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The Naturetrek Nepal Wildlife Adventure holiday included a ten day trek near Annapurna, river rafting and lowland birdwatching in Chitwan and Koshi Tappy. At 70 years of age, this was my first visit to Nepal and the landscape, wildlife, culture and people bowled me over. A fantastic three weeks. The holiday was led by excellent local Nepalese guides, porters and drivers. Naturetrek were excellent throughout, supplying full advanced information and responding to queries very efficiently. I had no reason to complain on any aspect.
R.H. Kent, Nov 23
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Nepal - A Wildlife Adventure
Tour Code: NPL06A 22-day wildlife adventure combining rafting, jungle and wetland exploration, and a gentle 9-day trek in the forested hills beneath the spectacular Annapurna Massif.
22 days
from
£6,395 (Inc flights)
£6,395 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£5,795
£5,795
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Nepal has a scenic and altitudinal variety that’s quite unrivalled, and the focus of this tour is the fabulous range of birds and mammals that they support. We begin with a 3-night stay in Kathmandu then drive to Pokhara where we’ll begin our trek through oak forests, rhododendrons and over high ridges. Pheasants, tits, minivets, warblers, sunbirds, rosefinches and laughing-thrushes will be among the special Himalayan birdlife we may encounter as we walk. At the end of our trek we’ll raft downstream to our next destination, Chiwan National Park, where we’ll spend three nights. Over 480 bird species have been recorded in the park and we can expect to see nearly half of these during our stay, as well as some of its special mammals! Our final stop on this holiday is Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, one of Asia’s most outstanding wetlands.
- Our least strenuous Nepalese trekking tour
- Explore the cities of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur & Patan
- Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rufous-bellied Shrike-babbler & Great Parrotbill
- Red Panda & Yellow-throated Marten occasionally seen
- A day’s rafting on the tranquil Seti River takes us downstream, to the lowlands
- Forktails, redstarts, whistling thrushes, kingfishers & birds of prey
- Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Sambar, Chital & Hog Deer, Chitwan National Park
- Elusive mammals such as Tiger, Gaur, Sloth Bear & Leopard possible at Chitwan
- Look for Water Buffalo, Smooth Otter, River Dolphin, Jungle Cat & Gharial, Koshi Tappu
- Led by expert local naturalist guides
Grading
Easy to moderate. Trekking between 900 and 3,350 metres.The highest mountains on earth, thundering rivers, magical montane forests and dense lowland jungles filled with colourful birds and the most exciting of large mammals. For a country that lies 800 kilometres from the sea, Nepal has a scenic and altitudinal variety that is quite unrivalled. It will be our aim on this holiday to explore its many facets, focusing on the fabulous range of birds and mammals that they support. This will be a less strenuous adventure than our other Himalayan journeys so as to allow as wide a range of people as possible to sample Nepal’s delights with us.
We begin this holiday in the Kathmandu Valley. Once the bed of a large and ancient lake, the valley is now a colourful mosaic of rice paddies and quaint red-brick farmhouses, surrounded by high forested hills that support a fine variety of bird and mammal species, including monkeys, Muntjac, Jungle Cat, Leopard and even Tiger! We will explore the best of these forests during our 3-night stay in Kathmandu ... and we will find time to visit the unique array of temples, palaces and narrow alleyways of this fascinating capital, and the neighbouring cities of Bhaktapur and Patan.
A long but beautiful drive through the hills, with tantalising glimpses of the snowbound peaks of Ganesh Himal and Langtang, brings us to the busy town of Pokhara, the starting point of our trek. This 9-day circuit takes us along high ridges into the hills north of Pokhara, where pretty Gurung and Chhetri villages, and magnificent forests of oak and rhododendron decorate the hillsides beneath the towering white summits of Annapurna South and Machhapuchare — the Fish Tail Mountain. Here live numerous bird species; amongst them some of Nepal’s brilliantly coloured pheasants, and a variety of tits, minivets, warblers, laughing-thrushes, rosefinches, sunbirds and woodpeckers. The highlight of our walk is the high ridge between Ghandrung and Ghorepani. Here, some of the best of Nepal’s high forest — now thankfully afforded protection by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project — provides a refuge for some of the rarest Himalayan species. We will be looking in particular for such forest gems as Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rufous-bellied Shrike-babbler, Vinaceous Rosefinch and Great Parrotbill. Two attractive mammals, the Red Panda and the Yellow-throated Marten, are also occasionally seen here.
On completion of our trek, we will drive from Pokhara to the Seti River for a day’s rafting journey down the beautiful and tranquil Seti Valley. Moving slowly downriver through the forested foothills and into the lowlands of Nepal, we have an ideal opportunity to relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery and birdlife of the river. We will see forktails, redstarts, whistling thrushes, kingfishers and many birds of prey.
As the river slows and broadens into the lowlands of Nepal, we once again take to the land, driving to Chitwan National Park for a stay of three nights in a comfortable jungle lodge. Comprising 932 square kilometres of Sal and riverine forest and grassland, Chitwan has a greater diversity of wildlife than any other area of Nepal. Over 480 species of birds have been recorded in the park and we can expect to see nearly half of these, as well as many mammals and reptiles that may include Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Wild Boar, Sambar, Muntjac, Chital and Hog Deer, Rhesus and Hanuman Monkeys, and crocodiles. Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears and Gaur also occur but are more difficult to see. We search for them all on foot and by dugout canoe.
A long journey by road now takes us to our comfortable tented camp at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Three nights at the camp will allow you to enjoy this outstanding Asian wetland by raft, Land Rover and on foot. So rich in birdlife is this remote reserve that over 160 species are likely to be seen, together with such rare animals as Wild Water Buffalo, Ganges River Dolphin, Smooth Otter, Jungle Cat, and Gharial and Marsh Mugger Crocodiles. We are in no doubt that this peaceful and rewarding spot, followed by a spectacular flight back to Kathmandu, past the snowy summits of Mounts Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga, will provide a fitting end to this varied and exciting holiday.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London
Day 2/3
Kathmandu
Day 4
Pokhara
Day 5/13
Trekking
Day 14
Rafting, Seti River
Day 15/17
Chitwan National Park
Day 18/20
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Day 21
Kathmandu
Day 22
Fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: A variety of good hotels, lodges and permanent tented camps, most with private facilities. Fully serviced camping whilst trekking and rafting.
- Food: Included in the price, except for lunches and dinners in Kathmandu. Allow ?35.
Reviews
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We would like to add that no praise can be too high for Suchit Basnets leadership. His efficiency, helpfulness, expertise, tolerance... and above all his constant irrepressible good humour made an interesting trip into a wonderful holiday.
R. & C.M. Merseyside -
Looking at our photos and reflecting on the wonderful time we had, we feel we must write to say how impressed we were with our leader Suchit Basnet. He contributed so much to our enjoyment of the tour...we will always have very fond memories of our time.
M. & F.P. Middlesex -
A most enjoyable holiday. The local agent/guide, Suchit Basnet, performed his role in a faultless manner, always seeking to satisfy the needs of the clients. His knowledge of birds, wildlife and culture of the areas visited were excellent.
N.S. Durham -
It was a wonderfully varied holiday with the opportunity to experience different things. The birdwatching and wildlife experiences were great. We also loved the rafting and the site that we camped on overnight on that part of the trip, although had no experience of doing anything like this before. Hathan was an excellent tour leader and his knowledge of birds extensive and the ability to spot them was little short of amazing.
L.S. Norfolk -
The variety of activities from trekking to whitewater rafting to elephant-back safari combined with the wealth of wildlife encountered made this a truly outstanding trip. From the spectacular panorama of 8000 metre peaks to the peaceful river at Koshi, we enjoyed such diverse habitats with our leader always keen to search out the best birds and animals in each area we visited. The title 'Wildlife Adventure' is no overstatement.
P.L. Forth -
I can’t emphasise enough how outstanding our guide Som GC was – a brilliant birder who charmed the most elusive birds out of the bushes for us, but also a fantastic ambassador for his country and people who we found so welcoming and friendly – we shall miss him. Our trekking crew was also superbly organised and friendly and added much to the overall enjoyment of our trek.
V.H. Devon
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 2nd Nov – Sun 23rd Nov
SPACES
£6,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£795
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 8th Nov – Sun 29th Nov
SPACES
£6,395
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£795
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Naturetrek started by, and still specialises in, organising bird-watching and wild flower treks to remote and mountainous regions of the world. Though our broad programme of holidays now includes many tours which involve little or no strenuous walking, we still offer an excellent choice of walking and trekking wildlife holidays, from the Himalaya to the Pyrenees and the Camino de Santiago to the Inca trail.
Walking Wildlife Holidays on Offer:
These tours involve walking all day on most of the days, and tend to be 8 days in the mountains of Europe (although not exclusively) and are either botany or general natural history in focus. Often in remote areas where there are very few other people, our expert naturalist guides will lead you through some of the most majestic scenery, whilst at the same time helping you discover the wonderful flora and fauna that inhabit the region. These tours are for those who enjoy spending a whole day on foot, being able to cope with some strenuous terrain on sometimes uneven ground, and their reward will be, apart from the memorable landscapes and wildlife encounters, a hearty dinner at the end of each day and a great sense of satisfaction at the end of the holiday! Some of our favourite destinations are:
- The Alps, which offer classic mountain vistas. Switzerland, in particular, with its beautiful alpine meadows, spruce forests and glaciers, is hard to beat for a superb holiday combining botany and walking
- The Pyrenees – we offer various itineraries with tours on both the French and Spanish sides. Wilder and less manicured than the Alps, this mountain range has a large number of different habitats and a wealth of natural history as a result
- The little visited Picos de Europa in northern Spain rewards those who visit with outstanding natural history – birds, plants and butterflies galore!
- Italy has a number of regions which are ideal for walking and afford plenty of wildlife – alpine flowers and butterflies in the Dolomites and unknown Sibillini Mountains, and Marsican Brown Bear in the Abruzzo National Park (in the Apennines)
- Zambia - walking between bush camps in Zambia’s South Luangwa National park, home to over 500 species of bird and 60 mammals, is a unique and unforgettable experience!
Looking for something even more adventurous?
Strenuous treks as the main feature of the tour – lasting up to 15 days – in some of world’s most spectacular and sparsely populated mountain ranges, we offer a selection of trips, including the Himalaya & Nepal’s Langtang Valley, where we go in search of breeding birds, alpine flowers, mammals and other wildlife. Here are a few more choices:
- We have two options in Ladakh searching for Snow Leopards - our original trip which involves camping for several nights and a new departure staying in a recently opened lodge, for those who prefer a roof over their head!
- Mount Everest & the Gokyo Lakes of Nepal to enjoy the world’s highest peaks & their unique natural history
- A holiday to Bhutan’s Bumthang Valley, an area with the most temples and historic sites in the this secretive country, in search of spring flowers, particularly rhododendrons
- Our Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu trip has the option to complete the infamous Inca Trail, which culminates after 5 days of trekking with the best view of Machu Picchu, looking down at the monumental Inca city from the Sun Gate.
Be it day walks or trekking, in mountains, hills or the savannah, we offer a wide variety of holidays where you can truly stretch your legs, breathe in the cleanest of air, and enjoy the natural history of our world on foot.
Our specialist recommends...
"Well, I’m a little biased as I am particularly fond of the Himalaya. However, if you want to find some spectacular mountain scenery and wildlife nearer to home, try ‘Wild Asturias – Realm of the Bear’ for mammals and birds, the Dolomites or Alpujarra for butterflies and Switzerland for alpine flowers!”
David Mills -Managing Director
David Mills -Managing Director
Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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