On our first day of the Kali Gandaki trek, we’ll travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara via local bus and it can be a lengthy journey, lasting between 6 to 8 hours. The route is surrounded by stunning views of Nepal’s lush countryside. Once you arrive in Pokhara, you will need to continue your journey by road for another hour to reach Birethanti.

The trek begins with an immediate ascent from Birethanti, a small village in the Kaski district of Nepal. The trail passes through dense and lush bamboo forests. From there, the path leads to Sudami, a quaint village that offers a glimpse into the lives of the local people. After that, there will be a very steep climb through a rhododendron forest.
As you continue along the trail, you’ll come across Hille, a large and bustling Gurung village. From Hille, the trek proceeds towards Ulleri, passing through Tirkhedhunga. Overall, the trek is around six hours long and involves an ascent of 880 meters.

As you start ascending, the breathtaking peaks of Annapurna and Hiunchuli begin to appear in the distance. You’ll pass through fields of crops and lush forests, and after about an hour, you’ll arrive at Nangathanti. This small village is a popular stopping point for trekkers on their way to Ghorepani.

Speaking of Ghorepani, its name translates to “water for horses,” and it used to be a stop for caravans traveling from Tibet before the trail through Baglung was established. Today, it’s a bustling hub for tourists and hikers, offering a range of cozy lodges and guesthouses for weary trekkers.

Overall, you can expect to trek for about 4 and a half hours, gaining a total of 900 meters in elevation as you make your way towards Ghorepani.

The next morning, we will start our ascent, which will take us 45 min of walks in the dark, with only headlamps for lighting, until we reach Poon Hill. From there we will be able to see a sunrise on Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and the blue hills that are falling towards the plain Indian.

After enjoying our early morning breakfast, we’ll make our way down to Ghorepani and then begin trekking towards Tatopani. During the hike, we passed through Chitre, a tiny yet charming settlement as well as the Magar settlement of Sikha which was bustling. The zigzagging route then generously eased off its steepness.

The journey had a slight ascent followed by a steeper descent which brought us to the Ghar Khola crossing. Then we went up along the tranquil flow of the Kali Gandaki which was a stunning experience as we looked at snow-capped Nilgiri Mountain from there. Our destination, Tatopani, greeted us with its soothing hot water pools, offering respite for weary limbs after six hours of trekking and a descent of 1671 meters.

Our journey will take us through the majestic Kali Gandaki valley which is known for its narrowness and spectacular valleys. The valley is situated between two of the highest peaks in the world, Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri which make it the deepest gorge in the world.

As we traverse through the valley, we’ll see the breathtaking views of the massive peaks on either side of us. Once we cross the gorge, we’ll enter Thakali country. This area is renowned for its charming white villages that lie on the hilltops. Our trek will be a challenging one, covering a distance of 7 hours and ascending a height of 1249m.

On the 6th day, we spent the whole day along the left bank of the river using the trail we had discovered in 2008 during the winter. We chose not to walk on the new path and instead, we followed a wide stream that showed us a part of the great jungle of Nilgiri which remained hidden from the eyes.

The landscape gradually changed as we walked, and conifers started appearing until we reached a pass. From this point, the Nilgiri or “blue mountains” stood out on one side, and the Dhaulagiri with its giant ice flow on the other.

We’ll continue down the wide Kali Gandaki while watching Dhaulagiri across the river to the left and then cross the right bank at Tukuche, which is a classic stop for merchant traveling. From here, the valley of orchards with apple and apricot trees and most of the villages are Thakali starts. The trek took us three hours and led us uphill by 148 meters.

We will start our trek from Tukuche and cross the river to reach the left bank. Afterward, we will walk uphill, past the Tibetan refugee camp, and enjoy the scenic views of Marpha. Be aware of potential rockfalls caused by mountain goats in a short section of the trail.
Similarly, we will cross the bed of a stream and ascend to a monastery, where we can admire the beautiful valley below. Our accommodation for the night will be in the family lodge of Thinigaon. The trekking duration will be approximately 5 hours, with an ascent of 324m and a descent of 30m.

On this day, we will trek to Jomsom, where we will follow a path that leads through protected fields of sacred white stones. The trail will then take us along the classic Annapurna route, which offers breathtaking views of the mountains.

Continuing our journey, we will arrive at the entrance of the Lupra gorge, also known as the Bönpo Gompa. This gorge is a spiritual center for the followers of the Bönpo religion, and it is considered to be a sacred site.

While we are in Lupra, we will get the opportunity to have lunch with a local family and experience the local culture. After a delightful meal, we will continue our journey towards Kagbeni, which is the gateway to Mustang.

The village is famous for its ancient architecture, and it has been a popular stopover for travelers for centuries.
The trek to Kagbeni will take approximately 4 hours, with an ascent of 120 meters and a descent of 200 meters.

The trail that takes you from Jharkot to Muktinath, a revered site for both Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims, offers a unique experience. After a day of trekking, you’ll spend the night in Jharkot, where you can enjoy the hospitality of the locals and soak in the tranquil atmosphere.

You’ll continue your journey to Muktinath, which is located at an altitude of 3,710 meters and is a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple complex houses several shrines and pagodas, and the surrounding area’s natural beauty is awe-inspiring.

The valley is transformed by the light of the setting sun into a picturesque landscape. The trek from Jharkot to Muktinath takes about five hours, with an ascent of 960 meters and a descent of 210 meters.

Our trek starts from Jharkot, from where we embark on a 4-hour journey towards Jomsom. On this scenic route, we cross the Kali Gandaki river and make our way towards the beautiful village of Dhagarjung, which lies on the way to Dolpo.

After exploring Dhagarjung, we continue our trek towards Jomsom. The descent from Dhagarjung to Jomsom is a breathtaking experience as we pass through rocky terrain, cross streams and rivers, and walk along narrow trails that cling to the mountain.

Today is the final day of your journey. You will start the day by boarding a flight to Pokhara, a city in central Nepal. Once you arrive in Pokhara, you can take a local bus to Kathmandu. However, if you prefer to travel more comfortably and swiftly, you can opt for a direct flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which is available upon request.