Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
Arrive at the Kathmandu airport where you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Dinner)
Day 2: Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to take you on a private tour of Kathmandu. Visit the Bodhnath temple, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, and one of the several monasteries neighboring the stupa. After this Buddhist experience, visit Pashupatinath, the holiest of temples for the Hindus in hopes of witnessing a Hindu cremation along the banks of the Bagmati River. Then head to the Patan Durbar Square to take in ancient Nepalese architecture and enjoy lunch at the museum garden. In the afternoon visit the Patan museum to view ancient Nepalese art. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3: Kathmandu to BhulBhule (2,720 ft.)
After an early breakfast, hop on a chartered bus with your support staff for an 8 hour bus ride following the beautiful Trishuli River. Catch glimpses of Himalchuli (25,895 ft.) and Manaslu (26,658 ft.) along the way. Hike for a couple hours to your first camp at Bhulbhule. Overnight at Bhulbhule. (All meals)
Day 4: BhulBhule to Jagat (4,150 ft.)
Today, and for the next few days, trek along the Marsyangdi River while enjoying views of the Annapurna range. Camp at Jagat, a village that was an ancient Tibetan custom-post. Total trekking time is about 6 hours. Overnight in Jagat. (All meals)
Day 5: Jagat to Dharpani (6,350 ft.)
After breakfast begin your hike through valleys, watching as the vegetation changes to rhododendron and pine forests. Hike up a steep switchback before you reach the wide valley of Tal to stop for lunch. Total trekking time is about 6 hours. Overnight at Dharapani. (All meals)
Day 6: Dharpani to Chame (8,600 ft.)
Continue your ascent and begin to notice the transition from the lower, wet valleys to the higher, arid and dry regions of the Tibetan plateau. Total trekking time is about 5 hours. Overnight at Chame. (All meals)
Day 7: Chame to Pisang (10,450 ft.)
In the morning, trek through barley and wheat fields and apple orchards. Just before you reach the village of Pisang, pass by Paungda danda, a fascinating rock-slab. In Pisang, the terrain becomes dry and arid. Get your first glimpses of Annapurna III and Gangapurna towering above you. Total trekking time is about 5-6 hours. Overnight at Pisang. (All meals)
Day 8: Pisang to Manang (11,500 ft.)
Today will be a fairly easy trek to Manang except for one steep strip. Manang is spectacularly perched across from a glacial lake formed by water coming from the glaciers of Gangapurna and Annapurna III. Take in unsurpassed high alpine scenery between here and the pass. Total trekking time is about 5-6 hours. Overnight at Manang. (All meals)
Day 9: Manang (11,500 ft.)
Today is a rest/acclimatization day. Opt for a visit to the hermitage of a monk just above the village or visit the Gangapurna lake. Overnight at Manang. (All meals)
Day 10: Manang to Yak Kharka (13,400 ft.)
Take a short trek to Yak Kharka to help you acclimatize. Total trekking time is about 2-3 hours. Overnight at Yak-Kharka. (All meals)
Day 11: Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi (14,500 ft.)
Today is another short day to allow for acclimatization. Arrive at the Thorung Phedi (base in Nepali) for lunch. Total trekking time is about 4-5 hours. Overnight at Thorung Phedi. (All meals)
Day 12: Thorung Phedi to Thorung pass to Muktinath (12,500 ft.)
Wake up early (3am – 4am) for the long and gradual hike to the Thorung pass (17,700 ft.). From the pass, weather permitting, be rewarded with views of the Annapurna range and the Kali-Gandaki valley. The descent can be steep. Total trekking time is about 7-8 hours. Overnight at Muktinath. (All meals)
Day 13: Contingency Day
In case of bad weather on the pass, this contingency day will allow you to attempt the crossing again. (If this day is not needed for the pass crossing, the long day from Tatopani to Ghorepani - refer to Day 18 below - will be divided into two days.) Overnight at Muktinath. (All meals)
Day 14: Muktinath to Marpha (8,750 ft.)
After a steep descent to the village of Ekla-Bhatti where you’ll stop for lunch, continue through the windswept village of Jomsom to Marpha. Marpha is famous for its apples, with apple brandy and apple pies being a specialty. Marpha is also a very attractive town boasting good schools, latrines, a fine water system, and exceptionally clean and tidy homes.
Overnight at Marpha. (All meals)
Day 15: Marpha to Kalopani (8,400 ft.)
A long day's walk below Marpha brings you to Lete. Continue down the Kali Gandaki to Ghasa at 6,600 feet. At Ghasa, the forests change from conifer to sub-tropical and the canyon narrows. A side trip to the Dhaulagiri icefall is possible if trip members desire. The mountain views of yak pastures in this region are superlative. Total trekking time is about 6 hours. Overnight at Kalopani. (All meals)
Day 16: Kalopani to Tatopani (3900 ft.)
When you arrive at Tatopani, the trail will have taken you through the deepest gorge in the world. The peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri are only 20 miles apart and rise nearly four miles vertically on each side of the river. In Tatopani enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs. Total trekking time is about 7 hours. Overnight in Tatopani. (All meals)
Day 17: Tatopani (3,900 ft.)
Enjoy a free day to rest, take another soak in the hot springs or read a book. Overnight at Tatopani. (All meals)
Day 18: Tatopani to Ghorepani (9,100 ft.)
From Tatopani, climb 5,300 feet out of the Kali Gandaki gorge to the town of Ghorapani (9,300') perched right on the crest of a ridge. Total trekking time is about 6-7 hours. Overnight at Ghorepani. (All meals)
Day 19: Ghorepani to Pun Hill (10,500 ft.) to Ulleri (6,800 ft.)
Begin your final climb to the summit of Pun Hill (10,500 ft.) in time to watch the sun rise over the entire Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. If the conditions are right, three of the world’s fourteen 8,000-metre peaks can be seen. Descend to Ghorepani for breakfast. From Ghorapani, walk through a beautiful rhododendron forest for two hours, losing some altitude as you arrive in Ulleri. Total trekking time is about 6-7 hours. Overnight at Ulleri. (All meals)
Day 20: Ulleri to Pokhara (2,700 ft.)
In the morning trek to Birethanti (3,500') at the junction of two rivers. After lunch, take a 30 minute walk to the new Pokhara-Beni road at New Bridge where a chartered bus will drive you a short way to your hotel in Pokhara. Total trekking time is about 5 hours. Overnight in Pokhara. (All meals)
Day 21: Pokhara to Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
Take a morning flight to Kathmandu. In the afternoon, you are free to relax or do some sightseeing. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 22: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)
