Annapurna trekking holiday - Dhaulagiri
| country: | Nepal |
| location: | Annapurna |
| trip type: | Strenuous trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 21 Dec 2009: 4 Jan, 8 Feb, 15 Mar, 29 Mar, 5 Apr |
| price: | From £1021 (17 days) including domestic flights as per itinerary only. For an extra £5 you can offset your carbon emissions. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
In the late 1970s we researched the area below Annapurna South and discovered a stunning wilderness region of alpine ridges, holy lakes and sensational mountain views.
This is arguably the best two week walk in the Annapurnas, trekking to Kopra Ridge - one of the most spectacular vantage points in the Himalaya. Trekking as a small group we stay in locally owned lodges with one night of camping at the grazing pastures of Chistibung. From Pokhara we drive to the road head at Naya Phul and follow the Modi Khola River to Shyauli. We then ascend through pretty villages and forested hillsides to Upper Ghandruk and Kot Danda, enjoying fine views of the Annapurna Mountains.
We leave the popular main trail at Tadapani and for the next week head into remote alpine terrain to the ridge at Kopra - the highlight of the trek. Here we stay in the new lodge owned by the local community, with the lofty peaks of Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Fang and Annapurna South providing a perfectly awe-inspiring panorama. Dhaulagiri is also visible, across one of the deepest gorges in the world.
Conditions permitting we may make a side trip to the remote holy lake at Kaire. Our return route sees us descending down a forested trail to Saunta before joining the popular trekking trail to Ghorepani and Poon Hill. We return to Naya Phul and transfer to Pokhara to enjoy two nights beside Phewa Lake, shopping, boating or just relaxing, before returning to Kathmandu. Your adventure includes: tour leader, local guides, porterage on treck, personal trek equipment (sleeping bag, duvet jacket, sleeping sheet & kit bag), specialised medical kit, camping equipment, airport transfers, transport, accommodation (5 nights comfortable hotel, 1 night camping and 10 nights lodge), most meals (16 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 11 dinners), sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated.
For nearly 30 years we have led the field in adventure travel because of our: level of destination expertise; locally born and raised tour leaders; small groups; innovative itineraries that include both the iconic sights and off-the-beaten-track highlights; and responsible tourism practices. Your adventure begins here!
This is arguably the best two week walk in the Annapurnas, trekking to Kopra Ridge - one of the most spectacular vantage points in the Himalaya. Trekking as a small group we stay in locally owned lodges with one night of camping at the grazing pastures of Chistibung. From Pokhara we drive to the road head at Naya Phul and follow the Modi Khola River to Shyauli. We then ascend through pretty villages and forested hillsides to Upper Ghandruk and Kot Danda, enjoying fine views of the Annapurna Mountains.
We leave the popular main trail at Tadapani and for the next week head into remote alpine terrain to the ridge at Kopra - the highlight of the trek. Here we stay in the new lodge owned by the local community, with the lofty peaks of Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Fang and Annapurna South providing a perfectly awe-inspiring panorama. Dhaulagiri is also visible, across one of the deepest gorges in the world.
Conditions permitting we may make a side trip to the remote holy lake at Kaire. Our return route sees us descending down a forested trail to Saunta before joining the popular trekking trail to Ghorepani and Poon Hill. We return to Naya Phul and transfer to Pokhara to enjoy two nights beside Phewa Lake, shopping, boating or just relaxing, before returning to Kathmandu. Your adventure includes: tour leader, local guides, porterage on treck, personal trek equipment (sleeping bag, duvet jacket, sleeping sheet & kit bag), specialised medical kit, camping equipment, airport transfers, transport, accommodation (5 nights comfortable hotel, 1 night camping and 10 nights lodge), most meals (16 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 11 dinners), sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated.
For nearly 30 years we have led the field in adventure travel because of our: level of destination expertise; locally born and raised tour leaders; small groups; innovative itineraries that include both the iconic sights and off-the-beaten-track highlights; and responsible tourism practices. Your adventure begins here!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel |
| Day 2: | Explore Pashupatinath Temple and Bodhnath Stupa. Afternoon free. |
| Day 3: | Fly to Pokhara, drive in to foothills and commence trek. |
| Day 4: | Trek to Upper Ghandruk through fields and villages. |
| Day 5-7: | Trek to Kot Danda and then Tadapani. Leave main trail and head to Baili. |
| Day 8-9: | Trek to Chisitibung. Ascend to Kopra Ridge. Views of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurnas and Manaslu mountains. |
| Day 10: | Explore Kopra Ridge area. Excursion to holy lake at Kaire, conditions permitting. |
| Day 11-12: | Descend to Saunta, then climb to Ghorepani. |
| Day 13-14: | Early morning climb to Poon Hill for sunrise. Descend to Ulleri and return to Pokhara. |
| Day 15: | Free time to relax, shop or explore by the lake. |
| Day 16: | Return flight to Kathmandu. |
| Day 17: | Trip ends in Kathmandu this morning. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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This operator has had a long association with Nepal, having operated their first trek there in 1977 and has since been setting the benchmark for tour leader training and waste reduction practices. Trek the mighty Himalaya and experience this epic adventure with the help of their local tour leaders and porters, who are proud to take you through this amazing part of the world that they live in. By walking amongst the foothills of the Annapurnas and visiting secluded and remote villages en route, travellers are made aware of the importance to preserve the area so that it can be appreciated by future generations.
To support tourism programs in Nepal, they are training their local staff on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This not only assists in the conduct of a tour but also provides them with important life skills. By employing porters born and bred in the region, they are supporting the local economy. Through offering employment and steady revenue, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities. This company provides additional porters to remove rubbish. All tins, bottles and plastics are carried back to Pokhara and disposed of thoughtfully. Not only can participants enjoy the magnificent scenery of the stunning Annapurna range, they can also rest assured the trip is operated to the highest environmental standards. They are also a member of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG), a body formed to protect porters from mistreatment by unprofessional trekking operators or private trekkers. All trekking staff are fully equipped with proper clothing, boots and trekking equipment. They are fully insured and are given medical assistance and helicopter evacuation, if required. In terms of safety they treat their clients and staff equally. On treks that venture beyond habitation, they are one of very few companies that provide their porters with all their meals, tented accommodation, sleeping bags and insulated mats. They are a member of K.E.E.P. (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project), a supporter of the Nangi Secondary School in the Annapurna region and they have also worked closely with the Red Cross in Nepal, with monies raised by the company and their clients, to aid victims of monsoon floods and landslides. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |