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Annapurna Explorer

Kathmandu – Bandipur – Bahundanda – Besisahar – Chamje – Dharapani – Chame – Pisang – Manang – Yak Kharka – Phedi – Muktinath – Jomsom – Pokhara – Kathmandu

Duration

16 Days / 15 Nights

Overview

….

Detailed Itinerary

  Dinner |   Hotel

Kathmandu, the colourful capital of Nepal, is a fascinating array of traditional architecture and symbols of the 20th Century. If you arrive early you can visit Durbar Square and the temples and the local market. Climb up to Swayambhunath – the ‘monkey temple’. Explore the network of street markets and alley bazaars and Pashupatinath. If you have a few days more in Kathmandu definitely visit the neighbouring towns of Patan and Bhaktapur.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

Head towards Bandipur. stopping along the way at Dumre (approx.5 hours). Located high on a ridge (1,000 m) is this little-known Newari trading village. Visit the Pagoda-roofed Bindabasini temple that is the abode of the goddess Durga, Bandipur’s guardian deity.

Bandipur is still not on many travellers ‘to visit’ list, but those who have traveled there will vouch for the stupendous view and the warm nature of the locals.

Spend some time sitting in your hotel balcony admiring the stunning views of the Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges – the hallmark of this region. Bandipur is a basic village but the surrounding countryside has great places for walking.

Spend the night in a beautiful restored village mansion in the heart of the old bazaar. 

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

Immerse yourself in the mountain wilderness that encompasses the Annapurna Range. At 8,091 m, Annapurna is one of the highest mountains in the world, creating magnificent panorama viewsfrom any point. Trek across isolated mountain communities and understand the different ancestral customs and traditions.Meet warm and welcoming localsand visit their monasteries and temples. As you go along you will cross waterfalls of melted snow, wade through icy rivers and walk along broad plains and trek up high mountain passes.

Spend the night at a local lodge, better known as a teahouse.

Drive to Besisahar (1.5hrs approx) where you will pass through sub-tropical forests and rice paddies of Sera. Move along and traverse a long saggy suspension bridge across Khudi Khola and arrive at Bhulbule. Resume on the trail that goes along the Marshyangdi River on a long, feeble suspension bridge. After the Ngadi River, the trail gently leads upwards through scrub forests and across landslides, eventually leading to Bahundanda (hill of the Brahmins), and an attractive village in the saddle of a long ridge. Total walking time is approximately 6 hours. 

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 Enjoy dazzling cascades en route as you walk through a deep wooded canyon with a few steep stretches.Total walking time is approximately 6 hours.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 The trek continues through the deep wooded canyon studded with azure blue waterfalls as you head towards Manang district. Total walking time is approximately 7 hours.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 Marking the end of the great Marsyangdi gorge, begin climbing up to Timang. Gradually the trail settles into gentler slopes with the vegetation changing from dense pine forests to drier slopes. Total trekking time is approximately 6 hours.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 Relish a slew of breathtaking scenery as the trail goes through a deep gorge. Slowly pass through the great sweeping slope of Paungi Danda. It is mostly an easy walk with a few ascending stretches of trail.Approximately 5 hours trekking time.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

Head to the northern trail through the upper Pisang and Ghyaru, a region with spectacular views.
Trekking time is approximately 6 hours. 

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

Take a day toacclimatize to the altitude and then return to the lower altitude of Manang to sleep. Manang is a small village and offers spectacular views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna and Chulu East. 

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 Covering approximately 7 km, trek up to the alpine region, taking around five hours.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 Enjoy the next section of the climb at a leisurely pace as the altitude increases. Take time out to admire the magnificent views enroute. Rest at Phedi and acclimatize for the higher elevations that will constitute the next part of the climb. Trekking time is approximately 5 hours.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 Setting off very early to cross the Thorung La Pass (5,416 m).Stop to admire the stunning views of the Pass’s peak, adorned with prayer flags, a traditional stupa (chorten) and stone cairns.Start descending towards Chabarbu and cross beautiful meadows, deep ravine and then climb out to follow a wide trail into Muktinath, a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.Total trekking time is approximately 8-9 hours.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

Veer off the main trekking trail to see an ancient village of Purang. Take the off beaten track to pass through an ancient village, Jhong. From Jhong, descend to the Jhing Khola (river) and emerge on to Kagbeni. From Kagbeni, get back onto Annapurna circuit route to make a gradual descent through scenic, desert-like terrain, charming villages and go along the windy riverbed to Jomsom.Total trekking time is approximately 7 hours. 

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 Early morning flight to Pokhara, a peaceful lakeside town that rests beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna Range. Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route between India and Tibet. Take time to see this beautiful town and interact with the friendly residents.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 Return to Kathmandu by tourist bus (approx. 7 hours including stops), where you can indulge in some local sightseeing or shop for some souvenirs. On arrival in Kathmandu check into the Kathmandu Guest House.

  Breakfast & Dinner |   Hotel

 There are no activities planned for the final day so you can spend the day at leisure doing things that you please. 


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