This tour covers all of the following:

• Return airfares from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne into Kathmandu with Thai International, one of the world's great airlines.  

• Fully guided and portered 9 day moderate trek in the beautiful Annapurna Region, including all meals and teahouse accommodation. 

• Four nights accommodation in Kathmandu & two nights in Pokhara. 

• A three night stopover in Thailand. 

• All transfers and breakfast and experienced guides and if there are 12 or more participants there will be an Australian tour leader. 

For anyone requiring a single room in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Thailand there is a single supplement of $390.

Autumn in Nepal is a wonderful time to trek as the days are clear, sunny and mostly dry - excellent for viewing the magnificent scenery. You will need to be physically fit and able to walk for up to seven hours a day (at your own pace) with some steep grades and rugged trails.
All food, accommodation, guides, porters, park fees and permits are included while on the trek. Baggage for the actual trek is limited to 15kg, excess can be left at the Kathmandu Hotel.

Tour Itinerary

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	Itinerary for Annapurna Region Trek Nepal - October 2009
	Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
14.10.09	Depart Sydney at 10.10pm & Brisbane at 11.59pm on TG 992, arriving in Bangkok at 6.00am the next morning.
15.10.09	Depart Melbourne at 12.30am on TG 980, arriving in Bangkok at 6.00am. All passengers depart Bangkok at 10.35am on TG 319, arriving in Kathmandu at 12.45pm. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Kathmandu Hotel. Our airport representative will be waiting for you in the arrival hall, located after passing out of the customs area. Look out for the Nepal Myths signboard. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes. A briefing given by our group leader is scheduled for the late afternoon. He will discuss our trekking program and co-ordinate any last minute arrangements.
16.10.09 (B)	Kathmandu City Sightseeing. In the morning we explore Kathmandu an organised sightseeing tour. We visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the Stupa. We also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further sightseeing and exploration. Later we are supplied our Trek Pack and departure information for tomorrow.
17.10.09 (B/D)	Kathmandu - Pokhara - Nayapuil - Syauli An early departure from the hotel this morning as we are transferred to the tourist bus park. From here we drive to Pokhara. After arriving in Pokhara we are transferred by road (private bus) to the starting point of the trek at Naya Phul, which we should reach in the early afternoon. Our first day's walk is particularly easy, following the sub-tropical Modi Khola River Valley to Birethanti, a large village on the old Nepal-Tibet trading route. After formalities at a check point we continue on through terraced paddy fields to Chimrong and then to the very pretty village of Syauli, which is our overnight halt. Here we enjoy superb views of the great peaks of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare, seen to the north standing guard over the entrance of the Annapurna Sanctuary.
18.10.09 (B/L/D)	Upper Ghandruk Today's walk commences with a steady ascent up a stone staircase high above the river valley where, to the north, there are again superb views of the Annapurna Mountains. A short but steep section leads to Kimche (1630m), where we can enjoy a drink and a well deserved rest. We then continue on to Chane on a wide, well defined, path of stone flags that contours its way through fields of wheat and millet to the largest village of the region, Ghandruk. This Gurung village is well known for the number of its men folk who have served in the British Gurkha regiments. Our lodge is located above the main village in a quite location, where we enjoy fine mountain views, in particular Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare (6993m) and Gangapurna.
19.10.09 (B/L/D)	Kot Danda It is an easier walk today. Leaving the terraced hillsides and the village of Ghandruk behind, we traverse the hillside and head towards the Annapurna Sanctuary. Weather permitting there are great mountain views all day. After a short climb to the saddle that leads to Kymrong, we ascend for a short distance through rhododendron forest to reach our lodge that stands alone on an isolated hilltop. The location is magnificent to the north, Annapurna South (7237m) and Machhapuchhare (6993m) seem as if they are almost within touching distance. To the south there are spectacular views of the terraced hillsides and pretty villages extending towards the Indian border. We arrive in time for lunch and in the afternoon visit the nearby village before enjoying the sunset.
20.10.09 (B/L/D)	Deurali We rise early to view the sunrise, then after breakfast we begin a gradual ascents through rhododendron forests. This trail is rarely used and we will not encounter any villages until we reach our lunch spot at Tadapani. There are fine views of Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m) Machhapuchhare and Lamjung Himal (6931m) along the way during our morning walk. After lunch we descend and then gradually climb to reach Bhantanti for a tea break before we cross a series of small streams in the forest and then ascend open ridges to reach our lodge at Deurali (2987m). Here we stop for the day and enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, if conditions are clear. You should not miss the opportunity to see the spectacular sunset and sunrise views from the hill behind our lodge. This is a highlight of the trip and it is really worthwhile making the effort of going in both the evening and morning, as each time gives us different perspectives of the mountains.
21.10.09 (B/L/D)	Ulleri We get up early and walk by torchlight before dawn, climbing up a ridge to enjoy sunrise over the mountains. The views are very similar to Poon Hill, but without the crowds! If conditions are clear we enjoy a magical panorama of the three 8000m peaks dominating the horizon - Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Annapurna I (8019m) and Manaslu (8156m). This, coupled with views of the 6000m deep Kali Gandaki Gorge and the trans Himalayan ranges that form the border with China (Tibet), makes it one of Nepal's best vantage points. After enjoying the sunrise we descend to the lodge for a late breakfast and then continue on down to Ghorepani (2780m), an in important stopover on the old trading rout to Tibet. From Ghorepani the walk is all downhill through beautiful forests to the village of Naya Thanti, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we again descend through oak and rhododendron forest to the village of Ulleri, perched high on the high overlooking Bhurungdi Khola Valley.
22.10.09 (B/L)	Pokhara Today is another early start to make the most of the day. From our lodge at Ulleri there is a very steep descent of over 500 meters on a stone staircase to the Bhurungdi Khola River, where we cross a small suspension bridge to reach the village of Tirkedunga. After giving the knees a well-earned rest, we continue on a more gentle descent to the village of Birethanti, on the banks of the Modi Khola. Here we take lunch and then cross the new bridge to the east bank, where we follow the river back to the road head at Naya Phul. After saying farewell to our porters we are transferred by coach back to Pokhara, where we stay at the Hotel, which is located close to the lakeside. After a welcomed shower, we have the rest of the day free to relax or do some exploring.
23.10.09 (B)	Pokhara We have allocated a further day in the peaceful surroundings of Pokhara. Your leader can advise you of sightseeing opportunities or you may wish to relax. The lakeside area has good shopping opportunities and Internet Cafe's. It is certainly worthwhile hiring a boat for a row out on the lake (Phewa Tal), which is the second largest in Nepal. Pokhara has an interesting old area as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist Monastery. There are various small museums scattered around town including the International Mountain Museum, which is well worth a visit.
24.10.09 (B/L/D)	Trisuli River Rafting After early breakfast at hotel in Pokhara, you will be driven 3-4 hours to the raft put in point at Malekhu. Abiding the guidelines provided by a river guide, you will raft down to Majimtar for about 4 hours with a short lunch break. Finally, you conclude the trip by setting a camp on the river bank.
25.10.09 (B/L/D)	Trisuli River Rafting You continue rafting along the rapids of Trishuli River to Mugling. After finishing rafting, driving time: approx 2 hours) drive to Royal Chitwan National Park. After arriving and settling in, we are introduced to the camp staff and resident naturalists who will discuss our program at Royal Park Wildlife Resort. There is some flexibility and activities may vary with the time of the year and known wildlife movements and locations. We may visit the elephant camp to see how their handlers, known as phanits, care for these beautiful animals. A late afternoon safari riding on elephants takes us into the forest and grasslands to observe the varied and exciting wildlife in the park. In the early evening the local Tharu dance troupe may perform a cultural program. We then enjoy dinner and afterwards we are free to relax in the bar and discuss the day's sightings or listen to the exotic sounds of the jungle at night.
26.10.09 (B/L/D)	Royal Chitwan National Park 5.30am wake up call; 5.45am tea/coffee; 6.00am elephant ride/bird watching; 8.00am breakfast; 9.00am canoe ride/elephant briefing/swimming and bath; 1.00pm lunch; 3.00pm elephant ride/nature walk/visit to observation tower/canoe ride; 6.30pm Tharu Stick Dance/slide show; 7.30pm dinner.
27.10.09 (B/L/D)	Royal Chitwan National Park 5.30am wake up call; 5.45am tea/coffee; 6.00am elephant ride/bird watching; 8.00am breakfast; 9.00am elephant briefing/swimming and bath/canoe ride; 1.00pm lunch; 3.30pm jungle drive/elephant ride/canoe ride; 6.30pm Tharu Stick Dance/slide show; 7.00pm dinner.
28.10.09 (B)	Drive to Kathmandu There is an early morning safari and a final chance to catch a glimpse of more of the exotic wildlife of the area. This is also our last chance to spot some of the animal that we may not have previously seen. After breakfast we drive onto the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu.
29.10.09 (B/D)	Kathmandu Day at leisure in Kathmandu for shopping and in the evening we will have a farewell dinner.
30.10.09 (B)	Kathmandu - Bangkok NB:  Remember to keep aside 1700 rupees for the departure tax, which must be paid at the money exchange booth in the departure hall prior to ticket check-in. Depart Kathmandu at 1.50pm on TG 320, arriving in Bangkok at 6.25pm. Transfer to the Manhattan Hotel in central Bangkok.
31.10.09 (B)	Bangkok Optional full day tour to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, including a long tail boat trip through rural klongs. Next visit a Thai handicraft centre then onto the Rose Garden for their internationally famous culture show followed by a short elephant show. A superb international buffet lunch in included. Price: $62.00
01.11.09 (B/D)	Bangkok Morning optional tour to see Bangkok's beautiful flower market, followed by a boat tour of Bangkok's klongs (canals and the busy Chao Phya River. See the Royal Barges and the spectacular Temple of Dawn. This is followed by a visit to a jewellery manufacturer. Price:  $35.00 This evening there will be an included farewell dinner. Brisbane passengers will have a late check out from the hotel before transferring to the airport.  Depart Bangkok at 11.59pm on TG 476, arriving in Brisbane at 12.05pm. (02.11.09)
02.11.09 (B)	Bangkok - Australia Early transfer to Bangkok airport. Sydney passengers depart at 7.25am on TG 451, arriving in Sydney at 8.35pm. Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 8.10am on TG 461, arriving in Melbourne at 9.20pm.
NOTE:	As the Brisbane passengers have one night less in Bangkok they will receive a discount of $25.00 per person twin share of $35.00 single room.

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Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable 8 weeks prior to departure. 
Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.
Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.
Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia.
Visas are required for Australian passport holders to Nepal. Visa fee for Nepal is $85.00 and we charge $30.00 for processing.
Basic Tour Price and Taxes -  Air taxes and fuel levies are included in the basic tour price, therefore, as air taxes and fuel surcharges change regularly the exact amount will be advised at time of final payment. Total tour cost may therefore change by a small amount.
Not  Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), etc. Also travel insurance.
Health and Fitness
You will need to be physically fit and able to walk for up to seven hours a day (at your own pace) with some steep grades and rugged trails.   Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.
Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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