Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
Upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by a company representative, who will drop you off at our hotel. After checking in, take a rest or visit Amazing Nepal's office. You may also stroll in the streets of Thamel, a tourist hub in Kathmandu for some souvenir shopping. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Amazing Nepal Trek & Expedition. For dinner, you will be served excellent Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the country's authentic food culture. If your flight arrives late, both the meeting and dinner can be scheduled for the following day. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Sightseeing Kathmandu Valley and Preparation for Trekking (1,300 m/4,264ft)
After breakfast, you will set out for sightseeing of the culturally and architecturally rich heritage sites of the Valley. Places such as the Pashupatinath, the world-famous temple precinct of the Hindus, the Boudhnath and Swaymbhunath, the world-famous Buddhist stupa precinct, and Kathmandu Durbar Square will open up completely a new cultural world of Nepali art and architecture to you. You will also be taken to the Kumari Ghar, where resides the Virgin Goddess. We will also discuss the trip, and you will be introduced to your fellow trekkers and our crews.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara by tourist bus (910 m/2,986 ft) 6-7 hrs, 200km
After breakfast, around 6:30 transfers to the Tourist bus station and drive to Pokhara by tourist bus. This scenic drive offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery along with the famous rafting Trishuli River originated from Tibet northeast of Kathmandu. Arrive Pokhara midafternoon.
Day 04: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2,858m/9,375ft) 25min flight and 3-4hrs trek
After an early breakfast takes the 20min Trans Himalayan flight to Jomsom through the world’s deepest gorge: formed by the Kali Gandaki Nadi that rises in Tibet and continued to cut its gorge southwards as the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himal thrust their way skywards. Meet your porters and trek north.
Jomsom the administrative headquarters of the Lower and Upper Mustang region. It is also the major village along the Kali Gandaki Valley, linking the age-old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route from India to Tibet. The trail meanders up the broad Kali Gandaki riverbed to Eklai Bhatti, three hours of toil with winds that blow up the valley daily afternoon.
Another hour walk leads to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. This Buddhist village with Tibetan influences is worth exploring. Its abundant orchards and fields are irrigated with snow-melt water from the Thorung Khola that flows past Muktinath and enters the Kali Gandaki at Kagbeni.
Day 05: Trek to Chele (3,050m/10,004ft) 5-6hrs
Upper Mustang lies behind the great Himalayan Range and in its rain shadow. From here on, we trek through high, dry, starkly beautiful desert terrain that is an extension of the high Tibetan plateau. All water is sourced from snowmelt with villages sited accordingly. Altitude and weather conditions limit crop production to a single crop per year: chiefly barley, wheat, peas, and mustard. Over eons, deep side valleys have been eroded along the gorge enforcing much up and down trekking.
The route north begins at the Police and ACAP checkpoint, it follows the east wall of the wide river valley, climbing several ridges with picturesque places to rest along this windy route. The first of a group of five Gurung villages is Tangbe (3,060m/10,040ft), with narrow alleys between whitewashed houses and fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, and apples. Another hour leads to Chhuksang (2,980m/9,777ft) at the confluence of the Narshing Khola with the Kali Gandaki.
Continue over more ridges, with numerous caves along the cliff walls, before descending to the Kali Gandaki near a huge chunk of fallen conglomerate under which the river has had to tunnel. Cross a bridge at the tunnel and head west into the Ghyakar Khola Valley via a steep climb up a rocky gully to the village of Chele.
Day 06: Trek to Gelling (3,570m/11,200ft) 6-7hrs
Beyond Chele, we re-enter the Buddhist region and rise above the tree line. The trail rises to a knoll (where a high suspension bridge crosses the Ghyakar Khola to Ghyakar) and continues up the side of a spectacularly steep canyon and on to the Chele La (3,630m/11,910ft). Good views to the southeast include Tilicho Peak, Yakwakang (north shoulder of the Thorung La) and the Damodar Himal’s large cluster of 6,000m/19,700ft peaks.
The trail then descends to the village of Samar, a horse caravan watering point. Three hours of ridge undulations lead to the village of Shyangmochen, and then the path gently rises to the Shyangmochen La (3,850m/12,630ft). Descend past a large black, red and white Chorten where three paths meet above the lovely village of Gelling.
Day 07: Trek to Tsarang (3,575/11,750ft) 6-7hrs
Today’s trail heads up the Centre of the valley, through fields and past Chortens to the Nyi La (4,020m/13,190ft), the southern border of Lo. Gentle descent leads to the Ghemi La: a Chorten on the edge of a ridge. A steep descent leads to the beautifully whitewashed buildings of Ghemi, the third largest village in Upper Mustang.
The trail then drops to cross the Tangmar Khola opposite cliffs of blue-grey and red rock, then crosses the valley and climbs past a vast mani wall to the Choya La (3,870m/12,697ft). From here there are magnificent views of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I and the Damodar Cluster. The trail then gently descends, past prayer flags, to an entrance Chorten to the second largest town of Tsarang. A 14th-century dzong and gompa overlook the river gorge (and hydroelectric plant) beyond the town.
Day 08: Trek to Lo Manthang (3,840m/12,800ft) 4-5hrs
Descend the gorge and cross the river, then climb to a ridge Chorten overlooking the Tholung Valley and turn northwards towards the windy Lo La (3,950m/12,960ft). Everywhere, the grey and yellow desert scenery are starkly beautiful. From La, the walled capital, surrounded by irrigation canals can be seen in the valley below. A short descent, a stream crossing, a climb to the plateau and finally Lo Manthang.
Day 09: Lo Manthang: rest and exploration day
Within the town: explore the Champa Lhakhang (God House: climb to the roof for great views) and the red Thubchen Gompa with an impressive entrance hall and huge assembly hall supported by wooden columns. Also, visit the town’s main gompa – the 18thC Chödi Gompa in the monastic quarter of town plus the nearby new Choprang Gompa.
Beyond the city, visit the Namgyal Gompa situated on a nearby hilltop. This is an important monastery for the local community and also acts as a court. The village of Tingkhar in the valley northwest of the town is also worth visiting and is the site of three Gompas and the Raja’s summer palace. Return to the lodge in Lo Manthang by nightfall.
Day 10: Trek to Drakmar (3,810m/12,500ft) 6-7hrs
Trek southwest on herder’s trails, up against a side valley to the Chogo La (4,325m/14,190ft). Then traverse around a grassy valley before descending through a gully to cross the Tsarang Khola and climb to Ghar Gompa (House Temple), a 1,200-year-old monastery; particularly famous for its collection of painted carved stones framed on the monastery walls. The trail then climbs a ridge and crosses a valley to a cairn at 4,170m/13,680ft. Continue across alpine meadows before descending through a rough gully between towering walls of red rock to the large village of Drakmar (red cliffs). Numerous caves dot the cliff walls.
Day 11: Trek to Shyangmochen (3,806m/12,484ft) 5-6hrs
Today’s trail descends alongside a stream, past the walled village fields before climbing a ridge, dropping once more and rising to Upper Ghemi. Walk down to Lower Ghemi, then gradually contour up to the Nyi La (4,020m/13,190ft). Descend into the Gelling Valley but follow the high trail above the village of Jaite, Chhungar, and Tama Gaon. Zigzag down a rocky canyon to a stream then climb to a large Chorten – and the Gelling trail near the ridge below the Shyangmochen La. Summit, then walk down to Shyangmochen.
Day 12: Trek to Chhuksang (3,050m/10,004ft) 5-6hrs
Retrace the upward trail through Yamdo and Bhena to Samar, then over the Chele La to Chele and down to cross the Kali Gandaki and follow it downstream to Chhuksang.
Day 13: Trek to Jomsom (2,700m/8,856ft) 6-7hrs
Retrace the route through Tangbe in time for lunch in Kagbeni. After Lunch resume the trek to Jomsom; joining the Annapurna circuit trail through Muktinath at Eklai Bhatti. Reconfirm the early morning flight, bid farewell to your porters and enjoy the last evening in the mountains.
Day 14: Fly back to Pokhara (823m/2,700ft), 25min
You will fly back to Kathmandu mostly in the morning. You will be dropped at your hotel and rest of the time explore the lakeside area or simply relax and overnight at Hotel.
Day 15: Drive back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft), 6-7hrs drive, 200km
The morning we'll drive back through the scenic countryside and en route will stop for breakfast & lunch. It takes 7 hours back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu, your guide will transfer to the hotel and rest of the day relax or explore the surrounding areas and overnight at hotel.
Day 16: Final Departure
Transfer to the international airport and fly to the onward destination.
Not really satisfied with this itinerary ? Make your own
Customize It