Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel, you will be briefed about your daily activities.
Day 02 Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significances. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century Palace of 55 windows and Swoyambhunath
Day 03 Drive to Besi Sahar [820m]
We drive for approximately 6 hours along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the rough road by the Marshyangdi river to Besi Sahar.
Day 04 Trek to Khudi [790m]
We start our first day's short trek from Besi Sahar, turning right at the canal on the outskirts of the village and descending the narrow path to the Pam Khola. We then cross the stream and climb to the village of Denauti with its traditional red-mud houses. From here we descend to the banks of the Marshyangdi Khola and then follow the trail through rice paddies and sub-tropical forests to the Gurung village of Khudi.
Day 05 Trek to Bahundanda [1310m]
Leaving Khudi we pass a school and a forest nursery, as the trail continues northwards up the Marshyangdi Valley. After crossing a suspension bridge at Bhulbule, the trail passes a cascading waterfall and rice terraces with the magnificent views of Manaslu serving as a backdrop. Following a gentle incline we come to the village of Ngadi with its shops and teahouses. From here, the trail continues to ascend towards Bahundanda. Bahundanda literally means "Hill of the Brahmins" and it is the most northerly Brahmin settlement in the Marshyangdi Valley. It is situated on a long ridge and we camp in terraced fields near the village.
Day 06 Trek to Jagat [1290m]
A steep trail descends from Bahundanda, through rice terraces, before crossing a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall. It then climbs again and traverses the hillside high above the river before reaching the village of Hani Gaon. Ahead, the Marshyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape, and we follow the winding mountain path down through Syange and along the river for some distance. The trail then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. Eventually we descend to the stone village of Jagat, situated on a shelf which juts into the precipitous Marshyangdi valley.
DAY 07 Trek to Dharapani [1920m]
The trail from Jagat descends until it almost reaches the river and then begins to climb again through a forest. The sheer cliff on the opposite bank plunges downward but this side is also steep. When the climb ends, we follow a level track to Chyamje. There is a magnificent waterfall on the opposite bank. After descending to the river and crossing a suspension bridge, we begin a climb to Sattale on a path so steep that it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley.
We continue on an undulating path above the river, and at one point, where a tributary flows in from the opposite bank, the main river becomes covered with huge boulders that hide the water. Climbing the zigzag path to the top of the hill, we see the level, plain of Tal before us. Though it is enclosed by cliffs, the level area looks reassuring after the harrowing mountain paths just travelled on. We descend to a grassy riverbank which leads to Tal with its hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path becomes high and winding, and in several areas seems hewn from the rock itself. Beyond the small village of Karte, there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path drops again to the river. We cross a suspension bridge, and climb the short distance to the stone mani marking the entrance to Dharapani.
DAY 08 Trek to Narphu Valley First Camp [2740m]
As we cut through a narrow field from the village, the Dudh Khola, which originates from the south face of Manaslu, enters on the opposite bank. The Marshyangdi then veers to the left, and as Annapurna II becomes visible ahead, we arrive at Bagarchhap, a Bhotia village with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, we pass through Dhanakyu before coming to a thundering waterfall. Further on, the Marshyangdi Khola enters a gorge and the path consists of steep stone steps. Pausing for breath, we can look back for views of Manaslu. When the steep incline ends we follow a path amid magnificent rhododendrons to Ratamron and then continue on a gently rising path, crossing a stream before entering a pine forest.
We then cut across a loose hillside to the hamlet of Koto (2600 m) from where we can look straight up at the magnificent Annapurna II. This is also where we leave the Annapurna Circuit, we cross the Marshyangdi river and enter the Narphu valley. From the bank of Narphu Khola we start climbing to our first camping site, which we reach about two hours from Koto.
DAY 09 Trek to Sinhenge Dharamsala [3230m]
Most of this first day in the NarPhu valley we walk on small jungle paths, which is quite a change from the bigger trail around Annapurna. The first part is up and down and then we have a short steep ascent to Choto (2840m). We then have lots of steep ups and downs and the path is quite exposed above the Nar Phu Khola. At the altitude of 3090m we cross a suspension bridge, here the valley is very narrow and just before the bridge there are some hot-springs. The rock carved path now becomes very exiting, both because of danger, but also because there are some big waterfalls. We climb to a two storied hut at Sinhenge Dharamsala, where we set camp for the night.
DAY 10 Trek to Upper Chaku Village [3720m]
We begin the day by crossing Methang Khola river and then start a breathtaking climb on a winding path to the Methang pastures. Here at Methang there is an ancient Chorten and marvellous views of Kang Guru. Further on we pass the abandoned Methang village (3560m), from the village there is a path to Kang Guru BC. The path to the next village Junan is easy and flat, Junan is also abandoned. From here we continue to have an easy walk to Lower Chaku village, which has about 15 houses. We continue to Upper Chaku on a steep trail.
DAY 11Trek to Phu Village [3980m]
This day begins with a hard steep ascent to the abandoned Kyan village Vhaku, where there is a nice long mani wall. We continue on an amazing tunnel carved rocky path 70 meters above the river and then decent to the riverbed, we follow the riverbed and pass some Mani Chrotens. We then climb up from the riverbed to the Phu valley entrance door (Phuohi Yalgoe). About an hour from the valley entrance we cross the Phu Khola and begin climbing up to the village. Phu village consists of about 30 houses, which are home to 100-150 people. We camp near the river.
DAY 12 Rest day in Phu Village
We rest here for a day, have a look at the village and might go exploring a little further up in the valley.
DAY 13 Trek to Naar Campsite [3550m]
To get to Naar we have to go back down the valley, we pass Chaku and walk on for a couple of hours before we cross the Phu Khola at Naar Phedi (two bridges to Naar). From here we climb up to a very nice grassy campsite.
DAY 14 Trek to Kang La Phedi [4530m]
From our campsite it is a steep couple of hours climb to Naar Village (4110m), we have lunch here near the village, so we can take a look at it before we walk on. We continue on a long but gentle ascent through the lateral moraine of Temdenzon Khola, on a nice path. At the bottom of Kang La, we camp on a nice grassy spot.
DAY 15 Trek to Munje [3330m]
Today we have a long and hard day ahead of us, however it is very rewarding. We have to cross the big Kang La pass (5280m). It is a very steep ascent to the top of the pass where there is a chorten and some great views of the Annapurna massif. Just before reaching the pass, there is a small lake where we take a rest before making the last effort to reach the top. From the top of the pass it is a very steep decent, but after an hour we take a grassy path that leads to Ngawal. There are restaurants and lodges in Ngawal. We continue all the way to Munje. On the way we pass beautiful forests. We camp there for the night.
DAY 16 Trek to Manang [3540m]
Cultivated fields appear on both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy mountain, we can see the village of Braga with its splendid monastery. Large chortens and mani walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us - Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna [7455m] and, to the rear, Tilicho Peak [7134m].
After a short steep climb we reach Manang, which is a surprisingly large village for this remote mountain region. We camp here for the night, amidst the fluttering prayer flags.
DAY 17 Trek to Letdar [4250m]
From Manang, we climb to the next village of Tengi. We are surrounded by magnificent peaks of the Annapurna Himal , Peak 29 and Himalchuli . We are now past the tree line. The vegetation consists of alpine grasses and scrub juniper. Climbing the path past the summer village of Gunsang, we cross the Gundon Khola via a wooden bridge. From here we can see ahead the mountains surrounding the Thorung La which we will cross tomorrow. The trail is up and down as the elevation gradually increases and we soon enter an alluvial delta where there are yak pastures. An hour beyond this, we come to the small settlement of Letdar.
DAY 18 Trek to Thorung Phedi [4500m]
Leaving Letdar, we climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marshyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge. After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, we follow a narrow trail across an unstable scree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi.
DAY 19 Trek To Muktinath [3800m]
We begin the trek early today for crossing the Thorung La [5416m]. The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path is well defined. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing we reach the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. The views are dramatic, from the snow covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which spread out before us.
The descent to Muktinath is a tiring and knee pounding journey but it's compensated for with excellent views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple.
DAY 20 Trek to Jomsom [2713m]
We now begin the descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki valley, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, we follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom and are rewarded with tremendous views of both Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Jomsom is a large town sprawled along both banks of the Kali Gandaki River, and it is here we will spend the final night of our trek.
DAY 21 Flight to Kathmandu via Pokhara
We take an early morning flight to Pokhara. It is a spectacular flight along the Kali Gandaki Gorge and provides wonderful views of both the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. We then catch a further flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 22 Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. (Or stay longer for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc)
Note
Your itinerary is just a guideline and we have not included any rest day in Pokhara. Since the trek ends in Pokhara, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal, it would be nice for you to spend a day or two in this scenic city, taking in the beautiful sights and sounds. Please do let us know, if you wish to spend a day or two in Pokhara or head towards Chitwan for a wildlife safari adventure. |
