DAY 01

Katmandu - Pokhara (915m) by bus

DAY 02

Pokhara - Jomosom (2713m) by plane. A 4-hour walk towards Kagbeni (2810m).

We walk north through the arid plateau lands that stretch up to Tibet. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. This enjoyable start is at the same time picturesque, with views of huge peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche (6920m) and in the west, Nilgiri, the awesome mountain above Kagbeni,. Over to the south and southwest the entire Annapurna Massif can be seen.

 DAY 03

Kagbeni

From Jagat, a former Tibetan customs post, the influence of the Tibetan culture is largely perceptible. View of the Himal Chuli and Baudha summits.

 DAY 04

Kagbeni - Muktinath (3802m) in 4hrs.

We climb steeply east up the valley. The physical terrain is barren with striking and beautiful hillsides and wonderful views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri northward towards Tibet. This entire region is very Tibetan in character. You will also spot an ancient cave dwelling on the Mustang side. Muktinath is a fascinating trading town and is a pilgrimage destination for both the Buddhists and Hindus.

 DAY 05

Muktinath - Jomosom (2713m) in 6hrs.

The route to Jomosom is easy and enjoyable.Through meadows at first, the trail follows streams and orchards before rejoining the arid Tibetan plateau. Jomosom is the administrative headquarters of the region and a busy town full of officials as well as the usual traders and travellers.

 DAY 06

Jomosom - Kalopani (2560m) in 5hrs.

We cross vast arid and dramatic areas violently swept by the wind. Splendid panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Annapurna I (8091m) and the Nilgiri.

DAY 07

Kalopani - Tatopani ( 1189m) in 6hrs.

As you emerge from the more barren, Tibetan landscapes of the rain shadow, water buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias return to the trailside. The trail climbs high above the river through a narrow gorge, regarded as the deepest and steepest in the world. Set between Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, both of which rise above 8000m with summits only 38 km apart, the landscape is dramatic. You leave Thakali country at Ghasa and enter an area of populated with Hindus, high caste Brahmin and Chetri hill farmers, hill tribes, and Gurungs and Magars. In Tatopani, there are natural hot water springs - a welcome bath!.

DAY 08

Tatopani - Ghorepani (2775m) in 6hrs.

A pretty route through cultivated, terraced hillsides. This village was originally a horse- watering stop, which has evolved into an important crossroads for tourists and the numerous mule caravans on the Jomoson-Pokhara trip.

DAY 09

Ghorepani - Hille (1510m) in 4hrs.

We leave early in the morning for Poon Hill (3200m), to catch the rising sun throwing light on the whole panorama of peaks from Dhaulaghiri to Annapurna and Machhapuchare to Lamjung, and the myriad of lesser peaks a little further to the East. From here the path is all downhill, through oak and rhododendron forests, then meadows and fields.

DAY 10

Hille - Birethanti (1037m) in 2hrs. Then, bus to Pokhara.

DAY 11

Pokhara - Katmandu by bus.

Rest day before starting to cross the Dhaulaghiri massif.