We'll trek the western Annapurnas of Nepal enjoying spectacular close-up views of the highest and most beautiful mountain range in the world. After spending a couple of days sightseeing in Kathmandu, while our agent obtains our trekking permits, we'll travel by private van through the deeply entrenched Trisuli River Valley to Pokhara, possibly catching glimpses of Himalchule and Manaslu along the way. A day's exploration in Pokhara will be followed by a short morning flight to Jomsom where we will begin our trek. Our highest destination, Muktinath at 13,000', is the location of a Buddhist gompa, an eternal flame, and the Vishnu Tempe of Jiwala Mayi making it a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. We will layover for a day at Muktinath so those who wish can attempt a climb to the top of the 17,000' pass called Thorung La. The journey back to Pokhara will follow the Tea House Route down the Kali Gandaki Valley through Jomsom, Marpha, Tukuche, Kalopani, Ghasa, Dana, and Tatopani. Whenever possible we will arrive at lodging mid-afternoon, which should leave adequate time for exploring the local villages. After enjoying the hot springs at Tatopani, we will continue to Ghorepani where there is always the possibility of a sunrise hike to Poon Hill for magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare, and the Annapurna Range. We'll then continue on to Birethanti eventually connecting with the Baglung road where we will catch taxis back to Pokhara. Our trip will end the next morning with an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. This trip is rated strenuous.
(1) Jomsom Trek (Teahouse and camping) (2) Ghorepani Trek (Teahouse and camping)
(3) Annapurna Base Camp trek (Teahouse and camping) (4) Annapurna Round (Circuit) Trek (Teahouse and camping)
Jomsom Trek : Jomsom is more correctly known as Dzongsam or New Fort. It spreads over both the banks of the Kali Gandaki. The towering peaks of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri form an attractive backdrop. Being the district headquarters, it is primarily an administrative and commercial center with government officials and merchants rubbing shoulders with the local inhabitants of the region, known as the Thakalis. It has a wireless station, a police station, a bank, a hospital and a veterinary hospital. A company of the Nepalese Army is stationed here. Nearby is an airfield, from where flights operate regularly. However, due to the strong winds that buffet the area in the afternoons, the airfield is functional only in the forenoon.
The Thakalis living in the Jomsom region and in the nearby villages of Marpha and Tukuche have been known for their trading skills. They occupy an important village on the traditional trade route between the Gangetic plains of India and Tibet. The views from Jomsom are enchanting as the golden rays of the rising and setting sun are reflected by the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri ranges. The entire panorama is filled with a golden, glittering light which forms a dramatic contrast with the barren, black and dry mountains of the surrounding Kali
Gandaki valley.
The views of the mountains are spectacular, and the route actually crosses to the other side of the main Himalayan range for some unusual views of the northern flanks. The entire route remains below 3000 metres, though the trek is still strenuous enough to be stimulating (see the Route Profile for the trek around Annapurna). This is a good trek if you wish to avoid high altitudes.
Muktinath, situated at a height of 3,660 m, is an important pilgrimage center for both Hindus and Buddhists. The most prominent shrine is a Vishnu temple where 108 spouts, fashioned in the shape of cows' heads, pour forth water that is considered to be holy. This water is channeled from a stream running above the temple. The temple is built in Tibetan style and contains huge brass idols of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and Kali.
Nearby is another temple where water gushes out of a rock and this water is considered even more holy. There is also a Buddhist gompa (monastery), and a pagoda-type temple dedicated to Jwala Mayi (goddess of fire). In this temple, shielded by curtains, are the outlets for the natural gas that oozes from the rock and feeds the temple flame.There is also a spring close by. These three elements together are considered to be an auspicious convergence of earth, fire and water.
There are two temples of note, a dilapidated temple with the idols of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, and a Narsingh temple where rituals are performed according to both Hindu and Buddhist customs. Here the two religions coexist together and in the two-storey structure, the lower storey is the gompa while the upper storey is the temple.Muktinath and its high valley are located in the Mustang Bhote region. The climate and landscape here are similar to those of the Tibetan Plateau since it is situated in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalayas. Flowing through the region from north to south and forming deep gorges is the Kali Gandaki river, which as its name implies (kali = black) is a black river -- the black stones of the riverbed and black soil contributing to the effect
Ghorepani Trek: This trek in the Annapurna foothills to the viewpoint on Poon Hill offers all the best of trekking in Nepal. Enjoy trekking in the spectacular mountain scenery through charming villages inhabited by the Gurungs, Magars dense rhododendron forests full of birds and deep sub-tropical valleys, all set below the Annapurnas with the picturesque peak Machhapuchhare (FishTail Peak) dominating the skyline. At the climax of this trek you will climb Poon Hill at dawn to enjoy one of the most spectacular mountain scapes on Earth. As the sun touches the snow-capped summits the Himalayan giants, Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna (8,091m) along with a maze of other peaks, slowly begin to appear, like magic, before our eyes. A rewarding trek that can be enjoyed by every lover of nature and beautiful landscape.
Annapurna Base camp trek: The Annapurna Sanctuary offers the quickest way to get to high Himalayan altitudes where glaciers replace rivers. We start by ascending the foothills from Pokhara, appreciating the slate-roofed tropical villages and magnificent rhododendron forests before entering the narrow Modi Khola gorge. As we climb higher we get to the hidden world of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The huge south face of Annapurna (8,090m/26,535ft) provides an impressive backdrop, while the closeness of 10 peaks over 6,000m/20,000ft, including Hiunchuli, Fang, Annapurna III and Machapuchare (the Fish Tail Peak), inspire a delicious joy as a fitting highlight of this spectacular trek. On the return journey we will have a chance to visit the beautiful village and the Gurung 'capital' of Gandruk before heading back to Pokhara. A wonderful journey to the heart of the Annapurnas.
Moderate to difficult trekking from 900m (3,000ft) to 3,700m (12,150ft). Accommodation in comfortable lodges run by local families. The trek starts in Pokhara and includes all meals, road-head transport, services of experienced trek guide and porter to carry luggage. Clients carry day-pack only and walk at their own pace.
Annapurna Round (Circuit) Trek: This classic 21-day trek completely around the famed Annapurna Massif offers the most diversity of any trek in Nepal: fascinating ethnic groups each with their own language, incredible views of many of the Himalaya's most famous high peaks, and constantly changing panoramas - from lush, tropical rice paddies and moss-laden rhododendron forests to Tibetan fortresses clinging to rocky cliffs.
Starting with a drive to Besisar we ascend along the Marsyangdi river valley. We pass beneath snow-capped Annapurnas II, III and IV and a range of 6,000m/20,000ft peaks stretching north to Tibet. Crossing Thorung La pass (5416m/17,770ft) to reach the holy shrine of Muktinath. We then descend into the mighty Kali Gandaki Valley - the deepest river valley on the face of the earth - 7000m/23,000ft deep between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. At the end we trek through a wonderful rhododendron forest on the Gorepani Ridge and the picturesque Gurung villages before finishing back in the Pokhara Valley.
In addition our 21 day trek also spends a few days exploring the Tilicho Lake area in the upper Manang valley. Even though this high altitude glacial lake is only 2 days away from the main trail very few westerners venture
here. We will spend a whole day exploring the lake which is the headwaters of the Marsyangdi river which you have been following since the beginning of this trek. We do not know of any other operator who offers this side-hike.
Apart from being able to enjoy homely comforts we will have the added advantage of being guests to families of different ethnic people typical of this area. The Manang and the Kali Gandaki valleys lies along an ancient trade route between India and China, and a variety of ethnic peoples have settled here: Newars, Chettris, Gurungs, Manangeys and Thakalis.
Moderate to strenuous trekking between 2,000m (8,000ft) and 4,400m (14,500ft) with one pass crossing of 5,418m (17,700ft). Accommodation in comfortable lodges. The trek starts from Kathmandu and includes all meals, road-head transport, services of experienced local guide and porters to carry luggage. Clients carry day-pack only and walk at their own pace.
Trekking Guide in Nepal
Krishna Adhikari
P.O.Box: 23044, Kathmandu, Nepal
Mobile: 00977-9841433205
guidenepal@gmail.com
ukkrishna@hotmail.com
www.oocities.org/trekpartner/trekinfo.html
