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| Around Annapurna |
| 25 Nights / 26 Days (21 Days trekking) |
| KATHMANDU - BENISAHAR - BAHUNDANDA - CHAMJE - DHARAPANI - CHAME - PISANG - MANANG - YAK KHARKA / LATHE - THORONG PHEDI - MUKTINATH (via Throng La) - JOMSON - MARPHA - KALOPANI - TATOPANI - GHOREPANI - |
| Tour Price : US$ 1670 AUD 1943.045 € 1146.789 £ 1009.682 |
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Description:
The Annapurna region is a truly spectacular assault upon the senses. Few places in the world can offer such a wide variety of natural wonder - snow-capped peaks tower over sparkling clear lakes, gushing rivers tumble down deep gorges and natural hot springs provide welcome relief to tired walkers. From vast lowland plains to lush subtropical forest, from alpine meadows full of wild flowers to the barren, weather-beaten Tibetan Plateau, the scenery is a constantly changing collage of different color, shape and texture. This natural diversity is mirrored in the lifestyles of the different ethnic communities you encounter as you journey along the same ancient trails made by trader’s centuries before.
Throughout the region, the fascinating histories of Hinduism and Buddhism are on display in temples, shrines and monasteries, and the mountain villages are inhabited by warm, welcoming people whose lives have remained largely unchanged for centuries. The trek takes in panoramic scenery, lush forests of oak and maple, rock-strewn exposed landscapes with stunning mountain glaciers, ancient Tibetan settlements and a holy Vishnu temple at Muktinath, where fire is said to burn in the running water. This trek takes you far from the road, far from modern civilisation and close to the heavens. |
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| 01 KATHMANDU |
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On arrival in Kathmandu, you are met and you transfer to your hotel. |
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02 KATHMANDU |
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Sightseeing in Kathmandu takes us to the Hanuman Dhoka, also known as Durbar Square. Clustered around the square are a number of palaces, courtyards and temples built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the Malla kings of ancient Nepal, and it is the religious and cultural hub of the city. We spend some time marveling at the temples and palaces of iconic Hindu figures, such as the Lion Gate, Palace of 55 Windows, Bell of Barking Dogs, the Nayatapola, Bhairav and Dattaraya Temples, and the monastery with carved peacock windows. There are several interesting museums situated here, detailing the vibrant and colorful history of Kathmandu.
The afternoon is free for you to explore the capital at your own pace, getting to know the Nepalese culture in the bazaars and temples. |
| 03 KATHMANDU - BENISAHAR |
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We transfer by bus and car to Benisahar, 9 hours west of Kathmandu, and stay overnight in lodge house accommodation. |
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04 BENISAHAR - BAHUNDANDA |
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Our 6.5 hour trek begins on easy trails close to the Marsyandi River. A long suspended bridge across the water at Khudi village offers a tantalizing glimpse of the Manaslu range, and we pass through the Annapurna Conservation Area Project with several picturesque villages and tea houses en route. We stop for lunch at Bhulbhule. Our first steep ascent takes us to the village of Bahandanda (1311m), situated on top of a ridge and surrounded by rice terraces. |
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05 BAHUNDANDA - CHAMJE |
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We continue to follow the Marsyandi through lush, sub-tropical surroundings, encountering small waterfalls, hot springs and charming Gurung villages with mud-and-thatch houses along the way. We rest for lunch at Syanja (1100m), where the walking becomes a little tougher, and tougher again as we pass Jagat at 1300m. We pass a magnificent waterfall just before reaching Chamje (1433m), after a 6.5 hour trek, and settle down for rest at our lodge in this traditional tea-house village |
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06 CHAMJE - DHARAPANI |
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Six hours walking begins with a short descent to the river and a suspension bridge, and then we begin a strong climb towards Sat tale, a collection of tea-houses above Chamje. The winding path continues above the river until we reach the ridge, from where the view of the river-fed plains stretches delightfully before our eyes. We stop for lunch before on the level trail before tackling another steep section hewn from rock that takes us to the small village of Karte. From here the trail runs down to the river and into Dharapani (1943m), where we find our camp set up for us. |
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07 DHARAPANI - CHAME |
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The trekking winds westward through pine forests and small hamlets into Manaslu, with beautiful views of Annapurna II appearing more and more frequently to the south. 6.5 hours walking takes us to Chame, where the spectacular Annapurna range reveals itself dramatically. We stop here at Chame (2713m) and we relax |
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08 CHAME - PISANG |
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we stay close to the river all day, climbing through its steep and narrow gorge that descends the Manang Valley, guarded by twin peaks. We reach Pisang (3292m) after 6 hours walking, and rest in the camp in awe of this increasingly remote and alpine landscape, with Pisang Peak above and pastures of grazing yak all around. |
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09 PISANG - MANANG |
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A relatively easy-going trail on flat ground takes us to Manang (3351m) within four hours. |
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10 MANANG |
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Today we rest in Manang, getting acclimatized to the altitude. Manang is situated in spectacular mountain scenery, home to the elusive snow leopard, and is a collection of villages home to Tibetan-Burmese people with nomadic, unchanged roots. Monasteries and prayer flags dot the landscape and the Tibetan saint, Milarepa, meditated here. We visit the Monastery at Khangsar village and spend the day taking it easy. |
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11 MANANG - YAK KHARKA / LATHE |
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We begin our trek to Yak Kharka (Lathe) at 4000m, a 5 hour trek. We continue upwards past the beautiful peak of Chulu East into noticeably more mountainous terrain, and reach Lathe by the afternoon, where we rest. |
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12 LATHE - THORONG PHEDI |
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A three hour trek takes us to Throng Phedi (4510m), a 3 hour trek. Situated at the end of the long valley, great views of Yukawa Kund and the yak grazing across the valley treat the eye. The rest of the day is spent resting, to help with adjustment to the altitude and the trek the following day. |
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13 THORONG PHEDI - MUKTINATH (via Throng La) |
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A grueling nine hours walking takes us across the breath-taking Throng La mountain pass at 5416m. We are surrounded on all sides by massive peaks above 7000m, almost close enough to touch. This almost unbearably beautiful wonderland continues to Muktinath at 3800m, a sacred spot for Hindus, Buddhists and ascetic Sadhus alike as a pilgrimage site for Lord Vishnu. The temple here is surrounded by 108 cow-shaped water spouts fed directly from a sacred mountain spring. We stop here for a well-earned rest. |
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14 MUKTINATH - JOMSON (via Kagbeni) |
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Five hours walking today begins with our descent from holy Muktinath to Kagbeni (2800m), on the border of the Mustang region to the north. The ruins of the palace built by a king made rich from taxing salt and grain on this ancient trade route are found here. Further down the valley, we reach Jomson (2726m) and rest overnight. |
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15 JOMSON - MARPHA |
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We head out for an easy two hours walking to Marpha (2670). Our trail becomes a little greener, following the Kali Gandhaki Gorge, but is still surrounded on all sides by the dominating presence of the mountains. On arrival at the Thakalis tribal town of Marpha, the remainder of the day is spent resting and relaxing. |
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16 MARPHA - KALOPANI |
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we continue along the Kali Gandhaki Gorge in the mountain scenery, dropping to Kalopani at 2438m. Trekking for 6.5 hours, we reach Kalopani in the afternoon and settle in to relax. |
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17 KALOPANI - TATOPANI |
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From Kalopani we trek 6.5 hours to Tatopani (1189m), home to one of the deepest gorges on earth, second only to the Tsangpo Gorge in Tibet. The peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, only twenty miles apart, rise nearly four miles vertically on either side of the Kali Gandhaki River at this point, and the gorge is nothing less than a spectacular sight. We cross Lete Bridge and reach Tatopani, where we relax our aching muscles in the hot water springs after which the town is named. |
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18 TATOPANI - GHOREPANI |
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Today a long eight hour trek takes us from the sunning Tatopani gorge to Ghorepani (2855), where we rest after a long day. Ghorepani is the perfect place to set off for a magical sunrise, so its early to bed. |
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19 GHOREPANI - TADAPANI |
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19 GHOREPANI - TADAPANI |
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Early in the morning we ascend Poon Hill (3200m), for the beautiful sunrise and spectacular views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and the Machapuchare range, the bright morning rays bouncing off the snow. After breakfast, we trek around 6 hours to Tadapani (2700m), where the scenery begins to become a little lusher. We stop here and rest. |
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20 TADAPANI - GHANDRUK |
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From Tadopani we set off to Ghandruk (1950m), which is a 2.5 hour walk. Here we visit the headquarters of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, or the Gurung Culture Museum. We rest overnight at Ghundruk. |
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21 GHANDRUK - POTHANA |
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A relatively easy-going trek takes us 7 hours to reach Pothana (1800m) from Ghandruk. We rest at Pothana, enjoying the sub-tropical environment once more, with memories of the spectacular mountainous surroundings still fresh in our hearts and minds, making for a blissful contrast of landscapes. |
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22 POTHANA - PHEDI - POKHARA |
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Our last walk takes us down into the valley to Phedi (1100m), a charming village of tea houses. From here we drive 45 minutes to Pokhara, Nepal's second city. Tired, exalted and happy, we settle into this lakeside city and the rest of the day is free to explore. The beautifully calm Phewa Lake is towered over by the magnificent summit of Machhapuchhare, rising 6977m up behind it in the clean air. Phewa Lake is the second largest in Nepal, and is the centre of everyday activity in Pokhara - on the eastern shore is a bustling lakeside community that provides a welcome relief to many weary mountain walkers and houses a number of hotels, restaurants and handicraft markets. |
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23 POKHARA - KATHMANDU |
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We drive 200km east to Kathmandu by bus, an eight hour trip, or you can fly directly, in 35 minutes. On arrival we settle into your hotel. |
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24 KATHMANDU |
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we head off on an unforgettable excursion to Patan, five km east of Kathmandu. It is one of the three oldest settlements in the Kathmandu Valley, and four stupas said to have been built by the Indian emperor Asoka in the 3rd century can still be seen here today. There are a number of significant temples and shrines exhibiting exquisitely carved artwork, and we visit the Singh Durbar, a grand and imposing palace that was the early residence of the Rana Prime Minister. Patan has a rich heritage of arts and crafts, and in the afternoon we head off to the handicraft centre of the Tibetan refugees. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore this ancient capital at your own pace. Discover the local ways of life, with time to wander around the colourful bazaars alive with activity and bursting with fantastic traditional Nepalese crafts. |
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A full day of rest is enjoyed in this fantastic city, followed by a Nepalese culture program of arts, culture and performance in the evening. |
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26 KATHMANDU |
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We transfer to the airport or station for your onward journey. Tour ends. |
| Cost Include |
| All food and accommodation during trek, including cooked breakfast, packed lunch and cooked dinner. |
| Cost Does Not Include - |
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| Group Departure Dates |
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