Wildlife of Nepal

Arrive Kathmandu.

For the next days we walk villages, carefully cultivated terraces and forest of conifiers, rodendendron and bamboo. The Annapurna and Machhapuchhare, the sacred ‘Fishtail’ mountain are our companions. Early this morning we fly to Pokhara.And from here we continue by road to our trek start point at Naya Pul. Our day will follows the river to Tikhedunga. During the walk we will be following the Burungdi khola and we should spot some of Nepal’s fine river birds including white capped river chats.

We ascend all day to Ghorepani. We start by crossing the Burungdi river Khola and then steeply climb up stone steps past wonderful terraced hillsides to the village of Ulleri. The trail continues climbing and now enters a beautiful forest. This lofty rhododendron forest is one of the high points of the trek, as it is full of birds. We hope to see Rosefinches, Laughing Thrush, Woodpecker, Babbles and Warblers. We may also see common Langur monkey and very rare Red Panda or Muntjac.. Approx. 5-6 hours walking.

This morning there is a an optional ascent of Phoonhill (about an hour walk above Ghorepani ) to see the spectacular sunrise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himals. Best seen at dawn, it’s well worth the effort to the climb. After breakfast we head east, following a forested ridge to cross a pass at 3’193m. The trail the descends through dense forest of fir, spruce, oak and rhododendron home to many birds and few a mammals. Passing through Banthanti at 2602m, we climb back to 27,45m, where we reach another small pass at Tadapani. From here we have a superb view of Annapurna South and the peak of Machhapuchare. Approx 5 hours walking.

An easier walk today through wonderful uninhabited forest with great mountain views. Look out for monkeys and high forest birds including Tragopan, Juniper Finch and Rosefinches. We emerge from the forest just above Ghandrung, the largest Gurung village in the area. This area is mostly populated by subsistence there are still older traditional houses with their neat slate roofs. In the afternoon your leader will take you on village walk and in the evening we can relax in the teahouses and watch the sunset on Annapurna south.

This morning we descend on a stone staircase towards the Modi Khola. Passing through Shyauli Bazar we come to the pretty village of Birethanthi, where we have lunch overlooking the river. Another short walk brings us to Naya Pul, where we will meet the road and drive back to Pokhara. There will be time this afternoon to explore this pretty lakeside resort.

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Chitwan and (approx 4/5hrs drive). After lunch at the lodge there will be a walk and ox cart ride through Tharu villages. Dinner will be at the lodge. There will be a Tharu dance programme either this evening or tomorrow.
Overnight at the Chitwan Lodge on full board.

Early wake up call with tea and biscuits and an early morning elephant safari. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Today there will be a full day of activities including bird watching walk, dugout canoe ride for crocodile spotting. If it is available there will be elephant bathing.

Overnight at the Chitwan Lodge on full board.
Wake up with tea and biscuits. Early morning bike ride through local villages/bird watching. Return to the lodge for breakfast.

Day in Chitwan

From Chitwan we have a long drive east long the east- west highway to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, with lots of bird life to look out for on the way. Koshi Tappu is in the Sapta Koshi River plan in ther far eastern part of Nepal, close to the Indian border. The reserve covers 175 kilometers to the north of the Indian border.

The heart of the reserve lies 14 kilometers north of the barrage, where there is forest, grassland and lagoons. This area is the last refuge of the wild water buffalo in Nepal. Other mammals we may sport include Leopard, Jungle cat, Spotted Deer. We have 2 whole days to explore the reserve.

Explore the reserve.

We drive to Biratnagar and fly back to Kathmandu. On a clear day we may be able of spot the snow capped Himalaya to the north. We spend our last evening in Kathmandu.

Depart Kathamandu