All 17 days, setting out the route, time on foot, where you sleep and what you eat each day, with distance given where it was supplied
On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, a representative of The Himalayan Guides meets you and escorts you by private transfer to the hotel, at 1,350 m (4,429 ft). The afternoon is open: you may rest after the journey or visit the company’s Kathmandu office. No meals are included today, and you sleep in Kathmandu
After breakfast, join your trek leader at The Himalayan Guides office for a comprehensive pre-trip briefing and equipment check. You will be introduced to your fellow participants, review the daily itinerary, and ensure all gear is properly prepped for the mountain
The road leaves Kathmandu along the Trishuli river, past terraced farms, to a junction at Mugling and on towards Pokhara. At Dumre the route turns north to Besisahar, about 173 km from Kathmandu over paved road. From there the road becomes rough for about 65 km, taking roughly 5–6 hours through villages including Khudi, Bulbule, Syange, Jagat, Tal and Dharapani. Total driving time is about 9–10 hours, ending at Chame, 2,710 m.
After breakfast the trail runs through dense forest to a curved rock face that rises about 1,500 m above the river basin. It continues to Bhratang village, known for its apple farms, then follows a steep trail along the Marshyangdi valley beneath Paungda Danda, a rock face rising over 1,500 m above the path. Past it, the valley opens out at Dhukur Pokhari. Walking is approx. 5–6 hours over 12 km, ending at Pisang, 3,300 m.
The walk from lower to upper Pisang is steep. From upper Pisang an easy track leads to a mani wall and a swing bridge, then on to the village of Ghyaru. From there the trail descends at an easy pace to Ngawal, a larger village. You pause at the monastery in the middle of the village before reaching your teahouse next to it. Walking is approx. 6–7 hours, sleeping at 3,650 m.
You leave Ngawal early, descending an extremely steep trail straight to the valley floor. The landscape changes quickly on the way to Humde, reached in roughly two hours, where there is a short break. From Humde the path to Braka is largely level, with a few potholes. After another short break, the way to Manang is easy along the road. Walking is approx. 5–6 hours, and you sleep at 3,519 m.
This is the rest day for acclimatisation. You spend a second night in Manang at 3,519 m (11,546 ft) and take a short hike to one of Bhojo Gumba, Gangapurna Lake, Ice Lake or Melereppa Cave. If you have the energy, you can walk to Vraga village, where the Himalayan Rescue Association provides information on Acute Mountain Sickness.
You leave Manang on a trail that crosses a stream and climbs to Tenki village, then out of the Marshyangdi Valley and north-west up the valley of the Jarsang Khola. The path passes pastures and juniper scrub, crosses a small river on a wooden bridge, and goes through meadows and past an ancient mani wall to reach Yak Kharka. Walking is approx. 3–4 hours, sleeping at 4,110 m.
The day is a steady uphill walk. After some time you cross a suspension bridge and reach Ledar village, then climb further beneath towering cliffs to Thorong Phedi, the last village before Thorong La. “Phedi” is the Nepali word for the foot of a mountain. Walking is approx. 3–4 hours, and you sleep at 4,600 m (15,093 ft), the highest verified sleeping elevation of the trip
This is the main objective of the trip. You wake at around three in the morning and walk up the mountain to the top of Thorong La, at 5,416 m (17,770 ft), where there is time for a few photographs. From there you descend to the Muktinath Valley at the foot of the pass. Walking time is approx. 8–9 hours. Muktinath is a sacred site for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, and you sleep there.
After the pass, today is a descent by road. A private 4WD vehicle takes you from Muktinath to Tatopani in about 4–5 hours, reaching 1,200 m (3,937 ft), much lower than anywhere you have slept since the first days. On arrival you can rest at the teahouse or take a dip in the hot springs
You leave the Kali Gandaki and head up the Ghar Khola valley, walking through terraced farmland with mountains all around. The trail passes the villages of Shikha and Chitre and enters a rhododendron forest, then continues to Ghorepani, a village on a ridge top. Walking is approx. 7–8 hours, and you sleep at 2,850 m (9,351 ft).
Before dawn you climb a steep trail to the Poon Hill viewpoint, at 3,210 m, known for its sunrise views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After taking photographs you return to Ghorepani for breakfast. You then head east, climb a nearby ridge and descend through rhododendron forest, passing waterfalls, to Tadapani. Walking time for the day is approx. 6–7 hours.
From Tadapani you make a steep descent through dense, dark forest of old rhododendron trees, which are a garden when in bloom. After a few more minutes of walking you enter Ghandruk, a slope settlement of stone houses mostly inhabited by Gurung people. Fishtail, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli rise close by, weather permitting. Walking is approx. 3–4 hours, and you sleep at 1,940 m (6,365 ft).
After breakfast in Ghandruk, a private vehicle takes you to Pokhara, a drive of about 2–3 hours. You check in at the hotel and rest for a while. In the afternoon there is a half-day sightseeing tour of the lake city. Pokhara lies at 827 m (2,713 ft), the lowest sleeping point of the trip after Tatopani
After breakfast you leave Pokhara and fly to Kathmandu, a flight of about 30 minutes. You check in at the hotel and relax. The remainder of the day is free for last-minute shopping or any landmarks you missed earlier. In the evening The Himalayan Guides hosts a farewell dinner to mark the end of the trip. You sleep in Kathmandu at 1,350 m (4,429 ft).
After breakfast at the hotel, a private transfer takes you to Kathmandu airport in time for your international departure. This is the final day of the trip, and no further services are planned.
