Nepal, Annapurna circuit

Departure from Italy with scheduled flight.

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and free dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Free visit of the city.

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

The path develops along the valley excavated by the Marsyangdi river up and down, through the terraced rice fields and sub-tropical forest, and then enters the territory of the Annapurna Conservation Area. Along the way, several Gurung villages (the prevailing ethnicity of the area) cross, while the view sweeps over the surrounding mountains, including Manaslu and Ngadi Chuli. Arrival in the village of Ngadi, very pleasant and surrounded by rice fields. Overnight stay in the lodge. Approaching Jagat path has been dug out of the rock, but remains wide and secure. Arrival at the village, inhabited - as for most of the villages in the area - by a population of Tibetan origin. Jagat in fact means "customs station", and in the past, it was a place for collecting taxes for the salt trade from Tibet that descended along the Marsyangdi valley. Overnight stay at the lodge.

Continue down towards the river bed, which you cross at Chamje. You then go up - first gently, then steeper - through rice fields, 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 houses fields of corn, barley, and potatoes. The path continues until it crosses the Marsyangdi again and reaches Dharapani. All the villages from here to Kagbeni have entry and exit chortens, and Tibetan influence is becoming increasingly evident. Overnight stay at the lodge.

Breakfast. The path continues and passes through Bargarchhap, the first village of the trek which has the typical Tibetan architecture. The village was semi-destroyed in 1995 by a large avalanche, caused by exceptional snowfall, 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 crossroads that divide the path in two. The normal route follows the low path on the river. You 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 stay at the lodge.

Breakfast. 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 last flat part, we reach Pisang. Overnight stay at the lodge.

The region is now much more arid; the Annapurna massif acts as an "umbrella" protecting the area 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 top, you have an excellent view of the Manang valley of Annapurna and Tlicho Peak (7134 m.). You continue with a varied trend, in an arid landscape, characterized by large walls of yellow rock, eroded in pinnacles near the path and by the enormous mass of Annapurna to the south. Manang is placed in a plateau and there is every kind of shop, as well as a garrison of the Himalayan Rescue Association. Overnight stay 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 stay at the lodge.

The path climbs the valley through sparse juniper and wild rose forests; it is this ground for the numerous grazing yaks. Finally, you arrive at Thorung Phedi, a pasture among the rocks. Overnight stay at the lodge.

Long day with crossing the pass. The path immediately climbs decisively on moraines and ridges, often with a steep but well-marked course. The pace is marked by a traditional chorten and prayer flags; the view is breathtaking: the entire Annapurna chain, Gangapurna, and endless other peaks above 6500 meters. The descent is long and steep and offers excellent views of the Dhaulagiri which stands isolated through the valley of the Kali Gandaki. Arriving in Muktinath I allowed quiet. Overnight stay at 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, in addition to the airport that connects it with Pokhara. Overnight stay at the lodge.

Early morning flight to Pokhara. Arrival and accommodation in the hotel. Free day for free visit of the city. Pokhara, despite being a center of great tourist attraction, and therefore in the rather crowded 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 stay at the hotel.

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

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

Arrival in Italy.