Nepal Annapurna Lodge-to-Lodge Trekking Tour

Arrive in Kathmandu in the early afternoon. An MT Sobek representative will meet you outside customs and immigration at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Join your group and trip leader for a short trek briefing, and enjoy a welcome dinner tonight.

After breakfast at the hotel, take a short flight to Pokhara (2,679'), where you'll receive your trekking essentials and pick up lunch. Drive on to Dhawa, the starting point of the trek to the Birethanti Lodge, which sits at 3,599 feet. Follow the ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurna, savoring the surrounding Pokhara Valley views, before descending into the Modi River Valley. Check in at your lodge by the Modi River and take in splendid vistas of sacred Fishtail Mountain (22,943'), locally known as Machapuchare. After settling in, you can choose to walk to the nearby Birethanti village or relax at the lodge.

After a leisurely breakfast, depart from the lodge and follow a little-used route beside the Modi River. The trail starts off rocky, then meanders through the forest before reaching a long, winding stone staircase. Trek up the staircase to a small farming hamlet, then follow the ridge to the village of Waday. Continue on, descending to another bridge before an uphill push to your lodge in Majgaon (4,593'). After lunch, choose to hike to the nearby village of Tanchok, where a traditional house museum illustrates local life and tools, or visit a local school.

This morning, start out trekking through subtropical forests that include orchid trees, rhododendrons, and magnolias. Along the way, stop at the village of Pothana, where many Tibetan traders live and sell their souvenirs. After 4-5 hours, arrive at Dhampus Lodge (5,708'), where you'll enjoy a well-deserved lunch and sweeping views of the Annapurna Range, including Fishtail and Hiunchuli. After hot lunch at the lodge, you can choose to take a short walk and explore Dhampus village.

After breakfast set off on foot from Dhampus, following the ridge and enjoying beautiful views. Descend through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to Ghatte Kola, a river on the valley floor. Transfer to Pokhara, with the option of visiting a Tibetan refugee camp along the way. Enjoy Pokhara, the lake city, at your leisure this evening

Drive on to Chitwan National Park, the jewel of Nepal's wildlife parks since its inception in 1973. The main highlights of your wildlife activities will be the jeep rides to see rare one-horned rhinos, sloth bears, four species of deer, a dazzling array of tropical birds, and perhaps a leopard or tiger. While rhinos and deer are frequently sighted, it's worth noting that the chances of seeing a leopard or tiger are remote. The birdlife is truly fantastic, with some 530 species having been sighted within the park. Seek out the fauna via jeep and on foot, and take wooden boat rides into the watery realm of crocodiles and waterfowl. Plus, you'll have the chance to observe elephants in their natural habitat.

Your wildlife adventure continues today with more opportunities to view elephants, rare one-horned rhinos, and endangered tigers in Nepal's most famous national park. Enjoy the final night at your comfortable jungle lodge on the edge of the park.

After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur for a 25-minute flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your luxury hotel and spend the afternoon resting or exploring the city on your own. Your guides will be able to give suggestions for local eateries outside of the hotel if you're looking for an authentic experience.

Wake to experience the sights of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and one of three former medieval city-states in the valley - along with Bhaktapur and Patan. Take a morning tour of UNESCO-listed Bhaktapur, a wonderfully preserved example of ancient Nepalese town life. In the afternoon, you'll have time to explore Durbar Square, with its temples and intricate Sun Dhoka ("Golden Gate"), at your leisure. Cap off your adventure with a farewell dinner with your group at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the Kathmandu airport and depart on homeward-bound flights. Or, extend your explorations by combining this trip with another of our Asia departures or our Angkor Wat extension.