Damodar Exploratory trek with Simon Yates

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. A Pre trek briefing will be held later afternoon where arrangements will be made for the distribution of sleeping bags and down/fibrefill jackets and timing confirmed for your gear check. There are many options to choose from for dinner and you may wish to share it with your fellow group members.

Meals:  Nil

This morning final gear checks will be held and afterwards we will depart for Thamel where any necessary items will be hired, ie plastic boots, or purchased. After the gear check has been completed, you have a free day to explore the ancient sites of this vibrant city. This may include a visit to the World Heritage listed Durbar Square with its temples and the Hanuman Dhoka a former palace of the King of Nepal as well heading to the Swayambhunath stupa with its impressive complex of Hindu and Buddhist temples and panoramic views across the Kathmandu valley. If time permits a browse through Pilgrims or Vajra bookshops is worthwhile.

Meals:  B

From Kathmandu we drive along the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway before diverting off the highway at the bustling town of Dumre. We follow the Marsyangdi valley to the village of Besi Sahar 820m on a plateau high above the river.

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue our drive along a dirt track that winds high above the Marsyandi river. We pass through secluded villages that once defined the route of the famous Annapurna Circuit trek to the village of Koto. Here you will be greeted by our staff and porters and prepare for the exhilarating trekking stages ahead. That afternoon our local leader will ensure our special permits for the Nar Phu region are endorsed.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Koto the trail diverts and follows the course of the Nar Phu river to our serene campsite – upper Koto camp – set amid pine forest at around 2750m. The rest of the day is free to take in views of Annapurna 2 (7932m) and the host of distant peaks that rise high into the Nar Phu region.

Meals:  B,L,D

We ascend the Nar Phu Khola where we enter spectacular gorge with impressive waterfalls before reaching the substantial settlement of Meta. The impressive chortens and mani walls provide a constant reminder that we are entering a Buddhist region close to the Tibetan border. Just beyond Meta we descend to our camp at Nar Phedi.

Meals:  B,L,D

We head north as we immerse in the landscape and culture of the Nar Phu region. The trail gradually ascends through grazing pastures and along the trail there is still evidence of settlements occupied until the mid 1970’s by Tibetan freedom fighters from the Khampa region.

Meals:  B,L,D

A short stage to complete the ascent to Phu, an isolated settlement on the borderlands of Tibet.

Meals:  B,L,D

A full day to explore Phu and the immediate landscape beyond the influence of the monsoon and verdant fields and rich forests of the Marsyandi valley. Phu is as wild and remote as you can imagine and a world away from the well-defined trails elsewhere in the Annapurna region. The whitewashed houses and ancient mani walls and chortens that reflect an abiding Buddhist culture more in harmony with Tibet than Nepal.

Meals:  B,L,D

We gradually ascend to Nagbru Kharka, a summer grazing area for the villagers from Phu.

Meals:  B,L,D

The trail winds high above the margins of the summer grazing areas as we steadily ascend to the Bhrituki base camp.

Meals:  B,L,D

Another short day to acclimatise with a gradual ascend across extensive sree slopes to camp.

Meals:  B,L,D

We ascend lateral moraine then cross the relatively easy graded snow slopes to our camp within striking distance of the Saribung La.

Meals:  B,L,D

We ascend the snow slopes that rise gradually towards the pass. An early start is imperative to ensure optimum conditions before we climb the well graded ridge leading to the summit of Saribung Peak.

Meals:  B,L,D

Two days to explore the heart of the Damodar region. While there is no fixed itinerary, it is planned to head west from the Saribung La. Simon Yates and our high altitude guides will assess the possibility of ascending the myriad of 6000m peaks as well as exploring glaciers flowing from the extensive glacial system that characterise this wild and remote region.

Meals:  B,L,D

From our high camp we descend to the Japanese base camp before continuing on down to the sacred Damodar lakes – a remote pilgrimage site and one of the sources of the Kali Gandaki river. After spending the last few days camping on moraine the grassy slopes above the lakes will be much enjoyed.

Meals:  B,L,D

The trail heads high above rugged gorge country as we head to the camp alongside the waters of the Barsya Khola.

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue to descend rugged terrain as we forge a trail to the camp at Luri in close proximity to the ancient Luri gompa carved out of a sheer rock wall.

Meals:  B,L,D

The final stage of the trek descends through the settlement of Yara and further down to dhi, situated alongside the upper waters of the Kali Gandaki. After an early lunch we climb steeply out of the gorge to an extensive plateau that affords fine views across to Tsarang before we reach the Jomsom to Lo Manthang road and the final descend to our camp at the capital of Mustang.

Meals:  B,L,D

A full day to explore Lo Manthang with its ancient palace and monasteries that offer a compelling insight in a vibrant Tibetan culture that can be traced back to the 7th century.

Meals:  B,L,D

The drive from Lo Manthang follows a recently constructed road to Tsarang, the former capital of upper Mustang and then to substantial town of Ghemi before gradually descending to the Kali Gandaki river and Chhuksang (2900m). The drive affords spectacular views of the Annapurna ranges and Dhaulagiri as well as gaining a further appreciation of the desert like landscape interspersed with whitewashed settlements set in the midst of thriving barely fields with trails lined with mani walls and distinctive chortens. The drive from Chhuksang to Kagbeni takes around an hour where are permits are checked before completing our exhilarating drive to Jomsom where we check in to our lodge for the night.

Meals:  B,L,D

A spectacular early morning flight from Jomsom heads through the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge before heading across the forest and settlements of the Annapurna foothills to Pokhara and our connecting flight to Kathmandu. ***Note that should the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara be cancelled due to inclement weather we will drive to Pokhara and connect with the flight to Kathmandu the following day.

Meals:  B

All being well with the flights on day 23, today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square.

Meals:  B

The trip concludes after breakfast with a transfer to the airport.

Meals:  B