When trekking up to kaligandaki valley to the thak khola, you experience changes in flora and fauna that are more dramatic than anywhere in Nepal.Even a one day we can climb down from the arid Tibetian steppe flora at Tukuche through temperate coniferous to reach the humid subtropical zone around Tatopani. The Kaligandaki has cut the world's deepest river gorge right through the Himalaya. The river runs from the Tibetian plateau to the north, through almost the center of Nepal and the middle of the Himalaya.The valley is a biogeographic divide flora and fauna. Forests to the west of the valley are generally drier and have fewer plant species than eastern forests.
Immensely rewarding high Mountain View,Be blessed by highly revered Muktinath,Rich in nature and culture
Day 1:Arrive in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu meet assist and transfer to hotel and brifing about the trek evening dinner greeting with Nepali culture programmes. O/n Kathmandu
Day 2:Explore Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is one of three former medieval city-states in the Valley, along with Bhaktapur and Patan. Our half-day morning sightseeing tour will include key sights around the Kathmandu Valley such as Bhaktapur, the Hindu shrines at Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, and the large Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath, center of the Tibetan Buddhist culture in Kathmandu. In the afternoon, Kathmandu is yours to explore. By western standards, the city is intimate. You can visit the many interesting sights, shrines, and markets, or stroll in Kathmandu's fascinating Asan Tole bazaar. Don't miss Durbar Square, Thamel, Swayambhunath (the "Monkey Temple," overlooking the entire Valley; go at sunrise or sunset!) and the King's Palace.
Day 5:Kathmandu- Pokahra
Drive to Pokhara, about 100 miles west of Kathmandu. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving the afternoon for a relaxing boat ride on Phewa Lake. Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest city in Nepal. Many Tibetan immigrants have settled here and come to trade their goods in the markets. It is also a major jumping off point for some of Nepal’s most famous treks.
Day 6:Pokhara Jomsom- Kagbeni
Begin trek. Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom. Walk up the Kali Gandaki valley to Kagbeni. This dusty town is relatively unchanged by trekkers, and sits at the border of the Mustang region, on the Tibetan Plateau. This is a short day, but good for altitude adjustment as Kagbeni is at about 3,000 meters. There will be plenty of time to climb up into the barley fields above the town to get a glimpse into the restricted Mustang area.
Day 7:Kagbeni- Muktinath
Hike up to Muktinath (almost 4,000 meters), a very holy place that has been a pilgrimage site for 2,000 years. If you have significant altitude problems, we're prepared to backtrack to Jomsom. Otherwise spend the night here. Muktinath is a boomtown of sorts as it is also at the base of Thorong La pass. We will probably meet many trekkers who have just crossed the 17,000+ foot pass on their way around the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal’s most famous trek. In the afternoon we will visit two of Nepal’s most holy temples. We will be sure to get a glimpse of the famous “firewater” flame that has been tended for thousands of years.
Day 8:Muktinath- Marpha
This is the apple growing capital of Nepal, with nice views and great apple pie. Look for sacred fossil ammonites ("saligrams" to the Nepalese) in the riverbed between Kagbeni and Marpha! At Marpha we will leave the arid Tibetan Plateau and descend into a wetter, more densely forested region. The Kali Gandaki gorge narrows and the Himalaya enclose us.
Day 9:Marpha-Kalopnai
This day takes us through numerous old Tibetan-Nepali trading towns with wonderful views of the three Nilgiri peaks. On this day we will pass over the South Tibetan Detachment. Perhaps we’ll include an extra day in here to allow time for geology stops. If so, then we’ll spend the night in Larjung, with afternoon hike to see a recent landslide off of Dhauligiri. This region also marks the transition from Buddhist to Hindu. We will stop in some remarkable temples to observe similarities and differences between the religions.
Day 11:Kalopani-Tatopani
Hike to Tatopani (means “hot water” in Nepali). We’ll walk over the Main Central Thrust today and get spectacular views along the Kali Gandaki, much of it spent with open-view hiking above the river, waterfalls, and forests. If you are tired of hiking Tatopani is a great place to end up, because you can soak in the hot springs and sun on the rocks by the Kali Gandaki.
Day 12:Tatopani-Ghorepani
This is the most difficult day. We climb 6700 ft up Ghar Khola with beautiful views of the heavily terraced valley. End up in Ghorepani at 10400 ft. If you aren’t up for the long climb, we can stop in a lower village and experience a little central Nepal culture. This region is more densely populated than the Kali Gandaki gorge. Every fertile slope has been terraced and farmed for centuries, perhaps millennia.
Day 13:Poonhill Hike-Ghandruk
Up before the sun to climb Poon Hill for spectacular views of Macchapuchhare (whose name literally means, “fish-tail”), Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and the Annapurnas. This will be an easier day, mostly through oak and rhododendron forest to Tadopani. We’ll enjoy a spectacular sunset view of the Annapurnas this evening.
Day 14:Ghandruk-Langdruk
Start the day on a level trail contouring the valley to the medieval town of Ghandrung (6,000'), the second largest Gurung village in Nepal (after Siklis). Ghandrung is a cluster of closely spaced square-roofed houses with neatly terraced fields situated above and below the village. Continue downhill to the Modi Khola and then back up the other side of the valley to Landrung.
Day 15:Langdruk-Pokhara
Descend from Landrung through forests and villages of Gurung people. There are nice views of Macchapuchhare as you reach local high spots along the walk. We’ll join up with the road in the late afternoon and take a taxi or bus back to Pokhara for the night.
Mid September through mid May is the best time to trek, although the trek can be done year round. The monsoon is from June through mid-September, and this is not an ideal time to go beacause the trails are very wet and the forest is full of leaches, plus it rains every day and clouds usually obscure mountain views. October, November, March, and April are the most popular months, and the trail and lodges can be very crowded.The December is the very best month. The weather is cooler than the most popular months, but it is less crowded and prices are a bit lower. December is also a very dry month.
24 Hrs Trip Information & Support
