19 DAYS MANANG

TREK # 12
19 DAYS MANANG, THORUNG - LA (ROUND ANNAPURNA TREK)

DAY 01 :
After a long drive from Kathmandu, following wild hairpin ends, we arrive at small village of Dumre ( 585m). We then drive through garble road covering around 30 Kms slowly gaining elevation, getting good views of Boudha Himal (6736m) and Himal chuli (7968m) and at Besisahar (823m ) our first night halt.

DAY 02:
We cross a long suspension bridge and enter the largest trading village of Khudi (792m ) inhabited by the Gurungs.

DAY 03 :
The trail continues northwards up the valley, crossing several suspension bridges and passing several beautiful waterfalls. Above us tower the peaks of Lamjung (6859m ). The village Bahundanda (1230m) supports the last shops of any size before Jomsom.

DAY 04 :
Today, we descend to the Marshyangdi to access the river level before deciding our route. It water level is low, we can cross on a makeshift bridge to the east bank. If not, we continue on the west bank climbing high over a ridge, to rejoin the east bank trail over a suspension bridge at Sange. We then climb high again, through rhododendron and pine forest. The valley is now very deep and steep gorge. We camp at Chame (2713m).

DAY 05 :
We climb steadily all day long Tal, a small village at the foot of a large waterfall. We are now entering the Manang district. After leaving Tal, we cross a large bridge to the village of Dharapani (1943m) where our trekking permits are checked, and we enjoy a cup of tea. We then climb through forest to Bagarchap (2164m) the first village on the trek with typical Tibetan architecture.

DAY 06 :
The trail is now bearing west, Manaslu forming a splendid backdrop and Annapurna II (7937m ) appearing occasionally to the south. We continue through forests of pine and fir, resting at the hamlets or Charku, Thangje and Kuparkot. As we continue on the trail, views of the Annapurna improve dramatically.

DAY 07 :
We continue crossing the river all day, passing through the narrow and steep sided gorge nearing the village of Pisang (3183m). We top a ridge to get our first views of the Manang valley, a wide N - shaped valley hanging between two lines of snow peaks.

DAY 08 :
Descending to the broad forested valley floor, we follow the trail through the flat valley, past a small STOL airstrip, under construction, cross the river once again to Braga (3472m). This is a village of about 290 houses stacked on top of each other, flat roofs forming verandahs.

DAY 09 :
We spend the morning visiting Braga Monastery. The largest in the district, it has an outstanding display of statues, thanka paintings and manuscripts. From here it is a short walk to Manang ( 3351m).

DAY 10:
Rest and acclimatization day at Manang and today we spend the whole day exploring Manang. The village consists of about 500 flat roofed houses and is picturesquely set amongst spectacular scenery : Annapurna II, Annapurna III, (7855m), Gangapurna (7485m) to the south : Tilicho (7134m) and the Grand Barrier, to the west ; Chulu west (6420m) and Chulu East (6558m ) to north.

DAY 11 :
We branch away from the Marshyangdi river steadily climbing in to district alpine areas. keep your eyes open for Thar and Ghoral mountain sheep. Crossing the Jarsang river, we climb to a small grassy valley and overnight halt at (4442m ).

DAY 12 :
Though the crossing of the pass is not technically difficult, we take it slowly to take into account the complications ofn altitude and possible snow. After about 4 hours, we reach the top (5416m) and enjoy some absolutely stunning high Himalaya scenery. The entire Annapurna range in the south, the Mukut and Mustang Himal to the west, and the incredibly deep Kali Gandaki valley and the peaks of Throungtse(6542m) and Chulu to the north. The descend is steep and rough but we soon have excellent views of Dhaulagiri(8167m).


DAY 13 :
Rest day at Muktinath (3798m). Muktinath is an important pilgrimage spot for both Hindus and Buddhist Gompa and pagoda style temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The most interesting aspect of the area, however, is the spot where burning of natural gas issued from the rock from the same place as a small spring. Earth, fire and water-an important religious combination.

DAY 14 :
The trail descends very quickly to the valley floor over 1538m below. The descend is through a dramatic arid landscape and continues like that to Jomsom (2713m). After the last few days, Jomsom seems almost busy, in fact it is a major village on the Kali Gandaki trading route.

DAY 15 :
We pass through Marpha and Tukche, beautiful Thakali villages and overnight halt at Larjung. The Thakalis are the dominant tribe of the valley, related to the Gurung and Magars of the Southern slopes.

DAY 16 :
As we pass between the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, a dramatic change in the vegetation occurs today-from dry desert to pine and conifer forests. Passing through Kalapani and here, the views of Annapurnas are breathtaking. Overnight halt near a spectacular waterfall at Rukse.

DAY 17 :
The trail descends steadily to Tatopani (1189m) where we stop for lunch. Tatopani means "Hot water" and it is possible to bathe in the springs. We then cross the Kali Gandaki and then climb to the Magar village of Sikha for overnight halt.

DAY 18 :
As we climb steadily all day, we leave behind the terraced fields and enter into thick rhododendron forest and village of Ghorepani. We camp at the Pass where we can get the best views of sunset and dawn of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.

DAY 19 :
Today's descend is almost as tiring as the day from Muktinath. However, mule trains laden with goods keep us entertained. We cross Tirkhedhunga and Birethanti village and arrive Nayapul late in the evening and drive back to Pokhara.