Day 1 Drive from Kathmandu to Beshishahar (760m.) and it takes
about seven hours. You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara
Highway to Dumre and then follow the narrow and paved road
by the Marsyangdi River to Besi Sahar (823m.). It takes
almost seven hours. Beshishahar is the district headquarters
of Lamjung district. All the local government offices are
situated here. From here, you can see some of mountain
peak, natural sceneries surrounding the valley and the
daily activities of local people. This headquarter is the
centre from where the daily usable commodities are supplied
to the different villages and numerous towns.
Day 2 Trek from Beshishahar to Bahundanda (1310m.) which takes
about six hours. The first part of the trail passes through
flat level along the bank of the Marshyangdi River. You
can enjoy the sceneries and the local culture of Gurung
community. After lunch at Ngadi, the trail goes steeply
upwards to Bahundanda which takes about two hours. At this
point, you can see the area surrounded by eye-catching
scenarios with snow capped mountains.
Day 3 Trek from Bahundanda to Chamje (1430m.) and it takes approximately
six hours. A steep trail descends for early half an hour
and then follows flat path through rice terraces, before
crossing a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall. It
then climbs again and traverses the hillside high above
the river before reaching the village of Lali Gaon. Ahead,
the Marsyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape, and you follow
the winding mountain path down through Syange (1100m.)
where there is a beautiful waterfall above it and along
the river for some distance. The trail then climbs steeply
and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m
above the riverbed. Eventually you descend to the stone
village of Jagat (1330m.) situated on a shelf which juts
into the precipitous Marsyangdi valley. Now the trail begins
to observe small ups and down to Chamje through the forests.
Day 4 Trek from Chamje (1410m.) to Dharapani (1860m.) and it
takes about six hours. The first part of the trail descends
to the river and after crossing a suspension bridge, you
begin a climb to Sattale (1550m.) on a path so steep that
it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the
valley. You continue on an undulating path above the river,
and at one point, where a tributary flows in from the opposite
bank, the main river becomes covered with huge boulders
that hide the water. Climbing the zigzag path to the top
of the hill, you see the level, plain of Tal (1700m.) before
you. Tal is the border between Manang and Lamjung district.
Though it is enclosed by cliffs, the level area looks reassuring
after the harrowing mountain paths just traveled on. You
descend to a grassy riverbank, which leads to Tal with
its hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows
and the path becomes high and winding, and in several areas
hewn from the rock itself. Beyond the small village of
Karte (1900m.), there is a bit more cliff-walking before
the path drops again to the river. You cross a suspension
bridge, and climb the short distance to the stone kani
marking the entrance to Dharapani (1960m.), and your camp
for the night.
Day 5 Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2670m.) which takes about
five hours. As you cut through a narrow field from the
village, the Dudh Khola, which originates from the south
face of Manaslu, enters on the opposite bank. The Marsyangdi
then veers to the left, and as Annapurna II becomes visible
ahead, you arrive at Bagarchhap, a Bhote village with prayer
flags fluttering in the breeze around Buddhist monastery.
Continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, you
pass through Danaque (2210m.). There comes a small wooden
bridge which takes you to follow steep ascent path upto
Timang. It lies at the bottom of Lamajung Himal. The trail
goes through flat level until you reach Chame where there
are government offices, shops, and hotels. Chame is the
administrative headquarters for the Manang district.
Day 6 Trek from Chame to Pisang (3100m.) which takes about five
hours. With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling in the morning
sun, you set off for Pisang. The mountain disappears as
you climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple
orchard. You continue through a fir and pine forest, climbing
to a high, rocky area as the opposite bank becomes an impassable
cliff. From this point the valley becomes extremely steep-sided
as you follow the path to Bhratang (2950m.).In the past
this was the military station for troops who fought against
the Khampa tribal revolution, but the dilapidated buildings
are all that remain of that era. A short climb from the
village brings you to a rock-strewn area where you cross
a suspension bridge and follow a high, winding path, before
crossing back to the right bank again. You now walk through
a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes
from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up a wonderful
vista before you. You can see the east peak of Annapurna
II as well as Pisang Peak (6091m.) to the north-east. Continuing
on, you come to a long mani wall by a bridge and the lower
village of Pisang.
Day 7 Trek
from Pisang to Manang (3540m.) and it takes about five hours.
Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge which affords
good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak (7145m.).
Descending past Manang's airstrip at Hongde (3320m.), you
come to a level area from where the north-east face of Annapurna
III rises majestically above you. From the wide plains of
the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna IV (7525m) also becomes
visible. Just beyond this point you cross the considerably
reduced flow of the Marsyangdi Khola via a wooden bridge
to the tiny village of Mungji. Cultivated fields appear on
both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy
mountain, you can see the village of Bryaga with its splendid
monastery. Large chortens and mani walls abound and the tall
peaks of the Himalaya spread out before you - Annapurna II,
Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna (7455m) and, to the
rear, Tilicho Peak (7145m). After a short steep climb you
reach Manang which is a surprisingly large village for this
remote mountain region. You camp here for the night, amidst
the fluttering prayer flags which adorn the houses.
Day 8 Rest day at Manang and hang in and around town. This is
an important rest and acclimatization day before crossing
the Thorung La. There are optional day walks such as crossing
the river to see the tremendous ice-fall coming down from
the Annapurnas, or climbing high above the village for
a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley.
There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) aid
post in the village which makes an interesting and educational
visit. Moreover you can visit Ganagapurna Glacier Lake
to make your rest day a memorable one.
Day 9 Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (4018m.) and it takes about
three and half hours. Now the trail ascends gently all
the way to Yak Kharka passing through the Gunsang (3960m.)
village. En route, you can see panoramic views all the
day.
Day 10 Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4450m.) which takes
about 3 and half hours. Leaving Yak Kharka, you climb
gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters
of the Marsyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge.
After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right
bank, you follow a narrow trail across an unstable spree
slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi.
Day 11 Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3800m.) via Thorong
La (5416m.) Pass and it takes about seven hours. It demands
an early start today for your crossing of Thorung La [5416m].
The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but
as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds
of years, the path is well defined. The gradient then eases
and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, you reach
the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. The views are
dramatic to say the least, from the snow-covered mountains
above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and
the brown and purple hills of Mustang which are spread
out before you. The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding
1600m but it is compensated for with excellent views of
Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraines give way to grassy
slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley
to Muktinath and its shrines and temple.
Day 12 Trek from Muktinath to Kagbeni (2800 m.) and it takes about
three and half hours. You now begin the trek 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 path steeply down
to Kagbeni, a primitive village famous for Tibetan architectures.
People living there follow the Tibetan life style and culture.
There is situated a monastery said to belong to 15th Century.
Kagbeni is the border for Upper Mustang.
Day 13 Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2710m.) which takes about
three and half hours. Your trail passes through the bank
of Kali Gandaki passing through the Eklebhatti. The trail
is windy after late morning. The river flows through broader
course. Jomsom is the headquarters of Mustang and it is
split into two towns and between these two towns passes
through Kali Gandaki river. There is access of internet
and banking facilities. From Jomsom, you can enjoy the
magnificent views of Nilgiri and Tilicho peak. Here you
stay overnight at hotel.
Day 14 Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara which
takes about 35 minutes. The flights are available during
the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after
and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being
landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights
in morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able
to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks.
Day 15 : Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While
driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,
Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable
car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route,
you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice
terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged
in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb
up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also
fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.
