Detail Itinerary

  Day 01: Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu. Welcome and Assistance on arrival at Airport. Transfer to Hotel. Hotel Check in. Dinner and overnight stay at Kathmandu.

  Day 02: DRIVE TO BESI SAHAR [820m]/ Trek to Khudi (790 m)

We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the rough road by the Marsyangdi River to Besi Sahar. [drive approx 6 hours]. Besi Sahar is the starting point of the trek.

Ignoring the road at the north end of the Besi Sahar bazaar we follow a rough rock staircase down to the Puwa Khola. We climb onto the roadbed and trek past Chanaute. Going through several ups and downs we pass through subtropical forests and the rice terraces of Sera then to Khudi, the first Gurung village on the trek, our first night's camp.

  Day 03: TREK TO BAHUNDANDA [1310m]

From Khudi we follow the road to Bhulbule and the Thorung La Guest House, we leaving the road cross the Marsyangdi Khola on a long suspension bridge. Collecting the first stamp on our entry permit at the ACAP check post we cross the few trail junctions between Bhulbule and Lampata, taking the trail to the left in each case and reach to Ngadi. We to continue with our trek head towards the Tibetan Settlement crossing a stream beyond Ngadi. Moving gently upwards through scrub forests and across landslides to Lampata. The trail winds around to the small Manaslu lodge and a police check post, then make a short steep climb to Bahundanda. Overnight stay at Bahundanda.

  Day 04: TREK TO Chamje [1410m]

Before crossing a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall, we descend a steep, slippery trail through rice terraces from Bahundanda. From here a climb over a ridge leads us to the pleasant village of Kanigaon, at 1170m. The trail then descends crossing the Marsyangdi on a long suspension bridge at Syange. Beyond Syange the valley narrows and becomes a steep canyon. A steep climb over a landslide leads to Shree Chaur, beyond which the trail climbs quite high on an exposed trail carved into nearly vertical cliffs. It’s a short descent past a small waterfall to Jagat. From Jagat, we descend and cross a landslide near the Ghatta Khola, from where we take a long climb through forests passing a waterfall to Chamje. Overnight stay at Chamje.

  Day 05: TREK TO Bagarchhap [2160mm]

Crossing the east bank of the Marsyangdi we follow the trail along the river embankment on rocks. Passing under an overhanging rock, we climb a rocky trail and a steep stone staircase to several tea shops in Sattale, then make a short to descend to Tal Besi and then head for Khorte and then to Karte. We climb from the bridge to a stone kani marking our entrance to Dharapani. Beyond Dharapani, we pass through a school and climb over a spur. 30 minutes walk through a forest of blue pine, spruce, hemlock, maple and oak will reach us to Bagarchhap. Overnight stay at Bagarchhap.

  Day 06: TREK TO CHAME [2630m]

Staying on the south bank of the river we climb through forests to Danaque. Beyond Danaque the route crosses a stream on a wooden bridge, and then reaches a trail junction, we follow the usual route to Manag, which is the right fork. A broad level stretch of trail will lead us through forests to a cement bridge near a spectacular waterfall. We traverse a rock ledge, climb over a ridge on a steep, rocky trail and descend to the tiny settlement of Temang Besi. We cross several landslides as it works its way uphill through a forest of walnut trees to Lattemarang. After making several ups and downs over forested ridges and landslides, crossing a large stream and the ridge we reach to the entrance chorten of Kotha, known as Kyupar from where we can look straight up at nearby Annapurna II - a sight convincing us that we are deep in the Himalayan mountains. From here climbing through a fir and pine forest we reach to Chame , the administrative headquarters for the Manag District. Overnight stay at Chame.

  Day 07: TREK TO PISANG [3190m]

After breakfast at Chame, we set off for Pisang. We continue making a long and pleasant walk in the forests, crossing a short landslide, to a huge apple orchard surrounded by a stone wall. From this point the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as we follow the path to Bratang. There is also a bridge leading us to the old part of Bhratang, which used to be a Khampa settlement. We without crossing the bridge , staying on the northern side of the river follow a new trail that has been blasted out of the side of the cliff. We cross to the south bank of Marsyangdi on a suspension bridge. Further ups and downs from here will lead us to Pisang. Overnight stay at Pisang.

  Day 08: TREK TO MANANG [3540m]

Continue being at the Southern side of Marshyangdi, we cross a stream and make a long climb over a forested ridge that extends across the valley. A short descend will lead us to the broad valley floor. We follow along the valley floor to Manang’s airstrip at Hongde. We further pass a long mani wall and then the airport, thirty minutes beyond the airport there is Sabje Valley, with Annapurna III and IV just above. We cross to the north bank of the Marshyangdi on a wooden bridge near mungji and then climb past fields of barley and buckwheat over a low ridge at Bryaga. A short walk past chorten and mani walls, will lead us to the Plateau of Manang. Overnight stay at Manang.

  Day 09: REST DAY IN MANANG [3520m]

We spend one whole day at Manang taking rest which is very important for us before crossing the Thorung La. We can spend the rest day by making visits to various places. We can climb high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley. There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association [HRA] aid post in the village, which makes an interesting and educational visit. We can also walk to visit the Bhojo Gompa. Overnight stay at Manang.

  Day 10: TREK TO LETDAR [4250m]

From Manang, we cross a stream and climb to Tengi, which has the magnificent Annapurna Himal views to offer all the way. From here the trail climbs to a small village of Gunsang at 3960m. We pass through sparse forests of Juniper, rose and barberry and cross a large stream, then pass an ancient mani wall in a meadow at 3990m. Beyond is Yak Kharka , also known as Koche. An hour walk further from Yak Kharka is Letdar. Overnight stay at Letdar.

  Day 11: TREK TO THORUNG PHEDI [4500m]

After an early breakfast at Letdar we continue with our trek for the day. From Letdar the trail continues to climb along the east bank of the Jarsang Khola, then descends and crosses a stream on a wooden bridge at 4310m. We make a short ascent on a good trail to a tea shop, then we follow a narrow trail across a high, unstable scree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi. Overnight stay at Thorung Phedi.

  Day 12: TREK TO MUKTINATH [3800m]

The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving Thorung Phedi, but as this trail, has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path, though often steep is well defined and easy to follow. It will take us almost 4 hours from Thorung Phedi to reach to the pass. The views from the trail and from the pass itself, are outstanding high Himalayan scenes. We then start descending down the barren Kali Gandaki Valley, which is far below the to the west. The descent is steep and rough. Eventually the moraines yields to grassy slopes and the final descent walk to Muktinath is a pleasant walk along the upper part of the jhong Valley. We crossing the meadows, drop into a deep ravine the starting of the Jhong Khola , we climb out and follow a wide trail into Muktinath. Overnight stay at Muktinath.

  Day 13: TREK TO MARPHA [2665m]

We now begin the descent down the Kali Gandaki Gorge. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, we follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom. As the trail continues towards Jomsom, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and impressive with its mixture of browns, yellows and greys, contrasting with the white snowcaps of Tilicho and Nilgiri. By afternoon, the stiff winds begin to blow, hastening our way to Jomsom. The wind generally picks up after about midday, but will at least be blowing at our backs as we head up to Jomsom. After passing through stone-walled orchards, a stone gate marks the entrance to Marpha. White walled houses line both sides of the narrow paved street, under which flows a cleverly made drainage system. Marpha makes a good lunch stop and the courtyards of the many lodges make ideal resting and refreshment places. The local apple brandy is well-known! Over night stay at Lodge.

  Day 14: TREK TO LETE [2470m]

Today we continue up the vast gravel riverbed of the Kali Gandaki, passing mule trains travelling down from Tibet to Tukuche, a delightful village with a large gompa. Beyond Tukuche we walk along the west bank of the Kali Gandaki towards Larjung. Here, as in many of the villages in this area, narrow alleyways and tunnels connect houses with enclosed courtyards, providing protection against the winds blowing up the valley. We make our way through pine, juniper and cypress forests to Kalopani, enjoying fine views of Annapurna I and Fang. We reach to Lete that lies just twenty minutes beyond Kalopani. Overmight stay at Lete.

  Day 15: TREK TO TATOPANI [1160m]

Descending steeply through forests to Ghasa, the last Thakali village and the southern-most limit of Tibetan Buddhism. We enter the steepest and narrowest part of the gorge shortly after Ghasa and at the hamlet of Rupse a magnificent waterfall tumbles down beside the trail. Continuing on we come to Dana, a Magar village from where the large peak of Annapurna South can be seen across the valley. The trail then descends to Tatopani. Tatopani means ‘hot water’ and to plunge into the Geothermal water in the well-maintained pool near the river is worth after the days walk. Lodge at either the village or at the North end. Over night stay at Lodge.

  Day 16: TREK TO GHOREPANI [2775m]

A short distance downstream from Tatopani, we cross the river on a large suspension bridge and leave the Kali Gandaki behind. After passing through the villages of Sikha and Chitre, we begin to climb through the forest to Deorali, a 2834m pass from which there are excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. Just 10 minutes beyond the pass is the village of Ghorepani. Ghorepani literally means "horse water" and is a welcome watering spot for the teams of mules, which ply the route between Pokhara and Jomsom. [walk approx 4 hours]

  Day 17: TREK TO BIRETHANTI [1050m] & DRIVE TO POKHARA

Overlooking Ghorepani is Poon Hill [3193m], and an hour long pre-dawn ascent gives us the opportunity to see the classic view of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri at sunrise.

After breakfast we begin the long descent to Birethanti through magnificent oak and rhododendron forests. From the village of Ulleri, a long steep stone staircase seems to go on forever before eventually reaching Hille. A more gradual descent then brings us to Birethanti, from where it is a short distance to the road and our transport are waiting for us for the short drive back to Pokhara. [walk approx 6 hours] Dinner and overnight stay in Pokhara.

  Day 18: Kathmandu

Breakfast at Hotel. We take morning flight back to Kathmandu.
Visit 2000 years old shrine Swyambhunath Temple, which is also known as temple of monkeys. It is said that Ashoka paid a visit to the site 2000 years ago. By 1200s it was an important Buddhist center. Visit colorful Durbar square known as Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Temple of living goddess Kumari, Jagannath temple known for its colorfully painted wood carvings and Kasthamandap temple a three story pagoda style. It is believed that this temple is built from single tree in the 12th century.

Lunch: 1300 hrs- 1400hrs
PM: After Lunch, Visit Old Royal Palace of Patan City including Krishna Mandir which is the best example of stone architecture in Nepal, 12th century Mahaboudha known in English as Golden temple of 10,000 Buddha Shikar style temple originally built in 1585. Dinner and overnight stay at Kathmandu.

  Day 19: Departure To Airport

AM: Breakfast at Hotel. Free time till departure to Airport.