MOUNTAIN LODGE TREK

Fly out of Heathrow in the evening on your overnight flight to Doha.

You arrive at Doha in the early morning to meet your connecting flight to Kathmandu, where you’ll be met and taken to your hotel to relax. The following morning your adventure begins in earnest as you visit Pashupatinath and a Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupati, the manifestation of Shiva. You’ll be able to peer at the large gold Nandi statue in the temple’s forecourt through the huge entrance doors. You can also watch cremations in Pashupatinath‘s famous burning ghats. Then it’s time to continue on to the nearby Boudhanath Stupa, regarded as the centre of Nepal’s Tibetan community, before heading to Swayambhunath – the “Monkey Temple”, the oldest shrine in the world established more than 2,500 years ago.

Stay: Two nights in a heritage room at Dwarika’s

Today you will begin your 6-day Mountain Lodges of Nepal Trek! First, you will fly 30 minutes to the lakeside town of Pokhara, and then drive over to Lumle where your trek starts. You’ll follow a trail up to the village of Chandrakot, before dropping down to cross the Modi Khola River via the Lamaket suspension bridge. You’ll come to your first stopover just a few minutes’ walk downstream from the bridge. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the lodge, or alternatively, visiting the nearby village of Birenthanti.

Stay: One night at Sanctuary Lodge (1,100m)

Today you’ll be making an altitude gain of some 3,000 feet, but the trail is good and you will get to enjoy spectacular scenery along the way. You follow the river north to Kimche – stopping on route for a picnic – before climbing through terraced fields to the prosperous village of Ghandruk. Easily one of the region’s most picturesque settlements, here you will be rewarded with sensational views of the Annapurna Himal.

You will have the following day free to explore the delights of this pretty mountain village. The headquarters of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project are located here and makes for an interesting visit, but you can also just wander around, soaking up the splendid scenery and watching as local women weave traditional Nepalese rugs. For those who like a challenge, make the 3.5 hour trek up to the village of Tadapani (8,600 feet) where you can pick up a souvenir from the selection of curios displayed by the locals. Though steep, the walk is particularly beautiful and takes you through rhododendron forest to sweeping views of the Annapurnas.

Stay: Two nights at Himalaya Lodge

On the seventh day you will say goodbye to Ghandruk and continue on your trek. Walking along the traditional route to the Annapurna base camp, you’re likely to pass by mountaineering expeditions in addition to smiling children and villagers carrying bundles of firewood and produce. Every now and then you may have to make way for a donkey or mule train carrying goods to and from the surrounding settlements.

After about 2 – 3 hours you’ll reach Shauli Bazaar where you will stop for a riverside picnic. After lunch, the descent continues for 2 hours – on both well-paved steps and switch-backs – down to Majguan and your lodge for the night.

Stay: One night at Gurung Lodge (1450m)

The trek to Dhampus takes you through sub-tropical forests and the Gurung villages of Patlekhet and Majgaun. After enjoying a picnic lunch, you will make the lengthy but scenic journey through rhododendron forest to the crest of the ridge, followed by an hour walk down to Basanta Lodge. The view you have of Annapurna, Machapuchare and Manaslu Himal from the lodge is nothing short of spectacular.

With fine panoramic views of the Phedi and Mardi Valleys also on offer, the photo opportunities in and around the area are endless. Be sure to rise early the next morning to witness a sensational sunrise. You’ll also be able to take nature walks through forests of bamboo, conifer and rhododendron and along steep hillside terraces.

Stay: One night at Basanta Lodge (1,500m)

Today you will complete the final segment in your trekking adventure. From Dhampus, you will make a 2-hour descent down to Phedi where a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara. You’ll be spending two nights at the Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. The next day you will have free to relax, explore the surrounding area and drink in the fabulous mountain scenery.

Stay: Two nights in a cottage room at the Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge

Today you will head back to Kathmandu on a thirty-minute flight and be taken to your hotel. An afternoon sightseeing tour of Patan – a place known for its arts and architecture – will show you the Durbar Square, Royal Baths, Krishna Mandir, Mahaboudha and Golden Temple. The newly established Patan Museum is also worth a visit. It occupies the former Malla residential palace, and houses an impressive collection of metalwork sculptures spanning much of Nepal’s cultural history. Then, if time permits, you will observe the fascinating carpet weaving operation at Jawalakhel’s Tibetan Refugee Camp.

Stay: One night in a heritage room at Dwarika’s

You’ll fly out of Kathmandu early in the morning to meet your connecting flight in Doha. You’ll arrive back in London in the evening.