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Day 01 - Arrival In Kathmandu
Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport
transfer to your hotel. Short briefing will follow concerning the
necessary formalities and your trekking itinerary. Depending upon your
arrival time you may spend free time visiting nearby sanctuaries or
resting.
Day 02 - Sightseeing / Cultural Day In Kathmandu Valley
Half day sightseeing around Kathmandu where your
guide will escort you on a tour of Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines
reflecting ancient local traditions. There is time to explore the city’s
many places of interest on your own or take a rest while trekking permits
are finalized. In the evening sample a delicious traditional Nepali
dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 03 - Kathmandu to Chisopani (2140m)
Drive from Kathmandu to the Sundarijal northern edge
of the Kathmandu valley for about 1 hour by private transport and start to
hike up to Mulkharka, the sprawling Tamang settlement. The trail continues
on a gentle climb through the forests ridges before it drops down to
Chisopani (cold water) (2300m). situated on the ridge from where you can
see countless snow peaks. The sunrise on the Himalaya, from Annapurna to
Everest, is particulary outstanding from this point. Stay overnight there
(4 hrs).
Day 04 - Chisopani to Gul Bhanjyang (2140m)
The trail continues to drop down on a good,
sometimes level and crosses meadows and fields to Pati Bhanjyang. This is
a Brahman and Chhetri village on a saddle at the bottom of the ridge at
1860 meter. From here the trail starts climbing up again on a series of
steep switchbacks to Chipling (2170m) where we can stop for lunch. At the
upper end of this village the trail makes another steep, 200 meter, climb
on a stone staircase to the top of the Jhogin Danda ridge. From the ridge
the trail descends through forest to a large chorten (round Buddhist
monument) overlooking the Tamang village of Gul Bhanjyang, which is a
delightfull, classic hill village with a pleasant main street (5-6 hrs).
Day 05 - Gul Bhanjyang to Tharepati (3640m)
From Gul Bhanjyang the first part of the trail
climbs up a steep, eroded trail through rhododendron forest passing only a
few shepherd’s huts to a pass at 2580 meter. The treks proceeds north up
the Yurin Danda ridge and affords views of Langtang and Gosaikund Peaks.
We will cross the pass at 3510 meter before we descent to Magen Goth where
we stop for lunch. Afterwards, we pick up the ascending/descending trail
again, passing through forests, across flower-strewn meadows and crossing
streams till we reach Tharepati (3640m) (6 hrs).
Day 06 - Tharepati to Melamchigaon (2530m)
From the northeren end of the village the trail
turns east and drops steeply into a ravine. Here the vegetation changes to
large firs, then oaks and rhododendrons, as we rapidly loos altitude.
After crossing the Chhyadi Khola on a suspension bridge, the trail makes a
short final ascent to the prosperous Sherpa village of Malamchigaon at
2530m. We will arrive here early and the rest of today’s time can be spent
strolling around the village. Melamchigaon is a large prosperous Sherpa
village with extensive fields of barley, corn and potatoes. The gompa
(Tibetan Buddhist temple) here has a line of prayer flags at the front,
brightly painted walls and statues of Guru Rimpoche and his consorts. It
is local believe that Guru Rimpoche mediated in a cave above the village
and wore robes made by dakinis (female angels) (5 hrs).
Day 07 - Melamchigaon to Tarke Gyang (2590m)
From the Melamchigaon gompa, the trail descends
through jungle to a bamboo teashop at 2360 meter, then drops steeply
through fields to the Malemchi Khola river. After crossing the
suspension bridge at 1890m the trail begins its long climb towards Tarke
Gyang, which is the
largest village in the Helambu region. The stone house here are build
close together with narrow alleyways separating them. The gompa of this
village has a large brass prayer wheel (6 hrs).
Day 08 - Tarke Gyan to Sermathang (2610m)
The trail leaves the village and makes a sweep
around the wide valley to the pretty Sherpa village of Ganyul at 2520
meter. The people in this village practice Drukpa Kagyu Buddhism, the same
as the national religion of Buthan. From here the trail drops over a ridge
but soon starts climbing up again through deep forests, crossing a number
of stream to a crest at 2620 meter. We continue our way passing the large
gompa at Chumnik, before another gentle climb leads as to the village of
Sermathang. In the afternoon we can visit the gompa here (4 hrs).
Day 09 - Sermathang to Kathmandu via Melamchi Pul Bazaar
From Sermathang the trail follows the ridge all the
way down to Malemchi Pul Bazaar, making a drop of 1730 meter. The trail
passes chorten after chorten in the settlements of Nigale, Gyalsha and
Raithani Gyang. From here we descent through chir pine forest to yet
another chorten at Kakani, which is the last Sherpa village on the trek,
and we now enter the lowlands inhabited by Brahmans and Chhetris. From
Kakani the trail drops steeply to the attractive village of Dubhachaur in
a saddle at 1610 meter. Continuing firther down the ridge our trail will
eventually bring us to a large suspension bridge which crosses the
Indrawati river and brings us into Malemchi Pul Bazaar. From here we will
take private transportation back to Kathmandu (6 hrs walking time, 3-4 hrs
to Kathmandu). Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10 - Kathmandu
Departure from Kathmandu
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