ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT & KALIGANDAKI VALLEY TREKKING

On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be received by our guides and staff and then transferred to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu city.

After getting refreshed, join in with other members of Annapurna Circuit & Kaligandaki Trekking, where our guide will brief you regarding trekking, do’s and don’ts, Nepalese culture, lodge on route trek with full information to make your stay with us enjoyable and memorable, evening welcome dinner at a typical Nepalese restaurant with folk-cultural program as entertainment during dinner.      

Morning by 9 a.m. after breakfast for sightseeing tour within heart of Kathmandu around old Durbar (royal palace and courtyard) square, of historical importance includes Temple of Kumari (Living young virgin Goddess) Kastamandap Temple where Kathmandu name derived from, a temple built with the wood of a single tree, tour of old palace during the reign of Malla and late Shah kings.

Tour leads to famous landmark of Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa of more than 2,500 years old a Buddhist Chaitya or Stupa with all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.

Afternoon visit holy Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath adorned with silver doors and golden tiers roofed pagoda a popular and famous temple where thousands of pilgrims visits every year in the month of February on Shiva Rartri (Lord Shiva birth anniversary). From Pashupatinath a short drive to Bouddhanath with Asia’s largest domed Stupa with four cardinals eyes of Buddha surrounded with prayer wheels and small market with interesting stores, shops and restaurants, the place is also known as Little Tibet due to the stronghold of Tibetan influenced tribe and peoples.

After an interesting and exciting tour of world heritage sites, return back to hotel for Annapurna Circuit & Kaligandaki Valley Trekking preparation and last-minute briefing from our guides and staff.

Morning overland journey on main busy highway of Nepal heading towards Mid West zone around Lamjung and Manang districts, drive leads through Himalayan foothills within warmer areas past many farm villages and town.

From Besisahar, we will drive towards Chame.

After Jagat, on a winding path to Chamje to join back at Marshyangdi River crossing the river heading into a forested area, with super views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges.

As it continues reaching Tal Besi, from here another few hours' drive leads to an overnight stop at Chame village.

From here onwards feel the cool and fresh mountain air, morning walk leads through enchanting alpine forests of rhododendron and pine tree lines following the Marshyangdi River upstream with several ups and downs to Bhratang village, after this small village walk follows uphill’s through the woodlands at Dukure Pokhari with couple of teahouses overlooking views of Chulu’s and Pisang peak and of Pisang village, after a break here descending to reach the lower Pisang village for overnight stop.

Morning walk leads you towards Manang main village, on route with a short stop at Humde and at Braga villages before reaching Manang village after a great scenic walk of the day.

Morning views of mountains, from the Pisang walk leads facing Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna, Chulu’,s and Pisang peak.

Walking on flat valley at Hongde village with its small airstrip, from here onward easy pleasant treks then reaching the main Manang village for an overnight stop in the comfort of nice and cozy lodges.

Before Manang, visit the old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting and frescos and stunning views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk reaches at Manang village.

A rest day in this nice traditional Manang village for acclimatization and short hike to a view point hill below massive Mt. Gangapurna Ice falls and glaciers above Manang emerald colored lake, afternoon explore Manang village of great interest with Buddhist tradition and culture.

After a nice stop in Manang village, the walk leads to Ghunsang village and then to Yak Kharka,
An interesting morning walk with grand views of snowcapped mountains, on crossing a small stream reaching at Yak Kharka, a small and remote settlement of Manang villagers, where in early days used to be a Yak grazing land.

After a short walk from Yak Kharka, we will reach Ledar and Stay over night there.

From Yak Kharka walk to Ledar and then continue towards base of Thorang-la pass, on crossing a bridge with a climb along Jarjung River, final day walk leads at Thorang Phedi with 3-4 lodges and then with short rest an hour steep climb reaches you at Thorang High Camp for overnight stop.

Today, the highlight of the adventure is crossing over Thorang-La, after an early breakfast walk leads to a long climb to reach the top of Thorang-La on a winding, steep path.

Thorang-La Pass above 5,416 m and 17,700 ft, the top festooned with thousands of colorful Buddhist prayer flags, with a signboard of Thorang-La and its specific heights.

From here, facing a grand view of snowcapped peaks, a long descent takes you at holy Muktinath around the Lower Mustang area.

On reaching Muktinath for an overnight stop, one of the holiest of all holy spots for the Hindu religion and also for some Buddhists, the word Muktinath literally means ‘place for Nirvana or Liberation’.

From Muktinath, the rest of the journey is easier (due to motorable road with few trekking paths), taking a jeep drive to shorten the adventure, an exciting ride with a big drop of 1,200 m as the trail descends to the Kaligandaki river valley to reach Jomsom.

Jomsom headquarter town of Mustang region with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River, an interesting country around Kaligandaki River valley within dry and arid country with incredible views of windblown hills and canyons.

From Jomsom, a short drive to Marpha village, one of the most charming villages with whitewashed houses, paved streets,s and numerous well-kept lodges.

This Kaligandaki area is famous for delicious apples and its products; celebrate with local apple products, cider, brandy, and juices. The Kaligandaki area is also famously known as the Apple Pie Trail. 

From Marpha, enjoy a ride following the Kaligandaki river downstream, reaching Tukuche another beautiful village, located beneath Tukuche peak and massive Dhaulagiri Mountain range with Mt. Nilgiris, from here back into tree line of pines, oaks and rhododendron, and then reaching a lovely area in Kalapani village, as the drive continues to Lete with grand views of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri.

From Lete onwards leads to a dramatic change in landscapes and temperatures, between two high peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, turning this narrow valley into the world's deepest gorge of Kaligandaki.

Drive continues to reach Ghasa village, the end of Mustang district, dominated by the Thakali tribe, from here an hour ride to Tatopani (Hot Spring) village within a sub-tropical climate area.

Tatopani, another nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of the River Kaligandaki.

From Tatopani, enjoying its refreshing hot spring, our walk continues to cross a bridge over the Kaligandaki River, and then the route diverts towards uphill climbing high onto a terraced hillside, dotted with farms and villages.

After a steep climb into dense alpine forest, reaching Chitre and then to our overnight stop at Ghorepani village.

Ghorepani offers super views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Vara-Shikar, also known as Annapurna Fang.

Early before sunrise, hike to the top of Pun Hill to catch the striking sunrise over the range of Himalayan peaks of the world, 7th highest Dhaulagiri, 10th highest Annapurna, with a range of peaks that includes the world's 8^th highest Manaslu with towering Machhapuchare peak “Fish Tail”.

After an enjoyable and exciting time with eye-catching views from Pun Hill, head back to Ghorepani and continue a downhill walk into a lovely forested area for an hour, and then reach Ulleri village with a long descent to Tirkhedhunga for an overnight stop in warmer areas.

Our last day walk of this marvelous adventure leads downhill to much warmer temperature walking past farm fields and terraces with interesting traditional Gurung villages to reach at Bhirethati with beautiful cascading waterfalls, from this nice village following Modi River for short while to reach at the end of the trek in Nayapul, for the drive back at picturesque Pokhara by the serene Phewa Lake after an hour of exciting drive.

After a wonderful time in the high mountains and hills, taking a morning driving journey back to Kathmandu, on reaching Kathmandu after 5-6 hours of nice interesting drive, transfer to respective hotels with an afternoon free at leisure or last day shopping for souvenirs and handicrafts.(Options by air 30-minute flight back to Kathmandu with great views)

Last day in Nepal in the country of high Himalayan Mountains with fascinating culture, after a memorable time on Annapurna Circuit & Kaligandaki Valley Trekking with amazing experience, as per your international flight time our staff transfers you to airport for the flight homeward bound or to your next port of call and respective countries.