Annapurna Village Walks
Explore traditional Gurkha villages on foot, whilst staying in the most comfortable lodges available.
Escape with your family for an adventurous and educational holiday to Nepal. Spend time amongst the high peaks of Annapurna on an eco-community lodge trek, before reaching Tiger Tops at Chitwan National Park.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Chitwan National Park
Swap high altitude scenery for the sub-tropical lowlands of Chitwan National Park, home to Rhino.
Kathmandu - The Capital
Rapidly developing and almost alarmingly hectic, Kathmandu is a city to awaken the senses.
Walking with Elephants
Join the herd and experience the best jungle safari in Nepal. Stay at Tiger Tops to gain unique access to the elephants.
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Why we like it
From a city tour of ancient Kathmandu to game viewing and conservation involvement in Chitwan, this 14 day holiday showcases the best of Nepal. The highlight is a short trek in the Annapurna foothills, surrounded by magnificent Himalayan peaks
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Day 1 - 2
Kathmandu
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Day 3 - 4
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Lumle
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Day 5 - 6
Lumle - Pokhara
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Day 7
Pokhara - Kathmandu
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Day 8
Kathmandu - Bharatpur - Chitwan
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Day 9 -11
Chitwan National Park
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Day 12
Chitwan - Kathmandu
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Day 13
Kathmandu
Day 1 - 2
Kathmandu
Wander the streets and squares of old Kathmandu where intricately carved temples have survived for 500 years.
Day 3 - 4
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Lumle
Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna range, softly undulating terrain that begs to be explored on foot.
Day 5 - 6
Lumle - Pokhara
Day 7
Pokhara - Kathmandu
Day 8
Kathmandu - Bharatpur - Chitwan
Gain an incredible insight into wildlife conservation, staying at Tiger Tops Elephant Camp.
Day 9 -11
Chitwan National Park
Day 12
Chitwan - Kathmandu
Day 13
Kathmandu
More Details
Annapurna Village Walks
The Annapurna mountains are perfect for the uninitiated – weaving through scenic villages and stunning landscapes. By day, walk amongst ethnic Gurkha villages in the foothills, by night stay in comfortable Ker & Downey lodges, allowing you to experience the magnificent scenery in style and comfort. The gateway to the Himalaya is Pokhara. We never bore of watching the reflections in the still waters of Phewa Lake. Take a serene boat ride, equipped with a book, and a camera, and capture the changing light. The Annapurna foothills have a showstopper vista in the form of Mt Machhapuchhre – catch it at first light for an impressive moment.
A Day in the Life of a Gurkha Villager
This is a great day of discovery. Learn firsthand what it’s like to live in the shadow of the Annapurna’s. Meet local children during their school day. Though formal education has existed in Nepal for 150 years, for the first century it was only available to members of the royal family. It has only been the last five decades that ordinary Nepali children were able to enjoy schooling. Today, five million students fill more than 20,000 schools (from elementary schools to universities). You’ll get to know a few of these promising young people throughout this day. Why not share lunch with a local Gurkha family who will happily share insight into their tradition.
The Gurkha people arrived in western Nepal from India centuries ago, and trace their roots to the Rajput clan- part of the Kshatriya, or warrior class-from classic Hindu tradition. Known for their military prowess, courage, and loyalty, many Gurkhas were recruited by the British Army during their occupation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their culture is a fascinating blend of their Hindu roots and local traditions like shamanism and Tibetan Buddhism, as we’ll learn during this exclusive opportunity for real cultural exchange.
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Stay at Tiger Tops Elephant Camp
As pioneers of responsible tourism, Tiger Tops have teamed up with Carol Buckley from Elephant Aid International to build spacious enclosures for twelve resident elephants, in a chain-free environment. Tiger Tops decided to stop elephant back safaris in Chitwan and instead, offer clients a less obtrusive but more immersive encounter with the elephants in their care. All activities centre around the elephant’s routine.
Rise early and follow the elephants into the jungle and onto the grasslands where they graze freely. Return to the corrals with the elephants and mahouts and spend more time learning about their behaviour, individual personalities, co-dependency with the ecosystem and the relationship between mahout and elephant. The camp is managed by a head mahout, Kale and his team of naturalist field guides. They will join you in all activities, so there is always somebody on hand to answer any questions on wildlife and local culture. Watching the elephants play in the river whilst sipping a sundowner is a wonderful way to end the day.
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Chitwan National Park - On Safari
Take a dugout canoe ride down Chitwan’s Rapti River in search of crocodiles. The Narayani River is home to the endangered gharial crocodiles, mugger crocodiles and an array of birdlife. Chitwan has great conservation successes and a thriving population of the Asiatic one-horned rhino. Current numbers are 645 and growing over 5% year on year. The success story is largely due to the countless volunteers, conservationists, naturalists and military working tirelessly to protect them.
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From $4,451 Per person
When to travel
With two distinct seasons, dry and wet, Nepal is at its best from October through to December. This is when the monsoon, which runs from June to September, come to an end and the dry season begins, leaving the countryside green, lush and bursting with life. Mountain views are clear and crisp across the Himalayans.
Visitors going to Nepal in January and February should expect freezing temperatures in the evening but with this brings fewer crowds arguably making it a perfect time to discover the country. March, April and May see the temperatures begin to climb and the humidity reaching its height before the monsoon rains arrive. The springtime is warmer but cloud build-up over the Himalayan peaks occurs.
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