Annapurna Panorama, White Water Rafting and Chitwan

15 days trip | price enquiry
(full inclusive package, see price includes and excludes for details)
Annapurna Panorama, White Water Rafting and Chitwan

Easy walking holiday in the Annapurna, Trek through beautiful Nepalese villages, Includes trek to Poon Hill and Ghorepani, Sunrise over the Himalaya, Nepal lodge trek holiday, NO camping, Kathmandu sightseeing, Experience Nepalese village life, Elephant back safari in Chitwan National Pak, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan

This is a combination of one of the most popular and best-known viewpoint treks in Nepal; short, but thrilling, white water rafting, and finally a Himalayan wildlife experience with elephant-back safari. The trail is not overly difficult, and there are plenty of villages along the way. It is possible to fit into one week a short, low-altitude trek to Ghodepani and Pun Hill, from where there are magnificent panoramic views of the snow- covered peaks of Dhaulagari I to V, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna South, Himchuli, Bharashikar and other peaks.

After a couple of days and nights in Kathmandu, acclimatizing, sightseeing and resting, followed by a spectacular short flight to, and a night in, the lovely, lakeside resort of Pokhara (820m) - the Pokhara valley, incidentally, is the closest valley in distance (29 km) to the great Himalaya –  the trek begins at Nayapul, a short drive from Pokhara, and passes through many Gurung and Magar villages, such as Ghandruk, which is the largest Gurung village in Nepal, home to many male members of the local community who risk, or have given, their lives to serve with the British Gurkhas and security forces around the world.

In the first day or so, there is the challenge of a very steep hill climb of almost 4000 steps, before the trail moves along ridges where stunning panoramic views disclose spectacular mountain-scapes. One early morning sees a diversion from the trail,  when there is a steep, torchlit climb, to the famous Pun Hill (3210m), for one of Nepal’s best panoramic, 360 degree,  sunrise views, encompassing Daulaghiri I - V, Nilgiri (7061m) , Machhapuchhare (6993m) , South Annapurna(7219m) and Himchuli (6441m).

This is a classic trek with a well-deserved reputation for spectacular mountain views, breathtaking sunrises, jungles and beautiful rhododendron forests (the tree rhododendron, Lali Gurans, is Nepal’s national, and much-treasured flower). It culminates in the village of Pothana (1969m) where there will be a last night and farewell party – a cause for celebration and feasting at the end of this spectacular trek – before moving back to Pokhara and then off to start a couple of days’ rafting on the Seti River, from Damauli set in point  a short drive away. The Seti river is one of the warmest rivers in Nepal and offers an experience guaranteed to excite those with, and without, previous white water experience.

At Gaighat, further down the river, the rafting ends, and another bus journey takes us on to Chitwan National Park, sanctuary for the endangered one-horned rhino and the Bengal Tiger. Chitwan provides the opportunity to experience a completely opposite life style, landscape and climate, to that of the Annapurna region, reminding you that Nepal is even more than mountains!

Thus, within just over a fortnight in Nepal, it is possible to have a taste of the most popular outdoor activities on offer  – mountain trekking, river rafting, and jungle exploration.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 01:  Arrive Kathmandu and transport to Hotel
Day 02:  Kathmandu morning sightseeing. Preparing for trek and trek briefing in evening
Day 03:  Fly to Pokhara (820m.) and overnight in hotel near Lake Phewa
Day 04:  Early morning drive to Nayapul (1070m.) then trek to Tirkhedungha (1540m.)
Day 05:  Trek to Ghodepani (2750m.)
Day 06:  Very early morning trek to Pun Hill (3210m) for sunrise view and trek to Tadapani (2590m.)
Day 07:  Trek to Ghandruk (1940m.)
Day 08:  Trek Chomrong (2170m.)
Day 09: Trek to Pothana (1900m.), last night party
Day 10:  Trek to Lumle (1610m.), drive back to Pokhara and overnight in hotel
Day 11:  Drive to Damauli and Start Rafting on Seti River
Day 12:  Raft to Gaighat, end of rafting and drive to Chitwan National Park
Day 13:  Chiwan National Park. (see additional attached document for details)
Day 14:  Late morning, drive back to Kathmandu
Day 15:  Early Morning – Everest Mountain Flight (optional extra), and rest of afternoon free or optional visit
Day 15:  Transfer to airport for international departure

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Date & Price

All ACCESS-HIMALAYA adventure travel trips are small group departures and therefore places can fill quickly. To avoid disappointment, we suggest you book your trip as soon as possible.

Sorry, there are no fixed departure dates available for this holiday at the moment. Please click here for date & price enquiry

Price Includes

... in Lodge Trek

Accommodation in Kathmandu, bed & breakfast basis, (accommodation in twin room unless otherwise arranged) - accommodation facilities/details outlined below
All three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
All internal transportation as stated in itinerary, including domestic flights (see itinerary above)
In Lodge trek – mostly basic twin room with clean bed and mattress (toilet facilities may be outside – NO ATTACHED BATHROOM, unless otherwise arranged. Extra cost is applicable and subject to availability)
National Park entrance fees
TIMS permit
Experienced staff - (guide, assistant guides, porters or yaks)
Staff and porter insurance
Sightseeing in Kathmandu as stated in itinerary (guide and transport only)
Free gift of Access-Himalaya trekking kit bag for each member of group (to be distributed on arrival in Kathmandu)
Free airport pick and drop

 

... on River Rafting

All three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during  rafting
Internal transportation (as stated in itinerary)
Rafting equipment (boat, safety helmet and life jacket, safety kayak, handheld paddles, dry bags etc)
Camping equipment (two-man tents, mess tent , mattresses, plates, cutlery and kitchen gear)
River permits and entrance fees.
Experienced staff (river guide, safety kayaker and some helpers)

... in Chitwan

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Twin room with a/c and ceiling fan
Elephant-back safari and possibility of elephant wash as well
A short walk inside national park with a jungle guide
Visit to elephant breeding centre, and brief bird watching
Dugout canoe excursion with probable observation of Marsh Mugger & Gharial crocodiles
Brief visit to typical local Tharu village, and evening cultural programme presenting local tribal dances
After your exciting daytime activities, you may enjoy starting your evening by taking a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or relaxing on the banks of the Budi Rapti River viewing the sunset and bird watching

Price Excludes

... in Lodge Trek

Your personal equipment
International flights
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond our control
Your travel insurance, (Make sure the policy covers helicopter rescue and evacuation service)
Medical examination and vaccination costs
Personal expenditure, including bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, tips, shower and bathroom facilities on the trek etc.  Hot shower charge could be $2 to $5 per person on trek)
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and elsewhere-apart from trek (see itinerary)
Heritage sights/Monastery/Temple entrance fees
Trek and Tour crew tips at end of tour

Availability Explained

  • A AVAILABLE - Trip date is available and open for bookings. Go for it!
  • G GUARANTEED - Trip is reached minimum numbers and this is 'Guaranteed to Run'
  • L LIMITED - Trip is 'Guaranteed to Run' and there are a very limited number of available places remaining. Immediate booking is recommended.
  • C CLOSED - Trip has reached maximum numbers and it is unavailable. Please Contact Us to enquire about other trip departure dates or booking this trip as a private departure

Trip Info (Tour/Trek Styles) Explained

  • PG Private Group: This style of trip is organized for specific groups of people (families, friends,school and college students, colleagues, business associates etc.), and is closed to outsiders. If you are interested in this particular trip departure date then please get in touch with us.
  • OA Open to All: This trip departure is open to all. However, if you are interested in this particular trip departure date but want your own private group, then please get in touch with us. 
  • LT Lodge Based Trip/Trek: This trip/trek is lodge (teahouse) based. All accommodation, including food, is provided in local lodges. Occasionally however, where a large group is concerned we may choose to send our own cook along, as well, to take care of your food hygiene and to cook some special additional items.We provide all necessary documentation, including permits, and arrange all internal transport. We provide trekking guide, assistant guide(s) and porters/animals for transport of your gear. You merely carry a daysack with essentials, including water.
  • CT Camping Based Trip/Trek: This trip/trek is camping (tent) based. We will provide one 3-man tent for every two people, also single tents, where requested, on payment of supplementary costs. All food and drinks are provided by our experienced cook and his kitchen team. We provide all necessary documentation, including permits, and arrange all internal transport. We provide trekking guide, assistant guide(s), cook, kitchen crew, food and drink, and porters/animals for transport of your gear. You merely carry a daysack with essentials, including water.
  • GAP Guide, Accommodation & Porter only: In this trip neither food nor transportation is included. Clients are responsible for food and local transportation, and our responsibility is to provide insured guide, insured porter, and all necessary permits. All additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, including charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellation of services beyond our control.  Clients pay for their own accommodation. Any additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, We can arrange hotels and international airport transfer, on request.
  • SG Self Guided/Budget Trip: This trip is specially designed for low-budget travellers who prefer fairly basic facilities with reduced services. It is a pre-requisite that a porter is hired for any self-guided trip, which is an ideal set-up for those who enjoy independent travel with minimum cost.  We have added support to minimise the hard work of planning and costing, and we will be available to help in the unlikely event of an emergency. We will arrange all documentation (including permits), before you arrive in Nepal, so that you are free to get on with your adventure, relying only on your porter to help you on your way. All additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, including charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellation of services beyond our control. Hotel accommodation, local transportation and international airport transfers may be arranged, on request.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu
    It is our policy to use Nepali-owned accommodation, always, as we feel this is an aspect of fair trade, and the hotels we use in Kathmandu are comfortable, clean, efficient and friendly.  Most hotels are also family-run; we visit, and stay in the hotels ourselves, to ensure that facilities are ... read more..
  • Food on Camping Trek
    Three meals a day, plus afternoon hot drinks with biscuits, are provided on our camping treks. We will provide a tasty, nutritious mixture of Nepalese, Indian and Western food prepared hygienically by our trekking Cooks who are masters at preparing foods under less then ideal conditions. As much as possible ... read more..
  • Travel Insurance
    It is a strict condition of joining an Access-Himalaya adventure holiday that you must be insured against all medical and personal accident risks, including repatriation if necessary. Helicopter evacuation, in the unlikely event of your being injured or taken seriously ill on trek, is very costly - an average rescue ... read more..
  • Nepal Visa and Passport
    All visitors to Nepal require a passport (valid for at least 6 months after your return to your home country) and an entry visa. A visa application should be obtained from the Nepalese Embassy, in London (click here to download Nepal visa application form ), or in your own country ... read more..
  • Travel Money
    You are advised to take travellers\' cheques with you for safety, and these should be American Express (preferred) or similar, as local bank cheques can be extremely difficult, or even impossible, to cash. ATM facilities are becoming increasingly available in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other large towns, so a Visa, or ... read more..
  • Arrival in Nepal
    At Kathmandu airport you should proceed through Immigration (you apply for your Visa here) to the baggage collection area. Once you have collected your baggage you should move on to the Customs officers to have your baggage cleared and chalked up, before leaving the Arrivals lounge. Immediately outside, you will ... read more..
  • Tipping and Service Charges
    Tipping is an entirely personal and optional matter and at the discretion of the individual. Should you wish to give a tip in a restaurant, if there is not already a service charge included you may consider a tip of 10%. Recently there has been a recommendation for 10% charge ... read more..
  • Trekking Clothing & Equipment Guideline
     The following is a guideline, not a prescription: we hope it will help you find your way through the minefield of items of clothing and equipment which fill the catalogues of outdoor adventure outfitters! Jacket x 1This should be breathable, wind-proof and waterproof (not showerproof), with attached hood. Suitable fabrics to ... read more..
  • Accommodation in Chitwan
    In Chitwan, the wildlife resort facilities are slightly different to those of the hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, because of its situation in the National Park buffer zone, although each room has en suite facilities and air conditioning. There is also a swimming pool, large and airy restaurant with bar, ... read more..
  • Accommodation on lodge treks
    Accommodation will be in simple lodges offering twin-bedded rooms with standard foam mattresses (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along Thermarest or similar self-inflating mattresses). Toilets are mostly of the squat type, situated outside the main building. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring this ... read more..
  • Getting Around in Kathmandu
    Your first day in Kathmandu is usually dedicated to settling in, and exploring the city. The next morning may include a sightseeing tour to Pashupatinath, Boudanath or the Monkey Temple (Swayambunath). During your free time, the best way to explore your environs is to walk, as this enables you to ... read more..

If our fixed departure dates are not convenient for you or your group, we can also arrange private departures on all of our small group tours. Private group departures will follow the same itineraries as our usual small group tours, or itineraries may be tailormade to suit your own convenient tour date/budgets.

Itineraries may be tailor-made to suit your dates. So if you can’t find a date to suit you or if you want to have your very own tour just with your friends or family then we can help you.

Customised Private Groups:

For most of our usual tours, or itineraries, where there is a group numbering 2 or more, we can customise and organise private group trip(s) where we design the itinerary and activities exclusively for you, according to your requirements and budgets, such as Honeymoon, Anniversary, Family, Scouts, School, College, Fundraising or Charity trips. Find out more about our private group tours.

To enquire about booking a private departure of this tour or about organising your own private group tour, please fill in the form below and we will get back to you shortly with details.

Private departure form

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