Much has been written on this most popular of the long treks in Nepal. The classic route includes the terrain of the Gurungs, the Manangis, the Thakalis and other ethnic groups. The trek traverses the lush southern slopes of the Himalayan foothills, Trans-Himalayan Manang, and southern Mustang with its arid Tibetan plateau characteristics.

DETAILED ITINERARY :

DAY 01 : Kathmandu- Besi Sahar (823m)
Drive to Besi Sahar from Kathmandu for the overnight stop.

DAY 02 : Besi Sahar - Bahundanda (1311m)
The route follows the Marsyangdi River upstream, crossing a long suspension bridge and passing a beautiful, thin waterfall with a fine bathing pool. The trail then ascends to the town of Bahundanda for the overnight stop. There are good views to the north and a little-known hot spring here.

DAY 03 : Bahundanda - Chamje (1390m)
The gorge becomes narrower as we cross a cantilever bridge followed by a suspension bridge. The trail then passes a few small settlements along the route to reach Chamje for the overnight stop. Having traveled upstream, one can observe many changes in the people, architecture and vegetation. Houses are now built of rocks, the vegetation is less tropical and the culture more Tibetan-like.

DAY 04 : Chamje - Bagarchap (2103m)
Leaving Chamje, the gorge becomes more impressive. We cross into the district of Manang and see more Bhotia people. The route climbs gradually to the town of Bagarchap for the overnight stop. The houses here have flat roofs, indicating that there is less rainfall here than the south.

DAY 05 : Bagarchap - Chame (2615M)
Leaving Bagarchap, the valley becomes narrow and picturesque. The vegetation is temperate with broad-leaved forest. Chame is a government town and district centre of Manang. There are interesting religious buildings and hot springs here.

DAY 06 : Chame - Pisang (3133m)
The trail passes through a narrow valley of pine, hemlock and cyprus forest. The trail through a serene forest leads to lower Pisang; a side trip to higher Pisang (100m higher) is a must for an amazing view of Annapurna II. This arid region is in the rain shadow of the Himalaya. The men here are traders - and may sell or trade almost anything - and part-time farmers, while the women are full-time farmers.

DAY 07 : Pisang- Manang (3500m)
There are 2 routes from here: a low road and a high road, the latter taking longer but affording outstanding views of the Annapurna Himal and few trekkers. Both routes converge in the large and interesting village of Braga, which is the seat of the oldest monastery in the area. The gomba is about 900 years old and belongs to the Kargyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and contains some unique works of art. Manang is 30 minutes from here.

DAY 08 : Manang (3500m)
Rest day for acclimatization. This day is best spent being active and climbing to higher elevations for views but returning to lower altitudes to sleep. Manang itself is in a spectacular location with many attractions. There are lakes, caves, moraine-hills, monasteries or local activities in town.

DAY 09: Manang - Latdar (4176m)
Leaving Manang, facilities become scarcer. The trail passes small tributaries and contour along pleasant meadows with occasional birch groves for the overnight stay at Latdar.

DAY 10 : Latdar - Thorung Phedi (4404m)
The trail climbs gradually to reach Thorung Phedi for the overnight. If you are lucky you may spot a snow leopard near here at dusk!

DAY 11 : Thorung Phedi - Thorung La (5416m) - Muktinath (3802m)
The trail now leaves the river valley and climbs steadily over lateral moraine. The pass, marked by a large cairn, is the high point of this trek. It is an exhilarating geographical feature, dividing 2 mighty Himalayan valleys. Far below to the west is the Kaligandaki River. The trail descends in that direction to reach the village of Muktinath for the overnight stay. It is a sacred shrine and pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.

DAY 12 : Muktinath - Jomsom (2713m)
From Muktinath to Jomsom, one can see people from Mustang, a restricted area to the north, who come to sell handicrafts to pilgrims. Among their merchandise is the highly-revered mollusk fossil called shaligram.

DAY 13 : Jomsom - Kalopani (2530m)
The trail descends to Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and fertile fields, and continues down the Kaligandaki reaching the former Thakali trading centre of Tukuche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan rain shadow blends into coniferous forest,and reaches the main river valley and Kalopani. From here there are spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range.

DAY 14 : Kalopani - Tatopani (1190m)
A beautiful walk, with another transition into sub-tropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias. The trail follows the river through a narrow gorge and descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall,before winding through the valley to Tatopani. The hot springs that give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for a good scrub.

DAY 15 : Tatopani - Ghorepani (2819m)
Steadily climbing all day, the trail eventually leaves behind the terraced fields and passes through thick rhododendron forest to the village of Ghorepani for the overnight stay.

DAY 16 : Ghorepani - Tadapani - Ghandrung (2012m)
Today the trail undulates through giant rhododendron forest and orchid colonies to the pretty Gurung town of Ghandrung,where the Annapurna range and Machapuchare (the Fishtail) dominate the mountain views, although glimpses of Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu range can also be seen further east.

DAY 17 : Ghandrung - Dhampus (1700m)
The views continue to outstanding even as the trail descends to the village of Dhampus.

DAY 18 : Dhampus - Pokhara
Today the trail descends through forests, all the way to the valley floor to reach the city of Pokhara.

DAY 19 : Pokhara - Kathmandu
Drive or fly back to Kathmandu (200kms/7hours). Overnight in the hotel.