Spectacular Scenery and Enchanting Villages of the Annapurna Foothills
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Extension
Overview
A stay at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, an exclusive retreat set on a spectacular hilltop ridge a thousand feet above the Pokhara Valley, offers the opportunity to revel in magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna skyline, including the fish-tailed peak of Machapuchare and three of the world's 26,247-foot Himalayan peaks: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu. Guided hikes through rhododendron and oak forests, farmlands, and gentle valleys, and village visits where you'll enjoy great cultural encounters are a highlight of your stay. Sightseeing, country drives, and spa services are also available. We also offer the option of a three-night stay. Call for details.
Arrive: Kathmandu, Nepal
Depart: Kathmandu, Nepal
Highlights
- Enjoy panoramic views of the stunning Annapurna skyline from a deluxe lodge
- Hike through rhododendron forests and farmlands, visit villages
Itinerary
From Kathmandu, fly to Pokhara (3,000'), a town at the base of the Annapurnas. Transfer to Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, an exclusive retreat set on a spectacular hilltop ridge a thousand feet above the Pokhara Valley. A stay here offers the opportunity to revel in magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna skyline, including the fish-tailed peak of Machapuchare and three of the world's 8,000-meter Himalayan peaks: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu. The afternoon is free to relax or enjoy a hike in the area. Overnight at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge...LD
Today, choose from full- or half-day guided hiking options, or non-hiking activities. Explore rhododendron and oak forests, farmlands, and gentle valleys, and visit villages where you'll enjoy great cultural encounters—a highlight of your stay. Sightseeing, country drives, and spa services are also available. See Activity Options below. Overnight at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge...BLD
Activity Options
You can choose from the following activities at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, in addition to enjoying the lodge grounds (including their beautiful pool and patio area). There may be additional costs for some of the activities, as they entail extra guide and/or driving services.
Activity Options
You can choose from the following activities at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, in addition to enjoying the lodge grounds (including their beautiful pool and patio area). There may be additional costs for some of the activities, as they entail extra guide and/or driving services.
- Gurung Village Hike (full day 6-7 hours, with picnic lunch provided): Depart the lodge and hike along the ridge east of the lodge to the village of Kalikathan (Kali is one of the Hindu goddesses), then continue through beautiful forests interspersed with lovely Gurung villages. The Gurungs speak a Tibeto-Burmese language and many practice a Tibetan Buddhism faith that also has influences of the Hindu religion. Gurungs were one of the major groups from Nepal recruited into the British Gurkha Regiments. Enjoy an introduction to the Gurung culture in the village of Tulasor, or if you feel up to it, hike further to Lankachhar, another scenic village. From Tulasor or Lankachhar, descend a trail to the Bijaypur Khola riverbed, then ascend back to the lodge. An easier route can be followed via the village of Kafalbari, with plenty of time to admire the fabulous views of the valley below.
- Bhimirepani Hike (approximately 3 hours): This gentle village and farmland walk brings you through the settlements of varied ethnic groups and castes on a relatively level trail without any steep climbs or descents. From the lodge, walk to the village of Sundar Gaun, through forests to Bhimirepani (good for birding), then through farmlands via Naraspur village back to the lodge.
- Bijaypur River Hike (approximately 3 hours): Hike down from the lodge along the spur to the big bend in the Bijaypur River, then continue along the river bank to Sangako Mukh and climb up to Murali Chowk, where you are met for a 15-minute drive back to the lodge (or you can hike back up). This walk is good for morning birding and a return to the lodge in time for lunch.
- Shanti Stupa Hike (approximately 3 hours): Drive from the lodge to Damside and hike up through Raniban to Shanti Stupa, a massive Buddhist stupa on a hilltop on the southern shores of Phewa Lake, with good views of the lake and the Annapurnas. Descend to the lakeshore and boat to Barahi Ghat, with time to shop before you are picked up for a drive back to the lodge.
- Austrian Camp/Dhampus/Phedi Hike (driving time is approximately 3 hours round-trip; total time is approximately 5 hours): Drive from Pokhara to the village of Khande (5,900'), enjoying marvelous views of the Annapurna Himalaya. The hike begins at Khande and brings you up to Austrian Camp (6,400'), with beautiful views back down to the Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake. Many species of birds are encountered here. Continue hiking down the ridge toward Dhampus village (6,000') through oak and rhododendron forest. From Dhampus, the trail becomes steeper as you hike up to Phedi village, passing through settlements of various ethnic groups and beautiful subtropical forest. You may see trekkers on the trail to Annapurna Base Camp here. From Phedi, return by car to Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge.
- Spa Services: The lodge offers massages (Ayurvedic, Shiatsu, and Hara), yoga, as well as meditation services to help guests truly relax and unwind from the stresses of the modern world.
- Pokhara Sightseeing: For those who would like to explore Pokhara town, this option allows a visit to the local market, the deep Seti River Gorge, Manhendra Cave, Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, and museums. You may also hire a local boat or dinghy for an hour's ride on beautiful Phewa Lake, or stroll the lakeside for shopping.
After breakfast and early morning activities, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Kathmandu...B
A visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting Nepal. You can obtain your visa on arrival ($25 and one passport photo required for a 15-day visa; $40 and one passport photo required for a 30-day visa).
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.