Latest Updates

Trek Round Annapurna

This is the description of a 21 days trek around the entire Annapurna massif, visiting table-like country of the north slopes of the Himalaya and the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge. The trek from Dumre to Manang is much less developed and has minimum facilities for trekker. The Throng La Pass, 5330 meters, should be crossed only from east to west, as shown in

the route description. There are no camping spots or water sources on the west side of the pass or Muktinath, at 3600 meters, to a spot one hours beyond the pass on the Manang side, at 4900meters, if you travel in the reverse direction. This means without acclimatize, for a trekker to make a 1600 meters climb plus at least a 400 meters descent in a single day is a

virtual impossible.

ITINERARY OF ROUND ANNAPURNA TREK-20 DAYS

Day 1 : Kathmandu-Dumre-Besisahar (760 m.)

Kathmandu-Dumre 5 hrs. & Dumre-Besisahar 2 hrs.drive. Besisahar is head quarter of Lamjung district. There are good view of Lamjung Himal of the left & Himalchuli to the Right.

Day 2 : Besisahar to Bhul Bhule (853 m.)

The trail one climbs gently towards the village of Khudi on the Marsangdi River. Opposite Khudi (on the west bank of the river) where the Khudi Khola enter the main river the Marsyangdi swings north, the trail rises high above the river and round the corner revealing. Further views of Himchuli and Ngadi Chuli (Peak 29) camp near the river at Bhul Bhule.

Day 3 : Bhul Bhule to Syange (912 m.)

Continue up east banks of river, crossing Ngado Khola bridge after 1.5 hrs. climb to Bahun danda ridge (1,310) in about 2 hrs. Descend towards river once again and reach vicinity of bridge at Syange after another 2.5 hrs. Total about 6 hrs. Syange is the northern limit of rice cultivation area in the Marsyngdi valley.

Day 4 : Syange to Tal (1646 m.)

Trail now climbs slowly into increasingly narrow canyon. Cross river on good suspension bridge near Chyamje and Continue ascent past canyon descending from rock barriers of Nagdo Chuli (Peak 29) and Numun Bhanjyang. Camp at Tal, the get way to Manang district, a beautiful flat meadow with several Tibetan houses. This is a superb campsite. The trail passes Jagat after 1.5 hrs. and Chyamje after another 1.5 hrs. is shortest day, but all climbing.

Day 5 : Tal to Teabang Meadow (2,591 m.)

Ascend east bank of Marsyangdi through main gorge. Cross the west side of river to Dharapani 6,200 feet just south of Thonje, the confluence of the Marsyangdi

and Dudh KholaDo not cross river to Thonje but turn west and follow trail ascending on south side of Marsyandgi through forests and meadows for about one

hour then climb steeply towards Namun Bhanjyang to  Teabang meadow, a series of lush pastures perched high above the river. Excellent views of Manaslu and other high mountain peaks situated above the Larkya Pass.

Day 6 : Teabang Meadow to Kupar (2,591 m.)

Chame is the headquarters of Manag District. Trail runs diagonally from Teabang through Thanchok village (2,865 m.) and down towards river to Kupar, which lies above the junction of the Marsyangdi with the Narriver, coming from Teabang, this is a short day of only 4 hrs.

Day 7 : Kupar to Pisang (3,335 m.)

Pass chame after half hr. and cross bridge to north side of river near horticultural apple farm at Brathang (2,744 m.). The bridge with a door in the middle was built by Tibetan Khampas, who had camped close by the Marsyangdi. Begin spectacular ascent to Pissang. Before Pisang, the valley makes a‘dog’s leg’ turn. This begins the transition into the rain shadow experienced between Ghasa and Tukche in the Kali Gandaki in fully cry below, gaining momentum to break its way through the line of the main Himalayan range between Annapurna II and Manasulu. There is a choice of campsites at Pisang below the village, either south or north of the river, or about halfhour before in pleasant wooded country, sheltered from the prevailing wind.

Day 8 : Pisang to Braga (3,506 m.)

Easy terrain through the forest to the ridge at 3,455m. below and stretching into the distance is the upper Manang valley. The southern tier of this valley is walled by Annapurna II (7,937 m.) and IV (7,525 m.) Annapurna III (7,555 m.) Gangapurna (7,455 m.) and Tarke Kang (Glacier Dome) (7,193 m.) to the west and visible just south to distant sharp rock peak is the great barrier and the basin containing Tilicho lake (7,135 m.) and Thorungtse (6,483 m.) and barring the way to Tibet in the north. Descending from this viewpoint, the path crosses a plane and passes Hongde airstrip (3,415 m.). Further on the Sabje khola is passed and reached Braga. Braga is a cliff-side village with several monasteries and excellent campsite in the fields below village.

Day 9 : Braga (Layover)

It is essential to spend one day to acclimatize in this area. There are splendid views of peak from both Braga and Manang. Manang is a large village. A beautiful emerald lake lies at its foot. Possible side trips to the lake about 3 hrs. north of Braga, at 4,818m.

Day 10 : Braga Thorung Phedi (4,405 m.)

The trail turns northwest up the tributary valley of the Jargeng Khola. It is sometimes possible to see herds of blue mountain sheep along the cliffs. Cross a covered cantilevered bridge and ascended to phedi, the last campsite before the pass.

Day 11 : Thorang Phedi to Muktinath (3,749 m.)

Ascend steeply for 2 hrs. to rock ledge and north at 4,590 m. then along an undulating trail to the level top of Thorang La (5,416 m.). Views of the Annapurnarange to the south and the Mukt Himal bordering Dolpo to the west. The peak immediately north of the pass in Thoroungtse, to the south is an unnamed peak of 6,625 m. descend into Mustang, a steep downhill trail for three hours for Muktinath about 10 hrs; splendid views of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak, Muktinath is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is mentioned in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, and one may see pilgrims bathing in the holy water flowing from the 108 carved spouts surroundings the Vishnu temple in a grove of scared poplars. Muktinath is also home to many ethnic Tibetans and is holy to Buddhists as well.

Day 12 : Muktinath to Marpha (2,670 m.)

Descend gradually through fields and poplar groves, then steeply into the Kali Gandaki river valley, reaching the valley floor at Eklebhatti at 2,774 m. Follow the valley southward to the headquarters of Mustang district, Jomsom (2,710 m.), a large settlement with a STOL airstrip, police station and bank. The Kali Gandaki Valley here is called the Thak Khola, from the ethnic group the Thakalis, many of whom live this area. Enterprising and ambitious the Thakalis formerly dominated the salt trade with Tibet in this region. Continue down to Marpha, a lovely village of white washed houses and fertile fields.

Day 13 : Marpha to Ghatte Khola (2,591 m.)

Passing through the government’s vegetable and horticultural farm below Marpha, continue down to the former thakali trading centre of Tukuche (2,587m.), with its large richly-carved homes, now converted into trekking lodge, leaves the main trail near Larjung, under the foreshortened big looming peak of Dhaulagiri, almost 3 miles above, and climb above the Ghatte Khola to a lovely camp site away from the rush of the main trekking and trading route.

Day 14 : Ghatte Khoa (Layover)

From the camp, one climb steeply to the lower flanks of Dhaulagiri, emerging right at the base of the famous Dhaulagiri Ice fall (approx. 3,800 m.) an impressive mass of overflowing snow and ice tumbling-off the slopes of the mountain, (6th highest in the world). In1969 seven members of American Expedition attempting the mountain were killed by a massive avalanche while climbing this ice fall. From the vantagepoint, there are also spectacular views across the valley to the Annapurna massif and the Nilgiri peaks.

Day 15 : Ghatte Khola to Kalopani (2,530 m.)

Continue the transition from the Himalayan rain shadow into coniferous forest, one returns to the main river valley and onto the villages of Kalapani and Lete, which string-out and merge over a distance of two miles through an area of beautiful pine woods and grassy meadows.

Day 16 : Kalopani to Tatopani 91,189 m.)

A lovely day with another major transition into sub-tropical vegetation, and the return of water buffalo and banyan trees. The trail follows high above the river through a narrow gorge, descending again to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall, where one usually stops for lunch. One leaves Thakali country at Ghasa and entre an area of high cast Brahmin and Chettri hill farmers, and hill tribes, Gurungs and Magars. In Tatopani (“Hot spring”) there are natural hot water springs, time for a “scrub-up”.

Day 17 : Tatopani to Ghorepani/Deurali

(2,774 m.)

A hard work ahead with an altitude of 1,524 m. to be made. The trail initially follows the Ghorepani route before branching off left into much less-travelled country. The path follows approximately up the line of the Ghasa khola through the thick rhododendron forest. The ridgeline linking the Ghorepani area to the Ghandrung, and the trail reaches the crest east of the pass of Deurali.

Day 18 : Ghorepani / Deurali to Ghandrung (1,920 m.)

This area offers some of the finest trekking in Nepal. The Annapurna range and Machhapuchhare dominate the mountain views through glimpses further east to Lamjung Himal and its excellent farming land and the generations of men who have served in the British and lndian Gorkha armies. The route towards Chomrong passes through the village and is rewarded with the most attractive scenes of rural village life in the hills of Nepal.

Day 19 : Ghandrung to Austrian Camp (1,950 m.)

The close view across the Modi valley to Landrug (1,610 m.) is intercepted by a 600m. descend to the river valley and steep climb the other side. Then the trail traverses through farmland south high above the river before climbing through forest and crossing one of  Machhapuchhare’s many ridges and dropping down to Pokhara’s Phewa Tal (lake).

Day 20 : Austrian Camp to Pokhara (900 m.)

For those wanting walk back to Pokhara, drop down to the north side of the Dhampus into the Mardi Khola valley. A long walk along the valley floor leads to the little village at Mardi bridge from here the transport can be arranged to drive down to the hotel.

Latest Blog Posts