Poon Hill Trek with Kathmandu Tour

After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, we will be greeted by a representative of Asian Heritage Treks and Expeditions who will drop us off at our hotel. We then check-in at the hotel, freshen up, and take a rest.

Visit the UNESCO world heritage site, Kathmandu Durbar Square along with the tour guide in a private vehicle. Observe the typical wood-carved temples and buildings reflecting the ancient Kathmandu city.  After then we will be heading towards Swyambhunath- the monkey temple where you can observe the religious harmony and tolerance between the Buddhist religion and Hindu religion along with that enjoy the panoramic view of Kathmandu city. Visit the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the biggest pilgrimage sites for the Hindu religion people in south-east Asia, explore the surroundings, observe the ritual body cremating ceremony process of the Hindu people at the bank of the holy Bagmati river, and then visit another pilgrimage site nearby to the Pashupatinath Temple known as Guweyswori Temple, explore the surroundings and then you will go to visit the another UNESCO world heritage site Boudhanath Stupa. It was built in 600 A.D. and is the only one of a kind of stupa reflecting Buddhism in the world. Explore the surroundings of Boudhanath Stupa and after completing your sightseeing get back to the hotel and rest.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Once a fiercely independent city-state, Patan (pah-tan) is now almost a suburb of Kathmandu, separated only by the murky Bagmati River. Many locals still call the city by its original Sanskrit name of Lalitpur (City of Beauty) or by its Newari name, Yala. In Patan, we will explore many of its attractions before moving on to another city Bhadgaon (pronounced bud-gown), or the Newari name Khwopa, which means City of Devotees. The name fits – Bhaktapur has three major squares full of towering temples that comprise some of the finest religious architecture in the country.

The third of the medieval city-states in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur was always described as the best-preserved. Tragically, however, the 2015 earthquake caused terrible devastation and loss of life. Nevertheless, only a few temples were destroyed, there is still much to see here and tourism is vital to the community. After concluding the Bhaktapur sightseeing we will then drive on to Changunarayan. The Changunarayan temple is said to be the oldest Hindu temple still in use in the Kathmandu Valley. Built in the two-tiered pagoda style, the main shrine here is guarded on all sides by pairs of real and mythical beasts – elephants, lions, winged lions, and ram-horned griffons – and its roof struts feature some amazingly intricate carvings of Tantric deities. We will drive to Nagarkot overnight after completing the Changunarayan tour.

Nagarkot has a reputation as the top spot for enjoying Himalayan views from the comfort of your hotel balcony. Just 20 miles (32km) from Kathmandu, the village is packed with hotels lining a ridge, affording one of the broadest possible views of the Himalaya, with eight ranges visible (Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Jugal, Rolwaling, Everest and Number). However, timing is everything, as the mountains are notorious for disappearing behind cloudy skies. The best viewing seasons are October to December and March to April, when clear skies are likely.

Meals inlcuded: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Kathmandu domestic airport then a flight to Pokhara, and drive to the trek starting point, Nayapul (1050m). You will bypass through old villages and meandering green hills. Terraced paddy fields along the neighboring yet distant hills and the wind gushing in your face make for a pleasant and smooth drive with much time to enjoy the landscape and contemplate the tiring but exciting journey ahead. Lunch will be at Hile or Birethanti. The initial part of the trail is gentle and passes along thin settlement and paddy fields and one will be very soon transported and immersed into a vastly different lifestyle – a very simple yet charming. The trail will lead to Tikhedhunga via Birethanti (1065m).

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, and coffee. 

You will be ascending up at a slow and gentle pace, passing through Ulleri (2070m). Lunch will be at Ulleri and Banthanti, Magar villages where you can choose from a variety of dishes but with a little bit of Magar twist to it. There will be ample opportunities to interact with the locals and learn, understand, and get a firsthand experience of their way of life. Along the way, one would enjoy the majestic view of Machhapuchhre (6997m), Huinchuli (6441m), and Annapurna South (7219m) and the world’s largest rhododendron forest. One can get a chance to view the unique and colorful scenery of forest flowers during March and April.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, and coffee.

You will start trekking from Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3,210m) and then to Tadapani (2,650m). You will be covering the distance within six to seven hours of a normal trek. You will begin the trek to Poon hill (3,210m) in the wee morning so as to catch the first ray of sunlight peeking from behind Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m)and slowly rising over Tukuche Peak (6,920m), Nilgiri (6,940m), VarahaShikhar (7,847m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Annapurna III (7,855m), Machhapuchhre (6,993m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Lamjung Himal (6,931m) and numerous other elegant snowcapped mountain peaks slowly unraveling their beauty leaving one with a surreal experience.

You can have your breakfast at Ghorepani, and the trek to Tadapani (2,650 m) will begin through the tranquil deep forests of rhododendrons, bamboos, and oaks. Lunch will be at Banthathi. En route, one can observe and appreciate nature’s beauty; waterfalls, rocks, wild animals, birds, and green valleys.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, and coffee. 

A relatively easy day is ahead of us as we trek through oak and rhododendron forests, often alive with beautiful wildflowers. Our next destination is the mostly Gurung village of Ghandruk where we can view several peaks, such as Annapurna South, Gangapurna, (7455m), Machapuchare, Annapurna III, and Hiunchuli. Ghandruk happens to be the second biggest Gurung village in Nepal. Its Buddhist traditions and culture convey ,a sense of tranquility and charm. It also has its own Buddhist monastery. What makes Ghandruk stand out is its distinct architecture with houses constructed of stone with slate roofs.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, and coffee

Heading back along the route we took to reach Poon Hill we follow a steep track until we reach Syaula Bazaar. Continuing along the trail we pass several small villages and pass through the terraced fields planted in a various assortment of crops. Our trek ends at Nayapul from where we will drive back to Pokhara. Upon reaching Pokhara we will have some time to stroll around the Phewa Lake and take in the beautiful scenery.

Meals included: breakfast and lunch

Stretched along the shores of Phewa Lake and dotted with colorful bobbing paddleboats, this little slice of tranquility is one of the favorite places in Nepal. There are a number of epic things to do in Pokhara, especially for those chasing adrenalin, with white water rafting and some of the best paragliding on earth all available here. There are the 8,000 meter-high snow-capped giants of the Annapurna range, awe-inspiring in their size and stature. On a clear day, they can be seen from everywhere in Pokhara like watchful guardians over the sleepy town.

Time permitting the sites we cover today in Pokhara will be as follow:

• Old Pokhara
• Phewa Tal
• Devi’s Falls
• World Peace Pagoda
• Gupteshower Mahadev Cave
• Bhimsen Temple
• Paljorling Tibetan Refugee Settlement
• Bat Cave
• Mahendra Gufa (Cave)

Meals included: Breakfast

On this day you will have a scenic drive back to Kathmandu, starting from Pokhara after breakfast. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, you will be then transferred to your respective hotel and have a rest. In the evening, you can stroll around the downtown area in Thamel. Later, on you can go shopping and buy gifts for your friends and family.

Meals included: Breakfast

Approximately 3 hours before the departure of your flight, you will be transferred to Kathmandu international airport where we guide you to the check-in hall. From here we hope you had an amazing journey through our country, Nepal. And we hope to see you again.

Meals included: Breakfast