On arrival in Kathmandu we transfer to our comfortable, centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax and recover from the long international flights. Alternatively, during the afternoon, we offer a guided walk through the fascinating old part of town, where we find vegetable markets, a rich variety of pagoda and Indian style temples, and the old Royal Palace. Some temples date from the 11th century and are unique blends of architectural styles.

A full day of sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley, includes visits to Pashupati, an important pilgrimage site for Hindus; the ancient Buddhist monastery at Swoyambhunath, the fabulous Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath, and Kathmandu’s Durbar Square.

Day 3: To Royal Chitwan National Park (B,L,D)

Leaving the Kathmandu Valley we descend through the Himalayan foothills to the tropical expanses of the Terai lowland and Royal Chitwan National Park. Bordering the northern plains of India, Chitwan boasts grasslands and forests which are home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including rare Bengal tiger, great one-horned rhinocerous, sloth bear, barking deer, leopard, wild boar, monkeys, fresh water dolphin, crocodile, and over 450 species of birds!

Day 4: Royal Chitwan National Park (B,L,D)

Here we stay at a comfortable tented camp located on an island - our base for the exploration of the park. The camp's experienced naturalists and birders are excellent guides for our jungle adventure. Activities include game viewing on elephant back, early morning birdwatching, dugout canoe rides searching for crocodiles, and jungle walks to a raised blind to wait quietly for a rare glimpse of a tiger. In the evening, Tharu villagers may perform traditional dances!

This morning we head north through the foothills toward the Annapurna range and the scenic town of Pokhara. Moving on, in the afternoon we drive a short distance to the starting point of our trek, where we spend our first night camping.

In the morning we begin hiking in earnest, through the beautiful mountains of the Annapurna range. (Our route is known as the "Royal Trek", ever since Prince Charles and his full entourage followed it some years ago. It is relatively lightly travelled, so we see few others, despite the fact that celebrities such as Mick Jagger have also come this way.) During the trek we constantly encounter breathtaking views of some of the regions highest peaks, including Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain), Lamjung, Himal, Manaslu and the Annapurna peak.

Over the following three days we hike the magnificent trails, up, down and around the beautiful mountains. Some inclines are steep, but anyone in good physical condition can participate, so long as they enjoy the rigors of hiking. We do not reach high elevation at any point, so trekkers need not worry about the adverse affects associated with altitude. Throughout, we are accompanied by our local guides and a staff of porters, who take care of everything... carrying our bags, preparing our meals, bringing hot water to our tents first thing each morning.

Our last trekking day begins on a trail between two mountain peaks. At the other side of the pass we descend to the Pokhara Valley. Reaching the town of Pokhara itself in the afternoon, we check into the beautiful Fishtail Hotel (with well-deserved hot showers!) where we remain for two nights.

We spend an interesting day exploring the sights and sounds of Pokhara, situated on the shores of beautiful Phewa Lake. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, perfect views of the Annapurnas are often reflected in its tranquil waters. Highlights of the day include Mahendra Cave, a visit to a Tibetan refugee camp, and boating on Lake Phewa. Also, in the late afternoon we can stroll by the lake, row to an island Hindu shrine, or just relax and wait for the sun to set behind the spectacular Himalayas.

In the morning we head to the airport at Pokhara for our short flight to Kathmandu. After returning to our original hotel, the rest of the day is free for exploring the city.

This morning we take a spectacular "Mountain Flight" down the spine of the Himalayas. This offers thrilling views of the Himalayan giants - Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and countless others! In the afternoon, we drive to Nagarkot by way of Bhaktapur, the ‘golden city’ of the Kathmandu Valley. After overnighting in Nagarkot , we are treated to the ‘most beautiful sunset’ in all of Nepal.

Early risers can enjoy a breathtaking sunrise, followed by a two-hour hike to Chagunarayan - the oldest Hindu temple in the Kathmandu valley. Following lunch we explore Patan, the Nepali city of fine arts, and visit its lesser known, but impressive, Durbar Square.

We have a free day to relax, further explore the streets of Kathmandu, or catch up on some last minute shopping prior to tomorrow’s departure.

Following a free morning we transfer at mid-day to the airport for departing flights... or join Footprints’ exciting overland trip to Tibet.

For those that are combining our trips to Nepal and Tibet (the Nepal/Tibet Combination), Day 15 of our Nepal itinerary coincides with Day 4 of our Tibet itinerary. In other words, the day on which those traveling in ‘Nepal only’ are ready to depart, those continuing on to Tibet join that group as it begins its overland journey to Lhasa. (This avoids duplication of itineraries.)

This trip has an Activity Rating of 4, meaning that participants must be in good physical condition, and capable of hiking along paths in mountainous terrain. No technical skills nor prior experience are necessary, but the trek portion does require a real physical effort. The remainder of the trip is an active program, including hikes, elephant riding, and travel by dugout canoes. These activities should present no difficulties for anyone in reasonable physical health. In general, as with most travel, the more fit you are, the better you will enjoy your trip.

Trip Land Cost Includes

All accommodations throughout; many meals (14 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners); all internal transportation (including mountain flight); all day trips and admission fees as outlined in the itinerary; all trekking arrangements (see below) and the services of experienced local guides and naturalists.

International airfare (quoted separately), personal travel insurance, some meals, airport departure taxes, laundry, alcoholic beverages, tips and gratuities.

We always stay in very good hotels and lodges, where every room has a private shower or bath, and hot water. The accommodations have been chosen on the basis of location, atmosphere and local charm, with a particular eye for the natural surroundings. For example, while in Kathmandu we stay at a four star hotel centrally located within the city, and in Pokhara we enjoy the spectacular scenery when relaxing at the Fishtail Hotel, famous for it’s fabulous views of the mountains across the lake. In Chitwan National Park, we stay at a rustic, yet very comfortable jungle lodge.

All land, water and domestic air transportation is included in the land cost of the trip. We have our own air-conditioned minivans for road travel, and we have one flight from Kathmandu over the mountains. Of course we use a variety of transportation in Chitwan, including dugout canoes and elephants.

Our included meals, other than breakfasts at our guesthouse or hotel, are in our nature lodge or prepared by our cook while trekking. The food is wholesome and delicious, including lots of vegetables, lentils, and rice. In Kathmandu a wide variety of international cuisines are represented in the city’s restaurants.

Our Himalayan trek takes place near Pokhara. We spend the majority of our days hiking well-trodden paths in the mountains. Generally, these are not excessively steep, but they are by no means flat. We hike at a very comfortable pace, with frequent rest and photo stops. Throughout we are accompanied, and taken care of, by our Sherpa guides and porters. Participants need only bring a good pair of hiking boots and a sleeping bag - everything else including our sleeping tents, a dining tent, a toilet tent, a kitchen tent, all cooking equipment, chairs and tables are supplied. Of course our trekking permits and national park fees are also included.

Nepal's weather is generally predictable and pleasant. During the dry season that runs from October to May, there is minimal rainfall. The best views of the Himalayas are available at this time of year. Daytime temperatures remain 70-75°, while at night they can dip as low as 65°. Temperatures in Pokhara and Chitwan are slightly warmer than in Kathmandu.

Generally, there is very little open gay life in Nepal. However, based upon deeply instilled cultural and religous values of tolerance, most Nepali people are comfortable with all travelers, regardless of sexual orientation, so long as important cultural and religous beliefs are respected. (Examples include appropriate dress when visiting temples, respect for the royal family, etc.)

A deposit of $300 (plus insurance if you require it) is due at time of booking, and will reserve your place on the tour. Payment in full of the land cost is due 60 days before departure. Cancellation charges, as outlined in our brochure, are applicable.

We would be happy to make your air arrangements to and from Kathmandu, or you may take care of that on your own. It is hard to predict exact costs far ahead of time, but you should expect fares to be between $1,100 - 1,300 U.S. from both eastern and western gateways. The price may vary depending on the airline used, and the time of travel.