Under the Fishtail of old Nepal

Outline Itinerary:

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel (1300m/4265ft).

As soon as you land in Kathmandu you will be received by Basanta Adventure’s representatives. You will then be transferred to your hotel and have a free day after that. O/N at Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 02: Tour briefing and sightseeing tour of World heritage sites.

After your breakfast you will be introduced with your tour guide. He will explain the program for the day, Today you will be visiting two world heritage sites i.e.

1)Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square (durbar means palace), a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the major attraction with the old royal palace and a host of artistically designed temples all within the square. The Patan Museum within the palace has a fine collection of metal craft, wood carvings and a precious Malla era throne. In the Durbar Square is the beautiful Krishna temple built entirely of stone which is the most important Krishna shrine of the valley. Just beyond the square are many restaurants and cafes, some with rooftop views. A remarkable terracotta temple worth a visit is the Mahaboudha, a shikara style temple with a thousand images of the Buddha. Visitors enjoy the peaceful ambience of Patan and the predominance of art.

2)Swayambunath Stupa

Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. Its origins however, date to a much earlier time, long before the arrival of Buddhism into the valley. A collection of legends about the site, the 15th century Swayambhu Purana, tells of a miraculous lotus, planted by a past Buddha, which blossomed from the lake that once covered Kathmandu valley. The lotus mysteriously radiated a brilliant light, and the name of the place came to be Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-Created or Self-Existent'. Saints, sages and divinities traveled to the lake to venerate this miraculous light for its power in granting enlightenment.

After your visit you will be transferred back to your hotel and have a free evening. O/N at Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 3: Fly Pokhara, transfer to the Fishtail Lodge (1400m/4592ft), 25 min flight.

Flying into Pokhara is one of the lasting delights of an Annapurna trek; immediately the stunning peaks dominate the view, centred around the beautiful pyramid peak of Machapuchare, the sacred ‘fish-tail’ mountain. Along the shore of beautiful Phewa Tal Lake, Pokhara has a laid-back atmosphere and an abundance of very good restaurants. However, the famous Fishtail Lodge was the original lakeside hotel, so is genuinely Old Nepal, with it’s design classic round-house rooms. This hotel established the town as the relaxed centre for Annapurna trekking. Now excellently restored, it’s unique location just across the lake, accessed by its own raftsmen, set it apart as a haven of lakeside tranquility. Sunset sitting out on the terrace with the backdrop of the mountains will be a lasting memory - mine’s a Campari Soda, thank you. O/N Fishtail Lodge (BB)

Day 4: Drive/walk to Birethanti, Ker & Downey Sanctuary Lodge (1100m/3608ft), 2 hr drive

It is possible to drive all the way to our first lodge in less than 2 hours from Pokhara, but many prefer to walk the last section along the beautiful Modi Khola River through quiet villages. Sanctuary Lodge (1100m), by the banks of the river, sets the standard for the Ker & Downey Lodges that we use exclusively within the Annapurna Conservation Area. They are simply the best possible way to experience this fabulous landscape, comfortable ensuite rooms with meticulous attention to detail, delicious food all included, and dedicated staffs to make sure you don’t miss out on any of it. There’s even a daily complimentary happy-hour at the bar as you relax round the open fire-side. O/N Ker & Downey Sanctuary Lodge (Full Board)

Day 5: Walk to Ghandruk, Ker & Downey Himalaya Lodge (2012m/6600ft), 6 – 7 hrs

This is actually the longest day of this itinerary; about 5 hours walk at a moderate pace gradually uphill to our highest lodge stop on the trek (1980m - not an altitude where we will feel much effect). A great walk and the destination is so worth it. The lodge is dominated by fabulous views of Annapurna South and the beautiful twin peaks of Machapuchare - now we see how it gets it’s name, the fish’s tail. This is one of our favorite K&D lodges with its cosy fire-side lounge and fronted by some of the best preserved of the traditional Gurung houses in this picturesque village at the foot of the peaks. O/N Ker & Downey Himalaya Lodge (Full Board)

Day 6: Rest day in Ghandruk, Ker & Downey Himalaya Lodge

This is intended as a totally relaxing rest day to thoroughly enjoy these fantastic surroundings. Some short walks into the countryside are on offer to the best of the local viewpoints, but are entirely optional. There is much enjoyment in just wandering the little walking streets of this, the main Gurung village, or just sitting out on the lodge terrace soaking up one of the very best views in the Annapurna Himal. O/N Ker & Downey Basanta Lodge. O/N Ker & Downey Himalaya Lodge (Full Board)

Day 7: Walk to Landruk, Ker & Downey La Bee Lodge (1500m/4920ft) 3 – 4 hrs

We descend through beautiful forests, an ornithological paradise, right down to cross over the Modi Khola where it comes rushing down from the snows of the Annapurna peaks. At our own pace we climb slowly back up the farmland on the other side, beautifully terraced fields of corn, millet and vegetables, to soon reach the lovely village of Landruk (1640m), famous for its marigold gardens and honey, nearly every house has a few hives. The morning’s walk takes about 3 hours. Our lodge sits above the village, commanding stunning views of the whole valley still dominated by the majestic peaks of Annapurna South, a great place to relax after lunch. O/N Ker & Downey La Bee Lodge (Full Board).

Day 8: Walk to Majhgaon, Ker & Downey Gurung Lodge (800m/2625ft) 3 – 4 hrs 

A nice easy day following the contours high above the Modi Khola, through beautiful terraced farmland and lush forests for about 4 hours before arriving at our lodge for lunch (1400m). This is really delightful, still in a woodland setting yet with mountain views between the peaks, designed in the style of a traditional Gurung house. In the afternoon we can relax or take a stroll to enjoy the surrounding villages where we will invariably see some aspect of their hill farming lives, harvesting millet or corn, or rounding up the buffalo or goats for milking. O/N Ker & Downey Gurung Lodge (Full Board)

Day 9: Walk to Dhampus, Ker & Downey Basanta Lodge (1650m/5412ft) 4 – 5 hrs

Today’s walk takes us further off the tourist trail through some of the best preserved countryside in the Annapurna Conservation Area, starting  with the unspoilt village of Patlekhet. We then wind through beautiful oak and rhododendron forests to pick up the main trail again at Pothana, just up from our lodge at Dhampus (1500m) after about 4 hours, in time for lunch. This is probably our favorite K&D lodge, small scale, cosy and welcoming, but still with a panoramic view to die for, with Machapuchare back centre-stage. O/N Ker & Downey Basanta Lodge (Full Board).

Day 10: Walk to Astam, Hananoie Lodge (1600/5250ft) 3 – 4 hrs

Our destination lodge today is a little different and arguably the nicest mountain lodge in the Himalayas. Originally designed for Japanese groups, Hananoie (1400m) combines comfort with delightful attention to traditional detail including a real Gurung round-house. It is a real small farm practically self-sufficient in fabulous vegetables, making it’s own butter, with buffalo, goats and chickens. The staff are truly dedicated, from the amazing cooks to the land-girls working on the harvest. Employing much of the local village of Astam, there is a fantastic sense of ‘belonging’ here which guests immediately feel part of. The only downside would have been the very rough jeep-track access, but we are lucky enough to have the perfect walk in, an easy 4 hours along the gentle ridge line with yet more stunning panoramic views of the peaks all the way. day 10: walk/drive to Pavilions Himalaya near Pokhara or Fishtail Lodge (B&B) for groups preferring to be in town Cleverly avoiding the rough jeep-track again we take a half hour walk down the hill to be picked up on the better road at the bottom, and we drive to either of our preferred destinations. Pavilions Himalaya is a fabulous location just south of Pokhara with exquisite rooms and infinity pool beautifully integrated into stunning rice-paddy farmland. It is the perfect relaxation option after our trek. However, for groups who would prefer more town life in which to celebrate, or some souvenir shopping, we can return for another night at the famous Fishtail Lodge - our first night here was never going to be enough. O/N Hana Noie Lodge (Full Board).

Day 11: fly Ktm, drive to Gokarna Forest Resort

The morning flight to Kathmandu and a short drive direct from the airport brings us to one last fabulous destination in the protected 470 acre Gokarna Forest, a haven of peace and beauty nestled in the Kathmandu valley. The hotel is comfortable and luxurious, with indoor pool, spas, golf course and fantastic restaurants, but the highlight will always be the forest itself. Huge mature fig trees dominate the site and fallow deer and myriad other wildlife roam these former private hunting grounds of Nepal’s rulers. Departure day: early forest walk, drive to airport and depart Kathmandu. The dawn walk in the forest, the best time to see wildlife, makes one last fantastic memory of this unforgettable Old Nepal itinerary. O/N Gokarna Forest Resort (BB)

Day 12: Final departure

Drive to airport for final departure.