NEPAL BERGSPORT |
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ANNAPURNA
CIRCUIT TREK 22 DAYS |
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Annapurna Mountain |
It
is easy to see why the hidden mountain stronghold of the Annapurna Sanctuary
is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal. Surrounded
by a ring of impressive mountains, including Annapurna 1 (8091m./26538ft),
this high and glaciated wilderness is, quite simply, awe-inspiring.
From the terraced farmland above Pokhara, we trek on good trails through
scattered settlements and abundant forest, climbing gradually into a
world of ice and snow. The combination of pretty villages and farmland,
set against the panorama of high peaks beyond, makes this one of the
most picturesque of treks. After exploring the inner sanctuary, we walk
out via an alternative route, following high ridges to Ghorepani. Here,
a pre-dawn start for the walk up to Poon Hill is rewarded by inspirational
views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. Presenting a magical mix of
excellent trekking, friendly villagers and outstanding mountain views,
this is Nepal at its best |
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ITINERARY: |
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1
Day. America / Europe Katmandu: Our Nepalis Tour Leader will
be waiting in the Airport and trasnfer to the selected Hotel in Kathmandu,
our Hotels that we work are wll situated away from the noise and bustle
of the city centre in the good atmosphere of quiet, restful charm. with
a friendly and helpful Nepalese staff. Team members will be accommodated
on a twin share basis in large en-suite rooms. Single rooms are available
if you prefer, for which a supplement is payable, dinner and overnight
in Kathmandu |
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2
Day. Katmandú City Tours: Kathmandu Sightseeing After
breakfast, we will start with city sightseeing of Kathmandu visiting
great Durbar square full or ancient places, temples, and artistic shrines
and out door deities of Malla Kings. We also visit the Swayambhunath
sputa, A 2000 years- old Buddhist Charity's. The Pashupatinath Hindu
temple of Lord Shiva, renowned for its gold gilt roof and richly carved
silver doors. After lunch we will visit to Patan Durbar Square full
of Hindu temples & Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, also
known as the city of artists that offers many artistic handicrafts.
Our next stop will be Tibetan refugee camp where one can see spinning,
dyeing and weaving of Tibetan carpets. In the evening, we will proceed
to see cultural show. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel |
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3
Day. Katmandú - Beshi Sahar 790m: Breakfast. Our trekking
guide will come to the hotel at 07:00 hrs to pick you with private transport
to leave for Besi Shahar (185km) and will take us about 6 hours. Along
the journey you will witness some spectacular scenery of white mountains,
green hills, rivers and hamlets. We overnight at a guesthouse |
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4
Day: Besi Sahar - Bahundanda (1430m): Our first day’s
trekking introduces us to the diverse cultural elements of Nepal and
we pass by many typical local houses and the faces of varied ethnic
tribes exchanging greetings (Namaste) as we pass. We will share the
trail with mule caravans that transport supplies to the remote villages.
Our route makes its way through subtropical forests and the rice terraces
of Sera to the village of Khudi (840m). After we pass the village of
Bhulbule we will see a majestic 60m high waterfall. Along the way we
have views of Manaslu (8156m). The mountain views disappear as we come
closer to the small town of Ngadi, here we will have to cross the Ngadi
Khola by a long suspension bridge. From here on the trail moves gently
upwards to Bahundanda, an attractive village in the saddle of a long
ridge at 1300m (7 hrs). |
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5
Day: Bahundanda to Chyamje (1410m): We start the day by descending
on a steep slippery trail past amphitheatre-shaped rice terraces. There
will be a small hot spring after this descend. The rest of today’s
trek will have us pass the river a few times and we will see a few waterfalls
as well. As we near the village of Jagat we will have a steep 200m climb
to a trail that has been blasted out of the rock face. 15 minutes below
this village we can visit another small hot spring. From Jagat we climb
up to Chamje (6 hrs). |
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6
Day: Chyamje - Bagarchhap (2160m): Today the trail continues
northwards before eventually turning to the north west as it follows
the Marsyangdi to Bagarchhap. The trail initially crosses the river
to the east bank and climbs up to the large settlement of Tal at 1675m,
where there are many shops and lodges. From Tal the trail crosses and
then re-crosses the river as it makes its way to Karte, and finally
crosses again to the west bank before continuing through the village
of Dharapani at 1920m, and on to Bagarchhap at 2160m. |
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7
Day: Bagarchhap - Chame(2170m): We will first follow the south
bank of the river climbing to Syal Khola (the river of jackals) at 2210
meter, after which we will cross the river over a cement bridge near
a spectacular waterfall. The route crosses several landslides as it
works its way uphill through a walnut tree forest and aside apple orchards
until we arrive at Chame. At the entrance of the village is a long wall
with many prayer wheels. Throughout the day there are nice views of
Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and Annapurna IV (7525m) (6 hrs). |
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8
Day: Chame - Pisang (3190m): We will first pass the older part
of Chame and climb up to Telekhu at 2840 meter and continue with a long
pleasant and mostly level walk through the forest to Brathang, which
lies at 2950 meter. After the trail rounds a bend here we will see the
first view of the dramatic Paungda Danda rock face, a tremendous curved
slab of rock rising more then 1500 meter from the river. We will cross
back to the south bank of the Marsyangdi on a suspension bridge at 3080
meter and then make a long gentle climb over a ridge through blue pine
forests. After this the trek will be reasonably level as it heads to
the upper part of Manang valley to Pisang. This town marks the beginning
of the region known as Nyesyang, the upper portion of the Manang district
(5 hrs). |
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9
Day: Pisang - Manang (3540m): Today our trek will slowly climb
up to the Tibetan-style village of Bryaga at 3500 meter following the
valley floor. At Bryaga we will see houses stacked one atop the other,
each with an open veranda formed by a neighbour’s rooftop. The
gompa, perched on a high crag overlooking the village, is the largest
in the district and has an outstanding display of statues. We then continue
through a very arid countryside, dominated by weird cliffs of yellow
rock, eroded into dramatic pillars alongside the trail to reach today’s
destination, the village of Manang, where the shops are surprisingly
well stocked with all the things you might want to refuel on (5 hrs). |
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10
Day: Manang - Rest Day: Today we stay in Manang where we can
do a short hike to ascent slightly higher to for instance Khangsar,
which is a 200 meter ascend. It is important to have a relatively restful
day today, to allow your body to acclimatize to the higher altitudes
and thinning air. It also gives us the possibility to wash some of our
clothing. |
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11
Day: Manang - Letdar (4250): Trekking slowly upwards to Thorung
La we will leave the large trees behind and see vegetation consisting
mainly of scrub juniper and alpine grass and we will pass a few meadows
where horses and yaks graze. After we reach Yak Kharka we will see herds
of blue sheep grazing the steep slopes as well. About an hour after
passing Yak Kharka we will arrive at Letdar (4:30 hrs). |
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12
Day: Letdar to Thorang Phedi, or Thorang High Camp: Again a
relatively easy day to get used to the altitude before we have to cross
the highest point in the trek, and possibly the highest point you have
been on in your life. From Letdar we will continue to climb along the
east bank of the Jarang Khola to Thorung Phedi, a rock-strewn meadow
surrounded by vertical cliffs at 4420 meter. Blue sheep and even snow
leopards can be sometimes seen in this valley. High in the skies above
us we can see lammergeyers and Himalayan griffons circling around (3-4
hrs). |
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13
Day: Thorang - Muktinath (3800m) via Thorang La Pass (5416m):
Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at maybe 04:00 hrs to reach
the pass by 09:00/10:00 hrs at the latest, as otherwise weather conditions
will greatly affect the journey. We cross over at an altitude of 5416m
so can be exposed to strong winds if crossing too late. Local people
have used this trail for hundreds of years to bring herds of sheep and
yaks in and out of Manang. Thus the trail, while often steep, is well
defined and easy to follow. Snow can block the pass at any time of the
year if there has been an unseasonable storm. It takes from four to
six hours from Thorung Phedi to the pass, but the many false summits
mean the climb seems to go on for ever. At the Thorung
La pass, with its traditional prayer flags and stone cairn we will have
outstanding views. You can see the Annapunas, Gangapurna and Khatung
Kang, a heavily glaciated peak. Amazingly there is a teashop here on
top of the pass at 5416 meter. From here we start a long descend of
about 1600 meter with outstanding views of Dhaulagiri mountain standing
alone in the distance across the valley. After the trail becomes less
steep we will enter grassy fields and cross meadows to our final destination
of Muktinath, which means place of Nirvana and is home to the Muktinath
temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows you
feel are relieved when visiting the Temple, which is a scared pilgrimage
site to both Hindus and Buddhists. The main pilgrimage normally takes
place in September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108
waterspouts around it from which Holy water pours. Another attraction
nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple and this contains a spring and an eternal
flame fed by natural underground gas (9 hrs). |
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14
Day: Muktinath - Marpha (2665m) via Jomsom (2713): We can now
look forward to a reduction in altitude and easier going, as we descend
down the trail to Jomsom. From Muktinath we descend to Jharkot (3500m),
a picturesque village with many interesting features and from here continue
down to Khingar at 3200m, and eventually Kagbeni at 2801m. Kagbeni is
at the junction of the Jhong Khola and the Kali Gandaki, and is the
northernmost village that can be visited in this region with a normal
trekking permit. North from here, the trail to Mustang begins and trekkers
must have the correct documentation if they wish to trek there. It is
worth spending some time to look around Kagbeni; at the narrow alley
ways and the large gompa. From here we follow the river down to Eklai
Bhatti (2730m), where we join the alternative and more direct route
from Muktinath. From here it is an easy walk to Jomsom, the administrative
headquarters of the region, at 2713m. |
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15
Day: Marpha - Ghasa (2080m): This day will be a rewarding day
when we trek further down the Kali Gandaki valley alongside the Kali
Gandaki river to Ghasa. We will pass the villages of Tukuche at 2580
meter and Larjung at 2560 meter. We then cross the the Kali Gandaki
river by a high suspension bridge and continue through an area covered
with fir, juniper and cypress trees. Towards the village of Kalopani
(2530m) we will have splendid 360° views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche
Peak, the three Nilgiris, Fang and Annapurna I. After crossing another
very long suspension bridge (107 meter long) we will reach Ghasa, our
base for this night (6 hrs). |
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16
Day: Ghasa - Tatopani (1190m): Today our trek leads us through
the steepest and narrowest part of the Kali Gandaki valley; much of
the way is cut through solid rock and subject to frequent landslides.
Before we reach the village of Dana (1450m) we pass the Rupse Chhahara
(‘beautiful waterfall’). Descending further down past several
landslides we will reach Tatopani, meaning hot water, which is situated
on the riverbanks where we will stop to make the most of a well deserved
hot bath (5 hrs). |
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17
Day: Tatopani to Ghorepani (2834m): Leaving the hot springs
behind us we have a day of climbing ahead of us to Ghorepani. We leave
the Kali Gandaki valley and we will follow the Ghar Khola river and
cross this river on an old swaying bridge. We will continue ascending
to Ghara (1780m) and Shika (1935m) where there still is a British army
training centre. The last part of the trail today will have us climbing
through rhododendron and magnolia forests to Ghorepani, where we will
arrive mid afternoon (7 hrs) |
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18
Day: Ghorepani (2834m) to Poon Hill (3210m) to Tadapani (2520m):
An early start and an hour’s hiking to Poon Hill (3195m) leads
us to a brilliant spectacle, this viewpoint provides an unobstructed
beautiful sunrise over the high Himalayas. After spending about 40 minutes
on the hillside, we come back to Ghorepani for a hot breakfast, and
start walking to Tadapani. From Ghorepani the trail climbs along ridges
and through pine and rhododendron forests and if the weather allows
it we have a panorama all the way south to the plains of India. The
trail follows a stream bed which becomes larger as we continue. The
stream has some clear pools alongside the trail and finally becomes
a series of waterfalls. Today’s final destiny is the village of
Tadapani, meaning ‘far water’ and the water supply for this
village is a long distance below (5 hrs). |
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19
Day: Tadapani - Ghaundrung (1950m): The Ghaundrung trail descends
steeply through forests to the village of Ghaundrung where we will arrive
around noon. We will overnight here so have the afternoon to visit the
Annapurna conservation office and museum. As well as take time to explore
this maze like village (3 hrs) |
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20
Day: Ghaundrung - Pokhara via Pothana (1910m) and Phedi (910m): Our
last two days of trekking on the Annapurna Circuit take us through the
village of Pothana (2110m) before reaching Phedi (950m).. On arrival
in Phedi, mid morning, our private transportation meets us before driving
to Pokhara. |
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21
Day: Pokhara - Kathmandu: breakfast in the Hotel in Phokara
and flight back to Kathmandu, free day, diner and overnight at Hotel
in Kathmandu |
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22
Day: Katmandu - Europe / America after the Breakfast in the Hotel in Khatmandu, our Sherpa tour leader will transfer the passengers to the International Airport at proper time to fligh back home. END OF OUR SERVICES |
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