Along the Marsyangdi
river, on easy trails and suspension bridges,
through rice terraces and forests, we will follow
the famous Annapurna Circuit and slowly gain
altitude and acclimatize. After Pisang there
are stunning up-close views of snowy and glaciated
high peaks including Annapurnas II, III and
IV. This remote area lies in a rain shadow formed
by the Annapurnas, and the landscape supports
little in the way of forest apart from pine,
juniper and scrub rhododendron. Huge glacial
moraines abound, etched by wind erosion into
fantastic pillars. The Thorong La (5415m) wilderness
is one of the highlights of this trek. After
the pass, we reach Muktinath and Marpha, where
the Dhaulagiri Circuit starts. This extraordinary
route was first discovered by the 1950 French
expedition that climbed Annapurna I, and provides
stunning views of the whole Dhaulagiri range.
It is particularly attractive to people drawn
to high mountains and wilderness areas, and
requires an excellent physical condition and
basic mountaineering skills. After the the Thapa
Pass (5230m) and the French Pass (5400m), we
will reach the Dhaulagiri base camp (4750m),
which is dominated by the gigantic mass of Dhaulaghiri
I (8091 m) to the south, and the Dhaulaghiri
II (7751m), III (7715m), IV (7661m) and V (7618m)
to the west. The trek ends in the Myagdi Khola
valley, which offers beautiful rural landscapes
and several glimpses of the simple lifestyle
of the Nepali peasants.
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DAY 01
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Katmandu-Besishar (750m) by bus. |
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DAY
02 |
Besishar
- Bahundanda (1310m) in 6hrs.
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We
trek through Gurung villages mostly. This
route is part of the famous Annapurna circuit,
one of the best in the Himalayas, certainly
the most varied. Superb views of the Natti
Chuli (7800m. |
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DAY
03 |
Bahundanda
- Tal (1670m) in 6hrs.
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From
Jagat, a former Tibetan customs post, the
influence of the Tibetan culture is largely
perceptible. View of the Himal Chuli and
Baudha summits. |
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DAY
04 |
Tal - Chame (2713m) in 7hrs.
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To
the subtropical forest leads to beautiful
areas of blue pines, spruces and oaks. |
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DAY
05 |
Chame - Pisang (3185m) in 5hrs. |
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Magnificent pine forests and stunning sights
of the Lamjung and Annapurnas II and IV.
From Pisang, a remarkable village due to
the woodwork adorning its houses, we can
enjoy a 360° panorama: from the Annapurna
massif to the south, Mount Tilicho (7134m)
to the west and the Chulu East (6584m) towards
the Mount Pisang summit (6091m) to the northrs. |
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DAY 06 |
Pisang
- Manang (3530m) in 5hrs.
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Manang
is a typically Tibetan village, with numerous
stoupas, monasteries and oratories. |
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DAY
07 |
Manang - Letdar (4250m) in 4hrs. |
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This
leg and the following one are short to prevent
ascending too quickly in altitude. |
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DAY
08 |
Letdar - Thorong Phedi (4700m) in 3hrs. |
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This
area of mountain pastures is a yak kingdom.
Yaks are reared for their wool, milk and
their carrying capacities. |
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DAY
09 |
Thorong
Phedi - Thorong La (5415m) - Muktinath (3802m)
in 8hrs. |
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Climb
up to the Thorong La pass with a stunning
panorama of prestigious summits rising above
6000m, then descend to Muktinathrs. |
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DAY
10 |
Muktinath
- Marpha (2670m) in 6hrs.
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This
is the route of the Mustang and Tibet caravans. |
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DAY
11 |
Marpha. |
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Rest
day before starting to cross the Dhaulaghiri
massif. |
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DAY
12 |
Marpha
– Yak Kharka (4200m) in 6hrs. |
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Tough
climb on a narrow mountainside pathrs. |
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DAY
13 |
Yak Kharka – Thapa Pass (5230m) -
Camp in the Hidden valley (5050m) in 8hrs. |
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Second
grueling day on a steep and tricky path
towards the pass. Magnificent panorama on
the Annapurna massif and the Nilgiris. Short
descent towards the camp site. |
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DAY
14 |
Camp
in the Hidden valley - French Pass (5400m)
- Dhaulaghiri Base Camp (4750m) in 5hrs. |
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Easy
climb. Splendid view from the pass of Dhaulaghiri
I and the peaks surrounding the Hidden valley:
Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal et Tashi Kang.
Descent on the Chhonbardan glacier and camp
opposite an iced-over waterfall. Dhaulaghiri
II, III, IV and V on one side and Dhaulaghiri
I and Tukuche Peak on the other. |
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DAY
15 |
Dhaulaghiri Base Camp – Italians Camp
(3700m) in 6hrs. |
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Progression
on a glacier cluttered with moraine. The
glacier valley narrows and ends in steep-sided
gorges. |
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DAY
16 |
Italians Camp– Dobang (2880m) in 5hrs. |
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The
descent continues across moraines followed
by wooded areas. Afterwards we progress
along the Myagdi Khola. |
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DAY
17 |
Dobang
– Boghara (2080m) in 6hrs. |
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Descents
leads to a climb in a narrow valley with
an untamed atmosphere, dense forest and
impressive waterfalls. |
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DAY
18 |
Boghara – Phalai Gaon (1650) in 6hrs. |
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The
path follows a canyon covered withlarge
waterfalls, then plunges into the end
of the valley. It then climbs towards
Phalai Gaon after crossing a bridge over
the Dhara Khola. |
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DAY
19 |
Phalai
Gaon – Darbang (1180m) in 6hrs. |
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A
rich panorama of terraced fields and surrounding
mountains: Putha Hiunchuli (7246m), Churen
Himal (7371m) and Gurja Himal (7193m). |
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DAY
20 |
Darbang
– Beni (817m) in 6hrs. |
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Along
the Myagdi Khola are a succession of villages,
terraced fields and suspension bridges |
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DAY
21 |
Beni
– Pokhara – Katmandu (bus) in
10hrs. |
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