ADVENTURE NEPAL (18 DAYS)

Avaliable on Request.

Adventure Nepal packs in excitement and adventure in a roller coaster trip that covers, mountain biking in the lower foothills, trekking in the Himalaya and rafting some of Nepal’s most exciting white water. A psychically challenged trip, Adventure Nepal's fast pace is designed to cover Nepal’s geographical highs and lows as well as open up the rich culture, color and stunning scenery to you, the traveler. Pack your bags and hiking boots and open yourself up to this rugged and beautiful country.

Day 01: Arrival
Arrive in Kathmandu, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. A trip briefing will be held, where you will get to meet your fellow travellers and guide. Formalities and final cash payments will be completed at this time, you will need to bring your passport and insurance details with you.

Day 02: Biking – Kathmandu to Bhaktapur via Pashupatinath
After breakfast and a bike fitting, we cycle through the streets of Kathmandu to Pashupatinath, early in the morning this place is a thriving hub of activity as pilgrims and locals come here for their daily worship at the Shiva Temple. Pashupatinath Temple and cremation complex is about a 30min ride from the hotel. Set on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, the main feature here is the temple devoted to Shiva, the patron Deity of Nepal. The temples inside is closed to tourists, but can be viewed from the outside, and you will quite clearly see a rather large and spectacular pair of golden “bollocks” which belong to Lord Shiva’s animal vehicle Nandi the white bull. The main interest for tourists at Pashupatinath, is the colorful display of Sadhus, or Holy Men who reside here and the chance to witness Hindu Culture in action whilst viewing the open preparation and cremation of bodies on the Ghats behind the Shiva Temple. Leaving the temple behind us, we head for quieter roads through the vegetable growing district of Sanu Thimi toward Bhaktapur, about an hour and a half of riding will see us at the Lion Gate and entry place to this medieval city. Bhaktapur is one of the oldest cities in the valley and was once the seat of power. Again predominantly built by the Malla and Shah Kings, the city is filled with spectacular architecture. It’s also a cultural centre for Newar People, the original inhabitants of the valley and currently the major ethnic group. Newar’s are renowned for their artisan skills and this is evident in the glorious carvings seen on all the houses in Bhaktapur. The city itself is mostly closed from traffic making a stark contrast to Kathmandu.

Day 03: Biking – Bhaktapur to Nagarkot via Changu Nayaran
Leaving behind Bhaktapur we head out through the fields towards Changu Nayaran. It’s a short rather steep climb up to the temple, about an hour of riding from Bhaktapur, the views back into the valley are pretty spectacular. This ancient looking temple is said to be the oldest in the valley and perched on the end of the ridge it’s certainly a commanding looking structure. This magnificent example of 5th and 12th century art and architecture is seldom visited by tourists, though the touts along the shop lined street leading up to the temple can be a bit eager, once inside you can wonder around in peace and quite. The actual temple standing now, dates back to the 18th century, but the site is at least 15 centuries older. Just behind the temple you can find a script carved stone that is said to be from the 5th century. From the temple we ride climbing upwards on an off road trail along the ridge. We enter the sparse Telkot forest after 20 min of climbing and head down hill to join the main Nagarkot road at Telkot. From here it is a gentle 9 km uphill ride on the paved road. Once in Nagarkot, we can enjoy the Himalaya views and a cold beverage.

Day 04: Biking – Nagarkot to Kathmandu via Sankhu and Bouldanath Stupa.
After watching the sunrise over the Himalayas, we take breakfast and head for our down hill journey back to Kathmandu. Leaving the hotel, we descend on a jeep track to a ridge. Climbing slightly we pass behind a small hill to a village from where we again descend down towards the river. After crossing the river it’s a steady flat ride into Sankhu through the farming land. At Sankh, a traditional Newar Town, we rejoin the paved road and ride the 7 km to Bouldanath Stupa. The Stupa is the largest of its kind in Asia and this beautiful white structure is certainly one of the more visually impressive buildings in the valley. From here we ride the last half an hour back to our hotel in Kathmandu. The afternoon is yours to spend as you like.

Day 05: Kathmandu to Pokhara
Grab some fresh bakery goods for the 6 hours drive to Pokhara. The bus takes us over the valley rim and down along the Trisuli River. Stopping along the way for refreshments you can feel the change in atmosphere as we head down to the lower lands. Arriving in Pokhara, we head to our Hotel and have a free afternoon to explore Pokhara’s Lake side, perhaps retire early to the bar for a happy hour cocktail or cold beer.

Day 06: Trek - Dhampus to Lhandruk (1790m)
From the road head, it’s a steady climb through jungle and villages to Deorali, across a small pass and descends steeply on a stair case before the track crosses a stream and waterfall and flattens out, following the curve of the valley to Lhandruk with beautiful views of the steeply terraced rice fields carved into the sheer valley walls and the Modi Khola below.

Day 07: Trek – Lhandruk to Tatopani(2729m)
Make a steep descent on a stone stair case down to the river and cross its swirling current on a cantilevered bridge. Pass to the left of the small cluster of teashops though a beautiful flower garden and across a small stream before climbing upwards on a stone staircase to Ghandruk, directly opposite Lhandruk. From here the trail steadies somewhat and enters a jungle of Rhododendrons and Birch Trees with moss covered trunks, climb gently to reach Tadopani nestled on the saddle of a ridge.

Day 08: Trek - Tatopani to Ghorapani (2920 m)
Descend a little from Tadapani and head down to a smaller valley with a stream and a cluster of tea huts. Follow the trail upwards to a staircase, climb and enter the jungle, passing along the narrow trail that follows the stream and breaches waterfalls. It can be steep and slippery at times, emerge form the subtropical jungle at Deorali, a nice place to stop for a rest. From here the trail again climbs into the sparser pine and birch forest to a small grassy summit. In spring you can see many wild flowers here. There is a stone resting place and some ruined tea huts, if the weather is clear, the views should be good, you can see Ghorapani to your left on the next ridge. To get there, follow the ridge line downwards, over a narrow spur back into the forest. Its steep going until you join a vague staircase and come out to a couple of tea houses, proceed behind them through a gate and join the main Nayaphul/Ghorapani trail. From here it’s a short climb to the top of the village.

Day 09: Trek - Ghorapani to Nayaphul and transfer to Pokhara
You can rise early if you want to and make the one to one and a half hour climb through the alpine grass land and scrub to the summit of Poon Hill at 3200m. From here you can get superb sunrise views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs, a worthy climb. Return to the lodge for breakfast and proceed down the stone steps leaving the town. Follow the stairs past the last of the tea houses and take the main trail down towards the Kaligandaki Valley. About an hour of steady walking will bring you to the top of a long well made stone stair case. Follow this for about two hours through small villages and terraced rice fields until you reach a small river and waterfall which you cross on a suspension bridge, there is a short climb up the other side to join the trail which proceeds downwards towards the Kaligandaki River and Nayaphul. It takes about one hour in the bus to return to Pokhara where you have a free evening to unwind.

Day 10: Free day – Optional Paragliding
Today, enjoy a free day relaxing and exploring Pokhara. If you would like to go Paragliding, let us know and we can arrange this once in a lift time flight for you. If not just chill out around the lake, perhaps hire a bike or Moped and for a ride around this idyllic lake side setting.

Day 11: Rafting
Our journey begins early in the morning from lakeside Pokhara, we grab some fresh bakery goods for the journey and board the bus with our rafting team. The bus journey takes us out the north side of Pokhara and up into the lower foothills before dropping down to the Kaligandaki River valley. We will get some great mountain views along the way. After a brief stop for refreshments (and so the guides can eat Dhal Baht!), we head to the river side just below the trekking hub of Beni. From here our guides (who have been asleep most of the way) spring into action, unloading the bus and getting lunch ready. Any help is greatly appreciated. Once lunch has been eaten, the guides will give you a demo on how to safely stow your luggage in the waterproof bags. Every one will be given a life jacket, helmet and paddle. We then head to the river for our safety briefing. Listen carefully for instruction and how to act upon the guides commands, how to deal with falling out of the raft and of course having a good time. Of course we will also tell you what to do in the likely event of you falling out of the raft. The first rapid of the day is Big Brother the biggest and meanest of the trip, followed by Rafters Refund, but by this time its already to late to turn back…....Welcome to white water Nepal.
The evening is spent camping on a sandy beach just below a village. We will have a camp fire, drift wood permitting and a well earned meal…..and did I hear some one say “Rum Punch”

Day 13: Rafting
Waking up to the peaceful sounds of the river life is an amazing experience. Once you crawl out of your tent or out from under the raft, hot tea and coffee will be ready and waiting for you. Its time now to pack up the tents and load our gear before a hearty breakfast to fill our bellies for the days rafting. We have an action packed day of rapids and unplanned swims. Taking lunch on a sandy beach gives us all time to rest and play in the shallow water before we head on to our night time camping place.

Day 14: Rafting
We have a pleasant morning of playing in some waves on the river and a gentle paddle across the placid waters before the dam. A great time for a refreshing swim or having a crack at Kayaking. Around midmorning we will reach our finishing point just below Seti Beni. We all dig in too port the rafting gear and ourselves up the short bank to our lunch spot and the awaiting bus. After a nice lunch we all climb on the bus for a five hour scenic snooze back to Pokhara. We arrive in Lake Side in time for a hot shower just before a group catch up where we share tales of our river adventure.

Day 15: Pokhara to Bandipur
Take the local bus to Bandipur this morning; it’s about a one hour drive from Pokhara. We get off the bus on the main road and catch a jeep for the short winding journey up to Bandipur, an isolated Newar settlement nestled on a ridge high above the Marsyandi River. We can spend the afternoon exploring this quaint village. Tonight we will stay in a family home and enjoy some local food and culture.

Day 16: Bandipur to Kathmandu
Today we can rise early to make the short climb to Bandipur Summit for a spectacular sunrise over the Himalaya. After breakfast we travel down to the main road and head for Kuringhat. You will see the steep cable car disappearing into the hills towering above us. The cable car takes us across the river and ever upwards to the summit. Disembarking out into the blinking sunshine we take a short stroll through the village to the Temple of Mankarmana. This temple is the most famous pilgrimage site in Nepal, anything up to three thousand pilgrims visit here each day. The Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Kali and the word “Mankarmana” means “Wish of Mind”. By making a pilgrimage and offerings in the form of sacrificial animals, flowers, rice, coconuts and butter candles, an individual seeks to have their wishes granted. We can also offer a Puja to the goddess, though we might stick to offering a coconut, unless you want to eat chicken for lunch. After lunch we head back down to the river and drive the four hours to Kathmandu.

Day 17: Sightseeing
After breakfast we head to Swayambhunath, this picturesque place is surrounded by jungle and is home to many inquisitive monkeys. The place of the temple was once an island in the lake that was Kathmandu Valley, a Buddhist Bodhisattva (divine helper), Manjushuri, spied what looked like a lotus flower floating in the lake from afar, in his desire to get a closer look, he clove a gorge in the valley wall (Chobar) with his sword and drained the lake. In this place where the Lotus flower was is built the Swayambhunath temple. The main Stupa holds great importance to Buddhists and Hindus, and tucked away behind the Stupa you will also find a small quieter Stupa dedicated to Newar Buddhist, at the bottom is a series of other Stupa’s dedicated to Buddhists from Manang, and below it at the front is a cremation site for Tamang people. It’s a good chance to gain an insight into inter cultural differences in Buddhism. After we drive to Kathmandu Durba Square. Durba means Palace, and this collection of Temples and Palaces was at one time the home to past King’s of Kathmandu and their families. It’s quite a large complex which now days forms a thriving market hub and meeting place in the center of Old Kathmandu. The architecture in the Square dates back to the early 14th Century. The main temples and finest architecture was built by the Shah and Malla kings who where the most powerful rulers in Nepal. We catch a cycle rickshaw back through the market streets to out hotel. Meet up in the evening for our last night group dinner.

Day 18: Wrap it Up
Well, we have loved having you along on this amazing journey, but now its time for us to say good bye, and take you to meet your onward flight or perhaps welcome you again on one of our fantastic tours.