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Itinerary
for Annapurna Foothill Trek - October 2010 |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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18.10.10
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Depart Sydney at 9.05am on SQ220,
arriving in Singapore at 2.30pm.
Depart Brisbane at 9.30am on SQ256, arriving in Singapore at 3.35pm.
Depart Melbourne at 11.10am on SQ238, arriving in Singapore at 4.10pm.
All passengers will be independently transferred to the Peninsular
Excelsior hotel for an overnight stay.
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| 19.10.10 |
All tour members
will be transferred back to Singapore airport departing at 9.10am on
Silkair MI412, arriving in Kathmandu at 12.05pm. 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. |
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20.10.10
(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. |
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21.10.10
(B) |
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. |
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22.10.10
(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. |
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23.10.10
(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. |
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24.10.10
(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. |
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25.10.10
(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. |
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26.10.10
(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. |
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27.10.10
(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. |
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28.10.10
(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. |
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29.10.10
(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. |
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30.10.10
(B,L,D)
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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. |
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31.10.10
(B,L,D)
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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. |
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01.11.10
(B)
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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. |
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02.11.10
(B,D)
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Free
day for shopping
Free day for shopping and in the evening, we will have a
farewell dinner. |
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03.11.10
(B)
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Kathmandu - Singapore
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.
Morning Free in Kathmandu. Transfer to Kathmandu airport, departing at
1.05pm on MI411, arriving in Singapore at 8.15pm.
Brisbane passengers depart Singapore at 9.10pm on SQ235, arriving in
Brisbane at 6.50am the next morning (04.11.10).
Melbourne passengers depart Singapore at 11.40pm on SQ237, arrivingin
Melbourne at 10.05am (04.11.10). |
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| 04.11.10 |
Sydney passengers
depart Singapore at 12.30am on SQ231, arriving in Sydney at 11.10am. |