This lovely trek utilises the high-quality lodges set up by Ker & Downey in the Annapurna foothills. They have breathtaking views of the Annapurna range, landscaped gardens and are approximately five hours’ slow walking apart. Three years ago Ker & Downey completed a fourth lodge, now incorporated into our slightly revised itinerary. The lodges have comfortable lounges, tastefullydecorated bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, hot and cold running water, flush loos, and electricity. They are run on ecologically-sound principles. In Kathmandu we use the Dwarika’s Hotel, which is part of the architectural heritage of Nepal. We include sightseeing in Kathmandu, a flight down to Pokhara, and some easy rafting. For those not keen on rafting a visit to Chitwan National Park is an option. We can also organise an Everest flight for those who are interested. Grade: Gentle/Moderate On Trek: 6 days Sherpa Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 5/6 Luxury Lodges: 5 River Lodge: 2 Optional: Single Room £80 (Kathmandu) £250 (Pokhara & Lodges) Insurance: £95 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 14/15 days 1–3 Fly to Kathmandu, at leisure, fly to Pokhara 4–9 Trekking in the Annapurna foothills, using Ker & Downey Lodges 10–12 Rafting, visiting villages, return drive 13–15 Sightseeing in Kathmandu, optional Everest flight, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients FEATURED ON ITV GENTLE TREKKING IN ANNAPURNA DVD NOW AVAILABLE £1,695 £1,225 Thu 10 Jan – Wed 23 Jan Thu 14 Feb – Wed 27 Feb Thu 13 Mar – Wed 26 Mar Thu 09 Oct – Wed 22 Oct £1,850 £1,225 Thu 06 Nov – Wed 19 Nov Thu 27 Nov – Wed 10 Dec £1,995 £1,250 Fri 19 Dec ’08 – Fri 02 Jan ’09 Price TBC: 2009 dates: Thu 08 Jan – Wed 21 Jan ’09 Thu 12 Feb – Wed 25 Feb ’09 Thu 19 Mar – Wed 01 Apr ’09 land only land only land only Left: Seti River rafting Photo: Ker & Downey Right: Trying it on for size Photo: Linda Deniff First Class Tour of Nepal Our personalised tours, particularly in India and Bhutan, have been so well-received we thought we must design a ‘definitive’ cultural tour of Nepal. Again we felt we should offer the best of everything: the best international airline, an absolutely fabulous hotel in Kathmandu, an Everest flight, bird-watching, village walks, some excellent river rafting and game-viewing from the famous Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge. We finish by spending a night at Nagarkot to see the sunrise and sunset over the Himalaya. In Pokhara we stay at the Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. This sits on top of a small mountain overlooking the Pokhara valley, from where there are fabulous views of the Annapurna range. Rafting on the Seti River takes us down an uninhabited gorge but is fairly gentle. At Tiger Tops Lodge there will be opportunities to wash elephants in the river before riding on top of them for tiger-spotting in the jungle. Gentle Trekking & Luxury Lodges, Annapurna Foothills 2 Young girl in the Annapurnas Photo: John Turner Other Christmas treks – see pages 21, 23, 28, 32, 34, 53, 55, 56, 58 & £2,295 £1,770 Dates: Thu 20 Mar – Tue 01 Apr, Thu 23 Oct – Tue 04 Nov, Sun 30 Oct – Fri 11 Nov land only Grade: Cultural Tour In-Country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 5 Lodges/Guest Houses: 7 Optional: Single Room £290 Insurance: £69 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 13 days 1–2 Fly to Kathmandu 3–4 Sightseeing Kathmandu, Everest flight 5–6 Fly to Pokhara, bird-watching walk 7–8 Raft the Seti River 9–10 game-viewing, Chitwan 11–12 Fly to Kathmandu, overnight Nagarkot –13 Fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Other cultural tours – see page 17, 38, 39, 52, 56 & 58 Featured on BBC Holiday programme 2 29 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com

The Everest Approx. Statute Miles 0 Approx. Kilometres 10 Useless Fact Sir George Everest pronounced his name ‘Eve-rest’. We are all pronouncing the mountain’s name wrongly! Everest by Alan Hinkes, OBE “Everest is the big one and a great summit to bag; May ’96 was when I made it. It is an impressive peak, you don’t have to climb it to appreciate it, just go and see it.” Alan Hinkes summited Everest with Himalayan Kingdoms Expeditions. Congratulations to Al for completing all fourteen 8,000ers and being awarded an OBE in 2006. Al Hinkes on the summit of Kangchenjunga Photo: Berghaus The Everest Region 30 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com