ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TRIP NOTES - OCT 2018 ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT The Annapurna Circuit is one of the most legendary treks in the world, and encompasses some of the most spectacular high TRIP DURATION: 16 days mountain scenery the Himalayas have to offer. DATES: 15 - 30 October 2018 On this 16 day trek, we begin at a very comfortable altitude, and gradually ascend to the Thorong La Pass at a height of 5419m. Not to be underestimated this is a challenging trek even for the HIGHLIGHTS: well prepared. • Climb the famous Thorong La Pass (5416m) Being one of the worlds most popular treks, we plan to take continual side tracks through the valleys to avoid the larger and • Visit the room Jimi Hendrix busy road that have been developed to Manang and beyond. This lived in, in 1967 will allow us to view the region as it once was many years before it’s popularity. • Take in the beauty of the Annapurna Range, some of The end goal is to ascend and acclimatise safety to a height of highest peaks in the world nearly 5500m, and to take in the beautiful Annapurna Ranges along the way. We plan to ensure each trekkers success through • View Machupuchare, the sacred the difficult Thorung La pass and the steep ascend to Muktinath. ‘Fishtail Mountain’ From here, we will continue to Jomsom them return to Pokhara • Visit remote villages and via a flight to relax for a few days before flying on to Kathmandu monasteries to conclude the trip. • End the trip with an optional This trek is an incredibly varied and extraordinarily beautiful Paragliding session in beautiful journey. Dramatic deep gorges, bleak high mountain passes, Pokhara Buddhist temples, picturesque farming villages and all the major mountains of the Annapurna Massif. We look forward to experiencing it with you! ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TRIP NOTES AT A GLANCE DAY 1 Arrive in Kathmandu DAY 2 Kathmandu DAY 3 Drive Beshishar, trek to Bhulbhule DAY 4 Bhulbhule to Jagat DAY 5 Jagat to Dharaphani DAY 6 Dharaphani to Chame DAY 7 Chame to Upper Pisang/Lower Pisang DAY 8 Pisang to Manang DAY 9 Acclimatisation Day DAY 10 Manang to Yak Kharka DAY 11 Yak Kharka to Throng Phedi DAY 12 Throng Phedi to Muktinath (via Thorong La Pass) DAY 13 Muktinath to Jomson DAY 14 Fly Jomsom to Pokhara DAY 15 Pokhara DAY 16 Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu DAY 17 Depart WHAT’S INCLUDED: WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: • Airport transfers • International Flights • Private van to Benshishar • Entry Visa for Nepal (40USD) • Flight Jomsom - Pokhara, Pokhara - Kathmandu • Insurance: (Life Medical and Evacuation) • Guided tour in Kathmandu & Pokhara • Any rescue costs or costs of delays/early departure • 3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu (twin share) from the expedition • 2 nights accommodation in Pokhara (twin share) • Lunch & dinner in Pokhara & Kathmandu • Accommodation in teahouse/guesthouse during • All bar bills (soft, hot, alcoholic drinks) during trek trek (twin share) • Personal expenses during trek (wifi, charging etc) • All meals while on the trek (B,L,D) • Tips for your guides and porters. • All trek staff, including guides & porter support. • Monument entry fees while sightseeing in • Medical Kits and safety equipment Kathmandu/Pokhara. • ACAP (Annapurna Conservation area permit) • TIMS Registration (Trekkers Information Management System) & Embassy Registration • All Goverment taxes & official expenses • Last night cultural dinner • Sleeping bag & Down Jacket (free rental) ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TRIP NOTES WHY BASE CAMP? Specialists in preparing thousands of people for multi day treks & Mountaineering expeditions. Global Leaders in providing education & skills training for trekkers & mountaineers. You and your team mates have a high level of fitness (giving everyone the best chance to enjoy the whole trek) You’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who you will meet in person (or online) prior to departure. A Base Camp representative will be on the trek, they have extensive experience in trekking, mountaineering and wilderness first aid. We only partner with highly qualified and experienced local guides and support team. You’ll have access to a huge range of training and trekking resources so that you’re 100% ready. Bespoke itinerary that will ensure you have the best experience possible. To get an inside look of what it’s like to be on a Base Camp Expedition check out the Vlog from our Nepal Expedition in 2017. TRIP NOTES - ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT 2018 ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT ITINERARY Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kathmandu International Airport (KTM). We will arrange a private transfer to the group hotel. Overnight at Hotel Himalaya Hub. Day 2 Kathmandu - Explore & Prepare After breakfast we will go on a guided sightseeing adventure of Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage sites: Monkey Temple, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple & Bouddhanath Stupa. Pre-Trek Briefing, purchase any last minute items and in the evening get prepared for the trek. Overnight at Hotel Himalaya Hub (B) Day 3 Drive to Beshishar, Trek to Bhulbhule Elevation: 700m to 900m, Time: Driving 6 hours, trek 3-4 hours From Kathmandu we drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then continue to Besisahar, the capital of Lamjung District. This is the starting point of our trek, today we will trek to the Gurung village of Bhulbule. Overnight at Guest House (B,L,D) Day 4 Trek Bhulbhule to Jagat Elevation: 1310m, Distance: 20km, Time: 6 hours Today we cross the Marshyangdi River and you’ll glimpse the first sight of one of the 8000m peaks Mount Manaslu (8161m) weather permitting. Our destination is the village of Jagat which is situated on a shelf that juts out into the Marshyangdi Valley. Overnight at Guest House (B,L,D) Day 5 Trek Jagat to Dharapani Elevation: 2140m, Distance: 20km, Time: 6 hours Descending from Jagat we’ll trek through a lush forest, before ascending to a sharp edge cliff facing the river bank. After crossing a suspension bridge, we will have a steep climb to Sattale (1680m) and then on to Tal (1700m). The path will then become rugged and will twist back and forth, taking us all the way to forested village of Dharapani. Overnight at Guest House (B,L,D) Day 6 Trek Dharapani to Chame Elevation: 2600m, Time: 6 hours We’ll ascend through forests of pine and oak, and pass through Dhanakyu before coming to a large waterfall. Where the Marshyangdi River enters a gorge the trail follows a rock strewn path. Once the steep incline ends we’ll be met by rhododendrons and then a pine forest. Fingers crossed we’ll have a clear day so you can get a view of Annapurna II. When you see the large white gate we’ve reached Chame, the admin headquarters of Manang District. Overnight Guest House (B,L,D) TRIP NOTES - ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT 2018 ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT ITINERARY Day 7 Trek Chame to Upper/Lower Pisang Elevation: 3000m, Time: 6 hours The first adventure today is a large suspension bridge that sits over the Marshyangdi River. The trail then leads us through fields to Teleku and Bratang. We’ll continue up steep trails to the south side and cross another suspension bridge where we’ll view Paungda Danda rising more than 1500m from the river. There is one final bridge and enter the village of Pisang. Overnight Guest House (B, L, D) Day 8 Trek Pisang to Manang (via Bhraka/Nagwal) Elevation: 3500m, Time: 5-8hrs On the trail today we will see magnificant peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us: Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna (7454m) and Tilicho Peak (7134m). Overnight at Guest House (B,L,D) Day 9 Acclimatisation Day Elevation: 3500m We’ll take a short hike up to Gangapurna Glacier Lake, Hundred Lama or ex- plore around Manang Valley to help us acclimatise in preparation for crossing Thorongla. Overnight at Guest House (B,L,D) Day 10 Trek Manang to Yak Kharka Elevation: 4000m, Distance: 20km, Time: 5 hours From Manang Village the trail crosses a stream before climbing to Tengi (3650m), then on to Marsyangdi Valley. The trail will then pass an ancient Mani wall before arriving in Yak Kharka. Overnight at Guest House (B,L,D) Day 11 Trek Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4400m)/ High Camp (4800m) Elevation: 4800mm, Time: 4/6 hours After less than 1 hour walking we’ll reach Chauri Ledar. From Ledar, we climb gradually to a ridge before descending to Marshyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge. After a short ascent the route follows a narrow path, across a high, unstable slope path before reaching Thorong High Camp. Overnight Guest House (B, L, D) TRIP NOTES - ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT 2018 ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT ITINERARY Day 12 Cross Thorung La Pass, trek to Muktinath Elevation: 5416m, 3800m Time: 7-8hrs It’s an early start to cross Thorung La (5416m). Immediately after leaving camp the trail becomes steep. The gradient then eases and after approx 4 hours of steady climbing, we reach the prayer flags of the pass. You’ll want to soak in the views here. Although the 1600m descent is tough, it will eventually give way to grassy slopes, where you’ll no doubt enjoy the walk along to Khola Valley to Muktinath. Overnight at Guest House (B,L,D) Day 13 Trek to Jomsom Elevation: 3500m, Distance: 15km Time: 6 hours We begin our descent down the Kali Gandaki Valley, initially through arid country in the same climatic and geographical zone as Tibet. We’ll pass through the villages of Jharkot and Khingar and follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom. Overnight at Guest House (B,L,D) Day 14 Fly Jomsom to Pokhara We’ll take an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.