©iStockphoto/isoft
(Departures March – May, September, October)
Explore the Kathmandu Valley in the highest mountains of the world, the Himalayas. Fly to Pokhara where you will begin on your Himalayan adventure through forests, medieval villages and cross one of the Himalaya’s highest mountain passes. Descend to visit Muktinath, a pilgrimage spot that yogi’s ard Buddhists are said to walk up to 20 years to make an offering here. See Thakali villages along the Kali Ghandaki River. Crossing the Thorung La pass is one of the most scenic adventures that you will ever do in your lifetime.
Day 1 – Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu where you will be met and driven to your hotel.
Day 2 – Kathmandu
Explore the valley visiting Swayambu and Bouddhanath stupas, Pashupatinath and Durbar Marg. Visit the Newari town of Patan in the afternoon.
Day 3 – Kathmandu/Pokhara
Fly to Pokhara where you will be met and driven to your hotel. Enjoy your afternoon at Phewa Tal.
Day 4 – Pokhara/Besi Sahar/Bhulebule
You are driven to Besi Sahar where your trek begins. The scenic ascent to Bhulebule hosts views of Himalchulie to the Northeast, and Ngadi Chule also called Manislu II. At Bhulebule you enter into the Annapurna Conservation Area. Overnight.
Day 5 – Bhulebule/Ghermu
At Bhulebule the trail leaves the road and crosses the Marsyangdi Khola on its east bank continueing to Ngadi before arriving in Bahundanda. There are shops and restaurants here. The trail drops steeply to Lili Bhir and you then follows the trail to Kanigaon and Ghermu where a spectacular view of a high waterfall can be seen across the river. Overnight.
Day 6 – Ghermu/Tal
You descend to Syange and cross the Marsyangdi Khola’s west bank over a suspension bridge. The trail climbs steeply to the village of Jagat located on the Tibetan salt trade route. Trek the trail through the forest to Chamje. Cross the Marsyangdi Khola again and trek uphill to Tal. Tal is the first village in the district of Manang. Overnight.
Day 7 – Tal/Chame
Climb the trail along a stone stairway and downward crossing the Marsyangdi Khola again. You continue past Khotro and Karte to Dharapani marked by a stone entrance chorten with Tibetan prayer flags. Break for lunch further on at Bagarchhap or Danaque. Trek through forests of fir and pine to Koto at the junction of the Nar-Phu Valley. Trek onward to Chame where you can see a fantastic view of Annapurna II. Overnight.
Day 8 – Chame/Pisang
Trek through a narrow valley and recross the south bank of the Marsyangdi Khola. The trail climbs to Dhukur Pokhari where you can have lunch. Trek onward to upper Pisang. Overnight.
Day 9 – Pisang/Manang
Trek through the upper part of the Manang district taking the northern route via Ghyaru and Ngawal.
Continue to Mungji to Bragha. Overnight.
Day 10 – Bragha (Manang)
This day will be used for acclimatizing. Take short walks to Praken’s gonpa or Milarepa’s cave. Overnight.
Day 11 – Bragha (Manang)/Letdar
Ascend from Manang to Thorung La until you reach Letdar. It is important to spend a night here to acclimatize. Overnight.
Day 12 – Letdar/Thorung Phedi
Cross the river and climb up to Thorung Phedi. It is from here that you will cross Thorung La pass.
Overnight.
Day 13 – Thorung Phedi/Thorung La Pass/Muktinath
The trail climbs steeply to the pass. It takes about 4 to 6 hours to reach the pass which is marked by chortens and prayer flags. Your spectacular view from the top is the Annapurnas all the way to the Kali Ghandaki Valley. Descend to Muktinath. Overnight.
Day 14 – Muktinath/Kagbeni
Muktinath is a pilgrimage site and is known for its temple of four elements where earth, wind, water and fire meet. You trek downward to desert like scenery to Jharkot onward to the medieval stone city of Kagbeni. Overnight.
Day 15 – Kagbeni/Jomson
You trek through the flat valley to Jomson where you will see Thakali villages along the Kali Ghandaki River. Arrive in Jomson before noon as high winds pick up early in the day. Overnight.
Day 16 – Jomson/Pokhara
Fly to Pokhara in the morning where you will be met and driven to your hotel. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.
Day 17 – Depart Pokhara/Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Kathmandu.
