Day 1
Day 1: Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel is approximately 20 minutes. The evening is free, but the tour guide will usually organise an evening meal (optional) at one of Kathmandu's fine Nepali restaurants. Alternatively, you can enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: In the morning, explore Kathmandu on an organised sightseeing tour. Visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where you observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. Also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here you see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and, occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of your time in Kathmandu is free for further sightseeing and exploration. In the late afternoon you will be issued with your Trek Pack and departure information for the next morning.

Day 3: An early departure from the hotel this morning as you are transferred to the domestic terminal at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport. Fly to Pokhara (approximately 30 minutes) with often spectacular views of the main Himalayan chain to the north. After arriving in Pokhara, you are transferred by private bus to the starting point of the trek at Lumle (approximately 1.5 hours). The first day's walk is particularly easy, following sub-tropical terrain traversing through the villages of Lumle, Chandrakot and, finally, to the lodge at Chainabatthi located high above the Modi Khola Valley with super views of the fishtail peak, Machhapuchhare, and Annapurna South (approximately 2 hours).

Day 4: In the morning, descend steeply through terraced hillsides to the Modi Khola and the very pretty village of Shyauli, where you cross the river. Continue to enjoy superb views of the great peaks of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare, seen to the north standing guard over the entrance of the Annapurna Sanctuary. From Shyauli, after a pleasant tea stop, start the climb to Ghandruk. The trail initially ascends a stone staircase high above the river valley where, to the north, there are again superb views of the Annapurna Mountains. A short but steep section leads to Kimche (1630m) where you break for lunch and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Continue on to Chane on a wide, well-defined path of stone flags that contours its way through fields of wheat and millet to the largest village of the region, Ghandruk. This Gurung village is well known for the number of its menfolk who have served in the British Gurkha regiments. The lodge is located above the main village (1950m) in a quiet location, where you can enjoy fine mountain views, namely Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare, and Gangapurna. (Trekking: approximately 6 - 7 hours).

Day 5: Another day ascending, but an easier walk now that you have found your trekking legs. Leaving the terraced hillsides and the village of Ghandruk behind, enter oak and rhododendron forest. This is a particularly pretty part of the walk, the forest often alive with the sound of birds, the small tumbling waterfalls and, if you visit in late spring (late March to April), the rhododendron in full bloom. There are no village's on today's route, but there are a few teahouses at Baisi Kharkha providing welcome drinks and a place to rest. There are fine views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare, and Lamjung Himal along the way. The lodge at Tadapani (2300m) is the perfect setting for sunset and sunrise views. (Trekking: approximately 4 hours).

Day 6: Rise early to view the sunrise and, after breakfast, begin a gradual ascent through rhododendron forest. Reach Bhantanti for lunch, after which you cross a series of small streams in the forest and then ascend open ridges to reach the lodge at Deurali (2987m). Stop for the day and enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, if conditions are clear. You should not miss the opportunity to see the spectacular sunset and sunrise views from the hill behind the lodge. (Trekking: approximately 5 hours).

Day 7: Get up early and walk by torchlight before dawn, climbing up a ridge to enjoy the sun rise over the mountains. If conditions are clear, enjoy a magical panorama of the three 8000m peaks dominating the horizon - Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna I, and Manaslu. This, coupled with views of the 6000m deep Kali Gandaki Gorge and the trans-Himalayan ranges that form the border with China (Tibet), makes it one of Nepal's best vantage points. After enjoying the sunrise, descend to the lodge for a late breakfast before continuing down to Ghorepani. From Ghorepani the walk is all downhill through beautiful forests to the village of Naya Thanti, where you take lunch. In the afternoon, descend through oak and rhododendron forest to the village of Ulleri (2070m), perched high on the hillside overlooking the Bhurungdi Khola Valley. (Trekking: approximately 5.5 hours).

Day 8: Today is another early start to make the most of the day. From the lodge at Ulleri, there is a very steep descent of over 500 metres on a stone staircase to the Bhurungdi Khola River where you cross a small suspension bridge to reach the village of Tirkedunga. After giving the knees a well-earned rest, continue on a more gentle descent to the village of Birethanti, on the banks of the Modi Khola. Take lunch and then cross the new bridge to the east bank, where you follow the river back to the road head at Naya Phul. After saying goodbye to the porters, you are transferred by coach back to the hotel in Pokhara (approximately 1.5 hours), which is located close to the lakeside. After a welcome shower, you have the rest of the day free to relax or do some exploring. It is worthwhile hiring a boat for a row out on the lake (Phewa Tal), which is the second largest in Nepal. Pokhara has an interesting old area as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery. The lakeside area has good shopping opportunities and internet cafes. In the evening, there is an option to dine out at one of the many lakeside restaurants. (Trekking: approximately 5 hours)

Day 9: After breakfast, the morning is free in Pokhara to relax or do some sightseeing. There are various small museums scattered around town, including the International Mountain Museum. Around midday, you are transferred back to the airport for your return flight to Kathmandu (approximately 30 minutes). On arrival in Kathmandu, you are met and transferred back to the starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do souvenir shopping or further sightseeing. Located in the south of the city, Patan is worth a visit with its own Durbar square full of historic structures and statues of past kings. Your final night in Kathmandu gives you a chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with your travelling companions and new-found friends.

Day 10: Your trip ends today after breakfast.