This trek is best of the Annapurna Circuit, offering a unique insight into the natural and cultural diversity of Nepal. Trekking in the Annapurna region is the best approach to have a close look at the formation of mysterious natures wonders which have facilitated this region to be highly concentrated trekking spot amongst the world since 1977 when it was first time opened for the foreigners. This region has been recognized as one of the Worlds best Trekking trails according to a survey by Modern Maturity (USA). From Kathmandu we travel to the road-head at Besishahar and trek following the Marsyangdi River through rice paddies, terraced fields and Hindu villages in the shadow of the Annapurna and Manasalu ranges. As we ascend, the valley becomes narrower, waterfalls plummet from high above, and the scenery gains a rugged alpine appearance. The trail then bears west behind the Annapurnas, to enter a Trans-Himalayan region populated by people of Tibetan origin whose prayer flags, mani walls and monasteries are constant reminders of the thriving Buddhist culture. There are dramatic views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III and Gangapurna as we make the gradual ascent to the village of Manang. We rest and acclimatize for a day here before undertaking the challenging crossing of the Thorong La (5416 m) that links the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki Valleys. At the top of the pass we savour majestic mountain views before descending to the holy temples at Muktinath. We further descend into the valley at Jomsom at the foot of world’s deepest gorge, cutting between the peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. From Jomsom we fly to Pokhara where we enjoy two nights close to the beautiful Phewa Tal Lake. Anyone with sound health can join this trek since this trek has been set on the basis of slow hike pace to get full acclimatization with a view to enable our clients to get ultimate fun of trekking in this Himalayan paradise. our program Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1345meters). Hotel There you will be met by our Airport Representative and transferred to hotel by private tourist vehicle. Overnight at hotel on BB plan. . Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Besi Shahar (830m/2723ft). Driving 5:30 hours, O/N at guest house, Day 03: Drive to Syange and trek to Chamje(1560m/5118ft). Driving 2 hours and Walking 4:30 hours, O/N at guest house, Day 04: Chamje to Dharapani [1,960m/6,430ft]: 5 - 6 hrs Today we enter the Manang region passing through fields of corn, barley and potatoes, and then through forests of bamboo and rhododendrons. On the way is the village namely Tal. Tal lies on a flat plain next to the sandy beach and river at the base of a large waterfall. While hiking, sometimes we may have to give a pass to a large group of donkey caravan. Overnight at Dharapani. Day 05: Dharapani to Chame [2,710m/8,891ft]: 5 - 6 hrs Today we negotiate a few steep forested ridges along with several landslides on route on the west. We should not forget to look up though, as we will be treated to some of the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft). Small hot springs add relief on our long day hard trek. Overnight at Chame. Day 06: Chame to Pisang [3,300m/10824ft]: 5 - 6 hrs A steep and narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. The forests and heavy vegetation would now be gone. We cross and re-cross the river again and again on suspension bridges. As the trail opens up we get surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks. We find ourselves in U-shaped valley of Manang hanging between two giant snow peaks. Upon walking through these wonderful sites we reach at Pisang. Overnight at Lower Pisang. Day 07: Pisang to Manang: 6 - 7 hrs Today, we will have disjunctures of two routes that we follow. If taken upper route (Himalayan Glacier recommends), i.e., the route through Upper Pisang via Geru, we will have outstanding sceneries. We feel like we are horizontally in front of the majestic peaks. The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others will definitely allure us. We experience a contrast with the landscape and vegetation from today. On the way, the cold and dry climate creates a much harsher environment. Our short visit to Barge monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang will be memorable. Overnight at Manang. Day 8: Manang: Rest Today is the scheduled acclimatization day. It is not recommended to stay idle but a short walk to higher altitude is suggested to get acclimatized with the altitude. The upcoming next two days will be very challenging and tiring trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. We should never be confident with the altitude and always be cautious. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatization point of view. Further, we pay an easy excursion to a little distance away to a village called Vraga, upon wherre we will be at a villages monastery. At this site, we also visit at the Himalayan Rescue Association where we can get some ideas about Mountain Sickness. Overnight at Manang. Day 9: Manang to Yak Kharka [4,110m/13,484ft]: 3 - 4 hours From Manang village, the trail crosses a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki above Manang, and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail follows this valley northward, passing a few pastures, a scrub of juniper trees, as it steadily gains elevation. The trail further passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. Now the trail goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village of Yak Kharka. Little but Gradual ascent is the key to avoiding altitude problems. Overnight at Yak Karka. Day 10: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi [4,600m/15,092ft]: 3 - 4 hrs We make our way to the foot of the pass, Throng Phedi today. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. Trekkers like us use this point as a base camp. Some visitors also attempt a hike to the High Camp today so that the next day can be easier for them. But, Himalayan Glaciers team leader does not advise for this. Although we will have a tough day tomorrow, we stop at Thorong Phedi so that we can sleep sound rather than a risky sleep in higher altitude at High Camp. Overnight at Thorong Phedi. Day 11: Thorong Phedi to Thorong La (5416m/17764ft) to Muktinath [3,800/12,467ft]: 7 - 8 hrs We reach the climax of our Annapurna circle trek today. It will be a lifetime unforgettable experience- crossing the famous high pass, Thorong La (5416m/17764ft). An early start is important to complete the mission. Each moment we have to work hard today through the icy high-altitude trail. But the outstanding high Himalayan scenes are such tempting that our eyes love to watch more over the horizon than on our trail. Upon setting sun we will be at Muktinath. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhist. The area hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby. Muktinath itself demonstrates the religions harmony in Nepal. Overnight at Muktinath. Day 12: Muktinath to Marpha [2,670m/8,760ft]: 4 - 5 hrs Muktinath is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. In the morning, we pay our visit to Vishnu Temple and Gompa. Descending from Ranipauwa village down the steep and barren hillside, we tumble down toward Kagbeni and then to Jomsom finally arriving at Marpha. The trail today is quite surreal as we trek along a plateau above Kali Gandaki, the world`s deepest gorge. The barren landscape of this area resembles Tibet. Marpha is also famous as the apple capital of Nepal where one can enjoy different items made from apple. The local apple brandy of Marpha is famous all over Nepal. Overnight at Marpha. (B, L, D) Day 13: Marpha to Kalopani [2530 m/8300 ft]: 5 - 6 hrs From Marpha, we take a new route toward Kalopani via Chokhopani village. Today, we come across traditional villages of the ethnic Thakali people. Also, we get to see apple gardens. Waiting here is the 360 degrees panorama of Himalayan peaks: Dhaulagari, Tukuche Peak, the three Nilgiris, Fang and Annapurna I. From Chokhopani, we continue to Kokhethanti. Upon crossing a river, we come across the newly constructed road site before reaching Kokhethanti of Kalopani. Overnight at Kalopani. Day 14: Kalopani to Tatopani [1,200m/3937ft]: 6 - 7 hrs Again to avoid the new roads, we take a new route to Tatopani from Kalopani. The journey is mostly downhill. We cross the bridge at Ghasa. As we drop to lower elevations, we emerge back into subtropical forests, lush with vegetation. We continue along Rupse Chahara (popular waterfall). We avoid the road and continue down the east bank from Kopchepani via Garpar to a bridge at Dana. At Narchyang Besi, we get to see a powerhouse that supplies electricity in the area. We experience more villages in this area where we can observe the everyday lives of the local people. Upon reaching Tatopani, we relax and have a bath in the hot spring. Day 15: Tatopani to Ghorepani [2,850m/9,350ft]: 7 - 8 hrs While walking, we observe the lifestyle of the people in the midland villages of Nepal. Ghara and Sikha are the villages with terraced and inclined farmlands. We gradually walk steep up to ascent Ghorepani. While traversing through the Phalate, Chitre and a no-habitation area, we encoounter with rhododendron, brich, magnolia and some meadows on the way. As we gain height, the peaks ahead look wonderful. We stay at Ghorepani for we have to make the climb to Poon Hill early tomorrow morning. Overnight at Ghorepani. Day 16: Ghorepani to Tadapani [2,710m/8,891ft]: 6 - 7 hrs Early at dawn, we ascend to Poon Hill (3,210m. /10,531ft) to catch the moment of spectacular sunrise over the whole Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs and surrounding rice terraces. Nick name of Poon Hill is itself a photographer`s paradise. Upon breakfast, we continue ups and downs trail trek to Tadapani for overnight through the rhododendron forests. We like to keep inspecting at the horizon as sceneries are equally dazzling throughout the day at the trek. Day 17: Tadapani to Ghandruk to Pokhara [850m/2,789ft]: 5 - 6 hrs trek, 1 hr drive The trail leads all the way down through the Rhododendron forest to Ghandruk. This is the second-largest Gurung settlement in Nepal. Upon our lunch, we continue trek to Nayapul to complete the trail which is fllowed by a short bus ride back to Pokhara, a peaceful lakeside city harboring a unique setting of tropical climate and vegetation with the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayas. Overnight in Pokhara (850m/2,789ft). Day 18: Pokhara to Kathmandu: 6 hrs drive After breakfast, we start our drive back to Kathmandu. It will be better to hold on the left pane of the vehicle to enjoy the sceneries through the route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be escorted to our hotel; and we spend the afternoon leisurely, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping and in the evening celebrate dinner together with tt4ft staffs. Overnight in Kathmandu. Day 19: Farewell Friend Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! TT4FT escorts us to the airport for our flight time. Approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight, a representative from Himalayan Glacier will escort us to the airport and bid farewell greetings. On our way to home, we will have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country like Nepal. please don’t forget to contact us mountaintiger10@gmail babukarki1@hotmail bjirel@live tt4ft +977-01-4219271 +977-9841840947 +977-9841452060
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 07:49:07 +0000