Tharpu Chuli Peak Climbing

As you land at Kathmandu Airport (Tribhuvan International Airport), finish your custom formalities (visa, etc.) and get to the airport waiting terminal, you will find our representative waiting to greet you. He/she will be holding Icicles Adventure Treks and Tour signboard. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private vehicle. You can either rest in your hotel or shop around Thamel for any gears for your trek.

Accommodation: City Hotel

We organize a guided tour to four of the historical and spiritual sites in Kathmandu which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites to provide you an insight on the history, religious significance, architecture, and culture of prosperous Kathmandu. Durbar Square is a complex of historic palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. Scared Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath datesback many hundreds of years and makes it one of the most important Shiva locations across the Indian subcontinent. Besides being a place of worship, it is also the most important cremation site for the Hindus in Nepal. Swayambhunath, popularly known as Monkey temple due to abundance of monkey found in the shrine area is a 2000 years old stupa situated on a hillock. It is world’s most glorious Buddhist shrine and its main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.  Next come Bouddhanath which is a Buddhist shrine and one of the large Stupas in the world.  The shrine has unique octagonal Mandala design with hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha are set into the niches around the huge structure.  The area of Bouddhanath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan monasteries, thus the area is also known as ‘Little Tibet’. As you wander round the shops surrounding the stupa, you will find yourself interacting with monks in their maroon and saffron robes, and traditionally dressed Tibetan refugees who live here at the religious center for Himalayan Buddhists. You can join the locals to circumambulate the stupa, bargain for handicrafts in the shops or sit on a rooftop restaurant and absorb the atmosphere. Later after sightseeing program, we will introduce you with your trekking guide and have a small pre-trip meeting. You are advised to pack your things and be set up for transfer to Pokhara from where the real Annapurna Base Camp trek adventure begins.

Accommodation: City Hotel
Included Meal: Breakfast

We set off for Pokhara after breakfast. Driving today is adventurous and pleasant as it winds down hugging the mountain side through terraced fields. Following the side of Mahesh River we come to the Trishuli River. We follow Trisuli River side all the way up to Mugling where Trisuli River confluences with the Marshyangdi River. After crossing a bridge over Marshyangdi River we head further west to Pokhara. If you are on the right pane of your vehicle the journey today provides plenty of opportunity to view cultivated terraced fields, rivers, streams, green valleys, rocky gorges, farmlands and typical rural life of Nepal. We take lunch break in a restaurant along the way. Upon arrival in Pokhara, the naturally beautiful city with many crystal clear lakes you may take time to spend leisurely at Phewa lakeside or just hang around the market.

Driving Time: 6 hrs
Accommodation: City Hotel
Included Meal: Breakfast

Actual Tharpu Chuli Peak Climbing trip starts today after an hour’s drive to Naya Pul (42 km drive) in a public car/jeep through the prosperous village of Lumle.  We start walking and we reach a large and flourishing town of Birethanti situated on the confluence of the Modi and Burundi Khola. We follow the main street going through bamboo forests and pass through a large waterfall and swimming fissure. Further we trek ahead, the path climbs gradually up the side of the valley taking us to Tikhedhunga.

Walking Time: 4-5 hrs
Accommodation: Local lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

Today is going to be a challenging day as you have to conquer 3300 stone stairs. First, the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge. We climb through the steep stone staircase to Ulleri, a large village at 2080m inhabited mostly by Magar ethnicity. Past the village of Ulleri, the trail climbs gently through meadows, cultivated fields and rhododendron forests.  Further, after one hour’s gradual walk from Ulleri we come across two beautiful streams. If you are a keen birdwatcher, there is good chance of spotting different kinds of redstarts, varieties of kingfishers, dippers, forktails along the river, and magpies, treepies, parakeets, tits, many kinds of warblers, barbets, etc., around the cultivated areas. We further make a short climb to Nangethanti where we have our lunch. From Nangethanti we will climb to Ghorepani at 2850m. From Ghorepani we can see the magnificent panorama of Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Annapurna I (8091m), Tukuche, Nilgiri (6940m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Tarke Kang (7193m).

Walking Time: 5-6 hrs
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

We get up early at dawn today as we have to reach Poon Hill before sunrise so that we do not miss the magical moment.It is a wonderful experience watching first ray of sun over the mountains. This is one of the best mountain vistas and is well worth the effort taken to climb to Poon Hill (45 minutes climb). Himalayan view from Poon Hill is indescribable when the rising sun’s rays gradually strikes the Himalayan giants including Dhaulagiri range, Annapurna South, Tukuche, Manaslu, Fishtail, and so many others. We spend some time picturing at Poonhill and return to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and continue our trek to Tadapani through rhododendron forest. Specialty of this forest is that it hosts more than 15 species of rhododendron and if you are trekking in springtime the blooming colorful rhododendrons will fascinate you. You will also see abundance of faunas specially the Langur monkey along the trail. After one hour’s steep climb we come to a hill top, the place named Deurali. We see very nice view from Deurali. We climb down through bamboo forests from Deurali. We have our lunch at Banthanti and again continue through rhododendron forest. We have about thirty minutes climb before reaching Tadapani. From here we have great views of Annapurna South (7219m), Huinchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail 6993m).

Walking Time: 5-6 hrs
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

The trail starts descending off from Tadapani going down for about 4 KM at a loss of 2700 ft (823m). It wines through large and beautiful Rhododendron trees. We reach a stream (Kyumnu Khola) and cross the suspension bridge over it. Note that you cannot buy bottled water after here but boiled water is available in the teahouses along the route to buy. The trail opens climbing up to Gurjung Village and terraced fields.  We have our lunch of the day at Gurjug village. A few more miles of uphill and downhill trek past waterfall and suspension bridge we reach our destination for today, Chhomrong which is a beautiful village located on the lap of the Annapurna range. The Fish Tail Mountain seems gorgeous from the beautiful Chhomrong Village.

Walking Time: 5-6 hrs
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

Today we follow Modi Khola valley/gorge. Leaving Chhomrong we descend 150m on a stone staircase and cross Chhomrong Khola on a suspension bridge. Then we climb out of the side valley through the tiny settlement of Tilche through the forests of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. We climb further on a rocky trail to Sinuwa.  Then we climb for about an hour through rhododendron forest up to a small waterfall. We can spot Langur monkeys in the forest.  After a short undulation, we descend through long and steep stone staircase to Bamboo. We now find mixed vegetation of Bamboo and rhododendron. After a short less steep walk, we reach Dovan.

Walking Time: 5 hrs
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

Day begins with the climb through bamboo forests and we walk today enjoying all the elements of nature at its best – the valleys, the rivers, the flowers, rickety bridges, broken stone steps and many more. Deurali is at the foot of the Modi Himal and Machhapuchhare, one of the most famous mountains in the Himalayas. We will reach Deurali at lunch time. You may prefer to continue to Machhapuchhare Base Camp if you are feeling good and there is no signs altitude on you. But overnight stay at Deurali is scheduled to ensure the gradual acclimatization.

Walking Time: 3-4 hrs
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

After an hour and half first gentle and then steep ascent, we reach Himalaya Hotel. Occasionally, we see fantastic views of Machhapuchare and the valley ahead along the trial today. Past Himalaya Hotel it’s a steep climb up through bamboo thickets before reaching Hinku Cave. We cross a small river after a small descent before climbing again to Deurali, the most amiable stretch of the day. The vegetation is sparser, allowing delightful views of the valley and the river below. We can also see wispy waterfalls cascading on sheer rock face cliffs. We cross the small bridge on the Modi Khola and continue climbing up the wide and boulder scattered glacial valley. The Machhapucchhre looks very different now as the vegetation is sparse of mainly upland rhododendron. We cross Modi Khola once again and after following it for a while we start climbing up to Machhapuchhre Base camp. The trail leaves the river and ascends steadily towards the moraine ridge ahead on the left side of the valley behind which the lodges are situated. We feel rewarded reaching Machhapuchhre base camp as we see majestic views of the magnificent Mt. Machhapuchhre along with Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gandharvachuli and Gangapurna, etc.

Walking Time: 3-4 hrs
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

Today is a short day of about two to three hours to Annapurna Base Camp. The vegetation disappears on our way to Annapurna Base Camp and the trail climbs steadily up the gorge between the moraine ridge of Annapurna Glacier and Hiunchuli Peak with an incredible view of Annapurna South and Baraha Shikhar ahead and Machhapucchhre looking back. At Annapurna Base Camp, we are surrounded by Himalayan massifs.  The sanctuary boasts of a vibrant view as there is nothing to block the 360-degree panorama including compelling views of the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, Annapurna south, Hiunchuli and so many other peaks. We can walk to the cairns at the edge of the moraine, and walk along this ridge for good views of Annapurna I and the glacier. The rest of the day we can spend relaxing and enjoying the view. In a clear day Machhapuchhre is great at sunset.

Walking Time: 2-3 hrs
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

Acclimatization at Annapurna Base Camp.

Accommodation: Local Lodge
Included Meal: B, L, D

We follow the trail leading to Tent peak high camp. Struggling against the glaciated mountain passes, we finally reach our target destination. There are other options for those who not wish to climb. Hiking from camp can be quite pleasurable and adventurous. Sightseeing exotic ecosystem and breathtaking vistas of Himalayan peaks of Nepal can be equally satisfying.

Overnight at tented camp
Included Meal: B, L, D

Early in the morning we begin our ascent of the peak. After strenuous ascent, we finally scale the summit of Tent Peak. From an altitude of 5600meters, we savor mesmerizing views of Annapurna range. Tucking this success under our belt, we return to Annapurna Base Camp.

Overnight at guesthouse
Included Meal: B, L, D

We wake up early to enjoy sunrise over the Himalayas. The peaks are lit golden by the sunlight. Take your time to snap as much pictures as you want. After breakfast, we retrace our steps back to Bamboo. Today’s trek is downhill so it shouldn’t be very difficult although you should take care of your shaky legs. Enjoy playing with the crystal clear torrential glacier water pounding through huge boulders. Soon after, we are back in the forest, starting with dry forest and then humid forest near Bamboo.  It’s a long climb down, nearly 2000 meters, but we make it in 6-7 hours including short breaks for tea and lunch.

Walking Time: 6-7 hrs
Included Meal: B, L, D

We continue our detour from Bamboo through the trail that took us days to go up. In this direction, towards Chhomrong, the trail first climbs steeply along stone steps or irregular rocks with occasional sections of a gentler incline. At the top you can see Chhomrong straight across the valley. The trail then plunges down more endless stairs to the Chhomrong River below. Once across the river the trail heads up an alternate route through rice fields before meeting up with the main trail, a stone staircase that climbs to Chhomrong. The final walk of the day is another steep decent to Jhinudanda. If the sunlight helps you, you can take good photos of the dramatic valley views and terraced fields. After a short rest you might take 15-20 minute downhill walk from Jhinu Danda to a popular hot spring to get an opportunity to bath and soothe your tired muscles.

Walking Time: 5-6 hrs
Included Meal: B, L, D

The hiking to Tolka is a stone staircase that takes us up and down.During this walk we pass many small villages and again we are able to witness their life style.You may imagine, they are poor in material belongings but they have happy life. We will see a lot of nice terraces of rice and millet. We also pass Landruk village to get to TalkaSadly this is the last day of hiking,   but it is still very enjoyable. We walk through a lot of forest. We also can see views of the Annapurna Himalayan ranges

Overnight at guesthouse
Included Meal: B, L, D

Early morning we can enjoy the view of Sunrise, Annapurna South, Himchuli, Machhapurchre & landscape. After breakfst, we sadly this is the last day of hiking,   but it is still very enjoyable. We walk through a lot of forest. We also can see views of the Annapurna Himalayan ranges. During this part of the walking we pass many local villages which are interesting to see. It is about 5 hours walking to Phedi. take 2 hours easy downhill walk to Phedi where the road links to Pokhara. It is simply half an hour drive to Pokhara from Phedi. Afternoon relaxing or shopping on your own in Pokhara.

Overnight at hotel
Included Meal: B, L, D

Drive back to Kathmandu.

Overnight at hotel
Included Meal: B, L, D

Breakfast at hotel, and transfer to airport for home departure. “Farewell!”