HIDDEN ANNAPURNAS - KHOPRA RIDGE TREK

Transcription

1 HOLIDAY CODE KRT A new trekking holiday in Nepal on quiet trails and with some of the best Annapurna views A spectacular trek on Khopra Ridge in the foothills of the Annapurnas Experience many of the colourful landscapes that make Nepal so special Stunning ridge-walking on the Mohare Danda Two of the best Himalayan viewpoints at Muldai and Poon Hill FREE Sleeping bag and down jacket hire is available for this holiday Nepal, Trek & Walk, 12 Days 1 night hotel, 8 nights lodge, 2 nights hotel with swimming pool, 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners, max group size: 14, 9 days trekking, max altitude metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction Close to Pokhara and to sections of the well-known Annapurna Sanctuary and Annapurna Circuit trekking routes, this is in fact a brand new itinerary. Taking advantage of a number of newly built community lodges, it penetrates some very exciting ridge and valley landscape on the south-western edge of the mighty Annapurna Massif. Generally at quite moderate elevations and not involving long days of trekking, this is a perfect trek either for a first visit to Nepal or for a different perspective on the country for repeat visitors. We start out in the Modi Khola, hiking up to Ghandruk and Tadapani, before heading out into the unknown; trekking through rhododendron forest and across open, grassy ridges used by local shepherds and their livestock. The focus of this first part of the trek is Khopra Ridge and its extension towards the sacred Khayer Lake, a site of pilgrimage for Hindus during the summer months. The highest of the lodges we use is at the isolated hamlet of Khopra (3640m), an eagle's nest perched on a ridge and offering views of Annapurna I (8091m), Dhaulagiri (8167m) and a host of other snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Our route then takes us to Ghorepani and its famous viewpoint at Poon Hill, beyond which we enjoy 2 superb final days of walking along the scenic ridge of the Mohare Danda. This holiday shows off Nepal and its range of colourful landscapes really well. It has a mix of popular and well-known locations (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Ghorepani) as well as more than a week of trekking on trails that are as yet little visited. Is this holiday for you? This short and not-too-challenging walking holiday in Nepal takes place at relatively modest elevation and on paths that are mostly well-maintained and in good condition. After a short first stage to the lodge at Ghandruk, there are 8 days which will each involve around 5 hours of walking, with between 400 and 900 metres of accumulated ascent. You will encounter sections of stone steps and, especially in forested areas, there may be slippery underfoot conditions. For most of the trek you will be at or a little above 3000 metres elevation and this will have an effect on your physical performance. Regular hillwalkers should find this trek to be well within their capabilities. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Airport transfers provided. Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing beside the hotel pool. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL MEALS D Day 2: Fly to Pokhara, drive to Kimche and trek to Ghandruk (1940m). After breakfast in the hotel we take a bus to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 30 minute flight to Pokhara. It is a most interesting flight, with the peaks of the Greater Himalaya clearly visible through the righthand window as we travel westwards. Particularly prominent are Manaslu and the Annapurna group as we approach the airport at Pokhara. Getting off the plane into the heat of Pokhara is impressive, as is the sight of the snow peaks of the Annapurna Himal which form the skyline to the north. At the airport we meet our transport and

3 PAGE 3 set off on the 45 kilometre drive to the start of our trek. Heading westwards from Pokhara, we reach the Modi Khola River at Nayapul and turn up this valley on a deteriorating road which takes us through Birethanti and up to Kimche (1640m). This drive will take around 3 hours. Arriving at Kimche, we meet our porters and crew and set off on a short first stage of trekking. The trail meanders across the valley side to Chane and here the panorama opens out with great views of the Annapurnas and of the sacred peak Machapuchhre (6997m). We overnight at the village of Ghandruk (1940m). LODGE ASCENT 400M DESCENT 50M TIME 2 HRS Day 3: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani (2630m). Ghandruk is one of the biggest Gurung villages in the area and each family is proud to have at least one family member who has served in the Gurkha Regiment of the British Army. We will take the time to explore the village, which has a number of temples and museums, before setting off on the day's walk to Tadapani (a name that means 'far from water' in the Nepali language). Our route takes us up towards the ridge of the Komrong Danda and along a scenic trail through the villages of Melanche and Chuile with, once again, great mountain views towards the north. We pass through impressive rhododendron forest in places and reach Tadapani in the middle of the afternoon. Situated on the crest of the ridge, this pretty settlement commands great views of the Modi Khola Valley and of the peaks of Annapurna 3 and Gangapurna. LODGE ASCENT 810M DESCENT 80M TIME 4-5 HRS Day 4: Trek from Tadapani to Dobato (Isharu) (3420m). After breakfast at our lodge we set out on the main trail heading westwards towards Ghorepani. After little more than a kilometre, however, at the place known as Liui Kharka (2680m), we take a right turn onto a trail used rarely by anyone other than local people. The path climbs through rhododendron forest and by way of a number of clearings used by people from Tadapani to graze their livestock. During the spring when the rhododenrons are in bloom this part of the trek is particularly colourful. Rising above the trees, the Annapurna sky-line is simply magnificent. We reach our simple community lodge at Dobato (Isharu) (3460m) in the early afternoon. LODGE ASCENT 900M DESCENT 110M TIME 5 HRS Day 5: Hike up to the viewpoint at Muldai (3640m) and continue to Chistibung (3020m). We will have a pre-breakfast start this morning for the hike up to the viewpoint at Muldai (3640m), aiming to get up there to witness the spectacular sunrise over Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machapuchhre. This is an even better viewpoint than Poon Hill (which we will see in a few days) and the likelihood is that we will have the place to ourselves. Returning to the lodge at Dobato after a couple of hours, we will have breakfast and then set off on the day's walk to Chistibung. This is a great section of trekking along a grassy ridge with a number of herders' huts and (probably) grazing dzos which are a cross between a cow and a yak. Then, crossing a low col,

4 PAGE 4 we descend through rhododendron forest to a river (2600m) before re-ascending, again amongst rhododendrons, to Chistibung (3020m). LODGE ASCENT 600M DESCENT 1000M TIME 5-6 HRS Day 6: Trek up onto Khopra Ridge (3640m) and excursion towards Khayar Lake (4025m). Once again, we trek up amongst rhododendrons, passing a sacred pool and continuing on a trail that meanders between boulders to a promontary with a superb view across to Dhaulagiri. Shortly thereafter we reach the lodge on Khopra Ridge (3640m) which commands another fantastic panorama; both of giant Himalayan peaks and down into the depths of the Kali Gandaki Valley. After lunch at the lodge, there is the option in the afternoon to make the return hike up towards the pilgrimage site of Khayer Lake (4025m). This is an airy walk on a ridge line that rises above Kopra towards the east and our objective is to reach a fine viewpoint at around 4000 metres. We return to spend the night at the community lodge on Khopra Ridge. LODGE ASCENT 1200M DESCENT 600M TIME 6 HRS Day 7: Trek down to the village of Swanta (2200m). Setting out today, we follow a path which descends steeply through an area known for its wildlife. Keep a look out for Himalayan tahr, a hairy species of goat, and for the very colourful monal pheasant, Nepal's national bird. Reaching the rhododendron forest close to the lodge at Chistibung, we cross a wooden bridge and continue our descent on a well-marked trail to the terraced rice fields and pretty house of Swanta (2200m). The thriving primary school here is in part supported by the local community lodges that we have been using during the last few days. LODGE ASCENT 370M DESCENT 1790M TIME 6-7 HRS Day 8: Trek from Swanta to Ghorepani (2860m). Today's trek is a journey amongst the rice fields. We descend at first to a small river where there is a water powered flour mill serving the needs of several nearby settlements. From here, we cross a suspension bridge to Chitre, where we join the main Annapurna Circuit trail leading up to Ghorepani (2860m). There are great views looking back to Dhaulagiri and its satellite peaks as we ascend steadily to our comfortable overnight lodge. Ghorepani occupies a notch in a ridge overlooking the Kali Gandaki Valley and has a colourful collection of lodges and shops. LODGE ASCENT 800M DESCENT 140M TIME 4-5 HRS Day 9: Poon Hill and ridge-walk to Mohare Danda (3300m).

5 PAGE 5 Another exceptional day of walking, again with an early start, as we ascend to the classic viewpoint of Poon Hill (3200m) which rises up immediately to the west of Ghorepani. Walking initially by the light of our head torches, we aim to reach the top of Poon Hill before the sun rises. Whilst most people will return to Ghorepani after watching the dawn on Poon Hill, we will take our breakfast at the viewpoint, before heading off along the crest of the Mohare Danda, heading south and gradually leaving behind the forest of rhododendron and oak. Passing an impressive farm, home to yaks and sheep, we keep to the ridge-line and (because of our early start) arrive at our overnight accommodation on the ridge shortly after midday. The community lodge on the Mohare Danda (3300m) is yet another amazing viewpoint. Mardi Himal, Lamjung Himal, Machapuchhare, Hiunchuli, the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak are just the most prominent of the peaks we can see. We can also catch a distant glimpse of Phewa Tal, the lake at Pokhara. LODGE ASCENT 600M DESCENT 160M TIME 4-5 HRS Day 10: Walk out to Nangi (2260m) and transfer to Pokhara. This is another great place from which to watch the sun rise. Then, after breakfast, we continue our walk, southwards along an impressive ridge, open at first and then forested with a number of clearings. We make an easy ascent to a high point on the ridge at the Hampal Pass (3000m), where we have a great view which drops steeply down into the Kali Gandaki Valley between Baglung et Beni. From here, it's a long and steady descent on a well-marked path to Nangi (2260m) where we meet our transport for the 5 to 6 hour transfer back to Pokhara. We overnight at a hotel in Pokhara. HOTEL ASCENT 240M DESCENT 1200M TIME 4 HRS Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu. Afternoon free by the pool or to do some sightseeing. We take the morning flight to Kathmandu. Take it easy by the hotel pool in the afternoon or do some independent sightseeing. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines. This evening we will have a dinner in one of Kathmandu's excellent restaurants. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 12: Departure day. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre-book a day's sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details. MEALS B

6 PAGE 6 Extend Your Holiday Extensions When booking your holiday, you will be able to 'add an extension option'. Once we have received your booking we will contact you to discuss additional services required for the extension and to take any additional deposit. Chitwan Jungle Extension The jungles of southern Nepal are an interesting counterpoint to trekking in the foothills or the high Himalaya. Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge provides a relaxing and comfortable base for a wildlife safari and cultural village experience. During two days of wildlife viewing in the Chitwan National Park 'buffer zone' - the interface area between visitors and the animals that live at Chitwan you will be accompanied by expert guides on safaris by jeep by boat and on foot. Chitwan Jungle Extension 3 days From 1015 per person Tiger Mountain Resort Pokhara Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge sets the standard for comfortable and luxurious mountain lodge accommodation with its relaxed atmosphere, tranquil setting, eco-tourism and conservation ethos. Located on a spectacular hilltop ridge, it has panoramic views of Fishtail Mountain and Himalayan giants, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. It has won several prestigious awards including the PATA Heritage and Culture Gold Award and the Conde Nast Traveler magazine Ecotourism Award. Tiger Mountain Resort Pokhara 3 days From 0 per person

7 PAGE 7 Lhasa Sightseeing Tour This short sightseeing extension to the magical city of Lhasa, the former home of the Dalai Lama is the perfect introduction to Tibet. After a sensational flight across the Himalaya you will be met on arrival at Lhasa airport and transferred to your comfortable hotel for a 3 night stay in the city. With an English-speaking local guide you will visit, the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Sera and Deprung monasteries, before returning to the airport to catch the flight back to Kathmandu. Lhasa Sightseeing Tour 4 days From 2035 per person Holiday Information What's Included A professional and qualified Nepalese tour leader Kathmandu Airport transfers Internal flights and all land transport involved in the itinerary All accommodation as described All meals Once on trek the group will be assisted by porters and a local guide FREE Sleeping bag and down jacket hire is available for this holiday on request What's Not Included Travel Insurance Nepalese Visa Tips for porters and other trek staff Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc. Joining Arrangements & Transfers Airport transfers are provided for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary. You will be met on arrival at Kathmandu Airport by a KE representative and taken to your hotel. If you are arriving earlier or departing later we can provide private transfers at an additional cost. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

8 PAGE 8 Meal Plan All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 12. While staying in Kathmandu and in Pokhara meals will be taken in the hotel or at a local restaurant. On trek the group will take their evening meals at the lodges. Normally this will be a set meal for the whole group. Boiled or purified water is available at all the lodges we stay at. Bottled water is also available to purchase (at additional cost) but we do not recommend this on grounds of environmental care. Food & Water Typical meals provided in the lodges will include some Nepali dishes but also international cuisine from pizza and chips to apple pie. To ensure that the group can eat together, we order meals in advance and your trip leader will arrange a set menu for the group, which will alternate daily between local and international dishes. Breakfast will usually be porridge, eggs, bread and a hot drink, lunch will be a simple meal with a hot drink, and dinner will be 3 courses consisting of soup, main meal and a simple pudding. Boiled drinking water will be provided at breakfast, lunch and dinner. In Kathmandu and in Pokhara we take our meals in the hotel and also in the excellent local restaurants which offer dishes from all around the world. It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered or provided in large jerry cans or 5 litre bottles. Additionally you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Accommodation Whilst in Kathmandu the group will stay in 5-star luxury at the Shangri-La Hotel or similar. Located in the heart of the city, this excellent hotel offers a range of first-class facilities including a pleasant tree-shaded garden area complete with swimming pool. Staying here, you can be assured of a restful start and finish to your time in Nepal. The group will also spend 1 night in Pokhara at a centrally-located tourist-class hotel. Whilst on trek there are 8 nights spent in simple lodges. Nepalese trekking lodges are simple, friendly and atmospheric. As they are far from the nearest road is it not surprising that they are simple establishments as everything must be carried up by porters or animals. Whilst some lodges have heated dining areas, bedrooms tend to be quite basic and are unheated with wooden beds and foam mattress. You will need a sleeping bag. The lodges have shared washing and toilet facilities. Some lodges have solar powered showers (charged at $2 - $3 per shower) and battery charging facilities (also charged at a rate per hour). Staying at the lodges is a great way to meet fellow hikers and the locals. Most accommodation is arranged on a twin sharing basis and if you are travelling by yourself you will room with another single traveller of the same sex. Please note that at some of the of the places we stay above Tadapani we may have to use multi-bedded rooms. Where this is the case, the group will be split amongst the available rooms and this could be unsegregated male/female. For the 3 hotel nights single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. Additional hotel nights in Kathmandu can also be pre-booked. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be led by a professional and qualified Nepalese tour leader, assisted by an experienced team including Sherpa guides and porters. Altitude This holiday involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very

9 PAGE 9 wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude. On this trip we carry a portable altitude chamber (PAC-bag) and/or bottled oxygen for use in emergencies. Spending Money Approximately 150 to 200 (or equivalent in US dollars, Euros etc.) changed into local currency, should be sufficient for miscellaneous personal expenses including porter and trek crew tips, beer and soft drinks. It is not necessary to obtain local currency (Nepali rupees) prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Nepal. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash, since you will exchange the majority of this on the day of your arrival in Kathmandu. If you prefer not to carry all of your spending money in cash, it is possible to withdraw money (rupees only) from ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara using your debit or credit card. During the trek it is possible to buy snacks, chocolate, tea, coffeee, soft drinks and beer on most days. Please be aware that since everything has to be carried up, these items become more expensive as you gain altitude. Guidance On Tipping Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you for good service. Normally the porters and any other trek staff are given their tips at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Your Nepali tour leader will advise the group on an appropriate level of tipping. Most groups will hand out the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the holiday. As a guide, we recommend that each group member contributes around 50 (in rupees) to these tips. At the end of their trek many people also like to donate various items of equipment to the porters and trek staff who work so hard to make the trip a success. Boots, gloves, hats, scarves and even socks are always warmly received by the porters. Your tour leader will make arrangements for a fair distribution (possibly by raffle) amongst the trek crew. Please note that you will have the opportunity to tip your tour leader separately during dinner on the final evening of the holiday. Beat The Jet Lag Our holidays are normally designed with minimal 'down time' at the start of the trip, but having a day or two at the beginning will have the additional benefit of allowing you time to get over the stress of a long journey or travelling across time zones, leaving you refreshed and ready for your holiday. We can easily arrange for you to have additional nights and airport transfers. Free KE Gift We would like to give you a free gift as a way to say thank you when you book your holiday. Choose from exclusive KE branded t-shirts, caps, neckwarmers, trek bags* and more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your MyKE account after booking. You will need to select your free gift at least 6 weeks before you depart and all items will be posted out at 5 weeks prior to departure. For all late bookings, we will endeavour to send your FREE gift to you before you travel, however this cannot always be guaranteed. Please visit our Free KE Gifts page for more details of all our KE Branded goodies on offer. * A trek bag is one of the free gift options available for this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance

10 PAGE 10 For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage (which should be a soft bag such as the KE Trek Bag) and a daypack. Your bag on trek will be carried by porters or pack animals and should not weigh more than 15kg. It is possible to leave items not required on trek at the hotel in Kathmandu. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Recommended Outdoor Retailers Many of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 15% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers. >> Find out more General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Nepal All nationalities require a visa and this can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu Airport.The visa process is automated and this includes having your photograph taken. The visa fee is $25 for 15 days, $40 for 30 days, $100 for 90 days. The visa is FREE for children under 10 years. The visa allows multiple re-entry. Payment must be made in cash and USD, GBP or Euros are accepted. Whilst these are not now needed for the visa process, we recommend that you travel with at least 2 spare passport photographs. Transit Via India If you are travelling via India (Delhi or Calcutta) to your destination you may also require a visa for India. This may apply even if you are not leaving the airport unless your baggage has been checked all the way through to your destination. Generally, if you use the same carrier for both legs of your journey, you will not need an India Visa. Please download the detailed information document: Visa PDF India. TREKKING PERMITS WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU? For treks in the Everest region EBL, EVL, EVP, EHW, EHP, ELL - we need your passport details and we need you to take with you to Nepal 2 passport photographs. You will hand these over to your local leader on Day 1.

11 PAGE 11 For treks in the Annapurna region ASL, ACL, UAT, ANL, KRT and for the Gosainkund and Langtang Trek - GLT we need your passport details and we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of a passportstyle photograph of yourself. Please send this to us once your holiday is guaranteed. For treks which combine the Everest and Annapurna regions AEL we need your passport details and we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself. Please send this to us once your holiday is guaranteed. We also ask that you to take with you to Nepal 2 passport photographs. You will hand these over to your local leader on Day 1. For these Conservation Area treks and other treks requiring Special Permits KAN, DLG, NAP, NTM we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself and a scan of the information pages of your passport. Please send these to us once your holiday is guaranteed. On arrival in Kathmandu you may still be required to provide your passport (with your visa) for presentation at the Nepal Tourism Board. If this does happen, your passport will be returned to you by your tour leader at dinner. For those trips requiring Climbing Permits MER, IPC, CTL, SBP - we need to send to Nepal ahead of your departure, a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself and a scan of the information pages of your passport. Please send these to us once your holiday is guaranteed. On arrival in Kathmandu you may still be required to provide your passport (with your visa) for presentation at the Nepal Tourism Board. If this does happen, your passport will be returned to you by your tour leader at dinner. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the mountains, however if you are visiting rural and remote low lying areas then they might be necessary. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Regular hiking in hill country is the best training but jogging, cycling and swimming are also good for developing cardio vascular fitness and stamina. Note that you will encounter a lot of steps on the trail while ascending the Modi Khola valley and you might wish to tailor your exercise to take this into account. Whatever your preparation you should make time to spend at least a few days prior to your trip making long walks in hilly country. It is also a good idea to do some reading about the country and the culture of the local people before you embark on an adventure holiday.

12 PAGE 12 Climate October to November and March to May are the best times for trekking in Nepal. These months either side of the summer monsoon season are neither too hot in the foothills nor too cold in the higher elevations and they offer the best conditions for trekking. Pre-monsoon is the best time to see the colourful blooms of the rhododendron at lower elevations. The post-monsoon months usually offer the clearest skies and the most settled weather. At either of these periods you will encounter a wide range of daytime temperatures during your trip from approximately 25ºC in Kathmandu and a little higher in Pokhara to approximately 14ºC at 3000 metres, and approximately 7ºC up on Khopra Ridge. The real feel temperature in the middle of the day will be much warmer than this but at night in the rarefied air the temperatures plummet and you can expect to experience overnight temperatures below freezing anywhere above 3000 metres. At our highest overnight stopping places, the night time temperature might fall to 5ºC or, exceptionally, below this. Extended periods of rain or snow are very unlikely outside of the monsoon period but short lived storms can and do occur. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Single Use Plastic KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use. We have pledged to AITO s Project Protect that 70% of our agents stop using single use plastic bottles. Books Lonely Planet Guide to Nepal. Lonely Planet Rough Guide to Nepal. Rough Guides Trekking and Climbing in Nepal. Steve Razzetti Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya. Stan Armington Kathmandu and the Kingdom of Nepal. Prakash Raj Portraits of People: Nepal Himalayas. Eric Valli Annapurna. Maurice Herzog

13 PAGE 13 Maps Around Annapurna 1:100,000. Nepa Maps The Annapurna region highlighted on a map at 1:100,000 from Nepa Maps, with alternative variants via the Tilicho Lakes or Naar, treks to the Machhapuchhre and South Annapurna Base Camps (Annapurna Sanctuary) climbing routes to the Chulu Peaks, Pisang Peak and Singu Chuli (Fluted Peak), etc. Coverage extends from Pohkara to Muktinath and Kagbeni in the north, and in the north east includes the route to Phugaon and the trek/climb to Himlung. Contours are at 80m intervals. Available through Ghorepani Ghandruk and Pool Hill 1: Pocket Map This is one of a number of maps which cover the area of this trek at a slightly larger scale. Available in Kathmandu. Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London to Kathmandu. Outbound flights will usually depart from the UK in the evening, arriving mid afternoon the following day (day 1 of the itinerary). Return flights will depart Kathmandu usually in the morning of the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK later the same day. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are available on request. To avoid paying more for your flight, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times as there are only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. We are also able to quote for premium, business and first class seats. Please be aware that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Remember if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Kathmandu. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Kathmandu Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to the 'Joining arrangements & transfers' for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is shown on the KE website as 'Guaranteed', or 'Limited Space'. Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Operating since 1984, KE Adventure Travel has some of the most experienced staff in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Everyone has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience.

14 PAGE 14 KE can guarantee the very best in trip support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and other accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. Group Tour Leaders All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, mule-herders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. Sustainable Tourism Since we ran our first trip in 1984, we have been committed keeping the world's most beautiful places pristine by minimising our environmental impact. Recognising the fragility of the world's wilderness environments, we keep our groups small and operate according to a Mountain Code, which is provided to all groups, trek leaders, agents and staff. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment of the places we visit and take every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. Our philosophy of 'leaving nothing but footprints' has been integral to KE's approach right from the start over 30 years ago. In recognition of our efforts we are proud to have achieved the highest award of 5 Stars for Sustainable Tourism by AITO. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KE's Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Booking Your Holiday The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition

15 PAGE 15 Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

16 PAGE 16 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 kgs. You Should Bring The Following Items: Hiking boots Trekking trousers Waterproof overtrousers Baselayer shirts Casual shirt and/or T-shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Waterproof jacket Warm jacket (down)* Sunhat Warm hat Sunglasses Gloves or mittens Daypack 30 litres Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 Litre x 2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic) Water purification tablets Sleeping bag (comfort rated -10 C)* Washbag and toiletries Toilet paper (you can also buy this in the lodges if necessary) Antibacterial handwash Small towel Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry) Small padlock (to lock trek bag) Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets. The Following Items Are Optional: Trekking poles (recommended) Trainers or similar for use in lodges Shorts Baselayer leggings Sleeping bag liner Pillowcase Travel clothes Camera Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

17 PAGE 17 Notes: *FREE sleeping bag and down jacket hire is included in your KE holiday booking on request. Please make all requests at least 4 weeks prior to the trip departure date. Please note all hire / rental equipment is issued in Kathmandu. Please remember to allow room in your trek bag for these items. The Nepalese are still traditional and conservative in the way they dress. Therefore to avoid embarrassment on both sides we recommend that you respect this and do not wear revealing clothing or sleeveless tops while visiting Nepal. Shorts are acceptable, but they should reach to just above the knee and be modest and for women it is preferable to wear trousers or a long skirt. PHD Gear Advisor PHD specialise in cold weather equipment, from the world's lightest right up to the most protective for Everest or the Poles. It's a large range. So, to help you choose what you need to keep warm, PHD have listed the gear that is appropriate for this holiday. Click here: Please note: This document was downloaded on 21 Nov 2018, and the trip is subject to change.