Email us about this trip at: info@smilingalbino.com. Itinerary 15 day detail below Cost: $3,100US/person Single Supplement: $400US Includes: Guides, all transport, bike, raft, 14 nights accommodation, most meals (as indicated), 2 international airline tickets, 1 internal airline ticket, Everest scenic flight, airport transfers, all equipment, all snacks and all admissions.

History of Nepal Cultural Tips Religion in Nepal What should you bring for this adventure? Kathmandu Photo Gallery

Dates: Oct 28 (sold out), Nov 11

Smiling Albino in Nepal – that’s right! Recent visits to the country blew us away. It’s truly one of the planet’s greatest outdoor adventure hotspots. This soon-to-be-legendary trip was handmade by Smiling Albino and a longtime Nepal resident with all the ingredients that have made our Thailand trips famous - multi-transport, multi-activities, multi-destination, outstanding food, quirky corners, neat local characters and incredible scenery. Our Nepal guru, Mads, built this adventure as his “dream trip”, focusing on the “must do’s and see’s” in this incredibly comprehensive experience.

The Kathmandu Valley and Chepang Hills are away from the beaten track, yet very close to Kathmandu. This area is an ideal location for trekking with the feeling of being a pioneer. This fabled region conjures up images of mystical mountain people, enterprising explorers, ambitious mountain ascents, dramatic scenery and Hindu-Buddhist spiritualists. Very few foreigners have walked these paths and as a result experiences with locals are very special. There are a number of different ethnic groups in the areas we visit including the Magars, Gurungs, Newars and the very unique Chepang, who have until recently lived a semi nomadic lifestyle as hunter gatherers.
Hang on for the ultimate custom-designed Himalayan dream adventure combining biking, hiking, rafting, a flight past Everest and a safari atop elephants to see rhinos and other creatures in their natural environments. Specially designed as one of our “dream adventures”, Nepal experiences just don’t get any better than this!

The price quoted includes all airport transfers, most meals, 14 nights of quality accommodations, return flight aboard Thai Airways from Bangkok to Kathmandu, full Sherpa and porter supported camping, mountain bike, rafts, all internal transport, all admissions, scenic flight past Everest, one internal Nepal airfare, jungle safari, great local guides, and one of the world’s finest western trip leaders. Prepare to be hosted!

Day 1 - Arrival at Bangkok

Welcome to the Land of Smiles, you’re almost there – Kathmandu is just a short flight away. As Thailand is the hub for most journeys from overseas to Nepal and the flight leaves in the morning, it's best to rest up for one night in Bangkok before the final leg. Today is yours to recuperate from the long journey at the wonderfully comfortable Rama Gardens. Enjoy a swim, relax in your private reading window and get ready for tomorrow’s trip to Nepal!

Day 2 - Welcome to Nepal

In the morning we’ll board our Thai Airways flight to Kathmandu. In just over three hours we’ll land at this fascinating Hindu/Buddhist kingdom. Our local host will meet us at the airport and guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets and introduce you to your incredible digs at the award-winning Dwarika’s Hotel. Every brick and piece of wood in this stunning property was laid by hand, creating the perfect environment to soak in the very soul of the country. Tonight we’ll treat you to a traditional Newari dinner (Newars are the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley) at one of the capital’s tastiest restaurants and prepare you for the adventure ahead.

Often there are good airfare deals from western countries all the way from your home city to Kathmandu. If you would like to arrange your own flight from Bangkok to Kathmandu we'll deduct $500US from the trip price.

Meals: B,D
Sleeping: Dwarika’s Hotel

Day 3 - Big Sights on Big Bikes

Get ready for a truly exclusive day that only Smiling Albino can pull off! We’ll spend the day exploring Kathmandu’s major sites perched on the back of classic Royal Enfield motorcycles. You’ll have one of the city’s best drivers chauffer you pillion-style, so you can sit back, take in the sights and smells, while locals envy your ride (a van option exists for those who do not want to ride on a motorcycle). We’ll experience Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares, the Monkey Temple and Shiva’s birth place, Pashupatinath. We’ll indulge at the old royal palace in Patan for lunch, and for dinner head out to one of the coolest restaurants in trendy Thamel.

Meals: B,L,D
Sleeping: Dwarika’s Hotel

Day 4 - Everest and Mountain Bikes

Get up early for a once in a lifetime experience - a one hour spectacular mountain flight which takes us out to eastern Nepal, past some of the highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. These peaks have been the focal point of explorers, dreamers, pioneers and adventurers for generations. An aerial discovery is an opportunity to share in the romance and glory of the world’s most famous mountains. Once back in Kathmandu we’ll board ‘special’ vehicles and enjoy a short drive to Boudhanath, the heart and soul of the Tibetan Buddhist community in Nepal where we’ll have lunch while overlooking one of the biggest stupas in the world. After lunch, soak in the vibe as you circumnavigate this stupa, spinning prayer wheels with locals along the way for some good luck. Now it’s time to work up a sweat - it’s onto mountain bikes and through the beautiful Kathmandu valley to ancient Buddhanilkantha where we’ll check out the reclining Vishnu statue before returning to Kathmandu and your gorgeous home away from home.

Meals: B,L
Sleeping: Dwarika’s Hotel

Day 5 - The Big Down

Today we leave the Kathmandu valley on mountain bikes, cycling over the valley rim and into a great downhill ride which will leave us all smiles for the remainder of the day. Upon arrival at the Trisuli River we’ll camp by the riverbank in comfortable style. Enjoy a meal underneath the stars and anticipate tomorrow’s main event – rafting.

Each traveller will enjoy a private tent, fabulously prepared meals and full camp staff who set up and tear down all equipment. Just show up, grab a drink, and enjoy.

Day 6 - Rafting and Trekking

October is the ideal time of year to ride Nepal’s rivers, as the monsoon has just ended, providing plenty of liquid to move you along. The Trisuli River isn’t too wild, providing a great introduction to the sport with a few fun ‘kicks’ here and there. After a three hour ride we’ll trade boats for shoes at Hugdi Khola, enjoy lunch, then start trekking. Our trek involves mostly climbing up toward our destination, drawing us in to the spectacular views of the mountains from Annapurna in the west to Langtang in the east. After about four hours we'll set camp in the beautiful village of Shangira La, where we’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring the village.

Meals: B,L,D
Sleeping: Comfortable Full-Service Camping

Day 7 - Meet the Honey Hunters

Today is a hiker’s dream. We’ll take our time following ancient footpaths and climbing up, as spectacular views of the magnificent Himalayas, the amazing landscape of the Mahabharata range, terraced fields, forests with unspoilt biodiversity and lovely villages spur you on. Tonight’s camp is at Chepang Gaun, home of the fabled Chepangs, or ‘Honey Hunters’, who in spite of being one of the most disadvantaged communities in Nepal, are exceptionally rich in terms of their culture and traditions. You’re truly out there now.

Day 8 - Chepang Gaun

Today is one to soak it all in. We’ll spend the day exploring the village, possibly walking with locals and learning about their unique lifestyles. The Chepang once relied only on hunting and gathering and were introduced to the world as the ‘Honey Hunters of Nepal’ in the November 1988 issue of National Geographic Magazine. Or, if you like, relax at camp and enjoy the views – what a day!

Meals: B,L,D
Sleeping: Comfortable Full-Service Camping

Day 9 - Trek to Uppar Dang Gadi

This is our longest day of the trek but definitely the most beautiful. We’ll pass quaint villages, enthusiastic locals and some of the world’s greatest scenery to Uppar Dang Gadi, a classic octagonal artillery fort, then into the Chitwan hills that defended the surrounding countryside during the reign of Bahadur Shah. The fort offers the perfect spot for our final camp and panorama views of the Himalayan Range.

Day 10 - Trek and Bike to Chitwan

We start the day trekking down towards the lowland of Nepal, called the Terai. Our trek ends in Shaktikhor, the southern gateway to the Mahabharata Range where we visit the Chepang museum before continuing towards Chitwan National Park. Tonight we’ll stay in charming jungle bungalows at the Machan Wildlife Resort, one of the best places to hang your hat and get a true appreciation for this stunning national park. Tonight hotel rangers and your adventure leaders will give you a full rundown about surrounding environments, creatures that call the area home and tomorrow’s safari.

Day 11 - Chitwan National Park Safari

This is a day never to be forgotten - a full day of Safari Action including wildlife viewing from elephant back, jungle walks, bird-watching, Landrover drives, river safaris, elephant camp visits, wildlife viewing and photographing from machans (blinds). All wildlife activities are escorted by an experienced naturalist that will astound you with knowledge of all things big and small. Wildlife in Chitwan National Park includes the greater one-horned rhinoceros, spotted deer, hog deer, sambar deer, barking deer as well as a wide variety of birdlife. With a bit of luck, there is even the chance of glimpsing a leopard, sloth bear and Royal Bengal tiger.

Day 12 - Safari and Pokhara

After a brief morning safari we’ll take gorgeous roads to one of the kingdom’s premier destinations, Pokhara. Our mid-afternoon arrival allows us to enjoy sunset with the Annapurna massif in the background. We’ll stay at the Fishtail Lodge, situated lakeside next to the Pokhara Valley. It has spectacular, panoramic views of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail Mountain) and three of the world’s 8,000m peaks, Daulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna.

Day 13 - Enjoy Pokhara

Today is yours to enjoy with a plethora of options: explore Pokhara town, try paragliding, go fishing, boating, trekking, bird watching, golfing or curl up in a comfy chair in Colonel Jimmy’s Library and read about some of the area’s famous mountain expeditions. A beautiful swimming pool is also located in a strategic site at the end of a ridge and reflects the high mountains which drop away to the Bijaypur River far below. Talk about options. Tonight we'll head out in the early evening for a great surprise before enjoying dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants.

Day 14 - Back to Kathmandu

A 30-minute morning flight along the Himalayan range takes us back to Kathmandu and the incredible Dwarika’s Hotel for one final night. A longtime Kathmandu resident will top things off with an amazing foot trip of alleyways and courtyards in old Kathmandu, taking you into the heart of locals’ lives. Spend the remainder of the day shopping ancient bazaars and/or sipping coffee on a rooftop patio before our final feast together when we’re bound to be recounting tales of the adventure.

Day 15 - Depart Kathmandu

We'll enjoy a huge breakfast of champions, tell one final round of tales about the trip, then transfer you to the airport, bid farewell and look forward to our paths crossing again.

About the Biking
During our two days mountain biking we use high-quality, 24-speed Shimano-equipped mountain bikes, with front suspension. A variety of sizes are available to accommodate all riders. You’ll be riding on paved roads, dirt roads and even some single-track. The riding routes are easily adaptable to all comers, but experience on a bike and gearing, coupled with a good level of physical fitness will help you along.

About the Trekking
On trekking days we will be climing up and going down steep mountain footpaths. A reasonable level of fitness is key. Big heavy hiking boots are not needed, but a comfortable outdoor shoe is recommended. Expect to be hiking for up to six hours per day.

About the Camping
You'll enjoy five nights of fully supported camping, getting the most out of the great outdoors. A full crew will be on hand, including Sherpas and porters to carry all equipment, your main pack, set up and tear down camp, cook three incredible meals per day and make sure all you have to do is relax and enjoy. There will be a shower available on one day during the camping with 'passport size', hand and face washing on offer all others with a basin of warm water. Each traveler will enjoy their own private sleeping tent with sleeping mat. It is recommended that you bring a three-season sleeping bag. Sleeping bag rental can be arranged but as these items are of a very personal nature we recommend bringing one you're comfortable with and in!

Extra Equipment to Bring
As this is a physical adventure and to help increase your comfort and performance you may wish to bring some of your favorite personal equipment such as: bike helmet, biking shorts, biking gloves, hydration pack, and your favorite pair of walking/hiking shoes.

Things you may wish to add to your adventure: