Trek Overview:
- 13 to 15 days in Nepal
- Elevation 2,690 ft to 17,599 ft
- Trek Grade: Moderate to Difficult
- 1 Porter for 2 Members (tea house lodging trek)
- Or 2 to 4 porters for 1 member (camping/expedition)
- Trekking Season: Mid March to Mid June, Late September to Mid November
Trekking Highlights:
The ancient trade route to Mustang and Tibet, up the Kali Ghandaki River, presents one of the most developed trekking trails offering comfortable lodges run by Gurung and Thakali families along with delicious local cuisines including everything that can be made from Nepal’s most famous Jomsom apples. Starting from Pokhara, we will ascend the Annapurna foothills through picturesque Gurung villages and continue through lichen-draped rhododendron forest to climb Poon Hill at dawn for spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. The trek will pass Tatopani, a natural hot spring that occurs in the local village, we will trek up the deepest gorge in the world situated between two Himalayan giants, Dhaulagiri (8,167m/26,788ft) and Annapurna (8,091m/26,538ft). As we trek up the Kali Gandaki valley, we’ll pass through the traditional and prosperous villages of Tukuche, Ghasa, Marpha and Jomsom. The Thakalis, traditional traders, have converted their charming and wonderfully clean homes into trekkers' lodges and are well known as one of the most gracious and successful inn-keepers in Nepal. Past Jomsom, we will reach the arid Tibet-like landscape of Mustang. At Muktinath, set below the Thorung La pass, we have a day to explore the temple and villages and enjoy wonderful mountain views before taking the flight back from Jomsom to Pokhara.
The ancient trade route to Mustang and Tibet, up the Kali Ghandaki River, presents one of the most developed trekking trails offering comfortable lodges run by Gurung and Thakali families along with delicious local cuisines including everything that can be made from Nepal’s most famous Jomsom apples. Starting from Pokhara, we will ascend the Annapurna foothills through picturesque Gurung villages and continue through lichen-draped rhododendron forest to climb Poon Hill at dawn for spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. The trek will pass Tatopani, a natural hot spring that occurs in the local village, we will trek up the deepest gorge in the world situated between two Himalayan giants, Dhaulagiri (8,167m/26,788ft) and Annapurna (8,091m/26,538ft). As we trek up the Kali Gandaki valley, we’ll pass through the traditional and prosperous villages of Tukuche, Ghasa, Marpha and Jomsom. The Thakalis, traditional traders, have converted their charming and wonderfully clean homes into trekkers' lodges and are well known as one of the most gracious and successful inn-keepers in Nepal. Past Jomsom, we will reach the arid Tibet-like landscape of Mustang. At Muktinath, set below the Thorung La pass, we have a day to explore the temple and villages and enjoy wonderful mountain views before taking the flight back from Jomsom to Pokhara.
Trek Itinerary:
Day 1: KATMANDU: Arrive in Katmandu. Warm Greetings by our family member and drive to guest house. Free rest day with welcome dinner at the house.
Day 2: KATMANDU: Breakfast at Nima’s house. Sight seen day tour around Katmandu (tour includes Katmandu Durbar Square, Syambunath Stupa, Pashupati Nath & Boudha Nath - Hindu & Buddhist temple). Lunch & dinner provided, Prepare for the next day’s trek
Day 3: KATMANDU-POKHARA-Ulleri: This is the start of a 13 day trekking. Drive to Pokhara then to a small village called Nayapul. Hike to Ulleri and spend a night in Ulleri
Day 4: Ulleri-GHOREPANI: The trail drops down and crosses the Burungdi Khola, then climbs all the way up to GHOREPANI via very steep uphill.
Day 5: GHOREPANI-TATOPANI: The trail descends steeply to Sikha, a large village & further descends to 380m to Ghar Khola Village. After crossing suspension bridge it climbs up at Tatopani.
Day 6: TATOPANI-GHASA: The trail now follows the Kali Gandaki river that flows under the deep gorge by 2200m in between two 8000m mountaintops which are only 38km apart. This trail further ascends to first Thakali village Ghasa.
Day 7: GHASA-KALAPANI: A steep climb through forest takes you to Lete Khola then reach to Lete. It further continues to the east side of the Kaligandaki then to Larjung Village and Kalapani.
Day 8: KALAPANI-JOMSOM: Today trail cross via Tukche at 2590m and walking further through a governmental established project produces fruits mainly apples and vegetables for the whole region until you get to beautiful Marpha Village. Afer Marpha, the weather will start getting very windy in this deep gorge valley until Kagbeni. We will hike for about 2 more hours to get to the district headquarter of Mustang-Jomsom where we will spend the night.
Day 9: JOMSOM-KAGBENI: This long, windy and dusty trail continues along the valley side on Kaligandaki River. As we follow our trek for about three hours to the medieval-looking village of Kagbeni, we will get closer to the high Tibetan mountain desert climate. Kagbeni is the last border village before entering the forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang which requires a special permit.
Day 10: KAGBBENI-MUKTINATH: From Kagbeni, the path climbs steeply to re-join the direct trail leading to Khingar at 3200m. The trail climbs through a desert landscape till Jarkot Village. A further climb brings you to Muktinath (a holy pilgrim site for Hindu and Buddhist people). If any team member decides to go to Thorung La summit, we will have to spend a night at the Kharka village just about 2 hours up from Muktinath. Team membe who wishes not go for Thorung Summit will spend extra night in Muktinath by exploring down to ancient and beautiful Jhong village, Muktinath temple, near by local monasteries and market.
Day 11: MUKTINATH-Optional DAY HIKE To Thorung La Summit (17,599ft), recommend for strong team members! Ay team member who go for summit to Thorung La Pass will have to spend another night in Muktinath. If we decide to go for the Thorung La summit, we will have to get up very early morning and it will be a very long day with close to 3000ft elevation gain in a short period of time. Return back to Muktinath/re join the group.
Day 12: Muktinath-Jomsom: Spend the night in Jomsom village.
Day 13: Jomsom-Pokhara: Fly back to Pokhara & spend the day in Pokhara
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu and rest/free day
Day 15: Last day in Kathmandu, shop for the souvenirs and spend day on your own visiting your favorite places and at night, farewell dinner provided along with Nepalese cultural song & dance
Day 16: Transfer to the airport for US departure
Day 1: KATMANDU: Arrive in Katmandu. Warm Greetings by our family member and drive to guest house. Free rest day with welcome dinner at the house.
Day 2: KATMANDU: Breakfast at Nima’s house. Sight seen day tour around Katmandu (tour includes Katmandu Durbar Square, Syambunath Stupa, Pashupati Nath & Boudha Nath - Hindu & Buddhist temple). Lunch & dinner provided, Prepare for the next day’s trek
Day 3: KATMANDU-POKHARA-Ulleri: This is the start of a 13 day trekking. Drive to Pokhara then to a small village called Nayapul. Hike to Ulleri and spend a night in Ulleri
Day 4: Ulleri-GHOREPANI: The trail drops down and crosses the Burungdi Khola, then climbs all the way up to GHOREPANI via very steep uphill.
Day 5: GHOREPANI-TATOPANI: The trail descends steeply to Sikha, a large village & further descends to 380m to Ghar Khola Village. After crossing suspension bridge it climbs up at Tatopani.
Day 6: TATOPANI-GHASA: The trail now follows the Kali Gandaki river that flows under the deep gorge by 2200m in between two 8000m mountaintops which are only 38km apart. This trail further ascends to first Thakali village Ghasa.
Day 7: GHASA-KALAPANI: A steep climb through forest takes you to Lete Khola then reach to Lete. It further continues to the east side of the Kaligandaki then to Larjung Village and Kalapani.
Day 8: KALAPANI-JOMSOM: Today trail cross via Tukche at 2590m and walking further through a governmental established project produces fruits mainly apples and vegetables for the whole region until you get to beautiful Marpha Village. Afer Marpha, the weather will start getting very windy in this deep gorge valley until Kagbeni. We will hike for about 2 more hours to get to the district headquarter of Mustang-Jomsom where we will spend the night.
Day 9: JOMSOM-KAGBENI: This long, windy and dusty trail continues along the valley side on Kaligandaki River. As we follow our trek for about three hours to the medieval-looking village of Kagbeni, we will get closer to the high Tibetan mountain desert climate. Kagbeni is the last border village before entering the forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang which requires a special permit.
Day 10: KAGBBENI-MUKTINATH: From Kagbeni, the path climbs steeply to re-join the direct trail leading to Khingar at 3200m. The trail climbs through a desert landscape till Jarkot Village. A further climb brings you to Muktinath (a holy pilgrim site for Hindu and Buddhist people). If any team member decides to go to Thorung La summit, we will have to spend a night at the Kharka village just about 2 hours up from Muktinath. Team membe who wishes not go for Thorung Summit will spend extra night in Muktinath by exploring down to ancient and beautiful Jhong village, Muktinath temple, near by local monasteries and market.
Day 11: MUKTINATH-Optional DAY HIKE To Thorung La Summit (17,599ft), recommend for strong team members! Ay team member who go for summit to Thorung La Pass will have to spend another night in Muktinath. If we decide to go for the Thorung La summit, we will have to get up very early morning and it will be a very long day with close to 3000ft elevation gain in a short period of time. Return back to Muktinath/re join the group.
Day 12: Muktinath-Jomsom: Spend the night in Jomsom village.
Day 13: Jomsom-Pokhara: Fly back to Pokhara & spend the day in Pokhara
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu and rest/free day
Day 15: Last day in Kathmandu, shop for the souvenirs and spend day on your own visiting your favorite places and at night, farewell dinner provided along with Nepalese cultural song & dance
Day 16: Transfer to the airport for US departure
