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Kaligandaki Valley Trek

Duration: 14 Days

Trip Overview

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Max Elevation: 3800 meters
  • Best Season: Spring / Autumn
  • Total Duration: 14 Days
  • Trip Grade: easy

Kaligandaki Valley Tour is a great opportunity to explore all the foremost highlighted places of the Marpha, Jomsom, Kagbeni and Muktinath region. A wonderful landscape and the villages set up on the lap of the mountain is the alluring feature of this trail.

As the trail ascends we encounter the world's deepest gorge, where the dominant Kali Gandaki River has cut deep through the Himalaya between the massive peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. As we trek up the Kali Gandaki valley we pass through the Tukuche, Marpha, Ghasa, and Jomsom the village set up on its most cultural way.

The Thakalis, a traditional trader, have converted their charming and wonderfully spotless residence into trekkers' lodges and are well known as one of the most gracious and successful inn-keepers in Nepal.

Nepal’s religious mountain pilgrimage site The Muktinath Temple area is best known as the place of paradise for a large number of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visit this holy site.

The landscape, river valley, the apple farm and the traditional setup of the Thakali cultural village are the highlights of this trek.

Itinerary

  • Day-1 - Arrival to Kathmandu (1380mtrs)

    Upon your arrival in Kathmandu (TIA), our representative from Hillstrek Team will be there to pick you up. You will be transfer to hotel in half an hour drive with private vehicle. We discuss about our trip and you have time for refreshment. In the evening we are together again for welcome dinner in typical nepalese restaurant with cultural program.

  • Day-2 - Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu (1380mtrs)

    After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up for half day sightseeing in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa. You will have your lunch in the restaurant with the view of Stupa then you back to hotel. You will meet your trek leader and discuss about the trek and do last minutes arrangements.

  • Day-3 - Fly to Pokhara and trek to Ulleri(1900mtrs) 5-6hours

    You will meet your guide at Pohara airport, you will take a short rest at Pokhara and your guide brief about your trip. After rest, you will drive to Birethati from Pokhara city. a busy village of lodges, shops, and houses.

    You follow a trail along the upper edge of terraced fields through Hile to Tikhedhunga. Thereafter, you cross a stream beyond the village and then drop down to the suspension bridge over the Bhurungdi Khola. Then you climb a long, steep and seemingly endless stone staircase, which eventually leads you to the village of Ulleri. Ulleri is a beautiful village you will stay overnight here.

  • Day-4 - Trek to Ghorepani (2775mtrs)

    As you ascend along the path that leads to a forest, you will find Annapurna South, hidden by a ridge. Beyond Banthanti, there are magnificent forests of oak and rhododendron trees. After crossing several crystal-clear mountain streams, you arrive at the village of Nangethanti. Another few hours of trekking through the forest, you reach Ghorepani. Ghorepani literally means “horse water” and is a popular watering spot for mules, which supply this route from Pokhara to Jomsom and beyond.

  • Day-5 - Trek to Tatopani (1190mtrs)

    After breakfast, you descend to Tatopani through the rhododendron forest amidst the magnificent natural vistas. As you reach near Chitre, you get an awe-inspiring view of Dhaulagiri range. The path then leads through terraced fields to Sikha, a Magar village clustered on a ridge. You continue descending, gradually at first and then more steeply to cross the Ghar Khola. After a short climb, you cross the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and from thereon, it is only a short distance upstream to Tatopani.

  • Day-6 - Trek to Ghasa (2000mtrs)

    You have to follow the trail that ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, towards the village of Dana, which is surrounded by orange groves. En route, you come across local people selling baskets of oranges. Just beyond the small hamlet of Rupse, a thundering waterfall cascades down beside the trail. Thereafter, the trail enters the steepest and narrowest section of the gorge. You will find the layered stone path well-constructed and wide.

  • Day-7 - Trek to Kalapani (2560mtrs)

    After breakfast you trek from Ghasa towards Kalapani. Few hours of descents soon follow other rock-strewn ascents through forests of fir, cypress and juniper along the riverbank of Kali Gandaki. As soon as you reach Larjung, you cannot help but marvel at the architectural grandeur of this small town.In the next steep we will get Kalapani.

  • Day-8 - Trek to Jomsom (2713mtrs)

    You begin to trek along the trail that follows the wide valley of the Kali Gandaki, passing through Khobang and Tukuche. Yet again, you get to see narrow alleyways and houses built around enclosed courtyards as a protection against the unpredictable wind of the Kali Gandaki gorge. The trail further meanders through stonewalled orchards. Soon you will come across a stone gate that marks the entrance to Marpha. You can spot several white-walled houses. Marpha has well-maintained drainage system and is most popular for its local apple brandy. After a lunch in Marpha, you continue trekking towards Jomsom

  • Day-9 - Trek to Kagbani (2800mtrs)

    After breakfast you resume your trekking along the path up to the vast gravel riverbed of the Kali Gandaki. You come across a stream and verdant vegetation. On crossing a small ridge to Chhancha Lhumba at 2730 meters, The trail continue goes to kagbeni with offroad.

  • Day-10 - Trek to Muktinath(3800mtrs)

    Today we continue heading towards Muktinath. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri dominates the view as you ascend to Khingar (3200 meters). More meadows, streams and lush vegetation can be seen along the trail as it paves to Jharkot (3500 meters). You encounter the ruins of the Dzong and pristine villages of Purang and Changur. As you trek past mule stables and steep barren hillside, you enter Ranipauwa. Ranipauwa for years has remained an ideal resting point for pilgrims and travelers. On trekking further, you enter Muktinath. Temples and religious shrines are the major attractions of this holy place. Pilgrims flock to the Buddhist gompa and pagoda-style temple of Lord VishnuOvernight at Tea House in Muktinath.

  • Day-11 - Trek to Jomsom (2713mtrs)

    The day begins with the view of Dhaulagiri range and we trek down 1000 meters to the Eklebhatti. Heading away from Muktinath, you retrace your steps to Jomsom taking on the magnificent view of Nilgiri, instead you have to face the wind blowing from opposite direction.

  • Day-12 - Fly to Pokhara

    You board an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Receive at the airport in Pokhara and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Pokhara.

  • Day-13 - Drive to Kathmandu: 5-6 hours

    After breakfast, we say goodbye to the beautiful lake city of Pokhara and drive towards Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu we have the rest of the day off to rest or do some souvenir shopping. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening. 

  • Day-14 - Departure

    We will transfer you to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination. You must leave hotel 3 hours earlier than your scheduled flight time.

Cost Included/Cost Excluded

     Cost Included

  • Airport picks up and drops off by private transport.
  • Accommodation: bed and breakfast basis at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu. According to Itinerary
  • Kathmandu city tours, including all entry fees, tour guides, and private vehicle transfer.
  • Accommodation: bed and breakfast basis at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara. 
  • According to Itinerary
  • Surface transfer on private transport/ tourist bus.
  • Surface transfer to and from Nayapul by private vehicle
  • Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
  • Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge/tea house accommodation during the trek
  • An experienced English-speaking (trekking guide)
  • Porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
  • Salary, insurance, equipment, meals, and accommodation for the guide and porters.
  • A comprehensive first aid medical kit
  • All necessary paperwork and permits (ACAP and TIMS)
  • All government and local taxes.

     Cost Excluded

  • International flights and Nepal entry visa.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Foods, beverages and bar bills.
  • Dinner and lunch at Kathmandu and Pokhara except as in the itinerary.
  • All kinds of Personal equipment and expenses not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Emergency evacuation.
  • Gratitudes to the guide and porters.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 01: Arrival to Kathmandu (1380mtrs)
  • Day 02: Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu (1380mtrs)
  • Day 03: Fly to Pokhara and trek to Ulleri(1900mtrs) 5-6hours
  • Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani (2775mtrs)
  • Day 05: Trek to Tatopani (1190mtrs)
  • Day 06: Trek to Ghasa (2000mtrs)
  • Day 07: Trek to Kalapani (2560mtrs)
  • Day 08: Trek to Jomsom (2713mtrs)
  • Day 09: Trek to Kagbani (2800mtrs)
  • Day 10: Trek to Muktinath(3800mtrs)
  • Day 11: Trek to Jomsom (2713mtrs)
  • Day 12: Fly to Pokhara
  • Day 13: Drive to Kathmandu: 5-6 hours
  • Day 15: Departure transfer

Trip Highlights

  • The Tukuche, Ghasa, Marpha, Jomsom, Kagbeni and Muktinath region.
  • Thakali cultural village and Thakali culture.
  •  Terraced fields at Sikha, Ghara, and Chitrey a Magar village clustered on a hill ridge.
  •  The Rupse Waterfall and the Kaligandaki deep gorge.
  •  Forests of fir, cypress, and juniper along the riverbank of Kali Gandaki.
  • Shaligram the fossilized.
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