NEPAL - EVEREST PANORAMA & CHITWAN NTL PARK
15-day trip
airport to airport
7 days moderate trek
Maximum altitude 3860 metres
4 nights in Kathmandu
2 nights in Chitwan National Park
The legendary Everest Khumbu area is probably the best known of the Himalayan region, primarily through its association with the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. This low altitude loop trek, which avoids the classic, traditional seven days march from the nearest dirt road, has been especially planned to avoid repeating trails and to allow proximity to the mighty Everest within the confines of a two-week holiday.
The flight into the Khumbu from Kathmandu is short, but dramatic, and the descent to Lukla airstrip, through a remote and craggy landscape, is an adventure in itself. The trekking crew will be waiting at the airstrip, from where the trek will commence, first heading up the valley of the Dudh Kosi river to Phakding, en route to Namche Bazaar, the well known Sherpa market town. A rest day will be spent in Namche, acclimatising by taking short walks to visit nearby traditional Sherpa villages. After Namche, the trail moves on up the forested valley, through Phortse, and then on to the famous Buddhist monastery of Thyangboche, which affords unforgettable views of Mount Everest rising behind the Lhotse-Nuptse wall, as well as the stunningly beautiful Ama Dablam.
A half day’s further rest is planned for Thyangboche, following which the return trek to Lukla begins, passing again through Namche Bazaar which is on the main trail through this earthly Shangri-La region of fluttering, rainbow prayer flags.
After a final evening of reminiscence and merriment, there follows an early morning flight back to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, where you will be free to relax and gather energy for the second part of your holiday, a wildlife adventure in Chitwan National park.
Once upon a terrible time, Chitwan was the centre for the tiger-hunting trips that British and Nepalese aristocrats found so entertaining. After the malaria eradication program in the Terai in the 1950s, jungle areas were cut down to make way for cultivable land, which was quickly snapped up by Nepalese from the hill regions. As their habitat disappeared, so did the resident tigers and rare one-horned rhinos and by 1973 the population of both species had reached danger level with only 100 rhinos and 20 tigers left. The Royal Chitwan National Park was founded in 1973 and since that time the animal population has rebounded. The park offers one of the finest wildlife experiences in Asia. You will be taken on an elephant safari during your stay in Chitwan, when you are likely to see the one-horned rhino and, if you are extremely lucky, a tiger. Wild boar, spotted sambar and barking deer may well be observed from your lofty heights. You will also be taken to the only Asian elephant breeding centre in Nepal via a memorable river crossing in a dugout canoe. If you are staying an extra day at Chitwan during the winter months, it may be possible, weather permitting, to visit the nearby crocodile hatching centre, where there are both marsh muggers and the rare gharial found in the rivers of the Terai. While in our Chitwan resort, you will have a chance to relax in the outdoor swimming pool, a wonderful relief after hot trips into the jungle. On leaving Chitwan, we’ll return to Kathmandu by bus, unless otherwise arranged. A day of leisure and souvenir/gift shopping precedes your departure from Nepal.
Outline itinerary: 15-day trip, airport to airport, 7 days moderate trek, Maximum altitude 3860 metres, 4 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in Chitwan
Day 01 – Arrive in Kathmandu and transport to Hotel
Day 02 – Kathmandu sightseeing, preparing for trek
Day 03 – Early morning flight to Lukla (2840m), trek to Phakding (2610m)
Day 04 – Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Day 05 – Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
Day 06 – Trek to Phorse (3810m) Day 07 – A short trek to Thyangboche (3860m) and afternoon free/rest day
Day 08 – Trek to Monjo (2835m) via Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Day 09 – Trek back to Lukla (2840m) and last day party
Day 10 – Fly back to Kathmandu and rest of afternoon free
Day 11 – Drive to Chitwan National Park
Day 12 – Chitwan National park, jungle activities
Day 13 – Late morning leave Chitwan and drive back to Kathmandu and transport to hotel
Day 14 – Free time in Kathmandu (optional visit to Jamarko’s urban project, EPHC school for disadvantaged children)
Day 15 – Transport to Tribhuvan International Airport for Departure
Trip Cost:
Single Supplement:
Single Tent Supplement: US$
Down Jacket Cost: US$
Sleeping Bag: Free hire
WHAT WE PROVIDE:
Accommodation in Kathmandu, bed & breakfast basis, (accommodation in twin room unless otherwise arranged)
All three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner will be hot and freshly prepared) during the trek
All internal transportation as stated in itinerary, including domestic flights (see itinerary above)
All Camping equipment [Two person tents about 6’ high, Mess tent, Kitchen tent, Shower tent, Toilet tents, Mattresses (dense foam with removable cotton cover), Tables, Chairs with back support, Stainless steel plates and cutlery, and Kitchen gear] for camping trek, and for Lodge/teahouse trek – lodge accommodation – twin room with clean beds and mattresses
Free hire of four season down sleeping bag and fleece liner for trek only (optional)
National Park entrance fees
Experienced staff - (cook, kitchen helpers, sardar, sherpa helpers, porters/animals for camping trek, and guide/s porters/animals only for lodge/teahouse trek)
Staff and porter insurance; porter clothing and equipment where is it necessary
Sightseeing in Kathmandu as stated in itinerary (guide and transport only)
Free gift of trekking kit bag to use on the trek for each member of group (to be distributed on arrival in Kathmandu)
Free airport pick and drop (international only)
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK -WHAT WE PROVIDE:
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Twin room with a/c and ceiling fan
Elephant-back safari and possibility of elephant wash as well
A short walk inside national park with a jungle guide
Visit to elephant breeding centre, and brief bird watching
Dugout canoe excursion with probable observation of Marsh Mugger & Gharial crocodiles
Brief visit to typical local Tharu village, and evening cultural programme presenting local tribal dances
After your exciting daytime activities, you may enjoy starting your evening by taking a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or relaxing on the banks of the Budi Rapti River, viewing the sunset and bird watching
WHAT IS NOT PROVIDED:
Your personal equipment
International flights
Your travel insurance, (Make sure the policy covers helicopter evacuation/rescue service, please)
Medical examination and vaccination costs
Personal expenditure, including bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, tips etc.
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond our control
Trekking and rafting crew tips at end of trekking
Optional Everest Mountain flight
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Information for Trek
Accommodation Details: It is our policy to use Nepali-owned accommodation, always, as we feel this is an aspect of fair trade, and the hotels we always use in Kathmandu and Pokhara, are comfortable, clean, efficient and friendly. We visit, and stay in them, ourselves to ensure that facilities are well kept and updated where necessary. All rooms have air conditioning, and en suite bathrooms with flush toilet, hand basin, and bath/shower combo (one or two rooms shower only). The rooms are relatively spacious and have twin beds, dressing table, wardrobe with coat hangers, luggage rack, occasional table and easy chairs. They have good restaurants (indoor and outdoor), well-stocked bars, safe storage for luggage and valuables, and money-changing facilities. The views from the rooftops of these hotels are spectacular.
In the Kathmandu hotel (six-storeys), situated in a quiet backwater right in the heart of the city (Thamel) and close to all shopping, bank, restaurants and cafes, there is also a lift and a roof-top garden with restaurant service. There are also wi-fi/internet facilities and international telephone call services.
Many of our returning clients, not necessarily realising that we always use the same hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, specifically ask to stay there, which is a recommendation in itself, although you should bear in mind that Nepalese hotel facilities are somewhat simpler than their European counterparts. As for tired trekkers – apart from the comfort of the hotels, there are genuine massage facilities available to relieve aching limbs – just ask at the Reception desk!
In Chitwan, the wildlife resort facilities are slightly different, because of its situation in the National Park buffer zone, although each room has en suite facilities and air conditioning. There is also a swimming pool, large and airy restaurant with small bar, and exterior wooden balcony with small tables where food may be enjoyed, as well as very attractive and spacious grounds.
Accommodation on the trek: Lodge/Teahouse trek: accommodation will be in simple lodges with twin-bedded rooms with standard foam mattresses (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along Thermarest mattresses). Toilets are mostly of the squat type, situated outside the main building. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring this with you, or buy a supply in Kathmandu, or in Pokhara if your trek is in the Annapurna area. There will be solar-heated showers available, for which there is a small charge, in addition to outdoor cold water hand basins. We would suggest that you bring along a bottle of antiseptic dry wash, such as ‘Cuticura Hand Hygiene Gel’, just in case the facilities for hand cleansing are inadequate.
Camping trek: accommodation will be in A-shaped Vango-style spacious two-man tents (over 5’ internal height x 5’ width x 8’ long), or, for high pass/peak climbing expeditions and rafting, two-man dome tents. On trek, cotton-cased, thick, foam mattresses are provided (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along Thermarest mattresses). We provide toilet tents, together with folding toilet seats, and toilet paper. For certain treks we carry our unique shower tent and provide buckets of hot water (this facility must be arranged prior to the trek).
Day and night temperatures on the trek? In Spring (March –May), the later mornings and afternoons will be quite hot, although when you beginning the trek in the mornings it may be chilly enough to require several thin layers of clothing, which may be peeled off as the temperature rises. Evenings and nights will be much colder, especially as altitude increases, which is why we recommend the use of a 4-season sleeping bag. Actual temperatures range between 7-8C morning and evening – night can be colder than that. Afternoon temperatures would range between 20-25C. This is only a rough estimate – as you know, climate is harder to predict nowadays! However, what is certain is that Pokhara/Chitwan will be hot – 15-30C.
Equipment List: We provide a full and detailed equipment list which we hope will be helpful to you. Probably the most important item of equipment is your boots, which really should be well broken in before starting your trek. Other items of equipment can be purchased easily in Kathmandu or Pokhara, but not boots. Also, walking poles are highly recommended – they really are a great help to knees, particularly on downhill trails.
The rescue procedures: It is a condition of joining any trek that each member takes out comprehensive travel insurance which clearly and specifically covers emergency rescue (by helicopter in most cases in Nepal), and repatriation if necessary. In the case of accident, where helicopter evacuation is required, your insurance company will be notified and on agreement to pay costs, the helicopter will leave Kathmandu or Pokhara. However, because of recent difficulties with insurance companies delaying settlement of our bills, we must now, regretfully, go along strictly with the methods outlined in our booking conditions, and ask for payment up front by clients, before they leave Nepal, as is the procedure used by all other adventure companies. Although our booking conditions suggest that this may always have been the case, for our clients’ comfort we have tried to deal directly with insurers. However, this has turned out to be a major headache for us, and, therefore, adherence to our original methods is unavoidable.
After any helicopter rescue, the injured person is taken to be examined at one of several international clinics in Kathmandu, where detailed documentation will be provided to validate the insurance claim. It goes without saying that any necessary treatment at a well-equipped and recommended hospital would be available.
|
|
|
