16 days trek (4 nights in Kathmandu)

This "classic" journey around the massif of the Annapurna Himal starts with a drive to Besisahar and then leads up the Marsyangdi River Valley through the villages of Chamje, Bagarchap Pisang and Manang to cross the Thorung La (5400 m.). The trail then switches over to the Kali Gandaki River valley and descends through the villages of Muktinath, Jomsom and Ghorapani to terminate in Pokhara.

This trek is difficult to match for its rugged mountain scenery, trekking challenges and the expose it provides on the variety of ethnic Nepalese cultures. Starting in the lowland paddy fields the trek steadily gains altitude passing through oak and pine forests and eventually emerging into high desert country at Manang (3597 m.). The descent is equally amazing and varied.

Since this trek gains altitude slowly, you will have enough time to observe the people and their customs. Lowland, farming communities of Brahmin and Chettri people of Aryan stock give way, slowly, to the highland trading communities of Magar, Gurung and Bhotia people of Mongoloid stock. As the people change, so does the dominant religion. Temples and shrines, used for worship by the lowland Hindus give way to Shamanism in the middle hills which, in turn, gives way to the gompas and monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism of the higher reaches.

Strenuous trekking is well rewarded at both low and high altitudes, on the approach to the Thorung La as well as during the descent from it. Close up views of the Annapurna range (40 miles between the two river valleys contain at twelve 7000 m. peaks and many more above the 6000 m. mark). Varied ecosystems, diverse cultures and an everchanging landscape - lush, green paddy fields and oak forests, arid deserts and the deepest gorge in the world make this one of the most popular treks in the world.

However, the crossing of the 17,700 feet Thorung La requires acclimatization to the altitude, excellent physical conditioning and of course, good weather.

Day 01
Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be greeted by a representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 02
Free day in Kathmandu to make final preparations for your trek. If you feel that you are adequately prepared and would like to have an escorted sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city, we will be glad to arrange it for you. Please ask for this service from our representative upon arrival.

Day 03
After breakfast you will board your private transport and start the drive to Dumre. This drive can take up to five hours and since eating places are few and far between you will be carrying packed lunch (provided). Your adventure vacation truly starts the moment you reach Dumre where your crew will be waiting for you. You will board a truck along with your crew and drive up the Marsyangdi river valley to Besisahar. This road is seasonal and the surest way to travel is by truck!! Your first day's camp will be at Besisahar.

Day 04
Pass through the village of Besisahar and descend to the river valley. Crossing the river the trail climbs steeply and continues contouring in wet subtropical forests and paddy fields. The trail continues north above the Marsyangdi Khola towards Khudi Khola, a major tributary which drains the east end of the Lamjung Himal. Then, crossing suspension bridge to come back to the Marsyangdi Khola you reach the village of Khudi.

Day 05
The changes in the valley's ecosystem and its physical characteristics become evident now. Himalchuli is the major summit to the east. Crossing the river to its east bank you pass through the village of Bhulbhule and heading north continue past Ngadi (930 m.) to the ridge top settlement of Bahundanda (1311 m.). The name of this village literally means "Brahmin Hill".

Day 06
Descend to the valley floor and then, crossing the river, climb steeply out of it to follow a trail beautifully carved out of the rock wall of the valley. Passing through Khani Gaoon and Ghermu you reach Sangye. Continue along the west bank of the Marsyangdi River through the village of Jagat to Chamje where you will cross the river to its eastern bank to enter the Manang District at the village of Tal.

As you head upstream, you will begin to notice the changes in the people as well as the land, architecture and culture. You notice that there is a concentration of people of Tibetan origin, their houses are built of rock, the vegetation is less tropical and the culture is predominantly Tibetan.

Day 07
The trail from Tal crosses the Marsyangdi Khola to its west bank after the village of Karte and continues towards the village of Dharapani. From Dharapani you continue up the river valley past the Gurung village of Thonje to the village of Bagarchap. Bagarchap means "Butcher's place".

Day 08
Continuing along the left bank, climb up the heavily wooded Manang Valley past small settlements with excellent views of Manaslu and the peaks above Larkya La. Camp just outside the village of Chame, administrative headquarters of the region and the last major market before Jomosom. Chame also has a police check post and bank.

Day 09
From Chame the trail condition changes, somewhat. The continuing trail is not as well maintained as the one up to Chame. Pass through pine forests, over fairly level ground, through the village of Taleku to Bhratang. Like all villages since Dharapani these predominantly Buddhist villages have an entrance chorten and an exit chorten. Annapurna II can be seen to the south and you are now behind the main Himalaya peaks in their rainshadow area. After crossing a series of wooden cantilever bridges you enter a spruce and fir forest which eventually gives way to alpine forest. After days in the gorge the forests provide a welcome change. Crossing the river to its left bank you reach your campsite opposite the village of Pisang. You may want to visit the village before dinner.

Day 10
You are now in the dry arid region of Manang called Nyesyang. Since this area falls in the rainshadow area of the Himalaya it seldom rains in the summer months, though it snows in the winter and the snow remains on the ground for a long time. The population is mostly farmers and traders though it is the men that do most of the trading. People in this area keep comparatively less domestic animals and the consumption of meat is very limited.

There are two routes leading leading out of Pisang towards the Manang valley. The one you will follow stays to valley floor, on the left bank. Spectacular views of Annapurna III and IV along with Gangapuran and Tilicho peaks abound. This is possibly the best day for viewing mountains. You will pass through the village of Hongde where there is a STOL airfield servicing the Manang district. Crossing the river, just past the Manang Mountaineering School and you walk along a fairly broad trail to the fields near the village of Braga where camp will be set up for the night.

Day 11
Today is a day for rest and acclimatization. Those who want may take a short half day hike from Braga. Retrace your steps to the Manang Mountaineering School and walk up the gully, past the power house which supplies electricity to upper Manag valley, towards the base of Annapurna III for a real, close up look at this mountain. You should, however, not attempt to go to far and exhaust yourself. Remember this is actually a rest day!!

Day 12
Half an hour away from Braga, upstream and after a slight climb is the village of Manang which lends its name to the whole district upward of Chame. Manang has a few shops where one can re-stock on supplies like chocolates, films and alkaline batteries - all, of course, for a price. Past Manang, the trail climbs steeply to the village of Tenki which is the last permanent settlement this side of the Thorung La. Climb a little further and then contour slowly past pastures to Yak Kharka (literally meaning Yak Pastures).

Day 13
Continue through pastures which eventually give way to high arid desert to high camp at Phedi, at the base of Thorung La.

Day 14
Leaving the river valley you set out early in the morning, provided the weather is good and it is not snowing. From Phedi ascend to a notch and turning left head for the Thorung La. The pass itself is marked by a cairn of rocks (this may not be visible if there is snow). Beyond the pass you enter the river valley of the Kali Gandaki river. The descent from the pass to Muktinath is steep but, not difficult.

Day 15
Muktinath is a sacred pilgrimage site to both Hindus and Buddhists who flock there annually for their respective festivals. A rest day here allows you the opportunity to explore the area and the ancient shrines. Of particular interest is the temple of the Hindu God Vishnu and the one hundred and eight water spouts where devotees bathe. From Muktinath there are beautiful views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167 m.).

Day 16
Trek down along a level but rocky trail through juniper thickets to Jomsom via Jharkot and Kagbeni which are the inhabited by the people of Tibetan origin.

Day 17
Spare day in case of bad weather.

Day 18
Fly to Pokhara and then connect the flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel.

Day 19
In Kathmandu at leisure.

Day 20
Transfer to airport for the flight back home.