DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our local team warmly welcomes you at the airport. You will then be escorted to the hotel, where you can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. The itinerary includes a briefing about the trek's progress and presentation, followed by leisure time. If you arrive in the morning, you'll have the entire day at your disposal. This can be used for rest or for those interested, to explore the surroundings freely. It's an ideal chance to deeply experience Nepalese culture and indulge in the local culinary delights.
Transfer to hotel
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: night in the hotel
DAY 2: PREPARE FOR TREKKING AND EXPLORE KATHMANDU VALLEY (1350M)
Have breakfast and then you have the whole day to explore the best Kathmandu Sightseeing spots with your guide. You can visit and explore one of the most famous Shiva temples, Pashupatinath, recognized as the monkey temple; Swyambhunath, the largest Stupa in the world, also called Boudhanath Stupa; and finally the Royal Palace, Kathmandu Durbar Square. The next day, you will begin your trek on the Annapurna Circuit, so you have to check your equipment to make sure that you are ready for your adventure and climb. Have dinner and stay overnight in the same hotel in Kathmandu
Day tour
Final altitude: approximately 13,50 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: night in the hotel
Day 3: DRIVE FROM KATHMANDU - TO POKHARA
Early morning drive to pokhara
Accommodation: hotel.
Meal: Breakfast (no Lunch and dinner
Transfer: 6 hrs. drive.
Flight is optional
DAY 4: FLIGHT TO JOMOSOM (2720 M) - SAMAR (3660 M)
The small twin-engine aircraft flies over the deep Kali Gandaki valley: spectacular views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, landing at Jomsom. To avoid hiking on the dusty trail of lower Mustang, where the wind often blows in gusts, we take advantage of a transfer to Samar (3660 m). We are entering a world of great mineral beauty. We cross the villages of Kagbeni (2810 m) then Tangbe (3030 m), a pretty little fortified village, before reaching that of Samar (3660 m) where we will spend the night.
NB: the flight to Jomsom is subject to weather hazards and is very regularly canceled during the rainy season (in summer). In the event of cancellation, the flight may be postponed to the next day. If the weather conditions do not forecast any improvement and the terrain conditions permit, a transfer by jeep can be organized.
Accommodation: lodge.
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Transfer: 45 minutes flight
4 hours drive.
DAY 5: SAMAR - SYANGBOCHE (3800 M) - DHAKMAR (3820 M)
Descent into the river bed followed by a leisurely climb. Then there is a magnificent balcony path facing the Nilgiri and the Annapurna range. Here, some mountain pastures where shepherds settle in summer. We quickly plunge into a superb canyon with steep walls. A round trip, 40 minutes to an hour, to visit the sacred cave where many pilgrims come to pray, before quietly reaching Syangboche, a tiny white village with flat roofs tight on itself. We take a vehicle to take us to Dhakmar (3820 m). The village is overlooked by extraordinary red ocher cliffs which close the horizon. As usual, a few chortens mark the entrance to the village.
Positive altitude difference: 850 m.
Negative altitude difference: 500 m.
5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: lodge.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Transfer: 1 hour.
Day 6: DHAKMAR - TSARANG (3560 M)
Departure from Dhakmar towards the ridges and climb into the multicolored cliffs with jagged rocks. At the top, the panoramas are breathtaking as far as the eye can see. To the west, there are the fields of Dhakmar where in summer the contrasts are surprising and intense and to the east extends the wide valley of Tsarang. The village of Tsarang is relatively important due to its position in the valley and is home to a monastery imposing in size and red color which overlooks the Kali Gandaki valley.
Positive altitude difference: 540 m.
Negative altitude difference: 710 m.
4 to 5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY7: TSARANG - LO MANTHANG (3810 M)
We attack the day towards the west along the Tsarang Khola then we quickly reach the village of Marang before heading north and the capital of Mustang. We visit the Lo Gekar monastery, built in the 8th century, created by the founder of Tibetan Buddhism and which presents splendid wall paintings. In a landscape of magnificent colored hills ranging from white to red ocher with all shades of yellow, all crowned with snow-capped peaks, we reach Lo Manthang, the fortified capital of the ancient and mythical kingdom of Lo. It has two doors: one on the north side, the main entrance passing under a large porch, and one on the south side, a hidden door, hidden and discreet. Traditionally, only the north door was open during the day and closed each night.
Positive altitude difference: 400 m.
Negative height difference: 150 m.
5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY8: LO MANTHANG (3820 M)
A day to enjoy the fortified city founded in 1380 by Ame Pal and to rest. Visit the monasteries of Chode and Jampa, with ancient frescoes, including dozens of mandalas . We take the time to wander the streets. Short hike possible towards Namgyal Gompa.
1 to 2 hours of walking.
Accommodation: lodge.
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: THE CHOESER VALLEY AND KONCHOK LING - LO MANTHANG (3820 M)
Departure from Lo Manthang and transfer by jeep to the village of Bharcha. Departure on foot to reach the secret cave of Konchok Ling and its paintings dating from the 12th century. Visit the cave and return to Bharcha. The day continues with visits to the Choeser valley, more particularly to the monasteries of Ni-Phu, Gar-Phu and the Choeser cave, also called the Jhong cave. Return to Lo Manthang.
Positive altitude difference: 400 m.
Negative height difference: 400 m.
5h30 walk.
Accommodation: lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: LO MANTANG - DHI GAON (3380 M) - YARA (3650 M)
Direction Lo La (3945 m) via the track. Then the very pleasant sandy path takes us leisurely, skirting each valley, overlooking jagged and colorful canyons, with the Annapurna massif and Dhaulagiri in the background. A final pass at 4100 meters, before the descent among earth penitents to the village of Dhi Gaon. We follow the bed of the Puyun Khola river for about an hour, then the path straightens sharply to arrive at Yara, a small hamlet with white houses huddled together. Beautiful, very wild day in splendid landscapes. This evening, we find a new part of the local team who will accompany us in Damodar Himal.
Positive altitude difference: 680 m.
Negative altitude difference: 800 m.
6 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11: YARA - LORI GOMPA (3887 M)
During this rather quiet day, with a passage to the village of Gara (3875 m), we join Lori by a side path which allows us to arrive at the village from the top (pass at 3935 m). We are entering the more “intimate” part of our trip. The afternoon is devoted to visiting a sanctuary from another time, to acclimatization and to getting our local team “getting started”. In a hermitage above the village, we discover a chorten and thousand-year-old frescoes.
Positive altitude difference: 650 m.
Negative height difference: 50 m.
2h30 walk.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12: LORI GOMPA - GHUMA THANTI SHELTER (4745 M)
We go down the gorge to join the main path which goes from Yara to Ghuma Thanti, a walk from ridge to ridge in the mountain pastures. At 4780 meters, crossing a large grassy plateau from which the majestic Dhaulagiri emerges. Passage of a large pass (4940 m), before descending towards the shelter of Ghuma Thanti (4745 m), built for pilgrims going to the sacred lakes of Damodar Khunda.
Positive altitude difference: 1200 m.
Negative height difference: 250 m.
6h30 walk.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13: GHUMA THANTI - NAMTA KHOLA (4890 M)
We go up large slopes in a lunar setting. The trail, well marked, is easy to follow. As you pass the pass, at 5,320 meters, the view of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) is magnificent. Further down, after a long crossing, it is Annapurna I that we can admire. Steep descent to reach the Parsche Khola river at the bottom of the thalweg. Short day, because at these altitudes, it is important to acclimatize gently.
Positive altitude difference: 580 m.
Negative altitude difference: 350 m.
4h30 walk.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14: NAMTA KHOLA - DAMODAR KHUNDA (4900 M)
We go up the gorge for 200 meters before following a large slope on the left bank of the river via a path which allows us to quickly gain altitude. A long crossing leads to the pass (5490 m) – breathtaking view of Dhaulagiri and the peaks of Damodar Himal – then joins a new path which avoids a landslide. We join the river at 4920 meters to easily ford it. Through a wide valley, we reach the sacred lakes. A small Hindu sanctuary upstream of the camp and a very old Buddhist chorten on the ridge mark the sacredness of the place.
Positive altitude difference: 570 m.
Negative altitude difference: 570 m.
5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15: DAMODAR KHUNDA - BASE CAMP (5240 M)
We follow small paths which lead to the kharkas . A magnificent Marco Polo mouflon trophy and numerous saligrams decorate these high altitude sheepfolds. The end of the route in the river bed is uncomfortable. You can have lunch directly at the camp, where there is a large chorten built by the Japanese.
Positive altitude difference: 270 m.
3h30 walk.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 BASE CAMP - MORAINE CAMP (5720 M)
Transition day to approach the high mountains and change universe. The first part of the climb takes place on the moraines on the left bank of the glacier. Small cairns indicate the passage. You have to reach the glacier itself to follow a large avenue of penitents to the end, splendid! Around 5700 meters, we cross the glacier almost horizontally to change banks and join the right bank moraine. We discover the highest peak of Damodar Himal: Khmjunggar Himal (6759 m).
Positive altitude difference: 530 m.
Negative height difference: 50 m.
5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 MORAINE CAMP - SARIBUNG PASS (6042 M) - SARIBUNG PEAK (6328 M) - PHEDI (5300 M)
The climb to the pass takes place on the moraine, then on a slightly crevassed glacier; then, for the most sporty and the best acclimatized, climb to the summit of Saribung Peak (6328 m) via an easy route with large snow slopes at 30 degrees then a very wide ridge. From the summit, the view is splendid over the surrounding peaks: Gyajikang, Himlung... Descent from the summit by the same route. From the pass, the long descent on the opposite slope requires attention to navigate between ice and permafrost. We set up our camp at the foot of a moraine.
Positive altitude difference: 700 m.
Negative altitude difference: 900 m.
10 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 18: PHEDI - BHRIKUTI BASE CAMP (5070 M) - NAGORU (4600 M)
We continue an endless journey along the edge of the left bank moraine to the Bhrikuti base camp (5070 m). Descent on a ridge with blocks to cross a tributary. We continue along the river until we reach a second tributary which can be forded. A climb opposite on the glacial shoulder allows you to join a well-marked path in the mountain pastures which is easily followed to Ngaru, an old abandoned village. Restorative night after several days above 5000 m.
Positive elevation: 100 m.
Negative altitude difference: 900 m.
5h30 walk.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 19: BHATKEJAON (4600 M) - PHU (3995 M)
Short steep climb then a magnificent balcony path lead us to the medieval village of Phu, perched on a rocky peak. A Gurung community lives in this tangle of cube-shaped houses with flat roofs. Lunch in Phu and afternoon devoted to rest and discovery of this magnificent village.
Positive elevation: 100 m.
Negative altitude difference: 700 m.
3h30 walk.
Accommodation: tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 20: PHU - MAHENDRA PUL (3425 M)
The path goes down the Phu Khola gorge. We cross the abandoned villages of Kyang and Chyako. What a pleasure to find the trees again! We continue beyond Jhunum. The main trail leads to Meta, we leave it for the Naar trail and stop at Mahendra. The camp is located after the bridge which overlooks the gorge by a hundred meters, impressive!
Positive altitude difference: 510 m.
Negative altitude difference: 1100 m.
5h30 walk.
Accommodation: tent.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 21: MAHENDRA PUL - NAAR (4100 M) - KANG LA PHEDI (4500 M)
Steep climb at first then quiet to the village of Naar. Exceptional views of Pisang Peak and Kang Guru. A large chorten and imposing mani walls mark the entrance to this remarkable village. Above Naar we travel up a wide valley to Kangla La Phedi, where a shelter has been built for the porters. Last night in tents and last evening with part of our team who will go directly to Chame rather than passing Kang La.
Elevation gain: 1175 m.
Negative height difference: 100 m.
5h30 walk.
Accommodation: Tent.
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 22: KANG LA PHEDI - KANG LA (5320 M) - NGAWAL (3680 M)
Steep climb, we pass near a small lake before starting the final climb. The view of Kang Guru is majestic. From the pass, breathtaking panorama of all the peaks of the Annapurna massif. The first 100 meters below the pass require attention. We dive towards the Marsyangdi Kola, to the village of Ngawal.
Positive altitude difference: 820 m.
Negative altitude difference: 1570 m.
7 hours of walking.
Accommodation: lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY23: NGAWAL - PISANG (2675 M) - DHARAPANI (1860 M)
We take the balcony path with extraordinary panoramas of the Annapurnas and cross the magnificent village of Gyaru (3670 m), before joining the classic path of the Annapurna tour. We join the track at Pisang (2675 m). Transfer by Jeep via the track to Dharapani.
Positive elevation: 100 m.
Negative altitude difference: 1025 m.
4h30 walk.
Accommodation: lodge.
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Transfer: 2h 30 MIN
DAY 24: DHARAPANI - BESISAHAR - KATHMANDU
Early in the morning, departure by Jeep to reach Besisahar by the track. From Besisahar, bus to reach Kathmandu.
Accommodation: hotel.
Meals included: morning, noon. Free meal: evening.
Transfer: 4 hours on the track and 6 hours on the road.
DAY 25: FINAL DEPARTURE TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Free time depending on the departure time of your flight and our representative will drop you at the airport, ending your journey in Nepal. We hope to be of service to you again. Thank you and safe travels.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Airport Transfer