AROUND THE ANNAPURNA

After breakfast, check out and start drive to Chame. From Kurintar it takes around 3 hours to Besi Sahar (823 m) which is the main town of Lamjung district. From Bashishahar continue drive to Chame through the unpaved Mountain mostly following the Myarshyangdi River En-route stop at Dharapani Vilalge for lunch. Drive is difficult though beautiful as we pass through several villages and beautiful water falls. Dinner and overnight at teahouse lodge.

We walk along the river to reach the village of Bratang (2919m), mainly populated by Tibetans. Here we stop to have a hearty Lunch. On the way Bratang we pass through a splendid pine forest with splendid \views of Lamjung and Annapurna II and IV. After lunch it’s about two hours walk to reach the top, where trekkers traditionally used to plant a pine sapling, not only to establish that they have made it to the top, but also to contribute to the reforestation of the area. From here we leave main trail and cross Myarshyagdi River in a wooden bridge. From here we climb gently towards village of Upper Pishang. Dinner and overnight at teahouse lodge.

After breakfast trek follow the upper trail towards Ghyaru village, which is typical Tibetan village in Manang, from here continue to Nagwal Village for lunch. After lunch descend to ancine Bagra village. Trek is very scenic as we get to see the beautiful view of the the Annapurnas III and IV (7555m and 7525m) to the left, East and West Chulus(6584m and 6419m) on the right, towards the horizon there are views of highest peak of Mount Thorung(6481m) and to the east, the crown of Mount Pisang. From Ngawal village we descend down to ancient village of Braga (3505m). We can take time to wander around Braga to see this picturesque village with its flat roofed houses and to visit the Gompa, not only the largest in the region but also the richest with its fine collection of Thangkas (religious scroll paintings) and prayer books. It takes only forty-five minutes to reach Manang from here, which sits on the plateau at 3530m. Dinner and overnight at teahouse lodge.

Am: After breakfast, we will hike towards Gangapurna Glacier for acclimatization. Later return back to lodge for lunch. Pm: After lunch start trek to Khangsar village, trail trail goes downhill to a chorten, then turn northwest and heads down towards the river. Stay on a north bank and head west, following a trail alongside the river. Follow the power lines along the ridge on a wide trail, then traverse along the south side of the ridge through a blue pine forest and cross the suspension bridge then climbs to meet the ridge. Khangsar is collection of traditional building surrounding a large village square. The top storey of each house has been whitewashed, but a complex web of power lines detracts somewhat from the picturesque aspect of the village. Dinner and overnight at teahouse lodge.

Beyond Khangsar, the trail climbs steeply to a small chorten, then climbs more gently through juniper and sea buckthorn bushes to a Shree Kharkha at an altitude 3,850 m. After some refreshment break, we continue towards Tilicho Base Camp. From here trail traverse into a side valley, cross a stream and climb to some herders’ huts and a trail junction at 4,050 m. The high trail to Tilicho Base Camp leads to the right, which is a safest route to Tilicho Base Camp. Dinner and overnight at lodge.

The trail to Tilicho Tal starts up a valley. Then, traverses into a moraine making a long climb to 4710 m. There are outstanding views of Khangsar Kang, Tarke Kang, and Gangapurna as well as great views down the valley to Manang and Upper Pisang. The trail then makes a series of steep switchbacks, climbing for an hour to a false summit and on to a crest at 5010 m. From here to the lake the trail is lined with hundreds of large stone slabs set on end. Passing two Lakes, the trail crest at a cairn and prayer flags where one will have their first view of the Lake (4920 m), 4 Km long and 2.5 Km wide. It is the lake situated at the highest place on the earth. After visiting Tilicho Lake, descend down to Base Camp for lunch. After lunch start backtrack to Shree Kharka. Dinner and overnight at teahouse lodge.

After breakfast, take an upper trail towards left through the Pine, Jenifer and Rhododendron Forest. You will arrive above Khangsar where you may see Yaks & Horses grazing around. From here steep descend to the River. Cross the river on suspension bridge and continue to Yak Kharkha, where you can check in at a Teahouse lodge. Dinner and overnight at teahouse lodge.

It normally takes about two hours to reach Thorung Phedi from Lattar, but owing to the high elevation we advise trekkers to walk slowly with frequent rests and water breaks in order to avoid getting sick at such an extreme elevation. Thorung Phedi means ‘foot of the hill’ and it is situated at a height of 4220m on a small hill overlooking a high plateau. After lunch at Thorung Phedi continue ascent for another 2 hours to the High Camp. not because it is very high, but it is closer to Thorung La pass and saves trekkers appx 3~4 hours while crossing the main Thorung la pass the following day. Dinner and overnight at teahouse lodge.

Very early morning wakeup call and start the ascent to Thorung la pass. We have to cross about twenty hills on the way to reach the summit, Thorong la, at 5,415 meters and it takes about 4 hours to reach the main pass from Thorung Phedi, but if we have spent the previous night at High Camp it will take appx 2~3 hours only. On the way up we get to see many prayer flags several cairns (small mounds of rock). From the top we get to see the Yakgawa Kang or Thorungse (6481m) to the north and Khatung Kang (6484) to the south and the Annapurnas along with the Gangapurna to the southeast. In the horizon to the west, Dhaulagiri (8169m) and Mount Tukuche (6920m) are also visible. From the summit the descent to Muktinath (3802m) takes about three hours and the difference in altitude is of 1600m. Here we will find another check post where we have to show our trekking permits. After some rest in Jomsom walk to the public jeep station and drive Kalapani via Jomsom. Dinner and overnight at teahouse lodge.

After breakfast get into the waiting vehicle and start scenic drive to Pokhara, which is an enchanting city nestled in the tranquil valley (827m/2,712 ft.) on the laps of the mighty Annapurna Himalayan Range. With its beautiful lakes, lush green surroundings and fantastic views of the Annapurna range including the Fish Tail Mountain; it is considered one of nature’s finest gifts to Nepal. Eve: Stroll around colorful Lakeside Bazaar and dine at a nice restaurant (on your own) Overnight at hotel.

Spend a relaxing day in Pokhara for a most deserved rest. Meanwhile you are free to go on excursion of this beautiful City surrounded by beautiful snowcapped Mountains, lush green hills and Lakes. This is also a free day in the event of delays on trek due to unavoidable circumstances. Eve: Fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival check in at a hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Free until final departure transfer to Kathmandu’s International Airport.