Nepal Family Adventure

This tour has been specifically designed for families that want to bring their children to Nepal for an exciting tour that combines some adventurous activities with a few visits to exotic temples and cultural sites. We include Hindhu & Buddhist temples in Kathmandu, an Annapurna camping trek, some easy white water rafting and wildlife viewing in Chitwan National Park. Group sizes are kept small, with carefully selected guides who will do much more than just explain the history and surroundings to you.

We start the tour in Kathmandu, a city heavily influenced by religion throughout the ages, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, but still buzzing with activity. There are plenty of medieval style alleyways and narrow streets to browse round with small Hindu Temples hiding behind shacks and traffic signals. Although a capital city, Kathmandu retains a relaxed feel to it, none more so than in the tourist district of Thamel with its many restaurants and shops.

From Kathmandu, we fly along the edge of the Himalayas to the lakeside town of Pokhara which is the base before a 3 night trek in the foothills of the Himalayas. Visible from the town are some of the worlds highest mountains such as Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and the smaller yet distinctive Machhapuchhare (Fishtail Mountain). We spend one night in Pokhara before starting a 4 day camping trek through the Annapura foothills. The days are spent walking through lush rhododendron forests surrounded by incredible mountains while at night you relax around a campfire. On the last full day of the trek, you will have the chance to climb to the top of Panchase Hill for great views over the Annapurnas and on to Mustang and Tibet.

Once back in Pokhara and sufficiently rested, we then take a cycling tour of the local area, visiting legendary sites such as Devi Falls and the Shiva cave. There is also the opportunity to hire rowing boats to take out on the local lake & Phewa Tal. The next morning we wave goodbye to the Annapurna region and make the short journey to the traditional Nepalese trading town of Bandipur. Complete with several temples and ancient buildings, the town became a very important stop along the India & Tibet trade route. Here we visit the local school and include a Nepali/English language lesson for the children in the group with a local class (term times only). After sunrise over the mountains, we then head to your put in point on the Trisuli River for some rafting. The day is spent learning about rafting from your knowledgeable guides as we cruise downstream, enjoying some white water rapids alongside some of Nepal's beautiful countryside. The Trisuli River is relatively calm but there is still enough action to get everyone onboard excited as your guide explains the important aspect of group navigation.

Note: For those people who would like to miss out the rafting, we do offer several alternate itineraries on this days such as local walks or visits to nearby towns such as Gorkha.

In the evening you will all meet up to travel together to the National Park in Chitwan. Lying right on the border with India, Chitwan is situated in the flatter Terai region and thus temperatures increase dramatically as the flora and fauna becomes more tropical. Your lodge is situated on the outskirts of the Park, close to the Elephant breeding centre which is visited over the course of your stay. We spend 2 nights in your lodge and during that time include jungle walks, elephant safaris and canoe trips into the Park. The whole family will also be given the chance to help bathe the Elephants that you ride into the Park, after a long day of searching for wildlife such as Rhino's, Tigers, Sloth Bears and various types of Crocodiles.

The tour ends with a drive back to Kathmandu, following winding roads overlooking rivers and mountains back up to the Kathmandu Valley. Once back in Kathmandu, your last day is free to arrange any optional trips or simply spend the day shopping for unique Nepali gifts to take home. There is plenty of time to browse the markets and still include an optional trip to Patan and Bhaktapur, or even indulge in a once in a lifetime Everest mountain flight. To bid farewell to all newly made friends, on your last night in Kathmandu we give you the chance to enjoy a full traditional Nepali meal in one of the many fine restaurants found in Kathmandu.

We run regular small-group departures on this tour during the school holidays and can also run the tour privately for families on any other dates.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1
Namaste!
After arriving into Kathmandu, our reps meet you at the airport and then transfer you to the Shanker hotel for the start of your tour. In the evening, your rep will give you a brief introduction to the local area of Thamel.

Day 2
After being introduced to your guide, the tour starts this morning with a half-day City tour, taking in the ancient Durbar Square where you can see a living Goddess before heading to the impressive Swayanbunath Temple for great views over the City and the Kathmandu Valley. Lunch today is included at Rum Doodles.

Day 3
After breakfast, we head back into the city to visit the important Buddhist and Hindu religious sites at Boudhnath and Pasupatinath. We make a brief stop for lunch before transferring you to the airport for your short flight to the lakeside town of Pokhara. Upon arrival we transfer you to the Barahi hotel and the rest of the day is free.

Day 4
Today marks the beginning of the 3 day camping trek in the Annapurna region of the beautiful Himalayas. After being introduced to the porters and cooks, a bus take us to Dam Head from where we start trekking on to Bhumdi (1500m), which is where we make camp for the first night.

Day 5
After a campfire breakfast, the trek today continues on to Panchase Bhanjyang through lush rhododendron forests to the traditional settlement of Bhanjyang which offers great views back down to Pokhara and the Phewa Tal Lake. Camp is made near to Panchase Bhanjyang.

Day 6
This morning gives you the opportunity to make the climb up to Panchase Hill (2500m) for an even better view of the nearby peaks of the Annapurna's including Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Manaslu (8156m). After lunch, the trail then starts to head down to Bhaduri where we spend the last night camping.

Day 7
The camping trek ends with an easy walk down to Naudanda where your vehicle will be waiting to take you back to the town of Pokhara. The afternoon is free to wander the town or to rest any tired legs!

Day 8
The tour starts today with a short cycling trip to the local tourist attractions of the legendary Devi Falls and the important local religious site at the Shiva Caves. The afternoon is free to enjoy Pokhara and there is the chance to take a rowing boat out on to the lake or browse the local stores.

Day 9
This morning we bid farewell to Pokhara as we start the drive to the town of Bandipur. An ancient trading town, Bandipur has stone-paved streets, temples and an interesting old bazaar which we pass on the way to your hotel. In the afternoon, we arrange a visit to a local Nepalese school, including a relaxed English/Nepali language class.

Day 10
After enjoying sunrise over the Himalayas, we leave Bandipur to reach the put-in point on the Trisuli River, where you have the chance to experience some white-water rafting on a moderate grade. We include all equipment and instruction is given while in the water. Note & we do offer alternatives for those travellers wishing to miss this out. In the afternoon, we make the drive to Chitwan National Park in the southern Terai region.

Day 11
After an early breakfast, your activities in the Park begin with jungle walk or jeep safari, followed by an Elephant back safari in the afternoon. Over the next two days you will have the chance to explore the jungles and look for all kinds of animals including Rhinos, Sloth bears, Crocodiles and the elusive Tiger. In the evening, we talk a short walk to one of the nearby Tharu villages for a close-up look on local life here.

Day 12
This morning starts with a canoe trip on the gentle Rapti River & try and spot the many different birds or two breeds of crocodiles that live in and around the river. We then include a visit to the local and important Elephant breeding centre where you have the opportunity to learn more about these incredible creatures. In the afternoon we make the trip back to Kathmandu by private vehicle.

Day 13
Today is left as a free day to explore Kathmandu on your own, stock up on souvenirs or try any of our extra tour options such as the Everest Mountain flight, or a trip to Patan & Bhatkatpur. In the evening, we will help arrange a farewell dinner for the whole group at one of Kathmandu's local or international restaurants.

Day 14
Home time! With fond goodbyes and hopefully some great memories of your trip, we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

1. Hotels in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bandipur
We use comfortable tourist class hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. These are usually the Shanker Hotel, formally a royal palace in
Kathmandu (4-star), and the Bhaduri Hotel in Pokhara (3-star). Both of these have gardens and a pool. The hotel in Bandipur is normally the Bandipur Mountain Lodge (2- star), which has comfortable rooms with great mountain views. In general, breakfasts only are provided in the hotels. Kathmandu and Pokhara have a wealth of restaurants serving excellent food from all over the world, so you will never be short of ideas or places to eat within a short walk of the hotel. Subject to availability during busy seasons, alternate hotels of a similar standard may be used. Upgrades to Superior level hotels are available on request on private departures - see the Options section above or contact for details and prices.

2. Camping Trek
For the camping trek on this tour, we provide 2 person tents, camping mats and sleeping bags. The trekking crew will dig basic
latrines for you to use. All meals are included on the trek and prepared by your cook & porters, and consist of camp cooked breakfasts and dinners, and picnic style lunches. Meals are simple but tasty, and as walking is hungry work, they are also substantial. All meals are hygienically prepared and cooked by you and your guides.

3. safari lodges in Chitwan national park
At Chitwan National Park, we use safari lodges with comfortable clean rooms and en-suite bathrooms, usually the Chitwan Jungle
Lodge. All meals are included in the lodge restaurant (breakfast, lunch & dinner), covering a good range of options, both local and western.