Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Beni takes about eleven
hours. You follow the Marshyandi gently up through heavily
terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River
that takes you directly into Pokhara. Pokhara is tourist's
paradise with lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus
along with mountains. You can observe views to the north
across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks
of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The drive from
here goes uphill all the way to Naudanda. It then descends
to Nayapul with views of Annapurna South, Fish tail, green
hills, terraces and villages. To reach Beni, your drive
moves along the bank of Mardi river. This is one of the
picturesque road journeys. You camp for the night.
Day 2 Trek from Beni to Maldhunga (1300m.) which takes about
six hours. You climb steadily to the rough and chilling
but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp. You camp for the
night.
Day 3 Trek from Maldhunga to Darbang takes about five and a
half hours.
This day you trek for early one hour passing through
jungles with varieties of oaks, rhododendron and so
on. Your trail now follows flat land passing through
stream at one place. Darbang is a small village mainly
inhabited by Magar and Limbus. There is a beautiful
camping site. You camp for the night.
Day 4 Trek from Darbang to Takum takes about 5 hours. This
day also you trek ascends through narrow path for
early one hour. Now, you go along the flat land passing
through jungle with varieties of rhododendrons, oaks
and Christmas trees at some distance. After you cross
a small stream, your trail follows ascending path until
you reach Takum. Here, you camp behind the school located
in central Takum. You find a Hindu temple where the villagers
go to submit their offerings.
Day 5 Trek from Takum to Muri takes about 6 hours. You
start trekking to descend trail for early one hour
passing through jungle. Then you follow ascending
path and before you approach Muri you pass along
the flat land until you reach Muri. This is a small
village mainly inhabited by Gurung and Rai, one
of the ethnic communities of Nepal. You camp for the
night.
Day 6 Trek from Muri to Baghar(2080m.). Descend a gentle
slope and cross a rocky stream then descend a
path amid terraced fields to Dhora khola. Cross the
river and climb to the right up the mountainside
to Ghorban dhara. The view from this pass is
fine, for the first time you can see Ghustung south
(6465m). Follow the right bank path past Naura where
you begin to ascend the mountainside. After climbing
for a short while, take a path that traverses
the steep grass-covered hill. The Myagdi khola assumes
a steep-walled V-shape as the traverse ends and
a high, winding path climbs the steep, grassy
slope. The steep slope will not tolerate any missteps
but the path is well-constructed with a great
number of zigzag stone step paths. At last the long
climb ends, and you enter a traverse to the right-here
you must also beware of falling into the gorge
of the Myagdi khola. Soon you descend through
a forested area, emerging to a ridge snout where
bagara (2080) is visible. Descend through terraced
fields to this mountain village where you camp
in people's yards or the terraced fields. You
camp for the night.
Day 7 Trek Baghar to Dobang (2520m.). Here, you leave
the villages behind and the trial becomes increasingly
challenging. You camp for the night.
Day 8 Trek from Dovan to Upper
Vungini (Italian Base Camp) takes about 6 hours. Passing
through the beautiful forest you rapidly gain altitude
and mountains burst out all around. You camp for the night.
Day 9 Rest day for acclimatization.
You camp for the night.
Day 10 Trek from Upper Vugini (Italian Base Camp) to Glacier
Camp and it takes about 4 hours. After crossing the first
glacier, probably using a rope in a couple of tricky
spots, you climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings
are spectacular which makes up for the rough and dangerous
trail. We may also use a rope on this section. This is
a particularly tough day. You camp on the glacier rubble.
Day 11 Trek from Glacier Camp
to Dhaulagiri Base Camp which takes about 5 hours. Soon
the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white
part of the glacier. You climb steadily to the rough and
chilling but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp. You camp
for the night.
Day 12 Trek from Dhaulagiri base camp to French Col (5010m.)-
Hidden valley takes about four hours. You trek along
trail covered with ice and soft snow. The stunning views
of Dhaulagiri range completely enchant you. You camp
for the night.
Day 13 Trek from French Col to Thapa pass (5015m) takes about
five hours. The views are same as earlier day. This
day you trek along flat path covered with ice and snow.
You camp for the night.
Day 14 Rest at Thapa Peak Base Camp. This is an acclimatization
day and you can make necessary preparation for Thapa
peak summit. You camp for the night.
Day 15 Climb Thapa peak and back to Base Camp which takes
about ten hours.
At the summit you will be enclosed by the views
of Dhaulagiri I, Nilgiri, and Annapurna and so
on. You camp for the night.
Day 16 Trek from Thapa Peak Base Camp to Yak Kharka takes
about five hours. To reach your destination you
trek leveled path all the way. En route you pass
Battase Danda. The views of Tukuche peak, Thapa
peak, Annapurna range mesmerize you. You camp for
the night.
Day 17 Trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha (2670m.) takes about
five hours.
This day the trail moves downhill till Marpha.
On the way you pass small forests of juniper and
other local vegetation. You will be accompanied
by the splendid views of Nilgiri, Annapurna and
rocky hills. You camp for the night.
Day 18 Trek from Marpha to Kalopani (2530m.) takes about
five hours. You trek over flat path along the bank
of Kali Gandaki. En route you pass Tukuche and
Larjung village. These villages are predominantly
inhabited by Thakali and you find small monasteries,
mani walls, chortens and prayer flags in these
villages. The views of Dhaulagiri I and Nilgiri
North with Tukuche add another dimension to your
trek. You camp for the night.
Day 19 Trek from Kalopani to Tatopani (1190 m.) takes
about six and a half hours. You descend the path
which passes through forests before you reach Ghasa
(2010m.), a Thakali village. The surrounding area
of Ghasa is famous destination for bird watching
and wild marijuana. Here, you are quite amazed
at the panoramic view of Mount Nilgiri North (7061m.),
Nilgiri Central (6940m.), and Nilgiri South (6839m.)
and others. From here, the trail descends steeply
up to Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall) which is
amazing to look at as it is the highest waterfall.
The deepest gorge of the world is situated between
two mountains Annapurna I (8091m.) and Dhaulagiri
I (8167m.). The trail again descends slightly to
Tatopani through different human settlements. You
can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani as the word
Tatopani is termed after the natural hot spring
situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki River.
It is popularly believed that taking bath in Hot
Spring helps you to get rid of skin diseases. You
camp for the night.
Day 20 Trek from Tatopani to Beni takes about six
hours. Trekking over leveled path along the bank
of Kali Gandaki you reach Beni. En route, you pass
forests, villages, green hills, terraces and captivating
sceneries. You camp for the night.
Day 21 Drive from Beni to Pokhara by bus takes
about five hours. You stay overnight at hotel in
Pokhara.
Day 22 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. Or you can fly from Pokhara to
Kathmandu and it takes about 25 minutes.
