Kathmandu Valley and the Annapurna Balconies
In summary
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Sports
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Duration15 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationHimalaya / Annapurnas
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions4405.23 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
Nepali
In a few words
Explore the contrasts of Nepal through an immersive experience blending cultural fervor and contemplative hiking. This journey begins with a westward crossing, stopping at Bandipur , a Newar village with preserved facades, a veritable balcony overlooking the Himalayas.
The heart of the adventure beats on an accessible trek starting from Kande. The trail winds between verdant terraced fields and dense rhododendron forests , offering constant views of the iconic Annapurna peaks and the slender silhouette of Machhapuchhare . Along the way, the hospitality of the Gurung villages immerses you in authentic mountain life.
The second part of the journey is dedicated to the treasures of the Kathmandu Valley , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the medieval atmosphere of Bhaktapur to the sacred rituals of Pashupatinath , a major center of Shaivism, each stop is a history lesson. You will also discover the serenity of more secluded sites such as Sankhu and Changu Narayan , for a comprehensive and balanced introduction to this Himalayan kingdom. An ideal itinerary for a first taste of Nepalese peaks and spirituality.
The highlights
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A comprehensive overview of Nepal
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The historical sites of the Kathmandu Valley
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The authentic villages of the Annapurnas
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 575 m
- Average daily descent: 263 m
Management
Program
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Flight to Kathmandu
- Transportation Plane - 13h - 7240km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
International flight with a stopover in Kathmandu.Day 1 -
Arrival in Kathmandu
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. We will have our first briefing with our guide. Lunch will be provided, followed by a free afternoon to explore the Nepalese capital. We will then meet again for a welcome dinner. Please note: This initial welcome dinner may be replaced by a farewell dinner on our last day in Kathmandu.Day 2 -
Kathmandu - Bandipur
- Transportation Minibus - 05h - 300km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We leave the Kathmandu Valley and head towards Bandipur. The Thankot Pass (1400m) offers us our first glimpse of the high peaks of the Himalayas: Ganesh Himal (7400m), Langtang (7200m), Manaslu (8163m)... We arrive in Bandipur in the early afternoon. We stroll through this typical Newar village. On a clear day, we have a panoramic view of the Himalayan range.Day 3 -
Hike from Bandipur to Chirkine - Pokhara - Kande - Pothana
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 750 m
- Accommodation Lodge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We begin the day with an easy walk between Bandipur and Chirkine, during which we pass through Ramkot, a splendid village of the Magar ethnic group. We then set off for Kande (1770 m), where we begin our trek with an easy hike to Pothana (1900 m). Our first glimpse of the region's most beautiful peaks: Machapuchare (6993 m), Annapurna III (7555 m), Annapurna II (7937 m), and Annapurna IV (7525 m).Day 4 -
Pothana - Landruk (1565 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 450 m
- Accommodation Lodge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Beautiful climb up to the Deurali pass (2100 m) then descent to the village of Landruk with superb views of Annapurna South (7219 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m).Day 5 -
Landruk – Ghandruk (1900 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation Lodge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From Landruk, we descend the eastern slope of the valley to reach the Modi Khola river, which we cross via a suspension bridge. The trail then ascends the opposite slope via a series of steps, until we reach Ghandruk. This is the most well-known village in the region. The stone houses, built in a typical Gurung style, make this village the prettiest in the valley, enhanced by the presence of the high Himalayan peaks in the background. We take advantage of the end of the day to stroll through the village and its surroundings, and admire the sunset over Machapuchare. Nearby is the "Matterhorn of Nepal," an iconic peak of the Annapurna massif.Day 6 -
Ghandruk - Tadapani (2590 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Accommodation Lodge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we set off at a leisurely pace towards Tadapani. We climb gradually, gaining altitude to ascend the Bhaisi Kharka ridge. We then continue along the hillside to Tadapani, a small village perched on its ridge, surrounded by a forest of giant rhododendrons.Day 7 -
Tadapani - Ghorepani (2850 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Lodge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We resume our journey along the path that winds through the rhododendron forest and plunges into a gorge. After a somewhat steep climb, we reach Ban Thanti and continue up the gorge to reach "Deurali," the "pass" in Nepali, at an altitude of 3090 meters. We then walk along a ridge offering superb views: we catch our first glimpse of the summit of Dhaulagiri I, its white mass standing out clearly from the rest of the massif. We descend the ridge and finally arrive at Ghorepani.Day 8 -
Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Mohare Danda (3300 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 150 m
- Accommodation Lodge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This is the most beautiful day of the trek! We woke up very early to admire the sunrise from Poon Hill, a famous viewpoint offering breathtaking views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiris. We then continued along the ridge to Mohare Danda, enjoying the magnificent views the whole way!Day 9 -
Mohare Danda - Ulleri - Pokhara
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 250km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 1250 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Our final morning unfolds before the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. After savoring the moment, we descend the mountain through a rhododendron forest to the village of Ulleri. This marks the end of our trek. We then travel to Pokhara, Nepal's mountain sports capital. The rest of the day is free in Pokhara. We can explore the Lakeside tourist district and the shores of Phewa Lake, not far from our hotel.Day 10 -
Flight to Kathmandu - Bhaktapur
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Transfer to Pokhara airport, then flight to Kathmandu, from where we depart for Bhaktapur, a magnificent pedestrian city located 15 km from Kathmandu, the most beautiful of the three imperial cities of the valley. Visit and overnight stay in Bhaktapur to enjoy it after the crowds have left.Day 11 -
Bhaktapur - Changu Narayan - Bodhanath
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, we'll stroll through the narrow streets of Bhaktapur before taking a local bus to Changunarayan, the oldest temple in the valley. We'll visit it before a short hike (1.5 hours) along the ridge overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. Then, we'll transfer to Bodhnath. In the afternoon, we'll visit the great stupa of Bodhnath, located in the heart of Kathmandu's Tibetan quarter, where many monasteries have been built. We'll spend the night in Bodhnath to enjoy this sacred site without the crowds of tourists.Day 12 -
Pashupatinath - City trek in Patan
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We visit Pashupatinath, a major Hindu site dating back to the 12th century, a cremation ground dedicated to Shiva where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred Bagmati River. In the afternoon, we stroll through Patan, one of the three ancient imperial cities of the valley, predominantly Buddhist, known for its statue-casting artisans. We venture beyond the main tourist sites to wander through the typical neighborhoods. If possible, we visit jewelry and statue makers. During our walk, we also discover the various Newar dishes, typical of the Kathmandu Valley.Day 13 -
Free time and return flight
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Free time for last-minute shopping... depending on flight schedules, airport transfer and return flight to France. *Check-out at 12:00 PM.Day 14 -
Return flight
- Transportation Plane - 13h - 7240km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrived in France during the day.Day 15
Note
Accommodation
Access
Price details
The price includes
- Round-trip flights Paris / Kathmandu
- Road transfers and the Pokhara-Kathmandu domestic flight
- Supervision by a local French-speaking guide throughout the stay
- The services of a local team during the trek
- Accommodation and full board, except for a few meals in Kathmandu
- Trekking permits
The price does not include
- Visa fees
- Meals indicated as "free" in the day-by-day
- Entrance fees to sites and museums (~ €35)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks and mineral water
- Some meals in the Kathmandu Valley: lunches on days 2 and 15 and dinners on days 13, 14 and 15 (~ €8 to €10 per meal)
- Hot showers are available during the trek in some lodges (approximately €2-4 per shower).
- Tips for local teams
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- First aid kit
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag (comfort temperature 0°C)
- Toiletries (preferably biodegradable products)
- Quick-drying towel
- Biodegradable cleaning wipes
- 1.5 litre water bottle or 2 equivalent (camel bag or rigid water bottles).
- Water filter or tablets for water treatment
- Sunglasses with a high protection rating
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Telescopic trekking poles (optional)
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer
- Books, card games... to keep busy at the end of the day
For those who wish to take advantage of their trip to Nepal to help local people, you can bring clothes, hiking equipment, or even school supplies with you.
Clothing to bring
Lightweight and comfortable travel clothing. Note that depending on the season, it can be hot during the day (30°C), and quite cool at night in the mountains (0-5°C).
Recommended equipment for the trek:
- Cap or hat
- Neck warmer or scarf to protect yourself from the sun
- Cap
- T-shirt or shirt made of synthetic material (quick-drying)
- Warm fleece jacket
- Waterproof and breathable windproof jacket with hood
- Compact down jacket for breaks or evenings
- Comfortable walking pants
- Hiking shorts (not allowed in monasteries)
- Walking socks
- A pair of lightweight gloves and a warm pair
- Sturdy and well-insulated mountain hiking boots
- Lightweight shoes for evenings and travel days
- Sandals (useful after days of walking)