Just doing half of Annaurna Circuit: fly up one of the deepest gorges in the world - squeezing between Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I, both 8,000m - and land at Jomsom (2,700m / 8,858ft) amidst the stunning high desert scenery of the upper Kali Gandaki river. This trek will take you to Pilgrimage site of Muktinath, a millennia-old holy spot, and sight visit of ancient fortress settlements. Then we trek back to Jomsom and down to Pokhara. T here are many different ethnic groups along the trail, but the predominant people in this area are the Gurungs. Together with the Thakali, Magar and Chetrie people, the Gurungs are famous as soldiers in the British Army, better known as Gurkhas.
Along the trail the views of Nilgiri (7061), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Machapuchare (6993m) and the Annapurnas are magnificent. The winding trail passes through magnificent forests of oak and rhododendron that line the southern foothills of the Himalaya. The terrain varies from sub-tropical valleys with banana trees and rice paddies to high ridges clad in thick rhododendron forest. You will visit the famous Poon Hill where you will hopefully be blessed with a fantastic sunrise and view of all the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Range to the West. The views here are breath taking as you sit and sip on a hot chocolate before heading down the main trail to Pokhara.
Grade: Medium
Max alt: 3845m.
Min alt: 1000m.
Walking hrs: 6-8 hrs.
Seasons: March-May, Sep-Nov
Trek Style: Tea House / Camping
Day 01: Wel-come to kathmandu 1300m
Arrive at Tribhuvan International airport in kathmandu. Meet our representative then wel-come and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu 1350m
Visit the sights of Kathmandu valley with a tour guide. You will be visiting temples, stupas, secret site, architecture and cultural things. Over night stay at hotel.
Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara 975m 6hrs.
Early morning drive to Pokhara through beautiful scenery and country side. Arrive Pokhara and transger to hotel. Rest of the day is free for your own activites and ptreparation for next day’s trek departure. Over night stay at hotel.
Day 04: Pokhara - Jomsom – Kagbeni 2860m. 4 hrs
Early in the morning a 20 minutes scenic adventure flight land at Jomsom the district headquarter of Mustang. After a final pack up and porter arranged, trek on gradual path on the Kali Gandaki river bend for about 4 hrs and reach to Kagbeni. Over night stay at tent
Day 05: Kagbeni – Muktinath 3750m 7hrs
The trail first follows the kaligandaki river then crosss asuspension bridge and ascends to Jharkot for the lunch then an easy wal to Muktinath for the over night.
Day 06: Muktinath - Jomsom 2790m 6hrs trek.
Descend gradually through fields and poplar groves, then into the Kali Gandaki river valley. Follow the valley southwards to Jomsom. The Kali Gandaki valley here is called the Thak Khola, from the ethnic group the Thakalis, the main inhabitants of this area.
Day 07: Jomsom -Kalopani 2530m 7hrs trek.
Descend to Marpha and further following the Kali Gandaki to reach the old Thakali trading centre of Tukuche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan rain shadow end and open spaces make way for coniferous forest and Kalopani.
Day 08: Kalopani - Tatopani 1170m 6hrs trek.
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 water springs.
Day 09: Tatopani - Ghorepani 2740m 7hrs trek
Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to the village of Ghorepani with the best views of the sunset over the spectacular, snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.
Day 10: Ghorepani - Tadapani 2540m 5hrs trek
A short early-morning climb to the Deurali pass for a spectacular panorama over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. Trail descends steeply through dense moss-covered forest rich with bird life to Tadapani for beautiful sunset views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
Day 11: Tadapani - Ghandrung 1940 6hrs trek.
Trail descends steeply through dense damp forest, where you may see monkeys, and continues down over a series of rock-cut steps that follow a leaping stream. Arrive in Ghandrung and explore the maze-like streets of this thriving Gurung settlement.
Day 12: Ghandrung – Pothana 1700m 6hrs trek.
The trail descends to the Modi khola then ascends steeply to another Gurung village, Landrung. We then follow the hillside south to the Pothana. The mountain views are superb and far away to the south lies Fewa Tal (lake.)
Day 13: Dhampus - Phedi - Pokhara
An easy short walk along the Dhampus ridge then desend steeply to Phedi, and drive to Pokhara.
Day 14: Pokhara – Kathmandu 6hrs drive
Early morning stqrt driving to kathmandu through beautiful country side scenery. Arrive in kathmnandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 15: Kathmandu
Rest day at leisure or final souvenir shopping. Join the farewell dinner in the evening most probably with cultural program. Evening Join the farewell dinner with live Nepali cultural program hosted by the company.
Day 24: Departure
If you have time and are interested for other adventure like white water rating, wild life safari or any other activities can extend your holiday or transfer to airport and fly back to sweet home.
Trip cost: USD1355 per person
Trip cost includes
Arrival/departure transfers
4 night 2-3 star category hotels with breakfast in Kathmandu.
Sightseeing tours by private vehicle with tour guide, entrance fees
Domestic flight/ground transportation as per the program, airport transfer and tax
Lodge accommodations and all meals during the trek, down jacket, sleeping bag
Cost for a first Aid and Eco trained English speaking guide and Porter
Emergency rescue arrangements, medical kit bag
All necessary paper works and trekking /entry permits
All government and local taxes where applicable.
Welcome or farewell dinner
Trip cost does not includes
International airfare and Nepal visa fee
Lunch / dinner in Kathmandu
Emergency rescue and medical expenses
Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills personal porters
Tips for the trekking crew
Other optional trips/activities and sightseeing if required
Introduction and trip briefing
We give a short brief about the trip in Kathmandu on the same day of your arrival and introduce your trip guide and team members. At the mean time, we provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions if any about the trip.
Accommodation: Lodges in the mountains are not as comfortable and clean as in the city but not the very basic. The lodges we use normally have combination of dormitories, twin, triple room and beds have foam mattress. There are few factors that affect our choice of a particular lodge which may not always be immediately obvious but the great looking lodges from outside may not be the cleanest and may not provide the best service or food. Please note that we also do not use lodges that will not provide accommodation for porters and guides as we believe that we have a duty to look after all our staffs. Some of the lodges now have attached bathrooms but we do not include this in the price of your trips. However due to availability issue you may be given a room with a bathroom and we will not charge extra.
Meals: Three meals as per your choice are provided in a day. Every lodge has a food menu and ordering book and you should write down in it everything you order under you name and room number. Guide will assist it actually and check at kitchen how busy they are. However it is good to order the food in one hour advance. Lunch is normally taken in a lodge along the way and we suggest the group tries to order similar dishes to make easier and shorter time. Nepali,Tibetan, Continental etc dishes are available though. However local food like vegetables, potatoes, soups are fresh, hygiene and healthy.
Guide: English speaking, well experienced and knowledgeable holding license from government institutions. They are well trained about the high altitude problem, eco tourism, social responsibilities and sincerely dedicated on their duty.
Actually our guides play an invaluable role in ensuring that our clients have the best opportunity to experience, learn about, and enjoy their trip presenting them whenever you need any help.
Porters: Normally we use only regular porters working for the company. Our porters are fully equipped and insured having knowledge of walking on snow and high altitude passes. They are very honest, reliable, strong and of curse get good pay.
They can speak engligh and will be referred to take the guide training after they are well experience and confident.
Travel Insurance
We suggest and t is a condition of traveling with us that you must be fully insured, including air rescue services and all medical expenses. You decide and choose what amount and types of is insurance is suitable for your trip nature as some does buy cancellation and only for certain period of time.
Itinerary: Given itinerary is flexible so if needed there is often there will be possibility on the trek to extend or shorten the walking days. In the special case if the trips is ended a week or more earlier, there will be given an optional for a short trip. Please discuss this with your trek guide and express your wishes.
Washing and Toilet: Most of lodges offer hot shower now. Some times a hot shower means a bucket of hot water and ask your trek guide about the availability. For ecological reasons please try and limit your use of hot water if the water is not solar-heated. Please note that higher place and cold time there is very little chance to have enough and hot water. Every lodge will have some kind of hand washing facility but ask your trek guide about the place where you can wash and clean your teeth. In any event it is good idea to carry a bar of soap with you. If the water frozen then ask your guide to get warm bowl of water which does not cost money.
Toilets are usually Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are out side the lodge but now some lodge are have inside the room or lodge. They tent to be cleaner in the lower and Annapurna region than the Everest or other remote and high region because of water shortage and temperature. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.
Drinking water: Most of the stomach problems are faced from drinking water in the mountain so you should really care of it. Bottle of mineral water is normally available but environmentally unfriendly options so we recommend filtered and boiled water that should be treated with iodine / purifying tablet before you drink it. The lodge people charge minimum for boiled water as fuel is used to boil the water and wait about half an hour before adding any fruit powder etc.
Transportation: Deluxe private vehicle are provided while on city tour, airport transfers and tourist bus to and Pokhara or private vechicle/ flight will be arranged at an extra cost if required and flight from Pokhara to Jomsom.
Electricity: Small scale electricity schemes are running is several mountain communities but as they by definition small the light may not be strong enogh to read by and is not always guaranteed to be working. Kerosene lamps, candles or solar light bulbs are often used is the dining room where there is no electricity. A toch light, with extera battries is essential. Some lodges have rechargeing facilites for which there is a small charge. Nepal use voltages, 220-240 volts to power your appliances. The sockets are fit both round and flat.
Trekking was definitely our experience of a lifetime for me. More...