Immerse yourself in the mystery and rich historical heritage, exquisite temples and religious sites of Kathmandu. Take an early morning flight to the delightful scenic lakeside town of Pokhara with the spectacular backdrop of Machhapuchhare (6993m) rising behind it all creates an ambiance of peace and magic.

Your trek starts and ends in Pokhara, the trail winding through patchwork valleys, dense rhododendron forests and past icy waterfalls where you can stop to cool your face. Around every corner is a tantalizing glimpse of the high mountains, whole horizons of which will be revealed to you as you reach the high points of your trek.

Your trek completed, you will return to Kathmandu before travelling into Lhasa in the heart of Tibet, offering you some of the most amazing eye catching landscapes on earth . We’ll pass small Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain peaks. We will have plenty of opportunity to explore this side of Tibet, both in Lhasa and towns we pass through on our journey – equally as fascinating is the wealth of cultural displays.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TREK

  • Tour of Kathmandu including Pasupatinath Temple, Buddhanath and Bhaktpur Durbar Square.
  • Awe inspiring sunrise and mountain view from Ghorepani and Poon Hill
  • Fishtail (Machhapuchhre) Base Camp (many say the most magnificent mountain in the world)
  • Scenic drive along the famous Araniko Highway
  • View of Mt Everest from Tingri in Tibet
  • Sightseeing tour in Lhasa
  • Scenic flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu

DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU AIRPORT (1345METERS)

Our Airport Representative will meet us and arrange for our transfer to hotel by private tourist vehicle.

DAY 2 SIGHTSEEING AROUND KATHMANDU VALLEY (B)

A relaxed breakfast before commencing our sightseeing tour by private vehicle, with our own professional tour guide. We will visit Pasupatinath Temple, Buddhanath, Monkey Temple, Bhaktpur, Durbar Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the evening we will have final briefing for the trek including collecting your trek bag, sleeping bags, down jackets etc.

DAY 3 KATHMANDU TO POKHARA BY PLANE (B)

We will take morning flight around 8 AM to Pokhara. We will arrive in Pokhara early so this give us enough time to look around this lovely town. In the afternoon we have a sight seeing tour around Pokhara Valley, which covers Fewa Lake, Devi’s water fall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave etc. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

DAY 4 DRIVE TO NAYAPUL (1010METERS) TREK TO TIKHEDUNGA (1570METERS) 4 HOURS (B,L,D).

We begin our trek at Nayapul after 1 hour driving from Pokhara. After a 15 minute short walk along the bank of the Modi Khola, we reach Birethanti (1015meters), a large village that has many shops and teahouses. From there, the trail follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola, climbing steadily up the side of the valley to Hille at 1495m. After the short climb, we reach Tikhedhunga at 1570meters. Today’s walk offers a short and relatively easy day, during the journey which allows us to become used to the experience of trekking in Nepal.

DAY 5 TIKHEDUNGA TO GHOREPANI (2840METERS) 8-9 HOURS (B,L,D).

Leaving Tikhedunga, we begin our journey with a steep climb to Ulleri, a large Magar village at 2070 meters. The trail then continues to ascend more gently, through fine forests of oak and rhododendrons towards Banthanti at 2250 meters, and Nangethanti at 2460m. After an hour of walking, we arrive at Ghorepani at 2840meters.

DAY 6 EARLY MORNING HIKE UP TO POON HILL (3210METERS) AND TREK TO GHANDRUK (1940METRES) VIA TADAPANI (2610METERS) (B,L,D).

Today, very early in the morning, we start an hour hiking to Poon Hill at elevation of 3210 meters. A brilliant spectacle; this vantage point provides an unobstructed view of sunrise over the high Himalayas. Our trek then takes us along ridges and through pine and rhododendron forests to Deurali and Banthanti and Tadapani. A shaded forest trail, followed by terraced fields of maize and potatoes sees us into Ghandruk (19400m), where we have fantastic views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. This is a major settlement of the Gurung, Gurkhas an ethnic group of Nepal, and offers excellent mountain views.

DAY 7 TREK TO NAYAPUL & RETURN TO POKHARA (2140METERS.) 6-7 HOURS (B,L,D).

We take a short walk to explore the village, visiting a cultural museum and monastery early in the morning. The trail descends to the right of the Modi Khola for 4.30 hours relaxing walking to Birethanti. We will organize the evening party and trekking celebration with our guides and porters, lots of singing and dancing.

DAY 8 RETURN TO KATHMANDU (1345METERS). (B).

This afternoon and evening will be spent at leisure in Kathmandu. Those not wishing to continue to Tibet may leave the tour here.

DAY 9 DRIVE KATHMANDU TO NEPAL/CHINA FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE AND DRIVE TO NYALAM (3750METERS). (B)

An early departure from our hotel and we commence our drive through the Nepal to the Tibet border along the famous Araniko Highway. Stopping for breakfast at Dhulikhel and lunch at Kodari, we will complete immigration and customs formalities on both sides Kodari and Zhangmu, before driving to the small town of Naylam 3750 meters. Total distance today is 125km.

DAY 10 DRIVE TO LHATSE (4350METERS). (B)

Day drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world with a view of the Tibetan landscape offering the feeling of standing on the roof of the world. We cross over Lalungla at an elevation of 5,050meters, from where, weather permitting, we enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the beautiful Himalayan ranges including Mt. Cho Oyu 8201meters & Mt Xishapagma 8012meters but dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. From Tingri one can enjoy the magnificence of Mt. Everest 8,848meters.

DAY 11 DRIVE TO XIGATSE (3900METERS). (B)

We will continue our scenic drive crossing over Gyatchula 5,220meters, the highest pass en route to Lhasa.

DAY 12 DRIVE TO GYANTSE (3,900METERS). (B)

We will enjoy a morning of sightseeing at the Panchen Lama’s Tashilhmpu Monastery, before driving to Gyantse, visiting the Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery.

DAY 13 DRIVE TO LHASA (3,650METERS (B)

Today is another full day of picturesque drive crossing over Karola 5,010meters, Kambala 4,794meters, colourful Yamdrok Lake and the Tibetan lifeline river Brama Putra.

DAY 14 GUIDED TOUR IN LHASA. (B)

Lhasa, most popularly known as ‘Sunlight City’, is regarded as the heart and soul of Tibet, hence it’s the number one tourist destination within Tibet. A highlight today is our sightseeing to the Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace & Drepung Monastery and Barkhor Street.

DAY 15 FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU. (B)

Early morning drive to Gongar airport for departure flight to Kathmandu by Air China.

DAY 16 TRANSFER TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR YOUR FINAL DEPARTURE. (B)

Last opportunity to shop in Kathmandu, before transferring to the airport for your onward journey from Nepal.

TREK DETAILS

Cost

Land Content only - $3,095 per person twin share
$550 single supplement
Minimum 10 passenger

Inclusions

  • Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off by private car / van / bus.
  • All government taxes.
  • Official expenses
  • Nepal
    • Standard accommodation in three/four star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara (breakfast included)
    • Kathmandu City Tours by professional tour guide and private car / van / bus.
    • All your standard meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
    • Tea Houses / Lodges hotel accommodation during the trek.
    • Heater costs in dining areas at track guesthouses.
    • Experienced and licensed local Trekking Leader (Guide) and Assistant Trekking Guide during the trek.
    • A private cook to look after all your meals during the trek.
    • The required number of Porters to carry your luggage during the trek.
    • Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipments, medicine for all Guides, Cook and Porters.
    • All ground transportation by private car / van / bus.
    • Annapurna Conservation Area permits.
    • Down Jacket, duffel/kit bag and sleeping bag supplied by Getaway Trekking (needs to be returned after the trek.)
    • Airfare from Pokhara to Kathmandu including all airport departure taxes.
  • Tibet
    • Twin share 2 star hotel accommodation while in Lhasa, Gyantse and Xigatse – breakfast included
    • Twin share basic hotel accommodation for rest of the Tibet tour – breakfast included
    • A government licensed English speaking Tibetan Guide during the tour.
    • Land cruiser (4WD) and Support truck.
    • Kathmandu – Kodari boarder (Friendship Bridge) transfers and pick up by A/C Bus/Land Cruiser.
    • Flight cost from Lhasa to Kathmandu including airport tax.
    • Tibet entry permission, Chinese visa, monasteries entry fees etc.
    • Down Jacket and sleeping bag by Ace the Himalaya (which needs to be returned after the trek.)
    • Surface transfer to and from Kathmandu

Exclusions

  • International airfare and airport departure tax.
  • Your travel insurance (compulsory – this should cover helicopter rescue and cancelation of the trip).
  • Meals unless stated in itinerary. Allow AUD12-AUD18 per day.
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
  • Entry visa fee (US$ 30 per person) can be obtained on arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu for 60 days from date of issue.
  • Hot drinks and shower costs on track.
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Tips for Porters, driver etc. Please note, porters traditionally receive a tip equating to approximately 10% of the tour cost
  • Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees in Kathmandu and Pokhara

The Fine Print

  • A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure a booking. The remaining monies are payable 60 days prior to departure.
  • A medical certificate is required from your doctor no more than 30 days from departure, stating that you have no medical condition that could endanger your life on the track.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory.
  • Training is necessary for the trekking component. This trek is challenging and you will require a good level of fitness.
  • Minimum numbers are required. Please contact us for information regarding availability in the departure of your choice.