Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll land at Tribhuvan International Airport where Sherpa Expedition & Trekking staff will be waiting to pick you up and take you to your hotel. Once you've checked in, there's a briefing that covers everything about the trek so you know what to expect. If you've got energy left, head over to Thamel, which is Kathmandu's main tourist area where you can walk around shops and get a feel for the city.
Optional Activities
- Explore Thamel tourist hub
- Day 2
Kathmandu
Your guide takes you around Kathmandu Valley to see various temples throughout the day. You'll visit Pashupatinath, which sits on the Bagmati River, then go to Bouddhanath (locals call it 'Little Tibet'), and the Monkey Temple at Swayambhunath. The day finishes at Durbar Square, a UNESCO site in front of the old royal palace. By evening you're back at the hotel with time to do last-minute shopping in Thamel if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit Bouddhanath Temple
- Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
- Visit Durbar Square
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping in Thamel
Landmarks/POIs Pashupatinath Bouddhanath Swayambhunath Durbar Square - Day 3
Kathmandu to Beshisahar
It's a long drive from Kathmandu toward where the trek actually starts. During the ride, you'll see the landscape shift from city to countryside, with rivers, terraced rice fields, and views of the Himalayas coming into view. You arrive at your guesthouse in the evening after the drive settles down.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4
Tal to Dharapani
The trek officially begins with a bridge crossing at Tal, then you're walking through farmland and passing waterfalls on your way to Koto Village. After that, you continue on to Dharapani, which is one of the larger villages in Manang Valley where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Koto Village - Day 5
Dharapani to Chame
This is a harder day as you climb along treed ridges heading toward Chame. Look up and you'll see huge snowy peaks like Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV. Along the trail there's a hot spring where you can take a break and relax before you reach the guesthouse in Chame.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relax at hot spring on the trail
Landmarks/POIs Lamjung Himal Annapurna II Annapurna IV - Day 6
Chame to Pisang
You're walking through a steep, narrow valley and then you get your first real look at Paungda Danda, this massive curved rock face that rises 1500m straight up from the river. On the way down through Manang Valley to Pisang, you'll see views of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak as well.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Paungda Danda Annapurna II Pisang Peak - Day 7
Pisang to Manang
The trek takes you higher to Ghyaru Village where the views of Annapurna II and the other snow-covered peaks are really something. From Ghyaru you can also see the Annapurna IV glacier. After a lunch break, you head to Ngawal passing prayer flags and Mani walls, then go through Bhakra and Braga villages before arriving in Manang for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Ghyaru Village Ngawal Humde Village Bhakra Village Braga Village - Day 8
Manang (Acclimatization)
You're staying put in Manang to let your body adjust to the altitude, but you're not just sitting around. There's a short trek to either Bhojo Gumba monastery or Gangapurna Lake. If you're feeling up to it, you can hike to Vraga Village to visit the Himalayan Rescue Association and learn about altitude sickness (AMS).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Trek to Bhojo Gumba monastery
- Trek to Gangapurna Lake
- Hike to Vraga Village and visit Himalayan Rescue Association
Landmarks/POIs Bhojo Gumba Gangapurna Lake Vraga Village - Day 9
Manang to Yak Kharka
Leaving Manang, you cross the river and then reach Tenki Village. From there the trail continues up the Marsyangdi Valley through small villages like Ghunsa with scrubby terrain all around you. The whole day is a steady climb upward, and you'll see yak herds and mountain horses on the alpine pastures before arriving at Yak Kharka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Tenki Village Ghunsa - Day 10
Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
Another climbing day where you cross a suspension bridge to get to Ledar Village, then climb up below cliffs to Thorong Phedi, the last village before the big pass. From this altitude, the views are really spectacular with Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, Thorong Peak, and Mt. Khatungkang all visible.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Ledar Village Mt. Gundang Mt. Syagang Thorong Peak Mt. Khatungkang - Day 11
Thorong Phedi to Jomsom
This is the major day where you cross Thorong La Pass at 5,416m, one of the highest passes you can trek to. You start around 3 a.m. to get there early before the wind picks up. Going from east to west (from Manang to Muktinath) is the safer route, and after the pass you descend to the valley floor and drive to Jomsom by vehicle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Thorong La Pass
Landmarks/POIs Thorong La Pass Muktinath - Day 12
Jomsom to Pokhara
The drive takes you through Kali Gandaki Gorge, which is squeezed between massive mountain ranges including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Later you arrive in Pokhara and check into your lakeside hotel. Spend the rest of the day resting or exploring Phewa Lake and the cafes along the water if you've got the energy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Wander around Phewa Tal lake
- Stroll along lakeside
Landmarks/POIs Kali Gandaki Gorge Mt. Annapurna Mt. Dhaulagiri Phewa Tal - Day 13
Pokhara to Kathmandu
You're driving back to Kathmandu, and during the ride there's time to think back on the trek and what you've accomplished over all those challenging days on the trail. You'll arrive at your Kathmandu hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 14
Depart Kathmandu
Sherpa Expedition & Trekking staff will pick you up and take you to Tribhuvan International Airport at least 3 hours before your flight leaves. This is your time to reflect on the whole Nepal experience and maybe start thinking about where you'll trek next.
