School Expedition: Annapurna Panorama, White Water Rafting and Chitwan National Park
This very special School Expedition is a combination of one of the best viewpoint treks in all Nepal, and an unforgettable wildlife experience, with elephant-back safari.
Firstly, you will have the chance of trekking in the Himalayan Annapurna area, setting off from relaxing Pokhara, popular town aside the picturesque and placid Lake Phewa. Pokhara,
in the shadow of the spectacularly beautiful Machapuchhre (Fishtail) Mountain, is itself only 29km from the high Himalaya.
In this centre-west region of Nepal you will meet people of several ethnicities, primarily those famously recruited into the British Gurkha army regiments, Gurung and Magar, but also Brahmins, Chhetris and many more. The trekking trail itself begins in their low altitude, rice/wheat growing area, and gradually moves up through primaeval forests festooned with flowering orchids and bearded with lichens. As you pass through the many villages along the way, you may have the chance to visit some of the primary and secondary schools in the area.
Before dawn on one of your trekking days, you will climb up to the famed Pun Hill, from where there are magnificent, 360 degree, panoramic views of snow-covered peaks from Dhaulagari I-V, to Annapurna South, and many more. This mountain trek is a paradise for birds, of which there are many species, from the tiniest Warbler to one of the largest birds of prey, the Himalayan Griffon. Mammals to be seen may include Pikas, Pine Martens, and both Langur and Rhesus Macaque monkeys.
Following your trek, another exciting activity awaits - white water rafting. After the adrenalin rush of shooting rapids, you may look forward to floating on your inflatable rafts through deep gorges towards the flat, Gangetic plain of southern Nepal, and to enjoying a tented overnight on a silver-bleached, sandy river bank, with a camp fire and tasty barbecue dinner, in the glimmering light of candle lamps and moonbeams.
When you leave the rafts, you will travel on by road to Chitwan National Park, an important reserve which protects Nepal’s endangered tigers and rhinos. Here is a very important elephant breeding centre, which you may visit via a river crossing in dugout canoes, while looking for crocodiles sunning themselves on the sandy riverbanks. A safari into the jungle will give you a chance to spot some of those endangered animals, as well as more common species like monkeys, and afterwards you may enjoy washing and scrubbing Elephants during their daily river ablutions. This flat Terai region is totally in contrast to the altitude of your trek, as is the climate, and you may look forward to a ride in bullock carts to the local villages, with fireflies dancing in the velvet night sky. All this is to be enjoyed before returning to frenetic Kathmandu.
While in Nepal’s unforgettable capital, you will be taken to see some of the unique World Heritage sites. A special visit is planned to Swayambunath, a particularly interesting and colourful site where Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas, exist side by side, in harmony, reflecting Nepal’s tolerant attitude to different religions.
By way of contrast to sightseeing, you will be invited to visit some centres for disadvantaged Nepalese – a school for over 100 2-7 year old children, where they receive free informal schooling, and a womens’ handicraft centre where traditional craft skills are being recaptured. In both places you will be received as guests, but you will surely leave as friends!
Finally there will be time to ‘shop until you drop’ for souvenirs and gifts, and to reflect on just how many things you have done and seen, and how some of your ideas may have changed, during your time in this unique, Himalayan land of Nepal.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu and transport to Hotel
Day 02: Kathmandu world heritage sightseeing, and preparing for trek
Day 03: Early morning fly to Pokhara (820m.), and drive to Nayapul (1070m.) and trek to Tirkhedunga (1540m.). About 30 minutes’ flight; 1½ hours’ drive and 4 to 5 hours’ walk; 720m altitude gain; Overnight at lodge
Day 04: Trek to Ghodepani (2750m.). About 6 hours’ walk; 1210m altitude gain; Overnight at lodge
Day 05: Ascend to Pun Hill (3210m.) and trek to Tadapani (2520m.). About 6 to 7 hours’ walk; 460m altitude gain and 690m altitude lost; Overnight at lodge
Day 06: Trek to Chhomrong (2170m.). About 5 hours’ walk; 350m altitude gain; Overnight at lodge
Day 07: Hot spring and trek to Landruk (1565m.). About 4 hours’ walk; 605m altitude lost; Overnight at lodge
Day 08: Trek to Pothana (1900m.). About 4 hours’ walk; 335m altitude lost; Overnight at lodge
Day 09: Trek to Kande (1130m.) and drive back to Pokhara. About 1½ hour walk; 1 hour drive; 770m altitude lost; Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Drive to Charaudi and start rafting on Trisuli River. Overnight camp on riverbank.
Day 11: Raft to Gaighat, end of rafting and drive to Chitwan National Park, Overnight at resort
Day 12: Chitwan National Park. (see additional attached document for details). Overnight at resort
Day 13: End of Chitwan activities and drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel
Day 14: Kathmandu; leisure time or optional visit to Jamarko (EPHC), our project in support of disadvantaged children and community. Overnight at hotel
Day 15: Transport to international airport for departure
PLEASE NOTE: UNLIKE THOSE OF SOME OTHER COMPANIES, ALL OUR TREKS INCLUDE BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY STATED
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.
Price Includes
... in Lodge Trek
Accommodation in Kathmandu, bed & breakfast basis, (accommodation in twin room unless otherwise arranged) - accommodation facilities/details outlined belowAll 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 raftingInternal 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 equipmentInternational 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.
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ACCESS-HIMALAYA TRIP VIDEO
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.
