INDIA & HIMALAYASNEPAL 106 " A holiday full of wonderful memories and shared experiences. I would certainly recommend you to my family and friends." Gill Garvin india & himalayas Classic Annapurna Circuit Imaginative Facts Tour code: HACA • Activities: 18 day trek. Trek grade - Strenuous • Accommodation: 4 nights simple hotels, 17 nights teahouse lodges during trek • Transport: Public bus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller trek leader, services of porters and local representatives • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Royal Chitwan National Park Extension' DAYS 1 & 2: KATHMANDU- Arrival in Kathmandu, the gateway to the Himalayas. The next day take a morning walking tour of the market area of Asan, Durbar Square and Swayambunath Temple. DAY 3: BESI SAHAR ( 820m)- We drive to Besi Sahar where we meet our team and spend our first night on the trek. DAY 4: NGADI ( 950m)- Wonderful views of Himal Chuli ( about 7,200m) welcome us as we commence our trek across rice fields. DAY 5: JAGAT ( 1,310m)- Trek to our night's halt at Jagat. DAY 6: DHARAPANI ( 2,000m)- Passing through quaint villages we arrive at Dharapani for our first view of an 8,000m peak - Manaslu. DAY 7: CHAME ( 2,700m)- There's a chance to take a bath in Latamrang Hot Springs to soothe your trekking muscles. The day ends at Chame, with superb views over Himal Chimal. DAY 8: PISANG ( 3,200m)- After a beautiful walk through forests, we end near Pisang where we can visit the gompa and Buddhist temple. DAYS 9 & 10: MANANG ( 3,500m)- Trek to Manang via the village of Braga. Enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Annapurnas. Enjoy an important rest day amidst superb scenery. Take a hike up to Khangsar Gompa ( 3,920m). DAY 11: LEDER ( 4,200m)- Half day trek to the village of Leder. DAY 12: THORUNG PHEDI ( 4,500m)- To allow for the altitude, today's trek through the barren landscape is fairly short. DAY 13: MUKTINATH ( 3,700m)- A strenuous day as we cross the Thorung La pass ( 5,350m) to arrive at the doorstep of Mustang, the forbidden kingdom once known as Lo. DAY 14: MARPHA ( 2,700m)- Visit the amazing old fortresses of Jarkhot and Kagbeni, then trek to Marpha. DAY 15: KALOPANI ( 2,500m)- Following the donkey caravan route our trail reaches Kalopani. DAY 16: TATOPANI ( 1,200m)- We cross from the alpine zone to the subtropical zone and stay at Tatopani, famous for its hot springs. DAY 17: GHOREPANI ( 2,850m)- A long but worthwhile trek uphill to Ghorepani, with its stunning views. DAY 18: GHANDRUNG ( 2,100m)- You have the option to rise early to climb up to the famous viewpoint at Poon Hill ( 3,194m) to watch a magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas. West to East you can see Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Dhampus Peak, Nilgiri, the Annapurnas and Machapuchare, the famous fish tail mountain. After breakfast, our trail passes through rhododendron forests and many small villages to Ghandrung, famous for its Gurkha soldiers. DAY 19: DHAMPUS ( 1,600m)- Our last full day trekking brings us to the village of Dhampus, located along a ridge. This is a great spot that affords lovely views of the magnificent Annapurnas and Machapuchare. DAY 20: POKHARA ( 900m)- A short morning trek to pick up our vehicle for the journey to Pokhara, a market town in western Nepal set on a beautiful lake amid a spectacular Himalayan backdrop. Time permitting take a boat ride on the lake, visit the Tibetan refugee centre or simply enjoy this laid back lakeside town. DAY 21: KATHMANDU- Drive to Kathmandu. DAY 22: KATHMANDU- Tour ends. A classic trek around the magnificent Annapurna Massif • Experience the exhilaration of the mighty Himalayas • Enjoy the variety from subtropical forest to the barren Tibetan plateau • Cross high passes, ridges, gorges, rice fields and banana groves • Meet Nepal's peopleand pass sacred shrines • One of the country's finest treks for hikers looking for a challenge Nepal Pokhara Shivapuri Bhaktapur Chitwan National Park Annapurna trekking area Classic Annapurna Circuit Images of Nepal Nepal Rover Kathmandu Altitude and Acclimatisation Generally most people's performance is affected when trekking above 3,000m. Our max height is 5,600m on the Classic Everest Base Camp trek. It is impossible to know exactly how you will be affected but you need not be overly concerned as our trips have been designed to allow time for acclimatisation. We have also taken altitude issues into account when grading our treks. Porter Protection On all treks you will be accompanied by a team of porters who are responsible for carrying all equipment, food and your main pack. Portering is an important part of the Nepali economy and porters are proud of their job. Get to know your porter - be appreciative of his amazing strength and stamina and take the time to look out for his well- being. We adhere to the IPPG guidelines which have strict regulations regarding the treatment of porters and ensure all are fairly treated. Nepal Treks Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.11 * Price includes tour price of £ 425and local payment of US$ 170All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 515pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 22 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat KathmanduKathmandu 2009 07- Mar- 0928- Mar- 09 28- Mar- 0918- Apr- 09 24- Oct- 0914- Nov- 09 14- Nov- 0905- Dec- 09 05- Dec- 0926- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat KathmanduKathmandu 2010 06- Mar- 1027- Mar- 10 27- Mar- 1017- Apr- 10 23- Oct- 1013- Nov- 10 13- Nov- 1004- Dec- 10 04- Dec- 1025- Dec- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Trek grade - Strenuous Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

NEPAL 107 INDIA & HIMALAYAS Images of Nepal Imaginative Facts Tour code: HAIP • Activities: Trekking, optional canoeing and elephant ride. Trek grade - Easy • Accommodation: 7 nights simple hotels, 2 nights camping during trek, 2 nights jungle lodge • Transport: Private coach, public bus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, trek leader, cook, services of porters DAYS 1 & 2: KATHMANDU- Arrival in Kathmandu, the gateway to the Himalayas. The next day take a morning walking tour of the market area of Asan, Durbar Square and Swayambunath Temple. DAYS 3 & 4: POKHARA- Drive to Pokhara, a lovely lakeside town in western Nepal amid a spectacular Himalayan backdrop. Go for a boat ride on the lake, hike into the hills, visit the Tibetan refugee centre or simply hire a bike and enjoy this laid back town. DAYS 5 & 6: CHITWAN- Our journey takes us through the valleys of central Nepal to the banks of the Rapti River beside Chitwan National Park. This famous wildlife park is home to elephant, single- horned rhino, leopard and the elusive Bengal tiger amongst others. Explore the park on foot, canoe - or elephant- back! DAY 7: KATHMANDU- Return to Kathmandu. DAY 8: SHIVAPURI- We trek into the peaceful Shivapuri hills north of Kathmandu. We walk past a fascinating monastery and uphill through lush oak and rhododendron forests to Shivapuri, where we camp for the night. ( LD) DAY 9: SHIVAPURI - CHISOPANI - DHAP-A climb of 45 minutes takes us to the top of Shivapuri from where we have fabulous Himalayan mountain views ranging from Everest to Manaslu. The trail continues gradually downhill through beautiful forests with different kinds of birds and flowers. ( BLD) DAY 10: DHAP - NAGARKOT- An interesting trail takes us to the hill retreat of Nagarkot, perched on a ridge 32km east of Kathmandu. It commands sweeping views of the Himalayas. Five of the world's ten highest peaks - Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Manaslu are visible from here. Nagarkot is also a popular spot to watch sunrise and sunset. We stay the night in a lodge. ( BL) DAY 11: NAGARKOT - BHAKTAPUR - KATHMANDU- The trail continues downhill through terraces and villages to Bhaktapur, a beautiful ancient city which exudes a sense of the traditional past. ( B) DAY 12: KATHMANDU- Tour ends. Experience the wildlife of the lowlands and mighty Himalayan peaks • Explore the sights of exotic Kathmandu and the lakeside town of Pokhara • Chance to take a safari in search of rhino and tigersin Chitwan • Trek through the beautiful Shivapuri hills north of Kathmandu • Enjoy the diverse sceneryof lush rhododendron, oak forest and rocky ridges • Witness a sweeping panorama of Himalayan giants including Everest Nepal Rover DAYS 1 & 2: KATHMANDU DAYS 3 & 4: POKHARA DAYS 5 & 6: CHITWAN DAY 7: CHITWAN - KATHMANDU DAY 8: KATHMANDU A shorter, non- trekking version of our ' Images of Nepal' • Tour the narrow streets and exotic templesof Kathmandu • Relax in the tranquil lakeside town of Pokhara • Explore Chitwan National Park with its superb wildlife on elephant- back • Chance to take a safari in search of rhino and tigers! • Enjoy the lush valleys of Central Nepal and the mighty Himalayas Imaginative Facts Tour code: HARV • Activities: Walking, optional canoeing and elephant ride • Accommodation: 5 nights simple hotels, 2 nights jungle lodge • Transport: Private transport • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Seasonal Supplement £ 25 Single Supplement £ 55 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.11 * Price includes tour price of £ 449and local payment of US$ 200All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 549pp Land Only * • Seasonal Supplement £ 25 Single Supplement £ 35 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.11 * Price includes tour price of £ 275and local payment of US$ 120All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 335pp Land Only * adventurer adventurer Tour duration 12 days Tour duration 8 days Starts SunEnds Thu KathmanduKathmandu 2009 04- Jan- 0915- Jan- 09 25- Jan- 0905- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0926- Feb- 09 08- Mar- 0919- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0909- Apr- 09 19- Apr- 0930- Apr- 09 20- Sep- 0901- Oct- 09 11- Oct- 0922- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0912- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0903- Dec- 09 13- Dec- 0924- Dec- 09 • Starts SunEnds Thu KathmanduKathmandu 2010 03- Jan- 1014- Jan- 10 24- Jan- 1004- Feb- 10 14- Feb- 1025- Feb- 10 07- Mar- 1018- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1008- Apr- 10 • 18- Apr- 1029- Apr- 10 19- Sep- 1030- Sep- 10 10- Oct- 1021- Oct- 10 31- Oct- 1011- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1002- Dec- 10 12- Dec- 1023- Dec- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies Starts SunEnds Sun KathmanduKathmandu 2009 04- Jan- 0911- Jan- 09 25- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0922- Feb- 09 08- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0905- Apr- 09 19- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 19- Jul- 0926- Jul- 09 09- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 30- Aug- 0906- Sep- 09 20- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 11- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0908- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 13- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun KathmanduKathmandu 2010 03- Jan- 1010- Jan- 10 24- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 14- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 07- Mar- 1014- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 18- Apr- 1025- Apr- 10 18- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 08- Aug- 1015- Aug- 10 29- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 19- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 10- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 31- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 12- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies Trek grade - Easy Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243