Day 1: Arrival in Nepal and passport to Himalayan Quests.

Day 2: Trek briefing and preparation

Day 3: Drive to Chamje, approx. 10 hrs. We will leave early in the morning for the long drive to Koto in order to try and get ahead of the traffic, stopping for meals along the way. In Besisahar we will change vehicles to a local jeep as the roads from here on in are bumpy and unpaved. We will make a quick stop at Khudigoan checkpoint and then continue on to Chamje, our stop for the night and where we can stretch our legs exploring the beautiful waterfalls.

Day 4: Trek Chyamje to Tal, (1,700m), approx. 4 hrs. After yesterday’s long, bumpy journey we will stretch out our legs contouring the hills and following the Marshyandi River to our destination, Tal, a beautiful Gurung village, home to approximately 300 people.

Day 5: Trek Tal to Tilje (2,300m), approx. 6-7 hrs. After breakfast will continue walking along the Marshyandi River until we reach the village of Khotro.  From here, we start to head up, reaching Nache, a tiny village of about 40 households after about 2.5hrs. After lunch we will head back down towards the river and a spectacular 130m suspension bridge, from which we can see many villages up and down the Marshyandi corridor. Once we have crossed the bridge we will be walking through pine forests, until we reach our stop for the night, Tilje.

Day 6: Trek Tilje to Tachai (2,340m), approx. 5 hrs. We start today walking through the village of Tilje until we cross the river on a small Bailey bridge. After about 20 minutes we can make a short detour to some stalagmite caves, believed to have been used by meditating lamas. Once back on the main trail we continue walking through pine forests, crossing the river once again on a suspension bridge and continuing on until we reach Tachai, a small Gurung village on top of a hill and our home for the night. For those that want, after we have dropped our bags, we can head to some local hot springs, about a 20-minute walk from the village.

Day 7: Trek Tachai to Shongle (3,360m), approx. 8 hrs. Today will be a bit more strenuous than the previous days as we start gaining some serious elevation. Directly from the village, we head uphill to the saddle of Chonga Dada (3,283m). After a well-deserved rest to catch our breath, we head down again through pine forests to the Chonga River, whereby we head upstream along its banks, finally crossing it on a small wooden bridge. We continue uphill through pine and rhododendron forests until we reach our stop for the night, Shongle.

Day8: Trek Shongle to Kuchumro Phedi (4,525m), approx. 4-5 hrs.  Again, today is more uphill than down as we head off after breakfast. After about 45 minutes we should come across a small shepherd’s hut and then continue on up to Kuchumro Phedi, where we will have a chance to rest our legs ready for tomorrow’s big climb.

Day 9: Trek Kuchumro Phedi to Namakyu(4,445m) via Kuchumro Pass (4,900m) and Yarcha Pass (4,860m), approx. 10 hrs. Today involves a lot of up and two big passes.  After an early breakfast, we start heading up to the Kuchumro Pass, taking in the views of Manaslu to the east and Lamjung and Annapurna to the west. About 3 hours of walking should see us reach the top of the pass and yet more, even better views of Manaslu and the Lamjung range. Once over the pass, its about a 30-minute descent before we start heading back uphill to our second pass of the day, Yarcha pass. Your reward for reaching the top, magnificent views of Kanagru Himal (4,595m) and Annapurna II (7,937m) and then it’s downhill all the way to our stop for the night, Namakyu, which directly faces Lamjung Himal and affords great views of Kangaru Himal to the North as well.

Day 10: Trek Namakyu To Meta (4,204m) via Meta Pass (4,635m), approx.  8 hrs. Today is another big day, including your 3rd pass of the trek, but the trails are more gentle and the gradients not quite so steep. We start the day with a 10-minute uphill section, before heading down to cross a small glacial river. From the river we head back up again on a gradual incline, facing Annapurna II and with Kangaru Himal at our backs. After climbing for about 2 hours we are greeted by views of Pisang Peak rising majestically above Pisang Monastery below. We continue walking gradually uphill directly towards Pisang Peak topping out at Meta Pass (4,635m). From here it is a long descent firstly to the river, which we will cross on a small bridge, and then on to Meta village.

Day 11: Trek Meta to Koto (2,600m), approx. 6-7 hrs. Today is our last day of trekking before the long bumpy ride back to Kathmandu and will see us heading down from high alpine pastures, through pine forests on down to the lush vegetation of the lower altitudes.  We will cross bridges, walk past waterfalls and the confluence of the Soti Khola and Nar Khola rivers before arriving at our final stop, Koto.

Day 12: Drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar, approx. 10-12hrs.  It’s a long bumpy jeep from Koto to Besisahar, where we will stop for lunch, before transferring vehicles and heading on back to Kathmandu.

NOTE: The trek itinerary is a guide only and may be subject to change at short notice

Himalayan Quests uses a layering system where different pieces of clothing are worn together or separately to achieve optimum body temperature control. The upper body garments listed here are either synthetic or merino wool garments that retain their insulating properties when wet, or nylon or Gore-Tex layers which help prevent heat loss by cutting wind, rain, and snow.

This is a guideline only

Your trek cost includes:

• Pre-trip advice and detailed information
• Expert trip leadership and motivated staff for the duration of the trek
• Airport transfers in Nepal (where applicable)
• 2 nights accommodation pre-trek & 1-night post-trek in Kathmandu
• 1-night accommodation pre or post-trek in Pokhara (where applicable)
• Transportation to and from trek start and finish for you and your trekking team (different budget options available)
• Basic teahouse/lodge/camping accommodation during the trek on a twin sharing basis
• During the trek all meals on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to include tea/coffee during the meals, but excluding any drinks outside of the meal times
• All permits, conservation area, and restricted area fees
• Porters
• Insurance and equipment for Nepali staff
• Rescue assistance
• Group medical kit

Your trek cost does NOT include:

• International flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal
• Visa for Nepal
• Travel insurance (insurance to include evacuation is mandatory.  Please make sure you are covered to the correct altitude)
• Personal expenses such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, gifts, snacks, hot showers during the trek, etc.
• Meals unless specified
• Sightseeing
• Gratuities
• Excess baggage on internal flights
• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Himalayan Quests

Day 1: Arrival in Nepal and passport to Himalayan Quests.

Day 2: Trek briefing and preparation

Day 3: Drive to Chamje, approx. 10 hrs. We will leave early in the morning for the long drive to Koto in order to try and get ahead of the traffic, stopping for meals along the way. In Besisahar we will change vehicles to a local jeep as the roads from here on in are bumpy and unpaved. We will make a quick stop at Khudigoan checkpoint and then continue on to Chamje, our stop for the night and where we can stretch our legs exploring the beautiful waterfalls.

Day 4: Trek Chyamje to Tal, (1,700m), approx. 4 hrs. After yesterday’s long, bumpy journey we will stretch out our legs contouring the hills and following the Marshyandi River to our destination, Tal, a beautiful Gurung village, home to approximately 300 people.

Day 5: Trek Tal to Tilje (2,300m), approx. 6-7 hrs. After breakfast will continue walking along the Marshyandi River until we reach the village of Khotro.  From here, we start to head up, reaching Nache, a tiny village of about 40 households after about 2.5hrs. After lunch we will head back down towards the river and a spectacular 130m suspension bridge, from which we can see many villages up and down the Marshyandi corridor. Once we have crossed the bridge we will be walking through pine forests, until we reach our stop for the night, Tilje.

Day 6: Trek Tilje to Tachai (2,340m), approx. 5 hrs. We start today walking through the village of Tilje until we cross the river on a small Bailey bridge. After about 20 minutes we can make a short detour to some stalagmite caves, believed to have been used by meditating lamas. Once back on the main trail we continue walking through pine forests, crossing the river once again on a suspension bridge and continuing on until we reach Tachai, a small Gurung village on top of a hill and our home for the night. For those that want, after we have dropped our bags, we can head to some local hot springs, about a 20-minute walk from the village.

Day 7: Trek Tachai to Shongle (3,360m), approx. 8 hrs. Today will be a bit more strenuous than the previous days as we start gaining some serious elevation. Directly from the village, we head uphill to the saddle of Chonga Dada (3,283m). After a well-deserved rest to catch our breath, we head down again through pine forests to the Chonga River, whereby we head upstream along its banks, finally crossing it on a small wooden bridge. We continue uphill through pine and rhododendron forests until we reach our stop for the night, Shongle.

Day8: Trek Shongle to Kuchumro Phedi (4,525m), approx. 4-5 hrs.  Again, today is more uphill than down as we head off after breakfast. After about 45 minutes we should come across a small shepherd’s hut and then continue on up to Kuchumro Phedi, where we will have a chance to rest our legs ready for tomorrow’s big climb.

Day 9: Trek Kuchumro Phedi to Namakyu(4,445m) via Kuchumro Pass (4,900m) and Yarcha Pass (4,860m), approx. 10 hrs. Today involves a lot of up and two big passes.  After an early breakfast, we start heading up to the Kuchumro Pass, taking in the views of Manaslu to the east and Lamjung and Annapurna to the west. About 3 hours of walking should see us reach the top of the pass and yet more, even better views of Manaslu and the Lamjung range. Once over the pass, its about a 30-minute descent before we start heading back uphill to our second pass of the day, Yarcha pass. Your reward for reaching the top, magnificent views of Kanagru Himal (4,595m) and Annapurna II (7,937m) and then it’s downhill all the way to our stop for the night, Namakyu, which directly faces Lamjung Himal and affords great views of Kangaru Himal to the North as well.

Day 10: Trek Namakyu To Meta (4,204m) via Meta Pass (4,635m), approx.  8 hrs. Today is another big day, including your 3rd pass of the trek, but the trails are more gentle and the gradients not quite so steep. We start the day with a 10-minute uphill section, before heading down to cross a small glacial river. From the river we head back up again on a gradual incline, facing Annapurna II and with Kangaru Himal at our backs. After climbing for about 2 hours we are greeted by views of Pisang Peak rising majestically above Pisang Monastery below. We continue walking gradually uphill directly towards Pisang Peak topping out at Meta Pass (4,635m). From here it is a long descent firstly to the river, which we will cross on a small bridge, and then on to Meta village.

Day 11: Trek Meta to Koto (2,600m), approx. 6-7 hrs. Today is our last day of trekking before the long bumpy ride back to Kathmandu and will see us heading down from high alpine pastures, through pine forests on down to the lush vegetation of the lower altitudes.  We will cross bridges, walk past waterfalls and the confluence of the Soti Khola and Nar Khola rivers before arriving at our final stop, Koto.

Day 12: Drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar, approx. 10-12hrs.  It’s a long bumpy jeep from Koto to Besisahar, where we will stop for lunch, before transferring vehicles and heading on back to Kathmandu.

NOTE: The trek itinerary is a guide only and may be subject to change at short notice

Trekking Gear List

Himalayan Quests uses a layering system where different pieces of clothing are worn together or separately to achieve optimum body temperature control. The upper body garments listed here are either synthetic or merino wool garments which retain their insulating properties when wet, or nylon or Gore-Tex layers which help prevent heat loss by cutting wind, rain and snow.    

THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY

UPPER BODY LAYERS

• T Shirts – walking 2  Merino wool, Capilene or other synthetic, wicking fabric.  No cotton
• T-shirt – sleeping 1  Can be cotton
• Base layers 1  Light weight or mid weight thermal long sleeved t-shirt
• Top insulating Layers 1  Mid weight fleece that can be worn over other layers
• Fleece Vest 1
• Rain jacket 1
• Down jacket 1

LOWER BODY LAYERS

• Underwear  Sufficient for trek (remember you can wash them)
• Thermal long underwear 1       
• Trekking Trousers  2  Lightweight quick dry trousers (no cotton). Zip-offs are good
• Hiking Shorts  1  If no zip-off trousers. Below the knee for ladies
• Rain Pants  1

PACKS & BAGS

• Day pack  1  35ltrs. HQ will provide you with a duffle bag for your trekking gear
• Sleeping bag & compression sack  1  Minimum 3 season

FOOTWEAR

• Hiking boots  1  Must be well worn and comfortable with ankle support
• Socks  3 or 4  
• Flip flops/Camp shoes  1  Lightweight for evening use

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

• Water bottles  2  One litre each, Nalgene or Sig style or a bladder if preferred
• Water purification drops  Cheap and easy to buy in Kathmandu (Piyus)
• Sunscreen  We recommend SPF 30 or greater
• Lip Balm  With SPF factor
• Personal first aid kit  To include any prescribed medications
• Sunglasses
• Bandana/Buff
• Flash light /head torch  Head torch is best as it leaves your hands free + extra batteries
• Travel towel  Lightweight and compact
• Wash kit  Travel size items for the trek & eco friendly if possible
• Hand Sanitizer   Alcohol-based for keeping hands clean
• Sun hat
• Warm hat
• Gloves
• Trekking poles  Optional, but advised if you have dodgy knees
• Toilet paper & rubbish bag
• Trekking snacks  Good selection available in KTM
• Camera  With charger &/or extra batteries
• Book/journal
• Pack of cards/travel game  For evening entertainment
• Mosquito repellent
• Passport photos  Always useful and a must have if you want a local sim card
• Photocopies of all your important documents
• A great sense of humour & positive attitude  Essential – don’t come without it!! J

Much of the above equipment can be bought cheaply in Kathmandu. You do not need to spend a fortune on gear.

Your trek cost includes:

• Pre-trip advice and detailed information
• Expert trip leadership and motivated staff for the duration of the trek
• Airport transfers in Nepal (where applicable)
• 2 nights accommodation pre-trek & 1-night post-trek in Kathmandu
• 1-night accommodation pre or post-trek in Pokhara (where applicable)
• Transportation to and from trek start and finish for you and your trekking team (different budget options available)
• Basic teahouse/lodge/camping accommodation during the trek on a twin sharing basis
• During the trek all meals on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to include tea/coffee during the meals, but excluding any drinks outside of the meal times
• All permits, conservation area, and restricted area fees
• Porters
• Insurance and equipment for Nepali staff
• Rescue assistance
• Group medical kit

Your trek cost does NOT include:

• International flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal
• Visa for Nepal
• Travel insurance (insurance to include evacuation is mandatory.  Please make sure you are covered to the correct altitude)
• Personal expenses such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, gifts, snacks, hot showers during the trek, etc.
• Meals unless specified
• Sightseeing
• Gratuities
• Excess baggage on internal flights
• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Himalayan Quests