DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 01- Arrival at Kathmandu
We will be meeting at the Tribhuvan International Airport by a Guru Travels agent who will take you to your hotel after we arrive. Then we check in at the hotel, get ready, and rest. Guru Travels will provide a welcome supper in the evening. Spend the night in Kathmandu.
Day 02- Sightseeing around Kathmandu
We will visit the world heritage sites of Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Bouddhanath Stupa. The Durbar Square provides insight into old royalty's way of existence. One of the most significant locations of pilgrimage for all Hindus is the Pashupatinath Temple. The Baudhanath Stupa, one of the biggest stupas in the world, is located in Swayambhunath, also referred to as the Monkey Temple. We meet our fellow participants.
Day 03- Drive to Dharapani (1,900m/6,232ft) via Besisahar
7-8 hrs. drive to Dharapani on a private Jeep.
Day 04- Walk from Dharapani to Chame (2,600m/8,528ft)
The first trek day is today. We immediately begin a challenging section that involves 17 kilometers of walking and more than 700 meters of ascent! The journey from Danaqyu to Temang is particularly challenging. The ascent via staircases begins shortly after crossing a river and seems to go on forever. The path follows a number of rivers.
Long walkways with flags are used to cross it. It takes some getting used to crossing the shaky bridge at first, but after that it becomes enjoyable. We walk without a porter and carry 12 and 14 kilos on our backs, so today is the first day we have our large packs on, so it is quite difficult. You must truly adjust to walking with such a weight.
Day 05- Continue walking from Chame to Lower Pisang (3,200m/10,496ft)
We depart Chame for Lower Pisang at 7:00. The largest apple orchard in this region of the Annapurna Circuit is one we pass on the way. We purchase some delectable apple muffins from the shop next door—highly recommended. The walk to Lower Pisang takes about 4 hours and involves a 500-meter ascent. We pass a large-looking abyss on the way there.
Day 06- Trek from Lower Pisang to Manang (3,519m/11,542ft)
Since we have a distance to travel today, we set out before the sun rises at 6:00 a.m. The initial hour is chilly. However, due to our significant ascent, we rapidly become hot. The high route and the low route are the two ways to get from Lower Pisang to Manang. Although speedier, the low path is less appealing. The high route is more difficult but more beautiful, and because it ascends higher, it allows you to acclimate more effectively.
Day 07- Rest Day at Manang
In Manang, today is a rest day. It is best to avoid sleeping higher tonight to properly acclimate, so we remain in Manang. We perform an almost summit-level acclimatization walk to the Praken Gompa. By doing this, we can make sure that we ascend again and then walk uphill for around 200 meters before descending again.
Day 08- Trek from Manang to Shreekharka (4,000m/13,120ft)
From Manang to Shree Kharka, we walk today. This is a deviation from the Annapurna Circuit's primary path. We walk to Shree Kharka since we are debating visiting Tilicho Lake, a lake at 5000 meters above sea level. The journey to Shree Kharka is already difficult, though. Tilicho Basecamp appears to be overcrowded, filthy, and lacking adequate overnight accommodations. The road is treacherous as well, with numerous chasms and the possibility of landslides. Finally, we decide against moving on and to stop using Shree Kharka for additional acclimatization.
Day 09- Trek from Shreekharka to Yak Kharka (4,050m/13,284ft)
Since we don't proceed on to Tilicho Lake, we instead travel to Yak Kharka, which is once more along the Annapurna Circuit. Since we just need to walk for five hours, we go at half past eight. The scenery is breathtaking, and the route is lined with snow-capped mountain peaks. We just gain 10 meters in elevation, Neto, but the route constantly rises and dips. This makes it quite difficult. The route follows the sunny side of the mountain, which is really wonderful, so we walk continuously in the sun.
Day 10- Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorang Phedi (4,400m/14,432ft)
The hardest day is today since we have to climb 1000 meters and then descend 1600 meters. We set the alarm at four am so we could leave on time. Because it will still be dark when you begin, remember your headlamp.
It is not too awful because we had walked the first section of the journey yesterday (all the way to High Camp). Without a doubt, it is difficult, but I anticipated this! After High Camp, the sun begins to rise gradually. Now that we are traversing bare mountain summits, there are snow and ice mounds all over the path.
Day 11- Trek from Thorang Phedi to Muktinath via Thorang La Pass (5,416m/17,764ft)
The hardest day is today since we have to climb 1000 meters and then descend 1600 meters. We set the alarm at four am so we could leave on time. Because it will still be dark when you begin, remember your headlamp.
It is not too awful because we had walked the first section of the journey yesterday (all the way to High Camp). Without a doubt, it is difficult, but I anticipated this! After High Camp, the sun begins to rise gradually. Now that we are traversing bare mountain summits, there are snow and ice mounds all over the path.
Day 12- Trek from Muktinath to Kagbeni (2,800m/9,161ft)
It's a calm day today. It's fortunately not too tough to travel to cute Kagbeni even with a tight back and sore legs. Even now, you still descend significantly—more than 1000 meters—but very gradually. From Muktinath to Kagbeni, there are various tracks.
We travel via the village of Jhong on the northern road (or Dzong). Compared to the southern road, which has far more traffic, this is much nicer (jeeps).
Day 13- Drive from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2,743m/8,997ft)
Today, we travel to Jomsom by bus from Kagbeni with the hopes of reserving a jeep to travel to Pokhara from there. The bus ride is pretty thrilling and goes through a lot of ravines. It's unfortunate that we haven't walked this route because it doesn't appear to be really picturesque. In Jomsom, there isn't much to do. It is a somewhat pricey community, and due to its location, it frequently experiences strong winds.
Day 14- Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara
35min flight to Pokhara. Balance free day.
Day 15- Flight to Kathmandu
25min flight to Kathmandu. Balance Day at Kathmandu.
Day 16- Departure
Today marks the end of our trip to Nepal. A few hours prior to the scheduled departure, a Guru Travel agent would deliver us to the Tribhuwan International Airport.