Balcony of the Annapurnas

It is an excellent initiation to trekking at a moderate altitude on the southern slopes of the Annapurna Mountains and the opportunity for splendid views from the high Himalayas.
As a plus, we add a visit to Kathmandu city and its many temples.

• Day 1/  Arrive in Kathmandu
• Day 2/  Visit Kathmandu valley
• Day 3/  Flight to Pokhara - trek to Dhampus (5,184 feet)
• Day 4/  Dhampus - Deorali Pass (6,890 feet) - Landrung (4,921 feet)
• Day 5/  Landrung - Gandrung (6,726 feet) 
• Day 6/  Gandrung - Thada Pani (8,399 feet)
• Day 7/  Thada Pani - Ghorepani (9,350 feet)
• Day 8/  Ghorepani - Hille (4,593 feet) 
• Day 9/  Hille - Naya Pul - Naudanda (4,921 feet) - Sarangkot (5,249 feet)
• Day 10/  Sarangkot - Pokhara (2,625 feet) 
• Day 11/  Back to Kathmandu 
• Day 12/  Reserve day Kathmandu 
• Day 13/  Depart from Kathmandu.

For all of those who are dreaming of Nepal without having the time or the budget to devote to a foreign trip, here is a circuit which will fill all of your expectations. A true Nepalese ground adventure at an exceptional price. Authentic discovery of the most traditional Nepal, its extraordinary mountain landscapes, charming villages and its cordial inhabitants. Eight days of easy trekking, in the foothills of the Annapurnas, facing one of the most imposing panoramas on Earth and then two days reserved for the marvelous Kathmandu valley.

Day 1/ Arrival Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu. Settle in at the Yak and Yeti 5 star Hotel for two nights. Some time available for a short visit of the city.

Day 2/ Kathmandu valley
Visit the most beautiful sites of the Kathmandu valley, accompanied by an Anglophone Nepalese guide which who will assist you in discovering the Bouddhanath Buddhist temples (largest Stupa, religious monument, of the valley), the Hindu Holy City of Pashupati Nath (cremations), and Bhaktapur, a live museum of a medieval city.

Day 3/ Flight to Pokhara - trek to Dhampus (5,184 feet)
In the morning, flight for Pokhara which provides for a superb view of the Himalayan mountain chain. Continuation by road (1 H approximately) to Hyanja, village of Tibetan refugees. Visit of a monastery and carpet factory (unfortunately we can not make purchases here) before continuing towards Phedi (3,609 feet), where the porter team is waiting. Beginning of a series of staircases crossing the fields which join Dhampus, located at the top of a peak. Night in lodge.
2 H walk

Day 4/ Dhampus - Deorali Pass (6,890 feet) - Landrung (4,921 feet)
Hiking up through a forest to Pothana and going over a small pass at 6,890 feet before going down again to Bichok. The descent continues to the bridge which spans the tributary of Modi Khola, impetuous torrent which arrives from the southern face of Annapurna. From there, light ascent that leads to Tolka, then to Landrung. Night in lodge.
6 H walk.

Day 5/ Landrung - Gandrung (6,726 feet)
Descent for during 30 minutes to cross the Modi Khola river, then ascend to Gandrung by a staircase path, through fields where peasants cultivate rice. Gandrung is the largest village of the ethnic group Gurung. Each of the 700 families is proud to have at least one member belonging to the "famous Gurkhas warriors" clan! Free afternoon at Gandrung, a privileged moment to discover this beautiful village and to observe the traditional life of the Gurungs. Night in lodge.
3 H 30 / 4 H walk

Day 6/ Gandrung - Thada Pani (8,399 feet)
Traversing two small passes. The dispersed habitat benefits from the flat ground, and the forest is rather dense. Settle in at a lodge in Thada Pani. Beautiful views on the Annapurna mountains.
4 H walk.

Day 7/ Thada Pani - Ghorepani (9,350 feet)
Hiking up to Deorali Pass (10,499 feet, the highest trek point). Descent on Ghorepani Pass, located close by.The beauty of the landscape is breath taking: the Dhaulagiris and Tukuche mountain range at the far end, and just on the opposite side, the immense barrier of the Annapurnas! Night in lodge. In the evening, ascent to Poon Hill (1.30 h of round trip walking) to attend sun set on the snow-covered summits (if the weather allows it).
5 H walk

Day 8/ Ghorepani - Hille (4,593 feet)
Very early hike up to Poon Hill for those who wish to witness the most beautiful sunrise on the Himalayan mountain range (if the weather is nice, naturally!). Return to Ghorepani for breakfast (1.30 h of additional walking). The way down goes easily at first, on a path drowning in greenery with an arrival in Ulleri. This village is fixed on the mountainside: and it offers a panoramic view on the entire valley. After a few hundred stairs, one reaches the bottom of the hill. Arrival at Hille. Lodge.
5 H 30 walk (not including Poon Hill!).

Day 9/ Hille - Naya Pul - Naudanda (4,921 feet) - Sarangkot (2,625 feet)
Walking along the torrent to join the road. Then 30 minutes in the local bus to the village of Naudanda. In the afternoon, easy walk to Sarangkot, view-point above Phewa lake. Night in lodge, with a very beautiful panorama.
6 H walk.

Day 10/ Sarangkot - Pokhara (2,625 feet)
Descent towards Phewa Tal, lake located beside Pokhara, by perfect paddy-fields stretching themselves as far as eyes can see. Settle in at the hotel in Pokhara. Free afternoon to spend in Pokhara.
3 H walk.

Day 11/ Pokhara - Kathmandu
Last gaze on Annapurnas mountain range. The view from Pokhara is pretty sweet! Transfer by bus to Kathmandu. Crossing through nice animated Nepalese villages. Lunch on the way. Arrival in the afternoon at Kathmandu. Settle in at the 5 star deluxe hotel.
5 to 7 H bus ride.

Day 12/ Kathmandu
Free or potential spare day to spend in Kathmandu. Hotel.

Day 13/ Depart from Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport for flight home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior  notice. 

Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc).
The other part of the equipment is transported by the porters to the lodge. We are asking that every one have only one bag (trekking bag); the maximum weight of this bag should not exceed 27 pounds. At your arrival, we will provide you a bag cover in order to protect your bag during the trek.
- Possibility of leaving your belongings at the Kathmandu hotel and retrieving them when we return to Kathmandu.

The guides
- an English-speaking professional Nepalese Mountain World Travel guide
- a guide specialized in the Kathmandu valley
Local team
- a Sirdar, head of the porter organization, generally English-speaking
- porter (Sherpas) staff;
- a cook and, if necessary, their assistants
- one or more Sherpas according to the circuits, those aspiring Sirdars will insure your comfort by closing the circuit and double-checking that no one is left behind.

What to know about carrying: in Nepal, carrying is part of every-day life. It begins its practice with the very young. Provisions to feed the villages, building materials, harvests, are carried on men's backs. For their personal needs, outside of trekking season, the Nepalese often carry between 130 and 170 pounds. The carriers often come from the lower valleys. Sherpas come from the Khumbu region, at the foot of Mount Everest. We ask the Sirdars to ensure that the weight load does not exceed 67 pounds per carrier (no including personal material). The wages that the porters earn during the trekking season benefit the entire family even throughout the long months of tourist inactivity.

Most Domestic flights on Yeti Airlines
Ground transportation is organized by private tourism bus vehicles.

Top level Nepalese lodging in Kathmandu and Pokhara!
- Kathmandu: Yak and Yeti, 5 star deluxe Hotel, based on double occupancy.
- Pokhara: deluxe hotel/lodge
- Throughout the trek: accommodation in lodges. Often comfortable lodging meeting strict standards of construction, established by a charter: double rooms, separate beds, toilets outside. Some lodges are equipped with showers (water is often tepid) and with electricity, thanks to solar panels. However, the higher in altitude the lodges are, the more basic their comfort becomes.
To note: because of the lack of insulation and lack of fuel, the rooms of the lodges are generally not heated. For your comfort, it is essential to have a good, warm sleeping bag.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Meals
- Downtown and during the transfers: restaurant.
- During the trekking:
on the paths from one village to another, lunch in restaurant along the way,
a energy food complement is provided,
dinners are served in the lodges

Drinks
Mineral water, tea and coffee included.

To note
In Nepal, Hindus and Buddhists are mainly vegetarians. Little meat or fish is thus eaten there. The dishes are containing pastes, rice, potatoes, lentils, etc.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Kathmandu
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions/options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water and tea/coffee during trekking)
• Personal expenses
• Tips for guide and porters
• Cost of foreign country entrance visa
• Airport taxes at departure from Kathmandu (approximately $35)
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1-970-544-WALK (1-970-544-9255) or at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Katmandu:

• Star Alliance (United) in cooperation with Thaï Airlines operates daily flights to Katmandu from anywhere in the States through Bangkok.
• Qatar Airways operates daily flights to Kathmandu from Washington DC through Doha (and 4 times a week from New York) - Qatar is a member of Star Alliance.
• Oneworld, in cooperation with Cathay Pacific, operates four flights a week to Kathmandu from anywhere in the States through Honk-Kong. 

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a passport valid at least 6 months after the supposed return date of your journey; a visa is required.
Please visit http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/visa.php?page=tourist_visa_requirement
The visa can be obtained directly upon your arrival at the airport in Nepal.

Please bring 2 ID photos with you: one is for obtaining the entrance Visa to Nepal and the second is to enable us to obtain a Trekking Permit.

For US citizens, please check with US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Nepalese embassy of your country.

Vaccines
Certain vaccines are highly recommended, but none are mandatory.
We advise you to be up-to-date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, B and a vaccination protecting you from rabies is highly recommended for all.
Note: yellow fever vaccine is not necessary (no yellow fever in Asia) but required for any person coming from Africa or Tropical America.

Malaria
A preventative treatment against Malaria is not necessary for this trip.
For more information, visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationNepal.aspx

Dentist and doctor
A check up before your departure is recommended

Acclimatization and preventive treatment against altitude sickness
We conceive our routes by first taking into consideration the best means for "altitude acclimatization". However, it is advisable to consider with your doctor a preventive treatment against altitude sickness(Diamox) and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).
Please visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

LEVEL 2
2 months prior:  Hike 7 to 9 miles every week-end or on two consecutive days.  

Basic equipment
- Thermal underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck.
- A warm jacket in fleece (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable jacket (Gore-Tex).
- Trekking pants
- Long Underwear
- A ski cap
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good grip.
- Head lamp
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Sleeping
- Sleeping bag (temperature of comfort 23/32° F).

Luggage
- A backpack with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small anti-theft pocket or belt, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some equipment advice
During your flight your backpack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, film, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).