Compare Nepal and Tibet Tour by Peregrine Treks and Tours vs Annapurna Trails & Chitwan - Premium Adventure by Exodus Travels

Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

We will be picked up by Peregrine Treks and Tours’ representative at Tribhuvan International airport and transferred to the hotel.  After a short rest at the hotel, we are free to explore the Thamel market and we can also buy necessary equipment for the Glimpse of Nepal and Tibet Tour. There will be a Dinner program where we can discuss our trip plan.

Altitude: 1400 meter

Settlement: Hotel

Meals: Not Included

Day 2: Exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Meals: Breakfast

Today we will wake up and have a great breakfast at the hotel. Then we will start our tour to several most historical and spiritual attractions of Kathmandu. Kathmandu city is recognized as the city of believers, living heritage, the centre of culture, and Nepal’s Cultural Gem. First, we will visit Pashupatinath Temple – the sacred Hindu temple, with living arts and architecture. Then Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Boudhanath (Buddhist shrine), which is one of the largest stupas in the world. Also, we will explore the medieval palaces of Kathmandu i.e Basantapur Durbar Square.   In the evening, we will return to our Hotel-Overnight at Kathmandu, Thamel.

Optional Activities:

Ayurvedic Massage (1 Hour): USD 60

Everest Scenic Flight: USD 198

Day 3: Scenic drive to Pokhara

Meals: Breakfast

Driving hours: 6-7 hours

Altitude: 1400 meter/4600 Feet

After having breakfast, we will have two choices to go Pokhara either from Flight or from Drive. By driving, it takes about 6 hours and by Flight for about 45 minutes. But we will prefer you to drive because while driving through the busy highways along with the bank of Trishuli River, we are sure you will enjoy this Drive. When we reach Pokhara, then we will take some rest at the hotel. In the afternoon we will visit Phewa Lake for enjoyable boating. If the weather supports us, we can see Annapurna, Himchuli, Dhaulagiri, fishtail, and many more Himalaya ranges from Pokhara-overnight at Pokhara.

Note: If you have a back problem or any health problem, you can take a flight upon additional USD 120 per person. From flight, you can see the Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Annapurna Himalayan Range.

Day 4: Sightseeing in Pokhara

Meals: Breakfast

After having the light breakfast in the hotel, we will move towards Sarangkot. We can see the beautiful views of the sunrise in the Annapurna range, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre (Mount Fishtail), Himchuli, and many others. We will spend about two years in Sarangkot. We will go to Gupteshwar Mahadev, International mountain museum, suspension bridge and more popular spots-Overnight at Pokhara.

Optional Activities:

Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour (1 Hour) – USD 350

Paragliding in Pokhara (30 Minute) – USD 90

Zip Flier – USD 65

Day 5: Back to Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

Driving hour: 6-7 hours

Altitude: 1400 meter

After having breakfast, we will drive or fly to Kathmandu. When we reach Kathmandu, we will complete our packing for the Tibet Tour. In the evening we can go to the Gardens of Dreams to wander or to take dinner. Overnight at Hotel

Day 6: Drive to Rasuwagadhi from Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

Driving hour: 6-7 hours

Altitude: 2700 meter

After having breakfast, we will take a drive from the hotel to Rasuwagadhi. Out repo will be full of the waterfall, forest, mountains, and gorges, which will make you feel so unique and enjoyable. Around after 6-7 hours of Drive, we will arrive at Rasuwagadhi- overnight at the local guest house.

Settlement: Guest House

Day 7: Drive to Tingri from Gyirong

Meals: Breakfast

Driving hour: 3-4 hours

Altitude: 4300 meter

Today we will wake up early, and this is our first morning in Tibet. After breakfast, we will meet our Tibetan tour guide and transfer to Old Tingri from Gyirong. On the way of old Tingri, we will enjoy the beautiful borderline and snow-capped mountain and lush evergreen forest. Add the way we will pass through Tongla Pass (5100 meters). We are sure that you will enjoy the Epic mountain beast of Himalayan ranges in the way. When we reach Tingri, you will find different landscapes, cultures, traditions, peoples, and their living sense-overnight at Tingri.

Settlement: Guest House

Day 8: Drive to Shigatse from Tingri via Everest Base Camp

Meals: Breakfast

Driving hour: 4-5 hours

Altitude: 4000 meter

Today is one of the essential days of our trip, after waking up early in the morning and having breakfast. We will drive to Shigatse, on the way we will pass through the famous Gawu La pass. Gawu La pass is a great destination where about the top 4 highest peaks alone, the magnificent Himalayas are within natural sight. As we drive early in the morning, we can enjoy the sunrise panoramic views of the Himalayas in a way which will make you feel so fresh. After driving for some hours, we will be in the Everest (In Tibetan language Chomolungma) Base Camp. After spending some time on base camp, we will explore the Rongbuk monastery (5154 meters), also known as the highest Buddhist monastery. Then we will drive towards the Shigatse-overnight at Shigatse.

Settlement: Guest House

Day 9: Drive to Lhasa from Shigatse via Gyantse

Meals: Breakfast

Driving hour: 5 hours

Altitude: 3,656 metre

After waking up early in the morning and having breakfast, we will visit the famous Tashilhunpo monastery. We can see the well preserved most giant statue of Jampa, which is also known as the future Buddha in the world. This monastery is a seat of Tibet, which is the second-largest incarnation, the Pachen Lama. If your trip is in summer, we can time we can visit Barley mill and view the landscape of the Barley field.

After spending the sum of the time at the monastery, we will have a short drive to Gyantse. On the way, we can visit and see the varieties of Landscape Mountains and historical sites like Palkhor Chode Monastery, Khumbu, and Gyantse Old Street, many official vistas of Gyantse fortress.

Then again, we will continue to our Drive, and after 4 hours of Drive, we will be in Lhasa. On the way, We will pass through the Manak Dama Lake, where we will hang the prayer flag at Simila Mountain pass, and also we will have a close view of Korola Glacier on the roadside. We will pass through the Gabbala Pass, from where we can view turquoise Yamdrok Lake and Snow-capped Mount Nyenchen Khangsar. Finally, after crossing the Brahmaputra River, we will reach Lhasa-overnight at Lhasa.

Settlement: Hotel

Day 10: Sightseeing over Lhasa

Meals: Breakfast

Driving hour: 5 hours

Altitude: 3,656 meter

We will wake up quickly in the morning, and after having breakfast, we will head to the Potala Palace. Potala Palace is the palace of the Dalai Lama, where he stayed in winter. Many Kings had already ruled there in the 7th century. The most important selection of Potala Palace is the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lama and the reflection cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. After having lunch, we will head towards the Jokhang temple found by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. In this palace, we can see Buddha and pilgrims’ statues, prostrating in front of the Jokhang temple. Near the temple, there is a Barkhor street, where we can do kora (a religious circle of a building is a mountain) with pilgrims and locals and explore the old market. Also, we can take Tibetan tea with a local tea house. At night we will have a welcome dinner at a special hotel-overnight at Lhasa.

Settlement: hotel

Day 11: Lhasa Tour

Meals: Breakfast

Driving hour: 5 hours

Altitude: 3,656 meter

After waking up early in the morning, we will have breakfast, and we will move to visit first place in Lhasa City. Drepung monastery was one of the best and the wealthiest Gelung Monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge. Here is a school of over 10000 monks and governed 7700 subsidiary monasteries. We can also explore the most significant monastery kitchen inside the Drepung monastery and enjoy the Buddhist Sculpture carving workshop. After studying this monastery will be visiting the Sera Monastery. This is also similar to the Drepung Monastery. The attractive point of Sera is the monk’s debate at around 3-5 p.m. We can see the scripture painting houses inside the monastery, three sand Mandalas, colourful rock paintings of Buddha. We will visit our hotel via Barkhor Bazaar, which is known as the largest and oldest in Tibet- overnight at Lhasa.

Settlement: hotel

Day 12: Fly from Lhasa

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Altitude: 1,400 meter

Today is our last day in Tibet; we will visit Tibet International Airport before 3 hours of our Flight. While flying over Tibet and Nepal, we can see the change of landscapes and the beautiful scenario of Himalayan ranges. Are represented from the peregrine treks will be there to pick us up. He/she will drop us at our hotel. I will take some rest. At night there will be our farewell dinner, where we will talk about our successful journey and your experiences-Overnight at Kathmandu.

Settlement: hotel

Day 13: Final departure

Meals: Breakfast

This is the final day of the Glimpse of Nepal and Tibet. Around 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a representative from the Peregrine will leave you to the airport.

Day 1 Start Kathmandu

The tour starts at our hotel in Kathmandu this afternoon. Free arrival transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied your sales representative with your flight details in advance and have requested one. This evening there will be a trip briefing followed by a group welcome dinner, a great early introduction to get to know your Leader and fellow travellers. Premium accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti

Day 2 Kathmandu sightseeing tour including Durbar Square and Boudhanath Stupa

For those who wish, there is the chance to do an optional Everest sightseeing flight early this morning; this can be booked locally through your leader on Day 1 We will leave the hotel late morning for our Kathmandu sightseeing tour. We will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Boudhanath to see the famous Buddhist stupa with its huge mandala; one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and indeed in the world. After lunch overlooking the stup, we visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square (which also has UNESCO status), one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley. Although the Kathmandu Durbar Square was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake the many palaces, temples and courtyards in the Newari style are interesting. There is also the chance to stroll through the bustling markets of Asan Tol, the oldest bazaar in Kathmandu, into the Thamel area, the newer main tourist area of Kathmandu. There will be a full trip briefing today. Premium accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti

Day 3 Fly to Pokhara; orientation walk

We fly to Pokhara this morning, a pretty lakeside resort at the foot of the Annapurna Range. The flight takes about 30 minutes and on a clear day offers great views of the Himalaya from the right hand side of the plane. We should arrive by lunchtime and in the afternoon your leader will take you for an orientation walk along the shore of Phewa Lake. Premium accommodation: Atithi Resort & Spa

Day 4 Walk through farmland and forest down to the Modi River Valley to Sanctuary Lodge, offering fine views of the sacred Fishtail Mountain

We have a short drive to our trek start point, from where we follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Mountain Lodges of Nepal's Sanctuary Lodge is located. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain (or Machhapuchhare, as it is locally known). Lunch will be in the lodge and in the afternoon we can either relax in the wonderful garden or your leader will take you on a bird watching walk to Birethanthi village. Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Sanctuary Lodge, 3,363ft/1,025m)

Day 5 Picturesque trek through villages, rice fields and forests to Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge to start the trek through the scattered small farms. Following the Modi Khola and with constant views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre ahead, you will soon climb the valley towards the mountains. Today is quite a long climb up stone steps passing through the rice fields and forest, but we take plenty of stops and have lunch en route. Finally, we arrive at Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk in the afternoon. Tea and snacks are served on arrival as you enjoy the spectacular views of Annapurna South, Huinchuli and Machhapuchhare. Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Himalaya Lodge, 6,601ft/2,012m)

Day 6 Descend to cross the river by suspension bridge, then climb to La Bee Lodge in Landruk

Although we can see Landruk across the valley, we have to descend to the river and climb up the other side to get there. Leaving the Ghandruk village, the trek descends steeply to the banks of Modi River. Crossing the suspension bridge, we trek up a stone staircase to Landruk village, enjoying the views of the Annapurna range and passing under the cliffs where honey hunters climb up ropes to harvest wild bee honey. Lunch will be ready as we arrive at our lodge. After lunch, you may either rest and enjoy the spectacular views of Annapurna South and Huinchuli or go on a sightseeing tour in the village with your guide. Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (La Bee Lodge, 5,135ft/1,565m)

Day 7 Gentle walk to Gurung or Mala Lodge at Majgaon; afternoon free to relax in the garden or explore the village

An easier walk today on a wide trail with no steep up or downhills and no stone steps passing through village and farmlands with views of the Annapurnas behind. Today is a great day for bird watching in the forests above us. We will arrive at the lodge by lunchtime and in the afternoon, you can enjoy the views of the mountains from your room itself or spend time in the wonderful garden with views of Annapurna South. There is also the option of a guided village walk to Thanchok, an old traditional Gurung village and home to many blacksmith families. (Occasionally if Gurung Lodge is full we walk on another 20 minutes to the equally wonderful Malla Lodge in Tomijun village). Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Gurung/Mala Lodge, 4,593ft/1,400m)

Day 8 Trek through sub-tropical forests to Basanta Lodge at Dhampus, with spectacular views of the entire Annapurna range, Machhapuchhare and Lamjung Himal

After a spectacular sunrise on Annapurna South we walk along a wide forest track ascending gradually for a couple of hours. A short section on a forest trail brings us to the main trail at Potana. Half an hour further on we come to Australia Camp, a collection of lodges with magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhare, Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu Himal. We can stop here for a tea break before descending the ridge to Dhampus. Once at the lodge you will be served hot lunch after which you can take a short walk into Dhampus village. The sunset and sunrise from the lodge garden are not to be missed. We can see all the way from Annapurna South, Huinchuli, Machhapuchhare, Annapurnas 4 and 2, and the Lamjung and Manaslu Himals. Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Basanta Lodge, 5,003ft/1,525m)

Day 9 Short descent through wooded hillside to Ghatte Khola; transfer to Pokhara; free afternoon (optional boat trip on Lake Phewa)

After breakfast, we depart along the ridge and descend on a stone staircase through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. The trek time is 90 minutes to two hours. We then transfer by vehicle to the hotel in Pokhara (one hour). The afternoon is free to explore Pokhara. You may want to visit the interesting Mountain Museum, take a boat ride on Phewa Lake or hire a bike for a cycle along the lakeshore. Or you may simply want to relax by the hotel pool or wander along the lakeside browsing in the shops. Your leader will brief you on the various options available. Premium accommodation: Atithi Resort & Spa

Day 10 Drive to Barahi Jungle Lodge in Chitwan; boat ride to sunset point. In the evening see traditional Tharu dancers

We drive from Pokhara to Barahi Jungle Lodge in Chitwan, which will take about 4-5 hours. On a clear day, we look to the left as we leave Pokhara for magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna range. The road takes us back to Mugling, from where we turn south to the lowlands of Nepal and our jungle lodge in Chitwan. We should arrive by lunchtime, after which we’ll meet our naturalist guide who will go over the activities. In the late afternoon, we take boat trip on the river looking out for crocodiles and birds to sunset point. After the sun has gone down, we drive back to the lodge. Before dinner there will be a traditional cultural dance programme. Our naturalist from the lodge will accompany us on all the excursions. Premium accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge

Day 11 Explore the jungle and village life on a bird-watching walk and afternoon, jeep safari in the park wildlife spotting/

Activities may be offered in a different order but usually, the programme today will include a village and bird watching walk and a jeep safari. We will do one activity in the morning and one in the afternoon. The naturalists are very knowledgeable and can spot the many birds for you. We will also visit a traditional Tharu house. The jeep safari will take us into the National Park where as well as great bird life there is a chance to spot several species of deer, wild boar, the one horned rhino and hopefully, the rare Bengal Tiger. Before dinner there will be a different cultural programme at the lodge. Dinner is served inside or outside by the pool depending on the time of year. Premium accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge

Day 12 Morning drive to Kathmandu; free time

For those who wish, there is a bird-watching walk early this morning. After a leisurely breakfast, we depart Chitwan and head on the road for Kathmandu. The drive is approximately five hours and we should arrive in Kathmandu early afternoon with the rest of the day at leisure. Premium accommodation: Hotel Yak & Yeti

Day 13 End Kathmandu

The trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you are flying out today, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. However, if you’d like a little more time to explore Kathmandu, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.