Trek along the Kali Gandaki to Muktinath on the border of Mustang - 10 days
The trek takes you along the Kali Gandaki to Muktinath on the border of Mustang, which is popularly known as the Himalayan Shangri-la.

As you hike through the Kali Gandaki Valley, passing through the deepest gorge in the world; the trek finally emerges into the wide valley of Jomsom, a Himalayan Shangri-la. Beginning the trek from Nayapul after a short drive of about 45 minutes from Pokhara, the trail passes over the Ghorepani pass and descends down to Kali Gandaki valley. The views from the first rays of the sun at the break of dawn grace the pinnacles of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from Ghorepani, creating a landscape that is absolutely magnificent to behold. Along the route, fascinating traditional villages of Gurung, Magar & Thakali will keep you enthralled day after day as you hike along the way. Once you reach Jomsom you can either trek to the famous Muktinath temple [Temple of Lord Vishnu] at 3710 meter or explore the fascinating villages around Jomsom. This is a wonderful trek that stirs the emotions.
This is an easy trek that can be done any time of the year except during the monsoons [July & August].

An Outline of Your Itinerary:

Day 01: Drive Kathmandu – Pokhara {914m}
Day 02: Fly Pokhara – Jomsom {2713m}
Day 03: Trek Kagbeni – Muktinath – {3795m}
Day 04: Trek Muktinath – Marpha {2667m}
Day 05: Trek Marpha – Ghasa {2013m}
Day 06: Trek Ghasa – Tatopani {1189m}
Day 07: Trek Tatopani – Ghorepani {2853m}
Day 08: Trek Ghorapani – Poonhill {3180m}
Day 09: Trek Tadapani – Ghandruk {2675m}
Day 10: Trek Ghandruk – Pothana {1990m}
Day 11: Trek Pothana – Dhampus Phedi {1113m}
Day 12: Drive Pokhara – Kathmandu

Your Detailed Itinerary: - Click Here

Day 1 Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about six hours.
You follow the Marshyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty. You can also fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes about 25 minutes. Overnight in the city of lakes.

Day 2 Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2713 m.) and trek Jomsom to Kagbeni (2895 m.) for about three hours.
Your day starts with an early morning transfer to airport & flight to Jomsom. This is one of the world's most exciting flights to view the mountains real close-up through the windows of your plane. You will be within almost touching distance of the fantastic peaks of Annapurna One 8091 meters, Dhaulagiri 8167 meters, fishtail 6997 meter and other numerous peaks. You begin yor trek to Kagbeni by hiking along the banks of Kali Gandaki River. En-route, you pass through an arid part of the Kali Gandaki River.

Day 3 Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath (3795 m.) takes about four hours.
The Trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred meters. While gradually walking you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, caves, old Tibetan Style villages, apple gardens, yaks herds, sheep herds and so on. You can look at Thorong La valley straight up to Muktinath. You can enjoy delicious lunch at Jharkot and visit a Monastery believed to be built in the 15 century. Now you head towards Muktinath following steep ascent path for half an hour. You stay overnight at Muktinath village. From here you hike to Rani Pauwa (3700m.), an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here you come across Natural flaming which really exhilarates you. At this point, you can see splendid view of Dhaulagiri (8165m), Nilgiri (7061m.) and others. Now you walk for fifteen minutes to reach Muktinath Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath of from the 108 taps. The people of Kagbeni, Jharkot and Muktinath follow the same life style, culture, religion and ideas of Tibetan people. Overnight lodge.

Day 4 Trek Muktinath to Marpha (2667m.) takes approximately six hours.
You now begin the descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, you follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom which is sprawled along both banks of the Kali Gandaki .From here there are fine views of the Nilgiri peaks. You continue down to Marpha, a delightful Thakali village, complete with a drainage system beneath the flagstone streets. Its narrow alleys and passageways provide welcome shelter from the strong winds of the Kali Gandaki Gorge and Marpha is particularly well known for its apples, apple cider and apple, apricot and peach rakshi {locally prepared brew}. 

Day 5 Trek from Marpha to Ghasa (2013m.) takes about six hours. Your trail descends steeply through forests to Ghasa, the last Thakali village and the southern-most limit of Tibetan Buddhism. The beginning part of the trail is stretched at almost flat level up to Kalopani and then your trail begins descending steeply to Ghasa. The first part of the trek passes through a windy area covered with pine and rhododendron forests and birches are seen. It’s a beautiful walk through these forests. The surrounding area of Ghasa is a famous destination for bird watching and wild Marijuana. Here, you are amazed with the panoramic views of Mount Nilgiri North (7061m.), Nilgiri Central (6940m.), and Nilgiri South (6839m.), Annapurna I (8091m.), Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) and Tukuche peak (6920m.) overnight at a lodge in Ghasa.

Day 6 Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1189 m.) takes about five hours. The trail descends steeply up to Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall) which is amazing to look at. Situated here is the deepest gorge in the world between two mountains Annapurna I (8091m.) and Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) facing each other near the Rukse Waterfall which is close by. Now the trail ascends slightly to Tatopani through different human settlements. You can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani as the word Tatopani is termed after the natural hot spring situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki River. It is popularly believed that taking a bath in the Hot Spring helps you to get rid of skin diseases.

Day 7: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2853 m.) for about seven hours. Your trail passes through flat level of the land at some distance. Then the trail begins ascending steeply for at least one hour. Now path goes up through different villages inhabited by the people of different caste and agricultural land. The majority of the people here serve the Gorkha Regiment and Indian Regiment as well. While trekking you cross through the Kali Gandaki River with panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. The trail ascends gently all the way to Ghorepani passing through small villages like Phalate, Chitre and so on. While trekking you pass through rhododendron forests and come across the wildlife such as monkeys and birds of various species. You are accompanied by more panoramic views of different mountains. Ghorepani (Watering for Horses) are a small pass in the village of Deurali. Although there is time enough to continue, it is better to stay here overnight so that we can make the morning trip to Poon Hill (3180m.) for an outstanding panorama of Dhaulagiri I,II,III, Iv, Tukuche peak, Dhampus peak, Nilgiri ranges, Annapurna I, Bahra Sikhar (Twelve peaks or renowned as French Fang),Annapurna South, Himchuli, Fishtail and Mardi Himal. The view you can see from here is probably the best view in the world. Not only this, Poon Hill is always crowded by different visitors to enjoy the sunrise and sunset views over the snow-capped mountain. This is a great viewpoint where every body likes to be at. Overnight at your lodge.

Day 8 Trek from Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3180m.) to Tadapani (2675m.) takes about five and half hours. Take an early morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhre (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast, trek Ghorepani to Tadapani (2650 m.) through the deep forests of rhododendrons, bamboos and oaks. En- route, you frequently see waterfalls, rocks, wild animals, local birds and green scenarios. Tadapani is a small village surrounded by beautiful forests which grants you a magnificent view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail, and Annapurna II.

Day 09 Trek from Tadapani (2675m.) to Ghandruk (1950m.) takes about three hours. It is a very easy trek by descending gently all the way through rhododendron, oak and other kinds of dense forests. You could hear the sweet chatter of different kinds of birds chirping on the way. This is one of the popular destinations for the birds' lovers. Ghandruk is a big Gurung village. There is a handicraft centre and Gurung museum. From this village you could see good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m.), Annapurna III (7755m.) and Fishtail. Overnight lodge.

Day 10 Trek from Ghandruk (1950m.) to Pothana (1990m.) takes about six hours. First part of your trek goes steeply down following a stone staircase to Kimbu (Bee hive). Kimbu or Bee hive is located at an elevation of 1200 meters on the banks of Modi Khola. From here, your trail steeply ascends following the stone staircase up to Landruk. The trail ascends gently for early two hours and again ascends steeply for an hour to Deurali (2150m.) passing through Tolkha village (1850m.). From this point you can get panoramic views of Dhaulagiri I (8167m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Hiunchuli (6441m.), Fishtail (6997m.), Annapurna III (7755m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.) and Lamjung Himal (6930m.). Now, the rest of the trail descends gently down to Dhampus passing through Pothana village (1900m.).

T Day 11 rek from Pothana to Dhampus Phedi (1113m.) this takes about four hours. Your trail descends gradually for at least an hour and follows a gravel road for two hours and then steeply descends to Phedi passing through Dhampus village, paddy fields and forests protected by the local community. Upon your arrival at Dhampus Phedi, you could take a vehicle to reach Pokhara.

Day 12 Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by a tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Mugling and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach the Manakamana Temple {temple of wishes}. En-route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and you will see the local village folk happily engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe, you climb up to Thankot, gateway to the capital city of Nepal. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.

Should you like to go in for any extra ventures, we have a whole host of options to further make your holidays a memory of a lifetime. Please contact the following address: adk_dipu@yahoo.com

Cost Includes & Excludes on:

• Annapurna conservation area permits,
• Trekking Map of Annapurna region
• Full Board Plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, accommodation, tea or coffee) during trek,
• Join Nepali Cultural Program with dinner,
• Hotel in Kathmandu as your requirements,.
• Hotel in Pokhara on BB plan,
• An experienced licensed holder Guide and required porters
• Food, drinks, salary, insurance, equipment, transportation, accommodation, and local tax for guide and porters,
• Transpotation by bus, car or by flight,
• Medical kit box
• TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management Systems)
• Trekking Equipments
• All government tax
• All guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and entry fees
• All necessary transportation while sightseeing
• Airport pick up and drop with an escort

Cost Exclude on:

• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and pokhara
• Your travel insurance
• International flight and departure tax
• Any expense of personal nature
• Nepal entry visa fee US 30 (duration 60 days from date of issue)
• Any kinds of Bar bills