Annapurna Trek with Chitwan Tour - 9 days

You can catch a direct flight to Kathmandu from any of the major Asian cities. On reaching the airport, you can complete the entry process at the immigration desk and head towards the exit. Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport’s terminal holding a signboard with your name on it. He will give you a warm welcome and drop you off at your hotel. Later in the day you will meet your trekking guide, who will let you know about the condition of the route and what to expect during the trek.

You can check your packing list for the Annapurna Trek and Chitwan Tour. If there’s any trekking gear or equipment you need, you can purchase or hire from the trekking gear outlets. Chitwan has a warm and humid tropical climate, so you need to pack accordingly. You can catch a direct flight to Kathmandu from any of the major Asian cities. On reaching the airport, you can complete the entry process at the immigration desk and head towards the exit. Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport’s terminal holding a signboard with your name on it. He will give you a warm welcome and drop you off at your hotel.

Later in the day you will meet your trekking guide, who will let you know about the condition of the route and what to expect during the trek. You can check your packing list for the Annapurna Trek and Chitwan Tour. If there’s any trekking gear or equipment you need, you can purchase or hire from the trekking gear outlets. Chitwan has a warm and humid tropical climate, so you need to pack accordingly.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

After waking up early, get ready and have breakfast. Later you will be driven to the domestic airport to catch one of the earliest flights to Pokhara. Don’t forget to request for a seat from where you can view the mountains, while checking in. During the flight you will get to enjoy amazing views of the Langtang Range, Dorje Lakpa, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and the Annapurna Range.

Your guide will make arrangements for a vehicle to take you to Banthanti upon reaching Pokhara. The drive to Banthanti takes you past scenic views of mountains and villages with paddy fields. At Nayapul your permit will be checked. Later the vehicle will follow a route that climbs up into a steep hill. The road will be bumpy at this point as you will be riding on a rough jeep track. You will drive past the villages of Hille and Ulleri before finally arriving at the end of the road in Banthanti. The trailhead lies just below the jeep stop. After getting down from the vehicle, you will start your trek.

The route goes down to the river and again climbs up. After walking for about half an hour, you will reach the first village on the trail, Nangethanti, where you can stop for lunch. The trail follows a gentle up and down trail with some flat sections. During springtime the rhododendron forest along the route is covered in thick rhododendron blooms.

After climbing a concrete staircase, you will soon arrive at the gate of Ghorepani. Go through the village and make your way to a lodge. Ghorepani is a large settlement with many comfortable lodges and teahouses. You will stay at one of the new lodges offering modern amenities.

Overnight in Ghorepani

Wake up early in the morning and hike to Poon Hill before sunrise. One of the major attractions of the Annapurna Trek with Chitwan Tour is the hike to Poon Hill. The hill is a vantage point from where one can enjoy 360-degree views of the Annapurna South, Annapurna I, and Nilgiri Himal. Tukuche Peak, Himchuli, Dhaulagiri, Gurja Himal, Dhampus Peak, Baraha Shikhar, etc.

After spending time at the Poon Hill viewpoint enjoying the jaw dropping views and taking pictures, you will later descend to the lodge and have your breakfast. After breakfast, it’s time to hit the trail again. You will walk on the steps again and climb out of the village. It’s a long climb on a stone staircase. Soon you will reach the viewpoint of Deurali Pass, which lies at almost the same elevation as Poon Hill. From here you will get a good view of Poon Hill, Ghorepani settlement, Swanta Village as well as the whole Himalayan panorama, which is visible from Poon Hill. From the pass the trail evens out and descends gently into a thick forest of rhododendron. You will stop for a brief rest at the village of Deurali. Soon you will come to a steep section that will take you to a deep gorge.

The path is a narrow staircase built on the side of a rocky cliff. Metal railing have been built on the side of the staircase for safety. En route you will walk past beautiful waterfalls and streams. The trail follows the course of the stream. Soon you will reach the riverside village of Banthanti, where you can stop for lunch. Later the trail climbs up and enters a thick forest of rhododendron. Soon you will reach the scenic village of Tadapani.

Tadapani lies amidst a humongous rhododendron forest. During spring the village looks glorious, surrounded by trees laden with pink and red flowers. In the background rise the white summits of Fishtail Peak or Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Barahashikhar, Annapurna South, Nilgiri, etc. Savor the beautiful mountain views at sunset from your teahouse.

Overnight in Tadapani.

Leaving Tadapani, you will head towards Landruk. You will join the busy Annapurna Base Camp trail and head towards the villages of Chuikle, Gurjung, and Chomrong. The ABC trail is marked with steep stone staircases, and you will be descending the hill via these stone staircases. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Annapurna Range, Gangapurna, and Hiunchuli as you descend. You can stop by the Jhinu hot spring and have a relaxing dip at the hotspring’s pool if you have time. Head down to the thundering Modi Khola and cross it via a swaying metal bridge. Follow an ascending trail to reach Landruk.

However, please do note there are two routes to Landruk from Tadapani, and your guide will choose the one that will be best for you. While one route (the one given above) joins the Annapurna Base Camp trail and goes via the villages of Gurjung, Chomrong, and Jhinu Danda, the other route takes you past the Gurung village of Ghandruk. If you go via Ghandruk, the trail takes you past a dusty jeep road and the village of Kyumi. The road may be dusty, but the views you get of the Himalayan mountains are breathtaking and enough motivation for your hike. You will head down to the Modi River and ascend a steep path leading to Landruk.

On reaching Landruk, you can walk to a teahouse and have a good rest. Landruk is a picturesque Gurung village dotted with traditional stone cottages and farms. It lies on a steep hillside offering grand views of the mountains and river valleys.

Overnight in Landruk.

Today’s trek is tough but filled with more breathtaking Himalayan views. The hike takes you past terraced paddy fields and traditional farms. There are some steep ascents and descents that can be hard on your knees, but the views more than make up for it. You will be walking along the Mardi Himal trekking trail as you trek past Pitam Deurali, Tolka, and Pothana. A lush jungle of oak and alder trees comes en route. As you get close to Kande, you will be walking amidst haystacks, terraced farms, and vegetable patches.

The locals are friendly, and you can interact with them. On reaching Kande, you will board a bus or a jeep and head towards Pokhara. On reaching Pokhara, you can check into a hotel and enjoy a long relaxing shower and a sumptuous dinner

Overnight in Pokhara.

From Pokhara you will head towards Chitwan. Chitwan’s main attraction is the Chitwan National Park in Sauraha, and that’s where you will head to. The journey by a comfortable tourist bus takes you past hillside villages and Himalayan rivers. The road weaves alongside the Marshyangdi River and later the Trishuli River. Verdant forests cover the hills close to the road. On reaching Chitwan, you will be driven to a hotel or resort where your accommodation has been booked. Later in the afternoon or evening you will be given a tour of a traditional Tharu village.

The Tharus are an indigenous community who have been living in the jungles of Chitwan and the Terai Region, for centuries. They share the jungle space with the wild animals and birds, living in harmony in the lap of nature. They were originally hunter-gatherers but now have taken up farming and agriculture. Tourism also helps them a lot to eke out a living.

You can take a stroll around the village and get an insight into their unique and sustainable lifestyle. The Tharus live in mud houses and lead an organic lifestyle, often depending on the blessings of nature to sustain themselves. The villagers, dressed in their traditional costumes, will perform a cultural show for you.

Overnight in Chitwan.

You will spend this day exploring the Chitwan National Park and indulging in exciting outdoor activities.  You will get to visit the Elephant Breeding Center and learn more about the life-cycle and habits of the elephants. You can play with the baby elephants, and if the mahout allows, you can feed them too. Later you can take a walk to the riverside and bathe a friendly elephant under the watchful eyes of its carer.

Riding on a traditional wooden canoe on the calm Rapti River will take you to the swampy nesting sites of marsh muggers and crocodiles. The tall elephant grasses are the favorite haunts of the Royal Bengal tiger, and maybe you can spot one if you are lucky. Peacocks, sarus cranes, and other exotic birds can be spotted while taking an elephant ride and a jeep safari. During a guided jungle walk you can enjoy close encounters with the one-horned rhinoceros, which is an endangered species.

The national park is also home to more than five hundred species of birds. You can spot some of the rare birds like the Bengal Florican, Plaintive Cuckoo, River Lapwing, Red-Headed Vulture, Spot-Billed Pelican, Himalayan Griffon, etc. while exploring the park.

Overnight in Chitwan.

You will leave for Kathmandu today. After breakfast you will head to the bus station and board a tourist bus with comfortable seats. After being on the road for 5 to 6 hours you will finally arrive in Kathmandu. En route, enjoy beautiful views of the Trishuli River and small traditional settlements.

Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you will head to a hotel where a room has been booked for you. On reaching the hotel, check-in and have a good rest or do some souvenir shopping in Thamel.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Your Annapurna Trek and Chitwan Tour ends here. Bid farewell to Kathmandu and to all the people who have made your trip successful. Our driver will drop you off at the international airport, from where you can catch your flight.

If you feel like continuing your adventure in the Himalayas, we can chart another great adventure for you. We have exciting itineraries that will let you explore not only Nepal, but Bhutan, Tibet, and India as well. Just drop us a line, and our travel consultant will get in touch with you.