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Pony Trek
A unique opportunity to experience the dramatic landscapes and cultures of the high Tibetan plateau, WITHOUT long distance trekking!
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Suitable for inexperienced riders, you can ride or walk as you please. For 6 days, visit places normally only accessible to the long distance hikers; Jomsom, the medieval villages of Marpha and Kagbeni and the sacred Hindu Shrine of Muktinath. The scenery is awesome, the high mountains of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri dominate the landscape.
Trek Data
- 6 night / 6 days, pony trekking with teahouse accommodation, see route in the itinerary below
- Walk or ride as you please.
- English speaking Nepalese mountain guide.
- No previous riding experience necessary.
- Altitude Range: 2,600m to to 3,900 metres (highest sleep location 2,800m)
- Horse and Saddle - The ponies are very surefooted and gentle natured and most importantly they come equipped with a soft foam rubber cushion on their saddles, just for your comfort. A horseman to ensures that you are secure and safe at all times.
- The Trail – Following the course of the Kali Ghandaki River valley the trail is essentially flat to rolling, with steeper sections as you cross the ridges that run down to the river. The paths are generally quite wide and smooth making for easy riding. Rides will only be about an hour at a time as stops to take photos and refreshments will break up the journey. Also you can ride or walk as you please. Some sections really do make for delightful walking.
- The Tea Houses and Meals – Overnights will be in traditional trekking Tea Houses. Although not as sophisticated as the city guesthouses, they are clean and comfortable and some will even have private facilities. The meals in the region are excellent; this trail is nicknamed the Apple Pie trail, because this northern section is Nepal’s apple growing region. Be sure to try the delicious freshly squeezed juice and apple crumble with custard.
- The Region – Flying from Pokara to Jomsom may only take 20 minutes, but the two towns are world’s apart. For you are now in Lower Mustang, a high dry desert on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The scenery is dramatic, the Kali Ghandaki gorge has widened out into a braided river plain and the towering snow clad peaks of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri dominate the landscape. The culture is distinctly Tibetan, the villages and way of life steeped in the past, so different from anything to be seen elsewhere in Nepal.
- Gear - a small daypack, a 3-season sleeping bag, sport/walking shoes or light boots with rugged tread for walking, a small amount of light weight clothing, a warm jacket and a set of warm clothes. Walking poles are highly recommended.
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. Pokara – sightseeing
Day 7. Pony Trek, Pokara to Marpha (2,665m) – fly to Jomsom, begin pony trek
Day 8. Pony Trek, Marpha to Jomsom (2713m)
Day 9. Pony Trek, Jomsom to Kagbeni (2,810m)
Day 10. Pony Trek, Pony Trek, Kagbeni - acclimatisation day
Day 11. Pony Trek, Kagbeni, day trip to Muktinath (3,800m)
Day 12. Pony Trek, Kagbeni to Jomsom (2,713m)
Day 13. Jomsom to Pokara – fly
Day 14. Pokara – a free day, short walks available
Day 15. Pokara to Rafting
Day 16. Rafting to Chitwan National Park
Day 17. Chitwan
Day 18. Chitwan to Kathmandu – fly, free afternoon
Day 19. Kathmandu - free day
Day 20. Kathmandu to Flight - an afternoon flight
Day 21. Auckland - arrive late morning
Criteria For Taking Part
As the Pony Trek takes place at altitudes of between 2,600 and 3,900 meters you must consider the implications of being at higher altitude. If you have a medical problem which is likely to be affected e.g. respiratory or circulatory, please consult your Doctor before booking. For most people, taking it easy, not hurrying and possibly taking a relief medication such as diamox for a few days is all that is required to be comfortable and of course during this time the pony will be doing most of the walking!
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
In order to fully enjoy this experience you should be moderately fit and active. Also to prepare for the times when you are walking please try to do some wilderness hikes which will accustom you to hill climbing and for walking on uneven and irregularly stepped surfaces. There will be times when you will be required to walk for short distances.
Non-Trek Accommodation
Kathmandu, Bhatkapur and Pokara hotels twin-share rooms with private facilities. Rafting Camp, twin-share tents. Chitwan, twin-share eco lodge with 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, 4 internal flights within Nepal, trek permit, trek guide, porters, horseman, pony, teahouses 6 nights, hotels 10 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 Pony Trek or the "Poon Hill" Annapurna 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 Pony Trekking and the Poon Hill 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.
Code Number:
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Not currently scheduled |
| Departure (ex Auckland): |
to be advised |
| Price Guide: |
2009 price was $7,250 |
| Pony Trek Minimum Number: |
4 |
| Days: |
22 |
| Trip Status: |
Keep Me Posted List |
NEXT TREK -The next trek is EVEREST BASE CAMP , 09 Oct 2010
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