ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK

Transcription

1 ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK This is no formula 1 circuit or the Motor GP circuit; this is a divine circuit of nature that runs across some of the highest mountains in the world where adventure is defined in the trails of the amazing Annapurna region as we walk across paths where each bend on the trails leaves us awestruck by the giant mountains of the Nepalese Himalayas. Our sojourns begin from the clammy lower hills of the lake city of Pokhara, clambering on into wild high altitude zones of dumbfounding beauty which we find in the valley above Manang. The silver grey gleaming peaks, valleys cloaked in swirling mist of the type you d find around Dracula s castle in the movies, secluded settlements of ethnic tribes and far-flung monasteries with the sounds of clanging cymbals calling upon the Buddhist gods will arouse those with emboldened spirits eager for Annapurna Circuit Trek aptly known to be the King of all Circuits across the vast expanse of Nepal s Himalayas the Annapurna Circuit is your challenge that prepares you for the bigger things of a contemporary world where the unexpected is far above than the expectations of things that were known before Our itineraries are adjusted each year to give our trekking guests more off-beaten rugged tracks than the roads which seem to be developing each year in this lovely region where nature rules supreme. The Annapurna Circuit offers an astounding range of scenery, more than any other trek with the same length of time and the climates on this trip could baffle you to the bone, ranging from the teeming lower hills to chilly alpine areas and barren semi-desert land akin to neighboring Tibet, it's all found on this unique circuit. Accompanying us on the trails are grand master views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri that sets the adrenaline on top gear before the pinnacle of our venture as we make a beeline for the symbolic Thorong La Pass at (5416m). Throughout the course of our trip, we bunk out in teahouses cluttered by villages brimming with life where communities of ethnic origins, consisting of Hindu and Buddhists followings give us opportunities to interact with these local folks, giving us deep insights into typical mountain culture, ancient traditions and chilling superstitions that thrive in some of the most isolated regions in the world found on this thrilling adventure within a circuit of wilderness that gives us experiences that go beyond what we expected; our journey culminates with the descending to Kaligandaki through the pilgrimage shrines of Muktinath as we come down to thriving Jomsom for our flight to Pokhara after daring the great outback while Trekking the Annapurna Circuit.

2 Activity Levels: strenous Duration: 15 days Tough AT A GLANCE Challenging gritty Trek as we walk across one of the most famous Himalayan circuits in the world 10 days on trekking trails of Annapurna Mountains where the wonders of nature evoke your spiritual senses Hotel and teahouse lodges on the trails and healthy meals provided on the trails Thorung La Pass 5,416M where the stark beauty of the Annapurna range will amaze your imaginations Cost Includes Healthy meals during whole trek lodge Accommodation during whole trek Flight Jomsom-pokhara-Kathmandu return All airport transfers on day 1 and day 15 Expert Local Sherpa guide Necessary Porters (1 Porter for 2 Person) Good quality accommodation in City MSTE kit bag and Group medical kit Trek Map, company t-shirt Private vehicle for ground transportation trekking permits and site entry fees Guides and porters pay and meals Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu on day 2 Cost Excludes International Airfare and Nepal Visa fee Travel & Health Insurance Lunch & Dinner in city Cold Drinks, Boiled & Mineral Water Tips for Guide & Porter Hot Shower, Battery Charges Unforeseen Cost such as Flight Cancellation Any Other Cost not mentioned in Cost Includes ITINERARY Day 01:: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. If it s a clear day when you are flying into Kathmandu, then your tour begins right from the skies itself. The sights from the windows of our jet shows us glimmering snow-capped mountain peaks spread out down below us, giving us the first thrills of our just begun vacation, sparking off a whole reaction of unforgettable experiences that stay with us for some time to come. As soon as your plane hits the tarmac of Tribhuwan International Airport, Mountain Sherpa Trekking and Expeditions office representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Our rep will help you check into your designated hotel, and after going to our rooms and refreshing ourselves we will be briefed about our daily activities. The rest of your time is free to move around the neighborhood and get familiar with your surroundings. In the evening we will meet our senior trek guide who will brief the group about details related to our trek. Your first overnight in the ancient city of temples, probably the most in the world. Welcome Dinner at Typical Nepali Resturant.

3 Day 02:: Drive by a private Car to Besisahar (760M/2494ft) - Approx 5/6 Hrs- Lodge [B/L/D] Our trek personnel will arrive at your hotel at 7am in the morning to pick you up. After a 7-hour lovely scenic drive (185 km) from Kathmandu, we reach Besishar. On arrival at Besisahar we will witness some stunning snow-capped mountain panorama of the Lamjung Himal. Overnight at a guesthouse - B. L. D Day 03:: Drive to Syange by Jeep -Trek to Chamje (1410M/4626ft) - Approx 5/6 hrs- Lodge [B/L/D] We do a 1-2 hours drive down to Syange, our start point for the trek. We then get set for our trek to Chamje. The trail drops steeply to Syange at 1,070m from Bahundanda. On the way, we can see a large waterfall (season permitting). After crossing the Marsyangdi River on an airy suspension bridge, we follow the river to the stone village of Jagat before climbing through lush forest to Chamje at 1,410m. Overnight at a lodge B. L. D Day 04:: Trek to Bagarchhap (2080M/6825ft) - Approx 5/6 hrs-lodge [B/L/D] After breakfast, our day begins through a pretty rough trail following the Marsyangdi Rivers steadily uphill to Tal at 1,675m, the first village in Manang district. We do a traverse crossing a wide, flat valley. The journey continues up and down to Dharapani at 1,890m where we come across a stone entrance chorten typical of Tibetan influenced villages. Upon reaching Bagarchhap at 2,160m the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans can be seen along with the village surrounded by apple orchards and maize fields. Overnight at our lodge B. L. D Day 05:: Trek to Chame (2720m/8924ft) - Approx 5/6 hrs- Lodge [B/L/D] After b/fast today, it s an enjoyable walk as we continue to climb through forests of pine and oak. We pass through Dhanakyu before coming to a thundering waterfall with clean gushing water. Further on, the Marshyangdi Khola enters a gorge and the path consists of steep stone steps. Pausing for breath, we can look back at the grand views of Manaslu. When the steep incline ends we follow a path amid magnificent rhododendrons to Ratamron and then continue on a gently rising path, crossing a stream before entering a pine forest. We then cut across a loose hillside to the hamlet of Kotho from where we can look straight up at nearby Annapurna II - a sight that tell us we are deep in the Himalayan mountains. From here the trail climbs through a fir and pine forest to Chame. Chame is the administrative headquarter of the Manang district. There are government offices, shops, and hotels found here. This is only a half day trek. Overnight lodge B. L. D Day 06:: Trek to Upper Pisang (3060m/10040ft) - Approx 4/5 hrs- Lodge [B/L/D] After a delicious b/fast, we see Lamjung Himal at (6893m) gleaming in the morning sun, and with this lovely sight, we set off for Pisang. The mountain disappears as we climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. We continue through a fir and pine forest, climbing to a high, rocky area, as the opposite bank becomes an impassable cliff. From this point the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as we follow the path to Bratang. In earlier years, this area was the military station for troops who fought against the Khampa tribal revolutionaries. The dilapidated buildings are the only reminders of that era. A short climb from the village brings us to a rock-strewn area where we cross a wooden bridge and follow a high, winding path, before crossing back to the right bank again. We now walk through a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up a wonderful landscape before us. We can see the east peak of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak to the north-east. Trudging along, we come to a long mani stone wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang. A steep, narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. As the trail opens up we are surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks. Overnight in Pisang B. L. D Day 07:: Trek to Manang (3440m/11287ft) - Approx 4/5 hrs - Lodge [B/L/D] From Pisang, today we enter the upper Manang region, where we will notice a contrast with the landscape and vegetation. The cold, dry climate creates a much rougher environment. We also get to experience amazing views of the towering Himalayan Peaks that surround us. Overnight in Manang B. L. D

4 Day 08:: Rest/Acclimatization in Manang- (3440m/11287ft) - 4/5hrs hiking - Lodge [B/L/D] We spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. This is essential for the body because we ve got some tough heights to overcome in the days ahead. The whole day we spend doing some fine day walks and viewing the splendid sights around the village. Towards the end of the day, we return to our accommodation for a night's rest. Overnight at our lodge - B. L. D Day 09:: Trek to Yak Kharka (4200m/13780ft) - 4/5 hrs-lodge [B/L/D] From Manang, we ascend up to Yak Kharka, which lies on the main cicuit trail, and avoids backtracking to Khangsar. We descend from Siri Kharka toward Thare Gomba and in only a few minutes reach a trail junction. Again, we stay left and reach Old Khangsar after walking for a while. Khangsar is uninhabited except for occasional herders and during festival periods. We follow rock a wall north out of Khangsar. We walk further more until we reach a seasonal bridge in the Thorang Khola valley. We cross the river to the east band and ascend along for a while to a plateau. We then hike further more until reaching Yak Kharka. Overnight in Yak Kharka - B L. D Day 10:: Trek to Thorung Phedi (4450m/ ft) - 4 hrs - Lodge [B/L/D] From Yak Kharka, we climb to the next village of Tengi, with the awesome Annapurna Himal in view, while behind us we can see Peak 29 and Himalchuli on the horizons. We are now past the tree line and the vegetation consists of alpine grasses and scrub juniper. Climbing the path, past the summer village of Gunsang, we cross the Gundon Khola via a wooden bridge. From here we can see ahead the mountains surrounding the Thorung La, which we are going to cross tomorrow. The trail fluctuates up and down for some time. As the elevation gradually increases, we soon enter an alluvial delta where there are yak pastures. An hour beyond this, we come to the small settlement of Letdar. Leaving Letdar, we climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marshyangdi and cross a wooden bridge. After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, we follow a narrow trail across an unstable screed slope before descending to Thorung Phedi. B. L. D Day 11:: Thorung-La pass (5416m/17,770ft) & Muktinath (3760m/12336) 8/9 hrs- Lodge [B/L/D] We ve got to start our journey pretty early today so that we could cross the Thorung La at (5416m) at an easy going pace. The trail is steep but well-trodden, as this trail has been used by the local folks for hundreds of years. As we continue, the gradient eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing we reach the chorten and prayer flags of this great pass. The views up here are simply striking: from the snow covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which spreads out before us, is a masterpiece of natural geography created by God as a gift to the world and its people. The descent to Muktinath is a tiring 1600m drill that goes down but it's compensated for with lovely views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraine gives way to grassy slopes before a cool walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath, with its shrines and temple. This is a famous pilgrimage site for hindus. We spend our overnight at a lodge B. L. D. Day 12:: Trek to Jomsom [2750m/9023ft] - Approx 5/6 hrs- Lodge [ B/L/D] After a good night s sleep and a great b/fast, we start our day with a descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki valley through a parched region which lies in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with characteristic Tibetan architecture, we follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom and are rewarded with fabulous views of both Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Jomsom is a large town sprawled along both the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. We bunk out at our lodge for the night in ancient Jomsom. B. L. D. Day 13:: Fly to Pokhara, Half day sightseeing of Attractions in Pokhara city- Hotel [B/B] Today we wrap up our trek with a flight back to the city of lakes - Pokhara. After reaching Pokhara, we check into our hotel, refresh with some drinks and snack, maybe even have a bath; and then proceed for a half day guided tour that will include visiting some beautiful places like David s water fall, Tibetan refugee settlement camp and Gupteshwar cave in a private

5 vehicle with a professional guide. We also do some boating on the tranquil Fewa Lake. We then will have a relaxing afternoon where we can simply chill out with some cold beers. Overnight at the hotel Breakfast Day 14:: Early morning flight to Kathmandu, Half day sightseeing Kathmandu- Hotel [B/B] After a good night s sleep and enjoying a hearty b/fast, we proceed to the airport for our flight to Kathmandu. On touching down at the local terminal, we get onto our waiting vehicle and head down to our hotel where we check in, sort out our luggage, rest a bit and then proceed for a half day historical tour of Basantapur Durbar Square. Recorded by UNESCO as a cultural World Heritage site, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a bunch of medieval temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. Within this square we will find Hanumandhoka Palace Museum, Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar (House of the Living Goddess), Kasthamandap and other temples and buildings as old as the city itself; from here we head for a tour of the famous Boudhanath Stupa {said to be the largest in the world) and a major centre of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu. The stupa is designed to be like a giant mandala (a representation of the Buddhist cosmos). We next drive down to Swayambhunath [popularly known as Monkey Temple] Swayambhu means self-created and refers to the myth that the hill sprung up suddenly from a great lake that once covered Kathmandu Valley. On conclusion of our tour we head back to our hotel and the rest of your day is free to do your own things. Breakfast Day 15:: Drive to the Airport to head back to that lovely place we call home After b/fast, our rep and office vehicle will be on standby at our hotel to transfer us to the airport for our connecting flight home. Serving you was a wonderful joy and pleasure, we at Mountain Sherpa Trekking and Expeditionswillcherish the bonds of our relationship created over the time you spent with us and we thank you for choosing us as your travel partner and for visiting this amazing country Nepal. We are sure that trekking in this beautiful region of the Annapurnas will give you lifetime memories of a vacation well enjoyed. Farewell dear friends! Till we meet again. Breakfast Please Note:that although we try to follow the itinerary given above, at times local trail or weather conditions may necessitate slight changes if necessary. The trekking itinerary may also vary slightly depending on our trekkers' acclimatization rates. This adventure goes into wild territory above the timberline, so we seek to request maximum flexibility if and when required for the safety of your trip and your life. ACCOMMODATION 02 Nights Deluxe accommodations in Kathmandu at 3 Star/ 5 Star Category Hotel as per itinerary 01 Nights Deluxe accommodations in Pokhara at 3 Star/ 5 Star category Hotel as Per itinerary 11 Nights best Mountain lodge comfortable room with attached bathroom & hot shower where available All accommodation is on a twin sharing basis [Single rooms can be organized during trek with extra cost] For the 4 Nights hotel in Kathmandu single rooms are available at a supplementary cost. What kind of food I can expect during lodge trek?? Morning Breakfast [6:30-7:30 AM]

6 Tea or Coffee, Hot chocolate, lemon tea, hot milk or green tea Eggs items- Fried Eggs, Boiled Eggs, scramble eggs, Omelet etc Bread items- Toast, Pancakes, Chapati & Tibetan Bread etc Porridge with Honey, musli with milk etc Afternoon Lunch [12:30 1:00 PM] Curry with Rice, Pasta, Noodles item, fried rice and fried Potatoes, Mo.Mo etc Evening Dinner [6:00-8:30 PM] Sherpa Stew, vegetable Soup, mixed Soup, Potato Shop Dal bhat tarkari a soup of lentils with rice and a vegetable curry, Lassani, Pizza, Home Made Pasta etc Fried potatoes with vegetables, MO. MO, fried Noodles, Pasta, mash potatoes with Chesse Extra special from Mountain Sherpa Trekking Seasonal Fresh fruits after lunch & Dinner [ Where Available ] Enough boiled water after dinner Welcome/farewell Dinner with live Cultural Show at typical Nepali Restaurant Safe Drinking Water You can get bottled water all the way up to base camp but the price per liter goes higher and multiplies significantly. It is recommended to bring steripen (UV filtration) or iodine tabs for water purification with soft plastic bags so that you can purify the water from local source and make it safe for drinking purposes. At tea houses you will be served with boiled water. And please be noted that don t drink water from local taps and resources as it would prone you to water borne illness and affects the whole trekking journey. VITAL INFORMATION ******* Climate and Seasonality ******* Nepal is subject to monsoon which determines the choice of trekking areas depending on the season: Spring Seasons [March to May] is ideal to watch the explosion of vegetation, including rhododendrons, and from around the Annapurna sanctuary trek to Everest, Generally clear skies in the morning, marked cloudiness in the late afternoon. The more we advance towards the month of May (monsoon), the more clouds rise early. [Mid September to November] This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approx. above 20degC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as to -5degC at the higher altitudes. Summer Season Starts from June to September. Dolpo trekking and Mustang trekking of Nepal, and Tibet tour can be done in the monsoon. Winter, from Mid December to late February, the cold is dry, the clear sky, the sunshine... Many benefits without the tourist season. For example, short trek like chisopani and nagrkot trek,ghorepani poonhill trekking,ghandruk Village trek would ideal for Winter Treks. ******* Travel Insurance *******

7 It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out delayed departure and cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. A relaxed trip is not possible without good travel insurance. In the event of any sickness or injury, the cost of emergency treatment and evacuation is shocking. Therefore, travel insurance is strongly recommended for everyone who signs up with Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions. We strongly recommend that you be careful while choosing a policy as some makes special exceptions for adventure travel. Before buying your insurance, please ensure that your insurer is aware of your MSTE itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken in the trip to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan & India. Such as if you are planning trekking or climbing/expedition in Himalayas your insurance must cover emergency air ambulance/helicopter rescue including medical expenses. For a group tours in urban areas, your insurance coverage of ambulance or helicopter rescue is not mandatory, however better to have with them too. Again, in Tibet, Bhutan & India trips there is no possibility of helicopter rescue, so no need to buy the air ambulance coverage.you need send us your copy of your insurance policy (e.g. your insurance certificate) or carry it with you while you come on the trip. FAQS How Fit Do I Need to Be to Do the Annapurna Circuit Trek? Annapurna circuit trek is suggested for people who are practically fit for high altitude trek. This is not very challenging trek. However, quite hard trek since it engages with 5,416 meter high Throng la pass. We recommend you to do some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking before embark on your journey.because of ascents and descents walking, the Annapurna circuit trek is not appropriate for anyone with knee problems or weak ankles. Anyone with heart trouble or lung problems should check with their doctor. What sort of accommodation can I expect in Kathmandu, Pokhara and in trekking? We provide you deluxe room at best hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast included. Along the trekking routes, teahouses/lodges generally provide basic clean facilities with a mattress and a quilt or blanket. We can also offer you sleeping bags if needed (to be returned after the trip) but it is a good idea to always have your own sleeping gear. The lodges in trekking routes generally provide single and double rooms, or seldom a dormitory. At times when possible, dining will be around a bon fire. In tea houses, food will be prepared in the kitchen which you should not enter without permission. The toilet in tea houses provides essential and basic facilities and will be always outside the room. What kind of food can I expect during trekking? Most teahouses (lodges) in Annapurna circuit trails cook a delicious range of mostly vegetarian fare. Pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat(rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization eat some every day. In many larger villages you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always get hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps. Each day dinner and breakfast will be at a lodge you'll stay at while lunch will be taken on the way to destination. Do your guides have trekking guide license and first aid training for high altitude? Yes, they have all received 45-day training from the Hotel Management and Tourism Center in Nepal. The guides have also received high altitude first aid training from KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project). Please check our Trekking

8 Guides Profiles and Training Certificates. What opportunities will I have for shower along the trek? Many places in Annapurna circuit trek teahouses/lodges have hot shower facilities. Some places bucket warm water will be provided on request and payable. All showers cost extra about US $3-4 per person. However, the showers are not to the Western standard in the high mountain areas. Is Mountain Sherpa trekking staff insured? Our company insures all our trekking staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpas and porters. Please browse though Company Information pages to view insurance details. What is the maximum weight for my trek bag? We ask that you keep the weight of your trek bag maximum 15kgs. Each porter can carry maximum 30kgs = 2 clients trek per bag per person. Where can I leave my extra things and valuables while I am on the trek? The hotel we use in Kathmandu & Pokhara has a secure locked room where they store client s extra belongings in a safe way. So, you can leave your extra things in Hotel safely or you can also leave your belongings at our office. Do you use porters on the trek or do we carry all of our own gear? Do you provide us duffle Bags?? Whilst on the trek, our porter will take care of your luggage. All you need to carry is your small day bag for your personal belongings like camera, water bottle, sun cream etc only. Yes, we do provide you duffle bags Are solo female travelers safe on Annapurna Circuit trek? We ensure the travel safety of all our trekking guests, both male and female. Nepal, on the whole, is both very safe and welcoming of foreign visitors. We have longstanding, strong relationships with the lodges we frequent, and know them to be safe and reliable. In addition our guides are consistently mindful of all guests' whereabouts while trekking. We travel in small groups, all the better to easily maintain continual contact. How I can book this trek? What about Payment? Once you have confirmed your booking, an advance deposit of 30 percent (30 %) of the "total trip Package is required for 100% Confirmation. The deposit can be paid by Credit Card, or by bank Wire transfer. The remaining trek balance needs to be paid in Kathmandu on your arrival day. When we confirm your trek booking we will send you more details about how to pay the trek deposit. Please note that the trek deposit is non-refundable. However, you may postponed your travel date if incase required. Your deposit expires after 3 Years only. You can travel any date within 3 years. What is your success rate for crossing throng la Pass [5416 m/17,770 ft]? We boast 100% success rate to date on our Annapurna Circuit Trek, this is achieved because of our highly experience local Sherpa guides & staff. As we are 100% local Sherpa Company in Nepal. Our entire guides & staff are 100% Local Sherpa people. Sherpas are highly regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in their local area. They were immeasurably valuable to early explorers of the Himalayan region, serving as guides at the extreme altitudes of the peaks and passes in the region, particularly for expeditions to climb Mount Everest

9 If I have more questions, how should I contact Mountain Sherpa Trekking? "If you have more questions, do not hesitate to contact us. You can us or you can skype with us, see the Contact us button on the website."