NEPAL- ANNAPURNA & CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Annapurna Sanctuary and Chitwan National Park
Trip Dates: October 18-November 7, 2010
Trip Cost: $2995 min of 6 travelers
21 days trip, airport to airport,
13 days moderate to challenging trek,
Maximum altitude 4130 metres,
4 nights in Kathmandu,
2 nights in Pokhara,
2 nights in Chitwan
This is a classic trek, visiting the site of the base camp used by expeditions attempting the massive south face of Annapurna I. The Sanctuary was discovered by Jimmy Roberts in 1957, and first used as a base camp by Chris Bonington’s expedition in 1970. The Annapurna Sanctuary is a huge cirque of some of the world’s highest mountains, culminating in the awesome South Face of Annapurna. The area encloses the Annapurna and Machhapuchare Base Camps and is itself a hidden pocket of meadow moraine and glacier, ringed by magnificent sheer-walled peaks: the fishtail Machhapuchare (6992m), Annapurna I (8091m), South Annapurna (7273m), Gangapurna (7454m), and many more. A particular highlight of this trek, is the opportunity for an early morning, 360 degree, panoramic sunrise view of Daulaghiri I to V, Himchuli, the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhare, and others, from Pun Hill. Given clear skies, the breaking of dawn from this viewpoint is undoubtedly one of the finest views you will ever behold in the Himalaya.
The trek begins at Nayapul, after a short drive from the beautiful lakeside town of Pokhara, and passes through many Gurung and Magar villages, and spectacular rhododendron, daphne and bamboo forests, over grassy meadows, between incredibly narrow gorges, and up very steep and rocky steps, before arriving at Chhomrong. From then on there is a single track corridor, with a narrow gateway leading into the Sanctuary itself, hence the need to retrace steps when coming out to join the main trail, where it divides to return to Pokhara by a different route. The time allowed for this trek allows for proper acclimatisation, and the opportunity to enjoy fully the truly magnificent scenery, as well as exploring within the unique Sanctuary itself. Traditionally, no women or low-caste people were allowed into the sanctuary, impure foods like meat, eggs and garlic were forbidden, and hunting and butchering were prohibited. The Sanctuary is still an idyllic place, a haven for wildlife and flowers, visited only by a few shepherds who bring their flocks up to graze summer meadows, and it is believed to be the sacred abode of the gods of the native Gurung and Magar people.
The second part of the holiday is a wildlife adventure in Chitwan National park. Once upon a terrible time, Chitwan was the centre for the tiger-hunting trips that British and Nepali aristocrats found so entertaining. After the malaria eradication programme in the Terai in the 1950s, jungle areas were cut down to make way for cultivable land, which was quickly snapped up by Nepalese from the hill regions. As their habitat disappeared, so did the resident tigers and rare one-horned rhinos and by 1973 the population of both species had reached danger level with only 100 rhinos and 20 tigers left. The Royal Chitwan National Park was founded in 1973 and since that time the animal population has rebounded. The park offers one of the finest wildlife experiences in Asia, and you will be taken on an elephant safari during your stay in Chitwan, when you are likely to see the one horned rhino and if you are extremely lucky you may see a tiger. Wild boar, spotted, sambar and barking deer may well be observed from your lofty heights. You will also be taken to the only Asian elephant breeding centre in Nepal, via a memorable river crossing in a dugout canoe. If you are staying an extra day at Chitwan during the winter months, it may be possible, weather permitting, to visit the nearby crocodile hatching centre, where there are both marsh muggers and the rare gharial found in the rivers of the Terai. Whilst in our Chitwan resort, you will have a chance to relax in the outdoor swimming pool there, which is a wonderful relief after hot trips into the jungle. On leaving Chitwan you will return to Kathmandu by bus, unless otherwise arranged.
Outline itinerary:
Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu and transport to Hotel
Day 02 Kathmandu sightseeing, preparing for trekking
Day 03 Fly to Pokhara (820m), overnight in hotel at lakeside
Day 04 Drive drive to Nayapul (1070m), and trek to Tirkedungha (1577m)
Day 05 Trek to Ghodepani (2750m)
Day 06 Early morning, climb to Pun Hill (3210m) for sunrise view, back to Ghodepani and rest day
Day 07 Trek to Tadapani (2590m) [possible second attempt for sunrise view if previous day of Pun Hill sunrise view was not successful]
Day 08 Trek to Chhomrong (2170m)
Day 09 Trek to Doban (2505m)
Day 10 Trek to Deurali (3170m)
Day 11 Trek to Annapurna Base Camp [ABC] (4130m)
Day 12 Rest day in ABC or short walk back to Machhapuchhare Base Camp [MBC] (3700m)
Day 13 Trek to back to Bamboo (2335m) or Sinuwa (2340m)
Day 14 Trek to Jhinu Danda (1780m) via Chhomrong – you may visit hot spring
Day 15 Trek to Pothana (1900m)
Day 16 Trek to Phedi (1130m) and drive to back to Pokhara, overnight in hotel
Day 17 Drive to Chitwan National Park
Day 18 Chitwan National park, jungle activities
Day 19 Late morning leave Chitwan and drive back to Kathmandu and transport to hotel
Day 20 Free time in Kathmandu (optional visit to Jamarko’s urban project, EPHC school for disadvantaged children)
Day 21 Transport to Tribhuvan International Airport for Departure
Trip Cost: (Per Person)
Cost Includes on Trek:
Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, bed & breakfast basis, (accommodation in twin room unless otherwise arranged)
All three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
All internal transportation as stated in itinerary, including domestic flights (see itinerary above)
All Camping equipment (Two man tent, Mess tent, Kitchen tent, Toilet tent, Mattress, Table, Chairs, Plates, Cutlery and Kitchen gear) for camping trek, and for Lodge/teahouse trek – lodge accommodation – twin room with clean beds and mattresses
Free hire of four season down sleeping bag and fleece liner for trek only (optional)
National Park entrance fees
Experienced staff - (cook, kitchen helpers, sardar, sherpa helpers, porters and yaks for camping trek, and guide/s porter/s only for lodge/teahouse trek)
Staff and porter insurance
Sightseeing in Kathmandu as stated in itinerary (guide and transport only)
Free gift of trekking kit bag for each member of group (to be distributed on arrival in Kathmandu)
Free airport pick and drop (usually international only)
Cost Includes 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
Cost Excludes:
Your personal equipment
International flights
Your travel insurance, (Make sure the policy covers helicopter evacuation/rescue service, please)
Medical examination and vaccination costs
Personal expenditure, including bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, tips etc.
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond our control
Trekking and rafting crew tips at end of trekking
Optional Everest Mountain flight
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Hot shower on lodge/teahouse trek (US$ 1-2 per person)
Information for Trek
Accommodation Details: It is our policy to use Nepali-owned accommodation, always, as we feel this is an aspect of fair trade, and the hotels we always use, in Kathmandu and Pokhara, are comfortable, clean, efficient and friendly. We visit, and stay in them, ourselves to ensure that facilities are well kept and updated where necessary. All rooms have air conditioning, and en suite bathrooms with flush toilet, hand basin, and bath/shower combo (one or two rooms shower only). The rooms are relatively spacious and have twin beds, dressing table, wardrobe with coat hangers, luggage rack, occasional table and easy chairs. They have good restaurants (indoor and outdoor), well-stocked bars, safe storage for luggage and valuables, and money-changing facilities. The views from the rooftops of these hotels are spectacular.
In the Kathmandu hotel (six-storeys), situated in a quiet backwater right in the heart of the city (Thamel) and close to all shopping, bank, restaurants and cafes, there is also a lift and a roof-top garden with restaurant service. There are also wi-fi/internet facilities and international telephone call services.
Many of our returning clients, not necessarily realising that we always use the same hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, specifically ask to stay there, which is a recommendation in itself, although you should bear in mind that Nepalese hotel facilities are somewhat simpler than their European counterparts. As for tired trekkers – apart from the comfort of the hotels, there are genuine massage facilities available to relieve aching limbs – just ask at the Reception desk!
In Chitwan, the wildlife resort facilities are slightly different, because of its situation in the National Park buffer zone, although each room has en suite facilities and air conditioning. There is also a swimming pool, large and airy restaurant with small bar, and exterior wooden balcony with small tables where food may be enjoyed, as well as very attractive and spacious grounds.
Accommodation on the trek: Lodge/Teahouse trek: accommodation will be in simple lodges with twin-bedded rooms with standard foam mattresses (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along Thermarest mattresses). Toilets are mostly of the squat type, situated outside the main building. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring this with you, or buy a supply in Kathmandu, or in Pokhara if your trek is in the Annapurna area. There will be solar-heated showers available, for which there is a small charge, in addition to outdoor cold water hand basins. We would suggest that you bring along a bottle of antiseptic dry wash, such as ‘Cuticura Hand Hygiene Gel’, just in case the facilities for hand cleansing are inadequate.
Camping trek: accommodation will be in A-shaped Vango-style spacious two-man tents (over 5’ internal height x 5’ width x 8’ long), or, for high pass/peak climbing expeditions and rafting, two-man dome tents. On trek, cotton-cased, thick, foam mattresses are provided (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along Thermarest mattresses). We provide toilet tents, together with folding toilet seats, and toilet paper. For certain treks we carry our unique shower tent and provide buckets of hot water (this facility must be arranged prior to the trek).
Day and night temperatures on the trek? In Spring (March –May), the later mornings and afternoons will be quite hot, although when you beginning the trek in the mornings it may be chilly enough to require several thin layers of clothing, which may be peeled off as the temperature rises. Evenings and nights will be much colder, especially as altitude increases, which is why we recommend the use of a 4-season sleeping bag. Actual temperatures range between 7-8C morning and evening – night can be colder than that. Afternoon temperatures would range between 20-25C. This is only a rough estimate – as you know, climate is harder to predict nowadays! However, what is certain is that Pokhara/Chitwan will be hot – 15-30C.
Equipment List: You will be sent a detailed list which we hope will be helpful to you. Probably the most important item is your boots, which really should be well-worn in before starting your trek. Other items of equipment could be purchased easily in Kathmandu or Pokhara, but not boots. Also, walking poles are highly recommended – they really are a great help to knees, particularly on down hill trails.
Walking The World, PO Box 1186, Ft. Collins, CO 80522 USA
Ph: 970-498-0500 Fax: 877-656-7444
Email: info@walkiingtheworld.com Web Page: www.walkingtheworld.com
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