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Annapurna Circuit Jomsom Trek - 15 Days
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This trek completely around the famed
Annapurna Massif offers the most
diversity of any trek in Nepal:
fascinating ethnic groups each with
their own language, incredible views of
many of the Himalaya's most famous high
peaks, and constantly changing panoramas
- from lush, tropical rice paddies and
moss-laden
There are Rhododendron forests to
Tibetan fortresses clinging to rocky
cliffs which will definitely stun you.
Starting with a drive to Besisahar you
ascend along the Marsyangdi river
valley. You pass beneath snowcapped
Annapurnas II, III and IV and a range of
6,000m. peaks stretching north to Tibet.
You cross Thoroung La pass (5418m.) to
reach the holy shrine of Muktinath. You
then descend into the mighty Kali
Ghandaki Valley - the deepest river
valley on the face of the earth - 7000m
deep between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.
At the end you trek through a wonderful
rhododendron forest on the Gorepani
Ridge and the picturesque Gurung
villages before finishing back in the
Pokhara Valley.
As this is one of the most popular
trekking routes in Nepal many lodges
catering to the needs of the trekkers
have sprung up all along this trail and
you will be staying in one of these
lodges every night. Apart from being
able to enjoy homely comforts you will
have the added advantage of being guests
to families of different ethnic people
typical of this area. The Manang and the
Kali Gandaki valleys lie along an
ancient trade route between India and
China, and a variety of ethnic peoples
have settled here: Newars, Chettris,
Gurungs, Manangeys and Thakalis. |
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Facts
OF
TREK |
Duration :
15 Days
Trek Type :Tea
House
Max. Altitude
: 5416 m.
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Minimum Pax :
1+
Mode Of Travel : Flight/Land
Grade :
Moderate
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Itinerary
In
Details |
Day
01 :
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Drive from
Kathmandu to
Beshishahar 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.
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Day
02 :
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Trek from
Beshishahar to
Bahundanda
(1305m.) 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.
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Day
03 :
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Trek from
Bahundanda to
Chamje (1410m.)
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.
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Day
04 :
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Trek from Chamje (1410m.
) to Dharapani (1960m.)
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
05 :
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Trek from
Dharapani to
Chame (2675m.)
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.
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Day
06:
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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.
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Day
07 :
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Trek
from Pisang to Manang
(3440m.) 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
08 :
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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.
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Day
09 :
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Trek from Manang
to Yak Kharka
(4350m.) 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.
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Day 10 :
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Trek from Yak
Kharka to
Thorong Phedi
(4420m.) 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.
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Day
11 :
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Trek from
Thorong Phedi to
Muktinath
(3850m.) 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.
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Day 12 :
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Trek from
Muktinath to
Kagbeni (2895
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. .
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Day 13:
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Trek from
Kagbeni to
Jomsom (2713m.)
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
headquarter 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.
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Day 14:
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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:
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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 are then
directly taken
to the hotel
You can also fly
from Pokhara to
Kathmandu which
takes about 25
minutes.
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Services
Included
National Park
entry permit,
Trekking permit,
Land
transportation
to and fro,
Accommodation in
lodges during
the trek, Food:
three meals a
day, A guide &
required number
of porter (s),
Essential
equipment.
Services
Excluded
Personal
expenses,
Insurance, Tips,
Emergency
evacuation by
Helicopter,
Alternative
transportation
in case of heavy
rain, landslide,
strike, road
blockade etc.
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