Current as of: July 26, 2024 - 20:06
Current as of: July 26, 2024 - 20:06
3 out of 7 - Moderate
The lovely lakeside town of Pokhara and the Annapurna foothills to the north hold the most beautiful mountain scenery in Nepal. Rice terraces and rhododendron forests lead the eye to the timeless peaks of Machupuchare, also known as Fishtail Mountain, and the high Annapurnas. Our six-day trek takes us through the prettiest villages in the region, including Birethanti, Landruk, Majgoan and Gangruk, and we stay in five lovely mountain lodges, built in the local style, but with the creature comforts not normally found on Himalayan treks.
Moving on to the tropical lowlands, we’ll stay in boutique eco-cottages at Barahi Lodge in Chitwan, which are sandwiched between the jungle and the Rapti River. Glimpse wildlife from the infinity pool, spot birdlife and crocodiles as you ride a traditional dugout canoe, and encounter the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros on a jeep safari. Return to Kathmandu to round off your adventure.
Highlights
This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
The lodges used on this Premium Adventure offer the highest level of comfort in the Himalaya and are luxurious compared to the teahouses. The trekking is a good introduction to Himalayan trekking and has been graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate), with six days walking and full porterage throughout, so you need only carry a daypack.
In the Annapurna region, many of the trails consist of stone steps. A fairly decent level of fitness is required, as there are quite a few steep uphill walks and some quite long descents (two – three hours). Altitude is not a factor on this trip as the maximum height you will reach is 6,415ft (2,000m) with an average of 4,265ft (1,300m). There are three to five hours of walking on most days.
Exodus has more than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal and our experienced English-speaking local leaders receive regular training and are qualified in first aid.
Nepal Flight Safety
Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.
Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:
In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we will remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident that the airline meets acceptable safety standards.
We appreciate that you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you please consider all the information above when deciding to book this holiday.
The group will generally be between four and twelve people. All departures will have a named tour leader, chosen for their expertise. This will usually be a highly experienced, English-speaking Nepali tour leader, who will be assisted by a knowledgeable local trekking guide who is often a retired Gurkha soldier from the area. All Exodus leaders are first-aid trained.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 12
The group flights depart London today. The group flight may vary from one departure date to another but generally, it is an overnight flight departing in the evening and arriving the next day.
The tour starts at our hotel in Kathmandu this afternoon. Free arrival transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied your sales representative with your flight details in advance and have requested one.
This evening there will be a trip briefing followed by a group welcome dinner, a great early introduction to get to know your Leader and fellow travellers.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti
For those who wish, there is the chance to do an optional Everest sightseeing flight early this morning; this can be booked locally through your leader on Day 1
We will leave the hotel late morning for our Kathmandu sightseeing tour. We will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Boudhanath to see the famous Buddhist stupa with its huge mandala; one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and indeed in the world. After lunch overlooking the stup, we visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square (which also has UNESCO status), one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley. Although the Kathmandu Durbar Square was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake the many palaces, temples and courtyards in the Newari style are interesting. There is also the chance to stroll through the bustling markets of Asan Tol, the oldest bazaar in Kathmandu, into the Thamel area, the newer main tourist area of Kathmandu. There will be a full trip briefing today.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti
We fly to Pokhara this morning, a pretty lakeside resort at the foot of the Annapurna Range. The flight takes about 30 minutes and on a clear day offers great views of the Himalaya from the right hand side of the plane.
We should arrive by lunchtime and in the afternoon your leader will take you for an orientation walk along the shore of Phewa Lake.
Premium accommodation: Atithi Resort & Spa
We have a short drive to our trek start point, from where we follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Mountain Lodges of Nepal’s Sanctuary Lodge is located. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain (or Machhapuchhare, as it is locally known). Lunch will be in the lodge and in the afternoon we can either relax in the wonderful garden or your leader will take you on a bird watching walk to Birethanthi village.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Sanctuary Lodge, 3,363ft/1,025m)
After breakfast, you will leave the lodge to start the trek through the scattered small farms. Following the Modi Khola and with constant views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre ahead, you will soon climb the valley towards the mountains. Today is quite a long climb up stone steps passing through the rice fields and forest, but we take plenty of stops and have lunch en route. Finally, we arrive at Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk in the afternoon. Tea and snacks are served on arrival as you enjoy the spectacular views of Annapurna South, Huinchuli and Machhapuchhare.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Himalaya Lodge, 6,601ft/2,012m)
Although we can see Landruk across the valley, we have to descend to the river and climb up the other side to get there. Leaving the Ghandruk village, the trek descends steeply to the banks of Modi River. Crossing the suspension bridge, we trek up a stone staircase to Landruk village, enjoying the views of the Annapurna range and passing under the cliffs where honey hunters climb up ropes to harvest wild bee honey. Lunch will be ready as we arrive at our lodge. After lunch, you may either rest and enjoy the spectacular views of Annapurna South and Huinchuli or go on a sightseeing tour in the village with your guide.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (La Bee Lodge, 5,135ft/1,565m)
An easier walk today on a wide trail with no steep up or downhills and no stone steps passing through village and farmlands with views of the Annapurnas behind. Today is a great day for bird watching in the forests above us. We will arrive at the lodge by lunchtime and in the afternoon, you can enjoy the views of the mountains from your room itself or spend time in the wonderful garden with views of Annapurna South. There is also the option of a guided village walk to Thanchok, an old traditional Gurung village and home to many blacksmith families. (Occasionally if Gurung Lodge is full we walk on another 20 minutes to the equally wonderful Malla Lodge in Tomijun village).
Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Gurung/Mala Lodge, 4,593ft/1,400m)
After a spectacular sunrise on Annapurna South we walk along a wide forest track ascending gradually for a couple of hours. A short section on a forest trail brings us to the main trail at Potana. Half an hour further on we come to Australia Camp, a collection of lodges with magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhare, Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu Himal. We can stop here for a tea break before descending the ridge to Dhampus. Once at the lodge you will be served hot lunch after which you can take a short walk into Dhampus village. The sunset and sunrise from the lodge garden are not to be missed. We can see all the way from Annapurna South, Huinchuli, Machhapuchhare, Annapurnas 4 and 2, and the Lamjung and Manaslu Himals.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Basanta Lodge, 5,003ft/1,525m)
After breakfast, we depart along the ridge and descend on a stone staircase through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. The trek time is 90 minutes to two hours. We then transfer by vehicle to the hotel in Pokhara (one hour). The afternoon is free to explore Pokhara. You may want to visit the interesting Mountain Museum, take a boat ride on Phewa Lake or hire a bike for a cycle along the lakeshore. Or you may simply want to relax by the hotel pool or wander along the lakeside browsing in the shops. Your leader will brief you on the various options available.
Premium accommodation: Atithi Resort & Spa
We drive from Pokhara to Barahi Jungle Lodge in Chitwan, which will take about 4-5 hours. On a clear day, we look to the left as we leave Pokhara for magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna range. The road takes us back to Mugling, from where we turn south to the lowlands of Nepal and our jungle lodge in Chitwan. We should arrive by lunchtime, after which we’ll meet our naturalist guide who will go over the activities. In the late afternoon, we take boat trip on the river looking out for crocodiles and birds to sunset point. After the sun has gone down, we drive back to the lodge. Before dinner there will be a traditional cultural dance programme.
Our naturalist from the lodge will accompany us on all the excursions.
Premium accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge
Activities may be offered in a different order but usually, the programme today will include a village and bird watching walk and a jeep safari. We will do one activity in the morning and one in the afternoon. The naturalists are very knowledgeable and can spot the many birds for you. We will also visit a traditional Tharu house.
The jeep safari will take us into the National Park where as well as great bird life there is a chance to spot several species of deer, wild boar, the one horned rhino and hopefully, the rare Bengal Tiger. Before dinner there will be a different cultural programme at the lodge. Dinner is served inside or outside by the pool depending on the time of year.
Premium accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge
For those who wish, there is a bird-watching walk early this morning.
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart Chitwan and head on the road for Kathmandu. The drive is approximately five hours and we should arrive in Kathmandu early afternoon with the rest of the day at leisure.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti
The trip comes to an end after breakfast.
If you are flying out today, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. However, if you’d like a little more time to explore Kathmandu, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Ascents, descents and distances: All ascents, descents and distances listed in the daily itinerary have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders, in many cases with satellite-based mapping software. However, different GPS measuring devices can give differing results, particularly on winding paths or in mountainous terrain. Measurements stated throughout these Trips Notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated will vary depending on the pace of your group.
Unwind at the end of each day in our expertly curated, handpicked accommodations on this Premium Adventure. Each property has been chosen for its excellent location, its comfort and style, and its unique characteristics.
Kathmandu: Hotel Yak & Yeti
Pokhara: Atithi Resort & Spa
Annapurna trekking: Mountain Lodges of Nepal luxury lodges
Chitwan: Barahi Jungle Lodge
The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of a similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice. In Kathmandu, the Yak & Yeti occasionally host large wedding parties which can be disruptive to other guests staying at the hotel. For convenience and to ensure our guests are not disturbed late into the night, we will relocate groups to the five star Hyatt Regency Hotel which is in close proximity to the popular Boudhha Stupa temple and other local shops and restaurants.
Extra accommodation
If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your sales representative.
Single accommodation
If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan (subject to availability). While in the Mountain Lodges, single rooms are very limited and cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a Mountain Lodge, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.
Single supplement from £ 1000
All breakfasts, eight lunches and eight dinners are included.
The five Mountain Lodges of Nepal (MLN) and Barahi Jungle Lodge in Chitwan are on a full-board basis. Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara is on a bed and breakfast basis. Please allow approximately 4,000 – 5,400 rupees (US$30-US$40) per day for meals not included in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises curried lentil dhal and meat or vegetables, rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos; a Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed, filled with meat or vegetables.
Meals in the lodges range from traditional Nepalese food to Chinese and Western dishes. The food served is of good quality and is usually buffet style. You will be provided with safe drinking water whilst on trek and in Chitwan.
A private air-conditioned minibus with seat belts is used for the main road journeys and private hired jeeps will be used in the National Park at Chitwan.
An internal flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is included in the tour. All internal flights in Nepal are subject to weather conditions; if the flight is cancelled due to fog or bad weather, for example, travelling by road will be unavoidable.
This point-to-point trekking holiday requires customers to walk between each overnight stay under their own steam. Other forms of transport may be available along the route (horses, jeeps etc) but Exodus is not able to take responsibility for the safety or cost of any transport that customers choose to take even if provided with the assistance of our leader or staff.
Nepal Flight Safety
Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.
Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:
In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we will remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident that the airline meets acceptable safety standards.
We appreciate that you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you please consider all the information above when deciding to book this holiday.
When to go
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time, and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15C to 30C (59F to 86F).
Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.
Mid-September to November: This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Daytime temperatures will be up to approximately 25C (77F). Skies are usually clear, although more so in the morning and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping to about 5C (41F).
December to end of February: Despite the cooler conditions, this is an ideal time to trek in Nepal. For this particular trip December is the best month to go to this area as the skies are usually very clear, the days are sunny, and the mountain views are at their best. Early mornings and evenings are cold with temperatures down about 5C but once the sun is out days are pleasant and sunny with temperatures up to 22ºC. The trails are much less busy at the time of year. Chitwan will be cold in the early mornings and evenings but pleasantly warm in the daytime.
March to May: Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons and there can be rain. It is very hot in Chitwan and temperatures rise to 30C (86F) and above in Chitwan and in Kathmandu. On trek the days will be hot (up to 25C/77F). Nights will be a bit cooler. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek at this time. The Annapurna region is famous for its rhododendrons at this time.
Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable; you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above. Waterproof jacket and backpack cover are recommended when travelling at any time of the year.
Start hotel: Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Phone: +977 1-4248999
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Kathmandu
Location end: Kathmandu
Many Nepalis dress traditionally. Therefore, we recommend avoiding tight, revealing clothing. T-shirts are preferable to sleeveless tops, while long knee-length shorts are acceptable. Trousers or a long skirt are preferable for women.
For the trekking part of this trip, you will have use of a Trek Pack provided by the luxury lodges. This will include a backpack, trekking pole, rain poncho and use of a trek duffle bag. A map, sun hat and cotton scarf which you can keep are also included. These will be brought to the trek briefing in Pokhara. Down jackets, warm hats and gloves and sandals are provided in each trek lodge bedroom.
You do not need a sleeping bag, sleeping mat or towel for this trip.
There is a left luggage store (free of charge) in the Kathmandu hotel. You can also leave luggage in Pokhara while on trek. Your leader will brief you in Kathmandu as to what is needed for each activity and where luggage can be left during the various activities on this trip. Many people find it easiest to pack the Exodus kitbag inside a wheelie case which can be left in Kathmandu or Pokhara with anything not needed for the trek, while the kitbag will be carried by your porter on trek.
When packing, please consider the quantities/volume of the items you bring, it’s recommended to decant larger toiletries into small reusable bottles to limit weight and volume, for example. Each porter carries two kitbags, therefore, please respectfully limit your kitbag to 22lb (10kg) maximum per person. Your Leader will weigh each bag before departing Pokhara and may ask those overweight to remove non-essential items and leave in Pokhara.
In addition to your normal daily clothes, you will need:
Donations for porters, children and the elderly
If while packing, you find a spare bit of space in your bag then you may be interested in donating to one of Exodus’ projects. Exodus supports a Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu, as well as children in local schools in Kathmandu and various villages, and an old people’s home in Kyanjin Gompa in the upper part of the Langtang Valley. If you have any old walking gear this can be donated to porters, and similarly any warm clothing or blankets would be appreciated by the old people’s home – please leave these items with your leader or at the Exodus desk at the Royal Singi Hotel (a short walk from the Yak & Yeti Hotel). Books, stationery, games, warm clothes/underwear etc suitable for children aged five to 18 years should be taken to the Ambassador Garden Home in Thamel and given to Prakash Lammichanne, you can either contact them directly on: +977 1 4700724 or speak to your Leader to arrange delivery of the items.
Exodus kitbag: If you book this trip, we provide a free Exodus kitbag to pack your luggage in while on trek. Once you have booked, you will be sent instructions on how to claim your bag (they are not sent automatically). Please note, if you book less than three weeks before the departure date, we cannot guarantee your kitbag will arrive before your trip starts. If this is the case, please contact us on customerops@exodus.co.uk (or customeroperations@exodustravels.com if you’re based in the US or Canada). See www.exodus.co.uk/kitbags for full T&Cs.
Leeches can be found in the lower regions of the Annapurna’s, particularly after rainfall. Your Leader will advise how best to avoid or deal with leeches. Long socks tucked into trousers are a good prevention however, not always 100% effective.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months when you submit your application for a visa. You should also ensure your passport is up to date, valid for the entire length of your stay and that you have completed the emergency contact details page inside your passport.
You can obtain your visa in advance or on arrival. The Immigration Department of Nepal has suspended visas on arrival for certain nationalities – please check if this applies to you with your nearest embassy or consulate.
Visa in advance
Apply for this through your local consulate or embassy. Further details on this option can be found here:
When applying for your visa in advance, the Nepalese government has an online application system (see links above for more info), but it is currently only accepting payments through Nepalese payment channels. Once the online form is completed, the applicant is required to print out the form and either send it, together with the passport, to the embassy, or attend in person.
Visa on arrival
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. However, recommended vaccinations include polio, tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A.
The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. The risk is highest in the low lying southern ‘terai’ districts bordering India.
A yellow fever certificate is only required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of transmission.
Dengue fever is a known risk in Nepal. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available; therefore, the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. There was a dengue outbreak in September 2022 with a number of cases recorded in Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley. We therefore recommend you take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites such as wearing full length trousers, long sleeves and applying insect repellent during the day as well as at dawn and dusk.
Altitude is not a factor of consideration on this trip as all activities take place below 6,560ft (2,000m).
Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.
Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.
Nepal's time zone: Asia/Kathmandu (UTC +05:45)
Plug types C (two round pins, European standard), D (three round pins) and M (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz Mains electric ‘load shedding’ (planned temporary power cuts) occur regularly throughout towns and cities in Nepal.
Nepal's currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR) It is illegal to import or export rupees, but foreign currency is not limited, provided it is declared on arrival. Keep your change receipts, as you will need them if you want to change rupees back into hard currency at Kathmandu airport.
There are ATMs in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other major towns.
Please do not rely wholly on ATMs as many are broken or run out of money. Often there are ATM lounges (a small room with numerous different ATMs). Some banks have a withdrawal limit equivalent to about US$120 per time but there is usually a transaction fee, if you need to withdraw more money than this you should look for another ATM with a higher limit (others have a maximum withdrawal limit equivalent to about US$360 per time).
Credit cards are accepted in many of the larger shops and restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Your trek and stay in Chitwan are both on a full-board basis, so you will only need a small amount of cash for incidentals. There are local lodges/teahouses along the trekking route where it is possible to buy things such as beer, cold drinks and snacks. If you buy these, you should expect to spend a bit more each day.
Optional excursions
Several optional tours and activities are available from Kathmandu.
Prices for a half-day sightseeing tour start from approximately 4,600 Nepalese rupees (US$35) per person, based on a group of six and above. For all trips, return transport and a qualified sightseeing guide are included. The price does not include lunch or entry fees. Please inquire with your leader in Kathmandu, who can provide further information.
An optional Everest sightseeing flight is available on your free day (weather permitting) from around 27,750 rupees (US$210) per person – subject to change. Anyone taking an internal sightseeing flight in Nepal should pay attention to the statement ‘Flying in Nepal’.
On this Premium Adventure, tipping for any local support staff is included, and will normally be taken care of by your tour leader (or in some cases through our local agent). So no need for any tipping kitty contributions, or to make your own tips during the trip.
Our ‘included tips’ will normally cover drivers, local specialist guides, certain hotel staff, and serving staff for included meals. Amounts will be in line with the local standard. Of course, if you wish to make a further tip for some extra special service you may do so.
Tips for the Tour Leader are not included. Whether to tip at all and the amount is entirely at your own discretion, but as a starting point, we suggest around 35,000-40,000 Nepalese rupees (US$265-US$300) in total from the group as a whole. Tipping of the leader is usually done on the last night in Kathmandu – we suggest passing an envelope for each staff member around the group so that everyone can put in what they feel comfortable with anonymously.
We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Places
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Cultural respect:
Optional activities and excursions
If you would like to join an optional activity or excursion outside those listed in the itinerary, your leader may be able to assist with selecting a provider. However, Exodus has not assessed the safety standards of activities or excursions that are not listed in the Trip Notes. All optional activities or excursions are undertaken at your own risk.
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.