Kaligandaki Valley explorer trek gives opportunity to take a Trans Himalayan flight to Jomsom, passing two of the eight thousand meter peaks, visit Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site Muktinath and observe the world’s deepest gorge. This is also a unique opportunities to see rain shadow area of word’s highest mountain chain. Different ethnic group like Thakalis, Bhotia, Gurungs and Magars and their culture are also observed during the trip.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Meet and greet by our representative/ guide and transfer to your allocated hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu.
Introductory trip to Kathmandu including sightseeing of one of the old palace complex, popular by the name Patan Durbar square, a Buddhist temple popular by the name monkey temple among the foreigners but is called Swoyambhunath and a Hindu temple Pashupatinath, a popular cremation ground for many hindus of Kathmandu. All these places are listed by UNESCO as world heritages. Afternoon time free for doing trek preparation.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (820m.).
A scenic drive leaving Kathmandu mostly follows the riverbank. About 200km but depend with traffic might take 7-8 hours in the bus.
Day 04: Early morning flight to Jomsom and Trek to Muktinath (3800m.).
Take a scenic trans Himalayan flight of Annapurna area crossing two of the eight eight thousand meter high peak of Annapurna and Dhawalagiri in Nepal. Continue trekking after the flight to Muktinath which is famous pilgrimage sight for both Hindus and Buddhist. The area is totally a rain shadow area as all the rain bearing wind is blocked by Annapurna range. Visit Muktinath temple and overnight at Muktinath.
Day 05: Trek from Muktinath to Marpha (2670m.), 6-7 hours of walking.
Muktinath is famous pilgrimage center for both Buddhist and Hindu people and has a temple of Vishnu. Hindus take a holy dip in a small pool of the water after taking shower at 108 natural water spouts available there. Next to the main temple, there is a monastery with continuous eternal flame. Treks descends to Jharkot, one of the greenest villages of the area due to their poplar trees and still continues to Jomsom, the headquarters of Mustang area and descend down to Marpha considered as apple capital of Nepal.
Day 06: Trek from Marpha to Ghasa (2120m.), 6-7 hours of walking.
After leaving Marpha, follow the kaligandaki river downstream passing two of the important Thakali villages Kobang and Tukuche. Thakalis are famous for cooking dalbhat, a typical Nepali food consisting of rice, lentil and vegetables with probably chicken curry or mutton curry.
Day 07: Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1200m.), 6-7 hours of walking.
Continue descending, following the bank of Kaligandakiriver until reaching Tatopani. Tatopani in Nepalese signify hot water and this place is very famous for having natural hot spring. Afternoon time can take a bath in one of the pool of hot water.
Day 08: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2850m.), 7-8 hours of walking.
The day pass through world’s deepest gorge in Tatopani as the difference between height of Dhawalagiri and Tatopani is the heighest of the world. One of the difficult days of the trek as more or less all the trail goes up until reaching Ghorepani. The trail pass through villages and rhododendron forest.
Day 09: Hike to Poonhill (3210m.)
Early in the morning and trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani (2540m.), 4-5 hours of walking. Poonhill is the popular Mountain View point including Dhawalagiri, Annapurna South, Fishtail and Annapurna I with small peaks. After the sunrise trip to Poonhill, start doing trekking towards Tadapani, the village located totally inside the forest of rhododendron and has a spectacular view of Hiunchuli, Annapurna south and Fishtail.
Day 10: Trek from Tadapani to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara, 6-7 hours of walking and 2 hours of driving. The trail descend down to Ghanduk, a typical Gurung village of the area, further sharp descend to Syaulibazar and follows the bank of Modikhola until reaching Nayapul. Take a transport from there to reach Pokhara.
Day 11: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
6-7 hours scenic drive on Prithvi highway to reach Kathmandu.
Day 12: Departure from Kathmandu.
On your proper timing you can go to airport or take some side trips like doing sightseeing or may go for safaris if time permits.
This is one of the classical route taken during Dhawalagiri expedition in 1940's. The expedition was not successful during that time but they discoverd the secrets of the valley.
