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4 April 2022: The “Roof of the World” with renowned RCGS photographer and Canadian Geographic Creative Director, Javier Frutos. Enjoy his expert photography advice as you tour Kathmandu, Pokhara, Khare, Dhampus, Chitwan, and much more.
The tour starts at the hotel in Kathmandu this afternoon – an airport arrival transfer is included, provided you have supplied Exodus with your flight details in advance. Upon arrival please check the noticeboard by the Exodus desk in the hotel reception area for details of where and when your group welcome briefing will be held this evening. Hotel Royal Singi (or similar)
We leave Kathmandu early this morning and drive to Pokhara - traffic leaving Kathmandu can prolong the journey but once out of Kathmandu city, the journey usually takes around 7 hours depending on the road and traffic conditions. In the afternoon your leader will take you for an orientation walk along the shore of Phewa Lake. Pokhara is a pretty lakeside resort at the foot of the Annapurna range.Hotel Lakefront / Hotel Dahlia (or similar)
We have the whole day to explore Pokhara. You might like to take a taxi up to the viewpoint at Sarankot for a magnificent sunrise over the whole Annapurna Range. For the energetic, you can ask the hotel for a packed breakfast and then walk back down to the lakeside from Sarankot (approx. 3-hour walk). You can also hire bikes in Pokhara and cycle along the lakeshore. The Mountain Museum has interesting displays and for those interested, there is also a Gurkha Museum. You can hire a boat and go boating on the lake and there are some pretty walks around Begnas Lake (another lake a short distance outside of Pokhara). Your leader will brief you on all the options available and help you organise transport. If the group want to do different activities today your leader will accompany the largest group. There are also plenty of shops along the lakeside and lots of nice garden restaurants for lunches and dinners. Your leader will also recommend restaurants and will accompany you to dinner.Hotel Lakefront / Hotel Dahlia (or similar)
This morning we drive out of Pokhara to Khare (1.5hrs), from where we walk through lush forests to Australia Camp. The walk takes us gradually uphill for about 2.5hrs. Australia Camp was originally a clearing in the forest with great mountain views where trekking groups used to camp. There are now several lodges in the clearing but the views are still as beautiful. On a clear day we get magnificent views of Annapurna South, Huinchuli, Machhapuchhare ('Fishtail' Mountain) and Lamjung Himal. We should be at our basic but comfortable lodge by lunchtime and we can spend the afternoon either admiring the view or your leader will take you on a bird watching walk. This day will give us a taste of trekking in Nepal. The rooms at the lodge are basic but have attached bathrooms, and there is a decent choice of food.Australia Camp - teahouse (or similar)
On a clear morning it is well worth getting up early for the spectacular sunrise. After a leisurely breakfast we head to the neatly laid out terraces of Dhampus. It will take approximately 1.5hrs walking. This village is set on a ridge with magnificent views of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare, the 'Fishtail' mountain can be seen as it sits in the middle of the range and has a very distinctive shape. Considered holy, this mountain cannot be climbed by anyone. From Dhampus we descend on a stone staircase to Dhampus Phedi where we meet the road and our bus. We drive back to Pokhara and the rest of the day is free.Hotel Lakefront / Hotel Dahlia (or similar)
We pack up this morning. The bus will take our luggage (and anyone not wanting to walk) to Raniban Retreat, which overlooks the lake and the mountains. We will take a short boat trip across the lake (approx. half an hour). We then have quite a steep climb up to the World Peace Pagoda, set on a hill overlooking the lake. From here it’s a short walk to Raniban Retreat, where we stay tonight. This peaceful guesthouse looks out across the lake and with the Annapurnas as a backdrop, it makes for a perfect setting to enjoy the sunset and sunrise from the veranda. After lunch, there is the option of an afternoon walk further up the ridge. There are an amazing number of birds in the forest and we may also be able to visit a local village house.Raniban Retreat (or similar)
We drive to our jungle lodge in Chitwan (approx. 5.5 hours’ drive), where we spend the next two nights. The drive will take us back along the road towards Kathmandu. As we leave Pokhara we get our last views of the whole Annapurna Range. The road winds through small settlements and gives us a great overview of typical middle hill Nepal scenery. At Mugling (the halfway point between Pokhara and Kathmandu), we turn south and the road winds along the Trisuli River down to the southern plains and jungles of Nepal. We will reach our lodge in Chitwan around lunchtime and in the afternoon we meet our naturalist guide and start our jungle activities - activities may be offered in a different order however usually today's activity will be an ox-cart ride around Tharu Village where and we will witness a traditional Tharu dance.Safari Narayani Hotel (or similar)
The order of the programme of activities may change but will generally include an early morning birdwatching walk before breakfast. Before lunch there will be another activity, normally a trip along the Rapti River in a dugout canoe looking for crocodile and again observing the many birds. Then before dinner we set out on a jeep safari. If we are lucky we may encounter the Indian one-horned rhinoceros or some of the several species of deer found here. The safari lodge has knowledgeable and helpful staff, who accompany us on all the excursions.Safari Narayani Hotel (or similar)
Rise early for a pre-breakfast birdwatching walk. We leave Chitwan after breakfast and catch a morning flight back to Kathmandu, from where we transfer by road to Bhaktapur. In the afternoon we'll have an orientation walk around this medieval town.Hotel Heritage, Bhaktapur (or similar)
We spend this morning exploring this wonderful heritage town. Bhaktapur is the most mediaeval of the three cities in the Kathmandu Valley. It is quieter than Kathmandu and its temples, although there was much destruction from the 2015 earthquake of the surrounding areas, the city centre survived fairly well. There are two Durbar (main) Squares with ancient pagoda style temples. The surrounding narrow streets and potters square are also worth exploring. We have lunch in a restaurant in the centre and late afternoon we drive back to Kathmandu.Hotel Royal Singi (or similar)
The day is free for sightseeing and exploring the temples around Kathmandu. You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. We have a number of organised sightseeing tours and activities that can be booked from the hotel in Kathmandu, including an optional Everest sightseeing flight - please see the Optional Excursions section below for further details.Hotel Royal Singi (or similar)
The tour ends after breakfast. An airport departure transfer is included provided you have supplied Exodus with your flight details in advance.
7 nights hotels/guesthouses, 2 nights comfortable jungle lodge, 1-night
teahouse and 1-night mountain resort, all en suite3 daywalks (low altitude
throughout)Group normally 9-16, including the RCGS guide plus local leader.
Min. age 16yrsTravel by private bus, boat, and one internal flight
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included in the price of the
tour.Breakfasts are mostly continental buffet style or set menus typically
including fruit juice, cereal, toast, eggs, tea and coffee. In Chitwan, all
meals are provided and comprise a mix of Nepali and Continental food,
available from the lunch/dinner buffet.Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal
and comes in many different forms but generally comprises some curried lentil
dhal and meat or vegetables, some rice, and a pickle/chutney. 'Momos', a type
of Nepalese dumpling filled with meat or vegetables, steamed or fried, are
also a delicious snack or starter. Please allow 34-42 CAD/36-32 USD/20-25
GBP per day for lunches and dinners that are not included.Drinking
WaterStaying hydrated is important when travelling, especially in hot
weather. We encourage you to avoid buying bottled water whenever possible to
minimise the amount of single-use plastic that you leave behind.Most hotels
will give you a complimentary bottle of water in the room and they will all
provide cold water free of charge if requested. Although this should not be
drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide
opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN or another form of
purification to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier –
small, lightweight and battery-powered so easy to pack. SteriPENs are widely
stocked on Amazon and other online retailers; look for the latest models and
those with lithium batteries.
7 nights hotels/guesthouses, 2 nights comfortable jungle lodge, 1-night
teahouse and 1-night mountain resort, all en suite3 daywalks (low altitude
throughout)Group normally 9-16, including the RCGS guide plus local leader.
Min. age 16yrsTravel by private bus, boat, and one internal flight
This trip is graded leisurely/moderate (Activity Level 2) and is a full
itinerary with plenty of cultural interaction. There are three short day
walks: the walking is well within the reach of anybody who is reasonably fit
and all the walking is on well-established trails. All walking is at low
altitude (below 2000m/6562ft).There is free time in Kathmandu and Pokhara
with a variety of optional activities to choose from to suit your
interests.There is one long drive, from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which usually
takes around 7-8 hours but this can vary hugely depending on the road
condition and traffic (traffic leaving Kathmandu can be very slow and prolong
the journey to 10 hours plus).
Hotels & Lodges7 nights hotels/guesthouses, 2 nights comfortable jungle lodge, 1 night
teahouse and 1 night mountain resort.The hotels usually used are listed
within the itinerary, however, occasionally these may vary by departure date
due to availability. In Kathmandu we stay at the Hotel Royal Singi (4-star
local rating), which has been recently refurbished. It is well located within
walking distance of Thamel, the Garden of Dreams, and a local market (Durbar
Marg). There's a large lobby with comfortable seating, an outdoor courtyard,
a bar, restaurant and coffee shop. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available
throughout the hotel. The rooms are a good size and are well appointed. In
Pokhara and Bhaktapur we use guesthouses with twin-bedded rooms and en suite
bathrooms. We spend a night at Raniban Retreat, excellently located on a
hilltop above the World Peace Pagoda, overlooking Lake Phewa and the
Annapurna Mountain Range. The restaurant has magnificent views on a clear
day. The twin-share rooms are en suite and there is free Wi-Fi.We get a taste
of teahouse trekking, which Nepal is so famous for, and spend a night in a
lodge at Australia Camp. Located in a clearing on a hillside, this lodge
offers fine views of the Himalaya. Although relatively basic, all rooms have
en suite facilities.In Chitwan we stay in a comfortable jungle lodge (usually
Safari Narayani Hotel) in twin-bedded huts with en suite bathrooms.Extra
AccommodationIf you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu either
before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability),
please enquire with your Sales Consultant.Single Accommodation If you would
like a single room please request this at the time of booking. Single
supplements are subject to availability and are not available at Raniban
Retreat or Australia Camp.
There is an Exodus desk and noticeboard in the lobby of the Royal Singi Hotel
in Kathmandu. The desk is manned morning and evening. Our representatives
will look after your transfers to and from the airport and will be around to
answer other questions you may have.All groups will have a Royal Canadian
Geographical Society Guide plus an English-speaking Nepali Tour Leader
throughout the trip. All local Exodus leaders are highly experienced and as
well as Exodus leader training courses they are all trained in wilderness
first aid.In Chitwan a naturalist guide will accompany the group on
excursions into the jungle.
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included in the price of the
tour.Breakfasts are mostly continental buffet style or set menus typically
including fruit juice, cereal, toast, eggs, tea and coffee. In Chitwan, all
meals are provided and comprise a mix of Nepali and Continental food,
available from the lunch/dinner buffet.Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal
and comes in many different forms but generally comprises some curried lentil
dhal and meat or vegetables, some rice, and a pickle/chutney. 'Momos', a type
of Nepalese dumpling filled with meat or vegetables, steamed or fried, are
also a delicious snack or starter. Please allow 34-42 CAD/36-32 USD/20-25
GBP per day for lunches and dinners that are not included.Drinking
WaterStaying hydrated is important when travelling, especially in hot
weather. We encourage you to avoid buying bottled water whenever possible to
minimise the amount of single-use plastic that you leave behind.Most hotels
will give you a complimentary bottle of water in the room and they will all
provide cold water free of charge if requested. Although this should not be
drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide
opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN or another form of
purification to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier –
small, lightweight and battery-powered so easy to pack. SteriPENs are widely
stocked on Amazon and other online retailers; look for the latest models and
those with lithium batteries.
A private minibus is used for the main road journeys to Pokhara, from Pokhara
to Chitwan, and throughout the tour. One internal flight is included to avoid
some of the roads that are in poor condition. Flying in Nepal Many of our
holidays in Nepal use domestic flights. The mountainous terrain is often
subject to changeable weather which makes flying conditions complex. In
addition, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the
same standards as those of western nations. The EU has recently chosen to
highlight the relatively poor safety record in Nepal, and as of December
2013, all Nepalese registered airlines have been included on the EU ‘Banned
list’ preventing them from flying in EU airspace. While no
Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU has
instigated this ban to encourage the CAA of Nepal to tighten its systems
governing Nepalese aviation. Flying within Nepal is, therefore, a known risk
and the current travel advice issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth
Office provides an overview which we encourage you to read.In response to
general concerns over this safety record, Exodus asked independent air safety
experts to visit Nepal on our behalf to assess the suitability of the
available carriers. Following these comprehensive audits (undertaken
approximately every two years), Exodus decided to restrict our use of
airlines to only those approved as part of the most recent audit. It remains
our firm policy to only use these approved carriers for our customers and
further audits will take place regularly. For emergency situations, we also
have an approved list of helicopter companies for our use. Exodus is
supportive of the EU’s move to put pressure on the CAA of Nepal in this
way. We are hopeful that, alongside our own risk control measures, this will
make a difference to all who fly in Nepal. Please consider the information
above when deciding to book this holiday.
Travelling land only: 12 days starting and ending in KathmanduYour trip
normally starts at our accommodation in Kathmandu in the afternoon of Day 1
of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the
Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.
The cost of a taxi is likely to be about CAD10/USD8/GBP6 should you
decide to make your way independently.
We only operate trips to Nepal during the dry season, from mid-September
until mid-May (although in some years the monsoon can continue into the start
of October). During these months daytime temperatures are generally
comfortable, the sky is clear much of the time and rain is an occasional
occurrence. Day temperatures will vary from 10ºC to 30ºC/ 50ºC to
86ºF in the Kathmandu Valley.The dry season can be further divided into
three main seasons, each with different characteristics and weather
patterns.
This special Royal Canadian Geographic Society departure runs in
spring:Spring/Pre-monsoon: March to May. Both day and night temperatures
will be much hotter in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons
and there can be some rain. It is hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise
to 30-35°C/86-95°F. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the
reasons people chose to travel to Nepal in spring. Chitwan will be very hot
in the daytime and mild in the evenings.Please remember that in any mountain
area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and
equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions
described above.
If you are taking battery or power banks with you, these must be stored in
your hand luggage on international flights via Delhi as these are combustible
items and if detected in your hold baggage they may be confiscated or
destroyed.Please note that many Nepalis are still traditional in the way they
dress and we ask you to dress conservatively. Sleeveless tops should be
avoided and tight revealing clothing is not recommended. Although shorts are
acceptable in the hills, they should be very modest and reach the knees and
for women a below-the-knee skirt or trousers are preferable.Waterproof
jacketLightweight walking boots or walking shoesWalking socksSandals/trainers
for the evenings, ChitwanHat and gloves Mid layer
(fleece)Shirts/t-shirts/base layersLight - mid weight trousersLong shorts or
a skirt for women if preferredDull/neutral coloured clothing for Chitwan
Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip salve with sun protectionDaypackWater
bottle (minimum 1 litre) and water purification treatmentTravel towel (for
Australia Camp)Toilet paper (for Australia Camp)
TorchTrekking pole(s) for the walksWater treatment/SteriPENHand washing gel
Biodegradable soap/shampooSheet liner (although there are blankets provided
at the trekking lodge you may want to bring your own sheet or fleece
liner)There is a left luggage store in the hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara
where bags can be left free of charge.Donations for porters and schoolsIf
while packing you find a spare bit of space in your bag please note we have a
Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu. If you have any old walking gear you no
longer need bring it with you and give to your leader or leave at the Exodus
desk in Kathmandu.We also support children in schools in Kathmandu and in
villages. If you have room for any of the following items they would be
appreciated: children’s books for 5-18 year olds, notebooks, pens, crayons,
boys and girls socks or underwear, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and
toothbrushes, children’s hats and gloves, baby clothes, lightweight wooden
games such as chess, solitaire. The above items can be taken to the
Ambassador Garden Home in Thamel and given to Prakash Lammichanne. Contact
No: +977 1 4700724.
It is illegal to import or export rupees, but foreign currency is not
limited, provided it is declared on arrival. We recommend taking your
personal spending money in cash (dollars, sterling or euros can all be
changed easily). Please note GBP50 notes or any Scottish or Irish Currency
cannot be changed in Nepal. Cash can be changed easily at the airport on
arrival in Kathmandu or at the money changers in the Thamel area of
Kathmandu. Please note that travellers cheques can NOT be exchanged in
Nepal.Keep your change receipts, as you will need them if you want to change
rupees back into hard currency at Kathmandu airport.It is possible most days
(including during the trek) to buy things like beer, soft drinks, and snacks.
Please allow a few pounds extra each day for these. Pokhara, Bhaktapur and
Kathmandu both have a wealth of souvenir shops.Optional Excursions We have
various sightseeing tours on offer to make the most of your free time in
Kathmandu. Prices for a full day sightseeing tour which includes the three
major temples in the Kathmandu Valley start at around CAD44/USD33/£25 per
person, based on a group of 6 and above. For all trips we include transport
there and back and a qualified sightseeing guide. The cost does not include
lunch or entry fees. Your leader will have more details and can arrange these
for you.An optional Everest sightseeing flight is available in Kathmandu. The
cost and timings of this tour is provided locally by your leader. Anyone
taking any internal sightseeing flight should note flying within Nepal is a
known risk, you should be aware that safety standards are below those of
western nations and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides an
overview of the current situation which we encourage you to read. The FCO
advice includes a mention of the EU decision, taken in December 2013 to
include all Nepalese registered carriers on their list of ‘Banned
Airlines’ restricting them from flying to, or within the EU.
Tipping is of course entirely at your discretion, but it is customary in
Asia. Tipping can be an awkward affair especially when you are not familiar
with the country. Your leader will help with tipping and will provide a list
of suggested tips, including tips for drivers, hotel porters and other hotel
staff, local sightseeing guides and so on. Sometimes your leader will
collect a group tipping kitty (occasionally for very small groups the leader
may need to collect a little more than the suggested amount). We suggest you
allow approx. CAD87/USD65/GBP50 per person for this trip.Tipping of the
leader is not included in the above and is at your discretion. However to
show appreciation to your tour leader a tip of around
CAD17-35/USD13-26/GBP10-20 per person for the tour (depending on group size)
would be most welcome. Based on the above distributions, you should allow
approximately CAD104-122/USD78-91/GBP60-70 per person in total for all tips
for the tour duration. Please try to give tips in local currency if possible.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - 9 nights
only)Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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