Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

Depending on your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel.

Meals: B

Day 2: Drive to Jagat via Besisahar. - 10 hrs drive

We will pick you up from your hotel for the drive to Besi Sahar. Our journey begins through deep gorges as you trace the Trisuli River westwards. We will be passing through the small town of Mugling where the Trisuli and Marsyangdi rivers meet. Approximately after 7 to 8 hours’ drive, we reach foothills around Besi Sahar (760m). Through the villages of Ngadi and Lampata, the trail leads to Bahundanda and continuing high above the river eventually western side of the Marsyangdi at Syange after which the trail becomes steep in parts, reaching the ancient village of Jagat.

Meals: BLD

Day 3: Trek to Dharapani (1860m) - 5 hrs walk

The initial route of trek begins from Jagat where the trail continues with a zigzag way across the right side of Marsyangdi river view and after crossing again suspension bridge in the Marsyangdi River the trail goes uphill and gradually steep flat and get to Tal. It is one of the famous places for valley views and waterfalls. We enter Manang district after crossing the bridge near Tal. The trail advances through barely, rice and potato fields; and the waterfalls continue to accompany us even today. Afterward, we pass through the village of Kodo before reaching Dharapani which is one of the biggest villages in the Manang Valley.

Meals: BLD

Day 4: Trek to Chame (2670m) - 5 hrs walk

After registering in ACAP office, we advance our climbs over a spur, steep forested ridges en-route to Chame. Throughout the day you can enjoy spectacular views of Annapurna II (7937m). Climbing steeply zigzag section of the road through Rhododendron forest, the trail climbs through the fir forest which follows the river for a time amongst the maple and oak trees. Finally at the entrance to Chame, is along with many prayer wheels; the administrative headquarter of Manang district.

Meals: BLD

Day 5: Trek to Upper Pisang (3700m) - 5 hrs trek

Today we will head out to Pisang walking through the apple orchards to the village of Bhratang. We then walk through a trail of a steep and narrow valley to have our first view of Paungda Danda rock face, a dramatic curved rock face rising from the river that provides us beautiful scenery of the journey so far. Then, we move towards the Manang Valley floor enjoying the captivating Tibetan Plateau landscape.

Meals: BLD

Day 6: Trek to Ngawal (3660m) – 4/5 hrs trek

There are two routes today from Pisang to Manang. While the lower route makes an easy and faster trek, the higher route promises some great views. Taking the upper route to Ngawal, the first hour or two is mostly the level path before the steep climbs and continuing until Ghyaru, a small village settlement where we can stop over for lunch. After lunch, we take another 3/4 hours of walk from here to Ngawal providing ample opportunity for great views along the way of Himalayan range including Annapurna II, III, Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal.

Meals: BLD

Day 7: Acclimatisation in Ngawal

Today, we spend our day in Ngawal to acclimatise before heading to the Chulu East Base Camp. You can take short hikes around the village. A training session on how to use your equipment before heading towards the base camp the next day.

Meals: BLD

Day 8: Trek to Chulu East Base Camp (4800m) – 4/5 hrs

The trek to Chulu East Base Camp today crosses a suspension bridge and continuing a steep uphill through rocky trails and mostly ascending with views of Annapurna valley along with the panorama of Himalayas.

Meals: BLD

Day 9: Trek to High Camp (5500m) – 4/5 hrs

We continue our trip towards high camp through the snow slopes with amazing views of Annapurna range with Chulu East and West along with Pisang peak.

Meals: BLD

Day 10: Summit and back to base camp (6059m) – 7/8 hrs

A very early start today, we head towards the summit along with the climbing Sherpa to summit the peak at the elevation of 6059m. The rewarding views from the summit will include Annapurna range including Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna, Manasalu, Chulu West, Pisang Peak. We descend back to base camp and spend over night here after a very long day of almost 8 hours.

Meals: BLD

Day 11: Reserve day for Summit

This will be a contingency day in case the weather is not suitable enough for the summit.

Meals: BLD

Day 12: Trek to Manang (3500m) - 7 hrs trek

Continuing on the south side of the river, the trail includes a long climb over a ridge which passes through Upper Pisang via Ngawal as it guarantees outstanding views of Mt. Annapurna, Pisang Peak. On the way, we pass through pine forests, villages such as Braga and farming terraces. As we walk near Manang, the climate becomes more cold and dry.

Meals: BLD

Day 13: Trek to Yak Kharka (4110m) – 4/5 hrs

As we head towards Yak Kharka and to Thorong Phedi, we take the northern trail. Passing through the beautiful villages, we will be gaining more elevation. A walk for 4 to 5 hours and we arrive in a small village at Yak Kharka.

Meals: BLD

Day 14: Trek to Thorong Phedi (4450m) – 5/6 hrs trek

After less than one hour walk from Yak Kharka, we will reach Chauri Ledar (4250m). From Ledar, the trail continues to climb along the east bank of the Jorsang Khola, then descends and crosses the stream on a wooden bridge at 4310 meters. After making a short ascent to a teashop, the route then follows to Thorung Phedi.

Meals: BLD

Day 15: Trek to Muktinath (3700m) via Thorung La (5350m) – 8/9 hrs trek

Set out early in the morning from Phedi for the Thorong La. Today is one of the most challenging walks. Crossing the pass, you enter the valley of the Kali Gandaki River and further lead you to Muktinath (3800m) – the doorways of Mustang

Meals: BLD

Day 16: Trek to Jomsom (2710m) – 6 hrs trek

Today we leave Muktinath and descend down to Jharkot village where we visit the ancient Sakyamuni Buddhist Monastery and Traditional Medical Center and then to Ekalbhatte. We continue towards Jomsom and try to get there during lunch.

Meals: BLD

Day 17: Fly to Kathmandu via Pokhara

We take an early morning spectacular flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and catch a connecting flight back to Kathmandu.

Meals: B

Day 18: Final departure

Depending on your flight time you will be transferred to the airport. The airport check in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12PM. In case our flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel.

Our representative will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport.

Meals: B

Visa

Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US $25 for 15 days, US $40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival.

Non UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the TRIP NOTES for complete advice on AMS.

Eating & Drinking

Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping (all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners).

Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping. On trek the breakfast will be a set menu usually consisting of porridge and toast. Any additional items that are not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. We do not include lunch and dinner in the tea-houses, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dal bhat to pizza and apple pie.

Although meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges, and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser.

If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.

Drinking Water

Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.

We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking areas.

All teahouses will provide cold water free of charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. In Nepal’s trekking regions most of the bottled water isn’t strictly ‘mineral water’ anyway but is UV treated, so it’s exactly the same technology. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).

SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Better still, a SteriPEN will pay for itself over the course of the trek and you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – you will end up spending the same or even less than you would on bottled water, plus you can keep it for future trips.

If you prefer not to invest in a SteriPEN, the teahouses also sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle.

While camping boiled water is supplied for drinking.

Weather

The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.

Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.

Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.

Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.

Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.

Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.

More Info

This is a Tough+ trek. It is activity level 9 with 16 days walking and full porterage throughout. The maximum altitude is 6,189m (or 5,545m without Island Peak) and the average is 3,680m. There are some steep ascents and descents and some narrow trails. As this trek also ascends to very high altitudes participants should be confident of their physical fitness and must have previous experience of trekking at altitude and in snow.

Although it is not compulsory to participate in the climb (the summit attempt is optional), anyone who does must have previous ice axe and crampon experience and know how to use a jumar and abseil device. There will be equipment checks and practice sessions for rope use, ice axe, crampon and harness use, abseiling and crevasse rescue. For safety reasons it is compulsory to participate in these sessions. If you do not take part the leader and climbing Sherpas will not allow you to take part in the climb.

Though technically harder than Mera Peak, for those with the necessary experience this expedition is within the reach of those seeking their first Himalayan summit. The climb requires strong lungs and a great deal of will power - it is graded alpine PD+ and starts with some rocky scrambling to a glacier. We cross the glacier roped up (there is one ladder to cross), and then come to a 200m steep 40-45 degree headwall, which leads to a 20m summit ridge. We will rope up to cross the glacier and you will be walking with an ice axe, crampons and plastic boots. There are fixed ropes up the headwall (approximately 200m) and along the summit ridge. On the ascent you will need to use a jumar and on the descent you will need to use an abseil device.

Please be aware that altitude can have a significant affect on your physical state. It is important that you take heed of the leader's advice and decisions at all times. The leaders are trained in first aid and are well aware of AMS symptoms and will keep a close eye on the group. We ask you to refer to the altitude warning within the Trip Notes.

The climb itself is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights or vertigo and the main trail itself crosses three modern suspension bridges over rivers and valleys - all of these have mesh sides but some are quite long and high.