Arrive Kathmandu

On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be collected by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Our friendly staff is on hand to provide any advice or assistance you need. Time to explore your surroundings and generally settle in.

Drive to Jagat, via Besi Sahar

An early start to get you to the start point of the trek in good time. The drive is in two parts: Kathmandu to Besi Sahar, solid roads and will take about 5 hrs. Besi Sahar – Jagat, somewhere around Besi Sahar you may switch vehicles for the journey up the jeep track to Jagat. This track has been under development for a number of years, not least for the construction of the hydroelectric plant just north of Besi Sahar. You should arrive in Jagat in mid-late afternoon allowing you to settle in and adjust for the next day’s trek with Breakfast and Dinner Service.

Trek Jagat – Dharapani

The beauty of this trek is that it ascends gradually towards the 3500m mark (Manang). At this stage. you are still deep in the valley so it could be quite warm when the sun is up. Today’s trek is around 7 hr, with lunch usually in the village of Tal. It is easy to walk along the jeep track but your Guide will take you along the NATT trail where possible, a network of paths forged to keep away from the road tracks. 6 – 7 hrs with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Dharapani – Chame

A nice trek of similar timescale to yesterday, primarily through forest to Chame with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Chame – Pisang

Still following the river, the valley floor begins to widen and the forest is primarily on the left side so the scope of the mountain scenery becomes easier to see. You should easily see Pisang Peak (6091m) to the north. You will cross the 3000m mark today. ~6 hrs with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Pisang – Manang (3500m)

Depending on how you are progressing and feeling, there is a choice of the ‘high route’ or ‘low route’. The high route (~7 hrs) stays to the right of the valley floor and ascends to around 3600m before rejoining the low route and entering Manang. The low route (~5 hrs) stays along the valley floor. Either way, entering Manang is a good feeling as it marks the end of the first phase. There is a Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) post here, and it’s a good idea to attend their free daily presentations on altitude sickness. At 3500m, Manang is perfectly placed for acclimatisation with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Manang (3500m, acclimastisation)

There are plenty of sidewalks that you can undertake here to aid acclimatisation, and your Guide will encourage you to do so on the classic basis of ‘trek high, sleep low’. You can trek up to Khangsar for lunch, or simply gain some altitude for some views. Equally, take the opportunity to rest and take in the fantastic scenery around you from below with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Manang – Yak Kharka (4100m)

The next 2 nights are all about coping with the altitude increase to cross the Thorong La (5416m). The first night is at Yak Kharka although there is a 2nd option slightly further up at Letdar (4200m). With short days, there is plenty of time to look back and enjoy the mountain top scenery. Once you leave Manang, the forests are behind you and the scenery takes on a more alpine feel. 3 – 4 hrs with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Yak Kharka – Thorong Phedi (4450m)

Another short-ish day to the final night stop before the Pass. There are lodges further up at ‘high camp’ (4800m) but the risk of altitude sickness is greater. The Guide will advise on the ground. ~3 – 4 hrs with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Thorong Phedi – Muktinath (3780m), via the Thorong La (5416m)

You will be up and on the move by first light, if not before, and is likely to be weather-related. It’ll take a few hours to reach the Pass, which is one of the highest in the world. There may be snow on the ground. This is a long day (~10 hrs) so make sure that you are well-prepared kit-wise and that you have sufficient food/water with you. Enjoy the Pass, the views are fantastic. The Pass marks the geographic point at which the two sides of the Pass are so very different. Manang enjoys plenty of rainfall to fill the rivers and allow the green forests to flourish. On the Muktinath side, it is very arid, in the rain shadow and this will become very clear as you descend. The cultures are also different, Hindu on the Manang side, Buddhist on the Muktinath side.

Given the altitude, any altitude-related symptoms you may experience will quickly subside once you begin descending. Muktinath is the home of the Vishnu Temple, one of the most sacred temples for both the Hindu and Buddhist religions. It is also one of the highest temples in the world (3800m). As a result, Muktinath is accessible by a good jeep track so you will notice the existence of a lot more people. ~10hrs with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Muktinath – Jomson (2700m), via Kagbeni

After the rigors of the past few days, this is a nice easy stroll down to the Upper Mustang border village of Kagbeni. You will pass the spectacularly located Monastery in Jharkot, and begin to admire the arid terrain of this region. Have lunch in Kagbeni, be sure to walk to the border post, and take a good look at what lies before you – Upper Mustang.

The final leg of this trekking journey is to Jomson, along the Kali Gandaki river bed. It may be generally flat but the strong prevailing winds that flow northwards (against you) will certainly slow you down, and Jomson will be a welcome sight. Jomson is well supplied due to the airstrip so you can expect more services here than in other villages you have experienced. ~6 hrs with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Service.

Domestic Flight to Pokhara

Expect an early morning flight to avoid the winds of the afternoon. This fantastic 20 min flight goes down the Kali Gandaki river before flying over the top of Poon Hill. Once you reach Pokhara, you will be transferred to your hotel where you can have a good shower, unwind, and generally relax. The hotel will be within minutes of the center of Pokhara where there are many shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants with Breakfast Service.

Pokhara – Free Day

Domestic Flight to Kathmandu

You will be transferred to the airport for your 30 min domestic flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel (25 min transfer). Once at the hotel, you are free to roam and explore as you please with Breakfast Service.

Kathmandu – Free Day

Depart Nepal