THE SACRED MOUNTAIN TREK AND SETI RIVER FLOAT

Starting and ending in Kathmandu, this 11 night / 12 day features what many consider to the be best of Nepal: Trekking in the Annapurnas and a Float Experience on the Seti River.  Indeed the walk from the Seti river camp is consistently voted ‘favorite walk’ by our past guests. The minimum amount of time is spent traveling between each destination, enabling one to enjoy the best that each activity can provide. The Sacred Mountain Trek and Seti River Float features the 5-star Yak & Yeti Hotel (in Kathmandu), the 5-star Shangri-La Village (in Pokhara), Ker & Downey Lodges (while on trek) and the Ker & Downey River Camp (on the Seti Gandaki River).

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.
Overnight Yak & Yeti Hotel, deluxe room (D)

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).
Overnight Sanctuary Lodge (B, L, D)

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.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge (B, L, D)

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.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge (B, L, D)

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). Overnight Sanctuary Lodge (B, L, D)

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.
Overnight Gurung Lodge (B, L, D)

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. Overnight Basanta Lodge (B, L, D)

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.
Overnight Shangri-La Village Resort (B, L, D)

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.
Overnight Seti River Camp (B, L, D)