THE ROYAL NEPAL SPECTACULAR Starting and ending in Kathmandu, this 11 night / 12 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 Dwarikas 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).ITINERARYDay 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, an altitude of 4265 ft / 1300 meters. Reception at airport and transfer to Dwarikas Hotel. Dwarikas is a 5 star hotel that incorporates many features of Nepalese culture and tradition. In our opinion, this is the finest hotel in Kathmandu. We will have a full briefing on our program followed by an optional walk to Pashupatinath, the most sacred of Nepal’s Hindu temples. There will be a welcome dinner at the authentic Krishnarpan restaurant located in the hotel.
Overnight Dwarikas Hotel, deluxe rooms, welcome dinnerDay 2: After breakfast, we will fly to Pokhara, the rural capital of western Nepal at an altitude of 3080 ft / 940 meters. We will be met by our trek guide and transferred to the Ker & Downey office. There will be a trek briefing by the Ker & Downey group leader. We’ll then 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 at 3470 ft / 1060 meters. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known. Lunch is at the lodge followed by an optional walk to the nearby village of Birethanti or the afternoon is free to explore the surrounding river valley. (Trek time 3 hours)
Overnight Sanctuary Lodge, breakfast, lunch, and dinnerDay 3: In the morning, 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. Lunch is a picnic en route with spectacular views of the surrounding valleys. The trail passes through small hamlets, terraced rice fields and forests. We arrive in the afternoon at Ker & Downey's Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk at 6600 ft / 2000 meters (Trek time 5 hours). It is from this lodge that there are magnificent close up views of the surrounding mountains.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge, breakfast, lunch, and dinnerDay 4: 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. Our maximum altitude will be about 8000 ft or 2400 m. Ghandruk is 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, breakfast, lunch, and dinnerDay 5: After breakfast, we leave the Himalaya Lodge walking out through the village of Ghandruk towards the Modi River. Midway down, we pass through the village of Kimche. After about 3 hours, we reach the village of Lamakhet where we will have a picnic by the banks of the river. After lunch, we cross the Modi river and trek to the Gurung Lodge at 4750 ft / 1450 m. The uphill trek to the Gurung Lodge takes about 2 hours and passes through the village of Patlekhet and Majhgaun. (Total trek time 5 hours.). The Gurung Lodge is built along the lines of a traditional Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
Overnight Gurung Lodge, breakfast, lunch, and dinnerDay 6: After early morning tea on your verandah, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the stunning scenery of the Annapurnas from several different locations around the Lodge. After breakfast we trek to the village of Chandrakot through forests with surrounding views of the valley and mountains. Chandrakot is of an altitude of 5200. A further 30 minute walk you arrive at the village of Lumle, which is situated at 5300ft/1620m. This is where we meet our vehicle. From Lumle we will return to Pokhara (3080ft/933m), a journey of about 1-hour. En route we can stop to visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp upon request. Arrival in Pokhara will be in time for lunch.
Overnight Shangri-La Village Resort, breakfast, lunch, and dinner Day 7: This morning 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, breakfast, lunch, and dinner Day 8: The morning is spent rafting. There are 5 class 2 rapids. Again, each is no more than 165 ft / 50 metres. 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 about 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 dinner. The safari-style tents at Tiger Tops have en suite bathrooms.
Overnight Tiger Tops Tented Camp, breakfast, lunch, and dinnerDay 9: 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.
Overnight Tiger Tops Tented Camp, breakfast, lunch, and dinnerDay 10: After early morning game viewing and breakfast at camp, we will be transferred to the airfield. We’ll have a light lunch here before our 30-minute flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we’ll visit Boudhanath, home to the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal. From Boudhanath, it is a short drive back to our home for the next 2 nights: Dwarikas Hotel. The hotel can help arrange a taxi to one of the local restaurants in Thamel or try the chef’s special at Dwarikas’ Toran restaurant.
Overnight Dwarikas, deluxe rooms, breakfast and lunchDay 11: After an early morning breakfast, we will have the optional opportunity 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 breakfast, we enjoy a sight seeing trip with a qualified guide. Our route will take us to the ancient city of Bhaktapur, where we can see the Palace of 55 windows and Golden Gate as well as the only 5 tiered Pagoda in the Kathmandu Valley. Well have lunch in Baktapur before returning to the hotel. This evening there will be a farewell dinner with your Nepali host.
Overnight Dwarikas Hotel, deluxe rooms, breakfast, lunch and dinnerDay 12: Transfer to the airport for our onward journey. Breakfast included.
Royal Nepal Spectacular rates include:Three nights accommodation in Dwarikas Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast, lunch, and 2 dinnersOne night’s accommodation in the Shangri-La Village full boardFour 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*All local beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic while in Ker & Downey Lodges *Services of qualified Ker & Downey guides and porters*The loan of Ker & Downey Trek Pack, which include 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 guideTwo days, one night rafting featuring:* Accommodation at Ker & Downey's Seti River Camp*All meals, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, local alcoholic beverages, tea and coffee* all equipment including dry bags, spray suits and rafting bootiesTwo nights accommodation in Tiger Tops Tented Camp, including meals and activitiesSightseeing in Kathmandu (including lunch)All internal air and land transfers in NepalAll permits and departure taxesUse of trained guides throughout your tripRoyal Nepal Spectacular rates exclude:International air transportation to/from Kathmandu, insurance, gratuities, items of personal nature, one dinner in Kathmandu, Mount Everest Flight