the best views in town.

A free day in Bandipur allows a chance to relax fully. The peace and quiet of the hills once again dominates. Here you can enjoy easy rambles in the vicinity of the town, seeing its temples, enjoying the prolific birdlife, seeing exotic plants and meeting its friendly people.

If the charm of Bandipur village compels you to stay put today feel free to do so, alternatively join us for a leisurely hike to the quiet and delightful little Magar village of Ramkot (4 hrs hiking for the return journey). You’ll enjoy a wonderful walk plus you’ll get an opportunity to interact with the local villagers, be witness to age-old farming methods and bask in the glory of stunning views of the Himalayas, the views from here being different to the ones enjoyed from Bandipur. Other suggestions are available.

Chitwan National Park stretches long and narrow along the Indo-Nepal border in what is referred to as the Terai. This is low-lying jungle where, rivers rage full of snowmelt, pools provide water holes for jungle animals, phanta 'elephant-grass' grows 4 metres amongst massive tropical trees. Cold at night during the winter the mist of early morning hides the Indian one-horned rhino, deer, leopard and even the rarely seen tiger.

For many seeing a rhino in the wild is a dream experience and there are few places in the world better than Chitwan to go on safari in search of this remarkable animal. On arrival you’ll have a chance to relax before heading out with an experienced local guide into the tall grasses for a late afternoon elephant-back safari looking for rhino. Keep a look out too for sloth bear, leopard, tiger, gaur, chital, jackal, otter, porcupine and mongoose as well as the more than 400 species of bird that make the park their home.

Staying as we do just outside the park means you can get to explore the area relatively easily. After a second safari, this time early in the morning you set out to explore. On your itinerary is a visit to the elephant breeding centre where, beside the Rapti River, orphaned elephants and domesticated ones are cared for. You’ll also get to see local Tharu villages before returning to the hotel with time to either relax, hire bikes or explore further by canoe.

Today you make the long drive back into the foothills of the Himalayas to the capital Kathmandu. On arrival you are free to indulge in some souvenir shopping.

Along with Kathmandu and Patan, Bhaktapur was one of the valley’s 3 capitals. Known as the ‘city of potters’ the town’s famous clay pots are much in evidence as they dry amongst the stunning buildings of the town centre prior to firing. With vehicles prohibited a walk through Bhaktapur is a treat for the senses; bells ring out from small temples and wafts of incense mix with smells of freshly cooked food, saffron robed sadhus sit on temple steps and images of gods are decorated with vermillion. Today you have the option of a guided walking tour of the city.

If that doesn’t appeal how about a bike ride through the winding back roads of the valley, perhaps to temples such as that at Changu Narayan. Other visits to consider are to Budhanilkantha where there is a famous and huge image of Vishnu or to the City of the Arts, Patan. These and many more can easily be arranged with a little notice and as the mood takes you.

Your tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to Tribhuvan Airport for your flight home. We will be pleased to assist you with any further travel arrangements you may wish us to make on your behalf.