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ANNAPURNA
EXCURSIONS
Trip Profile: 32 Days Trip
05 Nights in Kathmandu
02 Nights in Pokhara
25 Days Trekking
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 The
Annapurna Circuit is one of the classic treks in the world and
on the ‘must do’ list of any serious trekker or adventurer.
The circuit takes one around the Annapurna Himal, following
the courses of 2 mighty rivers: the Marsyangdi in the
east and the Kaligandaki in the west, and takes one over the
5400m-high Thorung La Pass in between the upper reaches of the
rivers. The Kaligandaki is the world’s deepest gorge, flanked
by the giant Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himals. The flora, geography
and culture also change dramatically around the circuit.
ITINERARY
DAY 01: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel.
While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and
Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions
are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore
the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious
traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu.
DAY 02: KATHMANDU CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said
to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view
of Kathmandu City. We will then processed to Visit Pasupatinath
and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square,
Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities
in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and
Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working
with wood, stones and metals. O/N in Kathmandu. O/N in KTM.
 DAY
03: KATHMANDU - BESI SAHAR(823m)
Drive to Besi Sahar. O/N at Besi Sahar.
DAY 04: BESI SAHAR - BAHUNDANDA(1311m)
The route follows the Marsyangdi River upstream, crossing a
long suspension bridge and pasing a beautiful, thin waterfall
with a fine bathing pool. We ascend to the town of Bahundanda,
which means ‘Brahman Hill’. There are good views to the north
and a little-known hot spring here.
DAY 05: BAHUNDANDA - CHAMJE(1390m)
The gorge becomes narrower as we cross a cantilever bridge followed
by a suspension bridge. We pass a few small settlements along
the route and Chamje, the destination for the day, is one of
them. Having travelled upstream, we observe many changes in
the people, architecture and vegetation. Houses are now built
of rocks, the vegetation is less tropical and the culture more
Tibetan-like.
DAY 06: CHAMJE - BAGARCHAP(2103m)
Leaving Chamje, the gorge becomes more impressive. We cross
into the district of Manang and see more Bhotia people. These
are primarily agro-pastoralists and the real trans-Himalayan
traders of the region. The route climbs gradually to the town
of Bagarchap meaning (butcher’s place). The houses here have
flat roofs, indicating that there is less rainfall here than
the south. There is a temple here worth visiting, and views
of the Annapurnas and the Lamjung Himal.
DAY 07: BAGARCHAP - CHAME(2615M)
Leaving Bagarchap, the valley becomes narrow and picturesque.
The vegetation is temperate, broad-leaved forest. Chame is a
government town and district centre for Manang. There are interesting
religious buildings and hot springs
DAY 08: CHAME - PISANG(3133m)
We continue in an unrelenting narrow valley of pine, hemlock
and cypress forest. The trail through a serene forest leads
to lower Pisang; a side trip to higher Pisang (100m higher)
is a must for an amazing view of Annapurna II. This arid region
is in the rain shadow of the Himalaya. The men here are traders
- and may sell or trade almost anything - and part-time farmers,
and the women are full-time farmers.
DAY 09: PISANG - MANANG(3500m)
There are 2 routes from here: a low road and a high road,
the latter taking longer but affording outstanding views of
the Annapurna Himal and few trekkers. Both routes converge in
the large and interesting village of Braga, which is the seat
of the oldest monastery in the area. The gomba is about 900
years old and belongs to the Kargyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism,
and contains some unique works of art. Manang is 30 minutes
from here.
DAY 10: MANANG(3500m)
Today is acclimatization day, which is best spent being
active and climbing to higher elevations for views but returning
to lower altitudes to sleep. Manang itself is in a spectacular
location with many attractions. There are lakes, caves, moraine-hills,
monasteries or local activities in town.
DAY 11: MANANG - LATDAR(4176m)
Leaving Manang, facilities become scarcer. We cross small
tributaries and contour along pleasant meadows with occasional
birch groves. There is a chance to see herds of blue sheep.
DAY 12: LATDAR - THORUNG PHEDI(4404m)
We gain altitude gradually, and spend the night at the phedi,
meaning 'foot of a hill'. If you are lucky you may spot a snow
leopard near here at dusk!
DAY 13: THORUNG PHEDI - THORUNG LA(5416m)
- MUKTINATH(3802m)
The trail now leaves the river valley and climbs steadily
over lateral moraine. The pass, marked by a large cairn, is
the high point of our trek. It is an exhilarating geographical
feature, dividing 2 mighty Himalayan valleys. Far below to the
west is the Kaligandaki River. We descend in that direction
for the village of Muktinath, located in a poplar grove. It
is a sacred shrine and pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.
DAY 14: MUKTINATH - JOMSOM(2713m)
From Muktinath to Jomsom, we see people from Mustang, a
restricted area to the north, who come to sell handicrafts to
pilgrims. Among their merchandise is the highly-revered mollusk
fossil called shaligram. We will pass some ancient caves and
see the impressive white mountain that is the Dhaulagiri. We
also transit at the significant town of Kagbeni, which is at
a junction of 2 rivers and the north-south and east-west trading
routes.
DAY 15: JOMSOM - KALOPANI(2530m)
We descend to Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses
and fertile fields, and continue down the Kaligandaki reaching
the former Thakali trading centre of Tukche. As the trail continues,
the Himalayan rain shadow blends into coniferous forest, and
we reach the main river valley and Kalopani. From here there
are spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
DAY 16: KALOPANI - TATOPANI(1190m)
A beautiful walk, with another transition into sub-tropical
vegetation and the return of water buffalo, banyan trees and
poinsettias. The trail follows the river through a narrow gorge
and descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall,before
winding through the valley to Tatopani. The hot springs that
give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for
a good scrub.
DAY 17: TATOPANI - GHOREPANI(2819m)
Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the
terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to
the village of Ghorepani, meaning (horse water). We camp at
the pass for the best views of the sunset over the spectacular,snow-capped
Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.
DAY 18: GHOREPANI - TADAPANI
Being of the early morning 5:30 AM wake up and start to
you journey climb to Poon Hill (3195m) around 1 hr. to provides
better unobstructed views and sunrise over the high Himalayas.
You can see a lots of white mountain peaks from Poon Hill. After
sunrise, you’ll return to our camp and time for breakfast. Ghorepani
means "horse water" and it is no doubt a welcome watering
stop for the teams of horses, mules and ponies that carry loads
between Pokhara and Jomsom. Today the trail undulates through
giant rhododendron forest and orchid colonies to the pretty
Gurung town of Ghandrung,where the Annapurna range and Machapuchare
(the Fishtail) dominate the mountain views, although glimpses
of Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu range can also be seen further
DAY 19: TADAPANI - CHHOMRUNG
Breakfast served 7:30 AM. From Tadapani, the trails Dropping
down rhododendron, oak forestes, one the way offers good views
of white mountains trails to Chhomrung. It takes approx. 4 and
½ an hours trek. Our lunch and dinner spot in Chhomrung. Chhomrung
is a Gurung Village has evolved into two sprate parts. This
is highest permanent settlement in the valley. There is a tremendous
view of Annapurna South, which seems to tower above the village,
and there are good views of Machhapuchhare (Machha "fish"
and puchhare "tail") across the valley.
DAY 20: CHHOMRUNG - DOVAN
Breakfast served in the morning. Start your journey to Dovan
apporximately 8:00 AM. From Chhomrung the trail descends on
a stone staircase and cross the Chhomrung khola. Climbing high
above the Modi Khola on its west banks, the trails passes through
forest of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. Climbing further on
a rocky trail you reach at Sinuwa, 2250 metres. The trails continues
rhododendrons forest, climb Kuldi. From Kuldi, the trails descends
a long steep stone staircase into deep bamboo and rhododendron
forests, then short distance on a muddy trail to Bamboo and
time for Lunch. From Bamboo the trail climbs steeply through
stands of bamboo, occasionally dropping slightly to cross the
tributary streams, its take aproximately 1 and ½ an hours trek
to Dovan.
DAY 21-22: DOVAN - ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP
From Dovan the trail is muddy and high above the river,
but is no problem, for those who suffer vertigo, because thick
stands of bamboo block the view of the rushing river and waterfall,
then crosses a landslide and another avalanche track, to the
Himalaya Hotel at 2680 metres. Lunch spot in Himalaya Hotel.
From Himalaya Hotel is about 1 hour walk first on a path referred
to above for about 1 and ½ an hour and then climb on to the
lateral moraine and down the other side on to the glacier. Walking
up the bed of the glacier is safe and quite easy and the British
Expedition Base Camp is reached after another 1 and ½ an hr.
Base Camp is at 4, 237 m. The trip is best done from the lower
camp, carrying only lunch, and the best views are probably obtained
from to the north. O/N in Annapurna Base Camp.
DAY 23: ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP - BAMBOO
Being of the early morning wake up and climb to view point
spot where you can see sunrise over the mountains. You’ll also
visit near by ABC. The track remains on the west bank of the
Modi, now flowing through a more open valley and eventually
emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral
moraine. After the sunrise trip, return to our camp and time
for breakfast. After breakfast you’ll return same way to Bamboo.
O/N in Bamboo.
DAY 24: BAMBOO - CHHOMRUNG
From Bamboo, the trail short distance is muddy, then descends
a long steep stone staircase in to uphill through the Bamboo,
the bamboo and rhododendrons forest to Kuldi, 2300 metres. The
trail continue in rhododendrons forests down to Sinuwa, 2250
metres. Your lunch spot in Sinuwa. After lunch trek to Chhomrung.
From Sinuwa the trail is down hill till Modi Khola. After passes
the river, the trail climb steep way approx. ½ an hour Chhomrung.
O/N in Chhomrung.
DAY 25: CHHOMRUNG - LANDRUNG
From Chhomrung the trail follow the down hill to Hot Spring
through the village, terraced fields. The trails is very easy
after Hot Spring till Nayapul where we've lunch. After luch
cross the New Bridge and climbs to Landrung . O/N in Landrung.
DAY 26: LANDRUNG - DHAMPUS
From Landrung, It's an easy walk past fields, a school and
some unusual ovalshaped houses and descends to Tolka a small
settlement at 1710 metres, with several lodges along the trails.
The trail emerges into the main Modi Khola Valley. The trails
climb through forests alive with birds, fern and orchids in
to a huge side canyon of the Modi Khola. After crossing a stream
on a suspension bridge at 1690 metres, the trails climbs Bichok
(also known as Bheri Kharka). The trails climbs through forests
to a clearing on the top of the hill at 2010 metres, where there
are views of mountains can be see from Deurali and break 1 hour
for lunch. From Deurali all way is downhill to Dhampus at 1580
metres. It takes approx. 2 and ½ an hour. The trails down through
Pothana pass a police cheek post. At Dhampus, you are rewards
with great views of the mountains that continue to improve as
you ascend along the ridge. .
DAY 27: DHAMPUS - POKHARA
From Dhampus, all the way downhill through the village
to Phedi. Starting at an elevation of 1580 metres, in a village
and then forests that is so overgrazed that is look like a manicured
municipal park, the trail down steeply to the ridge at Phedi
at 1080mtres. It takes approx: 2 hours treks, catch our vehicles
and drive to Pokhara. Our lunch spot in Pokhara Hotel. After
Lunch you are free as your own in Pokhara. O/N in Pokhara.
DAY 28: POKHARA CITY TOUR
After breakfast we've sightseeing around Pokhara valley.
You're free in Pokhara Valley also called "Magic Land"
or Dreamland" of Nepal, to explore the various interesting
place like a boating in Fewa lake over looking the region of
Annapurna Areas, David Falls, Mahendra Cave and some Temples.
After lunch you're free as your own. O/N in Pokhara
DAY 29: POKHARA - KATHMANDU
After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus. Along
the way you can enjoy with good scenery views. You'll be arrive
at Kathmandu late afternoon. You're free in Kathmandu for shop
and pick up some last minute souvenirs or rest etc.
DAY 30-31: FREE DAY IN KATHMANDU
After breakfast you’re as your own in Kathmandu. O/N in
Kathmandu DAY 32: DEPARTURE
After breakfast free for you until time to leave the international
airport for your final destination.
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