Nepal

Draped along the greatest heights of the Himalayas, Nepal is a land of eternal fascination, ancient history, colourful cultures, superb scenery and some of the best walking on earth.

"Poon Hill" Annapurna Springtime Trek

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An 8-day trek along trails that have been the highways of civilization since time immemorial, amidst the stunningly beautiful mountain scenery of the mighty Annapurna range. Enjoy stunning mountain views of the mighty Annapurna Peaks, Himculi, and Machhapuchhre, and a forested landscape of flowering rhododendron, sweet smelling daphne and delicate primula.

Trek Data

• 7 night / 8 day, a circle route tea house trek, see route in the itinerary below
• With porters to carry your pack you will only be carrying a light day pack
• English speaking Nepalese mountain guide
• Altitude Range: 900 to 2,900 metres

Also included are,

• The Kathmandu Valley - home to the sister cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the Kathmandu Valley is the cradle of Nepali culture. Visiting these cities is like stepping back in time, an indescribable experience. Ancient temples, narrow twisting streets, intricately carved architecture, and a way of life which seems trapped in the past.
• Rafting on the Seti - 1 night/2 days. The Seti, a grade 2-3 river winds its way through a remote and beautiful region and its waters are said to be the warmest in Nepal! Camp overnight on the river bank, all meals. No previous rafting experience required. It's magical and such fun!
• Royal Chitwan National Park - 2 night / 3 day “Island Jungle Resort” stay, elephant safaris in search of rhino, crocodiles, tigers, birds and other wildlife.
• Pokara – Central Nepal's largest town has a stunning location, nestled on the shores of Fewa lake and backdropped by the glorious panorama of the high Annapurnas. A wonderful place to relax after the trek.
• Everest Mountain Flight - an early morning flight for a spectacular bird’s eye view of Mt Everest and its surrounding Himalayan giants. The views are awesome!
  

Draft Itinerary Outline

Day 1. Auckland to Kathmandu – fly, depart early morning, arrive midday
Day 2. Kathmandu – sightseeing
Day 3. Kathmandu - Everest Mountain flight, sightseeing
Day 4. Kathmandu to Bhaktapur – day walk in Kathmandu Valley.
Day 5. Bhaktapur to Pokara – fly
Day 6. Trek Pokara to Pothana (1,700m)
Day 7. Trek Pothana to Landruk (1,750m)
Day 8. Trek Landruk to Chomrong (1,950m)
Day 9. Trek Chomrong to Ghandruk (2,200m)
Day 10. Trek Ghandruk to Banthanti (2,390m)
Day 11. Trek Banthanti to Ghorepani (2,775m)
Day 12. Trek Ghorepani to Tikhedunga (1,525m) - Poon Hill
Day 13. Trek Tikhedunga to Pokara – drive to Pokara
Day 14. Pokara – a free day
Day 15. Pokara to Rafting
Day 16. Rafting to Chitwan National Park
Day 17. Chitwan
Day 18. Chitwan to Kathmandu – fly
Day 19. Kathmandu - free day for personal sightseeing or last minute shopping
Day 20. Kathmandu to Flight - a mid afternoon flight
Day 21. Auckland - arrive late morning

Criteria For Taking Part

This trek is graded easy with moderate sections, suitable for regular day walkers able to hike consecutive days for between 4 and 7 hours, carrying a small daypack. The trail is mostly well formed over varied terrain, with some long stepped sections both up and down hill. Participants must be in good health and hiking fit.

Although there is no hurry and you walk at your own pace, please check with your Doctor before booking if you have potential medical problems that may impair your fitness. Also please ask your Dr. about a regime such as diamox to assist you adjust to altitude. More details on health, preparation and gear will follow.

It is also important to understand that the way of life and standards of facilities and services in Nepal and especially during the trek, will be basic, however, if you are willing to cope with the unusual, the unpredictable, cultural differences and some local inadequacies then you will be rewarded with a very memorable experience.

Fitness

Nepal is mountainous and trekking is a strenuous activity. In order to fully enjoy trekking you will need to be fit. Take time to prepare with lots of up and down hill walking. City street walking alone will not really prepare you, so try to get in some wilderness hikes which will accustom you to walking on uneven, irregularly stepped surfaces and hill climbing.

Accommodation

In Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Pokara rooms are twin share, with private facilities but during the Trek the Tea House accommodation will be more basic with communal facilities and it is possible that in one or two places multi-share or dormitories may be all that is available. During the rafting we will camp in tents on the riverside. The Chitwan Jungle Lodge is an eco styled lodge with twin rooms and private facilities, no electricity.

Meals

Apart from the Rafting and Chitwan days meals are not included. I suggest that you allow around US$20 per day, to cover food and purified water. Nepal is not generally known as a country of gourmet cooking, rather gourmet scenery. However, Nepalese cooking has improved immensely in recent years and food is still relatively cheap so you should eat well.

Gear

In Kathmandu it is possible to hire or buy equipment, jackets, sleeping bags, hiking poles and other specialist gear, but you will need to take your own hiking boots, full thermals and layers of breathable warm clothing, warm pants, over trousers etc and a day pack. We will loan you a trekking bag for your gear. Greater detail on what to take will be available after Registration.

Nepalese Visa

Everyone must have an entry visa. These are available on arrival for most passports and the current cost is approximately US$30

Insurance

A fully comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must cover evacuation by helicopter in case of emergency. Please advise policy name, number and emergency contact phone number.

Price

Includes – group based flights Auckland to Auckland, 2 internal flights within Nepal, trek permit, trek guide, porters, teahouses 7 nights, hotels 8 nights, rafting tent camp 1 night, jungle resort 2 nights, transports/sights/activities as per itinerary. Meals - all meals while rafting and at jungle resort. A US$50 tipping fund for the trek and rafting guides / porters, please note that this figure may need to be supplemented.

Excludes – any other service of any kind or any expenditure not mentioned above, travel insurance, any departure or flight related taxes payable either at ticket purchase or at check in, any visas or documentation required.

This a Combo itinerary

The April 2009 NP 91 programme offers the choice of either this "Poon Hill" Trek or the Pony Trek. The minimum for the trip to be viable is 8 persons, for each section there is a minimum of 4 participants. If you are interested in taking part please contact us as soon as possible as seats in and out of Kathmandu for the trekking season are limited and in very high demand. We should have our seats booked as quickly as possible, preferrably by the end of November

Grassroots Leader

For 8-days the Poon Trekking and the Pony Trekking groups will travel separately with the Grassroots leader accompanying one group while the other will be escorted by an English speaking manager from Trek Team Nepal. The decision as to which group has which leadership will be made later. Regardless, you can be assured that you will be very well looked after.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for important general information. For more specific details about this trip (including an itinerary) please Contact Us.