Trekking

Day 01. Pokhara to Jomsom

We left from Pokhara by Landcruzer all the way. From Beni, it was bumpy drive due to rough road. We took lunch break at Dana and continued the journey. It was paved road from Kalapani again. We enjoyed the smooth drive to Jomsom with beautiful sceneries.

Day 02. Jomsom to Kakbeni

As soon as leaving from Jomsom we crossed the Kaligandaki (black) river. Then we mostly followed the road. As usual, wind blowing started after 10 am. It was super windy along the way. we had our lunch at Eklebhatti and headed to Kakbeni. Kakbeni was a bit crowded due to pilgrimage groups who were heading to Muktinath.

Day 03. Kakbeni to Chhyusang

After checking permit in ACAP office, we left from Kakbeni. We followed the road. Jeeps were heading up and down on the way. It was colorful arid landscape along the way. We took lunch break at Tangbe and headed to Chhyusang by road again. Despite the arid landscape elsewhere, they had quite greenery farmland at every village.

Day 04. Chhyusang to Samar

We followed the road until crossing Kaligandaki river and climbed up by trekking trail. After passing Chele, we headed to Syang village to avoid the road. Syang was quite old village with beautiful farmland. Then we headed to Samar through newly opened road track.

Day 05. Samar to Syangboche

Although it was a bit longer, we followed the trekking trail instead of road. Shortly after leaving from Samar, it was downhill and uphill frequently. But we enjoyed the greenery of pine trees on the way. Before reaching to Syangboche we visited to the Cave where Guru Rinpoche had meditated long time ago. Few monks were also there who offered us butter tea. Then we ascended to Syangboche in the scorching sun.

Day 06. Syangboche to Ghami

Because of long up and down in Geling route, we followed the Jaite route. We tried to walk shortcut trail on roadside. We had a tea break at Jaite where we enjoyed the latte. Then we ascended to kangla pass and descended until Ghami. Good thing they had opened trekking trail as well. Ghami was a bigger village with plenty of farmland.

Day 07. Ghami to Charang

After short downhill from Ghami, we did quite long ascending to Amphula pass. And then long descending to Charang. Charang was a second biggest village of upper mustang. There was a former royal palace and huge monastery as well.

Day 08. Charang to Lomanthang

That day we followed the road almost all the way.  Trail was gradual uphill. We passed a huge Stupa built in traditional way. After passing Army barrack, we reached to top of the Kangla pass. We enjoyed the breathtaking panaromic view from the pass. Then finally we descended to Lomanthang , capital of former Lo – kingdom. Traditionally all houses would have been built by mud, stone and wood. So Lomanthang is known as a mud city.

Day 09. Lomanthang to Chhyoser to Lomanthang

It was something like sightseeing day. So, we took a jeep and reached to Chhyoser after an hour drive. First of all, we visited to Rachen cave which was 5 Storey with dozens of rooms and windows built by cutting mud inside. Then we visited hundreds of years old few monasteries around and returned to Lomanthang.

Day 10. Explore the Tiji festival.

It was a first day of the festival which they celebrate 3 days every year. As usual, youth monks performed different types of religious dance in the premier of royal palace. There were quite crowds of local as well as foreign tourists to observe the festival. In the evening, local youth club had organized cultural show program.

Day 11. Explore the Tiji festival.

One of our team members left from Lomanthang with assistant guide. Rest of us stayed there. It was the main day of the festival. So, there was more crowds of locals compared to previous day. Former King’s son had also attended as a chief guest as a cultural king.

Day 12. Lomanthang to Jomsom

We took a Jeep again and headed to Jomsom. We had our lunch at Chhyusang where our other team members also joined with us. Then we straight drove to Jomsom and two of them also arrived in the late evening.

Day 13. Jomsom to Pokhara

One of our team members took morning flight from Jomsom . After sending him Pokhara, rest of us took Jeep and headed to Pokhara. We reached to Pokhara in the evening due to late departure from Jomsom.

Day 01. Kathmandu to Syabrubesi 1450m — 7 hrs

We boarded Scorpio from Kathmandu at 7:15 am. Unwillingly, there was a traffic jam from Thankot due to the accident. After a while, our jeep moved ahead and turned right from Galchhi. We could see beautiful paddy fields along the way. We continued ahead without stopping at our regular lunch place Trishuli.

We were looking for cool place upwards for lunch. But we had to take longer and alternative road due to landslide. Later we rejoined regular road at Dharapani and had our lunch also. Then we continuously drove to Syabrubesi.

Day 02. Syabrubesi to Rimche 2450m – 8 hrs

Our clients were ready for breakfast earlier than me. After breakfast we set off at around 7:15am from Syabrubesi. Shortly after leaving from Syabrubesi, we crossed Timure khola and followed the Langtang khola. We followed the dirt road until Dovan. Then we followed regular trekking trail. It was pretty greenery and numerous waterfalls along the way. After tea-break at Pahiro, we headed to Bamboo for lunch. There were several landslide parts on the way because of monsoon.

After crossing Dangdunge bridge, we ascended until get to Rimche. We reached to Rimche at around 2:30pm, quite faster than our estimated time. Later many pilgrims were coming from different villages. Luckily, they all went to Lama hotel for overnight stay. So, we could sleep peacefully.

Day 03. Rimche to Langtang 3500m – 7/8hrs

Since mid – night, it was raining continuously. As we expected, stopped raining in the morning. We left Rimche at around 7:30am with misty weather. Pilgrim groups had already left while we reached to Lama hotel. We met them only at Riverside where they were taking break with singing and dancing. There were more ladies than guys with theirs’ traditional costume.

Then we also walked together with pilgrim groups. It was fun to some extent though they would block the trail frequently by dancing and singing. We slowly tried to overtake the dancing groups. For that, we had to walk a bit faster which gave a bit pressure to our clients. There were very few other trekking groups on the way. some of them were joining with dancing groups. Because of early season, tea- houses at Ghoda-Tabela were closed. So, we had to trek further to Thangsyap for lunch. Only one tea- house was opened at Thangsyap also. So, it happened next big gathering of all trekkers and pilgrims there.

After lunch, we moved before than pilgrim groups. Though it was cloudy, we enjoyed trek with gentle ascending and seasonal flowers on the way. Finally, we crossed the huge landslide part of 2016 earthquake and reached to Langtang. Whole village looked busy to welcome and prepare lodging and food for pilgrim groups. Although they are Buddhist, seems they have high respect to Shaman and great practice of shamanism.

Day 04. Langtang to Kyanjin 3800m – 4hrs

Weather was misty even in the morning. We set off to Kyanjin at regular time even though it was half day trek. It was gradual uphill all the way to Kyanjin. After passing Mundu village, we met pilgrim groups again. We moved ahead while they were engaging with welcome program. There were Mani-walls, Stupas and variety of seasonal flowers along the way.

Luckily, we had chance to taste fresh Nak milk tea also on the way. We took just 4hrs to get to Kyanjin. After lunch, we visited cheese factory and also bought cheese little bit. And then we couldn’t walk around due to rain.

Day 05. Kyanjin to Langsisa to Kyanjin – 6hrs

Because of misty weather, i suggested to our clients to visit lake instead of Kyanjin ri viewpoint. After breakfast, our clients headed to Lake with assistant guide and i set off to Langsisa which was main pilgrimage site. It was quite easy trail, no uphills. There were numerous peoples along the way heading to Langsisa. I walked faster than Pilgrim groups as i wanted to get back to Kyanjin again. After half an hour walk from Kyanjin, began beautiful pastureland with greenery. Some horses, mules and Yaks were grazing somewhere on the way. Trail was sometimes through the bank of the Langtang river, sometimes little bit upward.

Suddenly weather got clear to some extent. View of Mt. Gang chhyambo with Langtang river looked really stunning. I passed few Yak huts as well on the way.  Just half an hour ago before getting to Langsisa, it was quite uphill around 20min. I took 3 hours to get to Langsisa. There were few Yak huts and a small building at Langsisa. Besides that dozens of dozen sleeping tents had been set up there for pilgrim groups.

Lamas were performing theirs’ religious retuals since previous day. Other many peoples were busy to prepare food and drinks. They offered me too Syakpa ( like home-made noodle) and butter tea. Slowly other pilgrim groups also arrived one after another. But it began to rain with misty weather. When main shaman arrived, i got back to Kyanjin. I missed theirs’ exciting groups dance and other retuals. I met almost half of the pilgrims on the way heading to Langsisa. Despite the rain and cold, peoples looked excited and having fun at each other. When all pilgrim groups crossed, i did not meet even shepherds. Just Yaks were getting back to theirs’s huts.

Later rain stopped and appeared sun little bit. It was nice sceneries on the way. It took just 3hrs me to get back to Kyanjin also. I was satisfied with Langsisa trip though it was quite long hike.

Day 06. Kyanjin to Rimche 2450m — 8hrs

At least morning time, weather got clear to some extent. We could observe few mountains as well. We got down at 7:30am from Kyanjin. Because of heavy rain at night it looked quite fresh scenery along the Langtang river. We took tea-break at Langtang and lunch at Thangsyap.

After lunch weather got cloudy again. It was long distance to get to Rimche. We kept walking without any delay. Trail was muddy and slippery little bit. We took tea-break at Riverside and continued again.Because of misty weather, it looked like semi-dark inside the jungle even at 3pam. Finally, we could be able to get to Rimche at 4:45pm before heavy rain. We all really tired due to almost 10hrs trek.

Day 07. Rimche to Thulo Syabru 2540m — 6/7hrs

Because of whole night rain, we were a bit concerned about the trail in the landslide part. It was quite clear weather with blue sky. Our group crossed the landslide part together, trail was as it was before. We took tea-break at Bamboo and descended to Pahiro for lunch. Shortly after leaving from Pahiro, we left the way to Syabrubesi and climbed up towards Thulo syabru. It began to rain again and also got some leeches as well.

Our clients wore a kinds of socks to protect from leech at  medan. Theirs’ socks looked useful to stop leech bite. After Medan we crossed long suspension bridge and ascended again. Finally we reached to Thulo syabru at around 4pm.

Day 08. Rest day at Thulo Syabru 2540m

It was our rest day to have rest and wash hiking gears. We couldnt wash our hiking gears at all due to bad weather. So, we enjoyed by playing cards. And we did short village tour in the evening.

Day 09. Thulo Syabru to Sing Gumba 3250m — 6hrs

After breakfast, we began to climb up from there. It was hot while we were climbing up though it was cloudy. From tea-break place at Dursagang, weather got misty and began to rain. We kept climbing up using raincoat and umbrella inside the jungle. Shepherds were getting down from higher areas. After long climb up, we stopped at Fobrang for lunch.

Due to cold at dining hall, we all lived around the fireplace in the kitchen which made different impression to our clients. After hot and fresh lunch, we followed the gradual uphill through pine forest. But it kept raining with very misty weather. Finally, we reached to Sing Gumba by passing quite muddy and slippery trail.

Day 10. Sing Gumba to Gosaikunda lake 4380m – 7hrs

It was quite misty weather since morning. We left Sing Gumba at around 7.30 am. We climbed up continuously through pine forest again. Trail wasn’t muddy like previous day. We had tiny hope of seeing mountains from Lauribina.

It was nice sceneries of seasonal flowers and beautiful pine trees on the way. We took tea-break at Chyolongpati and headed to Lauribina for Lunch. It was a bit crowded in our lunch place. After lunch, we began to climb up again. It kept raining with misty weather. Our tiny hope of seeing mountain views was also over. Surprisingly when we crossed the top of the Lauribina and turned towards the lakes, weather began to get clear. Gradually first lake, Saraswati Kund, was visible downwards. Then second lake, Bhairav kunda, also appeared very clearly. Our clients looked very happy to see that great views after daily misty weather. When we reached to our teahouse at Gosaikunda at around 3.30pm, Gosaikunda lake was also shining in the right side. First time, we saw almost full of clients in the teahouse.

Weather was getting further clear. So, i decidded to climb to top alone instead of making crowd in the dining hall. It was steep up but view of Gosaikunda lake and Bhairavkunda lake looked like twins downwards. Another surprise, when i reached to top, other side was still misty, Gosaikunda side only clear.

I had heard there are many lakes around the Gosaikunda. So, I got curiosity to see behind of another hill. Gradually weather also got clear. Snow peaks were also visible in far distance. There was beautiful pastureland of shepherds. I got to a beautiful lake as well which is invisible from Gosaikunda side. Then i got back to Teahouse by shepherd’s trail in the evening.

Day 11. Gosaikunda to Ghopte 3430m — 7/8 hrs

Despite the heavy rain at night, it was cloudy in the morning. At least lakes were visible from our teahouse. we began trek early due to long distance. It wasn’t easy to climb up from Gosaikunda lake to Lauribinayak pass. But there were many beautiful lakes along the way.

After passing Surya Kunda Lake, we began to descend through stone steps all the way. We took lunch break at Phedi. Then we had to walk uphill and downhill frequently. There were numerous newly built wooden bridges along the way. Finally, we reached to Ghopte after tiring trek.

Day 12. Ghopte to Kutumsanga 2470m –7/8 hrs

After many days, it was clear weather in the morning. Downwards, rural views looked really beautiful. Initially we descended a bit from Ghopte and gradually climbed uphill inside the forest. Variety of birds were singing along the way morning time.

Due to teahouse closed at Thadepati, we skiped our tea- break and headed to Mangingoth for Lunch. Weather got misty again. Except few landslide parts, it was easy trail through the mossy forest of pine and rhododendron. We stopped at Mangingoth for lunch. It was single wooden teahouse which our clients also liked very much.

Then we continued our trek again with light rain. After passing thick Rhododendron forest, we descended very long through Oak forest. Because of raining, trail was very slippery along the way. Finally we could be able to reach to Kutumsaga after several times  slipped on the way.

Day 13. Kutumsaga to Chisapani 2300m — 7/8 hrs

It was another long day trek. So, we began our trek around 7am. Shortly after leaving Kutumsaga, we passed local jungle and descended to Patibhanjyang including great valley views. Then we climbed uphill and took a tea-break at Thodong which is a small village of Helambuli. From Thodong, we followed easy trail for a while and descended untill Chipling.

We had to choose new teahouse at Chipling for lunch. Our regular tea- house was busy for preparing foods for a big group of domestic tourists. First time during our trek, it was sunny. Villagers were drying corn at almost every house for flour. After lunch we had to descend again through the villages. Heavily rained on the way. From Patibhanjyang, we ascended again until get to Chisapani. It was getting clear weather. Some snow peaks were also visible to some extent.

Day 14. Chisapani to Sundarijal — Kathmandu — 5/6 hrs

When we got up in the morning, weather was super-duper clear. Very long himalayan range was clearly visible. Finally at last day, we enjoyed the panoramic Himalayan view and sun rise view from Chisapani. After breakfast, we headed to Shivapuri national park. Initially we climbed uphill around an hour then descended down through thick forest. We took tea-break at Mulkharka but drank Coca-Cola.

Then we descended again through villages. We had our lunch nearby Sundarijal. Our food was really delicious, best Dal – Bhat in entire trek. After lunch, we descended to Sundarijal by half an hour and rode a jeep to Kathmandu

Day 01. Kathmandu to Syabrubesi 1450m – 8hrs

We left a bit late by bus after shopping in Kathmandu. We managed to get to Trishuli for late lunch by passing Thankot – Galchhi.  After having Dal- Bhat, we were driven again by passing frequent check- post along the way. Because of experienced and local driver, we reached to Syabrubesi at around 7:30 pm. Despite the tiring drive, our group members looked very interested to share theirs’ views and experiences of the day at each other.

Day 02. Visit to Goljung and back to Syabrubesi 1450m

Because of long drive at first day, we had our breakfast a bit late. Then we headed to Goljung village by Bus to visit local school. We were warm welcomed to office of the founder and principal of school. School principal briefed us about the school condition and discussed for mutual cooperation to reform school.

Later we had nice sharing and meeting with student group as well. Then we were served organic local food for lunch. And we drove back to Syabrubesi again late afternoon.

Day 03. Syabrubesi to Rimche 2500m – 8hrs

After breakfast, we set off to lama hotel. We followed the langtang river along the way by passing few hydro station and tea- houses at certain places. After tea- break at Dovan, trail turned uphill through jungle from initial flat & zigzag way.

We had our lunch at Pairo which was earlier than our supposed place at Bamboo. Then we continued our trek mostly uphill observing wild beehive, white monkey Langur and many more things along the way. Finally, we reached to Rimche around 5pm which was pretty faster than we assumed earlier. After dinner, they followed theirs’ sharing program outside even by ignoring cold.

Day 04. Rimche to Langtang valley 3500m – 7hrs

We were a bit late to start trek. It was perfect day for hiking due to cool and a bit cloudy weather though we were unable to enjoy with glimpses of langtang lirung on the way. Group members were very excited to catch up the sceneries as many as possible.

So, we got to Riverside only for tea- break. After tea break also we could not catch up our previous day pace. We got to Ghoda tabela for lunch around 3 pm which was pretty late than our supposed time. It started raining heavily with thunder. Fortunately, no heavy rain after leaving from Ghoda tabela. We were able to reach Langtang village at around 7pm. As usual they looked very eager to express theirs’ feelings of the day in-front of camera.

Day 05. Langtang to Kyangjin 3800m – 4hrs

It was pretty clear day in the morning. We had really beautiful view of Langtang village just at the buttom of the Langtang himalaya. Snow peaks were shining with sunrise, buddhiest religious flags were flattering at every houses. After late breakfast, we headed to Kyanjin gumba by passing numerous buddhiest monuments.

It was beautiful landscape along the way. Although it wasn’t much higher elevation few of them got mild AMS symtoms. After lunch we visited Kyanjin Gumba and then enjoyed some time at local bakery. 9 out of 11 members decided to trek to Tserguri instead of Kyanjin ri next day.

Day 06. Hike to Tsergu ri 4985m and back to Kyangjin 3800m – 10hrs

After breakfast at 4 am and a short physical warm-up, we left around 5 am. It was a wonderful day with blue skies. After about 30 minutes of easy going, we started climbing uphill. At first it seemed much closer than our estimated time.

So, some of our members seemed a bit skeptical about our estimated time as well. But it was a really long uphill. Although the trail was steep, the higher we climbed, the more beautiful views we could see. Finally, all of them reached the top within our estimated time of 12pm. We were very lucky to have a 360-degree view with blue skies.

When we descended from the top, clouds began to cover all around. It took about 10 hrs. us to do up and down. Everyone seemed quite tired. Few of them got mild AMS symptoms as well. Later in the evening, we adjusted our original itinerary and decided to rest in Kyanjin the next day.

Day 07. Rest day at Kyangjin 3800m

It was a rest day. We all spent most of our time in our own way. For some with mild AMS symptoms I suggested staying in the Kyanjin rather than climbing further up. But everyone decided to go to Yala base camp the next day.

Day 08. Kyangjin to Yaka base camp 4600m – 7hrs

We left kyanjin around 8am with all our camping gears. We sent some of our friends and Mules in-front to Yala base camp to set up camp. The weather changed and it was raining since morning. Initially we followed the way to Tserguri and took a right after about 2 hours.

The path was easy through beautiful pastureland. On the opposite side, glimpses of Naya-Khang, Ganjala pass and Gangchenpo could be seen from time to time. It started snowing on the way. The last part of about an hour was very steep. All members managed to reach base camp. We enjoyed Chinese Hot pot with Dal Bhat for dinner. But one member of our group looked very tired with AMS symptoms.

Day 09. Try to climb up Yala peak and back to Kyangjin 3800m – 10hrs

Few of us got up around 3 am in the morning to prepare hot water and breakfast.  One of our members who was suffering by AMS was at same condition. We decided to rescue by helicopter after consulting with him. But it was pretty cloudy weather and began to snow fall since early morning. 7 out of 11 decided to continue hike and headed to Yala peak.

Due to phone signal problem at base camp, I also followed the group and contacted to Helicopter from where got the phone signal. Helicopter agreed to rescue from base camp. But continuously kept snowing. All members returned from halfway due to bad weather. We waited at base camp with expectation of getting clear weather. But at one hand there didn’t seem any signs of getting clear weather and at other hand it was too risky for him to stay longer at that elevation. As soon as group descended from base camp, I told him to descend slowly. But he could barely move his legs. At the same time, he asked me is that snow-leopard by showing big rocks nearby. I realized that it is completely impossible to descend by himself. So, I quickly consulted with my staffs to take him down by carrying ourselves. Then mainly two of our staffs carried him by using rope turn by turn.

It was really challenging to carry down human through narrow path in the mountain. Slowly he felt a bit comfortable for breathing. After several attempts, he was finally able to be urinated. Then we all felt great relief though his condition was very weak. Finally, we could manage to bring down him from base camp to Kyanjin. After descending about 800m from base camp, we hoped that he would be out of danger. But he could hardly walk. So, we decided to rescue him by Helicopter next day.

Day 10. Kyangjin to Rimche 2500m – 8hrs

3 of them including our group leader and a staff were waiting Heli at kyanjin since early morning. Rest of the members descended back to Rimche. But due to bad weather, even in Kanjin, Heli could not come on time. It was only around 11 o’clock that Heli rescued our friends from Kyanjin.

Day 11. Rimche to Syabrubesi 1450m – 6hrs

We trekked all the way down to Syabrubesi and drove to Kathmandu by Bus next day.