Walking the Annapurna Foothills
From CAD $2,800
Guarantee
Small Group
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Our two-week walking holiday is the perfect introduction to Himalayan teahouse trekking. Enjoy a gentle four-day trek in the quieter foothills of the Himalayas, walking amongst traditional villages and terraced fields, with awe-inspiring vistas of the Annapurna range. Afterwards, head to Chitwan National Park in search of the one-horned rhino, before finishing up in captivating Kathmandu.
Why we love this trip
Kathmandu - Explore the temples and bazaars of Nepal's ancient capital.
Chitwan National Park - Search for the rare one-horned rhino and other species in this sprawling park.
Pokhara - Relax by the lake surrounded by mountain vistas in this tranquil city.
Highlights
This walking holiday is a great introduction to the pleasures of Himalayan teahouse trekking|Relax after the moderate grade 4-day trek in the friendly lakeside town of Pokhara|Look out for a wide variety of animal species and the rare one-horned rhino in Chitwan National Park
Trip Details
Product Code: 20313
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Bus4WD
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Explore Worldwide
Supplier Code: RT
Starts: Nepal
Finishes: Nepal
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
- Explore Tour Leader
- Driver(s)
- Naturalist(s)
- Porter(s)
Accommodation
- Mila Hotel
- Riverside Springs Resort
- Badauri Tea House
- Panchase Bhanjyang Tea House
- Bumdi Tea House
- Hotel Sarowar
- Green Chwadi Nature Retreat
- Hotel Pokhara Batika
- Island Jungle Resort
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,800 ($215 /day)
Itinerary
Our tour starts today in Kathmandu, the busy, colourful and chaotic capital city of Nepal.
Our tour leader plans to meet everyone in the hotel reception for a welcome meeting at 5 pm. For those that wish, there is the chance to enjoy a group dinner afterwards. There are no other activities planned for today.
If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will leave any essential information and details of the best time to catch up with them at the hotel reception.
If you'd like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). You should allow at least 45 minutes to reach our hotel in central Kathmandu as traffic congestion in the city can be bad.
Depending on the arrival time of your flight, if you'd like to get a head start on exploring, our hotel is located a short walk from the lively Thamel area. Home to a multitude of outdoor gear, souvenir shops, great bookshops and a huge variety of restaurants, it's a fun place to wander.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Mila Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - No
- Breakfast Provided - No
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: None
After breakfast this morning, our tour leader will brief us on our upcoming trek. We'll also have the chance to visit a local hire shop to pick up any last-minute equipment.
After our briefing, we'll have a walking tour of the city, visiting the bazaars and the temples of old Kathmandu in the company of a local Nepalese guide. Nepal's bustling capital is a captivating mix of spice sellers, potters, and rickshaws, all crowded together amidst a city of vibrant noise and colour. Our sightseeing takes in the sumptuous majesty of Durbar Square and its collection of ornate palaces, courtyards and temples, as well as the Asan Bazaar and the Kumari Ghar, home to the living goddess of the Kumari Devi.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Mila Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
This morning, we'll set off driving out of the high Kathmandu valley and descend to the foothills where we'll stay at a riverside hotel in Kurintar at the much lower altitude of about 262 metres/859 feet. As we leave the valley, on clear days, we'll have views of the Ganesh, Manaslu and Annapurna ranges of the Himalayas.
En route, you'll have the option to partake in an exciting half-day whitewater rafting trip on the Trisuli River (Grade III-III+). No previous experience is required (although we do recommend that you are confident swimming for at least 25 metres/82 feet unaided) and the price includes all permits, equipment, the services of experienced river guides and lunch.
The rafting trip finishes at the beach just below our hotel, so those who don't fancy rafting can continue to the hotel by bus and spend a leisurely afternoon relaxing by the pool.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Riverside Springs Resort
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
This morning, we'll head to Pokhara (840 metres/2,756 feet). Pokhara is smaller and more relaxed than Kathmandu and is beautifully situated on the banks of Lake Phewa. There are superb views from here of the snowcapped Annapurna range, including Machhapuchhre - the famous Fishtail Mountain.
We'll call in at our hotel to deposit the luggage not needed for the trek and then continue our drive northwest to the trek start point at Kande (1,700 metres/5,577 feet). From here, we'll walk for around two hours passing cultivated fields and scattered small settlements to the Gurung village of Badauri (1,661 metres/5,449 feet) where several trails cross.
Today's 5-kilometre/3.1-mile walk is expected to take around two hours with a total ascent of 305 metres/1000 feet and a descent of 405 metres/1,328 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Teahouse
- Accommodation Name - Badauri Tea House
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, our walk takes us mostly through mixed oak and rhododendron forest to the high point of the trek - Panchase Danda 2,500 metres/8,202 feet. The summit has panoramic views of all the Annapurna peaks as well as 8,000 metres/26,248 feet Dhaulagiri to the west and 8,000 metres/26,248 feet Manaslu to the east. This area is also part of a pilgrimage route, and we may visit the nearby shrine to the Hindu god Shiva. We descend to Panchase Bhanjyang - a bhanjyang being the local name for a pass (2,100 metres/6,890 feet). There are several local houses at the pass, and we have wonderful views of the mountains as well as of Pokhara and Phewa Tal.
Today's 9-kilometre/5.6-mile walk is expected to take around six hours with a total ascent of 940 metres/3,084 feet and a descent of 440 metres/1,443 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Teahouse
- Accommodation Name - Panchase Bhanjyang Tea House
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Our walk today is through a largely uninhabited area on a less major trail. We'll spend some time in the forest but will also pass several open meadows specifically cleared to graze water buffalo. In the spring you can look out for rhododendrons and white orchids in bloom in the forest. There are several welcome stone-built resting places along the route which climbs to the top of a ridge and then crosses three small passes on the descent to our overnight stop at Bumdi (1,500 metres/4,921 feet).
Today's 14-kilometre/8.7-mile walk is expected to take around six hours with a total ascent of 470 metres/1,542 feet and a descent of 1,020 metres/3,346 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Teahouse
- Accommodation Name - Bumdi Tea House
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We're now coming back into a much more inhabited area and we'll pass many cultivated fields and several settlements. There are lots of cherry trees in blossom here in November. We'll pass the chhettri village of Pumdi with its distinctive houses to reach the white dome of the Japanese Peace Pagoda all the while with good views of the mountains to the north. From here, we'll descend through Rani Ban (the Queen's Forest) to the end of the trek near the dam at the southeastern end of Phewa Tal. From here we drive a very short distance to our hotel.
Today's 10-kilometre/6.2-mile walk is expected to take around four hours with a total ascent of 60 metres/196 feet and a descent of 791 metres/2,595 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Hotel Sarowar
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch
Today is free to explore the interesting town of Pokhara. You could make an optional visit to Tashiling, a thriving village of Tibetan refugees with its own schools and monastery, where you can watch Tibetan carpets being made. Alternatively, hire a boat to visit a small temple on an island in Phewa Tal. There will also be time for some souvenir shopping.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Hotel Sarowar
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
Today we'll drive to the flat lands of Nepal's Terai region where we stay just outside of Chitwan National Park. Please note, due to ongoing roadworks, the drive is taking longer than usual with the total drive time being up to 7 hours. Once a private hunting ground, Chitwan is now a National Park with thick tree cover and tall elephant grass sheltering a wealth of animals. We'll be briefed today on the variety of activities that we can enjoy in the park and orientate ourselves on a short walk around the village. All park activities will be accompanied by a trained naturalist guide who will help us get the best enjoyment from these excursions.
Accommodation:
- Type - Lodge
- Accommodation Name - Green Chwadi Nature Retreat
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Throughout your stay, you'll be kept busy except for a couple of hours around lunchtime when you can read or relax in the shade. Activities in the park include a jeep safari searching out Chitwan's famous rare one-horned rhino, bird watching, jungle walks and a dugout canoe trip along the Rapti River. Canoeing will be dependent on the water level, floating silently down the river in a traditional dugout canoe allows us to spot many varieties of water birds. On a nature walk in the company of trained native naturalists, we walk along trails in the less densely forested parts of the park. An early morning bird-watching walk near the river will reveal many of the 450 bird species that can be found in the park, especially the kingfisher.
Accommodation:
- Type - Lodge
- Accommodation Name - Green Chwadi Nature Retreat
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today we'll make the journey back to Kathmandu. The drive will be approximately seven to eight hours.
Please note, the road is currently part of a major infrastructure project which might cause some delays (and excess dust) along the way. We'll try to keep the journey as comfortable as possible.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Mila Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
Today has been left free with the opportunity to make various optional excursions which our tour leader can help arrange. One option is to visit the Newari town of Bhaktapur in the eastern corner of the Kathmandu Valley. Also known as Bhadgaun or the City of the Devotees, Bhaktapur evokes the feel of a medieval village, a snapshot of a time when the city lay along the prosperous trade routes between Tibet, China and India. The ancient centre of the town is a dazzling collection of temples, palaces and monasteries that has earned it a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Other places to visit include the Swayambunath stupa, perched on a hilltop and also known as the 'monkey temple' because of its resident group of very inquisitive primates and nearby Patan, whose Durbar Square has the finest collection of temples and palaces in the entire country.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Mila Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kathmandu.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Kathmandu at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.
If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).
Accommodation:
- Type -
- Accommodation Name -
- Grade -
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Explore Worldwide
A prominent adventure travel company with over four decades of experience, this business that offers a comprehensive array of unique and thrilling experiences worldwide. Catering to various interests, they provide small group journeys, walking and cycling trips, solo holidays, and family adventures.
In Business Since 1981
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2025
This trip was amazing, from flying into Kathmandu with the view of the Annapurna Range visible over the tops of the cloud to experiencing the bustling city of Kathmandu, with its temples, palaces and bazaars! We loved the trekking, the fantastic scenery with early morning views of the Annapurna mountains and the stays in the Teahouses. A highlight for us was a walk through a village where we met local people working their own land and keeping livestock, meeting the retired Gurkha and his wife who led it. We loved our time in Chitwan, seeing the one-horned rhinoceros at the National Park, enjoying walks in the village and a very peaceful canoe boat trip on the river which were all great after the long treks of the previous days. The food was fantastic, exceeding our expectations especially in the Teahouses where we were surprised by the quality and quantity of food. We definitely did not go hungry on this trip! Our tour leader Su was brilliant, very organised and with lots of knowledge that he was happy to share. His love and enthusiasm for Nepal was evident. We thoroughly enjoyed our time talking to him, his catch phrase “anything is possible” was a constant when we asked questions. The other members of our support crew were fantastic too, very attentive, always there with a smile and amazingly produced tea even at the earliest hours when we were viewing sunrise over the mountains.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/09/2025
Ian - Traveled, March 2025
Walking, wildlife, food and culture: this tour ticked a lot of boxes for me. It is true that the poor visibility at this time of year (March) meant that the Annupurna mountains weren't visible during much of the trek, but the landscape with its flora, fauna and small farms still made the walking interesting and enjoyable. A special highlight was seeing the one-horned rhinoceros at the Chitwan National Park, and the cultural events staged at the Green Chwadi Retreat at Chitwan were an unexpected bonus. There was a wealth of birds to see throughout the tour, and our tour leader, Su, was very knowledgeable in identifying them. As someone who is unable to eat gluten, I had been worried about how I would cope with the food; and I am extremely grateful to Su for helping me to navigate this, as well as ensuring that there were always things available for me to eat.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/17/2025
Tina - Traveled, November 2024
Sudarshan was the most wonderful guide we could possibly have. The trip was amazing and he is so knowledgeable and attentive to individuals needs, that he made the whole trek an absolute delight. When the demands of the trek were taking their toll on me he was so attuned to all of us that he immediately recognised I was struggling, long before I was prepared to say anything. Even when we were shredded by leeches, Sudarshan's big smile and calm nature had us all seeing the funny side! He is one of life's treasures and I will take my grandson back to do that trip with him some day.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/20/2024
Joan - Traveled, November 2024
My trip was amazing. The Milo hotel Kathmandu was central and a great base. Sudarshan was an excellent guide who always looked after us, and when I had a short gastro episode at the beginning of our walk I couldn't have had a kinder more considerate guide. The itinerary worked well, the days walking, driving and Chitwan NP all well paced and very comprehensive. My fellow travellers were great and only being nine of us was awesome. Oh the bus and driver were excellent too. My only criticism was the free day in Kathmandu at the end which I didn't need as I had already had five days there before the tour started. This brings me to my other issue which was because I went to Nepal before the Explore trip and stayed after I didn't qualify for the airport pickups. The twelve days of the tour was never going to be enough for me, I am used to arriving before a tour so I have time to explore the starting city. My big red Explore bag is a real bonus and will be great for outback Aussie tours. Thank you Explore, I can't wait for my next adventure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/12/2024
Karen - Traveled, November 2024
Our guide, Sudarshan kc, was the best guide I've had on any Explore trip I've done (4, so far). He was really knowledgeable, gentle, warm, funny, & friendly, he looked after our group fantastically. Nothing was too much trouble, his recurrent phrase was 'anything is possible'. The tour itself was brilliant & flowed really well, despite the longer road journeys due to the landslides that had occurred a few wks before. In fact, I'd go as far to say those journeys were actually quite an adventure in themselves! For me, it was a perfect trip, the 4 days trekking were amazing, challenging at times, but worth the effort to see the stunning views of the mountains. The teahouses were simple but really welcoming, & in fab locations for views. Pokhara was a beautiful place for a bit of a rest, the calm lake, great shopping, & places to eat. Chitwan was outstanding, especially with the rhino sightings, & close encounters! I was lucky to have a great group of people to travel with too, which made the trip a lot of fun. Kathmandu is exactly what you'd expect, a city full of life, bustling traffic & historic sights. People are very warm & friendly. I'd recommend this trip wholeheartedly. I wanted to stay longer, & shed tears when I left. Many thanks.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2024
Wendy - Traveled, June 2024
Done a few trips with explore always have great experiences always been taken care of always come back for more always hard to decide where to go next because totally spoiled for choice....
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/13/2024
Anna - Traveled, May 2024
A great trip, that really gave you a taste of treking in Nepal. The tour leader was amazing and really looked after us.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/05/2024
Stephenjohn - Traveled, May 2024
The tour guide and other staff were excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2024
Elaine - Traveled, June 2024
You see all aspects of Nepal , from the busy city of Katmandu to the beauty of trekking and seeing the mountains then the beautiful Citwan area.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/14/2024
Michael - Traveled, June 2024
Excellent tour guide. Everything in itinerary provided. A proper introduction to Nepal as a whole not just the Himalayas. Whitewater rafting great fun, treks exciting a great introduction to Nepalese culture. Chitwan national park was amazing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/19/2024
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