Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival

Arrive at TIA, Kathmandu, meet representatives and be transferred to the hotel. Guests welcomed with a welcome drink and rooms duly assigned. Free to visit local attractions the remainder of the day.

Overnight: Hotel.

Day 02: AM: Sightseeing              PM: Preparation

The day is required for us to procure necessary permits and other legal documentations to grant guests permission to climb a peak in Nepal.

In the meantime:

AM: Tour Kathmandu valley and travel through time as you visit UNESCO Heritage sites like the Durbar Squares and Swayambhu Temple.

PM: Briefing about the trek and allow time for last minute purchases of necessary equipments.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 03: Kathmandu / Besisahar / Bhulbhule (820 m)

Early breakfast and a 5-6 hour scenic drive along the banks of Trishuli and Marshyangdi Rivers to Besisahar. Lunch en route.  Reach Besisahar (823 m) (known as Besigaon prior), the main town of Lamjung District and have your TIMS card examined.

An hour drive away we reach Bhulbhule, have our trekking permits checked at the ACAP office. Proceed to cross the river on a ‘suspension bridge’, the first of many, and check into a lodge to retire for the night.

Overnight at Lodge.                                     Drive duration: 7 hours

Day 04: Trek: Bhulbhule to Jagat (1,340m)

Trek formally begins – a pleasant early morning walk through fields of wheat, barley and maize to reach Nagdi (890 m) – a small picturesque village. Proceed through the trail consisting of terraced farms and

small villages. Trail becomes steeper as we approach Bahundanda (Brahmin’s Village) (1314 m). Stop for lunch while enjoying the view of Mt. Phungi (6379m).

After lunch, we descend toward Besi, cross a small stream; pass through a few villages to cross the Marshyangdi River via a suspension bridge. Turn right and start an ascent to reach atop a hill. The trail widens and we reach Jagat, a village along a mountain ridge (1340 m), our stop for the night.

Overnight:  Lodge                          Trek duration: 5-½ hrs – 6 hrs

Day 05: Trek: Jagat to Dharapani (1,943m)

Walk up hill for approximately 2 hours to reach Chamje (1433m). From Chamje, downhill to Marshyangdi River, cross another suspension bridge and walk up hill to reach Sathtalle (‘top of the hill’ in Tibetan). The trail becomes fairly gradual up till Tal Phedi. A 45 minute walk later we reach Tal (1600m), the gateway to Manang. Stop for lunch.

Following lunch, we head north along the river, cross a 60 metre long suspension bridge. As we proceed, some parts of the trail are exposed to a vertical cliff, which calls for caution. Reach Dharapani (1943 m). Dharapani means ‘a stream of water’.

Overnight:  Lodge                          Trek Duration: 5 ½ hours

Day 06: Trek: Dharapani to Chame (2, 713 m)

Log our entries at an ACAP check point. Reach Bagarchap (the river bank) (2164 m) in 45 minutes. Bagarchap marks where the point of contrast in topography begins – lush green fields in the south and arid dry lands in the north. Reach Donaque. Ascent to Timang along beautiful pine and rhododendron forests and be rewarded with stunning views of the Annapurna range atop. Lunch at Thanchowk with a back drop of Mt. Manaslu.

After lunch we walk towards Kodo which means ‘millet’ and then to Kyupar (2600 m). A police check post guards access to Nar Phu Khola Valley which leads to Tibet. Show our permits again and proceed to Chame (2713 m) – the District Headquarters of Manang.

Overnight:  Lodge                          Trek Duration (5 – 5 ½ hours)

Day 07: Trek: Chame to Pisang (3,185m)

Consistently gradual with an occasional climbs along the river through pine forests, in two hours we reach Bhartang (2919 m), a small village with mostly Tibetans. Reach Dhukur Pokhari in 1 ½ hours and have lunch.  Enjoy splendid views of the Annapurna range en route.

Walk for about an hour through a pine forest to Pisang after lunch. Pisang is divided into two villages – upper and lower. Upper Pisang is the main town; however the recent construction of the main highway to Manang has resulted into residents migrating to Lower Pisang.

Overnight:  Lodge                          Trek Duration: 5 – 5 ½ hours

Day 08: Trek: Pisang to Manang (3,530 m)

A relatively short however an equally interesting hike. We reach Humde after two hours of a fairly easy walk. Humde has a small domestic airport which connects Manang to Pokhara and subsequently Kathmandu. We cross the village, log our entries at another checkpoint and proceed to Barkha – our lunch destination. We explore the village with its thatched houses and visit the Gompa (the largest in the region with a beautiful collection of Thankas) while we wait for lunch.

After lunch, reach Manang in a short while which sits atop a plateau.

Overnight:  Lodge                          Trek Duration: 4 – 4 ½ hours

Day 09: Rest Day: Manang (3530 m)

Manang at an elevation of 3530 meters serves as a perfect place to rest and acclimatize before proceeding to summit the peak.

Plenty of activities to do – observe the art and explore the culture of this quaint little village. In the afternoon we can take a walk to the north of the village to take in panoramic views of the Annapurna Annapurna IV and II to the southeast and Gangapurna (7455m) and Tarke Kang or Ice dome (7202m) to the southwest.

Overnight:  Lodge

Day 10: Trek to Leadher (4220 m)

A steady climb till the hamlet of Tengi (3642 m); from then on another hour of steady yet gentle climb to Gunsang (3850 m). After Gunsang the trail is gradual up till our lunch destination – Yak Kharka.

After lunch, a gentle climb through a vast meadow, cross the suspension bridge and reach Leadher (4220 m) in an hour.

A short day trip to help with acclimatization.

Overnight:  Lodge.                         Trek Duration: 4 ½ – 5 ½ hours approximate.

Day 11: Trek: Chulu West Base Camp (4900 m)

Thus begins the real expedition. Have breakfast and head up to Base Camp to the northern valley of Leadher accompanied with the entire crew. Walk along grass lines from the scenic ridge and reach base camp.

Overnight: Tented Camp.            Trek Duration: 5 – 5 ½ hours.

Day 12: Trek: High Camp (5100 m)

Continue our ascent to High Camp which is at 5100 metres. Take in the stunning vistas of the Himalayan range en route. Spend the night at High Camp.

Overnight: Tented Camp.            Trek Duration: 4 ½ – 5 hours

Day 13: Acclimatization at High Camp (5100 m)

A day is essential to acclimatize before we make the final leg of our journey – reach the summit. Light exercises or a small hike along with some climbing training with our experienced guide before the big day.

Overnight: Tented Camp.

Day 14: Summit: Atop Chulu West and back to High Camp or Base Camp.

Summit will start early – 2 to 3 a.m.

Phase 1: Steep climb up to 5,500 meters. Not technical, however, the use of ropes, crampon, and ice axe may be used.

Phase 2: After 5,500 meters, we will be roped up for the ascent. The trail gets steeper – assisting Sherpas will fix ropes on the steeper sections. Once atop, immerse yourself in one of the most incredible and spectacular views you will behold. Ahead of you will be Gangapurna, the Annapurnas, and Herzog’s Great Barrier, to your left Manaslu and behind you is Tibet.

Take in the excitement of accomplishing your incredible before beginning descent. Carefully descend to High Camp and then to Base Camp.

Overnight: Tented Camp.

Day 15: Contingency Day

The day is reserved for any unforeseen events such as illness, bad weather, etc.

Overnight: Tented Camp.

Day 16: Trek: Base Camp to Leadher (4220 m)

Retrace ours steps back to Leadher, however within us a euphoric sense of accomplishment.

Overnight: Lodge.                          Trek Duration: 5 hours

Day 17: Trek: Leadher to High Camp (4800 m)

Walk a gradual trail towards Dewrali, take in the breathtaking landscape of the unique high altitude desert. Head towards Thorang Phedi (4220 m) (foot of the hill). Lunch at Thorang Phedi and proceed towards High Camp (4800 m), a steep climb for an hour.

At High Camp, notice wide Himalayan pastures and yaks. Herds of Thar (wild goats) can also be seen.

Short day trek to prepare for the arduous trek to Thorang La Pass the next day.

Overnight:  Lodge.                         Trek Duration: 5 hours

Day 18: Trek: High Camp – Thorang La Pass (5416 m) – Muktinath (3802 m)

“The day you cross 20 hills and one of

Nepal’s highest pass – Thorang La Pass.”

Early morning ascent to Thorang La. Several prayer flags offering prayers to the mountains as we reach the highest point. At the highest point (5416 m) watch a panoramic view of the Himalayas – Thorangse, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Tukche, Gangapurna.

Drop down 1600 metres in 3 hours to reach Muktinath.

Overnight:  Lodge.                         Trek Duration: 7 – 8 hours

Day 19: Trek: Muktinath to Jomsom (2,713 m)

Pay a visit to Muktinath – a revered Hindu and Buddhist temple. Breakfast at hotel and begin trek to Jomsom. Cross Ranipauwa, Jharkot, a small Tibetan settlement, and reach Kagbeni. Cross the Kali Gandaki and head towards Jomsom, the capital of Mustang district.

Overnight:  Lodge.                         Trek Duration: 4 – 4 ½ hours (approximate)

Day 20: Flight: Jomsom to Pokhara (884 m)

Enjoy a last breakfast in the laps of the Himalayas and bid farewell to the Sherpas and Porters and head to the airport for a short flight to Pokhara.

Enjoy a laid back afternoon alongside Pokhara lakeside.

Overnight: Hotel.                           Flight Duration:  25/30 minutes

Day 21: Flight: Pokhara – Kathmandu

Breakfast and catch a flight to Kathmandu. Be met by representative and transferred to a hotel. The remainder of the day is at your own leisure.

Overnight at Hotel.                       Flight Duration:  25/30 minutes

Day 22: Departure

Last minute shopping of souvenirs and transfer to TIA, Kathmandu.
Head home, or to your next destination with beautiful memories and a wide glossary of experiences. Watch the Himalayas pass by.