Annapurna and Everest

Itinerary

Day 1-2 Kathmandu

In the morning of Day 2 we explore Kathmandu, visiting Bodhnath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist shrines in the world. Here we may observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the Stupa. In addition we also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we will see Hindu holy-men (or Sadhus), pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The afternoon is free for your own explorations and shopping.

Day 3-8 Annapurna Trek

Early on Day 3 we drive to Pokhara and then transfer by road to the starting point of the trek at Naya Phul in the early afternoon. Our first day’s walk is particularly easy, following the sub-tropical Modi Khola river valley to Birethanti, a large village on the old Nepal-Tibet trading route. After formalities at the check-post we continue on, through terraced rice paddies to Chimrong and then to the very pretty village of Syauli and our overnight halt. Here we enjoy superb views of the great peaks of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare, seen to the north standing guard over the entrance of the Annapurna Sanctuary.Day 4: Today’s walk commences with a steady ascent up a stone staircase high above the river valley. To the north there are again superb views of the Annapurna mountains. A short but steep section leads to Kimche (1630m) where we can enjoy a drink and a well-deserved rest. We then continue on to Chane on a wide, well-defined, path of stone flags that contours through fields of wheat and millet to the largest village of the region, Ghandruk. This Gurung village is well known for the number of its men folk who have served in the British Gurkha regiments. Day 5: Another day ascending, but an easier walk now that we have found our trekking legs! Leaving the terraced hillsides and the village of Ghandruk behind, we enter oak and rhododendron forest. This is a particularly pretty part of the walk, the forest often alive with the sound of birds, small tumbling waterfalls, and, if you visit in spring (late March to April), the rhododendrons in full bloom. An amazing sight. There are no villages on today’s route but there are a few tea-houses at Baisi Kharkha providing welcome drinks and a place to rest. There are fine views of Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare and Lamjung Himal (6931m) along the way. Day 6: We rise early to view the sunrise and after breakfast we initially descend to a small stream and then begin a series of ascents and descents through rhododendron forest that is particularly spectacular during March and April when the trees are in flower. We reach Bhantanti, a group of small hotels, for an early lunch and in the afternoon cross a series of small streams ascending through forest to reach the open ridges at Deurali (2987m). Here we halt for the day, enjoying fantastic panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges if conditions are clear. We prefer not to travel on to the busy village of Ghorepani and Poon Hill but instead take advantage of the quiet surroundings of this little hamlet.You should not miss the opportunity to see the spectacular sunset and sunrise views from the hill behind town. This is a highlight of the trip and it is really worthwhile making the effort of going in both the evening and morning as both times offer a different perspective of the mountain views. If you do ascend for the sunset do remember to take a torch! Day 7: We get up early, and walking by torchlight before dawn climb up the ridge to enjoy sunrise over the mountains. The views are very similar to Poon Hill, but without the crowds! In fine conditions a magical panorama, including the three 8000-metre peaks of Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Annapurna I (8019m), and Manalsu (8156m) dominates the horizon. Views of the 6,000-metre-deep Kali Gandaki Gorge and the trans-Himalayan ranges forming the border of Nepal with Tibetan China make this one of Nepal’s best vantage points.After enjoying the sunrise we descend to the lodge for a late breakfast and then continue on down to Ghorepani (2780m), an important stopover on the old trading route to Tibet. From Ghorepani the walk is all downhill, through beautiful forests to the village of Naya Thanti where we take lunch. In the afternoon we again descend through oak and rhododendron forest, to the village of Ulleri, perched high on the hillside overlooking the Bhurungdi Khola valley. Day 8: Another early start to make the most of the day. From Ulleri there is a very steep drop of over 500 meters on a stone staircase to the Bhurungdi Khola River where we cross a small suspension bridge to reach the village of Tirkedunga. After giving the knees a well-earned rest, we continue on a more gentle descent to the village of Birethanti on the banks of the Modi Khola. Here we take lunch and then cross the new bridge to the east bank; from here you follow the river back to the road-head at Naya Phul. After saying farewell to our porters we transfer by coach to Pokhara. Day 3: Syauli (1230m) 2 hours trekDay 4: Ghandruk (1950m) 6 hoursDay 5: Tatapani (2700m) 5 hoursDay 6: Deurali (2987m) 5 hoursDay 7: Ghorepani/Ulleri (2070m) 6 hoursDay 8: Pokhara (850m) 3 hours

Day 9 Pokhara

Pokhara lies on a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. The enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks - creating the ambience that has made it such a popular place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Relax in a café, hire a boat and float around the lake, or shop for Nepali and Tibetan souvenirs in the endless stalls and shops.

Day 10 Kathmandu

Our return flight to Kathmandu is in the morning. The rest of the day is free.

Day 11-18 Everest Trek

Day 11: In the early morning we take the spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m) flying parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and Tibetan China. Flight time is about 40 minutes to the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing we will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load the trekking equipment. In the afternoon, we begin the trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River, where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, just above Chaunrikharka (2713m). The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat (2550m), it is a short walk to Phakding. Day 12: From Phakding we cross the river and head up valley following porters from the south, ferrying supplies to Namche. The trail keeps close to the river valley and is lined with beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest that is very spectacular in the spring months when the flowers are in bloom. We cross the Dudh Kosi at Benkar where there are tantalizing glimpses of the snow peaks Kusum Kanguru (6369m) and Thamserku (6623m). From here it is only a short walk to Monjo (2835m) where we arrive in time for lunch. We spend the night in Monjo with the afternoon free, with the opportunity to do some exploring around the village. The day has been deliberately kept short to aid acclimatization, a very important process. Day 13: Today the walking is a little tougher and includes the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. From Monjo, it is a short walk to the entrance of the National Park before we cross the Dudh Kosi, to Jorsale (2805m). The trek continues upstream on generally flat terrain, crossing back to the right bank, to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi rivers; it is here that we start the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. After crossing a large and stable suspension bridge high above the river we slowly ascend at a steady pace towards Namche. There are some fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Taweche (6542m) come into view for the first time. After arriving in Namche, we enjoy lunch, with the afternoon is free to bargain in the shops for 'Tibetan' artifacts, or relax and marvel at the beautiful scenery. Day 14: We remain at Namche for a second night to allow for proper acclimatization to the altitude. Namche is a prosperous village, situated in a large, protected hollow. It gained its importance during the period when Tibetan salt was traded for the lowland grains of Nepal. Today a limited amount of trade exists at Namche and Tibetans are often seen in the village trading rugs and Chinese-made goods, clothing, salt and dried meat. It is recommended that you take the opportunity to see both the sunrise and sunset views from the National Park Headquarters above the village. The view is stunning: a superb panorama of the Khumbu peaks with great views of Everest. For the day there are a number of options: perhaps a walk towards Thami (3810m) above the beautiful Bhote Khola river valley, or a visit to the National Park Headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture. There is also a mountaineering display and details of the park’s flora and fauna. Day 15: From Namche, we climb towards the park headquarters and follow a contouring trail high above the Dudh Kosi River. Above Namche the route to Thyangboche becomes visible, with the monastery seen way below the summit of Everest and surrounded by Himalayan peaks. On today’s walk there are opportunities to spot the local wildlife including the beautiful Danphe Pheasant, often seen among the birch and silver fir forest between Shanasa and Trashinga, and Himalayan Thar on the high ground above the trail. After reaching the re-forestation nursery at Trashinga, the trail drops steeply to cross the Dudh Kosi at Phunkitenga (3250m), where we take lunch. In the afternoon we pass water-driven prayer wheels and ascend, initially steeply, through pine, fir, black juniper and rhododendron forest towards Thyangboche. The monastery and our lodge are located in a beautiful meadow surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks in a truly peaceful and tranquil setting. The most notable peaks seen from here are Kantega, Ama Dablam (perhaps the most beautiful peak in the region) and, of course, Mount Everest. Day 16: In the 17th century AD, the Lama Sange Dorjee, from Tibet’s Rongbuk Monastery, according to legend, founded the monastery. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933, rebuilt and again badly damaged by fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992.We have a full morning at Thyangboche to visit the monastery and the nearby museum. There is a small entrance fee for the museum, and a small donation to the monastery is appreciated. In the afternoon we retrace our steps down hill through the beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga. After a welcome break and perhaps a cup of tea we cross the Dudh Kosi, and ascend steeply to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley to Shanasa where we spend the night. Here Tibetan traders, resident in the area, have numerous ''artifacts'' and worthwhile traditional souvenirs for sale. Day 17: The villages of Kunde and Khumjung are only a short trek off the main trail and are well worth a visit. Khumjung has a beautiful monastery and Kunde has a small hospital run by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust and we shall return to Namche via this route. The path also heads past the Everest View Hotel and the Shyangboche airstrip before dropping steeply into Namche where we take lunch. In the afternoon we head back to Jorsale where we leave the national park before continuing on to our lodge at Monjo where we will overnight. Day 18: We re-trace our steps along the Dudh Kosi, crossing to the western bank at Benkar. It is a beautiful and easy walk through blue pine and rhododendron forest, back-dropped with views of Kusum Kangaru. An early lunch will be taken at Phakding and in the afternoon we ascend out of the river valley back to the airstrip and our lodge accommodation at Lukla. In the evening, a farewell dinner may be followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with our Sherpa companions. Day 11: Phakding (2652m) 3 hoursDay 12: Monjo (2835m) 4 hoursDay 13: Namche Bazaar (3446m) 4 hoursDay 14: Namche BazaarDay 15: Thyanghboche (3875M) 6 hoursDay 16: Shanasa (3670m) 3 hoursDay 17: Monjo (2835m) 5 hoursDay 18: Lukla (2800m) 5 hours

Day 19-20 Kathmandu

The return flight from Lukla leaves in the early morning of Day 19 (weather permitting). You will then have the rest of the day free in Kathmandu to shop, sightsee and relax.You may depart at any time on Day 20.