Starting and ending in Kathmandu, this 9 night / 10 day features the main reason why most people come to Nepal: Trekking in the Himalayas. The minimum amount of time is spent traveling between each destination, enabling one to make the most of their time in Nepal. The Sacred Mountain Trek features the 5-star Yak & Yeti Hotel (in Kathmandu), the 5-star Shangri-La Village (in Pokhara) and Ker & Downey Lodges (while on trek).

Note: Customized Trek programs of varying lengths can be provided on request.

Rates:

1700$ per person.
Single supplement 400$

Departure Dates
 

• October 14, 2008 - October 23, 2008
• November 11 - November 20, 2008
• December 22, 2008 - December 31 2008
• January 12 – January 21, 2009 (15% discount on this departure!)
• February 16 – February 25, 2009
• March 5 – March 14, 2009
• April 3 – April 12, 2009
• October 15 – October 24, 2009
• November 4 – November 13, 2009

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: After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we’ll visit Boudhanath, home to the largest Buddhist Stupas in Nepal and a great place for last minute shopping. We’ll then return to the hotel.
Overnight Yak & Yeti Hotel, Deluxe room (B)

Day 10: 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)

The Sacred Mountain Trek includes:

• Two nights' accommodation at the Yak & Yeti Hotel:
  • Deluxe rooms
  • Daily Breakfast
  • Welcome dinner at a nearby local restaurant
• One nights' accommodation at Shangri-La Village Resort, Pokhara:
  • Deluxe rooms
  • Full Board
• Six nights' accommodation in Ker & Downey's Lodges. Featuring:
  • Solar heated showers, flush toilets and electricity
  • All meals, snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee while on trek
  • All laundry while on trek
  • Evening Happy Hour including soft drinks and local alcoholic
  • Services of qualified Ker & Downey guides and porters
  • The loan of Ker & Downey Trek Pack, which includes duffel bags, daypacks, hat and scarf (these items you may keep) walking stick, poncho
  • Down jackets, warm hats and gloves are provided in the lodges
  • A comprehensive group First Aid Kit, carried by your guide
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu:
  • Durbar Square and Boudhanath
  • All internal air and land transfers in Nepal
  • All permits
  • Use of trained guides throughout your trip

Sacred Mountain Trek excludes:

International air, departure taxes, insurance, gratuities, Mount Everest Flight