Annapurna & Bandipur Trail I Mountain Lodges of Nepal

Details

Description

When to Go

What's Included

Wandering the traffic-free streets of the historic Newar settlement of Bandipur, you may be reminded of some Italian walled city by the beautiful stone paving, warm stucco facades, café terraces and explosions of bright bougainvillea. Except that these merchant town houses, intricate carved windows, antique resting platforms and multi-roofed temples are all uniquely Nepali. This mountain town preserved in aspic, is just one of the extraordinary settlements you’ll encounter on your cultural and scenic heartland journey, sampling local cuisine, engaging with friendly villagers, visiting schools, monasteries, Gurkha homes, absailing into caves, if you wish, and always marvelling at views.

Late-March to late April offers clear weather and relative calm before Everest expedition teams descend on the region and then the days start to become rainy and overcast in May.

October and November may be the most ideal time to visit, with most of the tourists gone and the monsoon season over, making way for crisp, pre-winter days. During these four months expect comfortable temperatures and blue skies during the day, and opportunities for some exceptional long exposure photography and many shooting stars at night.

If traveling between May and September, expect damp and overcast weather on the trail, and with it weather-related delays for flights in and out of Kathmandu.

Included

Airport/Hotel/Airport Transfers
3 nights Gokarna Forest Resort, Kathmandu, in Twin room, with breakfast
1 night Temple Tree Resort & Spa in Twin room, with breakfast
7 nights MLN lodges as per program, on full board, plus happy hour
Trekking guide and porters
All staff daily wages/Insurance
National Park & TIMS Permit Fee
Flight: Kathmandu – Pokhara, with airport tax
Transfer: Pokhara to Bandipur, to Kathmandu
Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

Equipment: duffel bag, daypack, walking stick, water bottle, rain poncho, first aid kit, souvenir hat and scarf, in-lodge down jacket, hat and gloves.

Not included:

Personal equipment & insurance
Alcoholic & soft drinks outside of happy hours
Nepal Visa Fee, US$40/person
Tips for staff
Emergency rescue evacuation if needed.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu

Depending on your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel.

Accommodation: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 2 Fly to Pokhara and Trek to Birethati

After an optional early morning flight to Mount Everest, we fly to Pokhara (3300 ft /1000 m). We’ll have a briefing at the head office before we transfer by road with guides & porters to our trek start point {1-hour}. Our walk will follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where MLN’s Sanctuary Lodge is located. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known. A picnic lunch is provided with a late afternoon arrival at the Lodge. (Trek time 3-4 hours).

Accommodation: MLN (Sanctuary Lodge)
Day 3 Trek to Ghandruk

Breakfast will be ready in the dining room. After breakfast, you will leave the lodge to start the trek through the scattered small farms. Following the Modi Khola and with a constant view of Mt. Machhapuchhre ahead, you will soon climb the valley towards the mountains. Passing through the rice fields and forest, you will arrive at the Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk early afternoon to a hot lunch that is served on arrival as you enjoy the spectacular views of Annapurna Massif.

Accommodation: MLN (Himalaya Lodge)
Day 4 Trek to Landruk

Leaving the Ghandruk village, the trek descends steeply to the banks of Modi River. Crossing the suspension bridge, we trek up into the Landruk village enjoying the views of Annapurna range passing through the cliffs that where honey hunters climb up on the ropes to hunt the wild bee honey. Lunch will be ready as we arrive at our lodge. After lunch, you are either rest in your room to rest enjoying the spectacular views of the mountains or go on a sightseeing tour in the village with your guide.

Accommodation: MLN (La Bee Lodge)
Day 5 Trek to Majgaon

After breakfast, as your porters pack the bags to leave for the trek, you along with your guide will start your trek passing through the village and farmlands with views of Annapurnas at your back. On an easy trek to Majgaon today, you arrive at the MLN Lodge. You can enjoy the views of the mountains from your room itself relaxing after the trek or spend your time at the garden. You can also take a short walk to the village with our guide.

Accommodation: MLN (Gurung / Mala Lodge)
Day 6 Trek to Dhampus

Starting your trek today, you continue trekking towards Patlekhet, a small village on the way towards Pothana where you stop. Pothana is another small village along the trek which is used by Tibetan traders to sell their souvenirs and gifts to the tourists trekking up and down the Annapurna Base Camp. As you reach your lodge in Dhampus, you get spectacular views of the entire Annapurna range. Once at the lodge you will be served hot lunch after which you can take a short walk into Dhampus village.

Accommodation: MLN (Basanta Lodge)
Day 7 Drive to Pokhara

After breakfast, we depart along the ridge & descend through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. Trek time 1 ½ hours. We then transfer by vehicle to the hotel in Pokhara (40 minutes).

Accommodation: Temple Tree Resort & Spa (Pokhara)
Day 8 Drive to Bandipur

Bandipur is a famous newari village settled on the high ridge on the way to Kathmandu highway. A drive of about 2.5hrs takes you through the scenic panorama of hills and river Trishuli flowing on the left. After the lunch at Bandipur you will hike for about 3 hours to arrive at Ker and Downey lodge that rewards your patience with the panoramic view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.

Accommodation: MLN (Three Mountain Lodge)
Day 9 Village to Excursion in Bandipur

You will be woken with a cup of tea or coffee at your room. If the mountains are clear, you can sit on your private veranda and enjoy the spectacular mountain ranges of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. After breakfast we will set off to visit two local schools en route passing large orange groves. Other options include a walk to a higher peak from where there are mountain views to the North and views to Chitwan in the South. After lunch at the lodge, we will visit two local villages. To date, few tourists have visited this area so it retains much of its charm. Many Gurkhas have been recruited from these villages over the years and we will also visit the house of one of these retired Gurkhas.

Accommodation: MLN (Three Mountain Lodge)
Day 10 Drive Back to Kathmandu

Walk back to Bandipur village after breakfast where your vehicle will be ready to take off to Kathmandu for another 4 hrs drive through the highway and arriving in Gokarna Forest Resort where you can rest for the rest of the evening until dinner.

Accommodation: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 11 Free Day in Kathmandu

A free day in Kathmandu, today you can stroll around the hotel or take sightseeing tours.

Accommodation: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 12 International Departure

Depending on your flight time, your airport check in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12PM. In case your flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel. Our representative will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the hotel.