Nepal: Annapurna circuit and ascent of Pisang Peak

Departure from Italy with scheduled flight.

Arrival in Kathmandu, meeting with our Nepalese partner, and transfer to the hotel.

Free day of visiting the city.

Early morning departure by private bus and transfer Kathmandu-Besisahar and then Bhulbule. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast. Trek Bhulbule - Jagat. The trail runs along the valley carved by the Marsyangdicon River up and down, through the terraced rice fields and the sub-tropical forest, and then enters the Annapurna Conservation Area. Along the way, there are several Gurung villages (the predominant ethnic group of the area), while the view sweeps over the surrounding mountains, including Manaslu and Ngadi Chuli. Approaching the Jagat trail it has been carved into the rock but remains wide and very safe. I arrive at the village, inhabited - as for most of the villages in the area - by people of Tibetan origin. In fact, Jagat means "toll station", and in the past, it was a tax collection point for the trade of salt from Tibet that went down the Marsyangdi valley. Overnight at the lodge.

Trek Jagat-Dharapani. Continue descending towards the river bed, which you cross at Chamje. You then go up, first gently, then steeper, through fields of rice, rhododendrons, and bamboo while the river disappears under huge boulders. The arrival in Tal marks the entrance to the Manang district; here the valley opens into a large plateau that hosts fields of corn, barley, and potatoes. The path continues: cross the Marsyangdi again until you reach Dharapani. All the villages from here to Kagbeni have entry and exit chortens and the Tibetan influence is becoming more and more evident. Overnight at the lodge.

Breakfast. Trek Dharapani-Chame. The walk continues and crosses Bargarchhap, the first village of the trek that presents the typical Tibetan architecture. The village was semi-destroyed in 1995 by a large avalanche, caused by exceptional snowfalls, the same that caused the notorious avalanches in eastern Nepal and which caused a large number of victims. Continue through pine and fir forests to the junction that divides the path in two. The normal itinerary follows the low path on the river. We cross the village of Khoto, which gives access to the Nar Phuu valley, remote and protected by controlled access. Chame is the administrative center of the Manang District. Overnight at the lodge.

Trek Chame-Pisang. The path continues for a while, almost flat and relaxing, in the forest. You then reach the impressive Paungda Danda, a huge rocky massif that rises over 1500 meters from the river. From here you can also admire Annapurna II and Pisang Peak. With a final flat part, you reach Pisang. Overnight at the lodge.

A day off for acclimatization.

Trek Pisang-base camp. We reach the base camp for the ascent of Pisang Peak.

After breakfast, go up to the upper camp.

Climb to the top.

See above.

Trek Pisang-Manang Base Camp. The region is now much more arid; the Annapurna massif acts as an "umbrella" protecting the territory to the north from the massive monsoon rainfall that characterizes the areas to the south. The path now climbs for a long time on a vegetated ridge; from its summit, there is an excellent view of the Annapurna valley of Manang and of Tlicho Peak (7,134 m.). We continue with a varied course, in an arid landscape, characterized by large walls of yellow rock, eroded into pinnacles near the path and by the enormous bulk of the Annapurna to the south. Manang is located on a plateau and there are all kinds of shops, as well as a presidium of the Himalayan Rescue Association. Overnight at the lodge.

Day of rest or acclimatization with excursions in the surroundings, of various levels. It is possible to climb the ridge north of the village to enjoy an excellent view of Annapurna IV, II, and Tarke Kang; or you can reach the glacial lake that originates from the Gangapurna glacier. Overnight in the Lodge.

The path climbs up the valley through sparse juniper and wild rose forests; it is this terrain for the yaks that graze numerous. Finally, we arrive at Thorung Phedi, a mountain pasture among the rocks. Overnight in the Lodge.

Long day with crossing the pass. The path immediately climbs with decision on moraines and ridges, often with a steep but well-marked course. The passage is marked by a traditional chorten and prayer flags; the view is breathtaking: the entire Annapurna chain, Gangapurna, and endless other peaks above 6,500 meters. The descent is long and steep and offers a great view of Dhaulagiri rising in isolation across the Kali Gandaki valley. Arrival in Muktinath with a quiet path. Overnight in the Lodge.

The last stage descends the valley along an easy path. Jomsom does not offer particular attractions, but it is the administrative center of Kali Gandaki and, as such, offers all kinds of restaurants, lodges, and shops, as well as the airport that connects it with Pokhara. Overnight at the lodge.

Early morning flight to Pokhara. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Free day for free visit of the city. Pokhara, despite being a center of great tourist attraction, and therefore rather crowded in season, retains great charm, given both by the magnificent lake it overlooks, the Phewa Tal, and by the position at the foot of the most beautiful Himalayan massifs in all of Nepal. Overnight at the hotel.

Pokhara-Kathmandu flight in the early morning. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free day for free visit of the surroundings of Kathmandu (Bakhtapur and Patan). Overnight at the hotel.

Depending on the flight, morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and boarding the flight to Italy.

Arrival in Italy.