14 days Annapurna Kaligandaki Valley Trekking
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Annapurna Kaligandaki Valley trekking is one of the geographically and culturally rich valleys of Nepal. Kaligandaki valley trek is an ideal choice to enjoy the sub-alpine and Trans Himalaya climatic zone at a single time. Harmony among the different cultural community settling around this region is another big thing to enjoy. In addition, Mount Annapurna and Mount Dhaulagiri both above 8000m is the perfect way to see and enjoy the majestic Himalayas of Nepal.
The trekking starts in the tropical climatic zone with the dense forest and terraced crop fields around Tikhedhunga and Ulleri. The upper temperate village Ghorepani has famous spot Poonhill from where trekker can view all mountain ranges of Annapurna trekking region. The trekking descends and continues to the upper temperate climatic zone of Ghasa, Lete, and Larjung. Marpha Jomsom and Kagbeni are the sections of huge Trans Himalaya climatic zone of Upper Mustang.The tropical and lower temperate trekking region has the forest of birch, juniper, pine. In contrast, the upper trekking region has upper temperate and sub-alpine climatic zone with shallow vegetation and bushes. Marpha and Jomsom are popular for apple garden.
People of the lower region of the Annapurna Kaligandaki valley trekking accept Hinduism. While upper part of trekking region follows Buddhism. Gurung, Thakalis, and long back migrated Tibetan are the major cultural groups who have settled on upper part of region. The trekking is also the gateway for the hidden kingdom of Nepal Mustang.
Moreover, construction of the road has destroyed the most trekking part of Kaligandaki valley and Upper Mustang. It is a huge setback for genuine trekkers. In similar fashion, it has also reduced the number of trekking days with lots of trekking itineraries options to trekkers.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 International Arrival in Kathmandu(1300m)
Day 2 Sightseeing in Kathmandu, Permit preparation day, briefing by official executive, handing assignment to guide.
Day 3 Drive/ Flight to Pokhara(850m)
Day 4 Drive to Birethanti from Pokhara & Trek to Ulleri(2070m)
Day 5 Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani(2850m)
Day 6 Trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani(1200m)
Day 7 Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa(2110m)
Day 8 Trek from Ghasa to Marpha(2670m)
Day 9 Trek from Marpha to Kagbeni(2800m)
Day 10 Trek From Kagbeni to Muktinath(3760m)
Day 11 Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom(2715m)
Day 12 Short Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara(850m)
Day 13 Drive/Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu(1300m)
Day 14 International Departure
Note: This is a standard itinerary proposed for general trekkers which can be modified until then, that do not violate our business ethics and norms. We will always seek verification from our field experts before approving your itinerary.
Detailed Day to Day Itinerary
30 Min Hotel/Lodge
We will drive you straight to your hotel in private vehicle as soon as you land at Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu. We will give short briefing on our final agreed program. And if you are the first time traveler in Nepal we provide general information on restaurant, ATM, money exchanges until we meet for next day.
There are various major cultural, historical and religious places around Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur for a day sightseeing. Pashupatinath, Bauddhanath, Swayambhunath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar square are our top lists. Most of them are listed on UNESCO world heritage sites. Later in the evening we will arrange dinner with your trekking guide so you can know each other and talk about your trekking itineraries.
If you want to drive to Pokhara it is always better to start in the morning after your breakfast, it will be little tiring day due to 6-7 hour drive. Driving from Kathmandu offers you to enjoy interesting zigzag road of hilly part of Nepal along with diversified culture, landscape and people all the way to Pokhara. The flight is short from Kathmandu to Pokhara but you can have leisure time to spend around lake-side of Pokhara, which is always a happening place for tourists.
After your breakfast in Pokhara hotel, you will drive to Birethanti by a private car for about one and half hour. Reaching upon Birethanti, you can take a short tea break while porter arranges his equipment to carry your baggage. You will climb gentle up seeing small houses and tea houses passing terraced crop fields. Relatively it is easy climb until you reach Tikhedhunga (1495m).You can discuss with your guide whether to trek to Ulleri or to stay in Tikhedhunga beforehand ,since both options are available . After crossing the suspension bridge 2 hour steep climbing on stone stairs, you can reach small settlement of Magar, Ulleri. You can see small glimpse Annapurna South on the way.
From Ulleri the climb is gentle ,yet more stone stairs which some trekkers find monotonous and tiring .After walking about one hour you will reach another small settlement ,Banthanti from where damp and very dense rhododendron forest starts making you feel the gradual increase in altitude and decrease in temperature for the first time during trekking. Small natural waterfalls and streams are seen around as your trekking continues uphill. It will take around 5 to 6 hr to reach you to Ghorepani from Ulleri which is the settlement of ethnic group Gurung.
Today you will climb to Poonhill early in the morning to see magnificentsunrise which is about an hour walk. The earliest sun ray that strikes the mountain and peaks makes them to appear cluster of orange gemstones; Mount Dhaulagiri ,Mount Annapurna, Fishtail and other snow capped peaks looks really glamorous .After spendingyour moment in Poonhill you will descend down to Ghorepani. The day is pretty long but relaxing in hot spring after reaching Tatopani worth the day.Brahamin and the Magar occupies most of the settlement along the way. The trail is gentle down through numerous settlements and terraced crop fields until you reach Ghar top then the path is steep down for one and half our until you reach Ghar Khola .Walking half an hour by the bank of Kaligandaki river will take you Tatopani. You may grab your things and enjoy the hot spring after reaching Tatopani.
Most of the trekking trail has been ruined by the construction of road yet we will try to bypass the vehicle road as much as possible .You are trekking on the deepest gorge of the world. The trekking route keeps elongating by the bank of narrow Kaligandaki river. You will stop and enjoy your lunch in the base of beautiful water fall Rupse chhahara (waterfall).You will gradually spot Temperate Pines and Coniferous forest broken by tropical trees as your trekking continues to Ghasa. Thakalis are the main ethnic group settled around this valley.
Today you will climb steep up until you reach Lete. From Lete the trail is flat with slight up down. The land does not look fertile for the cultivation however people really work hard for few seasonal crops with animal husbandry . The Kaligandaki valley interestingly becomes calm and wide as we approach more flat land .Snow capped peaks are seen alongside your trek. Thakalis are the main dominant group around this region. After passing Kalopani Larjung and Tukuche you will reach Marpha from where the Trans-Himalaya landscape begins. Marpha and Jomsom is the capital of apple farming of Nepal. Marpha is small village with tightly packed houses with common painting white which looks unique as well as beautiful.
The trail is fairly easy from Marpha. The afternoon becomes windy and dusty. The Trans Himalaya landscape starts to appear with sparse trees and small juniper bushes .The apple garden is seen all the way. Surrounded by Nilgiri ranges to the South and Dhaulagiri to the North make the trekking even more enjoyable. After couple of hour you will reach Jomsom, headquarter of Mustang. All the administrative and government work in the Mustang district is operated here. After passing Jomsom the landscape becomes more barren and isolated. The river bank is widely eroded due to the Kaligandaki river and the sandy bank becomes more vague and stretched. After couple of hour easy walk and you will reach Kagbeni.
As you move forward the trail becomes more interesting .The land looks like more desert barely with any vegetation around. You will pass an old settlement Jharkot as you climb gradually further for an hour to reach Muktinath. Muktinath is holy site equally important to Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. You can see lot of Hindu and Buddhist people taking bath in icy cold water. This is the highest point that you will reach in this part of trekking. You will see magnificent view of Mount Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Tukuche peak from here.
Today is the last day of trekking. You will trek back to Jomsom following the same route of trekking you took earlier enjoying the view of dominating Dhaulagiri mountain.You can enjoy your last trekking dinner with your guide and porter as a tribute to their hard work for making your trekking successful.
In the morning after taking breakfast you will take a short flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. On reaching Pokhara you can relax on your own walking around lake side or can ask your guide to arrange short sightseeing trip around Pokhara.
From Pokhara either you can take a short flight or take a private transportation to Kathmandu in accordance to the agreement we made before the start of trek.
Our office representative will be in your hotel 3 hour prior your flight time to drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport.
what's included?
- All Airport Transfers.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara with Bed and Breakfast.
- Tea House Accommodation during Trekking.
- 3 Meals in Trekking Breakfast Lunch & Dinner.
- Air and Road transportation as per the agreement made.
- All the necessary trekking staffs and porters for the trekking including 1 English speaking guide.
- All the paper works and documents required for the trekking including all the permits.
- Sleeping Bag.
- Salary, wages, food, accommodation and transportation of all the Nepalese staffs during trekking.
- Insurance of all the Nepalese staffs during trekking.
- First Aid Kit Bag(specially for Nepali staffs).
- All local taxes and fares.
What's not included?
- International Flight Fare.
- Visa fees.
- Travel Insurance (mandatory) of all the clients that needs to cover medical and Helicopter evacuation.
- Expenses of Personal nature (Laundry bill/Telephone bill/Equipment Charging Bill/Bar bill etc).
- Expenses incurred due to the unexpected situation (Strike/Natural calamities).
- Tip to trekking staffs.
- All Expenses not mentioned on Cost Includes section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Annapurna Kali Gandaki Valley Trekking
1. What is Annapurna Kali Gandaki Valley Trekking?
Annapurna Kali Gandaki valley trekking receives the name after the Annapurna Himalaya range and deep Kaligandaki valley that intersects Mount Dhaulagiri range(Dhaulagiri 8167 m) at a point.
2. How can I go to Kali Gandaki Valley trekking?
You can drive or take short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Next day drive to Birethanti from Pokhara and start trekking.
3. What is the landscape features of Kali Gandaki Valley trekking in general??
The trekking that starts from tropical region with dense forest, terraced crop fields end on the section of Trans Himalaya landscape.
4. Why Kali Gandaki Valley trekking is so popular?
The easy and short access, the magnificient view of Mount Annapurna(8091m) and Dhaulagiri(8167m). Moreover, traditional culture of ethnic group Thakali and Gurung, apple farm, deep Kali Gandaki valley are some reasons for the popularity.It is also the gateway to hidden kingdom of Mustang. Trans Himalaya landscape and weather has made this trekking popular and busy.
5. What kind of weather and temperature can I expect during trekking?
The weather and temperature is highly unpredictable on mountain but generally during March April May (spring)and September October November (autumn) you can expect clear and warm day while evening will be cloudy and cold. The temperature is freezing in morning and evening in upper trekking region with minimal rainfall and generally hard wind in the afternoon while lower region has tolerable cold.
6. What equipments do I need to trek to Kali Gandaki Valley Trek?
Good pair of trekking boots, thermal wear, fleece jacket, Down jacket, light weight wind cheater, trekking pants and shorts, long sleeve and short sleeves T-shirts, rug sack or duffel bag, personal day bag, gloves, enough pair of socks, sunglasses, headlight, woolen beanie caps, water bottle, personal toiletries , gadgets and books depending number of days.
7. I am amateur trekker in Nepal, is this trekking suitable for me?
Yes amateur trekker can trek to Kali Gandaki Valley trekking under our guidelines without any difficulties.
8. How flexible is Kali Gandaki Valley Trek itinerary?
The graveled road up to Upper Mustang has given a lot of option to choose numerous itineraries for this trekking.
9. What if I finish Kali Gandaki Valley trekking before schedule date?
We strongly advise you to follow the agreed final itinerary since we do not refund the trekking money, but somehow if you finish earlier we will always try our best to adjust the reservation of your accommodation and flight but cannot be guaranteed.
10. What permits and documents do I need to trek to Kali Gandaki Valley Trek?
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card is required to trek on this region.
11. What kind of food and Room can I expect during Kali Gandaki valley trekking?
Generally the food is fresh, tasty and can choose wide range of dishes from menu cooked by moderately professional cooks. You will get comfortable and clean common twin bed room throughout trekking.
12. What about drinking water during trekking?
Plastic water bottle are available in tea houses but it is highly recommended to avoid plastic bottles and use boil water instead, as well you may buy high grade water purification tablets on your home country or in Nepal.
13. What can I expect from Nepali staff?
Guide speaks good English so there will be no any problem for communication while porter might or might not speak English but you can always speak with your guide to know more about the porter. Nepalese trekking guide are friendly and responsible with good sense of humor so you can open up for any conversation you like.
14. Do I need to buy Medical and evacuation Insurance?
Yes,this is mandatory. You can purchase the insurance policy on your home country or we can assist you to buy the policy in Nepal.
15. Do I need special vaccination or Medical assessment before starting ABC trekking?
Generally any kind of vaccination is not required. But,if you have long term health problem and under regular surveillance of your doctor it is recommended to consult your doctor. Though we provide basic medicines to our Nepalese staff but for you we advise to bring the general medicine from your own country.
16. Is there risk of Acute Mountain sickness (AMS)??
There is minimal risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) during Kali Gandaki valley trekking however you always need to be alert.
17. What should I do if I get Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)??
We are always concerned with your safety. We suggest talking with your guide ASAP and descend to safe altitude. And if the situation doesn’t get any better we evacuate you immediately with helicopter.Hence, take you for further medical examination in designated hospitals or clinics.
18. What is the price of Kali Gandaki Valley trekking?
We have provided you various options on our website homepage to know approximate price regarding the trekking in Nepal; however there is always room to reach final agreement through private emails if there is any. We assure you there will be no any extra cost once we reach the final agreement.
You are always welcome to send us private messages for the information that you could not find in this section regarding Annapurna Kali Gandaki Valley Trekking. We will always provide the accurate information within 12 hours upon receiving your messages.
CANCELLATION
Free cancellation up to 60 days prior departure, after which the deposit becomes non-refundable.