11 Day Immersive Adventure in Nepal: Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, and the Annapurna Circuit
Kathmandu, Nepal
Discover Nepal Hiking and Culture Tour
If you’re looking for a trip that challenges your body and spirit, widens your cultural lens, and immerses you in astounding mountain landscapes then this 11-day Nepal trip is for you. This will be a fully guided group trip that takes you to some key sites in Nepal.
Meet the instructors
Chett
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Highlights
- Visit the birthplace of Buddha and have tea with a monk
- Stay in village tea houses as you trek the Annapurnas
- Relax in a Himalayan salt pool at a regenerative eco-lodge
- Get to know the Nepali people through tea, nature, and a cooking class
- See the key sites of Kathmandu with an experienced guide
- 10 nights accommodation
- Pick-up and drop off at the airport
Skill level
- Intermediate
10 days with instruction
Group size: 4-12 participants
Airport transfer included:
Tribhuvan International Airport
Accommodation
You will stay in various acommodations as outlined in the itinerary. You'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room.
The itinerary includes a range of hotel experiences. The most basic three-stars are clean, safe, and no-frills. The boutique hotels excel in classic architecture, gorgeous art and decorations, handcrafted furniture, and overall ambiance.
The village tea houses along the trek are simple and very basic, with a bed, shower, and sink. In Pokhara after the trek, you’ll stay two nights at an incredible eco-lodge on a sustainable farm. You’ll enjoy farm-to-table breakfast and dinner with first-class service, onsite spa services, and myriad activities in the area.
Program
Day 1: Arrival and welcome dinner
Welcome to the land of the Himalayas! Upon arrival at the Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), your driver will transfer you to your boutique hotel in the vibrant Thamel district. Settle in & rest up or explore this pedestrian-friendly area before a Nepalese welcome dinner of fantastic Newari cuisine.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Kathmandu Valley
After breakfast, you will explore the top cultural and historical sites in the Kathmandu Valley. You’ll first visit Boudhanath, the biggest Buddhist stupa in Nepal situated in a colorful village replete with shops, huge prayer wheels, and multitudes of chanting devotees.
Next, you’ll visit the Pashupatinath Hindu temple, one of the most important Shiva shrines and the most important Hindu pilgrimage temple in Kathmandu. You’ll also watch cremation ceremonies, an important tradition in Nepali culture, along the holy Bagmati River.
You’ll then visit Patan, the royal palace square that consists of 16th-century pagodas and temples that are undergoing meticulous restoration after the devastating 2015 earthquake. You’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch before the afternoon stop at the Swayambhunath Stupa - also known as the Monkey Temple - with 360 degrees of view of the Kathmandu Valley. The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa along with several shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period.
The evening is yours to rest, explore, and enjoy many cuisine options in Thamel, including Nepali, Indian, Thai, and much more.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Lumbini
After breakfast, you’ll take a quick 45-minute domestic flight followed by a short drive to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. You’ll head to the temple complex and explore more than a dozen temples in the complex made by different countries with different monks. Each monastery has a unique architectural design and surrounding gardens.
You’ll then visit the palace grounds where Siddharta Buddha was born and the Maya Devi Temple, built in the 2nd century and dedicated to Buddha’s mother. You’ll also see the Ashoka Pillar, built in 259 BC by King Ashok. When he constructed this pillar, the King exempted the villagers from paying taxes and gave out 100 golden coins to the people. There are 10 different Buddhist stupas in this area.
After a traditional Thali Nepali lunch set, you’ll enjoy a super special session with a local monk to learn more about Buddhism before a delicious meal on-site at your local hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Pokhara
After breakfast, you’ll drive back to the airport and take a quick domestic flight to Pokhara, a vibrant, lakeside town at the base of the Annapurna mountain range. Take time to walk around the lake or consider a massage at your boutique hotel spa, or go shopping for Nepali mementos such as singing bowls, incense or scarves.
For dinner, choose from the many different world cuisines in town and take a lakeside stroll where locals gather after work.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Pokhara exploration day
Today you’ll explore the many sites Pokhara has to offer. You’ll start with a boat ride on Fewa Lake to see the Barahi Temple. Then you’ll visit Devi’s Falls, the Gupteshwor Mahadev Gupha sacred cave, Bindabashini Temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, the Old Bazaar, and the Mountain Museum, devoted to the mountains of Nepal and the mountaineers who climbed them. Inside, you can see original gear from many of the first Himalayan ascents, as well as displays in the history, culture, geology, and flora and fauna of the Himalayas.
Tonight, get packed up for your two-night trek. You’ll just bring the gear you need, and the rest you’ll be able to leave at your hotel in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Trek to Ghandruk
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Nayapul where your adventure in Annapurna foothills starts! The first two hours of walking are uphill along the riverside with villages and farming lands to Syauli Bazaar where the trail takes you up stone stairs through the terraces, farming areas, local villages, and natural surroundings. After a final steep uphill leg, you’ll arrive at Ghandruk, one of the biggest local villages of this area with spectacular sunset views. Enjoy the sunset before a home-cooked meal and early evening.
Hiking: 5-6 hours, 6500 feet elevation, Approx. 7 miles hiking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Optional non-trekkers option: If you prefer not to join the intermediate trek on days 6-8 you can choose to stay in your 3-star Pokhara hotel or at 5-star ecolodge. Breakfast is included daily, and you’ll have a menu of excursions to choose from, including light hikes, picnic lunches, cooking classes, spa and massage, and more!
Day 7: Trek to Pothana
Awake to impressive sunrise views of Annapurna South (23,661 feet), Hiunchuli (21,132 feet) & Fishtail (22,943 feet). From Ghandruk, you trek straight down to the Modi River valley, across the river then up stone stairways through terraced land to Landruk.
You’ll make your way through the “Nepali flats” of mixed terrain local villages, forested hills, and Himalayan terraces to Tolkha for lunch. From here, the trail heads up to a forested hill, known as Deurali, before you reach Potana. After a tea break, you’ll have a last, short leg to the camp atop a hill with open spaces for great views of the Annapurna range as well as the Dhawalagiri Himalayan ranges on clear days. Enjoy dinner and Nepali tea under the stars before a good night’s rest.
Hiking: 6-7 hours, 7,021 feet elevation, Approx. 9 miles hiking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Final trek and eco-lodge stay
Enjoy sunrise views of Dhaulagiri (26,794 feet), Annapurna I (26,542 feet), Annapurna South (23,661 feet), Hiunchuli (21,132 feet) & Fishtail (22,943 feet). From the camp, you will have a 3-ish mile downhill hike following stone steps to Kande through forested hills before driving back to Pokhara for lunch.
You’ll then take a short drive out of the city for your final stay at a gorgeous eco-lodge situated on an organic farm. You’ll learn how the lodge uses circular agriculture to grow the food and power the lodge as well as learn about their non-profit initiatives within the local community. Relax in the afternoon and enjoy the Himalayan salt pool or the onsite spa before your farm-fresh three-course dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 9: Community partner and free day at eco-lodge
After a leisurely breakfast, you will take an easy stroll through the paddies along the riverbed and get to Traverse Journeys' Community Partner, a hospitality vocational school. In this program, selected young people who have come from tough backgrounds such as street, trafficking, domestic slavery, poverty and hardship receive training in travel and tourism. After their training, they are linked to jobs locally, nationally, and internationally ensuring them safe, sustainable livelihoods.
After a tour of the training center, you will do a cooking class with the students learning how to make traditional Nepali dal bhaat thali, then enjoying it together for lunch. You’ll then make your way back to the eco-lodge for a restful afternoon!
In the evening, you’ll have an official farewell dinner together with an amazing farm-to-table meal!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10: Return to Kathmandu
After a delicious fresh breakfast, you’ll take a short domestic flight back to Kathmandu. You’ll have the rest of the day free for any final excursions of your liking in Kathmandu. In some cases, you can also opt for your return flight back home tonight (after 7 p.m.), as many flights back west leave later in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Departure
Depart any time today from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Or, choose from one of the add-ons including a Mt. Everest scenic flight (morning excursion, requires at least one extra night) or the 5-day Wonders of Bhutan itinerary.
Meals: Breakfast
Instructors
Chett Bhatta
Chett was born in the Gorkha District of Nepal, below the Manaslu towering peak at the route of the trekking circuit. His passion guiding travelers through the stunning high mountains and nearby villages is rooted in his love for the community. Chet’s philosophy is, “tourism for development in the Himalayas,” and he believes that responsible tourism has the potential to create growth and prosperity in his local communities. Chet’s proficiency in English allows him to facilitate detailed trips with ease, combining environment and community at the heart of those experiences.
Location
Food
The package includes daily breakfast, 5 dinners, and 3 lunches.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Add-ons
- Mt. Everest Scenic Flight - 300 USD per person, Requires an extra night before or after the trip
- Wonders of Bhutan - 5-day excursion starting at 2895 USD + airfare (approx 750 USD). Can also be booked alone without the Nepal trip.
- Everest Base Camp trek - 15-day EBC trek starting at 1995 USD per person Can also be booked alone without the Nepal trip.
What's included
- 6 nights 3-star boutique hotels
- 2 nights mountain tea houses
- 2 nights 5-star ecolodge stay
- Airport transfers on arrival/departure
- Private transit between local excursion
- Domestic flights Kathmandu-Lumbini-Pokhara
- Guided tour & entrance fees of Kathmandu valley to see Hindu and Buddhist cultural and UNESCO heritage sites including Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple and more
- Lumbini temple complex explorations, including the Maya Diva, the birthplace of Buddha
- Monastery visit to learn about Buddhism from a local monk
- Guided tour in Pokhara Valley to see Devi’s Falls, Fewa Lake, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, Bindabasini Temple & more
- 3-day guided Annapurna trek with assistant guide and porters
- Daily breakfast + 5 dinners + 3 lunches
- Local community partner visit + donation to their organization
- Dedicated local Nepali guide
- Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
What's not included
- International airfare
- Nepali visa
- Temple donations
- Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
- Tips to your local guide, drivers, etc.
- Alcohol, unless specified
- Required travel insurance
- Mt. Everest scenic flight (add on)
- Extra nights in Kathmandu (add on)
- 5-day Bhutan tour (add on)
- 15-day Everest Base Camp Trek (add on)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
KTM
Tribhuvan International Airport
4 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
You’ll fly in and out of Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. Flights from the US typically arrive 2+ days from departure (e.g., leave Friday, arrive Sunday) and return +1 day. You can depart any time on departure day. If you’re doing the Bhutan add-on, Traverse Journeys will be in touch about the exact departure day and specifics.
Airport: Tribhuvan International Airport
Airport transfer included: Tribhuvan International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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