Itinerary
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, meet & transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Day 02: In Kathmandu
Full day sightseeing cultural tours in Swoyambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath&Pashupatinath. Overnight hotel.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Chame, overnight
Drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar following Prithivi high way connecting high way between Kathmandu and Pokhara passing green hill, farm land on the way. Continue driving by side of river, observing scenic green village, passing towns, village, and stream on the way and to Besisahar. From Besisahar continue drive towards Chame.
Day 04: Chame/Pisang
This is a dramatic transition day between the rich forests of the lowlands and the dry, arid, desert-like plains of Manang. You follow along an old trade route where you are likely to be passed by yak caravans loaded with wood. Pisang (10,800') is a small village with several trekking lodges clustered below the gompa. You are now in the heart of the Manang region. The Manang are traders, many of whom have traveled widely in Asia and beyond.
Day 05: Pisang/Manang
The pace slows, owing both to the high altitude and the remarkable beauty of the area. Manang (11,650') itself is a good-size village that sits across from a glacial lake formed by water from Gangapurna and Annapurna III. There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association post here, specializing in the treatment of altitude sickness.
Day 06: Acclimatize day in Manang
Today is a free day in and around Manang for local exploration and acclimatization. Possible side trips include the short walk across to a large glacial lake.
Day 07 / 08/09: Manang Visiting to Tilicho Lake, Laddar
Recommend some of the village of Manang
The majority of tourists traveling the popular Annapurna circuit stop for a day or two to rest in Manang village. As they acclimatize to the higher altitude and prepare for the challenge of the Thorong Pass, on the way to Jomsom, much of the mystery and magic of Manang is lost to them. With little time to explore the magnificent Nyeshang Valley, an area rich in culture and tradition, deeply religious, and with a strong Tibetan influence, they miss a lifetime’s experience. An age-old, unaffected way of life can be found in the villages of Pisang, Humde, Ghyaru, Ngawal, Manang, Braga and Khangsar and in the valley’s many monasteries, numerous festivals, and in the hardiness of its people. It was here that the Tibetan saint Mila Repa meditated where the world’s highest lake is situated, and where endangered species like the elusive snow leopard, and the blue sheep, and hoards of yak roam. Manang’s spectacular mountain scenery, vibrant colors of nature – wild flowers, herbs, and tranquil lakes - are accessible.
Manang - Khangsar
ManangKhangsar (4200 m) in 5 h. We leave the Marshyangdi River to follow a very little frequented trail along the KhangsarKhola. Soon we climb above the riverbed towards Khangsar, the last village before Tilicho Lake. We pass Thare monastery and continue till we reach 4200 m high.
Khangsar -Tilicho Lake (4950 m) in 7 h. The trail winds its way to reach 4700 m, drops down 500 m to finally climb up to a ridge where we can get a glimpse of the Tilicho Lake. Most of the year the lake is a vast icy area but during the trekking season it looks like a dash of turquoise set among snow-capped peaks.
Tilicho Lake
At nearly 5000m above sea level, Lake Tilcho, situated high up in the scenic Manang Valley is the collected glacial melt of the entire northern slopes of Annapurna and Throng Peak. Tilicho is not a prohibited area but by virtue of its remoteness and altitude, few tourists take off the popular Annapurna circuit to hike up to the lake which lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Those that do make the trip, roughly a day and a half walk from Manang Village, are treated to a spectacular view of the icy ramparts of Annapurna and Tilciho peak , carved by glaciers which plunge down to the lake itself. The shores of this idyllic, crystal-clear lake, dotted with wild flowers in spring, are ideal for camping.
Day 10: Laddar/Throng high camp
Day 11: Throng high camp/Muktinath (Crossing over 5416m Throngla Pass)
Day 12: Muktinath/Jomsom
Descend gradually through fields and popular groves, then into the Kali Gandaki river valley. Follow the valley southwards to Jomsom. The Kali
Gandaki valley here is called the ThakKhola, from the ethnic group the Thakalis, the main inhabitants of this area. Look for fossil ammonites (cephalopods - "saligrams" to the Nepalese) in the riverbed between Kagbeni and Marpha. This region is religiously and ethnically more akin to the people of the arid Tibetan plateau to the north, although we will begin to see forests lining the mountain slopes. The Kali Gandaki gorge begins to narrow and the Himalaya enclose us.
Day 13: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara
Flights usually leave Jomosom very early to avoid the winds and clouds in the Kali Gandaki Valley, which occur from mid morning onwards. It is a beautiful flight back to Pokhara. You will stay today in Pokhara. Overnight hotel.
Day 14: Drive from Pokhara to coffee farm in Dhading. Overnight at Country Paradise Resort.
Day 15: In Dhading
Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 17: Final departure from Kathmandu.
