This day fits quite a bit in — helpful for maximizing your time in Kathmandu — but doesn’t overload you with too many sites. You can spend as much time as you like at each temple (this is a private tour just for you), although most people tend to spend an hour. For lunch, you’ll stop at one of our recommended local restaurants.

Return to your hotel in Kathmandu in the late afternoon and meet your trekking guide who will go over details for tomorrow’s adventure.

Tour length: 7-8 hours (including transfers)

Transport: Private jeep
Driving time: 8-10 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse

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

After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, we climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive Sringi Himal, 7187m. We pass through the charming, paved village of Sirdibas, where the local children might be selling oranges. Crossing the river again via a long suspension bridge at GataKhola, the path splits, with the right-hand branch heading off towards the Ganesh Himal.

Our route continues upstream, and again we have a steep climb to reach Philim and its Japanese sponsored school. It’s a shorter day today, only about three hours, so we have the afternoon free to explore the interesting upper village, or sit and enjoy the afternoon at our tea house.

Walking time: Approx. 7 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse

This is the start of the lower Nubri region called Kutang, where the people are ethnically Tibetan but speak a different dialect than the people of upper Nubri where the people are pure Tibetans. The Kutang dialect, called ‘kukay’, is a mix of Tibeto-Burman and Gurung. We have views of Lumbo Himal to the rear, as well as Lapuchen and Dwijen Himals.

Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Local Tea House

We have about four hours of trekking ahead of us, twice crossing the large Budhi Gandaki and twice over smaller tributary streams, staying mostly high with many ascents and descents as we walk through the gorge, all the time enjoying spectacular views. Eventually, we reach Ghap, and our tea house for the night. The egg-shells strung above the doors are to prevent the evil spirits from entering the houses.

Walking time: Approx. 5 hours
Accommodation: Local Tea House

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

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

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.

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

Option 1
Take an easy trail up the valley directly behind of Samdo to one of the trade passes headed for Tibet. This route has excellent views of Manaslu along with other Himalayan ranges including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo, and possibly Kang Guru behind the pass. En route to these viewpoints, you will pass many seasonal herding settlements called doksas and see some beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), Lammergeyer, and Himalayan Griffin soaring above.

Option 2
A more challenging route is the trek to the Gya La (large pass) north of Samdo—a more frequently used trading route to Tibet. This is a longer full-day hike and not advised for those seeking a little rest.

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

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

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