Into Nepal: Walks & Wildlife

13 days
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Small Group Tour
This immersive adventure is the perfect introduction to Nepal and Himalayan trekking. Our route takes us through the Annapurna foothills, staying at low altitude and certainly one of the most spectacular of the Himalayan massifs. Throughout the trek, we pass through villages among steeply terraced fields, where in spring the rhododendron forests provide a col...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Enjoy sunrise at the Poon Hill summit with views of majestic peaks
    • Experience traditional culture in the Gurung village of Ghandrung
    • Relax with a post-trek stay in the lakeside city of Pokhara
    • Visit a Tibetan refugee village and learn how to make traditional momo dumplings
    • Join an expert naturalist for a wildlife-watching adventure in Chitwan National Park
    • Ride a dugout canoe down the Rapti River in search of crocodiles

What's this trip about?

    This immersive adventure is the perfect introduction to Nepal and Himalayan trekking. Our route takes us through the Annapurna foothills, staying at low altitude and certainly one of the most spectacular of the Himalayan massifs. Throughout the trek, we pass through villages among steeply terraced fields, where in spring the rhododendron forests provide a colourful foreground to the splendid mountain vistas. And after, we explore another side of Nepal by going in search of roaming wildlife at Chitwan National Park. With the help of an expert naturalist, we explore the home of the one-horned rhino, while also spotting birds, crocodiles, deer and boar. Why trek with Exodus? More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal Exodus annually commissions independent air-safety audits on domestic carriers in Nepal and only use those approved as part of the audit Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage Speak to Exodus office staff who have done the trek themselvesTrek between teahouses in the Annapurna foothills and go wildlife spotting in Chitwan National Park

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityKathmandu
End CityKathmandu

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Kathmandu
  • Tibet

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Wildlife viewing

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners
    • All accommodation
    • Tibetan village with momo cooking experience
    • Mountain Museum entrance (Pokhara)
    • Dugout canoe ride and jeep safari (Chitwan)
    • All transport and listed activities
    • One internal flight
    • Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
    • Trekking permit and national park fees

Itinerary

Day 1 Start Kathmandu

The tour starts at the Hotel Ambassador in Kathmandu. There will be a full trip briefing this evening with your leader and a chance to meet your fellow travellers. If you have free time after arrival, you may want to relax into the adventure with a drink at the in-hou...

Day 2 Fly to Pokhara, drive to Birethanthi, trek to Tirkhedunga

We take a 30-minute flight to the city of Pokhara this morning, which allows us to bypass a long, bumpy, uncomfortable drive and maximise our time in the Himalaya. On a clear day, we get magnificent views of those same mountains from the right side of the plane. From...

Day 3 Climb to lower Banthanti

Today is short in distance but quite tough as we are ascending all day. There is a long, fairly steep climb up a stone staircase through the neatly terraced hillsides to the village of Ulleri. Many of the trails in this area are stone steps made many years ago to prev...

Day 4 Ascend through rhododendron forests to Upper Ghorepani

Today our trail winds onward and enters a rhododendron forest. In spring, the forest is ablaze with colour and, as we walk, trains of mules provide colourful and noisy interludes to the continuous ascent (there are many stone staircases today). Finally, we emerge at ...

Day 5 Walk to Poon Hill for sunrise. Trek via Deurali to Tadapani

We get up early this morning for our walk to Poon Hill (our highest altitude point at 10,530ft/3,210m). The early wake up will be worth it when we see the spectacular sunrise views of the Annapurnas, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri, Machh...

Day 6 An easy walk to Ghandrung, explore the Gurung village

After wonderful sunrise views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare from the lodge, we descend through the forest to the Bhaisi Kharka area. We eventually emerge from the forest and see the large Gurung village of Ghandrung spread below. It is the largest of the vill...

Day 7 Trek down to Birethanthi. Drive to Pokhara

We end our Himalayan journey today trekking through farmland and forest down to the Modi Khola valley and onto Birethanthi, where we meet our transport for the 1hr 30min drive back to Pokhara. The afternoon is free to enjoy this lakeside town. There are plenty of shops selling Tibetan handicrafts and restaurants along the lakeside to explore. Accommodation: Hotel Dahlia (or similar)

Day 8 Visit the Tibetan refugee camp in Tashiling with a momo-cooking experience. Afternoon International Mountain Museum and optional boat ride

This morning, we head to the Tibetan refugee camp in Tashiling, a 15-minute drive out of Pokhara. Established in 1964, when hundreds of Tibetans fled instability in their home region, the Tashiling camp is now a permanent home to around 100 families. You meet some of ...

Day 9 Drive to Chitwan

We leave Pokhara this morning (with magnificent Annapurna views on clear days) and embark on a four to five-hour drive to Chitwan. Along the way, we are accompanied, in parts, by the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. The road heads towards Kathmandu for about 56mi (90km...

Day 10 Dugout canoe ride and jeep safari. Evening Tharu culture show

Today is dedicated to discovering the wildlife of Nepal and exploring the jungle in Chitwan. In the morning, we take a traditional dugout canoe made from a single tree trunk along the Rapti River, our naturalist guide helping us to spot birdlife and crocodiles as we ...

Day 11 Optional early morning bird-watching walk. Drive back to Kathmandu

This morning, you have the option to rise early and head out before breakfast for a bird-watching walk in the Bagmara Community Forest, around a five to 10-minute stroll from our resort, joined by a naturalist guide. Then, after a leisurely breakfast, we set off for ...

Day 12 Optional Everest mountain flight. Sightseeing in Kathmandu

For those keen to see the highest mountain in the world, there is the option of an early morning Everest sightseeing flight from Kathmandu. This can be booked and paid for locally with help from your leader. Today is also your chance for sightseeing in the capital. A...

Day 13 End Kathmandu

The trip comes to an end after breakfast. However, if you’d like a little more time to explore Kathmandu, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,150
Price per day$242
Last Updated: 11/8/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
07 Apr 2025
19 Apr 2025
$3,150
$3,638

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
What they’re known for
Global trips to a wide array of destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and learning about local cultures.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel Insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations
    • Sleeping bag (possible hire in advance through Exodus)
    • Down jacket(possible hire in advance through Exodus)

Accommodation

This tour spends three nights in a hotel in Kathmandu, five nights on trek in lodges (teahouses), two nights in a hotel in Pokhara and two nights in a jungle lodge in Chitwan. The hotels used may vary by departure date. In Kathmandu, we stay at the Hotel Ambassador within walking distance of the Thamel district. In Pokhara, we use Hotel Dahlia or Hotel Kausi and in Chitwan we use a jungle lodge on the edge of the Community Forest Reserve. The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains. The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable, and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch (flashlight) is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approximately 150-350 Nepalese rupees per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental. The bedrooms are almost all twin share. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are generally unheated and can get cold at night, so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag. Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main lodge building, most of these are now western seated but some may still have Asian squat style. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it the bin provided – do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty please either refill it or ask the lodge to. Lodges now have hot ‘showers’ (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees per shower). Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand-sanitiser gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes. Extra accommodation If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu or Pokhara either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your sales representative. Single accommodation If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan only (subject to availability). In the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis. *Nepal teahouse images are provided as examples and may not always be the same properties used on every trek.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners are included in this trip. The breakfasts on trek are fixed set menus, usually porridge or muesli with either toast, chapatti or pancake, plus an egg or omelette and a cup of tea/coffee. You may also be able to supplement your included breakfast with additional items on the teahouse menu should you wish. Items not included in the set breakfast should be ordered and paid for separately. We do not include lunch and dinner on trek allowing you to choose what you want to eat. Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route. Dinner will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as teahouses base their room rate on it). The menus in the lodges are almost identical to one another but offer a varied choice, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises curried lentils and meat or vegetables, rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos, a type of Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed and filled with meat or vegetables. Although meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money – we recommend using hand sanitiser. If you have a gluten-free diet, we strongly recommend you bring extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available to you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are from powder/packets and contain gluten. If you buy imported food and drink on trek, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Drinking water Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity, on this trip it is generally recommended to carry a 33floz (one litre) water bottle and drink at least 67floz (two litres) per person per day. However, we strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in the trekking areas of Nepal. You can top up water bottles at tea breaks and lunch stops along the way with some villages offering safe drinking water stations selling UV-treated water for about 50 rupees (US$0.40) per litre. The teahouses also sell boiled water for approximately 150-300 rupees (US$1.15-US$2.30) per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot-water bottle. Alternatively, all teahouses provide free cold water. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend you bring a reusable bottle/water bladder/Camelpak (ideally two) and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available including Steripens or purification tablets, which are the quickest and easiest options to use on trek – we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time. Make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions). Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates more than 99.99 percent of all microbiological contaminants from any non-saltwater source – visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15 percent off their first order and, better still, 15 percent of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. These bottles filter the water as you drink through the spout may not be the most efficient while on the go on a trek. Please note, if the water freezes it will clog up the filter. In this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
  • Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (5 hotel, 2 jungle lodge), 5 Simple nights (teahouses)
  • Travel by air-conditioned private bus and one internal flight
  • Six days of walking with full porterage
  • Small group size (maximum 16 clients). Minimum age: 16
  • Low altitude throughout (maximum altitude: Poon Hill summit at 10,531ft/3,210m)
  • Good introduction to Himalayan walking
Trip ID
exodus-TNC

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