RNS - The Royal Nepal Spectacular Tour with Ker and Downey Nepal2008 -2009
THE ROYAL NEPAL SPECTACULAR
14 Days RNS Package Travel Tour Trekking Program with Ker and Downey Nepal. Starting and ending in Kathmandu, this 13 night / 14 day itinerary is considered to be one of the most comprehensive programs offered in Nepal. It allows guests to experience all aspects of this wonderful and exciting country. It has been designed so that the minimum amount of time is spent travelling between each destination, enabling one to enjoy the best that each activity can provide. The Royal Nepal Spectacular features the 5-star Yak & Yeti Hotel (in Kathmandu), the 5-star Shangri-La Village (in Pokhara), Ker & Downey Lodges (while on trek), Ker & Downey River Camp (on the Seti Gandaki River) and Tiger Tops Tented Camp (in Royal Chitwan National Park).
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.
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). 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. 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. 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). 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.
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 ½ 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. 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 ½
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. DAY 9: SETI RIVER CAMP
(1000 ft / 300 m) After breakfast, we transfer to Damauli, a journey of some 1½
hours through the countryside. Here we will be met by our experienced boat crew,
who will give us a full briefing prior to launch. The Seti River has no road
access so the river and surrounding valley remain pristine. Floating down the
river gives us a chance to see village life along the banks as well as the
abundant variety of birds. There will be a picnic lunch on a sandy beach on the
way to the camp. Today, there are 2 small rapids of no more than grade 2 and are
no longer than 165 ft / 50 metres. The remainder of the trip is very much a
float experience. Upon arrival, you will be shown to your safari style tent with
beds, changing room, veranda and attached bathroom. Rafting time 2 to 3 hours
depending on water levels. DAY 10: SETI RIVER
CAMP (1000 ft / 300 m) Today we will have a layover day at the Seti River
Camp. This second day allows us time to truly relax. In the morning, we’ll hike
through surrounding forests to remote nearby villages where no other travel
companies go. After our hike, we can take a dip in the river. Lunch is at the
camp. The afternoon is free to explore the landscaped gardens, riverbank, or
just relax in a hammock or tree house. Evenings are spent around an open fire of
driftwood, at this unique safari-style river camp.
DAY 11: The
morning is spent rafting. There are 5 class 2 rapids. Again, each is no more
than 165 ft / 50 meters. The remainder of the trip is a float when you can enjoy
the surrounding countryside. Rafting time will be 2 to 3 hours depending on
water levels. On completion of the rafting, we transfer by vehicle to the Royal
Chitwan National Park, enjoying lunch en route (a journey of some 2 hours.) On
arrival at the park, we are transferred to the Tented Camp by canoe and
four-wheel drive vehicle. On arrival at camp, we will receive a briefing prior
to an afternoon safari or nature walk. The safari-style tents at Tiger Tops have
en suite bathrooms.
Day 12: The day is
spent game viewing on elephant back and on foot. There are also lectures on the
wildlife of the Park. Boat trips are available on request. Day 14: 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)
Royal Nepal Spectacular includes:
Note: Customized Trek, Raft and Chitwan programs of varying lengths can be provided on request. Rates: US$ 3000 Per Person Departure Dates
Royal Nepal Spectacular excludes: International air, departure taxes, insurance, gratuities, Mount Everest Flight ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Head Office Ker & Downey Nepal P.O. Box 326, Pokhara, Nepal Tel: 977-61-523701, Fax: 977-61-526174 E-mail: Click Here |
