Trip Description: (March 17 - March 31, 1999) We'll trek the western Annapurnas of Nepal enjoying spectacular close-up views of the highest and most beautiful mountain range in the world. After spending a couple of days sightseeing in Kathmandu, while our agent obtains our trekking permits, we'll travel by private van through the deeply entrenched Trisuli River Valley to Pokhara, possibly catching glimpses of Himalchule and Manaslu along the way. A day's exploration in Pokhara will be followed by a short morning flight to Jomsom where we will begin our trek. Our highest destination, Muktinath at 13,000', is the location of a Buddhist gompa, an eternal flame, and the Vishnu Tempe of Jiwala Mayi making it a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. We will layover for a day at Muktinath so those who wish can attempt a climb to the top of the 17,000' pass called Thorung La. The journey back to Pokhara will follow the Tea House Route down the Kali Gandaki Valley through Jomsom, Marpha, Tukuche, Kalopani, Ghasa, Dana, and Tatopani. Whenever possible we will arrive at lodging mid-afternoon, which should leave adequate time for exploring the local villages. After enjoying the hot springs at Tatopani, we will continue to Ghorapani where there is always the possibility of a sunrise hike to Poon Hill for magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare, and the Annapurna Range. We'll then continue on to Birethanti eventually connecting with the Baglung road where we will catch taxis back to Pokhara. Our trip will end the next morning with an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. This trip is rated strenuous (S). Originates @ Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kali Gandaki Kids

Bihaya Baba

Trip Reports:

Annapurna Trek & Travel in Nepal: (March 8 - April 20, 1999)

Travel in Nepal: (March 2-10, 1998)

Supplemental Information:

We will rendezvous at a hotel in the Thamel district of Kathmandu. For convenience, we recommend that all participants stay at, or close by, this mid-priced hotel the evening prior to the trip. The trip organizers will be there a couple of days prior to the trip and will be available to assist in resolving any problems which may arise when trip participants arrive. Kathmandu is currently connected to the major airlines by Thai Airlines out of Bangkok, Aeroflot, and the Indian airlines out of Calcutta and Delhi. We highly recommend Thai Air, as the quality of their service exceeds that of many American carriers. Participants should schedule a day at each end of this trip to serve as a time buffer in the event of luggage or flight connection snafus.

Because of the Himalayan elevations, some moderate days of acclimatization in Kathmandu and Pokhara will be followed by ten strenuous backpacking days on the Teahouse Route from Jomsom to Pohkara. Our daily mileage will be 5-7 miles, but elevation changes of several thousand feet will occur on a couple of days. Uncontrollable factors such as weather, trail wash-outs, or other unexpected conditions could combine to make this trip very strenuous for short periods of time. Previous backpacking experience in mountainous terrain is absolutely necessary. Since we will be in a remote area in a foreign country, participants should be in excellent health and fit enough to hike to all of the scheduled attractions. This is a work and cost shared group activity. All participants will share equally in camp chores and camping meal preparation.

Those with more time may wish to link up with the organizers for a side-trip to Royal Chitwan National Park or a multi-day trip on one of the many high gradient class IV-V whitewater rivers.

Books about Nepalese culture and trekking the mountain routes are readily available. Some that we've found to be interesting and helpful are:

Updated on Thursday, December 8, 2006 @ 4:30 MST © 1995-2006 by Robert R. Marley