Starting and ending in Kathmandu, this 11
night / 12 day features what many consider to the be best of
Nepal: Trekking in the Annapurnas and a Float Experience on the Seti
River. Indeed the walk from the Seti river camp is consistently
voted ‘favorite walk’ by our past guests. The minimum amount of time is
spent traveling between each destination, enabling one to enjoy the best
that each activity can provide. The Sacred Mountain Trek and Seti River
Float features the 5-star Hyatt Hotel (in Kathmandu), the 5-star
Shangri-La Village (in Pokhara), Ker & Downey Lodges (while on trek) and
the Ker & Downey River Camp (on the Seti Gandaki River).
Note: Customized Trek and Raft programs of varying lengths can be
provided on request.
Rates:
2450$ Per Person
Single Supplement 525$
Optional Mount Everest Flight including transfers: 185$
Optional Annapurna Mountain Flight including transfers: 165$
Departure
Dates
DAY 1:
KATHMANDU (4265 ft / 1300 meters):
Reception at international airport and transfer to the centrally located
Hyatt Hotel. The Hyatt Hotel is a unique property featuring a temple
complex in its lobby as well as 25 acres of land. There will be a briefing
on our program. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk Boudhanath, the
largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal. This is followed by a welcome dinner at
the hotel.
O/N Hyatt Hotel
DAY 2:
TREK TO SANCTUARY LODGE: (3750ft/1150m)
After an optional early morning flight to Mount Everest, we fly to Pokhara
(3300 ft /1000 m). We’ll have a briefing at the Ker & Downey 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 Ker & Downey'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).
Overnight Sanctuary Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 3:
TREK TO HIMALAYA LODGE, GHANDRUK.
(6,600ft/2,012m).
After breakfast, we leave the lodge walking out through the outlying farms
following the Modi River Valley. Soon we begin to climb out of the valley
& up towards the mountains. The trail passes through small hamlets,
terraced rice fields and forests with spectacular views of the surrounding
valley. Snacks are provided along the trail. Hot lunch is served on
arrival at the lodge in the early afternoon. (Trek time 5-6 hours). It is
from this lodge that there are magnificent close up views of the
surrounding mountains.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 4:
HIMALAYA LODGE:
We wake up this morning with tea and coffee served in the garden and watch
the sunrise over Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and
the Fishtail. After enjoying a relaxing breakfast and the glorious views
from the Himalaya Lodge, our guide will take us on an exploration of this
mountain village and the surrounding countryside. Ghandruk was once a
major recruitment centre for the famous Gurkha soldiers. The women of
Ghandruk maintain a local industry of weaving traditional Nepalese rugs.
Overnight Himalaya Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 5:
TREK TO SANCTUARY LODGE, BIREHTANTI:
(3750ft/1150m)
After breakfast, we leave the Himalaya Lodge walking out through the
village of Ghandruk. Buffaloes and goats graze in the surrounding fields
and you may have to make way for the donkey and mule trains that convey
goods to and from the Gurkha settlements. You may also meet some of the
trekkers coming down from or heading up to the Sanctuary itself. We
continue descending for about 2 or 3 hours until we reach Shauli Bazaar.
From here, we follow along the Modi River until reaching the Sanctuary
Lodge. We’ll have lunch at the lodge followed by another opportunity to
walk to the village of Birethanti. Or you may choose to spend the
afternoon relaxing by the river bank. (Trek time 4 hrs).
Overnight Sanctuary Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 6:
TREK TO GURUNG LODGE, MAJGAUN:
(4620ft/1,400m)
Following a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Sanctuary lodge & trek to
Ker & Downey's Gurung Lodge. The lodge is built along the lines of a
traditional Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of the
surrounding valley and mountains. Trek time to the Lodge is just 2 hours.
After lunch at the lodge, you will be escorted to the local village of
Tanchok. There will be a talk at a local house, now made into a museum.
The contents of the house illustrate how the local people live, together
with the tools and implements of day to day traditional village life.
There will also be a visit to the school and should there be more than 6
guests, the school children will visit the lodge and perform a number of
local dances and songs typical of the region.
Overnight Gurung Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 7:
TREK TO BASANTA LODGE, DHAMPUS (5000 ft /
1525 m).
This morning we start out trekking through the unspoiled village of
Patlekhet. Our walk takes us through sub-tropical forests that include
tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias. Along the way, we will stop at
the village of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell their
souvenirs. After about 3 ˝ hours, we arrive at the Basanta Lodge. From the
lodge, there are sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range. After lunch
at the lodge there will be an optional walk through the old village of
Dhampus. Overnight Basanta Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 8:
TREK TO POKHARA (3300 ft /1000 m)
After breakfast, we depart along the ridge & descend through the wooded
hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. Trek time 1 ˝ hours.
We then transfer by vehicle to the Shangri-La Village Resort in Pokhara
(30 minutes). On the way back to Pokhara, the vehicle can stop on request
at the Tibetan refugee camp where you will have time to explore the temple
complex. We’ll arrive at the Shangri-La Village in time for lunch. The
rooms at the Shangri-La are filled with ethnic touches. Surrounding the
rooms are spacious, landscaped gardens, water features, a swimming pool
and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The rest of the afternoon
is free to explore the lakeside where most of Nepal’s Tibetan curio shops
are located.
Overnight Shangri-La Village Resort (B, L, D)
DAY 9: SETI RIVER CAMP
(1000 ft / 300 m)
After breakfast, we transfer to Damauli, a journey of some 1˝ hours
through the countryside. Here we will be met by our experienced boat
crew, who will give us a full briefing prior to launch. The Seti River
has no road access so the river and surrounding valley remain pristine.
Floating down the river gives us a chance to see village life along the
banks as well as the abundant variety of birds. There will be a picnic
lunch on a sandy beach on the way to the camp. Today, there are 2 small
rapids of no more than grade 2 and are no longer than 165 ft / 50
metres. The remainder of the trip is very much a float experience. Upon
arrival, you will be shown to your safari style tent with beds, changing
room, veranda and attached bathroom. Rafting time 2 to 3 hours depending
on water levels.
Overnight Seti River Camp (B, L, D)
DAY 10: Today we will have a layover day at the Seti
River Camp. This second day allows us time to truly relax. In the
morning, we’ll hike through surrounding forests to remote nearby
villages where no other travel companies go. After our hike, we can take
a dip in the river. Lunch is at the camp. The afternoon is free to
explore the landscaped gardens, riverbank, or just relax in a hammock or
tree house. Evenings are spent around an open fire of driftwood, at this
unique safari-style river camp.
Overnight Seti River Camp (B, L, D)
DAY 11:
The morning is spent rafting. There are 5 class 2 rapids. Again, each is
no more than 165 ft / 50 metres. The remainder of the trip is a float
when you can enjoy the surrounding countryside. Rafting time will be 2
to 3 hours depending on water levels. On completion of the rafting, we
transfer by vehicle to Baratapur Airport, a 30 minute drive. The flight
back to Kathmandu is just 25 minutes. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we’ll
visit Pashupatinath, the holiest of the Hindu Temples in Kathmandu.
We’ll then return to the hotel with the evening free.
Overnight Hyatt Hotel (B, L)
Day 12:
Depart
Transfer to international airport for your departure (B)
Sacred Mountain Trek and Seti River Float includes:
- Two nights'
accommodation at the Hyatt Hotel:
- Deluxe rooms
- Daily
Breakfast
- Welcome
dinner.
- One nights'
accommodation at Shangri-La Village Resort, Pokhara:
- Six nights'
accommodation in Ker & Downey's Lodges. Featuring:
- Solar heated
showers, flush toilets and electricity
- All meals,
snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee while on trek
- All laundry
while on trek
- Evening Happy
Hour including soft drinks and local alcoholic
- Services of
qualified Ker & Downey guides and porters
- The loan of
Ker & Downey Trek Pack, which includes duffel bags, daypacks, hat and
scarf (these items you may keep) walking stick, poncho
- Down jackets,
warm hats and gloves are provided in the lodges
- A
comprehensive group First Aid Kit, carried by your guide
- Three days, two
nights rafting featuring:
- Accommodation
at Ker & Downey's Seti River Camp
- All meals,
snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee
- Evening Happy
Hour including soft drinks and local alcoholic
- All equipment
including life vests, helmets, dry bags, spray suits and rafting
booties
- Sightseeing in
Kathmandu:
- Boudhanath
and Pashupatinath
- All internal
air and land transfers in Nepal
- All permits
- Use of
trained guides throughout your trip
Sacred Mountain Trek and Seti River Float excludes:
International air, departure taxes, insurance, gratuities, Mount Everest
Flight, Beverages with meals
