Pisang Peak and Thorung La Pass – 21 Days

Today we will take a private 4WD drive from Kathmandu to Syange. The drive will be last 7 to 8 hours depending upon the traffic and the road condition. The drive till Besisahar is on concrete paved road. After Besisahar, we will enjoy our adventurous and dirt road drive for a maximum of 2 hours to reach our destination Syange. We will assign the best vehicle matching the needs of the road. All our drivers are very experienced and are certified license holder for the highway drives.

During this drive, if the weather permits, you can also enjoy the glimpses of the mountains like Mount Annapurna II and III, Mount Machhapuchhre and Mount Lamjung along with beautiful landscape, rivers and waterfalls.

Now tighten up the shoes laces. We will start walking gradually following the beautiful Marsyangdi River. This walk will be slightly ascending and we will come across the beautiful waterfalls on this walk. We will rest at Tal tonight.

This will be our exciting day. We will leave Marsyangdi River behind and continue our journey to witness Annapurna II and Pisang Peak and beautiful landscape and old villages. Don’t miss an opportunity to take beautiful pictures as we observe mountains, waterfalls and countryside life style of Nepal. We will rest at Danaque.

We will continue our walk enjoying the view of mountains, and waterfalls on the way. Today will be an easy day. After 4 hours of walking, we will reach Chame, the headquarter of Manang. It’s a beautiful little town with more facility than our previous days.

The day begins by passing through a deep forest located in a steep and narrow valley. From there we cross a river on a long suspension bridge (2,910 m). We then cross another bridge (3,040 m), after which the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face begins to appear. From there the trail climbs up to Pisang, which sprawls between 3,200 m & 3,300 m, a day’s trip of 5 hours.

On today’s 6 hours trek the trail makes a steep ascent, passing through Upper Pisang. En route we cross forests of pine and local vegetation. The views of the Annapurna range welcome you. From today the accommodations will be tented camps for a few days, with food cooked on site by our professional chef.

Today another 6 hours trek leads along a rocky glacier path to the high camp (5,450 m). You’ll be met by panoramic views of the Annapurna range, Chulu East, Chulu Far East, Nawal peak, Tilicho peak and many other unnamed mountains and peaks.

Today is our main adventure day. Weather permitting, we’ll set out early to climb Pisang peak. At the summit of Pisang (6,091 m), you have a closer panoramic view of the Annapurna range, Chulu East, Chulu Far East, Nawal peak, Tilicho peak, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, the Tibetan mountains, Kang Guru Peak, Gyaji Kang peak, Tilje peak, Kuchubhro peak, and many more. After an easy trip to the top, we make our way back down to the base camp.

The trail moves steeply down during the 5 hours trek to Pisang Village (3,300 m). The view of the Annapurna range accompanies the descent. Beginning today, accommodations will once more be guesthouses for the rest of the trip.

Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna range. The people of this region herd yaks and raise crops for part of the year. They also continue to enjoy the special trading rights they gained back in 1784. Leaving Pisang, we have a choice between trails heading north and south of the Marsyangdi River, meeting up again at Mungji. The southern route goes by Hongde (3,325 m) and involves less climbing than the northern route by way of Ghyaru. While containing a more rigorous path, the route along the northern bank of the river holds better mountain views than the southern. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga (3,475 m) to nearby Manang (3,540 m). Overnight at guesthouse.

Today we leave Manang, the trail making an ascent of nearly 2,000 m to the Thorong La pass. We make the climb steadily through Tenki Manang, leaving the Marsyangdi Valley. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we reach Yak Kharka (4,050 m) after five hours, where the many yaks and abundant vegetation begin to grow steadily sparser.

Today the trail descends to cross the river, then climbing up to Thorong Phedi (4,450 m), a 5 to 6 hours trek.

Today holds a long trek beginning at 4:00 a.m., enabling us to reach the pass by 9 or 10 a.m. Otherwise weather conditions will greatly affect the journey. We cross over at an altitude of 5,416 meters, and can be exposed to strong winds if the crossing is made too late. We start climbing up a steep path that is regularly used and easy to follow. Problems may arise, however, due to the high altitude and snow. Snow often makes the crossing for more difficult. About four hours’ climb we’ll reach the pass, marked by chortens and prayer flags. At the top we’ll be rewarded by the magnificent view, after which another four will take us to the holy town of Muktinath (3,800 m).

Muktinath, meaning “place of Nirvana,” is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows are relieved when visiting the temple, a scared pilgrimage site to Hindus and Buddhists alike. The chief pilgrimage usually takes place in September. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and features 108 waterspouts from which holy water pours. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple, which contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural underground gas.

Our descent continues five hours through the Kali Gandaki Valley to Jomsom, headquarters of the Mustang district and home to many apple orchards and apple delicacies. Apple Brandy is a local specialty that you may be lucky enough to taste during the journey.

This morning a 30 minutes flight takes us to Pokhara from Jomsom. Once at the Pokhara airport, we’ll drive you to a hotel. You have the remaining day to yourself. You can shower, relax, stroll around the Lakeside and have a downtime.

You have the option to extend your trip to continue onto Chitwan jungle safari, rafting adventure, Kathmandu valley shopping tour, scenic Everest flight, mountain biking and other activities.

In the evening, we host a farewell dinner in a fine restaurant. (Your guide(s) and an office staff will accompany you).