Days 01 : Arrive in Kathmandu (1330m). You will be met by your group leader and transferred to the hotel where the pre-trek briefing will be given. Arrangements are made today for the distribution of your kit bag, Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Days 02 : Day at leisure in Kathmandu. You have time to explore Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and the lesser-known towns that dot the valley, on foot, r by bicycle or trishaw. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, novelty shops and handicraft shops contrast wit fantastic centers of cultural and spiritual significance. Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. Sightseeing with a guide can be arranged by our staff in Kathmandu.

Days 03 : Kathamndu to Pokhara (960m). Approx 7-8 hours by bus. This is one of the most scenice road journeys in Nepal and offers splendid views of the Ganesh, Manaslu nad Annapurana ranges of mountains. The day-long journey takes us up and over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and heads south-west along the Trisuli River to cross it and head west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town and our first night's camp near the shores of the Phewa Tal (Lake).

Days 04 : To Bhumdi (1560m). Walk approx 5 hours. After a ten minute drive we leave the busy pace of the town and commence a one hour ascent through mixed forest to a ridge-top vantage point overlooking Phewa Tal. From this vantage point beside a Buddhist temple we enjoy fantastic views of Machapuchare, Annapurna South, Annapurna 1 and Annapurna 2. The gradient lessens considerably over the next hour and walking through Gurung villages, we soon reach a pleasant setting for a picnie luch. After a good, relaxing break of 1-2 hours, we follow the trail as it undulates past fields of millet and rice until we reach our camp at Bhumdi, two hours later. From this picturesque campsite at the forest edge the views of the Annapurnas are spectacular.

Days 05 : To Bhanjyang (2100m). Walk approx 6 hours. From Bhumdi we ascend gradually for three hours through impressive old growth rhododendron forest and enjoy the superb views of the Annapurna Range as we walk. Impressive and diverse birdlife and plants and the pleasure of walking in this environment ensure that this is a special day. Our lunch stop is at a small shepherd's settlement called a 'kharka' which means a small clearing with a shelter. The afternoon is a steady gradual ascent for two hours to Bhanyang.

Days 06 : To Lhangpang 2000m. Walk approx 2 hours, plus optional peak trek of 3 hours. This morning we take a side excursion to Pachase Peak (2540), the highest point of our trek and one of the highlights. The one and half hour clime through forest gives us time to appreciate the abundant birdlife and wilderness of the foothills. The views from the summit are stunning. The Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges from a huge mountain barrier on the skyline. Three peaks with a height of over 8,000 meters and hundreds of other snow-capped peaks fade into the distance. Many rolls of film later we descend with cameras and daypacks to Bhanjyang for lunch. The afternoon walk takes through Rhododendron forest for about and hour to the scenic viewing point called Dobato. The view from here is stunning. We then decscend to Langpang.

Days 07 : To Kukhure Dobhan (960m) Walk approx 5 hours. Today we descend a steep hill passing through Brahmin and Chetris villages. After lunch we have a further 2 hour walk down to the river where there will be opportunity to swim and relax.

Days 08 : To Nuwakot (1800m) Walk approx 3 hours. The morning's walk has us trekking steadily up through more villages. The views from here of Annapurna South are the best of the trek. We arrve into camp around lunch time and the afternoon is free to explore the area or rest in preparation for the day ahead.

Days 09 : To Cristi Chaur (1500m) Walk approx 6-7 hours. Today's walk is fairly long but enjoyable. We spend the morning walking down for about 4 hours to our lunch stop. We then ascend for 2-3 hours towards the ridge where we camp for the night. From here we can see breath taking views of Himalayan massif and Pokhara valley.

Days 10 : To Pokhara. The last day's trekking is downhill through neat villages and along well-worn trails busy with people as we get closer to Pokhara. We reach the road head and transfer to the put in point on the Seti River. Here we leave our trekking staff and meet the river guides who will be waiting on a small beach beside a quiet section of the river. We then have leisurely lunch and receive a comprehensive briefing about river safety and the fundamentals required for the next two day's rafting. Earlier in the trip we drove beside the Trisuli River on our journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara. This is where most rafting takes place in Nepal and you will now appreciate our choice of the remote and quiet Seti River, far from the busy highway. The first sections of the river are swift flowing but gentle, giving us time to relax into the rhythm of the river with it's forested banks, sandy beaches, scattered farming communities and occasional sightings of wildlife. We camp on a beach beside the river.

Days 11 : Rafting. Today is a full day on the river with the biggest rapids we will encounter. Even when this section of the river is in high water it is still very safe and quite suitable for first-time rafters – more like a large rollercoaster of water! Camp is on a river beach with plenty of time to relax in the sun and explore the banks where there will always be something new – local fishermen, flying foxes and even Languor monkeys scampering across the cliffs.

Days 12 : Drive to Chitwan National Park. The pull-out point for the rafting depends on the river level. It is usually just where the huge gorges give way to the plains (Terai) of southern Nepal near the bustling town of Narayanghat. From here it is about one hour's drive to Chitwan Jungle Lodge in the Chitwan National Park. We often have to make the final leg of the journey into the lodge by 4 wheel drive or on elephant-back. On arrival we are briefed on the planned activities during our stay and on the park in general. Late afternoon and early morning are the best times to sight wildlife, so other times tend to be for less energetic activities. Our accommodation is in 2 bed huts with a private bathroom. Solar heated hot water is available in the afternoons.

Days 13 : In Chitwan National Park. A full day's activities are available including jungle walks, elephant rides, canoe rides, bird-watching and four wheel drive excursions, as well as lectures on elephants and other fauna. Our concession area is the territory of many soecues of eildlife including 3 tigers, 5 leopards, 7 rhino, and many deer, boar, bear, peacocks, and extraordinary number of bird species and is occasionally visited by wild elephants.

Days 14 : Road Transfer to Kathmandu. After an early breakfast we make the journey out of the jungle and back to Kathmadu by vehicle (approx 5 hr duration).

Days 15 : Day at leisure in Kathmandu. Time to relax, do some shopping and to look forward to the simple pleasure of clean clothes.

Days 16 : Fly to Lukla (2800m) Trek to Choplung (2600m) Walk approx 1 hour. We transfer to the airport for the 45 minute flight to the STOL airstrip at Lukla. This was the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and his friends to service the Everest Region when he began his work of building schools and hospitals for the Sherpa people. It is a memorable flight, with marvelous views of the Eastern Himalaya. At Lukla we are immediately impressed by the scale of the huge peaks that surround the village, but this is only a foretaste of what is to come. Our crew assemble and we head downhill towards the Dudh Kosi, a raging river that flows from the highest peaks. The broad and well-marked trail meanders around fields of potatoes and buck-wheat, and passes through small villages, as we pass rows of tree dahlia to make our way to the first composite. We will camp in the vicinity of Choplung.

Days 17 : To Monjo (2850m) Walk approx 4-5 hours. Today we cross and re-cross the thundering glacial river, named "Dudh" (milk) Kosi (river) because of its colour. Sectors of today's walk are through pine forest, and cleared areas reveal terraced fields and a variety of crops. We pass small groups of donkeys and yaks carrying trading goods and trek-gear along the trail. Our own gear will be carried by yak, or more correctly dzopko, a yak-cow crossbreed, a yak is a full-blood long-haired male, more commonly found at higher altitudes. We pass through a variety of small hamlets as we slowly gain altitude. Spectacular mountain peaks unfold above us, and seem to have above the tree-line as they rise above the deep river valley. Shortly after leaving camp we cross the Kusum Khola, a tributary stream to the Dudh Kosi, and the peak of Kusum Kangru (6369m) can be seen to the East at the head of the valley.
Further along the trail, across the valley to the North-West, Nupla (5885m) and Kongde Ri (6093m) rise above the forested ridges. At a turn of the trail, Thamserku (6808m) rises majestically, seemingly from the river floor.
We will see our first Mani walls today. These stone structures are a compilation of many stone tablets, each with the inscription "Om Mani Padme Hum" which translates to "Hail to the jewel in the lotus", and is mantra (chant) venerated by Buddhists and Brahmans alike.
Buddhists will walk to the left of these Mani Walls and chortens, but you may notice that people of the lowlands who have no knowledge of Buddhism do not follow this ceremony.
The allure of the mountains is hard to resist, but we must be patient, as it is very important that we acclimatize slowly in order that we can fully appreciate our time at higher altitude. Today's walk is not a long one, and you will be eager to press-on. Slow down, and enjoy every step of the way. It is the journey, not the camp-site, that is important.

Days 18 : To Namche Bazar (3440m) Walk approx 3-4 hours. This morning we cross the green/aqua waters of the Dudh Kosi and pass through the fates of the Sagarmatha National Park. The establishment of this national park is a significant attempt to stem the use of fire-wood in the area. Self-contained trek groups must use only kerosene fuels for cooking, a philosophy we follow everywhere in Nepal, whether we are in a national park or not. Tea-houses and lodges are encouraged to use kerosene, yak dung or electricity, but unfortunately continue to use mostly fire-wood for cooking, heating, and for hot water for trekker's showers. This practice continues to deplete the forests. We follow the river course to the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosim and cross a spectacular high bridge before commencing our ascent to the village of Nameche Bazar, the Sherpa "capital" of Nepal. It is a tough climb as the trail passes through forest of pine to a vantage point that provides our first view of Mt. Everest. The trail continues to climb and mender to Namche, and the sight of this prosperous village spread within a horse-shoe shaped valley opposite the beautiful peak of Kongde Ri is worth every step. After lunch you may wish to peruse the Tibetan trader's stalls or the Sherpa shops in search of a bargain.

Days 19 : Rest Day in Namche. This rest day in Namche Bazar is very important for safe acclimatization. A walk to the hill above the village to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters offers a very interesting display of photographs, memorabilia and information on the park, and is a wonderful vantage point for the spectacular view up the Imja Khola Valley towards Everest. The change from the narrow lowland valleys to the broad glacial valleys is immediately obvious. The steep-side glacial valley before us gradually winds towards the base of Everest, broken only by the moraines left by retreating glaciers. Its more gradual rate of climb is a blessing for those trekking higher. Towering to over 4000 meters above the valley floor spectacular peaks seem to engulf us. Around us are Tawetse (6542m), Thamserku (6808m), Kantega (6685m), Ama Dablam (6856m), Nuptse (7896m) and Lhotse (8511m). The greatest of all, Mt. Everst (8848)m), rises at the head of the valley. The Sherpa Cultural Centre has an interesting collection of Sherpa mountain nearing items and photographs.

Days 20 : To Thyangboche (3870m) Walk approx 5-6 ours. The walk to Thyangboche is one of the most pleasant in Nepal. The trail meanders easily around the ridges and Everst can be clearly seen on the horizon ahead before we descend through splendid rhododendron forest for lunch. After lunch we cross the Dudh Kosi and begin the ascent to the top of a long ridge which flows from the summit of Kantega. Our trail takes us through pine and rhododendron forest, and, as this is devout Buddhist region, the wildlife is unharmed and not too shy.
As a result there is a possibility that we may see Hog Deer and other animals in the forest and around our campsite. As we approach the top we pass through a traditional gateway and pass around a chorten before cresting the ridge onto a wide grassy meadow at the monastery village of Thyanboche. The monastery was recently re-built with the assistance of Sir Edmund Hillary after it was destroyed by fire. Your leader will arrange for you to e shown around the monastery and explain the relevance of the many ceremonies that take place, and discuss the life of the monks in residence. The views of the Everest massif, as well as all the other major peaks of the area are astounding and, if we are lucky, we will see the glowing colour of the sunset, and perhaps even the moonlight on the mountains around us.

Days 21 : To Kathmandu (3780m) Walk approx 4 hours. The early morning mountain views from the monastery are outstanding. Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse are at the head of the valley, their line of sight flanked by Tawestse on one side, and Ama Dablam on the other. Almost directly above us are Kantega and Thamserku. Completing a 360 degree panorama of mountains are Khumblia and Kongde Ri which encircle us from across the valley. From Thyanboche we follow the main trail through the monastery gate and into the forest, continuing downhill to the river. We head off on a small trail that ascends to the villages of Khumjung and Khunde. It is a confortable day's walk, with time to explore these unique and more traditional villages. As we near the villages we pass through terraced fields that are home to a rightly coloured pheasant, the Danphe Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. Jhumjung is where Sir Edmund Hillary built his "Schoolhouse in the clouds", and the famed Khunde hospital is close by. World Expeditions supports both of these famous community facilities, as wel as the many other projects operated by the Himalayan Trust. There will generally be the opportunity for you to visit the hospital and school. We will also be able to visit the monastery at Khumjung where we may have the opportunity to see the "scalp of a yeti".

Days 22 : To Benkar (2600m) Walk approx 4 hours. Nearby on a hilltop, with views of the mountains, is the Everest View Hotel, a joint Nepali-Japanese project, where you can stop for refreshments before passing through the yak breeding farm and descending to Namche. After a break we continue down through the forest to the valley floor to follow the Dudh Kosi downhill, and out of the national park to our camp at the small settlement of Benkar.

Days 23 : To Lukla (2880m) Walk approx 5 hours. Retracing our steps along the valley, we pass through a variety of settlements and forests before a gentle climb to Lukla. We savour our final mountain sunsets of the trek as e complete this exhilarating journey.

Days 24 : To Kathmandu by air (1330m) This morning we fly to Kathmandi, a thrilling flight over forests, fields and villages, with the Himalaya in the background. On arrival, we transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Days 25 : Day at leisure in Kathmandu. There are a million things to see in Kathmandu and we recommend you spend this day wandering the town and exploring the valley on bicycle or by taxi. The old Royal Palace, Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath (a major Hindu shrine) and the giant Buddhist stupa at Boddhnath are absolute musts. Our W.E. staff can arrange a guide and/or transport should you wish, or you can head off armed with a map and let the day unfold.

Days 26 : Departure transfer to the airport for onward destination.