1. Best Time to Book Your Nepal Adventure Tour
Nepal Adventure Tour is a great option for the whole year, but the months that offer the best reward are October to November and March to May. Autumn season provides a great opportunity to have clear skies and the most amazing mountain views from Poon Hill, whereas the spring will give you a colorful rhododendron forest along the Ghorepani trail. Winter time (December to February) is also wonderful, the paths are less frequented, the air is fresh and the snow-covered surroundings create a fairy-tale world, especially near Ghorepani 2, 850m. If you want to avoid the crowd and get a good price, you should go for the off-peak months of January, February, or the beginning of December.
2. Physical Fitness and Trek Difficulty
The level of this tour is easy to moderate, so it is good for first-timers and casual travelers as well. The most physically challenging part is Day 3 when the steep stone staircase from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri is climbed. After Day 3, the trails are still fairly comfortable with changes in elevation that are mainly gradual and the paths are along forests. There is no need for prior trekking experience, but if you do a little bit of walking or light exercise on the regular basis, then your trek will be much more enjoyable. The maximum altitude on this trip is Poon Hill at 3, 210 meters, which means that local people do not have to take any rest day for acclimatization; hence, it is suitable for most healthy adults.
3. Permits and Documentation You'll Need
You will require two permits to finish the Poon Hill trek section of this trip: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System). Both can be purchased in Kathmandu or Pokhara and are a part of your package when you travel with Escape Himalaya. Regarding Chitwan National Park, there is a separate national park entry fee which is also included in your tour. It is a good idea to have your passport and copies of your permits with you when you go on the trail as checkpoint officers may ask to see them several times along the way.
4. What to Expect at Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is also one of the best wildlife reserves in Asia. During your jungle safari adventure here, you are likely to see the One-Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, elephants, gharial crocodiles, and many different types of birds. The Day 9 jeep safari journeys into the core jungle area which is less accessible and thus has more frequent animal encounters. The canoe trip on the Rapti River is a nice change of pace, moving quietly through the foggy water while birds and crocodiles are resting close to the shore. Remember to wear light-colored clothes as animals could be scared away by loud colors.
5. Accommodation and Meals Along the Route
During your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara, you shall be accommodated in comfortable 3-star hotels with facilities including en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, and WiFi. While trekking (Days 3, 6), you will mainly stay at neat and friendly teahouse guesthouses in villages like Ulleri, Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Ghandruk. Most teahouses provide twin-sharing rooms, western-style toilets, and hot showers (occasionally solar-heated). The food during the trekking will be wholesome and made on the spot, sustenance like dal bhat, noodle soups, pasta, and pancakes are some of the diet staples that keep you powered up for hiking daily. In Chitwan, the jungle lodge accommodation brings a cozy and authentic aspect to the wildlife experience.
6. Connectivity, Currency, and Money Tips
The official currency used in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). You will find ATMs in abundance in Kathmandu and Pokhara while very few once you reach the trekking trail or Chitwan. We highly recommend that you carry sufficient local cash when you start Day 3. Credit cards can be used at some of the hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but they are generally not accepted in the teahouses. The mobile network signal (Ncell and NTC) along the Poon Hill trail is quite good but it might be very weak in the secluded areas of Chitwan. Most teahouses have WiFi for a small fee. You can easily exchange your USD and EUR for Nepalese Rupees at authorized money changers in Thamel, Kathmandu, stay away from the street exchangers who are not authorized.
7. Travel Insurance, Altitude, and Safety Tips
For a trip like this, having a travel insurance that covers your emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation, loss of personal belongings is strongly advised. Although the maximum altitude of 3, 210m on this itinerary is generally risk-free and wouldn't cause acute mountain sickness to the majority of travelers, you might experience mild signs like headache or tiredness at Ghorepani, keep drinking lots of water and let your guide know if you feel sick. It is very important to drink only treated or bottled water for the entire duration of the trek. Escape Himalaya's trained local guides in first aid, know thoroughly every trail, and are well aware of all the emergency procedures that your safety will be guaranteed from the time you meet them until the time you depart.
8. Make Your Nepal Adventure Tour Even More Memorable
The Nepal Adventure Tour is days in and it already packs an amazing lot but if you are eager to inject more thrill into your days, then dazzles with add-on activities that you can seamlessly mix with your journey.
Adrenaline junkies can literally jump off faith by bungee jumping at Pokhara where a suspension bridge over a mesmerizing, deep gorge offers a breath-taking drop surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. If you are a water buff, just a few hours away from Kathmandu lies a roaring Trishuli River offering Class III-IV white-water rafting rapids which you can enjoy along with riverside camping under a blanket of stars.
Those who want to take it easy can enjoy paragliding in Pokhara, which will give you an experience of flying silently over Phewa Lake and the Annapurna ranges just like a bird. On the other hand, a leisurely cycling tour around Pokhara combines fresh mountain air with authentic local village life. On your way to Pokhara, a short detour to the lovely hilltop Newari town of Bandipur will reward you with cobblestone streets, mountain views, and a cultural vibe that is rarely featured in tourist brochures.
Moreover, if you have a greater desire for hiking, the Dhampus and Australian Camp trail is an invigorating half-day trek through terraced fields and villages allowing you up-close views of the Annapurna without the need for trekking experience. Naturally, the Chitwan jungle safari, which is already in your itinerary, can be extended or upgraded to include deeper forest jeep excursions, canoe rides, and an immersive evening with the local Tharu community.
Escape Himalaya team is ready to make your trip personalized with these activities and take care of your itinerary, simply let us know what you like most when you book.
