Destination Nepal

This trek is tailor-made for the more inexperienced hiker and anyone who relishes the real Nepali countryside, which is still almost completely undeveloped.

The Siklis area, north-east of Pokhara, though close to the main Annapurna trekking trails, still has very few lodges or guest-houses. This means that we camp overnight as we journey towards our goal: the exquisite village of Siklis, perched on a hillock at 2000 metres.

Siklis is a classically beautiful Gurung village with narrow lanes flanked by stone and mud houses grouped in the traditional ribbon pattern. The village has five distinct neighbourhoods: Lama-thar, Sabha-thar, Harpu-thar, Dhaprang-tha and Gari-thar, each of which has its own specific role in the community.

The relatively leisurely nature of this trek allows for plenty of time to study the abundant flora and fauna. And, of course, there are some wonderful views of the panoramic Himalayas en route.

Rustic Siklis Trekking
Maximum altitude: 2580 meters
Duration of trek: 7 days camping

Itinerary:

Day 01 : Arrival – transported to hotel – tour briefing
Day 02 : A full-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour
Day 03 : Drive or flight to Pokhara (6 hours)
Day 04 : Pokhara – Kharpani
Day 05 : Kharpani – Ghalekharka
Day 06 : Ghalekharka – Nyaulikharka
Day 07 : Nyaulikharka – Parche / Sikles village
Day 08 : Sikles – Chansu or Yangjakot
Day 09 : Chansu / Yangjakot – Kalikasthan
Day 10 : Kalikasthan – Pokhara
Day 11 : Leisure
Day 12 : Flght to Kathmandu (30 minutes); transported tohotel.
Day 13 : Free time
Day 14 : Transported to airport – flight to onward destination

Called the ‘Royal Trek’ because Prince Charles once walked the route, this is actually a short and easy hike, which acts as a good ’shop window’ for trekking, giving an idea of what is involved.

The route, beginning in Pokhara and ending at the nearby Begnas Tal (lake) is not at all busy, and takes you through lovely countryside with some fantastic views of the Annapurna range.
Completion is just 5km from Pokhara, where transport awaits.

In our sample itinerary, we have combined this trek with a wildlife safari in Chitwan National park, but we can design other itineraries of your choice around the Royal Trek programme.

Annapurna Royal Trek/Skyline Trek
Maximum Altitude: 1750 meters
Duration of Trek: 4 days camping

Itinerary:

Day 01 : Arrival – transported to hotel — tour briefing
Day 02 : A full-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour
Day 03 : Drive or flight to Pokhara (6 hours)
Day 04 : Drive, Pokhara / Bijayapur trek Kalikasthan
Day 05 : Kalikasthan / Syaklung
Day 06 : Syaklung / Chisapani
Day 07 : Chisapani / Begnas Lake (end trek) – return Pokhara – transported to hotel
Day 08 : Pokhara Free time
Day 09 : Pokhara / Chitwan National Park
Day 10 : Wildlife safari in Chitwan National Park
Day 11 : AM- Chitwan. PM- travel Kathmandu (private transport)
Day 12 : Free time
Day 13 : Transported to airport – flight to onward destination

Panchase is a popular village destination for Nepalese pilgrims, who come here to pay their respects to the souls of their ancestors and to pay homage to the mountain gods.

However it is much less frequented by trekkers, with the advantage for the few foreigners who do venture here that they can fully enjoy its intimacy and appreciate its ethnic diversity.
This trek also offers some splendid views of three 8000 m+ peaks: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.

The area is inhabited mainly by Gurung people, who traditionally supply Gurkha soldiers to the British army.

From Panchase we follow a northern route skirting the popular Ghorepani Trail and eventually reaching the beautiful village of Ghandrung. This is the second largest Gurung settlement in Nepal and is wealthy, since many of its inhabitants have been employed in the Gurkha brigades. Ghandrung is also the project headquarters of the Annapurna Conservation area. It consists basically of two clusters, with the lower village essentially providing labourers and domestics for the upper.

As you walk to the uppermost part of Ghandrung from the houses at the lower end you will have repeated views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the top of Macchapuchhre.
The final two days of our trek, on the return leg to Pokhara, are spent on a more frequented trail via Pothana and Dhampus.
This trek is relatively easy but its virtue lies in its remoteness from larger settlements and busier trekking routes.

Annapurna Panchase Trekking
Maximum Altitude: 2030 meters
Duration of Trek: 7 days camping

Itinerary:

Day 01 : Arrival – transported to hotel — tour briefing.
Day 02 : Free time in Kathmandu
Day 03 : Drive or flight to Pokhara (6 hours)
Day 04 : Pokhara to Bhumdi trek (1520 m)
Day 05 : Bhumdi to Panchase Bhanjyang (2030 m)
Day 06 : Panchase Bhanjyang to Chitre (1400 m)
Day 07 : Chitre to Matathanti (1200 m)
Day 08 : Matathanti to Ghandrung (1940 m)
Day 09 : Ghandrung to Pothana (1900 m)
Day 10 : Pothana to Pokhara (820 m)
Day 11 : Leisure day
Day 12 : Drive or fly back to Kathmandu; transported to hotel
Day 13 : Free time
Day 14 : Transported to airport – flight to onward destination

This is a rewarding trek, offering good insights into the culture and lifestyles encountered en route, as well as wide-ranging scenery and some marvellous mountain views.

We begin with a 30-minute early morning flight to Jomsom (originally Dzhong Sum, but it has retained the misheard name given it by Western surveyors!), Lower Mustang’s main town.
We head for Kagbeni, an ancient fortress settlement on the border of Upper Mustang, the lifestyle of which has changed little down the generations.

Next there is a four-day hike through arid plateau country up to the historic temple complex of Muktinath. Rather than spending the night, we turn back for an hour or so to stay in the more traditional, unspoiled village of Jharkot.

Over the next few days we travel back along the Kali Gandaki Gorge, passing through many fascinating Thakali villages along the way. Marpha, in particular, is an attractive stopping-off point and you will have an opportunity to visit the brewery which produces the apple brandy for which Marpha is renowned.

Moving on from Marpha we head towards Kalapani, through landscape that becomes progressively more alpine. Travelling through pine forest terrain after two days we reach Tatopani and rest for a day, with time to take a bath in the famous hot springs that give the little town its name.
Another couple of days’ hiking brings us to Ghorepani and Poon Hill, where we will see the legendary photogenic view of the sun rising over the Himalayas.
On our return we stop for one night in the beautiful large Gurung village of Ghandruk, where there are great views of Annapurna South and Macchapuchhre (the ‘Fishtail Mountain’).
Our last day is an easy descent to Nayapul, where our transport back to Pokhara awaits.

Annapurna Jomsom Trek
Maximum Altitude: 3800 meters
Duration of Trek: 12 days with accommodations in mountain lodges

Itinerary:

Day 01 : Arrival Kathmandu – transported to hotel – tour briefing
Day 02 : Free time in Kathmandu
Day 03 : Drive or flight to Pokhara (6 hours)
Day 04 : Flight to Jomsom – trek to Kagbeni (2800 m)
Day 05 : Trek to Muktinath (Jharkot) – (3200 m)
Day 06 : Jharkot – Marpha village (2670 m)
Day 07 : Kalopani – Ghasa (2010 m)
Day 08 : Ghasa – Tatopani (1190 m)
Day 09 : Tatopani – Chitre (2390 m)
Day 10 : Chitre – Ghorepani (2750 m)
Day 11 : Chitre / Ghorepani (2750 m)
Day 12 : Ghorepan / Poon Hill / Tadapani (2520 m)
Day 13 : Tadapani / Ghandruk (1940 m)
Day 14 : Ghandruk / Nayapul then drive to Pokhara
Day 15 : Pokhara Free time
Day 16 : Flight to Kathmandu (30 mins.); transported to hotel.
Day 16 : Free time in Kathmandu
Day 17 : Transported to airport – flight to onward destination