Gurung Trail

Kathmandu - Pokhara - Ker & Downey Lodge Trek

Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Private

Price From

£2,100 pp

Overview: Gurung Trail

Experience the natural beauty and traditional culture of Nepal on this 12-day private tour, combining a gentle lodge-to-lodge trek through the Annapurna foothills with time in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Stay in comfortable Ker & Downey lodges, visit welcoming Gurung villages, enjoy panoramic Himalayan views, and discover Nepal’s rich heritage through guided sightseeing and authentic local experiences.

Tour Highlights:

Enjoy a scenic lodge-to-lodge trek through the Annapurna foothills, staying in Ker & Downey’s comfortable mountain lodges
Walk through traditional Gurung villages, visit a local museum, school, and communities, and gain insight into everyday life in rural Nepal
Take in spectacular views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and the wider Annapurna Range from carefully selected viewpoints
Explore Pokhara’s highlights, including Bindyabasini Temple, Devi’s Fall, the World Peace Pagoda, and a boat ride on Phewa Lake
Watch the sunrise over the Himalayas from Sarangkot before returning to Kathmandu
Discover Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Patan, and Bhaktapur

From peaceful mountain trails and traditional villages to vibrant cities and sacred temples, this private Nepal tour offers a rewarding blend of Himalayan scenery, cultural discovery, and comfortable trekking.

Day 1 London Heathrow to Kathmandu

Travel from London Heathrow airport for scheduled flight to Kathmandu.

(We can also arrange flights from other UK airports without any additional cost; upgrade to premium economy class or business class available on request).

Day 2 Kathmandu Arrival

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, meeting & assistance at the airport by our representative and transfer to hotel. Rest of day at leisure to acclimatise.

Day 3 Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara - trek to Sanctuary Lodge

Transfer to airport for flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to Ker & Downey’s Office for short trek briefing.

After short briefing, we transfer by road with guide & porter(s) to our trek start point {1-hour}. Our walk will follow a ridge-line in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Ker & Downey’s Sanctuary Lodge is located at 3470 ft / 1060 meters. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known. Lunch is at the lodge followed by an optional walk to the village of Birethanti. Or you may choose to spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding river valley (Trek time 3-4 hours)

Overnight at Ker & Downey’s Sanctuary Lodge.

Day 4 Sanctuary Lodge trek Gurung Lodge

Following a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Sanctuary lodge & trek to Ker & Downey’s Gurung Lodge at 1450 meters. The lodge is built along the lines of a traditional Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountains. Trek time to the Lodge is just 2 hours. After lunch at the lodge, you will be escorted to the local village of Tanchok. There will be a talk at a local house, now made into a museum. The contents of the house illustrate how the local people live, together with the tools and implements of day to day traditional village life.

Overnight at Ker & Downey’s Gurung Lodge.

Day 5 Gurung Lodge

After breakfast at the lodge, we will walk through the surrounding forests for 1 1/2 hours to a viewpoint only known by our company. This has the name of Gurung Hill. From here, there are magnificent views Annapurna South and the surrounding mountains. Tea and biscuits will be served from this viewpoint. We will then return to the lodge via a different route. Lunch will be at the lodge. This will be followed by a short walk to the local school where the headmaster will talk about the local education system. Should there be more than 6 guests, the school children will visit the lodge and perform a number of local dances and songs typical of the region. Guests may wish to leave pens or make a small donation to the school. Either would be much appreciated and will be used by the school for education purposes.

Day 6 Gurung Lodge trek Basanta Lodge

This morning we start out trekking through the unspoilt village of Patlekhet. Our walk takes us through sub-tropical forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell their souvenirs. After about 3 hours, we arrive at the Basanta Lodge. From the lodge, there are sweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range. The altitude of Dhampus is 5000 ft / 1525 meters. After lunch at the lodge there will be an optional walk to the old village of Dhampus.

Overnight at Ker & Downey’s Basanta Lodge.

Day 7 Basanta Lodge/trek end point & transfer to Pokhara

After an early breakfast, we depart along the ridge & descend through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. Trek time 1 ½ hours. We then transfer by vehicle to Pokhara (30 minutes). Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to hotel.

Day 8 Pokhara

Full day excursion of Bindebasini Temple, Seti gorge, Devi’s Fall, Tibetan Village, World Peace Stupa+one hour boat ride on Phewa Lake.

Bindyabasini Temple – it is located on the top of a small hill at the north end of the old bazaar. This is believed as one of the oldest temples in the valley, and is most famous in Pokhara.

Seti gorge – it is mysterious wonder of Pokhara, originated from the Machhapuchare glacier. Seti (which means white in Nepali) river runs through the main city area in about 40 meters depth. The river provides a perfect view of its dreadful rush before it disappears at Bagar into a deep gorge. The gorge is visible from the bridges in the city.

Devi’s Fall – the water flowing from Phewa Lake shows a wonderful fall. We find hollow sandy part and a heavy fall of water within its natural trench. It looks really amazing scene of rainbow with sunlight when a volume of water falls in the deep rocky gorge and produces the water vapour especially in summer.

Tibetan Village – since 1959, a group of Tibetan refugees have been living in Nepal. One such is Tashiling Tibetan Refugee Settlement at Chhorepatan, which is located near two popular sightseeing sites i.e., Devi’s Fall and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. m x 4 km, is the center of all attractions in Pokhara, the enchanting lake is an heavenly playground.

World Peace Pagoda – it is a massive Buddhist stupa located on a hill top (Rani Ban) just behind Phewa Lake. This stupa is symbol of peace where the huge idols of Lord Buddha from Japan, Srilanka and Thailand have been installed. From here one can enjoys the breathtaking views of Himalayan Ranges, lakes and the city.

Day 9 Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu

Early morning : Sunrise tour of Sarangkot (subject to weather).

Breakfast at Hotel.

Rest of the morning at leisure.

Transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel.

Sarangkot – The view of the Annapurna Himalaya from Sarangkot is almost a religious experience. From here, you can see a panoramic sweep of Himalayan peaks, from Dhaulagiri (8167m) in the west to the perfect pyramid of Machhapuchhare (6997m) and the rounded peak of Annapurna II (7937m) in the east. At dawn and dusk, the sun picks out the peaks in brilliant colours.

Day 10 Kathmandu

Full day excursion of Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath and Patan City.

Kathmandu City – known as Kantipur, the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Here you will visit the temple of the Living Goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple residence. The Durbar Square are with it’s array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty.

Swayambhunath – located approximately 4 km/2.5 miles, Buddhist stupa this is said to be 2000 years old. The stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples.

Patan City – 5 km/3 miles away from Kathmandu City. Patan also known as Lalitpur, is the city of fine arts, enclosed within 4 stupas said to be built in 3rd century AD, by Emperor Ashoka. You will see the Durbar square, the Patan Durbar which houses a bronze collection, the Krishna Temple built by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla.

Day 11 Kathmandu

Full day excursion of Pashupatinath, Boudhnath and Patan City.

Pashupatinath – situated 5 km east of Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated, amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, the temple built in pagoda style has gilted roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of River Bagmati, entrance in the temple being strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus. Pashupatinath is the centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

Bodhnath – this stupa, eight kilometres east of Kathmandu City is one of the biggest in the world of its kind. It stand with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch for righteous behaviour and human prosperity. This Buddhist stupa was built by King Man Deva at the advice of Goddess Mani Jogini. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is ringed by houses of Lamas or Buddhist priests.

Bhadgaon – also known as Bhaktapur meaning the city of devotees, this place is the home of medieval art and architecture. Lying 14 km/9 miles east of the Kathmandu City, this place was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell. The city is at the height of 4600 ft. above sea level. In Bhadgaon you will visit the Durbar Square with it’s array of temples overlooked by the Palace of 55 windows built by King Bhupatindra Malla. The Nyatapola Temple also built by King Bhupatindra Malla, is the best example of Pagoda style and stands of five terraces on each of which stands a pair of figures two famous strong men, two elephants, two lions, two famous strong men, two elephants, two lions, two griffins and two goddesses.

Day 12 Kathmandu to London

Free time until transfer to airport for departure flight to UK. Arrival is usually same day.