Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrived in Kathmandu
When you arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport, a representative from Open Trail will be there to meet you and take you to your hotel. After checking in, you can rest or, with the guide, visit Open Trail’s office in Thamel a part of Kathmandu in the tourist district. Here there are many shops and restaurants. The shops are colorful and full of pashminas, slippers, trekking equipment, and felt items. The restaurants serve European as well as Nepalese meals. ATM’s are plentiful should you require them. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Open Trail treks where you will be served authentic Nepalese cuisine. This is a great introduction to Nepalese food.
Day 2 : Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
We will begin our second day with breakfast before starting a guided tour to some of the historical, religious, and World Heritage sites of Kathmandu. We will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Buddhist Stupa (Buddha Nath), the Hindu secret temple Pashupati Nath and we will end our tour by visiting the Monkey temple – Swayambhunath. There will be a stop for lunch in a very special local restaurant. After we finish the tour we will meet with our trekking guide and leader for a discussion and preparation for our following day's trekking.
Day 3 : Kathmandu to Pokhara
Drive approx. 6 hours by Private transport
if you want the fly to Pokhara also available but an extra charge will be applied
KTM - Pokhara flight duration: 25min
After breakfast, the tourist bus will pick you from the hotel for the journey to Pokhara which will take us 6 to 7 hours. This drive offers a beautiful view of farms, villages, big and small rivers, and mountains. There will be comfort stops during the journey and the opportunity to buy lunch. By the afternoon, we will arrive in Pokhara, the city of lakes and mountains. Our hotel is by the side of the famous Fewa Lake and after settling in we can enjoy boating on the lake and visiting the Temple or relaxing at a lakeside restaurant.
Day 4 : Pokhara to Tadapani via Ghandruk
Altitude: 2,590m/8,497 ft (Tadapani)
Drive Approx: 2 hour 25min
Walk Approx. 6 hours.
Our very first day of trekking starts with an approx two and half hour drive. After checking in our Trekking Information Management Systems and permit, we will drive until near Ghandruk. Ghandruk is the biggest village in this region. we can enjoy the views of Annapurna South, Himchuli, and mount Fishtail. We will ascend, passing the village of Ghandruk with the stone steps leading to Durali. Durali is a small town with only two tea houses. As we ascend steeply and steadily we reach Tadapani. Tadapani has about 7-8 tea houses and here we can see the rhododendron trees. we will have an overnight stay at Tadapani.
Day 5 : Tadapani to Bayeli Kharka
Altitude: 3,420m/11,220 ft (Bayali kharka)
Walk Approx. 6 hours.
After breakfast, we leave Tadapani and head to Bayeli Kharka. We will leave the main and busiest trekking trail of the Annapurna Region and our trail winds uphill through the rhododendron and oak forests. As we reach Dobato we will be rewarded with the magnificent view of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Our trail keeps ascending to the Bayeli Kharka village and from here we will have the amazing view of Mt Dhaulagiri. We will spend the night at Bayeli kharka.
Day 6 : Bayeli Kharka to Chistibung
Altitude: 2,975m/9,760ft (Chistibung )
Walk Approx. 6 hours.
Today we will be woken up by the loud crows of the local roosters. After breakfast, taken with the majestic views of the surrounding area and Mount Dhaulagiri, we will then head steadily down through rhododendron and oak forests to the temporary settlement of Chistibung. While we are passing through the forest, we might encounter some wildlife such as the Himalayan Thar, Lophophorus (Danphe), and the national birds of Nepal. We will have our overnight stay at Chistibung.
Day 7 : Trek to Khopra Ridge ()
Altitude: 3,660m/12,007ft (Khopra Ridge)
Walk Approx. 6 hours
We start our trek after breakfast at our tea house. We begin the trek with a gentle climb through the Alpine trees and here we can observe the alpine tundra family of plants. Upon our arrival at Khopra, we are rewarded with the breathtaking views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna south. Once rested, we will explore the Khopra area and spent our night there.
Day 8 : Exploration Day: Hike to Khayar lake with packing lunch
Altitude: 4500m/14,763 ft (Khayar lake)
Walk Approx. 6 hours
After breakfast taken with the majestic views of the Himalayas, we start our Hike to Khayar Lake. This lake is the sacred lake for the Hindu people and is well worth a visit. Our trail winds up and downhill before we arrive at the lake. We return to Khopra for our overnight stay
Day 9 : Trek to Swanta Village
Altitude: 2,200m/7,217ft (Swanta Village)
Walk Approx. 6 hours
Today we are preparing to start our return journey. After breakfast, we will descend through an area with beautiful scenery. Mount Dhaulagiri, terraces, and the authentic Nepalese houses can be seen and we again will pass through the beautiful rhododendron forests. We will have an overnight stay at Swanta.
Day 10 : Trek to Ulleri
Altitude: 2,050m 6,725 ft (Ulleri)
Walk Approx. 6 hours
We begin our trek by descending through the rice and millet terraces to the small river. We cross the suspension bridge over the river and go uphill to the village of Chittre. Further along the route, we start to follow the famous trekking trail of Ghorepani. After we reach Ghorepani, we descend down to the Ulleri where we will stay overnight.
Day 11 : Trek to Naya Pul then drive to Pokhara
Altitude: 1,020m/3346ft (Nayapul)
Drive Approx: 1 hour 25min
Walk Approx. 5 hours
As usual, we start our trek after breakfast. Our trail goes steeply downhill, down the stone steps for an hour. Then we walk through the Modi valley passing rice paddies and traditional Nepalese style houses. We will encounter lots of Nepalese people and some animals along the way to Nayapul. We may see the horse trains carrying goods up to the mountain villages and tea houses. Our car will be waiting for us and we will arrive in Pokhara after a one and half hour drive.
Day 12 : Drive back to Kathmandu
Drive approx. 6 hours by Private transport
Pokhara- Kathmandu flight duration: 25min (Option)
Today we will drive back to Kathmandu. The drive will be six to seven hours past Trisuli and Marsangdi. This drive offers amazing views of the rice terraces, the villages, and the landscape of Nepal. Flight back to Kathmandu will take only half an hour with a beautiful view of the mountains. There will be a farewell dinner hosted by Open Trail treks in Kathmandu.
Day 13 : Farewell
This is the last day of your adventures in Nepal. After breakfast, if you have time, you can do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Private transport will be arranged for you if you let Open Trail know about your plans the day before. A representative from Open Trail Treks will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport 3 hours before your flight.
