Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu:

You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Tour and Trekking Nepal staff and driven to your Kathmandu host family or a hotel. Here you will be welcomed into the family, be given your own room and be provided with all your meals while in Kathmandu. This will be your home during your orientation and volunteering in Nepal. With easy bus routes into town and the surrounding countryside, this quiet and safe suburb is the perfect base for your time in Nepal. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation:

We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. The Durbar Square sheds light on the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Baudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, we are introduced to our fellow participants and discuss our trip at the Tour and Trekking Nepal office. Overnight in Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi(109m/357ft):

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport to board a flight to Dhangadhi. Dhangadhi is the capital of the Kailali District. It takes about one hour and fifteen minutes to reach Dhangadhi from Kathmandu. If the weather is clear, you can see the beautiful landscapes beneath. From the airport in Dhangahi, you will be transferred to a hotel (in a private vehicle) booked for you in Dhangadhi. After the hotel check-in formalities, you will be given some time to freshen up, after which, we will set off to explore the attractions of Dhangadhi. Excursions include a cycling trip to the Jokhar Lake and Botanical Garden and the Aircraft Museum. After exploring these attractions, we will cycle back to the hotel.

Day 04: Drive from Dhangadhi to Gokuleshwar – 8 hours:

Today, we leave the Terai plains of the far western region of Nepal and head towards the hilly region of the far western region of Nepal. An 8-hour drive on a local bus from Dhangadhi on a Mahakali Highway will take us to Gokuleshwar. Because we have to leave early, breakfast will be served en route.

About 3-4 hours of uphill drive will bring us to Dadeldhura, a town in the far western region of Nepal, which is also famous as the Queen of Hills. After having lunch at Dadeldhura, the bus will continue on a winding road through the hills of far western Nepal. Along the road, you will see beautiful views of the Himalayas, the Chamelyia Valley, rivers, and small, traditional settlements. We will reach Gokuleshwor in the afternoon. The remaining time can either be spent exploring the area or simply resting at the accommodation. The night will be spent in a lodge in Gokuleshwar.

Day 05: Drive from Gokuleshwar to Latinath (1,004m) 2 hours | Trek to Paribagar (1,770m/5,807ft):

After breakfast at Gokuleshwar, we drive to Latinath. Latinath is the starting point of the Api Base Camp trek. It takes about 2 hours to reach Latinath from Gokuleshwar. The road to Latinath, which is along the Chameliya River also passes through the biggest hydropower station in the far west of Nepal. At Latinath, our ultimate trek to the base camp of Api begins. However, today, we will only hike from Latinath to Paribagar, a beautiful village located at the altitude of 1,770m. After an hour of an uphill climb, we will reach Paribagar. The evening can be spent exploring the village. Dinner and overnight stay at a homestay in Paribagar.

Day 06: Trek from Paribagar to Makarigadi (1,470m/4,822ft) | 5 hours:

After breakfast at Paribagar, we set off on our journey to Makrigadi. We will make our way through the traditional village of the mid-hills exhibiting traditional stone houses, ancient agricultural terraces and the pristine land of the Far-Western region of Nepal. After walking the trail for about two and a half hours, we will stop for lunch at one of the teahouses en route. After lunch, the hiking continues along the Chameliya River through the subtropical forest and then through fir, oak, hemlock and rhododendron forests to Makarigadi. After about two hours of hiking, we will come to a very beautiful settlement of Markigadi. Stay overnight in a homestay.

Day 07:Trek from Makarigadi to Siti (2,254m/7,395ft) | 8 hours:

After breakfast at Makarigadi, the day’s trekking starts with a short steep climb to the Chameliya River. Crossing the river, we will then climb up the gorge and continue towards the village called Pato, enjoying the spectacular view. We will have our lunch at Pato. The climb further from Pato is gentle but steady. We will continue on this gently ascending steady trail till the last ridge, from where a fairly easy downward hike will take us to the beautiful settlement of Siti. It’s only after about 8 hours of walk, we reach our overnight destination. Dinner and accommodation is arranged in a homestay at Siti.

Day 08: Trek from Siti to Domal (2,950m/9,678ft) 7 hours:

After breakfast at Siti, we set off for our today’s destination – Domal. From Siti, it’s a downhill walk to the village of Khayekot – a very beautiful village located on the bank of the Chameliya River. The settlement of Khayekot is also recorded as the Chameliya Valley’s last permanent settlement. After lunch at Khayekot, we will slowly ascend to Domal. A 7-hour walk from Siti will bring us to Domal. Domal is the junction of Chameliya and Rokap river and it is considered a very sacred place in this region. Since the accommodation options are not available in this place we set up a camp for overnight stay.

Day 09: Trek from Domal to Dhaulo Odar (Lower Api Base Camp) (3,548m/11,640ft) | 5 hours:

After breakfast at Domal, today’s walk starts with a steep climb. After reaching the top, the trail is fairly easy and continues through the forest and open pasture areas. After walking for about five hours, we will reach an open grassland surrounded by high mountains and rhododendron forest and a few small caves. At this beautiful place, we set up our camp for overnight stay. Enjoying the luring surrounding view, the night will be spent in a tented camp in Dhaulo Odar.

Day 10: Trek from Daulo Odar to Api Base Camp/Pilkandaha (3,861m/12,667ft) and back to Daulo Odar:

Today, is the most awaited day, during the entire trek. Today, we reach the base camp of Mt. Api! After breakfast, carrying packed lunch, we will set off towards the Api Base Camp. About 2 and a half-hour of an upward climb from Daulo Odar, the trail will take us to a big open plateau surrounded by mountains. This plateau is the Api Base Camp. Congratulations! You made it!

As we reach the plateau, the grandest view of Mt. Api (7,132m) accompanied by Mt. Nampa (6,929m) and Mt Bobaye (6,808m) greet the Api Base Camp trekkers. After enjoying the alluring view, we will head towards the source of the Chameliya River and also visit the nearby small temple built by the local people. We will have our lunch and then visit the holy lake Pilkandaha. After visiting the lake, we will return to Daulo Odar for an overnight stay.

Day 11: Trek from Daulo Odar to Siti (2,258m/7,408ft) | 6 hours:

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the beautiful Mt. Api and the surrounding of Daulo Odar, today, after breakfast, we set on our journey back to Siti. The downhill walk will first bring us to the settlement of Khayekot where we will have lunch. Next, a steep climb will take us to the village of Siti. Along the way, we will be accompanied by agricultural terraces and beautiful green hills. The night will be spent in a homestay in Siti, where you can also enjoy dinner made by the members of the host family. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Trek from Siti to Makrigaad (1,470m/4,822ft) | 6 hours:

After breakfast at Siti, the day’s walk begins with a climb to the ridge above Siti. The trail now along the ridge passes through forest, agricultural fields and sparse settlement of people. Along the way, we will also get a chance to enjoy the views of the Himalayas. We will stop for lunch at Pato and a steady downhill walk will take us to the settlement of Makarigaad. If you have the time and energy in the evening, you can explore the settlement of Makrigaad. The night will be spent in a homestay in Makrigaad.

Day 13: Trek from Makrigaad to Latinath (4 hours) and drive to Gokuleshwar (2 hours):

After breakfast at Makarigadi, we will hike to Latinath. After 4 hours of downhill walking, we will arrive at Latinath. The hike to Latinath is less demanding and very pleasant. If time permits, after arriving Latinath, we will also go for a short hike to the Hindu temple located just above the Latinath. If time doesn’t permit, we will directly take a bus to Gokuleshwar. After about 2 hours, we will reach Gokuleshwar. From the bus station we will be transferred to a lodge at Gokuleshwar for an overnight stay.

Day 14: Drive from Gokuleshwar to Dhangadhi (109m/357ft) | 9 hours:

Today we start early. After breakfast at Gokuleshwar, we will be transferred to the bus station in Gokuleshwar to catch a bus to Dhangadhi. The bus, making its way through the beautiful green hills with terrace farms, hamlets and small roadside teahouse, reaches Dadeldhura by noon. We will have our lunch at Dadeldhura, rest for some time and then continue towards Dhangadhi on a Mahakali Highway. After 9 hours, we will reach Dhangadhi for dinner and overnight stay. The night will be spent in a tourist hotel in Dhangadhi.

Day 15: Fly from Dhangadhi to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft):

After breakfast at Dhangadhi, we will be transferred to the airport to board a flight to Kathmandu. About one hour and fifteen minutes of scenic flight, the plane lands at the airport in Kathmandu. From the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu, in a private vehicle. The remaining day can be spent either resting at the hotel or strolling the markets in Kathmandu. The night will be spent in a hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 16: Farewell Friend and Departure/Fly back Home:

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! A Tour and Trekking Nepal representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way to home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Note: The above-mentioned program itinerary is a sample. The period and cost of tour, trekking, volunteering or internship can be changed or extended as per travellers or volunteers' availability of duration.