Walking track around Annapurna. Trek around Annapurna - insights, impressions and practical recommendations

Travel plan

ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU
Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal! You will be met at Tribhuvan Airport and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Participants arrive during the day. Meeting with the guide and with the group. The guide helps to exchange money for local rupees, checks the equipment, helps to buy the missing ones. If after organizational issues there is free time, you can walk around Kathmandu and go to local temples. Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath or Boudhanath Stupa. Swayambhunath is a small town of Buddhist temples, monasteries and Hindu religious buildings. From the top of the hill where Swayambhunath is located, a magnificent panorama of the Kathmandu Valley opens - a colorful green basin surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. Bowdhanath is a huge stupa where you can climb the steps and touch the eyes of the Buddha.
Overnight at a 3* hotel.

FROM KATHMANDU TO CHAMJA (1430 m)
Early morning departure by minibus to Besisahara (8 hours). On a winding serpentine you have to drive through many small villages. Having reached the village of Besishar, the guide marks the permits on the check post. Then we go by jeep to the place where the track starts - Chamdzhe.

TREK FROM CHAMJE TO DARAPANI (1920 m)
Wake up at 6:30 - 7:00 am.
We pass to the other side of the river on a suspension bridge. The mountain trail rises to the Tal valley, constantly following the course of the Marshangdi River. On the ascent to Tal there is a tea house where you can relax and drink tea. Tal is a very picturesque village, with beautiful houses, all in flowers and green gardens. The place of today's overnight stay is Darapani, a typical Tibetan village (1920 m).
4.5-5 hours on the way.
We stay overnight at the guesthouse.

TREK FROM DARAPANI TO CHAME (2700 m)
Wake up at 6:30 - 7:00 am. Today our goal is Chame village (2700 m).
Today we have to go through a dense forest of bamboo and rhododendron, and enter the Manang area.
On the way, you can turn to the village of Odar. The trail there was laid recently. We pass through small villages, which have recently begun to be visited by tourists. Before Timang, we also turn off the main path and pass through a humid, shady forest, at the end of which we cross a suspension bridge and get to Timang. If the weather is good, there will be an opportunity to see Manaslu today. The end point is Chame, the center of the Manang district.
6 hours on the way.
Overnight at the guesthouse.

TREK FROM CHAME TO UPPER PISANG (3300 m)
The beginning of the journey along the road, then villages with large apple orchards and apple processing factories begin. Then, after the bridge, a small steep section in dense forest.
The road is surrounded by Himalayan peaks all the way to Pisang. Annapurna II rises majestically above Pisang itself (7937 m). In Upper Pisang in the evening you can go to a Buddhist temple. After receiving the permission of the monks, you can stay there for the duration of the service.
5 hours on the way.
We stay overnight in a guesthouse.

TREK FROM PISANG TO MANANG (3570 m)
Exit to Manang. There is little rain even during the monsoon season over the Annapurna range. You can notice the contrast of vegetation and landscape: the cold harsh climate leaves its mark. The area is replete with towering cliffs and exotic rock formations that contrast with the Himalayan peaks.
After Upper Pisang there is a small flat section of trail through the forest. Then after the chortens and suspension bridge there is a steep climb to the village of Ghyaru (3670m), which is completely invisible from below until you get close. In the middle of the rise there is a single guesthouse with a friendly hostess and a shady tree in front of the entrance. It's a good place to relax and drink tea. Ghyaru has a beautiful monastery and chorten. Further after the village there is a long traverse with a rise leading to a small pass. Immediately behind it is Tea House and very delicious pies. But do not rush to fill up, less than 30 minutes ahead of the village of Ngawal, where you need to have lunch.
Next, a transition to Braga - a very beautiful village with a monastery and a small grove next to it. Surrounded by rocks on three sides, very warm and windless. The rocks themselves are also very beautiful, soft sandstone, intricately cut by wind erosion. From Braga approx. 30 minutes before the entrance to Manang, past many chortens and all the same bizarre rocks. And all this against the backdrop of beautiful views of Annapurna 2, 4 and 3.
7-8 hours on the way.
Overnight at the guesthouse.

MANANG VILLAGE, SIGHTSEEING.
Rest day in Manang. Today is the day of acclimatization. Stunning views of the peaks of Annapurna 2,4,3, Gangapurna, Tilicho and others. According to the strengths and capabilities of the group, this day can be spent in different ways. Here you can observe a stunning view of the Gandapurna glacier and the lake below it, as well as all five peaks of Chulu. You can make a radial exit towards Lake Tilicho to Khangsar village 3730 m, which is very good for acclimatization. It is possible, for those who feel strong enough in themselves, to go to Ice Lake. Climb 1 km. 4-6 hours.
Radial exits from 1 to 5 hours.
Overnight at the guesthouse.

TRACK FROM MANANG TO YAK KARKA (4020)
Our transition today cannot be called difficult, but the height is felt. Coming out of Manang we pass by fields of buckwheat and wheat. These fields look unusual against the backdrop of the snow giants of Annapurna. Suddenly, on the right, the peaks of Chulu open, with a height of more than 6000 meters. Today's goal is a small settlement Yak Karka. Beautiful view of Annapurna 3 and Gangapurna.
Overnight at the guesthouse.

TREK FROM YAK KARKA TO TORUNG PETI (4540m).
Today we have to approach the town of Thorung Petit (4540 m). Around the lifeless mountain desert. There are many yaks. But on a halt you can buy apples, which are sold right on the trail.
The next day we will have to cross the Thorung La pass.
3-3.5 hours on the way.
Overnight at the guesthouse.

TREK TORUNG PETI (4540m) - lane TORUNG LA (5416m) - MUKTINATH (3800m)
The hardest day of the track. Early rise and exit at dawn, at 5:30. There is a crossing over the Thorung La pass (5416 m) and it is important to leave early in order to make it in a day. At first, a steep ascent (1-1.5 hours) to High Camp (4850 m), then a gentle and long ascent to the pass. The difficulty of this passage, however, will be rewarded by the magical views of the Himalayan peaks and the view of Lower Mustang. The landscape is very different from everything that was on the track. Then begins the long descent to Muktinath, the most famous Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal.
7-8 hours on the way.
Overnight at the guesthouse.

TREK FROM MUKTINATH TO JOMSOM (2720 m).
After waking up, enjoy the view of Dhaulagiri (over 7000 m altitude). After breakfast we drive to the nearby settlements of Jong and Jharkot. In Jong, the fortification walls of the 14th century have been preserved. Unusual views for these places. There is also a Buddhist school-monastery of the Sakyapa tradition. In Jharkot there are clay statues belonging to the Bon religion.
Caves have been preserved on the opposite bank of the Jong Khola River to Muktinath. They are well visible from the road.
The land here is similar to Tibet, just as wild and lifeless, and at times you feel completely isolated. Then the descent to warmer areas begins. From Jharkot to Kagbeni we go by regular jeep.
Walk in Kagbeni. The houses in Kagbeni are made of stone and stand very close due to the constant winds in the Kali Gandaki valley.
From Kagbeni to Jomsom by regular jeep.
3-4 hours walk. 1-1.5 hours by jeep.
We stay in Jomsom in a guesthouse.

Traveler Tanya Handel from Brest, who recently spent 150 days on a budget of $ 1 per day, talks about how to organize independent trekking in one of the most picturesque and dangerous mountains - the Nepalese Annapurna massif. Buddhist temples, "apple" villages, bridges, mountain rivers and constant overcoming of oneself. The good news: you don’t need to carry a tent and food - there are villages with guesthouses along the entire route. How to spend time in Kathmandu and relax after conquering the heights - first-hand advice.

To the track. Kathmandu

Nepal is a tiny country sandwiched between China and India. People come here for Buddhist shrines, conquering peaks (for example, you can wave to Everest) and amazing nature.

The only international airport in the country is located in the capital - Kathmandu. This city is worth spending at least three days in it - and it is advisable to do this before trekking around Annapurna. After a hike in the mountains, this city will seem too vain and dusty to you - a real embodiment of chaos. It is better to enjoy it before the track, while your soul has not yet gone deep into the wilds of nirvana. Kathmandu is a whole world, but you can start your acquaintance like this.

Stupa Boudhanath. Stupa, built in the 5th century, is a mecca for Buddhists from all over the world. It is customary to go around the stupa clockwise and right hand spin special drums that are inscribed with prayers in Sanskrit. It is believed that when the drum is spinning, prayers are sent straight to heaven.

You go around the stupa for the first time - you pray for all those living on Earth, the second - for all animals, and only the third - for yourself. One lap is about 800 meters. A good way to beg the local gods for a successful hike and at the same time practice walking. Brisk sellers will put all sorts of knick-knacks into your hands. Around the next corner you can buy the same, but half the price.

Pashupatinath Complex. This is the center of Nepalese Hinduism, founded in the 13th century. In fact, walking around this place will not be joyful and the faint of heart is not recommended at all. But if you still decide - your world will not be the same. People are burned here. Right before your eyes. You stand across a small watery river and watch how a person is first covered with firewood, then watered with something and set on fire. After a while, the ashes and what is left are thrown into the river and the next one is placed. Below, the cows are trying to find something edible, and a dashing Nepalese is wiping dirty dishes with ashes. Relatives and friends of the burned look at everything calmly, apparently, this is how it should be.

You stand across a small watery river and watch how a person is first covered with firewood, then watered with something and set on fire.

Pashupatinath has about a dozen temples dedicated to Shiva. In the middle of each mini-temple stands a lingam - a short cylindrical column with a rounded top, which symbolizes the phallus - the personification of physical strength, creation, renewal. In addition to shrines, Pashupatinath has a special house where the elderly come to die, a hospital for typhoid patients, houses for sadhus and a hotel for pilgrims. In a word, the place is colorful.

Swayambhunadh- temple center of Buddhists on the outskirts of the capital. Also known as the Temple of the Monkeys. Keep in mind that these cute but cunning animals are best avoided. They trade in theft, and although the banana in your hand is much nicer to them than the iphone, tailed ones can steal it too. In the center of the complex there is a large stupa, to which 365 steps lead - this is also a good training before the future ascent.

Finally, the sights of Kathmandu have been examined, a portion of Buddhism has been received, you can go to the mountains.

How to get to the track?

Any independent hike in the mountains of Nepal begins in a small place Nepal Tourist Board (Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu) , where you need to make yourself a permit - permission, without which they will not be allowed into the mountains. This document will have to be shown at special checkpoints in the mountains, so that if you suddenly disappear, the rescuers know when and where you checked in for the last time.

To get to the start of the trek from Kathmandu, take a bus to Besisahar for $4-6. Before the start of the track, the village of Barbule, there will be ten kilometers. Walking does not make sense, cars will rush past and dust right at you. Cunning guys will offer to bring for a ridiculous amount of $ 23 (2,500 Nepalese rupees). Seeing the surprise on your face, they will immediately, brotherly, throw off up to $ 9. And they will be offended, having left with nothing, because the local bus will bring you in for only $ 0.4 (50 rupees). In Barbula, you can stay overnight in inexpensive and clean rooms.

If you go to the track in the low season (winter and summer), then housing can be obtained free of charge. The hosts themselves offer to stay in their guesthouse "for food": you will pay only for what you eat in their restaurant at a tourist cost. The price is the same, as if renting a house and eating from the locals. But in guesthouses there is one very important, especially at first, plus - their food does not make you feel that all the insides are burning with hellish flames. Please note that in the menu there can always be a 5th size postscript that 10% of the total amount is a tax that is added to the bill.

In the high season, the competition between tourists is higher, and good places accommodation is more difficult to find. But you can always find a lodging for the night at the end of the village. Usually no one gets there, and they will want to get you at any cost. Bargain!

Light, hot water and a working outlet are great blessings. They are not always, not everywhere, and at the end of your journey they will seem like mythical echoes of the past.

Start of the track

It is customary to go out onto the trail early in the morning, the locals will bow and say “namaste” affably, you can answer the same. Here it is generally customary to greet everyone and smile. Soon nature will take its toll, and you will do it not only because it is customary, but because you yourself want to smile and greet everyone on the way.

Lush vegetation, banana palms and a sea of ​​monkeys gradually give way to harsher views, and snowy peaks can be seen in the distance. Here you will begin to understand that everything that bothered you before is a trifle. The path winds steeper and steeper upward, it becomes harder to breathe, the air becomes thinner and colder. On the way, there are more and more prayer wheels that you spin without missing a single one.

Milarepa cave and Manang village

Near the village of Braka is located Sage Milarepa's Cave. He loved to walk the Himalayas almost 2000 years ago and live in the most unfavorable conditions. Of course, as a yogi, he didn't care. But we, mere mortals, are interested in following his life and visiting the place where he worked miracles. In addition to the cultural part, the hike to the cave of Milarepa is good for acclimatization, you need to give the body time to get used to the high altitude and loads.

One of the important transit points large village of Manang at an altitude of 3500 m. In the village there is a bakery with delicious cakes and a phone, and even a weak internet. The truth is, you don't need it anymore.

In Manang, it usually becomes clear who will be able to take the Thorong-La pass at an altitude of 5416 meters, and who better to rest and quietly walk back. But the devil is not as scary as he is painted, so we will move on.

Closer to the pass

By the tenth day, the landscapes become truly northern: ice cliffs, cold stones, green moss and dwarf trees. The hosts and guests of the guesthouses warm up together on long and cold evenings at the bourgeois houses, which are heated with yak cakes. Food is cooked on them, there are not enough trees here.

Time to take the pass. People get serious after a sleepless night waiting for the most important moment on the route. Everyone gathers courage and goes out after dark in the hope of descending from the other side of the mountain. Having opened the door, everyone freezes for a few minutes - the sky that you see there will haunt you in your dreams for a long time to come.

One step, one more step, and take a breath. Extra things in the backpack just begin to nail to the ground, each step is calculated and for this you need to make an effort. Drink a cup of tea - food does not climb into the throat. Here, many turn back, but if you endure, go slowly, with breaks, then in 3-4 hours you will be at the goal.

Extra things in the backpack just start to nail to the ground, each step is calculated and for this you need to make an effort

Joyful cries, hundreds of flags and happy faces. General fun, hugs completely strangers, a photo for memory and a feeling of incredible pride. For yourself, for the people, for being here.

road down

But it's not over yet - you have to go down. Thorong-La is treacherous: it lets a gullible hiker in, but doesn't really want to let it go down. The weather here can change in minutes, it is strictly forbidden to go into a snow storm and a snowstorm. Although in general the process of conquering the pass is not so difficult, but bad weather can complicate this matter at times.

The descent down is long and monotonous, you need to be patient. But below, in Muktinada, all the difficulties will pay off three times! There is hot water, warm and cozy rooms. And on the outskirts of the village you can eat real borscht from a hospitable host from Ukraine.

Everything below Muktinada was already on the way up. You look at the villages and the surrounding nature with a friendly look. Particular attention should be paid to the unusual apple village of Marfa. Here apples live their six lives: apple juice, dried apples, apple pie, apple cider and brandy, and apples themselves. All of these are delicious and inexpensive. The village itself is painted in White color, the streets are unusually empty and clean.

Already downstairs, after so many hardships, you can feel like a special royal blood, swimming in the hot springs of Tatopani. You should not pass this place side by side, succumbing to the desire to return to civilization as soon as possible. Next bus to Pokhara.

6 facts about trekking around Annapurna

Track difficulty - 3/5

Average walking distance - 165 km

​ Maximum height - Thorong-La pass 5416 m

​ The number of days - an average of 13 (can be reduced to 10 and increased to infinity)

“You are in the mountains too often to sew. Let's face it," a friend wrote to me recently. And she's right. For those who believe that the mountains are not for him, I will immediately make a reservation. If I had been told 5 years ago that I would voluntarily and enthusiastically go on a two-week hike in the mountains in the cold, I would have thought that at some point in my life I had obviously turned somewhere wrong. But we are changing. Our values, priorities, goals, objectives and ways to achieve them are changing. And sometimes it happens much more rapidly and in a completely different direction than we could have planned. I will tell you how these changes happened to me.

Over the past 4 years, there have been many peaks in my life. Different heights, different complexity, both emotionally and physically. But my main conclusion is always the same - you never return from the mountain the same person as you go there. Hiking in the mountains, climbing volcanoes, walking in high-altitude nature - this is a kind of retreat. Climbing is when you meet your true self, your fears, weaknesses, insecurities. When you find the opportunity to overcome and accept. When you start to feel where it is thin and how deep it is buried. When you hear yourself clearly and clearly, because there is silence around.

I climbed the small Crimean mountains as a child with my parents, and I even seemed to like it - I am satisfied in the photographs. Then there was the “office-career-heels” period, and the mountains did not fit into this picture at all.

He was followed by a period of “drop everything, go to Asia with a one-way ticket”, in which there was a knee operation. At the level of physics, much has changed since then. It was a difficult recovery period. Then I had a mega trip to Southeast Asia in 2013. 14 countries in 3 months. Among these countries was Indonesia. Acquaintance with her began with the island of Java, which is simply an unrealistic number of volcanoes. I don't remember how I agreed to the first one. But I remember that the ascent to it was only a few hours, but full of physical suffering - my heart jumped out, my temples pounded, my breath hitched every 10 steps (this is with my sports past). But something (or someone) drove me to the top. That feeling when you find yourself above the clouds, when an incredible view opens up, when you hear that special silence around and in your head, it is incomparable to anything. And you also understand that the whole ascent is already behind you and you internally triumph a little that you managed it. Then there was no stopping me! For 2 weeks there were a dozen volcanoes and minus 8 kilograms of weight.

The most difficult climb of my life is still the one-day ascent of Mount Agung (3031 m) in Bali in 2014. The one that's erupting right now. Yes, he is not very tall. Yes, the track is not very difficult. But I had my own story there, as is often the case in the mountains. We got lost, went the wrong way. We went upstairs for 8 hours, I went down the same amount, if not more. At the top, there was absolutely nowhere to rest, because they came to the thin wall of the crater and that was it. Therefore, the ascent and descent turned out to be 16 hours of continuous workload. The operated knee then decided that it was “too much” for him, and after 12 hours it refused to work at all. For the last 4 hours I have been descending on my hands and buttocks. I clearly felt at that moment that if hell exists for me, then he is in this path on his hands and buttocks, which lasts forever. But everything ends sometime. Everything. My first ascent of Agung ended then. When the emotions passed, I realized that I would like to walk this path again with a calmer mind. To observe how my body and mind react to such loads, and not to plunge into these states uncontrollably. I succeeded in a year.

And the most stupid thing I had was climbing the erupting volcano Raung (3332 m) in Java. If you want to know why you should not do this or find out more heart-rending details about sulfur poisoning, you can ask me personally. But experience is experience. Now I know exactly why you shouldn't do that.

In 2017, I went to Kilimanjaro (5895 m) alone, and to the track around Annapurna (5416 m) with my dad and friends. The tracks were completely different in mood, atmosphere, complexity, cost, duration. But most importantly, they were different in the answers to the questions that I received. I went to Kilimanjaro on my 30th birthday and, apparently, with the expectation that answers would come to important questions then. What about family and children? What to do with business? In what direction and how to continue self-development? I didn't get any answers.

Philosophy of the track and awareness on the way

But the track around Annapurna turned out to be very transformative. And in completely unexpected directions. Apparently, because there were no expectations. The trek around Annapurna was 12 days long. Days when all you have to do is get up, eat and go. Everything. Often you don’t even need to dress up, because it’s so cold at night that you go during the day in what you sleep in at night. But this is already closer to the end of the track, when there were almost no clean things left, and it was very cold at the height. But more on that later.

For me personally, this track was a path to answers about balance. About how not to exhaust yourself to the point where you need a total reboot, an Internet detox for several days and sleep for 14 hours. How to hear yourself and your body and why it is needed at all. How to get out of the run-run-run cycle, and then die a little, stop and rest. How to stop feeling pressure. More specifically, how to stop putting pressure on yourself. This track was about a slow, measured, but non-stop path. And it resonates so much with the way I want to live now. Accelerating and stopping is inefficient and exhausting, it feels very good in the mountains. The first to arrive at the camp are usually those who initially take a lower pace. But in life it often seems that on the run we have more time. This is an illusion. For me, for sure.

We went to Annapurna with my dad and 13 other friends from. The track in the group is completely different than the track on its own. The track in the group is more difficult. Because everyone has different speeds, everyone different tasks and states. Everyone has a different feeling. We had breakfast together and often had dinner together. But they never walked all together, sometimes in pairs, sometimes in threes, sometimes alone. My dad always ran ahead. It was possible to persuade him not to rush only by promising cool pictures along the way, and even then not always. But he had his own pace, his own rhythm. My task was to accept his rhythm. Once we did an acclimatization trip to a height of 4200 from a height of 3500. It was very hard for dad. He went a third of the way and said that he couldn’t go any further: “I realized that I wasn’t ready for this track at all.” And it was only the 5th day. Lie down and lay down. His tactic was just to accelerate and rest every 10-12 meters. I felt that it was clearly not the body that spoke in dad, but mountain sickness. That the mind has focused on the fact that the body is hard, and what's next - no way. A very comfortable position. Cunning mind. Waited for him to settle down. I suggested that he try to walk very, very slowly and as much as possible, next to me. So we climbed another 400 meters. And these 400 meters gave us a lot. We talked about a lot, asked each other important questions, also slowly and cautiously as they walked. This was beautiful.

When I was planning the track, I could not find a single sensible article (neither in Russian nor in English) that would clearly give information on the route, budget, equipment and actions to be taken on the spot. Maybe I'm just bad at Google. But even friends who were on the track a year before could not give clear information. Already in the track, we jokingly suggested that somewhere after Lake Tilicho the memory is erased. Therefore, I wrote down every day, so that later I would carefully convey the information to you.

So. Where do you even start?

Trek route around Annapurna

There are quite a lot of tracks and routes in the Annapurna nature reserve. There is only one circular route around Annapurna, called Annapurna Circuit. There are two options for its passage - counterclockwise and clockwise. The clockwise option is difficult and with a very high risk of getting altitude sickness. Therefore, for beginners, I recommend immediately concentrating on the counterclockwise option with the start in Besisahara. Besisahar is a place about 8-10 bus hours from Kathmandu and 4-6 bus hours from Pokhara. This is the town from which you can start the hiking track. It is there that the paved (oh, it's hard to call it that, of course, okay) road ends. In general, I would like to write about the roads in Nepal separately, but I will restrain myself. Or not.

In general, the general recommendation is this - forget about distances in Nepal and their measurement in kilometers. Don't trust estimated times on Google or Maps.me. Getting on the roads of Nepal, you find yourself in another dimension! It is as if the laws of physics cease to apply here, and for some reason it is impossible to calculate the time, having average speed bus and distance to the end point. There are many reasons for this - numerous stops, broken tires (normal practice, we had it twice), loading bags, sheep, people (who were sitting in the aisles, on top of each other, on bags), lack of a road in places, stops for food and toilets, checking permits, disembarking passengers who got on the wrong bus (that was us, by the way), and so on.

Let's get back to the route. The Annapurna circuit is when you walk 10-20 days on the Annapurna route. Annapurna has several peaks. Along the way, you see mainly the top of Annapurna 3. But this is not so important. On this route every day there are new paintings, changing landscapes, waterfalls, monasteries, stupas, authentic villages. A very scenic track. The circular trek around Annapurna also includes small deviations from the route - the trek to the Ice Lake (a stunning view along the way), the trek to the cave of Milarepa and the Annapurna glacier, the trek to the high mountain lake Tilicho. It is the track to Tilicho that will take 2-3 additional days, depending on the preparation. But it's worth it. See for yourself.


Additionally, I want to emphasize that there are hot showers (gas heaters) on the entire route and Wi-Fi almost everywhere (works intermittently, but works). Closer to the pass, both are for an additional fee, about 100 rupees ($ 1).

TIMS card and track permission (permit)

There are other routes, but I did not go on them, so I will not write about them. You will need to decide on the route at the stage of obtaining a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) card and a track permit (Permit). Without a TIMS card, you simply will not be allowed into the territory of the reserve, and you will not be able to start the trek. Plus, according to it, you are marked at checkpoints, so that if something happens, it would be easier to find you. You can make TIMS and track permission in Kathmandu, and in Pokhara, and in Besisakhar. The official cost is the same everywhere - 4000 rupees ($40). Processing time will take approximately 1 hour.

But if time is limited, then I recommend doing it in Kathmandu. I'll explain why. Firstly, there is a well-organized chaos - everything is quite simple, the queues are small, they move quickly. If there is no photo, they will take it right there and for free! The place where I made the TIMS card and permission is here: https://goo.gl/maps/jk1kzUAMRkJ2. They work to issue permits from 8 am strictly until 3 pm on weekdays.
To get a permit you need to have with you:

  • Passport or its scan/photo (required data).
  • 4 photos of any size and color (if not, you can take it on the spot).
  • 2 forms filled out on English language(You can translate with google translate, if that).
  • 4000 Nepalese rupees (about $ 40), it is more profitable to pay in rupees.
  • Insurance data. I saw that someone did not enter and still received permission. But my personal recommendation is to always insure out of respect for your family, friends and loved ones. Don't put them at risk of financially resolving the situation from afar if something happens to you.
  • Contact details for emergency communications.
  • Details of the contact person in Nepal - I did not fill out.

The whole process took us about 40-50 minutes for three.

If you go to Pokhara, then the earliest morning bus can arrive in Pokhara after the permit office closes, and the agency will have to overpay a little. In this case, you can lose the morning.

When the permits are ready, you need to check if you have everything from the equipment. Again, it is better to check this in Kathmandu. Because it is there that you can buy / rent equipment cheaper than in Pokhara. And in Besisakhara there is nothing sensible at all. Therefore, it is optimal to get a permit in the morning, solve the issue with equipment in the afternoon, and the next morning you can go to Besisahar.

What to take with you to the track? Outfit, equipment

We went to the track in early November. The days are warm, but the nights are cold. But cold or not - depends on the equipment. It is better to buy or rent it in Kathmandu, in the Thamel area, here is a mark on the map: https://goo.gl/maps/fe2nFpD1zpR2. There is a large selection, you can bargain a bit if you take a lot of things at once. In Pokhara, the choice is much poorer and prices are 1.5 times higher. It is generally difficult to find something in Besisahara and prices are 2-3 times higher. Throughout the track - the higher, the more expensive, of course. I tell you how we dressed so as not to freeze.

Absolutely necessary things:

Sleeping bag for -20. It weighs only 1.2 kg, but it is really warm to sleep in it, especially in rooms where the temperature is below freezing at night. Some guys from our group went with sleeping bags at -10 and they had to sleep in puffs - it's not very comfortable. Renting a used sleeping bag costs 100 rupees per day ($1) in Kathmandu.

Good ones trekking boots. The first word here is more important than the other two. I bought boots in Kathmandu and they were Nepalese The North Face. I rubbed my legs, they stretched out. I could go. But by paying $50-100 more, all these consequences could have been avoided. If you can afford it, don't skimp on trekking shoes.

Trekking poles. If on the ascents there may still be questions about why they are, then on the descents all questions immediately disappear.

Fliska with a zipper and a hood. And another fleece to sleep in.

thermal underwear- jacket and pants. Preferably 2 sets. There are a lot of variations now. There are more and less low temperatures. There are bilateral (you choose the side according to the situation). There is merino wool - it absorbs less sweat, but is much more expensive. In general, choose according to the level of comfort and budget available to you. It is great to sleep in thermal underwear and go (dressing as the bottom layer) in low temperatures and in the mornings before sunrise - the pass and Lake Tilicho.

Trekking socks. Yes, they are different from the usual. Yes, this difference is noticeable. They make your feet sweat less. Less chance of crushing them. They do not have a very dense elastic band that does not pinch. Take 2-3 pairs of thinner and 2 pairs of thick (including for sleeping) trekking socks.

Small weightless backpack. It turned out to be very useful when going to Tilicho - water, a thermos, warm gloves and snacks fit perfectly there.

Tiny shampoos, soaps and toothpaste. Every gram counts when you're carrying your own backpack. Do not take large tubes.

Down jacket or sleeveless jacket. They now weigh very little, but warm well. At the lowest possible temperatures, it is good to wear it under a windproof jacket. It turns out very warm and cozy, even at -10/-15 with the wind. Renting a used down jacket costs Rs 100 per day ($1) in Kathmandu.

Trekking pants. I had 2 pairs. Some daytime - light and thin, which are transformed into shorts. And the second ones are based on fleece, they were worn only a few times - on Lake Tilicho, on the pass (more thermal pants down) and in the early morning, when the sun had not yet come out and there was a minus temperature. Perhaps it will be possible to get by with thermal pants plus thin trekking ones. But it will be cool in this lake Tilicho. True, everything here is individual and depends on your temperature regimes - I'm a freezer.

Gloves. Two pairs. Basic fabric ones, in which you can use your phone without removing it. Plus warm on fleece for Tilicho, pass and early morning. Otherwise, your hands get very cold, especially if you walk with sticks. An important point - take such gloves, in which, when removed, the inner layer does not turn outward. In the cold, it is not very pleasant to return them with bare hands.

Sunscreen. In November, in our track, all days except one were absolutely clear and very sunny. Above 3500 meters the sun is very active. We spent about 8 days of the trek in a very active sun. Be sure to smear. Protection factor - at least 50 SPF. Let me also remind you that you need to smear about every hour. Well, or later to be surprised: “I smeared myself in the morning, why did I burn out?”.

Sunglasses. Those that are mountainous also block the access of the sun from the side. Yes, they are expensive if they are of good quality. But it's like with boots, only more important. It's about your eyes. If you don't plan on going to the mountains all the time, consider renting one from a friend while you're still at home. You won’t find good glasses for rent in Nepal, it’s not easy to even buy them there.

Flip flops. They are needed in the soul. The water in the gas shower is hot. But the floor is ice cold. Without flip flops it is very cold to stand. I didn’t have flip flops, and every time I borrowed them from my dad or friends. Choose the lightest and most compact.

Silicone patches. If you rub calluses, then with daily 17-20 kilometers of travel, ordinary patches will not help. You need silicone. They can really save you. Well, or your friends.

Hygienic lipstick with sun protection factor. Need. Otherwise, the lips burn, dry and crack.

Trekking backpack. With a good back. Preferably one with a special distance between your back and the back of the backpack. Then the back does not sweat, and you do not freeze from the cool wind at stops (you will freeze with a wet back).

All this fit in my trekking backpack and weighed 8 kilograms.

A few more useful things in the track

There are a few other "gadgets" that can make your track even more comfortable, but they are not required. Here's what these gadgets are:

Thermos. Warm water, as you wake up in the morning. Hot herbal tea in the coldest parts of the track. Possibility to make your own tea. I had and I carried it without regrets. And I used it all the time. If you don't have a thermos yet, then buy one that has a screw cap and no button - it keeps heat better and doesn't leak.

Book or e-book. If you pass the track slowly, then you will have a lot of free time. It's nice to spend it with a book and tea overlooking the mountains. Especially if you are tracking alone.

power bank for phone and technology. Each guesthouse has chargers. Only on the way to the base camp, before the pass, they ask for money for charging, 100 rupees ($1). The phone in airplane mode quietly survives all day, and in the evening it can be charged at the camp.

Fleece buff. It's kind of like a collar. It is very useful if your fleece is without a collar and hood. I slept in it, pulled it over my nose in the mornings on the way, it protected me from the wind.

Tablets for water purification. Firstly, water can be bought at any stage of the journey. Secondly, there are stations for replenishing drinking water, where it is 1.5-3 times cheaper than bottled water, depending on the height.

Drinking system built into the backpack. Very useful, unless, of course, you want to use "drink" as an excuse to stop along the way.

Shoes, to change at camp. Many walk right in the slates over trekking socks, but it's cold in the evenings. I took light and very comfortable sneakers and never regretted it.

Wet wipes. They came in handy at the base camp before the pass because it was the only place without a shower.

Protein bars. Good for refreshments during the day on the road, so as not to waste time in cafes - it can be very long there. From food, this is definitely everything - there is a lot of it on the entire route, it is very diverse.

Swimsuit. If you think that you will definitely swim in Lake Tilicho at an altitude of 4900 meters, then it will be difficult for you to believe that you thought about it when you go up there. By the way, one of our friends swam and survived! At low altitudes, you can sunbathe during the day if you come to the camp early. I don't know what the swimsuit is for anymore.

Useful life hacks for future trekking

A few trekking hacks that came with experience on this route:

  • Gray clothes rule! In everyday life, I prefer bright clothes. But for a track, gray is the perfect color. Annapurna is incredibly dusty. On gray clothes, dust is not visible, but on black and light clothes it is very noticeable.
  • Clothes can be dried in a sleeping bag. The scheme is something like this. They came to the camp, washed it, hung it up to dry in the wind. And dry it to a completely dry state - already in a sleeping bag with you for the night. In the morning, clothes are completely dry. Checked - it works!
  • If you want to hire a porter or a horse for the pass, this must be agreed in advance. Even in our already low season, everything was busy.
  • If you do not want to sleep in a shared room (dorma) for 40 people in the base camp before the pass, book accommodation at Tharong Phedi Base Camp in advance. I am sure that this can be done in agencies in Pokhara. But we liked sleeping in the common room - it was warm from the number of human bodies.
  • Take cash to the track at the rate of at least 1,500 rupees ($ 15) per person per day if you do not want to worry that there will not be enough money to reach the nearest ATM in Jomsom. And, by the way, not the fact that it will work.
  • Take VISA and MasterCard cards to Nepal. With cash withdrawals in Nepal, everything is not easy. Approximately 1 in 10 ATMs dispenses cash. Dancing, singing and applause at ATMs when Europeans manage to withdraw money are normal in Nepal.
  • If you want to give your family and friends a pleasant surprise, you can send a postcard from the height of 3500 meters in Manang. How long it goes is still unknown, because 3 weeks have passed since I sent it at the time of the publication of the article.

Expenses and prices in the Annapurna trek

What can and should be spent on in order to go to the track?

Equipment. Probably the most costly part. Especially if you don't have anything at all. Everything listed from the obligatory cost me about $ 200 - both purchase and rent (sleeping bag and puff). You can buy cheaper. You can buy more. You can borrow from friends. But I am writing here about average costs.

Food on the track. The second most expensive part. A day for breakfast, lunch and dinner takes about 1200-2000 rupees ($12-20), depending on the altitude and your appetites. I give approximate prices for understanding.

  • oatmeal or tsampa (local corn bearberry) - $2-4
  • gave baht (rice, lentil stew and potatoes) - $ 4-5, but this is a dish replenished as many times as you like.
  • soup with vegetables - $3-4
  • masala tea - $0.8-1.2
  • tea with ginger and honey - $0.6-0.8
  • apple pie - $2-4
  • fresh apple, one piece - $0.2-0.4
  • momo vegetarian (something like dumplings) - 3-4$
  • fried potatoes with cheese - $3-4
  • vegetable pasta - $3-4
  • boiling water - 0.4-1.2 $
  • bottled water 1.5l - $0.8-2

Prices at the upper borders were only on the way to the Tilicho base camp and before the pass. Otherwise, they are about average or closer to the lower value.

I'm a vegetarian, so I don't remember the prices for meat/omelettes. The food on the track is quite varied. The menu is pretty much the same everywhere. Unless in the base camp in front of the pass suddenly there was a cool pastry for $ 3-4 for a giant bun.

Transport. We paid:

  • 360 rupees ($3.6) for a bus to Besisahara.
  • 1500 rupees ($15) for an SUV to Tala (where we started our hiking track).
  • 200 rupees ($2) from Muktinath to Jomsom.
  • 1000 rupees ($10) from Marfa to Pokhara.
  • 700 rupees ($10) for a tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
  • 400 rupees ($4) for a taxi from Kathmandu airport to the tourist area of ​​Thamel.

Housing.

  • In Kathmandu, you can check in for $2-4 in a shared room (dorm), or you can rent a modest simple room with hot water for 1400-1800 rupees ($14-16) for two or three. I will immediately write that food in Kathmandu is about 2-3 times cheaper than on the track.
  • Housing in Pokhara is slightly cheaper than in Kathmandu. For a longer period (a week or two), you can generally rent an apartment there with a kitchen, living room, washing machine for $10 per day.
  • On the track, you don't pay for housing, only for the food you have to eat where you live. Only in Besisahara there were prices, as in Pokhara.

My total for the cost of the track - permit, transport, food and extras. expenses (sometimes housing, showers, charging) amounted to about $490. But I didn’t deny myself anything and didn’t try to save money.

Detailed route description with all stops

I'll bring clarity. Everyone has their own speed. Everyone has their own possibilities. By the duration of the track, by days of vacation, by acclimatization, by budget, by how the mountains accept you and how you accept them. But in order to get from Besisakhar or Tal to the pass and through it, including Tilicho, I would not advise planning less than 12-13 days. After the pass, by the way, you can also continue the track - there are beautiful authentic villages with their own atmosphere. Therefore, if you are ready for long hikes, then plus 4-6 days.

Now I'll tell you how we went. The start of the walk began in Tal. The road by off-road vehicles takes about 4 hours. Further I will write in the format from and to with the number of hours (a leisurely track) and height.

Day 1. Tal - Bagarchap. 3-4 hour track.

Day 2 Bagarchap - Chame. 5-7 hours. Altitude 2670 m.

Day 3 Chame-Upper Pisang. 5-6 hours. Altitude 3300 m. There is a little higher than the village Buddhist temple with stunning views and a relaxing atmosphere. Perfect for acclimatization of body and soul. Takes 20 minutes walk from the village.

Days 4-5. Upper Pisang - Braka. 9-10 hours. 3500 m. But we got lost and walked 21 km along the upper route. It wasn't easy. At this altitude, you should stay for 2 days. You can live for 1 day in Braque - a small village 2 km from Manang. It is closer to Ice Lake, and to the cave of the teacher of Tibetan Buddhism - the famous yoga practitioner Milarepa, and to the Annapurna glaciers. The next day after the acclimatization trip (more on that later), you can move to Manang. A very nice European-style town with cafes, a cinema (!), a post office and a registration point.

Day 6 Braka - Tilicho Base Camp via Khangsar. 8 ocloc'k. 4150 m. On this route, if you get tired, you can stop at Khangsar (2-2.5 hours of walking) and Upper Shreekharka (4-5 hours of walking). The road from Upper Shreekharka to Tilicho Base Camp is the most difficult. Narrow path, cliff, and dry land. Each step must be focused. Without sticks, this part is much more dangerous.

Khangsar is already a deviation from the circular route to get to Lake Tilicho. If for some reason you do not want to go to Tilicho, then from Manang / Braki you will immediately go to Yak Karkha. And minus 2-3 days from the list below, respectively.

Day 7 Tilicho Base Camp - Tilicho Lake - Tilicho Base Camp. 5006 m. 5-6 hours round trip plus an hour on the lake. It is incredibly beautiful there, on the left there is a glacier, to which you can also take a walk. Descent to the lake on the right, if you look at it. Takes about an extra hour round trip. Calculate forces and time. One of our friends was swimming!

Day 8 Tilicho Base Camp - Bhangsar. 4-5 hours. 3700 m. We came there because we left dad (important) and things there. Well, we decided to spend the night. In general, you can immediately go to Yak Karkha if you want to save 1 day. It will be about 8-9 hours, it's hard, but real.

Day 9 Bhangsar - Yak Karkha. 3-4 hours. 4035 m. This section seemed to me just a walking one. Such landscapes are peaceful, stunning views, meadows, horses. The beauty!

Day 10 Yak Karkha - Thorong Phedi. 4 hours. 4538 m. Easy track. Cozy place, decorated with European taste. It sounds strange for 4538 m, but it's true. It is there that you need to book places in advance if you do not want to sleep in a dormitory or in High Camp at an altitude of 4800 m, which I do not recommend to the unprepared (about the height).

Day 11 Thorong Phedi - Thorong La Pass - Muktinath. 8-9 hours. 5416 m pass. Muktinath - 3710 m. The pass is about the same in complexity as Tilicho, maybe a little easier. On the descent, again, poles help a lot. Highly.

Day 12 Muktinath. We stayed there on the second day, because I fell ill on the day of the pass and, with a temperature of under 40, tried in vain to recover in Muktinath, where it is impossible to warm up. I tried for two days, then we moved on.

Day 13 Muktinath - Jomsom - Marpha. 3 bus hours. Rs 265 for a local bus to Jomsom. 1.5 hour walk from Jomsom to Marfa. From Jomsom you can fly to Pokhara, by the way. I don't know the ticket prices. A cute cornflower is flying. Jomsom is uncomfortable, but there are ATMs. I do not recommend staying overnight there.

Day 14-15. Marpha. The most authentic and cute village with narrow streets, houses in the same style, its own character and apple taste - signature apple pies and juice (you can ask for hot). I liked being sick there.

Day 16 Marpha - Pokhara. 10 bus hours. 1000 rupees. It was at the last stop before the city of Pokhara that I saw the most beautiful starry sky. It was very beautiful in Base Camp Tilicho - what is in the photo above. But in the mountains I have never seen such a placer as several thousand below. By the way or inopportunely, for the second time I am surprised that in the mountains, where there is no light, the stars are not as cool as below. Who understands, please explain why. When I went to look at the stars, I deliberately chose the time when the moon had already set or had not yet risen, so it’s definitely not about her.

After the pass, that is, after 12 days of trekking, many of the group got tired of the feeling of the hike. I would have walked for another 3-4 days exactly along the track, and not along the dusty road that leads to Martha. And the track goes higher and it is longer in mileage. But everything was as it was. I don't want to change anything.

Mountain sickness. Symptoms and prevention

Separately, I want to tell you about mountain sickness, affectionately called "miner". If you have never been above 3500 m before, then it is impossible to predict whether you will have a mountain climb or not. It does not depend on age, gender (although it seems that it happens more often in men), physical fitness, weight or type of diet. It just might happen or not.

But there are specific rules that should be followed in order to prevent it. Altitude sickness in its extreme manifestations (pulmonary edema / cerebral edema) is fatal. Death can occur within hours. So take it seriously. Well, or joke with death. Here is everyone's choice.

  • Height should be gained gradually. After 3000 m, it is impossible to gain more than 500 m per day.
  • It is advisable to stay at 3400-3600 m for 2-3 days for acclimatization.
  • Sleeping always costs lower than you climbed during the day. That is, if you went from 3500 m to 4000 m, then you should definitely visit 4200-4300 m and acclimatize there for 1-1.5 hours.
  • The lower the altitude at which you start the track, the less likely you are to catch a mountain cat. If you start straight from 3000 m, then the chances increase significantly.
  • You need to drink 2.5-3 liters per day. If you don't want to, then force yourself.
  • If you experience severe symptoms of mountain climbing after 4200-4400 m, you should descend immediately, even if it happened at night.

We followed all the rules listed above, and still the miner crept into our ranks. Our friend started having a very bad headache at 4000m, then nausea, then vomiting. It was during an acclimatization trip. We slept lower, when we went down, it became easier, but not much. The next day I felt better, but when we approached 4000 m, everything started in a new way. The mountains were not allowed. In such cases, it is worth descending lower for another 2-3 days and trying again with a more gradual climb.

My dad was great all the way, even though he is 62 years old. There are special pills that help the body adapt to altitude, but none of our group took them. We had a slogan - go organic!

We also did breathing exercises in the evening and in the morning. In the evening, anuloma viloma (nadi shodhana) - alternate breathing through different nostrils with breath holding, and in the morning kapalabhati - intense exhalations through the nose with passive breaths for a minute, and then a minute delay, so 2-3 circles. If there were any near-earth conditions such as slight dizziness, then after the exercises they disappeared. There are good instructional videos on how to do these breathing exercises:

Track preparation. conclusions

The track in Annapurna physically seemed to me more difficult than the track on Kilimanjaro. But I suspect that I was worse prepared. I trained for Kilimanjaro in the gym. I did cardio exercises for endurance training - the pulse was about 150-16, the duration was from 30 to 50 minutes, but everything is very individual. In this mode, I prepared for about 4 months, the last 2 intensively 3-4 times a week.

But in the mountains, physical preparation is not as important as emotional. Mountains are definitely a test of strength. When it is difficult, the mind is glad to seize the opportunity to turn back, and any unusual state of health is ready to unwind and raise into a panic. I have observed this more than once, including myself, when I first caught altitude sickness in 2014. In such cases, always helps to observe the breath - the simplest technique. Transfer all attention and concentration to inhalation and exhalation.

But such conditions are very common in our life. The mechanisms are still the same - when it is difficult, you want to turn around, the mind will find many reasons and excuses. To justify laziness, to mask fears, to protect a hurt ego, in order not to overcome ingrained habits. And if in the mountains we clearly see that having turned around, we are going back, then in life we ​​very often mask the return path with the illusion of movement. But if you look closely, it often happens that this movement is more of a vanity than a striving upward, towards self-development and your dreams.

From the editor.

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Annapurna

Annapurna base camp

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek lasts about 12 days, starting in Pokhara and ending in Nayapul. The best time to go is from March to June or from October to December. On the way you will see the base camp, located in the heart of the Annapurna mountain range, from here you can enjoy a gorgeous view of the peaks of Annapurna, Gangapurna and Machapuchare. Here is one of the best viewing platforms in Nepal - Poon Hill with a panorama of the peaks during sunset.

2 things to do in the Annapurna area:

  1. Visit the valleys of blooming rhododendrons during their spring bloom.
  2. Look into the largest Gurung village of Ghandruk.

Trek around Annapurna

The Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Circuit is one of the most popular hiking trails along the slopes of the mountain range in the Annapurna National Park. Its length is 211 km, it lasts about 20 days.

You can gain strength at the Thorong La pass, where there are two tourist camps - Thorong Pedi and the Upper Camp. He takes his start in the village of Besisakhar, part of the way follows the valley of the Marsyandi River, passing through which it is impossible not to admire Mount Annapurna, the massifs of Manaslu, Peri Himal and Damodar Himal. The Annapurna Trek can be supplemented with a trip to Lake Tilicho, 16 km west of the village of Manang.

You can replenish supplies in the large settlements of Dharapani, Chame, Pisang and Manang. Near the village of Ranipauwa is the temple complex of Muktinath. In the Kali-Gandaki valley, the track goes through the villages of Jomsom, Marfa, Dana, Tatopan. At the end of the path, you will climb Mount Pun Hill, which offers a view of the eight-thousanders of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. And in the final - Nayapul, a small settlement, from where you can return to Pokhara by bus.

Jomsom track

Jomsom trek - hiking along the Kali Gandaki river from Nayapul to Muktinath. Not a very popular track, so not crowded.

Other tracks

In addition to the classic tracks to the base camp and around Annapurna, there is a shortened version with a length of 40 km along the route Birethanti - Gandrung - Ghorepani - Ulleri - Birethanti. It passes through rice fields, villages and tropical rainforests. The best time to complete the route is mid-late November.

Complexity:

15 days

165 km

Price

The date:

November 21, 2019 - December 5, 2019

Trekking around Annapurna or "Annapurna Ring"– this route is suitable for almost any person who loves mountains and decides to go to the Himalayas! Here is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to visit the big mountains without giving up comfort.
You can do this without buying expensive equipment, without special mountaineering training, without a heavy backpack, without living in a tent and without tedious cooking in camping conditions - over the years of tourism development in the Nepalese Himalayas, a good infrastructure has appeared that allows you to go through the track if you wish without giving up the benefits of civilization .
All you need is a good physical condition and a willingness to embark on an adventure that may change your life forever!
Our scenic route called the Annapurna Ring circles the Annapurna Himalayan mountain range through beautiful places, starting and ending in tropical forests, it includes subtropical coniferous forests and highlands with snow-capped peaks. The group will pass along well-groomed trails and dirt roads, surrounded by several eight- and seven-thousanders - Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Gangapurna and Dhaulagiri.
And before we get to the Himalayas, we will get acquainted with the Nepalese - friendly and hospitable people, we will see Kathmandu - the capital of Nepal, on the way to the mountains we will look at the countryside, ordinary life local people. We will stop for a couple of days in the Thamel district in Kathmandu - this is a small city inside a large one - touristic, but with a national flavor - it is very interesting to walk along its narrow streets, souvenir shops, and in the evenings dine in a cafe with Nepalese and Indian cuisine.

Beautiful mountainous and such a diverse country, beautiful landscapes, kind people, delicious and unusual food, rich and interesting history…
We highly recommend not to go to Nepal. It causes addiction.
Having been here once, you will want to come back here again and again!






















1 day Kathmandu

Hotel accommodation, meeting. The guide will examine your things and equipment. If necessary, you can have time to buy something in Kathmandu or take it at a local rental.

Day 2 Walking around Kathmandu

We booked an extra day in Kathmandu in order to avoid group delays due to a late flight or luggage - this often happens here. If your arrival is according to plan, then while the guide is preparing documents for visiting the national park in Nepal, you can take a walk around Kathmandu on this day.

Kathmandu ( ancient city Kantipur is the capital of Nepal and a city of contrasts that is nearly 3,000 years old. The city is located in a mountain valley at an altitude of 130 meters. Since ancient times, the city has been a refuge for Buddhists - here they fled from the oppression of Hindus and Muslims

What to see in Kathmandu:

  • Historic Durbar Square
  • hanuman dhoka palace
  • Bazantapur tower
  • Taleju temple
  • octagonal pagoda Krishna Mandir
  • Kumari Ghar Temple
  • newar city
  • Attractions of the Tundikhel area
  • singh palace
  • Budhanilkantha
  • Swayambhunath temple complex
  • boudhnath stupa
  • safari park gokarna

Day 3 Kathmandu - Besisahar

Transfer by bus to the town of Besisakhar - the last stronghold of civilization, as we called it. The road passes through the countryside, surrounded by small villages along mountain serpentines, the trip will last 7-10 hours. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Besisahar – Chame

In the morning we will load things onto off-road vehicles, get into them, and on the way through the jungle we will gradually begin to gain altitude. From the village of Tal (altitude 1700 m) will begin hiking trekking over rough terrain among the jungle and waterfalls. Today there is an 8-kilometer hike to the village of Thoche (1900 m), where we will stay for the night in the first lodge on the way.

From Thoche the road will pass through the gorge of the Marsyardi River, which will accompany us for the first half of the trek. The trail runs through the jungle and waterfalls, often over hanging bridges. The vegetation is mostly subtropical - thickets of bamboo and rhododendrons, banana palms and tangerine trees. In the evening we will reach the village of Chame (2670 m), from where for the first time on the track you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. If we have time, we can still swim in the hot springs overlooking one of the mountain peaks.

En route 15 km, climb 770 meters

Day 5 Chame - Upper Pisang (3300 m)

Around the trail are majestic cedars and pines and a view of seven and eight thousand meters: the peaks of Lamjung Himal (6893 m), spurs of Annapurna, Pisang Peak (6095 m), Annapurna II, on which the outlines of a human face created by the relief of rocks and ice are clearly visible. Huge mountains hang over the people. To understand the scale, you need to be under them at an altitude of 3000 m! And they are still gigantic.
In Upper Pisang, it will be possible to go to a Buddhist temple, listen to an evening Buddhist service (puja).

On the way 19 km, climb 600 meters

Day 6 Upper Pisang - Braka (3500 m)

Today there are 2 options - to walk 13 km along a dirt road along the river bank without straining with a minimum climb of 200 m, or to complicate your task - to walk 22 km with a sharp climb of 400 m along a very spectacular path traversing the slope of the mountain range. As a reward - stunning views of the Annapurna massif, the beauty of which is difficult to describe in words, as well as a visit to the small and very authentic village of Ghauru. This transition is recommended for participants with good physical fitness, with the understanding that it is possible that the group will reach the lodge after dark.

In the Mananga valley, there is a strong influence of Tibetan culture: you can see Buddhist gompas, chortens, stones with mantras. Destination - Braga - like Manang itself - ancient settlements with well-preserved houses and gompas (temples).
The Manang region is an area of ​​ancient trade routes. The Manang Valley is separated in a special way from other territories of Nepal and has the status of autonomy. The people of Manang have passports which allow them to travel and trade much more freely than other Nepalis.
You can notice the contrast of vegetation and landscape: the cold harsh climate leaves its mark. The area is replete with towering cliffs and exotic rock formations that contrast with the Himalayan peaks.

Day 7 of Marriage – Tilicho lake base camp

Day 8 Tilicho lake base camp – Tilicho lake

Day 9 Tilicho lake base camp – Yak Kharka

Path 11 km, 600 m ascent, 750 m drop
Yak Kharka serves the most delicious Yak Steak on the entire track 🙂 and you can also buy delicious sea buckthorn tea and yak milk cheese in guest houses. It's amazing how such huge animals as yaks survive in the highlands - only thorns grow here! But they (yaks) are practically the only transport and source of food here.

Day 10 Yak Kharkkha - Thorung Fedi

Day 11 Thorung Fedi – Thorung Haig Camp

Path 11 km, 1000 m climb, 300 m drop
Crowd along the Thorung Khola river valley. The group is approaching one of the most difficult obstacles on the track - Thorung La pass. Overnight at the top of the pass.

Day 12 Thorung Haig Camp - Thorung La Pass - Muktinath

Path 16 km, 600 m ascent, 1800 m drop
Night exit from the lodge - the temperature outside is below zero and the air is surprisingly clear and ringing. A relatively small (600 m), but difficult climb, and now the group will be at an altitude of 5416 meters - the top point of the Thorung La pass. It offers a beautiful view of the peaks of Dhaulagiri and Tashi Kang.
Then begins the descent to Muktinath (3800 m), the most famous place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. On the territory of the monastery there are palaces of Vishnu, Krishnu, the Goddess of Fire, a memorial golden garden, and in it there is a Waterfall-fountain (it has 108 heads of a sacred cow - according to the number of known faces of Shiva)
The pagoda style in which the Muktinath temple is made is a symbol of the religious symbiosis of Hinduism and Buddhism. This shrine is one of the eight main Vaishnava shrines. Here, at the beginning of the 19th century, Hindus consecrated the temple of Vishnu and called it Muktinath - the Lord of Liberation. Hindus call this place Mukti Kshetra, which means "place of soul salvation"). The Buddhists gave it the name Chumig Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means "one hundred sacred waters." It is believed that one who bathes here in all 108 springs completely cleanses his karma - there is a great chance 😉

Day 13 Rest in Muktinath

Day 14 Muktinath - Kakbeni

Day 15 Kakbeni - Jomsom

Day 16 Jomsom - Pokhara

Day 17 Pokhara Rest

Day 18 Pokhara - Kathmandu

The tour program is not final and may be adjusted depending on weather conditions, health status of participants and other circumstances. The guide decides on the exit of the participants on the route, on the time of the exit, on changing the tactical plan for the passage of the route.

Trekking is conducted by tour club guides

Sergey Zavoda

Yula Urbanavichute

Mandatory

  • Telescopic trekking poles
  • Seat-hoba-podpopnik (can be bought for 100-200 rubles)
  • Mountain sunglasses, protection class 4
  • Thermos
  • Water tank (plastic bottle - can be bought locally / hydraulic system / flask)
  • Towel (microfiber)
  • Headlamp and spare batteries
  • Crockery (mug, knife)
  • Sleeping bag t comfort -5 degrees of comfort
  • Backpack up to 40 l, light
  • Cape on a backpack from the rain

Optional

  • Wristwatch
  • Power bank (battery charger)
  • Solar panel
  • Mobile phone with charger
  • Camera

Cosmetic bag*

  • Wet wipes
  • Hygienic lipstick (better with spf - sold at the pharmacy)
  • Toothbrush and paste
  • Sun cream (spf 50-100)
  • Small scissors or nail clippers
  • small mirror
  • Comb
  • Soap/shampoo/dry shampoo
  • Toilet paper in waterproof packaging
    * the list is advisory in nature

Personal first aid kit

  • Individual preparations
  • Nasal drops
  • Coldrex/Theraflu
  • Plaster bactericidal
  • Preparations to improve adaptation to altitude (acclimatization) - are selected individually for each participant
  • Orthopedic knee pads or elastic bandage for those with knee problems or beginners without mountain hiking experience

clothing

  • 1 T-shirt or long sleeve shirt
  • 2-3 running T-shirts (synthetics)
  • Buff (scarf)
  • Membrane light trekking boots: solid sole, fixed ankle
  • For girls - a sports bra (usually uncomfortable)
  • Hiking shoes/sneakers/trekking sandals - as spare shoes
  • Swimsuit / swimming trunks
  • Shorts (not denim)
  • Underwear (preferably synthetics) in reasonable amounts
  • Trekking socks 3 pairs
  • Windstop gloves
  • Light down jacket (at -10)
  • Warm fleece jacket
  • Thermal underwear (2 sets of light synthetic thermal underwear can be used)
  • Hat
  • Fleece pants for girls (for warmth, but you can get by with a combination of thermal underwear + running pants)
  • Running pants (made of quick-drying synthetic material, easy to wash)
  • Headwear from the sun (buff, cap, panama hat)
  • Membrane jacket (waterproof, windproof)/Tourist knee-length raincoat
  • Membrane pants (waterproof, windproof) (if you have a raincoat, you can not take it)

The documents

  • Hermetic bag (that is, waterproof) for documents
  • International passport
  • Tickets or itinerary receipts
  • Money for additional expenses ($800-850)
  • Copies or photo in the phone of the passport of the Russian Federation and foreign
  • Mountaineering insurance (ask the manager or arrange it yourself) - be sure to check the availability of search and rescue operations in the insurance policy!)

Trekking around Annapurna $750of which 30% is paid to reserve a place in a group

Full payment 30 days before the start.

Trekking around Annapurna with the MyWay tourist club is:

  • thoughtful route: its layout involves trekking in different climatic zones - the tropics, subtropics and highlands, as well as contact with the rich and ancient spiritual culture of Nepal;
  • optimal duration will allow you to completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the country and the mountains, as well as get acclimatization, which has a good effect on your physical condition, allows you not to worry about mountain sickness and is necessary for the successful passage of the route;
  • dates, selected based on our experience - in November and April best time to pass the route according to weather conditions
  • experienced mountain guide of the club, who will guide you safely along the route, taking care of all organizational nuances, with him you can not worry about language barriers or everyday problems, and at any time you will find support
  • information support– assistance in finding and buying tickets, obtaining insurance, awareness of all the nuances of travel
  • assistance in preparation– how to be ready for trekking so that you feel great in all conditions – we send each participant a program of physical and pharmacological training, which will be useful not only on a trip, but also in everyday life
  • decor all the documents necessary for trekking – you don’t have to personally deal with the nuances of the Nepalese bureaucracy, because we will take care of all the problems
  • safety– our whole team is working to ensure that you return from the track safe and sound, in an even better shape than you went there
  • comfort– we choose the best mountain hotels – loggias, the most comfortable, with the most delicious food and hospitable Nepalese hosts
  • making new friends close to you in spirit, and maybe something more

Included in the price:

  • advice on purchasing tickets, insurance, equipment, paperwork
  • guide work
  • hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara (total 3 nights, double rooms)
  • accommodation on the track in loggias
  • transfers and transfers: Kathmandu - Besisahar - Syanje
  • all necessary permits and fees for trekking: TIMS, national park permits
  • satellite phone per group in case of emergency
  • group medical first aid kit
  • breakfasts (at the hotel) in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • assistance with the purchase of air tickets and insurance (upon request)

The price does not include:

  • flight to Kathmandu
  • Nepalese visa - $ 40, issued at Kathmandu airport
  • taxi around the city
  • food 20 - 25 $ per day
  • rental of personal equipment
  • personal expenses: drinking water 0.2-2$ per 1l, shower 2-5$, battery charging
  • flight Jomsom - Pokhara $ 120 (if there is no flying weather, then moving)
  • flight Pokhara - Kathmandu (if there is no flying weather, then transfer)
  • travel insurance with the trekking option (ask the manager or arrange it yourself) - be sure to make sure that the insurance policy includes search and rescue operations
  • sightseeing in Kathmandu optional (about $40)
  • porter services (optional), the price for 1 porter for the entire track is $ 260, the porter carries 20 kg, it is rational to take one porter for 2 people ($ 130 per person), each gives 10 kg things, as practice shows, this is enough; includes porters' fares, payment for days
  • tips for porters $45 (if taken). This is not required, but the Nepalese will be very happy with your gratitude.
  • other expenses not mentioned in the program

You need to fly to the city of Kathmandu on the 1st day of the program in the morning.

You can fly from Kathmandu on the last day of the program.