Day Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu!

Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.

Once you've settled in, head out and explore the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a great place to start your exploration, where you'll walk through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants. If you want to stretch your legs, Swayambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley.

In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.
Overnight: Kathmandu

Day Day 2: Explore Kathmandu

Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. It's a great time to walk and explore the streets or have a chai overlooking one of the local courtyards or durbar squares.

After breakfast, there are then a number of ways you can spend your day given the numerous famous sights around the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day or we can provide a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private jeep to take you around).

Later in the evening, head out for dinner at one of the city's great eateries, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals included: Breakfast

Day Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (2,362 feet / 720 m)

After breakfast, you'll drive west along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway towards the village of Soti Khola, turning off toward the hilltop village of Dhading. The drive passes through rural communities, small towns, green terraces, and lush hillsides. The road will eventually become a rutted, dirt path and you'll start to see views of the southern slopes of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal.

You'll arrive at Soti Khola, located in the Bhuri Gandaki Valley, in time for dinner.

Transport: Private 4x4 jeep
Driving time: 8-10 hours (88 miles / 141.3 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Overnight: Soti Khola
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 4: Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola (2,920 feet / 900 m)

After breakfast in Soti Khola, you'll begin this epic trek up and down through various landscapes including forests, rice paddies, a cliff-face ridge, a rushing river, and several beautiful waterfalls. The journey begins by crossing a bridge, before you trek through a forest, then climb onto a ridge above the wild rapids of Budhi Gandaki River (which is joined from the Tum Khola River in the Tibetan highlands).

You'll then reach Khursane on a rocky trail, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. You'll eventually descend past a few ride paddies, then continue up and around to the picturesque Gurung village of Labubesi.

From here, you'll further climb near a rocky outcrop where the valley opens up next to the river, which flows more peacefully here. Dropping down to the river shore, you'll walk along rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. Head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach the village of Machha Khola.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 8 miles (14 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Overnight: Machha Khola
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 5: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (4,626 feet / 1,410 m)

After breakfast in Machha Khola, you'll begin today's trek, which follows the gorge and continues up the river. The trail is narrow at first and gently heads up and down, eventually crossing the Tharo Khola to reach Khorlabesi. After more ascending and descending, you'll arrive at a small hot spring in Tatopani—a good place to take a break!

From here, you'll climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. You'll then climb up a staircase and head over a ridge to Dobhan. Upon crossing another suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, you'll climb a stone staircase and then drop to the river and climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Keep an eye out for neat Gurung villages in the jungle high above, as well as Langur monkeys, which roam the region.

Crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, you'll climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 13.7 miles (22 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Overnight: Jagat
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 6: Trek from Jagat to Philim (5,217 ft / 1,590 m)

After breakfast in Jagat, begin your trek with a walk along the river bed. You'll then a climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri with views of Sringi Himal before you descend to Sirdibas, where you'll see your first signs of Buddhist culture.

From here, continue making your way up the river on the left bank before crossing Nepal’s longest suspension bridge to get to the east bank. The day culminates with a steep climb up to Philim, a large Gurung village.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 3.5 miles (5.6 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 7: Trek from Philim to Chumling (7,743 feet / 2,360 m)

After breakfast in Philim, you'll traverse north of the village through a pretty forest with views of the narrowing valley. You'll then make your way high above a spectacular gorge, entering a largely uninhabited area of pine trees before you drop down.

From here, climb up on the exposed track through pines and rhododendrons, looking down on the other trail across the river. You'll work your way up on zigzag steps and get your first glimpses of the narrow lower Tsum Valley.

The trail continues through a temperate forest into Lokpa, surrounded by barley fields, where you'll stop for lunch. Descend through a beautiful forest as you cross bridges and climb steeply on exposed stairs. You'll start to traverse north through pines and rhododendrons while climbing up steep slopes with views of the Tsum Valley stretching ahead. Eventually, you'll descend to the river and then climb up again to Ripchet before crossing to Shiar Khola on a wooden bridge.

Trekking time: 7 hours
Trekking distance: 8.5 miles (13.6 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 8: Trek from Chumling to Chhokangparo (9,875 feet / 3,010 m)

After breakfast in Chumling, you'll head out for an easier trek then the day prior. First cross the suspension bridge just east of the village and continue through rich fields of maize and potato farms, as well as rustic Tibetan homes with barricades of firewood on the roof.

You'll continue trekking up the valley to Dumje and then to Ganesh Himal Base Camp. From here you can see spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and suspension bridges on the opposite bank. Stop for lunch at Rainjham, with an enclosed courtyard.

You'll then cross the Serpu Khola and climb on an exposed track to upper Tsum and the large village of Chhekangpar. The valley opens into spacious fields and leads to Chhokanparo for the night — a village situated on flat land and made up of two settlements: Chhekam and Paro.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 5.5 miles (8.9 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 9: Trek from Chhokangparo to Nile (11,027 feet / 3,361 m)

From Chhokangparo, you'll continue northeast as you make our way to Nile. But first, take time to explore the joined villages of Chhekang and Par and climb north to a retreat where Lama Kongchog died after 26 years of meditation. In fact, there is plenty of culture on this route including Buddhist murals, sacred caves, stupas, and even a nunnery.

Watch out for signs of altitude sickness and stop for a rest of feeling tired. You'll eventually reach the larger village of Chhule (3347m) through an impressive entrance gate. The children here all wear the Tibetan dressing gown called chubas and there is no shortage of yaks. From here, you'll head upstream past Shiar Khola to cross the bridge to climb up to Nile.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 5.5 miles (8.9 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 10: Trek from Nile to Chhokangparo (10,027 feet / 3,361 m) via Mu Gompa

After breakfast in Nile, you'll leave your pack behind and get an early start up the valley as you make your way to Tsum’s highest and last permanent settlement. The climb up to Mu Gompa is through Tibetan countryside, with rows of chortens and widening mountain vistas, until you reach this large monastery with over 100 monks. (If time permits you can also visit Dhephyudoma Gompa further west on an obvious track.)

You'll notice that from up here you'll have views of the border with Tibet with frequently used passes to the east and west. There are seasonal yak pastures and high peaks in all directions, as well as the Lungdang Glacier.

Return down the valley through Chhule and have lunch back in Nile. From here, you'll collect your pack and head downhill as far as Phurbe and then walk across flat boulder-covered plains to Rachen Gompa. Visit the intimate original monastery, with old murals depicting the history of Buddhism. Residential cells for the nuns are set within the walls.

When you're done visiting, continue walking south until a bridge crosses to the west bank, then descend again to Chhokangparo.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours (12 miles / 20 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 11: Trek from Chhokangparo to Gumba Lungdang (10,499 feet / 3200 m)

After breakfast in Chhokangparo, you'll head down below the village on the previous trail for about two hours until a small gompa is reached at Gho. Descend on a narrow trail to the left through the village and drop to a wooden bridge over the Shiar Khola. This is a good place to wash some clothes (and yourself!) after the lack of water further up the Tsum Valley.

From here, you'll cross the bridge to Dhumje, which has a Tibetan herbal medicine clinic and school. The track onwards climbs just behind the clinic. Work your way up this steep and indistinct track through pines and rhododendrons until the track starts traversing at a mani wall with prayer flags.

Take an uphill trail through more pines and make a steep zigzag climb to reach a beautiful and large monastery perched on a ridge for monks (all females) called Gumba Lungdang. Take note of the small cells that act as housing through the beautiful rhododendrons above (men are not permitted in some areas of this monastery). Expect a warm welcome and attend their evening puja.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 5.5 miles (8.9 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 12: Trek from Gumba Lungdang to Lokpa (7,349 feet / 2,240 m)

Enjoy another great sunrise and breakfast from Gumba Lundang before you descend on the trail. When you get to Dumje, you'll cross the Laudang Khola and stay on the south bank of the Shiar Khola.

Climb over some very deep gorges and cantilever bridges until you get to picturesque Ripchet. Take time to look around at this fertile valley full of barley and buckwheat fields backed by pine forest.

Head downhill along steep stairs to the lone bhatti on the river, which you passed through earlier on the trip. Stop for lunch and then climb again through the pristine temperature forest to get to Lokpa for your overnight.

Trekking time: 7-8 hours
Trekking distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 13: Trek from Lokpa to Ghap (7,087 feet / 2,160 m)

After breakfast in Lokpa, you'll start another big day. First, head downhill from Lokpa until Philim comes into view from the left. From here, you'll turn right and cross the Buri Gandaki on a solid bridge and traverse to a welcome bhatti just around the corner for tea and one last view of the Tsum Valley.

Then, enter a narrow gorge with loose tracks as you head up and down several times. Cross to the east bank and then back again to the west bank on a sloping suspension bridge. Enter Nupri (the western mountains) through bamboo forests to Deng, inhabited by Gurungs who practice Buddhism.

Just beyond Deng, you'll recross to the east bank and climb to Rana and start uphill to a campsite at Bihi Phedi. Your trail continues in and out of canyons, crosses the Serang Khola coming from the north, and climbs steeply again before finally circling into Ghap.

Trekking time: 7-8 hours
Trekking distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 14: Trek from Ghap to Lho (10,433 feet / 3,180 m)

After breakfast in Ghap, you'll follow the trail upstream along the river through a dense forest with a few houses and even an animal shelter. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where the view turns toward a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense.

You'll make one last steep climb to reach Namrug and then climb steadily in the shade of a forest as it takes you to Lihi, a village with barley fields. Take a break here and enjoy the views of Ganesh Himal behind you.

The trail then drops down and crosses the valley of Simnang Himal. (Look for the stupa with detailed paintings.) You'll reach Sho, another nice village with fine views up the open valley. Make one final steep climb along a slope and you'll reach several houses lined up on a ridge at Lho.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 9.5 miles (15.2 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 15: Trek from Lho to Samagaon (11,745 feet / 3,580 m)

After breakfast in Lho, the trail continues over the Damonan Khola where you'll follow a small tributary and walk in a shady pine forest. This pleasant walk leads to a short climb to a plateau village where you can gaze upon big snow-capped mountains all around you: Himal Chuli and Peak 29 to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, and Ganesh Himal at the far end of the valley.

You'll come across a large stupa and then get to a valley where stands the well-known monastery of Kargu Choling Monastery in Samagaun.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Trekking distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Overnight: Samagaon
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 16: Acclimatization day in Samagaon (Optional Day Hike)

Today is an acclimatization day, so sleep in and relax. Enjoy a refreshing breakfast and then spend the day at Samagaon getting some rest.

For those who want to explore, there's an optional day hike that explores some rich Sherpa culture. You can enjoy the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts, as well as photos of Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. If you hike up to a little hill near the Sama village, you'll find an old gompa—Pungyen Gompa—a monastery with great views of the glacier.
Overnight: Samagaon
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 17: Trek from Samagaon to Samdo (12,713 feet / 3,875 m)

After breakfast in Samagaon, you'll descend to the Budhi Gandaki River and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. You'll pass several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. The mountain views along this route are amazing and get you close to the Tibetan border.

This is an easy trek on a shelf above the river that passes juniper and birch forests in Kermo Kharka. Drop down and cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, and then climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. You'll come to a stone archway and continue walking until you find the village of Samdo.

Trekking time: 4 hours
Trekking distance: 10.1 miles (16.4 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Overnight: Samdo
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 18: Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala (14,633 feet / 4,460 m)

After breakfast in Samdo, you'll pass a seasonal Tibetan market called Larke Bazaar and descend to the Budi Gandaki River. Cross the wooden bridge and begin walking upward, crossing two streams while witnessing the Larkya Glacier. You'll head around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to Dharamsala, also known as Larke Phedi. Along the route, you'll see many traditional monasteries.

Today's shorter hike leaves time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Trekking distance: 7.2 miles (11.7 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Overnight: Dharamsala
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 19: Trek from Dharamsala to Bimthang (11,778 feet / 3590 m) via Larkya La Pass (5,160 m)

Today you'll set out on a longer hike so eat a hearty breakfast in Dharamsala. Thought it's a more challenging trail, you'll encounter a number of rustic villages, clear glacier lakes, beautiful valleys, and a wide range of flora and fauna, not to mention some notable snowcapped peaks.

After a short climb, you'll reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier from where you can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. You'll walk across moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent, which becomes steeper in the last section of the pass. From here, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the massive Annapurna II. You'll finish with a rewarding walk into misty low pastures in the early evening with Mount Manaslu looming in the distance.

Trekking time: 7-9 hours
Trekking distance: 15.3 miles (24.7 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Overnight: Bimthang
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 20: Trek from Bimtang to Dharapani (1860 m)

Bimtang is frigid in the morning, so getting up for a cup of warming tea is a good idea! To get warm, we move down the valley into the sun, through forested hillsides to Tilje, at the end of our lost world. Here the inhabitants are a mix of Manangis (of Tibetan descent) and Chettris (Hindus), so they eat a mix of dal bhat, buckwheat dhido, tsampa and Tibetan tea.

The gorge ahead marks the land of apple pie, cold beers, and hot showers - the Annapurna Circuit trail and almost the end of our trail. We continue through the bamboo forest and the last stop of our trek, Dharapani.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse
Overnight: Dharapani
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Day 21: Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu

In the morning, you'll say goodbye to the crew and pack up the jeep for the drive back to Kathmandu, stopping for lunch in Kurintar. Expect to be back in Kathmandu by mid-afternoon.

In Kathmandu, you'll be dropped off at your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon free. Explore the city's streets by foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or visiting sites you missed at the beginning of your trip.

Driving time: 6-7 hours (126 miles / 202 km)
Accommodation: Hotel
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 22: Depart Kathmandu

It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.
Meals included: Breakfast