north to south, allowing for a flight to Jomsom at the start, and thereby reducing the risk of delays affecting your international departure (if the trek finished with a flight out of Jomsom and there was bad weather, there could be a few days delay).

The Annapurna Massif is barely 40 km north of Pokhara, Nepal's second city, a splendid and dramatic Himalayan setting. West of the Annapurna Massif and the circuit trail is one of the world's 8,000+ metre high mountains, Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and this will be in sight much of the time. The route meanders through a very diverse range of climates, which is what makes Nepal such a special trekking destination. From the high altitude arid zone north of Jomsom through to the sub-tropical heat and terraced rice paddies at the end of the trek. The magnificent mountain Machhapuchhre (6,993m) is the centre piece in the backdrop as you finish your trek in the western section of the Annapurna Circuit.

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Itinerary of The Jomsom Trek In Detail.

Days 01 : Arrive in Kathmandu, and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is to relax.

Days 02 : Today, you will enjoy guided tours of Kathmandu and Patan City.

Days 03 : Kathmandu to Jomsom. Transfer to domestic airport for flight to Pokhara and then flight to Jomsom, with fantastic views of the Himal. From the airfield it is a ten minute walk to the village Jomsom (2,720m / 8,918ft), passing banks, government offices, a hospital and check post (sign the book here). Check in at the Guest House / Mountain Lodges, relax and acclimatize.

Days 04 : Heading north to Kagbeni (2,800m / 9,88ft) for a day in the barren world that is a strange experience for the first timer. The trek to Kagbeni and back to Jomsom, should take about 7 hours plus time for stops. Depending on your acclimatization and fitness you may need to cut short the day's walk, so that you can get back to Jomsom over a comfortable period. You will need warm clothes to protect you from the winds that blow up the Kali Gandaki Valley. The Thupten Samphel Ling gompa at Kagbeni is worth a visit for the excellent views from its roof towards Mustang. Return to your guest house in Jomsom. Option 1: Spend more time exploring in the area north of Jomsom, amending days 12 and/or 13 as necessary. You may get as far as Muktinath (3,800m / 12,467ft), a sacred place to the Hindus and Buddhists alike, but progress will be slow as you will not have acclimatized

Days 05 : Jomsom to Larjung (2,550m / 8,366ft). Due to sparse vegetation on the mountainsides at the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki you can see the full glory of the texture of the mountains, dotted by sage and juniper. Tilitso peak (7,134m), Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri are in view as you walk along the main route southwards. From Larjung you can do a side trip up towards the Dhaulagiri Ice-fall, although you will not have enough time and the required acclimatisation to go all the way, even so it is worthwhile. Option 2: staying an extra night at Larjung, to give more time for this side trip ・ amend days 12 and / or 13 to allow this.

Days 06 : Larjung to Gansa (2,010m / 6,594ft). As you head from Larjung and then through Kalopani we enter a wide tableland with pine groves giving wide views down towards Gansa. The thickly clustered dwellings of Gansa are made of stone with whitewalls and flat roofs. An air of Lamaism permiates the village as you will have noticed already at the higher villages, it is the Tibetan influence.

Days 07 : Gansa to Tatopani (1,190m / 3,905ft). Tatopani means hot water・and your treat at the end of today is to sit in the hot water pools at the side of the river, sipping your favourite drink (if it is available). Some people run and cool down in the chiso (cold) pani of the river, but you need time to build up the courage and it also interferes with the relaxation.

Days 08 : Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,750m / 9,022ft) Continuing with the Nepali lesson, pani means water as you know, ghore is the word for horse and this was one of the places to stop and water your horse on your way to Tibet. After yesterdays relaxation this is a tough day, up hill all the way, so take 5 every now and again and look backwards to some great views down towards the Kali Gandaki Valley. To motivate yourself for this uphill section, you must think about the restaurant at Ghorepani that is awaiting you, it is very tastefully decorated in comparison to other places in rural Nepal and serves really great food. The restaurant is part of Sunny Lodge on the eastern side of the lower part of the village and it is very enjoyable to sit around the stove before and after dinner. Most people rave about the lodges in the upper part of the village, but this is the best in our opinion.

Days 09 : Ghorepani to Tadapani (2,595m / 8,514ft). Before we depart from this area we make the pre dawn trip to Poon Hill for a marvellous view with spectacular colours. From Ghorepani we leave the Annapurna Circuit route and head east for a much more interesting final leg. Leaving Ghorepani behind we head up a ridge, with wonderful views, particularly west and northwards, and plenty of space as this is off the beaten track. The ridge leads to a village in a pass known as Deurali (2,987m / 9,800ft) (Deurali is the name given to a number of villages in this type of location ・the word means 菟ass・. Staying overnight in Tadapani where you can enjoy with a panoramic views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

Days 10 : Tadapani to Landruk (1,565m / 5,135ft). The meaning! 電istant water・ by the time you get to Nepal you will have a good vocabulary. Just below Tadapani to the north west is a forest and if you are quiet you will se monkey and plenty of exotic birds, as you head for Ghandruk. There are some terrific views of the Himal as you trek along here. Through Ghandruk and down into the Modi Khola and up the other bank to Landruk. Option 3: from Tadapani contour round to Chomrong and head up towards the Annapurna Sanctuary, perhaps as far as Bamboo (2,355m / 7,725ft). The next day would get you as far as Phedi, and on the 12th day arriving in Pokhara and staying overnight.

Days 11 : Landruk to Tarshi Palkheil Tibetan Refugee Camp (Hyenga) The trail south from Landruk has many paved sections and is very pleasant and interesting. Just beyond the village of Dhampus the trail descends steeply by steps (but no where near as many as on the main Annapurna Circuit south of Ghorepani ・that you avoided). Walk or bus the few miles to Tarshi Palkhiel for a Tibetan experience. The highlight of which is the 6.00 am puja (prayers) in the monastery and the lovely Tibetan food served in the Guest house within the camp. Have you tried Momo痴 before? What about the Tibetan style chapati that is very thick, these are great for breakfast. The Tee Momo痴 in a vegetable curry are very tasty. There is a Tibetan carpet factory in the camp and a guided tour may be possible.

Days 12 : Tarshi Palkheil to Pokhara. After breakfast take the bus into Pokhara and relax for the rest of the day in this lakeside town with its abundance of facilities.

Days 13 : Pokhara to Kathmandu. Tourist class bus to Kathmandu and stay overnight in same hotel as before.

Days 14 : Transfer to airport and fly to home

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Cost Of The Trip

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Includes & Excludes

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