Days 01 : ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU
Flying to Kathmandu along the northern border of Nepal on a clear day is itself an unforgettable experience, with the entire Nepalese Himalaya sprawling out below you. The Nepali support team will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.

Days 02 : IN KATHMANDU
Kathmandu is a wonderful mixture of Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism and Western influence which is set in a wide valley ringed by forested hills and snow-capped peaks; it is a fascinating city and an ideal base for tourists and trekkers. Together with the traditional centres of Lalitpur (Patan) & Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon), the 3 cities of the Kathmandu valley form the historical and cultural heart of Nepal.
There will be a half day guided tour to the famous & biggest Hindu shrine PASUPATHINATH; the largest Buddhist stupa in town BOUDHANATH; the 15th century palace of 55 windows and & SOYAMBHUNATH. There will be a trip orientation meeting in the evening.

Days 03 : DRIVE TO BESI SAHAR [820m] [drive approx 6 hours]
We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the rough road by the Marsyangdi River to Besi Sahar.

Days 04 : TREK TO KHUDI [790m]
We start our first day's short trek from Besi Sahar, turning right at the canal on the outskirts of the village and descending the narrow path to the Pam Khola. We then cross the stream and climb to the village of Denauti with its striking red-walled houses. From here we descend to the banks of the Marsyangdi Khola and then follow the trail through rice paddies and subtropical forests to the Gurung village of Khudi, our first night's camp.

Days 05 : TREK TO BAHUNDANDA [1310m]
Leaving Khudi we pass a school and a forest nursery as the trail continues northwards up the Marsyangdi Valley. After crossing a suspension bridge at Bhulbule, the trail passes a cascading waterfall and as we traverse the rice terraces the views of Manaslu are magnificent. Following a gentle incline we come to the village of Ngadi with its shops and teahouses. From here, the trail continues to ascend towards Bahundanda.
Bahundanda literally means "hill of the Brahmins" and it is the most northerly Brahmin settlement in the Marsyangdi Valley. It is situated on a long ridge and we camp in terraced fields near the village.

Days 06 : TREK TO JAGAT [1290m]
A steep trail descends from Bahundanda, 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 Hani Gaon. Ahead, the Marsyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape, and we follow the winding mountain path down through Syange 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 we descend to the stone village of Jagat, situated on a shelf which juts into the precipitous Marsyangdi valley. We camp in the fields beyond the village.

Days 07 : TREK TO DHARPANI [1920m]
The trail from Jagat descends until it almost reaches the river and then begins to climb again through a forest. The sheer cliff on the opposite bank plunges downward but this side is also steep. When the climb ends, we follow a level track to Chyamje, which is marked by a magnificent waterfall on the opposite bank. After descending to the river and crossing a suspension bridge, we begin a climb to Sattale on a path so steep that it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley.

We 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, we see the level, plain of Tal before us. Though it is enclosed by cliffs, the level area looks reassuring after the harrowing mountain paths just traveled on. We 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, there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path drops again to the river. We cross a suspension bridge, and climb the short distance to the stone kani marking the entrance to Dharapani, and our camp for the night.

Days 08 : TREK TO CHAME [2630m]
As we 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, we arrive at Bagarchhap, a Bhote village with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, we pass through Dhanakyu before coming to a thundering waterfall. Further on, the Marsyangdi Khola enters a gorge and the path consists of steep stone steps. Pausing for breath, we can look back for views of Manaslu. When the steep incline ends we follow a path amid magnificent rhododendrons to Ratamron and then continue on a gently rising path, crossing a stream before entering a pine forest. We then cut across a loose hillside to the hamlet of Kotho from where we can look straight up at nearby Annapurna II - a sight convincing us that we are deep in the Himalayan mountains! From here the trail climbs through a fir and pine forest to Chame where there are government offices, shops, and hotels. Chame is the administrative headquarters for the Manang district.

Days 09 : TREK TO PISANG [3190m]
With Lamjung Himal [6893m] sparkling in the morning sun, we set off for Pisang. The mountain disappears as we climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. We 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 we follow the path to Bratang. 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 us to a rock-strewn area where we cross a wooden bridge and follow a high, winding path, before crossing back to the right bank again. We 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 us. We can see the east peak of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak to the north-east. Continuing on, we come to a long mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang.

Days 10 : TREK TO MANANG [3520m]
Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge which affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak. Descending past Manang's airstrip at Hongde, we come to a level area from where the north-east face of Annapurna III rises majestically above us. From the wide plains of the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna IV [7525m] also becomes visible. Just beyond this point we 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, we 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 us - Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna [7455m] and, to the rear, Tilicho Peak [7134m].

After a short steep climb we reach Manang which is a surprisingly large village for this remote mountain region. We camp here for the night, amidst the fluttering prayer flags which adorn the houses.

Days 11 : REST DAY IN MANANG [3520m]
An important rest and acclimatisation day today 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.

Days 12 : TREK TO LETDAR [4250m]
From Manang, we climb to the next village of Tengi, with the magnificent Annapurna Himal in view all the way, while behind us we can see Peak 29 and Himalchuli in the distance. We are now past the treeline and the vegetation consists of alpine grasses and scrub juniper. Climbing the path past the summer village of Gunsang, we cross the Gundon Khola via a wooden bridge. From here we can see ahead the mountains surrounding the Thorung La which we will cross tomorrow. The trail is up and down as the elevation gradually increases and we soon enter an alluvial delta where there are yak pastures. An hour beyond this, we come to the small settlement of Letdar.

Days 13 : TREK TO THORUNG PHEDI [4500m]
Leaving Letdar, we 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, we follow a narrow trail across an unstable scree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi.

Days 14 : TREK TO MUKTINATH [3800m]
An early start today for our 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 we 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 us. The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding 1600m but it's 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.

Days 15 : TREK TO MARPHA [2665m]
We now begin the 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, we follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom. Jomsom is sprawled along both banks of the Kali Gandaki and from here there are fine views of the Nilgiri peaks. We continue down to Marpha, a delightful Thakali village, complete with a drainage system beneath the flagstone streets. Its narrow alleys and passageways provide welcome shelter from the strong winds of the Kali Gandaki Gorge and Marpha is particularly well known for its apples, apple cider and apple, apricot and peach rakshi.

Days 16 : TREK TO LETE [2470m]
We continue descending the Kali Gandaki Gorge to Tukuche, a delightful village with a large gompa. Beyond Tukuche we walk along the west bank of the Kali Gandaki towards Larjung. Here, as in many of the villages in this area, narrow alleyways and tunnels connect houses with enclosed courtyards, providing protection against the winds blowing up the valley. We make our way through pine, juniper and cypress forests to Kalopani, enjoying fine views of Annapurna I and Fang. Lete, our next camp, lies just twenty minutes beyond Kalopani.

Days 17 : TREK TO TATOPANI [1160m]
Our trail descends steeply through forests to Ghasa, the last Thakali village and the southern-most limit of Tibetan Buddhism. We enter the steepest and narrowest part of the gorge shortly after Ghasa and at the hamlet of Rupse a magnificent waterfall tumbles down beside the trail. Continuing on we come to Dana, a Magar village from where the large peak of Annapurna South can be seen across the valley. The trail then descends to Tatopani where apple pie awaits and we can bathe in hot springs at the side of the river.

Days 18 : TREK TO GHOREPANI [2775m]
A short distance downstream from Tatopani, we cross the river on a large suspension bridge and leave the Kali Gandaki behind. After passing through the villages of Sikha and Chitre, we begin to climb through the forest to Deorali, a 2834m pass from which there are excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. Just 10 minutes beyond the pass is the village of Ghorepani. Ghorepani literally means "horse water" and is a welcome watering spot for the teams of mules which ply the route between Pokhara and Jomsom.

Days 19 : TREK TO BIRENTHANTI [1050m] & drive to Pokhara
Overlooking Ghorepani is Poon Hill [3193m], and an hour long pre-dawn ascent gives us the opportunity to see the classic view of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri at sunrise.

After breakfast we begin the long descent to Birethanti through magnificent oak and rhododendron forests. From the village of Ulleri, a long steep stone staircase seems to go on forever before eventually reaching Hille. A more gradual descent then brings us to Birethanti, from where it is a short distance to the road and our transport for the short drive back to Pokhara.

Days 20 : FLIGHT/DRIVE FROM POKHARA TO KATHMANDU
The short but spectacular flight or drive takes us back to Kathmandu for a well earned rest.

Days 21 : DEPART KATHMANDU
The Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. (or stay longer for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, tibet tours, mountain biking etc)