KTM, Koshi, Chitwan and Ghorepani 17 Days - Private Tour

Arrive KTM. Meet at the airport and transfer to your Hotel.

Full day Bird Watching Tour in Pulchowki hill.

Fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar then drive an hour and half to Koshi and afternoon birding walk around in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and along Koshi River. Over night at KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE CAMP or Similar.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife reserve lies on the alluvial flood plain of Sapta Koshi River in southeastern lowland. Almost all eastern and western embankments of the river define the area.

The reserve was officially gazetted in 1976 giving it a status of the wildlife reserve having an area of 175sq.km. The river Sapta Koshi (largest river of Nepal) flows through the reserve that is one of the three main tributes of Ganges.

The mighty river Koshi calm in winter swells up largely in monsoon brining severe flood problems and often changes its course. The depth of the river fluctuates largely from season to season.

Riverine forest dominate the vegetation of the reserve. Sal forest and grassland are also found to the west of the Koshi River. This diverse habitat of different vegetation type and wetland and scrub side makes the faunal wealth of this place incomparable to other protected area system of Nepal of which birds dominate the scenery.

Arna of wild Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), and Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetic) are the main attraction of this reserve. The lesser mammalian species include varieties of deer, cats, otters, bats, boar etc.
Around 460 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve area that mostly includes waterfowls, birds of prey, waders and other forest birds as well.

Globally threatened “Swamp Francolin” (Francolinus gularis) becomes a familiar bird frequently coming on every day list here.
Koshi barrage although not inside but close and south of the reserve has created a vast expanse of water – making this place by far the most important staging point for migrating birds and an all – the – year – round playground for residents.

Lesser known reptiles, amphibians, fishes and arthropods are worth exploring here.
Besides this wealth of flora and fauna, natural scenery for sunrise adds more life to a nature – lover while being at Koshi. On a clear day a glimpse of Makalu (8463 meters) the world’s fifth mountain, enhances the beauty of the area in an inexplicable way.

Gentle rafting on the wide Sapta Koshi river in between the woods with guides. View water birds, water buffaloes, dolphins and more wildlife. End boat trip by the bank of the river and have picnic lunch. Short drive to the Koshi Barrage to view bird life and fresh water dolphins. Late afternoon return to the camp.

Drive from Koshi to Royal Chitwan National Park. (8-9 hours), this morning we will embark on the day-long drives, westwards, although long, it is a very scenic drive that will take us through the terai, with numerous small Nepalese communities and across several ranges of forest and rivers giving a unique insight into the Nepalese way of life.
Chitwan National Park, stands today as a successful testimony of nature conservation in South Asia. This is the first national park of Nepal established in 1973 to preserve a unique ecosystem significantly valuable to the whole world. The park covering a pristine area of 932 sq. km is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of southern central part of Nepal. The park has gained much wider recognition in the world when UNESCO included this area on the list of World Heritage Site in 1984.
Formerly, the Chitwan valley was well known for big game and was exclusively managed as a hunting reserve for the Rana Prime Ministers and their guests until 1950. In 1963, the area south of Rapti was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. In 1970, His late Majesty King Mahendra had approved in principle the creation of Royal Chitwan National Park.
The park consists of churia hills, ox-bow lakes, flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers. The Churia hill rises gradually towards the east from 150 m to over 800 m. The lower but most rugged Someshwor hills occupy most of the western portion of the park. The flood plains of Chitwan are rich alluvial. The park boundaries have been delineated by the Narayani and Rapti rivers in the north and west, and the Reu River and Someshwor hills in the south and south-west. It shares its eastern border with Parsa Wildlife Reserve.
Arrive Chitwan and transfer to Jungle Lodge; Poised between the forests is complete with a twin or double bed and an en suite bathroom with piping hot water.

From the Lodge you can explore the surrounding jungle and grasslands on elephant-back, dug-out canoe, on foot or by jeep, in the safe hands of our expert guides, some of whom have over 30 years of experience.

Nepali and Western cuisine is served at the Jungle Lodge and the fully-stocked bar stays open until the last person goes to bed.
In order to maintain the jungle atmosphere and balance with wildlife, the Jungle Lodge provides Kerosene lanterns will be placed at your door during the night and Candles in the rooms.

Drive to Pokhara (4-5 hours). This day’s driving will be different from Koshi to Chitwan as you will be driving through hills and along the rivers and charming villages with snow capped mountains to the north. Prokhara is beautiful lakeside town and you will be boating on the Phewa Lake for an hour in the afternoon, over night at Hotel Kantipur or Similar.

After post breakfast drive from Pokhara to Dhampus Phedi (about 45 minute drive) through the Tibetan refugee camp, the village of Brahmins & Chhetries. The drive ends at Dhampus phedi from where the trek begins. You will have lunch in Dhampus village 1750 m. Lunch is usually long & relaxing affair through out your trip, which gives you ample amount of time to write dairy, washing, exploring around the area or simply stretch your legs and enjoy the atmosphere. Right after the lunch you continue your trek to the ridge for another couple of hours to another Gurung Village of Pothana Deurali (2130m). This is your first overnight spot with dramatic view of Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Annapurna south (7219m.), Hinchuli (6441m.), Machhapuchre (6993m.), Annapurna III (7555m.) & IV (7525m.) so takes time to enjoy the magnificence.

As you wake up in the morning and have some nice pictures of the beautiful mountains, you see The Fishtail Mt. is right in front of you. The wonderful spot for picture taking. After breakfast from Deurali you trek descending steadily through the forest of tropical trees, ferns, shrubs you come across some small villages and streams and then to Landruk village where you might have a lunch break. Along the way you pass by schools, people tending their stocks, working in the filed, presenting an opportunity to become acquainted with village life.
We go over the Modi Khola suspension bridge and then ascend above Modi valley along terraces, from here need to climb up all the way to Ghandruk. Ghandruk is a large and prosperous Gurung Village and is home to many of Gurkha Solders. Its also first regional headquarters for the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).

The trail from Ghandrung climbs through the dense rhododendron and oak forest all the way to Ghorepani. In 4 hours the good forest trail takes you to Tadapani on the ridge where most probably you will have lunch. The view from Tadapani is quite dramatic as you can see Annapurna (8091m.) and Machhapuchre (6993m.) at a close view. Another couple of hours walk from tadapani will take you to Banthanti for overnight.

After your breakfast you will head up to open ridge at 3200m. to Deurali in couple of hours. Here you get the magnificent views of the giant western peaks of the northwest and Kaligandaki valley, the deepest one in the world. From Deurali pass you descend to Ghorepani (2753m.) for overnight, where you will encounter more travelers.

From Ghorepani, You can enjoy the spectacular views of Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Nilgiri (7061m.), Fang (7062m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.) in the north and Annapurna I (8091m.) & Annapurna II (7937m.), in the northeast. If you go up to the Pun Hill, about 40 minutes from Ghorepani, the view of the Thak Khola valley is unique.

Today early morning you will be climbing (45Minute) to Poonhill for best pictures then back to Hotel for breakfast then descending for about 5hours to Hile, trail heads southeast through the dense evergreen forest and the terraces around the large Magar village of Ulleri at 2073m. For lunch. After lunch trail drops steeply to the river then easy walk for short time then another little village Hile comes where you have over night.

This is your last day of the trek and you will have an easy morning after breakfast then start trek down along the madi river and there are some an excellent spot for wash and swim, if you are willing to dare the cold water. After lunch at Birethanti you will need only another 45 minute walk to motorable road (Nayapul) 1050m. Here will finish trek and drive to Pokhara, Drive takes one and half an hour time, reach the Hotel and have proper shower and relax in the hotel and walk around in the lake city pokhara in the late evening if feasible.