Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival 1360m

You arrive in Katmandu and are transferred to the hotel. A pre-trek briefing will be scheduled to discuss the trekking program and co-ordinate any last-minute arrangements.

Meals included: 1 breakfast.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing Today we explore Katmandu on an organized sightseeing tour. This will include a visit to the Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. We also visit Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River and home to the most famous Hindu temple in the country. Here we will see Hindu holy men (saddhus) and pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the Ghats.

The early afternoon will be free to relax in the hotel garden or visit Thamel for last minute shopping. You will be supplied with your trek departure information in the afternoon.

Meals included: 1 breakfast.

Day 03: Kathmandu-Besisahar 860m, 6 hours driving We depart early in the morning for the drive to Besisahar, from where we commence our trek. The drive is quite spectacular with mountain views of the Ganesh and Manaslu ranges, the tumbling white waters of the Trisuli River and the ever-present terraced hillsides. A packed lunch is provided for the journey.

Upon arrival we’ll meet our trekking crew and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore this road-head village. From the lodge, the views of the mountains are spectacular with Lamjung Himal (6931m) dominating the skyline.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee.

Day 04: Besisahar-Ngadi 930m, 5 hours trekking

From Besisahar we follow the west bank of the Marsyandi River to the village of Khuldi where we cross a tributary of the main river and continue on to Bhulbule for lunch. The views from Bhulbule are tremendous, especially the snowy peak of Himalchuli (7893m).

In the afternoon we cross the Marsyandi to the east bank, and after a short distance, views of Manaslu (8156m), Peak 29 (7541m) and Lamjung (6986m) open out on the horizon. The afternoon’s walking is easy and we stay in the small village of Upper Ngadi.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 05: Ngadi-Jagat 1341m, 6 hours trekking

From Ngadi we cross a small suspension bridge over the Musi Khola to start a gradual climb to the village of Bahundanda (1311m) located on a ridge top. After a short descent we follow the river valley again and stop for lunch at Syange (1136m).

In the afternoon the track follows a cut in the near-vertical cliffs high above the river to reach Jagat (1341m), a Tibetan village that served as a customs post on the old trading route from Tibet.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 06: Jagat-Dharapani 1890m, 6hours trekking Today the vegetation changes to rhododendron and pine forests and the valley becomes narrower and steeper. We leave the village and cross the river on a large suspension bridge from where the trail ascends quite steeply, with the river tumbling through a maze of large boulders. After reaching the top of the zigzag climb, the valley widens out to reveal the village of Tal, nestled amongst fields of barley, wheat and potatoes.

We have now entered the district of Manang and we will have lunch in one of the many fine hotels here. The afternoon’s walk follows the river valley, crossing back to the west bank before gradually ascending to Dharapani (1890m) where we end the trekking day.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 07: Dharapani-Chame 2685m, 5 hours trekking The valley now extends westward through dramatic fir and pine forests. After half an hour, we reach Bagarchap (2160m), the first village on the trek with typical Tibetan architecture. Here we may observe firewood stacked on the roofs in preparation for the long, hard winters. The village marks the transition between the lower wet valleys and the higher dry arid areas of the Manang valley. From here there are excellent views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II (7937m), and Annapurna III (7555m) up the valley. Down the valley to the east, Manaslu and Peak 29 soar magnificently to the skies.

Leaving Bagarchap, we cross a small wooden bridge beside a beautiful waterfall and ascend to Laatamarang (2360m) where we may wish to rest over a cold drink. The trail then continues past the police check post at Koto, a short distance from Chame (2685m), which boasts among other things, a wireless station, bank, health post and well-run hotels.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 08: Chame-Pisang 3475m, 5 hours trekking

In the morning we trek through fields of barley and buckwheat to reach the apple orchards at Brathang (2840m), a former Khampa (Tibetan rebels) settlement. We will stop here for lunch. Before crossing the river into thick fir forest, we will have glimpses of Lamjung and Annapurna towering high above the trail.

After spending some time in the forest we reach a clearing to reveal the huge rock slabs of Paungda Danda, some 1500m high. From here we continue to follow the valley to reach the flat-roofed stone houses of the Pisang village (3300m) and our lodge in full view of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak (6091m).

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 09: Pisang-Manang 3535m, 5 hours trekking

We follow the wooden irrigation canals, an indication of the arid trans-Himalayan terrain, through the Pisang village. Here the soils are poor and only one crop per year of barley, wheat, buckwheat or potatoes can be grown. To supplement their living, many locals run hotels and teahouses as well as having herds of goats and yaks that graze on the hillsides high above the valley.

The walking is fairly easy but there is one steep climb to a saddle that leads down to the airstrip at Hongde where we have lunch. In the afternoon we have an easy walk along the valley to Braga (3475m) where the houses are stacked on top of each other, perched high on the valley cliffs. Above the houses is a monastery, the oldest and most interesting in the area, estimated to be over 500 years old. From the village of Braga it is only a short walk to the village of Manang.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 10: Manang rest and exploration

Manang is a tight compact village of about 500 flat-roofed houses set amongst spectacular scenery. The huge icefall of Annapurna rears over the village. Annapurna II and Annapurna IV (7525m) tower dramatically above the valley floor to the south-east, with Tilicho (7132m), RocNoir (7485m) and the Grand Barrier to the west.

Chulu West (6630m) and East (6200m) lie behind the village: a hauntingly beautiful panorama. The rest day here is designed to aid acclimatisation and we can choose to relax or trek above the village where there are great views of the Annapurna peaks. We may even see elusive mountain goats (Thar) and Blue Sheep on the craggy higher slopes

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 11: Manang-Ledar 4200m, 5 hours trekking

We leave early in the morning and slowly ascend to Tengi. Here we branch away from the Marsyandi valley and follow the Jarsang Khola.

Sparse fir and pine is replaced by scrub juniper and grasses as we pass a few small yak herder ''shelters'' before stopping at the pleasant meadow of Ledar. Today is a relaxed walking day, taken at a slow pace to allow for the affects of altitude.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 12: Ledar-Phedi 4420m, 4 hours trekking

Today is another short day to ensure we arrive at the base of the Thorong Pass feeling well acclimatized. We cross the Jarsang Khola on a covered bridge and then follow the left bank of the river over loose scribes on the steep-sided valley.

We will arrive at Phedi in time for lunch and have the afternoon free to relax and prepare for the crossing of the pass

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 13: Phedi-Mukhtinath 3800m, 7-9 hours trekking

Though the pass poses no technical problems we need to start very early, around 3am, so we can proceed slowly and safely. The trail is not steep, and the long, gradual approach crosses several false summits before reaching some stone cairns marking the true crest of the pass at 5416m. In fine conditions, the views from the pass are truly fantastic offering an amazing panorama of the Annapurna, Mukut and Mustang ranges with the Kali Gandaki valley seen far below.

The descent from the pass is fairly steep but compensated with views of Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Tukche Peak (6920m). This is a long walk and we should arrive at the village of Mukhtinath, in the early afternoon. Mukhtinath is one of Nepal’s most sacred pilgrimage sites for both Hindus and Buddhists. It is well worthwhile visiting the monastery and the pagoda-style temple with 108 waterspouts in the form of cows' heads. There is also a temple where burning natural gas and a small spring emerging from the rock in the same vicinity can be seen. This is considered to be an auspicious religious combination.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 14: Mukhtinath-Jomsom 2665m, 5 hours trekking

From Mukhtinath the trail descends towards the Kali Gandaki Valley, passing through the village of Jharkot, back-dropped by sensational views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri (7061m). The terrain around Jharkot is a yellow, barren, almost moonlike landscape, dotted with patches of green cultivation, where man-made canals cut across the fields, irrigating the crops and fruit trees.

From here a short steep descent leads to our lunch stop at Eklaibhati on the floor of the Kali Gandaki Valley. In the afternoon we follow the river heading south, through the wide, windswept and barren valley to Jomsom.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 15: Jomsom-Pokhara 850m

After an early breakfast we fly to Pokhara and transfer to our hotel. After a welcome shower, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or wander around. In the evening we will dine out at one of the many lakeside restaurants.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 16: Pokhara

We have allocated a further day in the peaceful surroundings of Pokhara. Your leader will advise you of sightseeing opportunities or you may just wish to relax and laze around the hotel. The lakeside area has good shopping opportunities, Internet cafés and it is well worthwhile taking a boat out onto the lake.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 17: Pokhara-Gorkha

A 25 kilometer road off the main highway connecting Pokhara and Katmandu brings you to an ancient Gorkha - the untouched and captivating town of Nepal! Some 300 years ago, Nepal was divided into 50 tiny states, and Gorkha was one of them. King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the founder of `Shah Dynasty' unified Nepal into one kingdom.

His Gorkha palace resides on top of a hill at an altitude of 3281 feet (about 1000 meter) The King would watch-over his people as far as his eyes could see from the tallest palace in the very center of Nepal! Gorkha is also the home of Gurkhas - the legendary brave warriors who fought with knives against guns.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 17: Gorkha-Kathmandu

Drive through beautiful hills, valleys, towns and rivers. On arrival in Kathmandu you are transferred back to the hotel.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 17: Kathmandu Departure

Today is free to relax until your departure or to commence any additional trips or activities you may have booked. If you are departing, you’ll be transferred to the international airport in time for your return flight home.

Meals included: 1 breakfast.