HOT SPRING TREK AND WILDLIFE SAFARI-MOUNTAIN AND ELEPHANT SAFARI – 11 DAYS

Tatopani – “hot water” has long been a favorite stop for weary trekkers. Tatopani village gains its name from the hot springs below the village and near the new road. There are two stone pools on the banks of the river.

The carefully designed itinerary of eleven days provides the experience of viewing mountain panorama from Poon Hill which is a viewpoint for the spectacular Himalayan panorama extending from Dhaulagiri to Annapurna to Machhapuchhre;

along with the relaxation in the hot springs at Tatopani and then drive all the way to get immersed in the jungle activities in Chitwan National Park.

Tatopani is accessible both from Beni and Pokhara through jeep drive but we take a route from Pokhara – Tatopani – Beni and we drive to Chitwan on our way back to Kathmandu from Beni.

The Chitwan National Park has Sal forests that cover 70% of the area and there are about 600 species of plants and 450 species of birds.

Nepal is also home to the only significant number of one-horned rhinos and other endangered species like the Bengal Tiger, the gangetic dolphins and the gharial crocodiles.

There are altogether over 43 species of large mammals, 526 species of birds, 150 different types of butterflies, 126 species of fish and 49 species of reptiles in this wonderful Park.

Day 1 Arrival KATHMANDU (1300m/4265ft)

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city. Meals: NO

Day 2 Acclimatize KATHMANDU

After breakfast we depart the hotel for a full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, the “city of glory.” We visit Durbar (Palace) Square, the epicenter of religious and cultural life, an area filled with old temples and historical significance with old glorious Newari architecture. Some of the sights include Kal Bhairav, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kasthamandap and Kumari Ghar; home to the Living Goddess. Afterwards we visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, said to be one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world, which is majestically set high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. We proceed towards Pashupatinath Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This massive temple complex sits alongside the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the courtyard of the temple, whereas tourists can see the temple from the eastern side of the Bagmati River.  Later we visit Boudhanath, a Buddhist Stupa said to be one of the largest in the world. This massive structure stands tall with four pairs of eyes each facing the four cardinal directions, watching for righteous behavior of mankind and for human prosperity. Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner

Day 3 Fly to POKHARA (884m/2900ft)

After morning breakfast in the hotel, we take a 25 minutes flight from Kathmandu  Airport to Pokhara. In Pokhara you have the free day to explore this beautiful city on your own. Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Drive to NAYAPUL (1070m/3511ft); Trek to TIKHEDHUNGA (1540m/5053ft)

After breakfast we drive 41km/25 miles to Nayapul for the start of our trek. A steep trail from Nayapul directs us down to a bridge over a small stream to get to Birethanti, a large and prosperous village. From Birethanti we take the left branch of the trail on the west side of the bridge at the ACAP Checkpost where we need to show ACAP permit and TIMS Card. Following the trail through main streets of Birethanti, winding through bamboo forests and past a large waterfall and swimming hole we reach Sudami beyond a pasture used by caravans. We climb steadily up the side of the valley to reach Hille and about 15 minutes above Hille is the Tikhedhunga. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Trek to GHOREPANI (2750m/9023ft)

This is a 4-6 hours trek which starts crossing the Tikhedhunga Khola on a suspension bridge, then drops and crosses the Bhurungdi Khola on a large bridge at 1520m. The trail climbs very steeply on a stone staircase that is said to have more than 3300 steps which continue to the large Magar village of Ulleri (2080m) and climbing gently through the pastures and cultivated fields the trail makes its way to deep forests to reach a hamlet of Banthanti. Crossing the magnificent oak and rhododendron forests the trail passes through two sparkling clear streams, a small ridge and another stream before making final climb to another Magar village of Nangathanti (2460m). About an hour past this village we reach Ghorepani where we can see eight different species of Nepal’s national flower rhododendron in the hillsides below Ghorepani.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Trek to TATOPANI (1190m/3904ft)

Early in the morning we begin the trek for hiking to Poon Hill ( 3210m).  From Poon Hill we see the mountain panorama that stretches from Dhaulagiri I (8167m) and Tukuche (6920m) to Nilgiri (6940m), Annapurna South, Annapurna I (8091m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Tarke Kang (7193m). It takes an hour to climb from here to Poon Hill, offering one of the best Himalayan viewpoints in Nepal from where spectacular Himalayan ranges with amazing sunrise view can be seen very closely. After observing the wonderful Himalayas we return to Ghorepani. After breakfast, we continue our journey to Tatopani. The trail makes a descend steeply to Chitre at 2420m.  As the trail drops down through the large and prosperous Magar village of Sikha, the hills are extensively terraced. From Shikha the trail descends gently to Ghara at 1780m. A further steep descent of 500m takes us to Ghar Khola where the trail crosses the river on a suspension bridge. We then make another climb up above the Kaligandaki River before crossing the river. As we turn north, it takes us to the Tatopani. Tato means ‘hot’ and pani is ‘water’, a name earned courtesy of the hot springs by the river. Tatopani is one of the popular shorter trek spot out of Pokhara. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Explore TATOPANI

On this day we stroll around the traditional Tatopani village and relax in the natural hot springs.  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8  Trek to Beni; Drive  to CHITWAN

Early morning after breakfast we start trek to Beni from where we will be picked up by a private car and we drive all the way to Chitwan National Park for immersing ourselves in the beauty of nature. Chitwan national Park, the world heritage-listed site. It is famous as one of the premier wildlife-viewing national parks in Asia and we will have an excellent chance of spotting one-horned rhinos, deer, monkeys and 450 species of birds. The reserve protects over 932 sq km of Sal forests, water marshes and rippling elephant grassland and, with the snowcapped Himalaya in the distance, its no wonder this place is very popular. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Activities in CHITWAN

The most famous activities in Chitwan include:
JUNGLE SAFARI
For jungle safari, four wheel jeep is easy to go deep into the park, viewing some of the rare species of flora and fauna. We can also go on foot in to the park escorted by our experience guide who will interpret us the concealed secrets of the jungle. Elephant safari is popular in Sauraha jungle safari. Elephants are accessible in almost all resort and lodge in Sauraha

CANOEING/BOATING
Another popular activity in the park is the boat/canoe trip down the Rapti and the Narayani Rivers. This is one of the most serene ways to explore the area as float downstream with the river’s flow.

BIRD WATCHING
Chitwan National Park is home for about 500 species of residential and migratory birds. During Jungle safari and canoe trip, we have a great opportunity to see many species of birds including water fowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails, bar-headed geese, cormorants, woodpeckers, hornbills, peacocks, peahens, floricans, red-headed trogons and many others.

THARU VILLAGE TOUR
The other activities include the observation of the Tharu community, their culture, living style and many other traditional customs. We can also go for Tharu village tour.

ELEPHANT BREEDING CENTER is another attraction in Chitwan National park. And if we are lucky enough, we might have the chance to enjoy the elephant polo and Sauraha festival.

JUNGLE WALK 
For more adventure and intimacy with nature, we can walk through the jungle which will be accompanied by a well-trained nature guide. This is very enjoyable program that allows us to have a close watch and learn about the flora and fauna of the park. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Drive back KATHMANDU

We drive back from Chitwan to Kathmandu and are dropped to the hotel.  In the evening you will be invited to join FAREWELL reviewing great photos and share experiences of the trip.  Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 11 Fly back HOME or extend your HOLIDAYS

If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, mountain biking, Tibet, India or Bhutan tours etc.  Meals: Breakfast