The Kali Gandaki Trek
The best of the Annapurna region in a 10-day lodge trek.
Probably
the most popular trek in Nepal and with good reason, this route is often
referred to as the Apple Pie trek. That should however be taken
as a tribute to the culinary skills of the legendary Thakali inn-keepers
who run some of the most pleasant mountain lodges anywhere, and a reminder
of the apple orchards near the quaint and charming settlement of Marpha.
This fascinating trek begins in Nepal’s northernmost ramparts in the Thak Khola Canyon, as the Kali Gandaki is known in its upper reaches. You explore the the arid, Tibet-like semi-desert bio tope of the trans-Himalaya and visit the renowned pilgrimage site of Muktinath. Our trek follows the river southward as it cuts its way down between the two 8,000m/ 26,000' massifs of the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Himal. Colorful mule caravans can to this day be seen plying the historic salt trade route between the lowlands of the Great Indian Plains and the elevated Tibetan plateau, demarcated by the impenetrable Himalaya. The diversity of the people, flora & fauna is as phenomenal as the scenery – dominated by the majestic summits of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges – is ever-changing.
At Poon Hill we are rewarded with the opportunity to take in our journey
down the interlocking spurs of the Kali Gandaki, put in perspective by
the summits of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himal. This trip makes for an
excellent first-time Nepal trek, offering the best of the spectacular
Annapurna region in Central Nepal.
Trip
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu. Afternoon walking tour of old Kathmandu.
Day 2 Morning tour of Swayambhu and Patan. Afternoon flight to Pokhara.
Days 3-4 Fly Pokhara – Jomsom; trek to Muktinath
via Kagbeni and Jharkot.
Days 5-7 Trek down the Kali Gandaki gorge to Tatopani,
with stops at Marpha and Ghasa.
Days 8-10 Leave the Kali Gandaki to head up towards Ghorepani, climb Poon
Hill, and trek to Ghandruk where you have an
afternoon for exploration.
Days 11-12 Cross the Modi Khola gorge that leads to the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Finish trek at Phedi, drive to Pokhara.
Day 13 Drive to Kathmandu. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 14 Morning at leisure. Afternoon tour of Pashupatinath temple and
Boudhanath stupa.
Day 15 Morning tour of Thimi & Bhaktapur. Afternoon
at leisure.
Day 16 Depart for onward destination.
Options & Extensions
Hotel
Selection
Flight
Pokhara - Kathmandu
Mountain
Flight to Everest
Kali Gandaki
rafting (3 days, PKR - PKR)
Royal Chitwan National
Park safari tour (3 days, KTM / PKR - KTM)
The Holy City of Lhasa fly-in-out
Tibet tour (5 days, KTM - KTM)
trip overview
16 days in Nepal
trek highlights
group size
trip cost
dates 2007
dates 2008
