Highlights
- Experience village life on a short trek with great views of the Annapurnas
- Paraglide above Phewa Lake against the backdrop of the Himalaya
- Catch one of Nepal's classic sunrise spots from Sarangkot Hill
- Explore Kathmandu and its famous cultural highlights
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Welcome to Kathmandu! | Kathmandu |
| Day 2 | Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Trishuli River Rafting | Pokhara |
| Day 3 | Paragliding from Sarangkot Hill, Trek to Australian Camp (6,168 ft / 1,880 m) | Australian Camp |
| Day 4 | Trek from Australian Camp to Phedi, Drive to Pokhara | Pokhara |
| Day 5 | Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, Depart! |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu!
Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel. In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.
Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Trishuli River Rafting
After breakfast, you'll depart Kathmandu for Pokhara, Nepal's second largest city along Phewa Lake. The city is situated in a tranquil valley (827 m) and is the starting point for many of Nepal’s famous treks. The drive follows the banks of the Trishuli River past traditional villages and terraced fields. En route, you'll stop for a 3-hour rafting trip. The river is quite safe and a great introduction to rafting in Nepal. Lunch is provided en route and you'll end at a riverside resort on a hillside with outstanding views. For those who don't wish to raft, you can also relax at the Riverside Resort and forego the rafting.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Paragliding from Sarangkot Hill, Trek to Australian Camp (6,168 ft / 1,880 m)
Today, you'll wake up extra early in Pokhara and get picked up by a paragliding trip staff member who will drive you to Sarankot to see a beautiful sunrise view against the mountains. You'll then prepare and have a tandem paragliding experience with panorama views of the Annapurna range including Dhaulaghiri and Manaslu peaks.
After the adventure, you'll return to your hotel in Pokhara where you'll be picked up and driven to the village of Kande. Here, you start our trek to Australian Camp! Australian Camp is located on the hilltop that offers beautiful views of the valleys along with a view of the Annapurna range. The drive is about one hour to Kande from Pokhara. The trail is steep with the stone staircase for the first two hours.
Day 4: Trek from Australian Camp to Phedi, Drive to Pokhara
From Australian Camp, you'll descend through jungle forest on your way to Dhampus, arriving in just under two hours. Dhampus is a beautiful village that is located on the route of Annapurna Trekking. After another one hour walk, you'll arrive at Phedi, where your driver and vehicle will be waiting to bring you back to Pokhara. The rest of the day is yours to explore.
Day 5: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, Depart!
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Pokhara's domestic airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. If you're flying back home from Kathmandu today, you need to ensure your flight departs no earlier than 11 am to ensure you'll have enough time to catch it. (The earliest you can arrive back in Kathmandu will be around 9:15 am.)