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1
Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar,
After early morning breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. During the drive you will follow Trisuli and Marshyangdi Rivers passing through several villages and you will enjoy views of green hills and snowcapped mountains. From Kathmandu to Besisahar is paved road and from there to Bhulbule is graveled. Stay overnight at lodge.
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2
Trek from Bhulbhule to Chamje (1410m.)
Ahead the Marshyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape. Follow the winding mountain path down to Syange (1100m) and then climb steeply through sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. From here it is a few ups and downs before you reach Chamje. Stay overnight at lodge.
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3
Trek from Chamje (1410m) to Dharapani (1960m)
The first part of the trail descends to the Marshyangdi river at which point cross a suspension bridge and make a steep climb to Sattale (1550m). From here descend to a grassy riverbank that leads to the village of Tal (1700m) where you will find hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path follows winding cliffs. You will pass through the small village of Karte (1900m.) and cross a suspension bridge as you approach the Mani entrance to Dharapani (1960m.). Stay overnight at lodge.
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4
Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2675m)
Trek along the Dudh Khola that originates from the south face of Mt. Manaslu. With Annapurna II as your backdrop, you will arrive at the village of Bagarchhap, distinct with its prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and Buddhist monastery. Continue to climb through forests of pine and oak, before passing by Danaque (2210m.). The trail goes through flat path until you reach Chame where there are government offices, shops and hotels. Chame is the administrative headquarters of the Manang district. Stay overnight at lodge.
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5
Trek from Chame to Pisang (3100m.)
With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling in the morning sun, you climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. The trail then enters fir and pine forest, and emerges out to a high, rocky cliff which is extremely steep that leads to Bhratang (2950m.). You now walk through a short stretch of pine forest as the path opens up to a wonderful vista of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak (6091m). Afterwards follow a long section of Mani wall to lower village of Pisang. Stay overnight at lodge.
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6
Trek from Pisang to Manang (3440m)
Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge that affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak (7145m). Descending to Hungde (3320m), you come to wide plain of the Sabje Khola Valley from where the north-east face of Annapurna III and Annapurna IV (7525m) rises majestically. Further to this point you cross Marshyangdi Khola over a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji. Mungji has large Chortens and mani walls and is surrounded by tall peaks of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna (7455m.) and Tilicho Peak (7145m.). A short steep climb from here reaches Manang. Stay overnight at lodge.
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7
Rest day at Manang. Today
is an important rest day for acclimatization before crossing the Thorung La Pass. There are optional walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurna, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley. Stay overnight at lodge.
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8
Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (4350m)
This morning the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through Gunsang village (3960m). En route, you can see panoramic mountain views all day long. Stay overnight at lodge.
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9
Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4420m)
Leaving Yak Kharka, you climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of Marshyangdi. After a short ascend along the mountain path on the right bank, you follow a narrow trail across an unstable spree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi. Stay overnight at lodge.
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10
Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3850m.) via Thorong La (5416m.) Pass
Today will be a long day of walking so you will leave early morning. The trail becomes steep immediately and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, you see chorten and prayer flags fluttering from the Thorong La pass. Thorong La pass is one of the highest passes in the Annapurna region. Once you are at the pass, you will start your descent along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath as the moraines eventually give way to grassy slopes. Muktinath is one of the most sacred places in the Himalaya for both Hindus and Buddhists. Stay overnight at lodge.
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11
Trek Muktinath to Marpha (2667m.)
You now begin the descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, you follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom. You continue down to Marpha, a delightful Thakali village, complete with a drainage system beneath the flagstone streets. Marpha is famous for apple and local apple brandy. Stay overnight at lodge.
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12
Trek from Marpha to Ghasa (2010m.)
Your trail passes through the bank of Kali Gandaki River. You will face fierce winds in this section during afternoon. While trekking from Marpha to Ghasa, you will pass Thakali villages such as Tukuche, Larjung, Kalopani and Lete. You will enjoy close-up views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche peaks on the trek. Stay overnight at lodge.
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13
Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1190m)
The trail gradually descends to Tatopani passing through forests along with one of the most beautiful and longest Rupchechahara waterfalls. You will also have the opportunity to observe Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world formed between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. The magical views of Nilgiri South, Annapurna I are clearly visible from the trail. Tatopani is a natural hot spring where you can bath and relax. Locals believe the hot spring provides therapeutic treatment for those suffering from skin diseases. Stay overnight at lodge.
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14
Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2860m)
The trail ascends all the way to Ghorepani via Ghara and Sikha, two beautiful villages with mix of Gurung and Magar ethnic groups. The trail makes its way through terraced fields, forests and meadows while offering constant views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. Ghorepani is a beautiful village and the most popular point for tourists in Annapurna region. Stay overnight in lodge.
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15
Early morning hike up to Poon Hill (3232 m.)
Poon Hill is a popular viewpoint to see sunrise/sunset and majestic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhare (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), and Lamjung Himal (6931m.).
After spending sometime in Poon Hill, hike back to Ghorepani for breakfast and then continue trekking towards Tadapani (2630m) which takes about five hours. Stay overnight at lodge.
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16
Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk (2950m)
It is a very easy trek descending gently all the way through rhododendron and oak forests. This is one of the popular destinations for the bird lovers. Ghandruk is a big Gurung village offering good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m.), Annapurna III (7755m.) and Fishtail. Stay overnight at lodge.
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17
Trek from Ghandruk to Chhomrong
At the beginning of the day, you ascend gently for an hour up to Ghandrukkot (2100m.) and descend steeply to the Kimrung Khola (1700m.). The trail then ascends to Chhomrong- a gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary trek and inhabited by Gurung, one of the major ethnic groups of Nepal. Stay overnight at lodge.
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18
Trek from Chhomrong to Dovan (2600m)
The train in the beginning descends until you cross a small bridge. From here it’s a long steep ascent up to Sinuwa. The path ahead passes through bamboo, rhododendron and oak forests. Enjoy local farming in terraced landscapes all around. Stay overnight in lodge.
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19
Trek from Dovan to Macchapuchre Base Camp (3700m)
The trail ahead is devoid of any villages until we reach Macchapuchre Base Camp. You trek gently ascend through bamboo forests with varieties of rhododendron and oak trees to Himalaya. Another one and a half hour trek reaches you to Deurali and another two hours up to Macchapuchre Base Camp. Stay overnight at lodge.
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20
Trek from Macchauchre Base Camp (3720m) to Annapurna Base Camp (4170m)
It is further 2 hours walk to reach Annapurna Base Camp. Annapurna Base Camp is a vantage point to see the Himalayas at a 360 degree turn. Some of the impressive ones include Mount Hiunchuli (6441m.), Annapurna South (7229m.), Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna III (7555m.), Gangapurna (7454m.) and Machhapuchhare or Fish Tail (6997m.) etc. You can explore Annapurna South Glaciers in detail. Stay overnight at lodge.
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21
Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo via Machhapuchhare Base Camp
The trail gradually descends passing through bamboo forests. Stay overnight at lodge.
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22
Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1780m.)
We will descend through Sinuwa and Choomrong. After Bamboo, the trail goes steeply up to the Kuldi Ghar and now the trail is quite flat until you reach Sinuwa. You trek gradually descends to the Chhomrong Khola and you have to follow stone staircase for almost an hour to reach Chhomrong. 1 hr further down will take you to Jhinu Danda. You can visit a natural hotspring in Modi Khola, which is 20 minutes hike from Jhinu Danda. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 23: Trek from Jhinudanda (1750m.) to Pothana (1890m) takes about six hours. You will pass through many villages, farms and terraced fields. You will cross Landruk and Deurali villages on the the way. Pothana is a beautiful village surrounded by green forests. Stay overnight at lodge.
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23
Trek from Pothana to Phedi and then drive to Pokhara.
The trek from Pothana to Phedi takes about 3 hours followed by an hour’s drive to reach Pokhara. On your way to Phedi from Pothana you will pass by Dhampus village and beyond that you will enjoy scenic terraced fields and mountain views. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
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24
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
After breakfast early morning, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu that takes about seven hours. En route, you will enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. If you choose to fly back to Kathmandu, it takes about 25 minutes. There are several flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara from morning to afternoon.