This trekking area encircles the famous Annapurna range
and pass through a great variety of landscape and vegetation:
from the tropical diversity to the Tibetan Plateau.
A birth taking view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri can
also be enjoyed. The highest point is the Thorong La
pass (5416m). The trek gives also the opportunity to
see different pictures of some ethnic group's of central
Nepal Like: Magar, Gurung and Thakali. The trekkers
require excellent health and to be physically fit.
Day 01: Drive Kathmandu-Besisahar.
820 m 6 hrs
After breakfast get ready, after the crews & the
bus arrive, we set to drive to Besisahar. The drive
takes about 6 hours to reach to Besisahar, the capital
headquarter of Lamjung district of Nepal. The drive
continues for four hours on the Prithvi Highway towards
Pokhara & passes several valleys villages mostly
through the banks of beautiful river like Trishuli &
Marsyangdi. After Dumre on Prithvi Highway the way takes
a right turn & separates from Prithvi Highway to
Besisahar. Now you drive through the forests, terraced
plains on the bank of Marsyangdi River for about two
hours & reach to Besisahar for the night halt.
Day 02: Besisahar-Nagdi. 930 m 6 hrs
After breakfast we start the first walking day of the
trek. Ten Minutes North of Besisahar the trail drops
down to cross the Pawa Khola. Across the river you can
either follow the new road that is easier or make a
short but stiff climb to join the old trail. The trail
continues & reaches to a Gurung Village named Khudi,
standing above the Khudi Khola. The trail crosses the
east bank of the river & reaches to Bhulbule taking
almost 4 hrs walking time. From Bhulbule 840 m, you
can have the best views of Himalchuli 7893 m, Nagdi
Chuli 7835m. Now the trail continues through the bank
of Marsyangdi River for about two hours & reach
to Nagdi, this village is too much cleaner & a nice
place to stay in.
Day 03: Nagdi-Jagat. 1300m 6-7 hrs
After breakfast, we start the trek. We cross the big
suspension bridge over the Nagdi Khola and skirt around
the conical hill to begin the ascend to Bahundanda where
the tea shops welcome you, the ascent from Nagdi takes
about 2 & half an hour. Now the trail continues
dropping steeply through the terraced rice fields &
in about two hours reaches to Syanje, where few lodges
are located right above the river & you can have
superb views of the waterfall. Following the river &
climbing gently and across the river you can see some
Hot Springs, just some of the many that can be found
along this valley. But most of the Hot Springs are often
submerged during the monsoon season. As the climb gets
steeper you can see Jagat on the ridge above & this
ascent from Syanje takes about 2 hrs.
Day 04: Jagat-Dharapani. 1900 m 5-6
hrs
Cross the long suspension bridge and climb gradually.
The wide valley now becomes narrow gorge with the river
thundering through it. There are also some steep paths,
after an hour of steep climbing reach to Chamje. Then
continue the climb through the forest to the wide valley
of Taal almost for three hours. Taal is the district
boarder with Manang, the people here are Buddhist of
Tibetan ancestry, living in mud & thatch houses
with flat roofs, rainfall is considerably lower and
subtropical vegetation start to give way to the firs
and pine trees of the highlands. After Taal pass the
fields of maize, barley & potatoes and the valley
soon becomes narrow again. After passing few lodges
at Karte the trail heads to the North & reaches
to Dharapani. The village is approached through stone
gateways, characteristic of all villages in Manang.
Day 05: Dharapani-Chame. 2670m 5 hrs
The route to Manang continues ahead. Up till now you've
been travelling roughly north but the trail now swings
due west. After an hour walk, the trail takes you to
Bagarchhap, some lodges are located her. You can have
the excellent views of Annapurna II & Lamjung from
here. Tibetan influences in the area obvious: there
are stone houses with firewood sacked on their flat
roofs & above the village is a Buddhist Monastery
which you see the fir on this trail. The route continues
through the forests of Pine and fir takes to Lata Marang
where you can find few small lodges. A 2 hours gradually
walk takes you to the small village of Koto Qupar, where
few tourist lodges are located. Sign the book at the
checkpoint and continue the trail ahead for 30 minutes
& a large gate with corrugated iron roof marks welcomes
you to Chame. Chame is the district headquarters of
Manang.
Day 06: Chame-Pisang. 3300m 5-6 hrs
The trail to Manang continues along the river through
Bharatang, which is surrounded by apple orchards and
has few lodges. Again continue the walk through the
bank of the Marsyangdi & after 30 min walk cross
the river & ascend Gradually for another 30 min
to Duku Pokhari. Now the trail becomes more straight
& after an hour reaches to Pisang. From Pisang you
can have the best views of Annapurna II & Pisang
Peak.
Day 07: Pisang-Manang. 3540 m 5-6
hrs
There are two routes to Manang from Pisang High Route
& Low Route. Low Route is easier & quicker than
High Route so we will follow the low route. We follow
the trail through the Lower Pisang for the low route
to Manang. It's a pleasant walk through the forest,
climbing gently at first, with one steep section to
reach on the top of spur. There are tall prayer flags
and a small shrine here. After the 2 hour walk takes
you to Humde. This consists of the remote airstrip of
Manang and few houses & lodges in small but spread-out-settlement.
One of the longest prayer wheel walls in the region,
consisting of 266 prayer wheels, runs through the centre
of the village. Continuing the trail for an hour, you
reach to Sabjikhola where Nepal Mountaineering Association
School is located. Then a walk through the meadow takes
to you Braga where is the region's oldest and most interesting
gompa, believed to be at least 500 years old. After
Braga, the trail continues for an hour to Manang. Manang
offers the best views of the Annapurnas, Gangapurna
& the glacial lake below it. In Manang, more than
200 flat-roofed houses are tightly packed together with
prayer flags on long poles above them.
Day 08: Manang.
Today is the acclimatisation day. Or you can visit around
the Manang in the afternoon.
Day 09: Manang-Churilatter. 4200m
4 hrs
After the breakfast at Manang, we set for our onward
journey. After half an hour walk you reach to Tengi
where are some basic lodges. Then a hard climb for an
hour takes you to Ghunsang but the views during this
climb are really magnificent as you can have the best
views back of Gangapurna, Annapurna III across the Manang
Valley. Then another one hour gradually climb takes
you to Yak Khara, which means Yak Pastures, & grazing
Yaks can be seen here. The trail continues through the
meadows & grazing Yaks on it & after an hour
you reach to Churilatter for the night halt.
Day 10: Churilatter-Thorung Phendi.
4450m 3-4 hrs
After breakfast, we set for another day of our treks.
Today the trail is a bit harder as it goes steep up
for 3 hours to Thorung Phendi, the foot of Thorung La.
Rest of the day can be stayed free for acclimatization
as you will have the toughest trail for tomorrow.
Day 11: Thorung Phendi-Thorung La
5416m-Muktinath. 3800m 7-8 hrs
Today get up early in the morning, after the breakfast
we set for the toughest trail of the trek. The trail
begins with the ascent of steep slope immediately behind
the last lodge of Thorung Phendi. The route is too steep
at first but becomes less as you gain altitude. You
pass many small cairns built by the travellers. After
Thorung Phendi you cross a small valley, descending
to the stream & climbing far across the far slope.
The 4-5 hours steep climb takes you to a large chorten
and a short distance after the prayer flags welcome
you marking the top of the icy pass. Two peaks rise
up from the saddle of the pass. To the north is Yakawa
Kang 6482 m and to the south Khatung Kang 6488 m &
far below Kaligandaki Valley.
After Throung La, the descent can be very tough though
it's not steep at first. You pass within about 50 m
of a large glacier. You pass few yak herders hut, the
trail continues steeply down from here, crossing a stream
to another collection of huts. You pass through the
meadows & reach to Muktinath. The entire walk from
Thorung-La is about 4 hours & during this trail
you can have the first views of Dhaulagiri 8167m (the
world's seven highest mountain)
Day 12: Free day in Muktinath 3800m
The walled temple complex of Muktinath has been attracting
pilgrims, both Hindu & Buddhist, for centuries.
The temple of Muktinath is dedicated to Hindu Lord Vishnu.
Today is the free day, you can have a complete rest
after the tired walk. Or during the day you can visit
around the area of Muktinath.
Day 13: Muktinath-Jomsom. 2710m 5-6
hrs
Today the trail leads through the meadow down to Kagbeni.
Pass Ranipauwa & Jharkot on the way & today
the trail becomes more flat. After 3 hours you reach
to Kagbeni. The trail Kagbeni to Jomsom is other worldly
experience & through the Kaligandaki River Bank.
Now the landscape changes into barren, the wind blows
very heavily. After 3 hours walk you reach to Jomsom
for the night halt.
Day 14: Fly Jomsom-Pokhara.
20 minutes scenic flight with the great views of the
Himalayan Ranges Upon arrival transfer to the hotel
& rest of the day free.
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