Day 01 BESISAHAR (760m)
Drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, about 6 hrs. on a paved road. Overnight at Besisahar.
Day 02 DHARAPANI (2,050m)
After a relaxed breakfast, leave Besisahar for Dharapani, the starting point of the trek. From Besisahar the newly built road to Manang is not paved, so we take a four wheel drive vehicle (Jeep) from Besisahar to Dharapani – 4 hr drive. Spend the night here before beginning the trekking.
Day 03 CHAME (2,530m)
Start walking from Dharapani, along the Marsyangdi river via Timang, Lata Manang and reach Chame (2530m) for overnight. Chame is the District Headquarter for Manang district. Total walk about 6 – 6 and half hours.
Day 04 PISANG (3,354m)
Trek through Bratang village and begin the spectacular ascent to Pisang into the rain shadow area. Walk through a magnificent forest with the Marsyangdi river roaring below, gaining momentum to break its way through the line of main Himalayan range between Annapurna II and Manaslu. Total walk to Pisang – 6 hrs.
Day 05 MANANG (3,351m)
A beautiful day on relatively easy terrain through the forest. The southern tier of this valley is walled by Annapurna II and IV, Annapurna III, Gangapurna and Glacier Dome the west. The path crosses a plain and passes Hongde airstrip (3415m). There are splendid views of peaks from both Braga and Manang. Manang is a large village situated on a rise immediately across from a huge glacier descending from Glacier Dome and Gangapurna. 7 hours via Gyaru village, to the north.
Day 06 MANANG
A day for rest and acclimatization. Take a day's walk around the village or visit the monastery.
Day 07 YAK KHARKA (3,963m)
A short day for acclimatization about a 4 hour walk from Manang. A side trip up the stream following down from the West Chulu Peaks can be done in the afternoon.
Day 08 THORONG PHEDI (4,405m)
The trail turns northwest up the tributary valley of the Jharsang Khola. It is sometimes possible to see herds of blue mountain sheep along the cliffs. This (Phedi) is the base for crossing the high Thorong Pass. 5 hours.
Day 09 MUKTINATH (3,810m)
Ascend steeply for about 2 hours to a rock ledge at 4950m. Then along an undulating trail to the flat top of Thorong La (pass), 5396m. Views of the Annapurna range to the south and Mukut Himal bordering Dolpo to the west. The peak immediately to the north of the pass is Thorong Peak. A steep descent downhill trail for about 3 hours to Muktinath – total about 10 hours from Phedi, a long and hard day of trekking.
Muktinath is one of the most important pilgrimage sites, both for Hindus and Buddhists. There are 108 stone carved spouts surrounding the Vishnu temple in a grove of sacred poplars.
Day 10 JOMSOM (2,713m)
The walk is mostly downhill to Jomsom and is the last day of trekking, about 5 hours walk via Jharkot, Khingar, Eklebhatti.
Day 11
Take a short but interesting flight to Pokhara airport then a flight to Kathmandu.
NOTE/ OPTIONS
The trek can be extended by continuing the walk down the Kali Gandaki valley via
MARPHA (Day 10)
KALOPANI (Day 11)
TATOPANI ( Day 12)
GHOREPANI (Day 13)
HILE (Day 14)
POKHARA Day 15)
Or instead of walking along the newly built road, take a jeep from Muktinath to Tatopani (7 hours). Then walk to Ghorepani – Hile – end trek at New Bridge then drive to Pokhara (13 days), or drive all way to Beni from Muktinath (Day 10) (10 – 11 hrs). Then drive onto Pokhara, ending the trip.
