Remote Trekking Tour In Nepal

Overnight Comfortable Hotel

After breakfast and a trek briefing, we have arranged a walking tour of the city, visiting the bazaar and temples of old Kathmandu in the company of a local Nepali guide. Nepal’s bustling capital is a captivating mix of spice sellers and potters, rickshaws and sacred cows, all crowded together amidst a city of vibrant noise and colour. Our sightseeing this morning takes in the sumptuous majesty of Durbar Square, with its collection of ornate palaces, courtyards and temples that span some three centuries of dynastic rule by Malla, Shah and Rana kings. We’ll see the Great Bell and the fearsome image of the six-armed Kala Bhairab, the magnificent Taleju Temple and the Kasthamandap, the oldest building in the Kathmandu Valley. We will also visit the Asan Bazaar and the Kumari Ghar, home to the Kumari Devi, a living goddess worshipped by both followers of the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. This afternoon we will then have an opportunity to visit a local hire shop to pick up any last minute equipment still needed.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Kathmandu this morning we head along the Prithvi Highway, a journey of some 7 hours that sees us heading north up to the small town of Dhading Besi, at the confluence of the Arung and Thopal Rivers. From here we turn onto a bumpy and dusty dirt road that meanders up to the small settlement of Arughat.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning we break camp and begin our trek by following a well used trail that leads us past an ever-changing tableau of rice fields and Gurung villages. The walking today is fairly gentle and affords us our first views of Shringi Himal from Shanti Bazaar, from where the clear glacial run-off of the Budhi Gandaki provides a constant backdrop to our hike up into the mountains. Crossing a suspension bridge, we then follow the trail down to Soti Khola, and our camp amongst the landscapes of the famed ‘Honey Hunters’. The foothills of Central Nepal have, for generations, been famous for their twice yearly harvests, when men gather from the surrounding villages to undertake the dangerous task of collecting the honey of the Apis Laboriosa (the world’s largest honey bee) from the cliffs that are their home.
Approx walking: 6 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we negotiate our way through a meandering network of hillside villages and dense forests, making our way into a steep valley and up towards the confluence of the Budhi Gandaki with one of its smaller tributaries. Upon reaching the cultivated farmland that lies around the village of Lapubesi, we continue down to the wide, sandy riverbed of the Budhi Gandaki, following the trail through the valley to our camp at Machha Khola. Approx walking: 6 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s journey takes us through a fascinating landscape of villages, farms and fields and, as we cross the Machha Khola, we notice a change in the vegetation that surrounds us. Heading upstream we pass by the village of Kholabesi and the hot springs at Tato-pani. The trail passes through endless forests and over a suspension bridge that crosses to the eastern bank of the river and up towards the village of Doban. Below us the Budhi Gandaki rages through a set of impressive torrents until, as we climb further into the mountains, the river calms as it meanders across the valley’s broad gravel bed. After crossing the Vana River by way of a suspension bridge at Lauri, our trail continues upwards, before we finally descend into the lovely open landscapes of the Yara Khola Valley. Approx walking: 6 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A comparatively easy day, we begin with a descent to a long series of stone steps that lead down to the river. From here we then climb along a terraced hillside towards Saguleri, enjoying the views out towards the distant peak of Sringi Himal (7187m). Ahead of us lies an undulating trail that leads up to another bridge across the Budhi Gandaki, from where we begin a winding ascent towards Philim village. Reaching the village around lunchtime, the rest of the afternoon is then free to explore at your leisure, enjoying the incredible sense of wonder and the sheer scale of these majestic landscapes.
Approx walking: 4 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Departing Philim after breakfast we head up, following the contours of the valley as it snakes its way past the small settlements of Aga and Lowka, after which we descend to the small community of Eklai-bhati, near the cascading torrents of Shiar Khola. The views from here, across the valley towards Pangsing, are truly awe-inspiring. Another hour’s walking then sees us crossing over to the east bank of the river, to follow a trail that leads us along the edge of towering cliff faces as we make our way to our overnight accommodation in Deng.
Approx walking: 5 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following the course of the Budhi Gandaki west now, we leave Deng and head towards the village of Ghap, where we will stop for a pleasant lunch. Crossing the river again, we will negotiate our way up along a trail that leads into the village of Rana, before following a zigzagging course past the small monastery at Shringi and the mani wall that lies close to the Shringi Khola bridge. Crossing through a breathtaking patchwork of fields and forests of juniper and conifers, our afternoon sees us negotiating another long climb through the woods to the small settlement of Namrung, our final destination for the day. Approx walking: 5 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

These mountain regions betray a distinctly Tibetan influence amongst the village archi-tecture, with the closely packed houses almost falling over themselves to share common roofs and courtyards. As we depart this morning we climb up alongside a mani wall, passing through a patchwork of cultivated fields as we make our way up through Bar-cham and Lihi. We then continue up to the village of Sho and its cluster of tiny stone houses, before completing the journey to Lho. At these altitudes the views are simply stunning. Rising either side of the trail, the towering peaks of Manaslu, Manaslu North, Himalchul, Saula Himal and Dwijen Himal provide a breathtaking backdrop to our after-noon’s trek and, as we enter the village of Lho, one of the area’s most important commu-nities, we are treated to some truly marvellous views of Manaslu.
Approx walking: 5 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As we pass through the upper reaches of Lho this morning, the trail passes by a tradi-tional gompa and ascends through a section of light forest towards the pleasant Tibetan village of Shayla. There is every chance of catching the local villagers hard at work in the fields as we pass by, the ever present peaks of Manaslu and Himal Chuli overshadowing our every step. Passing the Pung Gyan Gompa and more fields of potato and barley, we then follow a route that merchants and traders have trodden before us for countless gen-erations. Lying close to the Tibetan border, these landscapes are crossed by the old trans-Himalayan trail and, as we approach the community of Samagoan, the Tibetan in-fluences are everywhere to see. Nestling amongst the pasture land that lies at the foot of the high peaks, the village is home to a cluster of house and two wooden gompas that are said to have been here for over 500 years. With its distinctive entrance gates (manes), so unique to the Tibetan villages of the region, Samagaon provides us with a fascinating spot to end our day’s trek, and you can spend the rest of the day exploring its labyrinthine streets, or take a hike up to the old gompa settlement above the town. Approx walking: 4 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today has been set aside to give you a chance to rest and acclimatise to the higher alti-tudes. You could spend it exploring a little more of the village, enjoying more of this little slice of Tibet. Alternatively you could take a hike towards the Manaslu Base Camp, for some spectacular views across the glacier and the lake to the north. Another alternative is a hike up to the Pung Gyen Gompa (3870m), following an often icy trail along the Numla Khola and the Pung Gyan Glacier, that takes you past Tibetan kharkas (seasonal herding settlements) and offers some unbeatable views of Manaslu. The original gompa complex itself, which was destroyed by an avalanche in 1953 and recently rebuilt, also includes a cave gompa and some spectacular views down the valley.  Approx walking: 7-8 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Another relatively easy day today, we leave Samagoan after breakfast and head out, passing the long mani walls at Kermo Kharka and the vast expanse of the Manaslu Glacier. Another day of stunning mountain views, we descend to the Bhudhi Gandaki and cross the river again, spotting the entrance chorten to Samdo high on the bluff above us. Climbing up to the village we discover a bustling community of Tibetan refugees, who came here in 1959 after fleeing their own village of Riu after the Chinese takeover of Ti-bet. Following an essentially traditional Tibetan lifestyle, the people of Samdo are herders and farmers, planting barley and nurturing their herds of yak, goats and sheep. Ironically they have also turned into traders, establishing links with India and China to market, amongst other things, the aphrodisiac root that grows in these mountains. On arrival there will be time to explore the village and enjoy the distinctly Tibetan feel of the place.
Approx walking: 4 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Samdo on the old trade route this morning we head towards Tibet, crossing the river and climbing through the ruins of Larkya Bazaar, one of the once bustling markets that thrived in these mountains at one time. Another three hours of climbing past glaciers then brings us to our camp amongst the high mountain slopes below Larkya Pass. This is blue sheep country and there is every chance you may see herds of them, grazing along the barren slopes amongst the stunning panoramic vistas. It is important that we spend today relaxing and preparing for tomorrow’s ascent over the Larkya Pass, so the plan for the rest of the day is to take it easy, keep warm and have an early night in readiness for the morning. Approx walking: 4 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a short climb above the camp we enter the valley that lies on the north side of the Larkya Glacier, where we are treated to some sweeping views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Our path then continues across the moraine landscape of the glacier itself, often trekking through snow as we make the gradual ascent. The last section becomes much steeper as we make the final assault on the summit, making our way through territory that is home to blue sheep, pika, marmot and Tibetan snow-cock. If we are lucky we may even catch sight of leopard prints in the fresh snow. Before us lie the mountains of Him-lung Himai, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the immense Annapurna II. After hanging up our prayer flags on the summit, we will descend along a steep and often slippery path down to a trail that follows the glacial moraine, so it is a good idea to take your time and make good use of your trekking poles. Taking lunch below the pass, we then continue through yak pastureland on to our camp at Bimtang.
Approx walking: 9 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With the toughest days behind us, we can enjoy more of the meadows and forests of rho-dodendrons that lie before us. Arriving in the village of Hampuk, we then take a trail that follows along the course of the Dudh Khola to Karche, crossing over waters that are fed by the snows of the Kichke Himal. Continuing on to the village of Gho we then re-enter a land of rice fields, as we make the gentle descent along the west bank of the river. Our destination for this evening is the small settlement of Tilje, a place that enjoys a certain reputation for its somewhat potent apple brandy!
Approx walking: 7 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A fairly easy day sees us trekking along the course of the Dudh Khola (Milk River), through bamboo forests that take us on to the atmospheric Tibetan village of Dharapani, a lovely spot festooned with prayer flags. After a brief stop at the Thongle Gompa, on the old Annapurna trail, we then trek south, following the main Annapurna Circuit and across the Marshyangdi River by way of a long suspension bridge. After leaving the small village of Karte we cross the river once again and continue along a high, winding trail that runs along the side of the cliffs, passing numerous tea houses on the way into Khorte. A steep switch-back trail then takes us across the river one last time and down to the village of Tal, the last settlement in the Lower Manang region. Tal, which means ‘lake’, sits on a wide expanse of river flats and, as we make our final approach into the village, we can see the wide plain and waterfall before us long before we reach our camp.
Approx walking: 5 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continuing to follow the river today, we make a quick ascent towards the entrance kane of Tal, after which we then crest a small rise and begin to descend past a number of small teahouse at Sattale. Walking down through thick forest we then cross another sus-pension bridge and hike up to the captivating village of Chamje (1430m). Filled with char-acter, the village exudes a real frontier feel, its numerous tea houses often besieged by packs of saddled horses waiting for their errant riders. As we leave the village behind us we pass through a landscape of woods and tumbling waterfalls, as we cross the river and pass through Jagat en route to our final destination, the somewhat wild-looking village of Syange. 
Approx walking: 5 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s journey takes us south along the Marsyangdi River, passing through a number of settlements and across countryside blanketed in terraced fields of rice. Although a reasonably long day’s hiking, it will for the most part be along excellent wellworn trails and our camp this evening lies on the banks of the river, on the outskirts of the large settlement of Bhulbhule.
Approx walking: 6 Hours

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our final morning’s trekking sees us hiking along the Marsyangdi Valley and across the Khudi Khola to the Gurung village of Khudi. From here it is then just a short trek to the end of our hike in Besi Sahar. Rejoining our bus we turn our back on the beautiful landscapes of Central Nepal and head east, back towards the bustling streets of the capital. The drive back to Kathmandu will take us some 7 hours, so enjoy the ride and relish the opportunity to reflect on the astonishing adventure that we have just completed, as you watch the beautiful countryside pass us by. On arrival back in Kathmandu we will check into our hotel for 2 nights.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning there is the opportunity to take an optional flight around Mount Everest (weather permitting), affording some quite outstanding views of the Himalayan peaks. Operated each morning by local airlines, the flight lasts approximately 45 minutes and flies initially from west to east towards Everest, before turning back to Kathmandu. So those on the left of the plane get good views on the outward leg and those on the right get them on the return. This afternoon there is also an opportunity to take an optional ex-cursion to the almost perfectly preserved Newari town of Bhaktapur in the eastern corner of the Kathmandu Valley. Also know as Bhadgaun or the City of the Devotees, Bhaktapur evokes the feel of a medieval village, a snapshot of a time when the city lay along the prosperous trade routes between Tibet, China and India. The ancient centre of the town is a dazzling collection of temples, palaces and monasteries that has earned it a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and a wander around this cultural gem makes for a captivating visit.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast