Annapurna Base Camp

You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu where a member of our team meets you and drives you to your hotel. After you have settled in, the rest of the day is free to rest, recover from the journey and prepare for the trek. Later in the evening we gather for an informal dinner.

The day begins with a complete briefing of the trek. After any additional shopping and lunch, we walk through Thamel, Kathmandu's tourist area, continuing to Asan Bazaar and Kathmandu Durbar Square before proceeding to Swayambhunath Stupa. Here we walk a kora together with local pilgrims as they perform their evening prayers.

Asan is Kathmandu's historical, cultural and commercial center, where you get to experience the city's everyday life up close. This ancient marketplace consists of a network of narrow alleys filled with temples, monasteries and small shops selling everything from spices and kitchen utensils to clothes, vegetables, meat, dried beans and local delicacies.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is a dense area with old palaces, courtyards and beautifully carved temples that was once the center of royal ceremonies. Here you'll find among others the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and Kumari Ghar.

Swayambhunath, also called the Monkey Temple, is one of Nepal's most iconic temples. It sits on a hill west of the city and is known for its prayer flags and the characteristic eyes painted on the stupa. From here you also have one of the best views over Kathmandu and the valley. After a day filled with cultural impressions you go to bed, as tomorrow we already head towards Annapurna.

Early in the morning we fly to Pokhara. After checking in at the hotel, we take a boat across the shimmering Phewa Lake and hike up to the Peace Pagoda. In clear weather, the Annapurna range spreads out before us, a first magnificent glimpse of the mountains we will soon be trekking in. The rest of the day is free to explore Pokhara, which is known for its relaxed atmosphere with cafes, yoga studios and walking paths.

After breakfast we drive approximately 2.5-3 hours to Jhinu Danda, where the trek begins. From here we walk uphill through terraced fields and traditional Gurung villages. The ascent takes us to Chhomrong, a beautifully situated village with views over the valley and Machhapuchhre in the background. The mountain reaches 6993 meters and according to Hindu tradition is the dwelling place of Shiva, and may not be climbed. In the afternoon we check into our teahouse, enjoy the view and go through the upcoming stage.

The day begins with a steep descent to the Chhomrong Khola river, followed by an ascent through dense forest and bamboo. The trail narrows as we enter the Modi Khola valley, with waterfalls above us and the river below. We continue to Dovan where we spend the night in a peaceful environment surrounded by moss-covered forest and steep valley sides.

We continue upward through the forest along the river. The air becomes cooler and the landscape gradually opens up as the vegetation becomes sparser. Deurali is dramatically situated under steep cliffs and avalanche chutes and is a spectacular place to spend the night.

We go deeper into the Annapurna Sanctuary through a more barren and glacial landscape. The valley opens up and we get increasingly better views of the high peaks. Snow-covered mountains rise on both sides as we reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp. From here we see peaks like Hiunchuli, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. We arrive in good time and prepare for the next day.

This is the highlight of the journey. We start early and trek up towards Annapurna Base Camp. The landscape opens up into an enormous cauldron of ice and stone where we are surrounded by some of the world's highest peaks. Standing at the foot of Annapurna I is a magnificent experience. The vertical walls rise like a fortress and glow in the sunrise. After enjoying the view, we return to Machhapuchhre Base Camp for a warm meal and well-deserved rest.

We begin the descent and walk back via Deurali and Dovan. The landscape changes within a few hours from high alpine to lush forest. We spend the night in Bamboo, surrounded by forest and the rushing sound of the river.

We continue down through the forest back to Chhomrong and further to Jhinu Danda. Here the Himalaya trek ends and there is an opportunity to bathe in hot springs. Unbeatable after many eventful days with cold stone and eternal ice in sight! Then we drive back to Pokhara where the afternoon is free.

A day for recovery. You can walk along the lake, visit shops, try paragliding, treat yourself to an ayurveda massage or just enjoy Pokhara's bohemian atmosphere.

Another alpine start (early), but this time to travel south through the country to the lush jungles of Chitwan National Park by private vehicle. The journey takes about five hours and the goal is to arrive in time for lunch. After we have settled in and eaten, we begin our jungle activities. These may include jeep safari, canoe trip, bird watching, jungle walk, morning walk with elephants as well as a cultural performance.

Chitwan is Nepal's first and most famous national park and is located in the lowlands of the Inner Terai. It became a national park in 1973 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The park covers an area of 932 square kilometers and includes hilly areas in the Siwalik Mountains covered with deciduous sal forest as well as river plains along the Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers. These areas are dominated by tall elephant grass and interspersed with riparian forests with silk cotton trees, acacia and sisam.

The national park protects 56 species of mammals, including the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, gharial crocodile, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, striped hyena, Ganges dolphin and wild buffalo. There are an estimated 470 species of mammals, over 500 bird species, 126 fish species, 150 species of butterflies and 47 species of reptiles. With some luck we will see rhinoceros, crocodiles, deer, monkeys as well as rich bird and butterfly life.

Note: we do not support elephant riding for entertainment and instead collaborate with a lodge that takes care of older and injured elephants and offers them a safe and dignified life without chains.

Today we continue our safari activities and venture deeper into the jungle with hopes of getting even closer to Nepal's fantastic wildlife.

After breakfast we bid farewell to Chitwan and its warmer climate and drive to Bharatpur airport for our approximately twenty-five minute flight back to Kathmandu. If we are lucky we get fantastic views over the entire Annapurna range from the left side of the plane, as well as a view from above of the many terraced fields and villages that characterize Nepal's countryside.

Upon arrival at the hotel you get time to settle in and plan your own lunch. After lunch we drive to the northeastern part of the city for a guided tour of the World Heritage sites Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.

Pashupatinath is not only Nepal's most important Hindu temple, but also one of the most significant Shiva temples on the Indian subcontinent. It is also Kathmandu's most important cremation site, where the cremation platforms are located along the riverbank next to the temple.

Boudhanath is one of the most important religious and cultural centers for Nepal's large Tibetan exile population and is one of the world's largest Buddhist stupas. The streets around the stupa are filled with monks in maroon robes, monasteries with gleaming roofs, stalls selling yak butter lamps and shops with objects for Buddhist worship, while low murmured prayers are heard from monks in meditation.

Transfer to the airport in Kathmandu for the journey home. When the plane takes off and Nepal disappears beneath you, we dare to guess that you feel you have made one of life's great journeys.