Kaligandaki Valley Trek

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you’ll be warmly greeted by our representative. After a brief overview of your package at the hotel, you’ll have some free time to relax. In the evening, enjoy a traditional welcome dinner.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will embark on a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley. Your first stop will be Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, perched on a hill overlooking the valley. This ancient Buddhist stupa offers breathtaking views of both the mountains and Kathmandu Valley and is a major attraction for Buddhists and tourists alike, with its striking white dome and golden spire visible from afar.

Next, you’ll visit Pashupatinath, a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This sacred site is one of the most significant Hindu temples in the Indian subcontinent and features a crematorium where bodies are cremated.

Finally, you’ll explore Patan Durbar Square, celebrated for its stunning traditional Nepalese architecture. The square is home to a wealth of centuries-old temples and palaces, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Nepal.

After breakfast, we’ll start our drive to Pokhara in a private car. While we could fly, the drive is scenic and offers beautiful views, even though it takes a bit longer. If you’re interested, you can also go rafting for about 1.5 hours along the way (additional cost).

When we arrive in Pokhara, you’ll check into your hotel and have time to explore this beautiful lakeside city. In the evening, we’ll visit Tal Barahi Temple by boat and enjoy a stunning sunset view. We’ll end the day with dinner at a local restaurant and prepare for the hiking trip the next day.

After breakfast, we’ll drive for about 2.5 hours to Hile, where our trek begins. We’ll first drive through Nayapool and stop at Birethanti, a village by the Modi River, to check permits. Then, we’ll continue to Hile, making stops to enjoy scenic viewpoints and waterfalls along the way.

Once we arrive in Hile, we’ll start our trek. Hile is a picturesque village, and from there we’ll continue to Tikhedhunga for lunch. After lunch, we’ll cross a stream with beautiful waterfalls and then climb up the stone steps to Ulleri, where we’ll stay for the night. The trek involves many stone steps, so we’ll take it slowly and enjoy the journey.

As we trek, you’ll pass by stunning waterfalls, traditional villages, terraced fields, and parts of the forest. During the drive, you’ll also enjoy great views of the Manaslu and Annapurna mountain ranges.

After breakfast, we’ll start our trek, beginning with an ascent to Banthanti, where we’ll stop for tea. From there, we’ll continue uphill gradually until we reach a stream with a lovely waterfall. The trail then takes us through rhododendron forests and small settlements, where we’ll break for lunch. After lunch, we’ll trek further uphill until we reach Ghorepani. In the spring months (March-April), this route is especially vibrant with blooming rhododendrons, making the forest incredibly colorful.

Once we arrive in Ghorepani, we’ll check into our hotel and take in the stunning mountain views. Ghorepani offers breathtaking sights of the Himalayas. We’ll go to bed early tonight as we need to wake up at 4 a.m. tomorrow for a hike to Poon Hill to catch an amazing sunrise.

Wake up early around 4 a.m. and hike up to Poon Hill, which takes about 45 minutes depending on your pace. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with the first rays of the sun illuminating the Himalayas—an incredible sight to enjoy and capture with photos. After soaking in the view, head back to the hotel for breakfast.

Post-breakfast, we’ll trek downhill all the way to Tatopani, where you can relax in the popular hot springs, though it can be a bit crowded. The trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani passes through several villages with great views of Nilgiri and stunning landscapes. Although the trek is a bit long, it’s mostly downhill until we reach the Kaligandaki River, making it manageable. In the evening, you can enjoy a soothing bath in the hot springs. Tatopani, located on the main trail to Upper Mustang, features a dirt road, offering a different experience from the trek you’ve just completed.

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Marpha in a local jeep, where you can explore the village. Marpha is known for its apple farms, where they produce brandy, and it also has a monastery to visit.

Once you’ve explored Marpha, we’ll continue driving to Kagbeni via Jomsom, the headquarters of the Mustang district where we’ll be flying back later. In Kagbeni, you’ll cross a long suspension bridge and trek to the charming village of Teri. From Teri, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Kagbeni and the surrounding areas.

Afterward, we’ll return to Kagbeni for the night. During the drive, you’ll have the chance to visit small local towns, interact with residents, and learn about their culture.

Today, we’ll reach the highest point of our trek. Instead of taking the less pleasant dirt road, we’ll follow a different route via Jhong, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Dhaulagiri mountain range and glimpses of Upper Mustang. Previously, we couldn’t take this route due to permit restrictions for Upper Mustang, but now it’s accessible for this section.

The trek today is mostly uphill through a dry, desert-like landscape with some greenery. You’ll pass through charming Thakali villages where you can immerse yourself in local culture. After about 5-6 hours of trekking, we’ll arrive at Muktinath Temple, also known as the Temple of Salvation. We’ll visit the temple and stay in a teahouse. This area is more crowded than other parts of the trek, as many pilgrims from Nepal and India come to pay their respects at Muktinath.

Today, if we didn’t visit the temple yesterday, we’ll start by paying our respects and then have breakfast. Next, we’ll trek downhill to Lupra, a traditional village nestled in the Pand Khola Gorge between Kagbeni and Jomsom. Lupra is unique with its traditional Thakali houses and a monastery worth visiting.

After exploring Lupra and taking in the natural beauty of Thak Khola, we’ll have lunch and then continue our trek to Jomsom. The final stretch of the trek will be on a road, as we join the Jomsom to Muktinath road. If you prefer, we can catch a jeep for a short 15-minute ride; otherwise, we can keep trekking to Jomsom. We’ll spend our last night there, celebrating our journey in the Himalayas.

Early in the morning, we’ll catch a flight to Pokhara to avoid the strong winds that usually pick up after noon. Upon arriving in Pokhara, you might have to wait a bit for your room since check-in is typically after 2 PM. In the meantime, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and use the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping, enjoy a meal, or take care of anything you missed earlier. Alternatively, you might want to relax with a spa treatment in Pokhara—it’s a great way to unwind after the trek.

Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll have breakfast before traveling to the airport for a 30-minute flight to Kathmandu. The flight offers spectacular views of the Himalayas. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, we’ll head to Bhaktapur for another 30 minutes by car, a medieval town renowned for its stunning art and architecture, including palaces dating back to the 12th century.

We’ll stay in a hotel located right in the heart of the Royal Palace area, allowing you to fully experience the charm of Bhaktapur. This ancient city is known for its well-preserved temples, intricate carvings, and vibrant cultural atmosphere, making it a wonderful place to spend your last night and soak in the local vibes.

You’ll have a relaxed day in Bhaktapur, giving you ample time for shopping, sightseeing, or simply unwinding. This extra day is set aside as a backup for bad weather, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. You can visit the Royal Palace, the Nyatapola Temple—Bhaktapur’s tallest temple with stunning views—and wander through Potter’s Square and Dattatreya Square. Take time to stroll through the narrow streets and interact with locals. Bhaktapur is particularly enchanting in the morning and evening, when it’s quieter and you can enjoy the serene ambiance, music, mantras, and butter lamps, away from the tour groups.

Your final day in Nepal is a free day. You do as you like. Many people take the time for shopping others enjoy exploring the cultural sites of the city. Our local guide can advise you on the best shops in the area. Farewells! Our airport representative will travel with you to the airport.