Annapurna Circuit And Mysterious Lo Manthang

Arrive in Kathmandu, meet at the airport, and transfer to the hotel. A short meeting (formalities) regarding the trekking permits and check-in to the hotel, if time permits, you may visit some heritage sites. Overnight in a hotel in Thamel.

After breakfast, you will be escorted on a guided tour through the city visiting the living goddess “KUMARI” at Kathmandu Palace Squire, Palace museum, Taleju Temple, and Kal Bhairav. Another place of interest of the day is Stupa Svayambhunath situated on the top of the hill. Svayambhunath literally means “the self-created" - one of the most beautiful shrines of Kathmandu Valley and the ancient Buddhist stupas in the world. At the end of the day, you will visit the city of Patan (299 BC) - the city of fine arts. Monasteries and temples are the main attraction of the city you will spend some time exploring the Royal palace a world heritage site before you end your day. Overnight at the hotel.

Check out from the hotel and drive to Besi Sahar (823m.) it takes almost six hours to drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the narrow and paved road by the Marshyangdi River to Besi Sahar (823m.). Besishahar is the district headquarters of the Lamjung district. All the local government offices are situated here. From here, you can see some mountain peaks, natural sceneries surrounding the valley, and the daily activities of local people. After having lunch here you drive further to Syange. Syange is a small settlement with a few teahouses. Overnight in Syange.

After breakfast, you will start your first day of the walk with a back-pack for about 5 hours through the mountain trail, steps, and sometimes motor roads, the trail mostly goes with the Marshyangdi River, crossing the river many times over the suspension bridge. The surrounding landscape offers beautiful views of mountains, valleys, and human settlements, most of them are tea houses. Dharapani is a small settlement situated at an elevation of 1410 meters with mostly hotels and tea houses. You spend an overnight in a hotel/Teahouse here.

Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2670m.) 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 Marshyangdi 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 a Buddhist monastery. Continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, you pass through Danaque (2210m.). There comes a small wooden bridge that takes you to follow a steep ascent path up to Timang village. It lies at the bottom of Lamjung Himal. The trail goes through flat levels until you reach Chame where there are government offices, shops, and hotels. Chame is the administrative headquarters for the Manang district.

It is about five hours trial. 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.). 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 northeast. Continuing, you come to a long mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang. Overnight in a guest house.

Trek from Pisang to Manang (3540m.) takes about five hours. leaving 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 Hungde (3320m.), you come to a level area from where the northeast 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 River over 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 Braga 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 stay here for the night.

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 on a short trip. Overnight in Manang

As you leave the Manang for Yak Kharka you take the right trail to Yak Kharka leaving the left trail that goes to Tilicho Lake, the trail is about four-hour-long on the way you can stop by for a picture of the beautiful Yaks roaming around in grassy pasture land further as you ascend gently to Yak Kharka passing through the Gunsang (3960m.) village. En route, you can see panoramic views all day.

Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4450m.) which takes about 3 and half hours. Leaving Yak Kharka, you climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marshyangdi 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.

A big day! Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3800m.) crossing Thorong La (5416m.) high Pass takes about seven hours. It demands early starts in the morning. As you leave the guest house, the trail becomes steep up to the high camp but since 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(River) Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple. Overnight in a hotel.

Breakfast in Muktinath and walk to Kagbeni (2800 m.) it’s an easy walk of about three and half hours. You trek down the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, initially through an arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar villages with typical Tibetan architecture, you follow the path steeply down to Kagbeni, a primitive village famous for Tibetan architecture. People living there follow the Tibetan lifestyle and culture. There is situated a monastery said to belong to the 15th Century. Kagbeni is the border for Upper Mustang.

Exploring Kagbeni with morning coffee would be a great experience Kagbeni is a typically Tibetan-style town with a towering monastery at the center of it. Then check out from Kagbeni slowly crossing the tourist permit checking point at the end of the village. The road to the upper Mustang goes sideways of the Kali Gandaki River and typical Tibetan-style settlement. Further, you will cross a high-altitude village at 3800 meters and the Nya La pass of 4010 miters. Finally, you will reach Ghami and overnight at a local tea house

A long day ahead and you start after breakfast the ultimate destination is Lo- Manthang. As you move upward crossing several settlements, mane stones (prayer stones piled carefully), and a big village called Charang. Far in the distance beautiful mountain view. You will then view wall covered village from far. Overnight in a teahouse.

After breakfast you will start exploring around the former capital of the Kingdom of Mustang, you may hire a horse for a day tour around the King’s palaces and different monasteries, Garphu Gompa, Niphu Gompa, Dzong (A Fort) with 85 rooms and surrounding areas. Overnight at the local tea house.

After breakfast in Lo Manthang, you will Drive back to Jomsom, the Jomsom town that used to be the fort town in the past. You will spend one final night with semi-modern facilities in a hotel before getting onboard the next day for Pokhara. Overnight in a hotel.

Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes about 35 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during and after and frequent change in the weather prevents the flight from being landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights in the morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks. On arrival in Pokhara, you will have the day free on your own you will be exploring the famous lakeside street or getting on to a boat ride in Phewa lake. Overnight in a Hotel.

After breakfast, you will fly/Drive back to Kathmandu. Check in to the hotel.

On the final departure from Nepal, you will have breakfast, and then according to your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the international airport. Fly out.