ANNAPURNA Circuit Trek

23 OCTOBER - 9 NOVEMBER 2015

15 DAYS OF PURE ADVENTURE

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK

An itinerary developed in cooperation with Costin MIU, mountain guide.

A „once in a lifetime adventure” filled with great and profound experiences.

Previous trekking experience with moderate level of physical fitness would be an added advantage while trekking in Annapurna region.

15 DAYS OF PURE ADVENTURE! Annapurna Circuit Trek also known as Annapurna Round Trek is one of the most famous trekking trails in the world that offers the spectacular views of Himalayan ranges especially from Poonhill viewpoint. Among other trekking trails and sites it is the classic trek offering variable options. The experience of trekking through Thorung La Pass, highest pass in the world cannot be explained in words. It incorporates the full Annapurna trekking circuit that extends the natural beauty of glorious Himalayas, cultural and traditional variance along with never seen flora and fauna anywhere else.

Your 1001 Adventures team Travel for understanding! www.1001adventures.ro • travel@1001adventures.ro

ITINERARY

Day 1 ➠ 23rd October 2015, Friday [ - / - / - ] Bucharest | Kathmandu We board our flight to Istanbul, from where we are heading to Kathmandu. We shall arrive there the next day, early morning.

Day 2 ➠ 24th October 2015, Saturday [ - / - / - ] Arrival in Kathmandu As you land at Kathmandu Airport (Tribhuvan International Airport), finish your custom formalities (visa, etc.) and get to the airport waiting terminal, you will find our representative waiting to greet you. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private vehicle. You can either rest in your hotel or shop around Thamel for any gears for your trek.

Accommodation: City 4-Star Hotel.

Day 3 âž 25th October 2015, Sunday [ B / L / D ] Drive Kathmandu to Beshishahar to Syange (1100m) We make an early departure from Kathmandu this morning for Besisahar. It is a beautiful journey to the trek road head. We set off for Pokhara after breakfast.

Driving today is adventurous and pleasant as it winds down hugging the mountain side through terraced fields. Following the side of Mahesh River we come to the Trishuli River. We follow Trisuli River side all the way up to Mugling where Trisuli River confluences with the Marshyangdi River. After crossing a bridge over Marshyangdi River we head further west to Pokhara. We have plenty of opportunities to view cultivated terraced fields, rivers, streams, green valleys, rocky gorges, farmlands and typical rural life of Nepal. We take lunch break in a restaurant along the way.

Leaving Besishahar we drive up to Syange. On this drive, the scenery will impress right from the moment of leaving Besisahar. The jeep track follows the Masryangdi river upstream through gradually narrowing and increasingly lush valley all the while with the water of the Masryangdi raging violently below. Weather permitting provides great views of Himalchuli (7893m) and Ngadichuli (7541m) which belong to the Manaslu Range of mountains.

Driving Time: 7-8 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 4 âž 26th October 2015, Monday [ B / L / D ] Trek start Syange to Dharapani (1,860m) We start early after breakfast. A rising and falling trail leads to Chamje, after which we cross a suspended bridge and climb through oak forest. We will notice a dramatic change in the landscape today as the valley narrows to a very deep gorge, and cascading waterfalls as the one here across the valley are a common sight in the feature for the next few days. The trail then emerges into a level valley where Tal, the next village, is situated at the foot of a grand waterfall (1700m).

Further we walk ahead past some Mani stones Just after Tal Village. The local custom is to walk on the left hand side of the Mani walls. We cross Marshangdi river over suspended bridges couple of times before reaching Dharapani.

Walking Time: 6-7 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 5 âž 27th October 2015, Tuesday [ B / L / D ]

Dharapani to Chame (2,710m)

It is a very gentle climb from Dharapani to Bagarchap, here we will be rewarded by sight of Annapurna II (7937m) looking up the valley. As we continue through Danakyue and climb up to Temang one cannot help but stop and look back to enjoy the view of the Manaslu Range. You will notice a general change in the vegetation today to pine and fir. The trail is fairly level from here for about an hour until after emerging out into a clearing which has a couple of tea houses and fields.

We then descend to cross a bridge and climbing out we pass through Thanchok Village with its apple orchards. We reach Koto in about thirty minutes from Thanchok village and another thirty minutes to Chame, the headquarter of Manang District.

Walking Time: 5-6 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 6 âž 28th October 2015, Wednesday [ B / L / D ]

Chame to Pisang (3,300m) We spent the morning trekking through rich forest of blue pine and fir keeping alongside the river to Brathang. The old Brathang village used to be a Tibetan resistant camp fighting Chinese occupation of Tibet by making raids over the border. Today you see only an apple orchard with a couple of tea houses. We carry on walking through the forest, the trail clings on a cliff side for a while and as we cross the bridge, looking back the view of the huge rock face of Mui Tscho (Paunde Danda) is breathtaking rising about 1500m from the valley floor. After climbing steeply through the forest, there is a sudden change in the landscape as we enter the Upper Manang District. The valley becomes very broad and vegetation mainly pine, Juniper and berberis shrubs is very sparse. A beautiful and easy hour of walking in the shadows of Annapurna II brings us to Lower Pisang. By this point you will trek around to the north side of the Annapurnas and the views from here on are of Annapurna II and IV to the south and Pisang Peak and the Chulu East to the north.

Walking Time: 5-6 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 7 âž 29th October 2015, Thursday [ B / L / D ]

Pisang to Manang (3,540m) Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd the yaks and raise crops for a part of the year. Leaving Pisang, we have alternate trails form the north and the south of the Marsyangdi River which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip at 3,325m, involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru and Ngawal villages. For better views we take the northern route, i.e. through upper Pisang that follows the northern bank of the river. We come across a very picturesque village clinging on to a cliff side where the houses appear to be stacked on top of each other. Its Bragha village dominated by the oldest monastery of the region which is more than 500 years old. Upon reaching Manang, The rest of the day can be spent walking around the village and visiting the monastery and enjoying the view from the lodge and acclimatising.

Walking Time: 5-6 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 8 âž 30th October 2015, Friday [ B / L / D ]

Acclimatisation day at Manang village We spend a day acclimatising in Manang. It is recommended to stay active and take short walk to higher altitude is suggested to get acclimatised with the altitude.

The whole day we spend doing some fine day walks and viewing the magnificent sights around the village. The upcoming next two days will be very demanding and tiring trek for us with swift gain in altitude. We should never be too confident with the altitude and should always be watchful. Bodzo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatisation point of view. Manang village houses Himalayan Rescue Association. Volunteer western doctors work here during the trekking seasons helping educate trekkers and researching on Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). An altitude talk is held here every afternoon, which is definitely worthwhile attending.

Walking Time: 3-4 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 9 âž 31st October 2015, Saturday [ B / L / D ]

Manang to Yak Kharka (4,110m) Continuing on from Manang we cross a stream and then the trail ascends by nearly 500m to Yak Kharka. We make the climb steadily through Tenki village. We descend as we head northward up the Jarsang Valley to cross the river then climb up to Yak Kharka. Herds of yaks and vegetations appear to thin out. We will feel noticeable difficulty breathing and other symptoms of altitude effects on us. We need to be more cautious from this point and drink a lot of water, walk slowly and steadily enjoying the views.

Walking Time: 4-5 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 10 ➠ 1st November 2015, Sunday [ B / L / D ]

Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m) Today is a gentle climb enjoying the mountain views as we ascend to Throng Phedi. After about one hour into the walk we arrive to cross a bridge at Ledar, and a great view of the Chulu mountains. We can spot herds of Himalayan blue sheep grazing in the slopes and we may also see herds of yaks too. The trail climbs steadily through Ledar and then drops down to cross the Jarsang Khola. After a steep climb and traverse of a scree slope we arrive at Thorong Phedi, a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. There will be an acclimatising walk in the afternoon up the trail to the high camp; adhering to one of the golden rules of altitude “climb high and sleep low.” Sometimes depending upon the weather, season we may walk up to Thorung high camp to make the next day easier.

Walking Time: 3-4 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 11 âž 2nd November 2015, Monday [ B / L / D ]

Trek to Muktinath (3,800) via Thorung La Pass (5416m) Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at 4-5am to reach the pass by 9-10am otherwise weather conditions (strong winds) will affect the journey, particularly at the Thorung La Pass (5,416m). We climb steeply on a regular route which is quite easy to follow. However, some problems may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes problems to cross the pass if it is covered by heavy snow. About four hours climb up to the pass marked by the chortens and prayer flags will reward you with stunning views from the top of the pass. The view that awaits us is a fantastic 360 degree panorama. As we turn back to appreciate the effort of the morning, looming straight ahead is Chulu West, following to the right are several of the Annapurnas that have been with us these last few days. The pass is nestled in between Yakgawa Kang (6481m) to the north and Khatung Gang (6484m) to the south. The Kali Gandaki Valley spreads out in front of us and rising from the valley floor some 2500m below are a whole new range of mountains. It is a gentle descent to start with but gets steeper as we get nearer the base of the pass. There are fantastic views of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche (6920m) and Nilgiri North (7069m) as we approach Muktinath. Muktinath 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 pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The prime pilgrimage month is September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple which has a gorgeous natural spring and an eternal flame fuelled by natural gas.

Walking Time: 7-8 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 12 ➠ 3rd November 2015, Tuesday [ B / L / D ]

Trek to Jomsom (2700m) Today is comparatively easier downhill and level walk through through settlements of Jharkot and Yeklebhatti settlements and then through wide Kali Ghandaki floodplains with fantastic views of Mustang valley, the Nilgiri Mountains and Dhaulagiri Ranges.

Walking Time: 4-5 hrs. Accommodation: Local lodge.

Day 13 ➠ 4th November 2015, Wednesday [ B / L / D ]

Jomsom to Pokhara Flight It will be an early and short flight out to Pokhara with great views of the mountains with Annapurnas on the left and Dhaulagiri on the left hand side – so you are guaranteed a great close up! There is a good part of the day free to explore the lakeside and shop around or even go for a boat ride in the Phewa Lake.

Flight: 30 minutes. Accommodation: City Hotel.

Day 14 ➠ 5th November 2015, Thursday [ B / L / D ]

Contingency day and sightseeing around Pokhara This day is a complimentary day just in case Jomsom to Pokhara flight get delayed or cancelled because Jomsom to Pokhara flight is highly affected by the mountain weather. If everything went smooth as planned, you can use this day for sightseeing around Pokhara, which is a nice city to relax after a long trek.

Accommodation: City hotel.

Day 15 ➠ 6th November 2015, Friday [ B / L / D ]

Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu We drive back to Kathmandu today. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Note: We have the option to extend our trip with an extra day at Pokhara for leisure activities as Chitwan jungle safari, rafting adventure, Bunjee Jumping, Kayaking, Canoeing, Kathmandu valley shopping tour, Bhaktapur and Patan sightseeing, scenic Everest flight, mountain biking and other activities.

Driving Time: 6 hrs. Accommodation: City Hotel.

Day 16 ➠ 7th November 2015, Saturday [ B / - / - ]

Day off in Kathmandu City tour & relax.

Accommodation: City Hotel.

Day 17 ➠ 8th November 2015, Sunday [ B / - / - ]

Departure from Kathmandu Day 18 ➠ 9th November 2015, Monday [ - / - / - ]

Arrival in Bucharest

Annapurna Circuit (23 October - 9 November 2015) $ 1.650* (Nepal services) + € 700 (international flight ticket) valid for a group of min. 9 pax.

Included in the price: Airport and hotel transfers as per itinerary in private vehicle; Three nights twin sharing accommodation with breakfast in a 4-star category hotel in Kathmandu; Two nights twin sharing accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara; Full board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek; Best available teahouse/lodge accommodation (twin sharing ) during the trek; Staff – one professional English speaking trekking guide, with assistant guide (6 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porters (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, transportation, and insurance (tips excluded) Jomsom to Pokhara flight; Ground transportations from Kathmandu to Beshishahar and from Pokhara to Kathmandu, by private vehicle; Duffle bag, sleeping bag, and down jacket for use during the trek; Trip achievement certificate; First aid medical kit; TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit; All government taxes & office service charge; Romanian Tour leader.

Not included in the price: Nepal visa fee: $25; Meals not included in the program (10 -30 EUR/masă); Tips for local crew and drivers; Any personal expenses and/or activities presented as optional in the program.

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