Nepal: Annapurna Trek and Seti River Excursion

• Experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable guides

• Transportation during the trip including two internal flights

• All accommodations while on tour, including three nights at 5-star hotels, five nights at simple, tranquil mountain lodges, and two nights of deluxe river camping; all have private bathrooms

• Tipping of porters and river guides

• All meals included; alcoholic beverages are not included

DAY 1
Arrival. Kathmandu City Tour; 2 hours, easy Upon your arrival in Kathmandu (elevation 4,265 ft), you are met at the airport and driven to your centrally located five-star hotel. After introductions, a 15-minute drive brings you to Durbar Square for an overview of this fascinating city. From Durbar Square you visit Hanuman Dhoka and the House of the Living Goddess. You walk narrow lanes lined with traditional houses, shops, and shrines before arriving in Thamel, the main shopping district of Kathmandu. This evening you gather for a welcome dinner at a local Nepalese restaurant in the center of town Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu

DAY 2
Transfer to Pokhara Valley; Lumle to Birethanti Trek; 3-4 hours, moderate with additional options of up to 2 hours
After breakfast, a 35-minute flight takes you to Pokhara (3,080 ft), the rural capital of Western Nepal. Aerial views of the snowcapped Annapurnas are awe inspiring. Upon arrival, you meet your trekking porters and drive one hour to the trek start point.

The route begins by following a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. Most of the walking is downhill along stone paths and stairs. Passing tiny mountain villages, you encounter colorful donkey trains and meet school children accompanied by the tranquil sounds of the nearby river. The trail drops to the Modi River Valley and your home for the night, the beautiful Sanctuary Lodge (3,470 ft). Here you are served a late lunch, followed by the option of relaxing at the lodge or walking in the valley and along the nearby river.

Tonight you enjoy the first of many traditional, sustaining meals served over candlelight in the lodge’s dining room. Sanctuary Lodge, Birethanti

DAY 3
Birethanti to Ghandruk Trek; 5-6 hours, challenging with an elevation gain of 3,000 ft
Today you embark on one of the most challenging treks and in return are rewarded with some of the most spectacular views. After a hearty breakfast you depart Sanctuary Lodge and begin walking through the outlying farms of the Modi River Valley. Shortly you begin to ascend from the valley and into the mountains stopping en route to visit the small village of Teekahn and a local school. The route traces local paths connecting terraced farmland, moving in and out of quiet forest and small villages. Panoramic views of the surrounding valleys grace the trail, while you pause to admire the scenery and enjoy snacks of nuts, fruit, and cheese. The trail continues to climb revealing the snow-capped (and sacred) peak of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain). By mid-afternoon you reach the old village of Ghandruk (6,362 ft) and the Himalaya Lodge, your home for the next two nights. Here you are warmly welcomed by the staff and served a late lunch of soup, fried rice, and tea. Late afternoon is free for relaxation before dinner at the lodge. Himalaya Lodge, Ghandruk

DAY 4
Layover day. Optional Ghandruk Trek; up to 8 hours, moderate to challenging with maximum elevation gain of 2,000 ft
This morning you are awakened with steaming hot tea and the opportunity to watch the sun rise over the sacred Fishtail Mountain. Weather permitting, you may eat breakfast al fresco surrounded by the high peaks. This lodge is known for its local corn and Tibetan breads served fresh from the oven with honey and jams.

Those who wish to embark on a full day walk may join the guides on a trek through the old village of Ghandruk and continue trekking towards Gorepani. Your destination is a small ridge-top tea house, which offers spectacular views. You eat lunch among the rhododendron trees in the delightful village of Tarapani (8,500 ft). After a bit of time to peruse the outdoor Tibetan market, you return to Ghandruk. This popular trekking stop was once a major recruitment center for the famous Gurkha soldiers. The women of Ghandruk also maintain a local industry of weaving traditional Nepalese rugs, which may be available for viewing.

Less arduous walking options are a forest walk or an exploration of the mountain village of Ghandruk followed by time to relax in the lodge’s gardens. Himalaya Lodge, Ghandruk

DAY 5
Ghandruk to Birethanti Trek; 5-7 hours, moderate to challenging with an elevation loss of 3,000 ft
This morning you bid farewell to the lodge staff and begin the trek through the newer part of the village where many of the returning Gurkhas have built lodges and settled. The route is mostly along slate paved trails. The walk here is primarily downhill (steep at times) with a few short ascents and flat sections. After approximately two hours, you reach the village of Syauli Bazaar from where the trail flattens out, following the Modi River to the Sanctuary Lodge (alternate route from Day 3).

You reach the Sanctuary Lodge in time for a warm lunch. An optional afternoon walk continues on to the village of Birethanti or, some may choose to walk further to view beautiful waterfalls in a secluded haven. In the late afternoon you are treated to a traditional song and dance performance by local school children (please note that this activity may take place on an alternate day). Sanctuary Lodge, Birethanti
DAY 6
Birethanti to Majhgaun Trek; 3-4 hours, moderate to challenging; additional option of 2 hours with a total elevation gain of 1,200 ft
After breakfast, you leave the Sanctuary Lodge, crossing over the Modi River. You trek up and along the forested hillside with views of the river below. You reach the small village of Wahday after approximately two hours of walking, and an hour later you arrive at the village of Majhgaun (4,500 ft), and your home for the night, the Gurung Lodge.

After a hearty lunch at the lodge you trek to the nearby villages of Patlekhet and Tanchok. Along the way you pass typical village scenes such as farmers plowing their rice and wheat paddies, young women grinding wheat or drying corn, and boys shepherding their donkey trains. Modern farming techniques have not reached remote parts of Nepal and walking these terraced farmlands is like stepping back into another era. Tonight you are served the last of your lodge dinners. Gurung Lodge, Majhgaun

DAY 7
Majhgaun to Dhampus to Pokhara Trek; 4-5 hours, easy to moderate
This morning the trek takes you through sub-tropical forests, home to tree orchids, rhododendrons, and magnolias. Upon reaching the ridgeline, you pass through the village of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell their crafts. After approximately three hours of walking you reach the village of Dhampus at 5,000 ft. Here, you stop for lunch, in the tranquil gardens of the Basanta Lodge with sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range.

After lunch you depart along the ridge and descend through a beautiful wooded hillside on stone trails and steps to the valley floor. Your driver is waiting here to take you on the 45-minute transfer to the Shangri-La Village Hotel in Pokhara.

This evening’s dinner is a bountiful buffet of Asian specialties in the hotel’s restaurant, during which you are accompanied by local musicians playing traditional tunes in the garden. Shangri-La Village Resort, Pokhara
DAY 8
Rafting the Seti River; 3-4 hours of rafting plus optional short walk
After breakfast you transfer by bus to the rafting start point, about 1½ hours away. An experienced crew meets you and conducts a full briefing prior to the raft launch. All items for your overnight stay are carried in the raft in waterproof bags. The remainder of your luggage travels ahead in the vehicle to the rafting finish point—where you arrive in two days.

The rafting is an easy float along the unspoiled Seti River. The few rapids encountered are class 1-3 (the classification system goes up to class 6). Your guides provide a thorough safety briefing and offer tips on paddling techniques as well as what to wear in terms of clothing for this excursion in order to stay warm and dry. At a sandy beach you stop for lunch. Later you continue on to the remote yet well-provisioned tented campsite, complete with hot showers, flush toilets, and a dining lodge. There may be time for an optional short walk along the river this afternoon.

Dinner this evening is simple but plentiful as you indulge in a multi-course meal of local Nepalese cuisine in an elegant riverside dining tent. Classic River Camping, Seti River

DAY 9
Layover day on the Seti River; easy to challenging options with elevation gains of 1,500 ft maximum
This morning you may choose to relax in a hammock with a book, go for a swim in the river (depending on the season), or join a trek to a remote Gurung mountain village—the home of the River Camp manager. On the trek you ascend a dirt trail through a serene forest with views of the river below. You visit the village and local school before climbing to a stunning viewpoint of the Annapurnas. For some, this village is the most cherished of the tour as the locals rarely see Westerners, and it is a mutually rewarding cross-cultural exchange. Looping back, you join a riverside path for the final portion of the trek. At this point some may choose to take a refreshing dip in the river while others continue on to the camp.

Reuniting for lunch at the camp, a peaceful afternoon awaits with time to relax, read, or stroll the river in search of birdlife. Classic River Camping, Seti River

DAY 10
Seti River Rafting; 3 hours of rafting, Kathmandu
After a final riverside breakfast, you board the rafts for a 2½-hour float to the rafting end-point. A 45-minute drive brings you to the Baratapur Airport where you board a plane for a short (25-minute) flight back to Kathmandu.

In Kathmandu you visit Boudhanath, home to the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. By late afternoon, the monks and nuns can be seen circling the stupa, spinning its many prayer wheels, and prostrating themselves. This area is also an ideal spot for any last minute shopping.

Checking into your hotel in the early evening, there is time to freshen up before walking to Thamel Square for a farewell dinner at the famous Rum Doodle’s restaurant. Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu

DAY 11
Departure
After breakfast transfers are provided to the Kathmandu Airport for your journey home.

Please note that guests joining the optional Chitwan Safari Post-Tour Extension will depart the tour on Day 10 after rafting to transfer directly to the park. Your final night in Kathmandu (including the visit to the Boudhanath temple and free time for shopping) then takes place on the third night of the Chitwan Extension.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
10/26/2010 - 11/5/2010	$3,698
11/10/2010 - 11/20/2010	$3,698
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Tour Highlights:
• Kathmandu and its valley of ancient villages, temples and rice paddies
• Six-day trek in the Annapurnas
• Two days rafting on the Seti with classic Nepalese river camping
• Optional Extension: Elephant-back game viewing in the Chitwan National Park
• Deluxe hotels, trekking lodges, and classic tented camps

Walk Ratings
• Moderate and challenging treks with most trails on in-laid rocks and stairs; highest altitude is 8,500 ft (highest lodging elevation is 6,500 ft) with an average elevation throughout the trip of 5,000-6,000 ft; average of 3-7 hours of walking or trekking per day.
• Elevation gains and losses vary from 500-3,000 ft in one day

All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.

2009 Single Supplement $600

As arrangements are confirmed at least a year in advance, the tour price is subject to change. Reserve early to guarantee the best available price.

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