Day 1: Trek briefing and preparation

Day 2: Fly or drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. After lunch in Pokhara we drive to Beni to the trek start point (3 hours). Overnight in Beni (817m) in a simple hotel, on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River.

Day 3: Beni (817m) to Banskharka (1,526m). 3-4 hours walk. We take it slowly and steadily, stopping often along the way, and are rewarded by our first spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains. It is an interesting walk through rural villages of different cultural communities. We will homestay in Banskharka.

Day 4: Banskharka (1,526m) to Nagi (2,320m). 5-6 hours walk. Nagi itself is home to remote wireless internet pioneer Mahabir Pun. Overnight in a community lodge offering opportunities to see village development projects, visit a school or just explore the village.

Day 5: Nagi (2,320) to Mohare Danda (3,320m). 6 hours walk. This day we will walk through rhododendron forests. We will carry pack lunches as there are no settlements along the way. You will get to see lots of bird life and maybe some wild animal as well. From this spot you will get to see views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.

Day 6: Mohare Dada (3,320m) to Swanta (2,300m). 7-8 hours walk. We depart Swanta through a giant rhododendron forest. We then cross the Annapurna Circuit route at Phalate and ascend to Swanta where we overnight in a community lodge.

Day 7: Swanta (2,300m) to Khopra (3,660m). 7-8 hours walk. A hard, but beautiful climb through lush forests. As we near the tree line, we may see yaks from a local Village Development Committee yak farming project. Once we near Khopra we should be treated with magnificent panoramic views of Annapurna South, Baraha Shikhar, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and Gurja Himal. Overnight in a community lodge with the yak farmer who also manages the relay station for the villages’ wireless network.

Day 8: Rest day in Khopra or optional day hike. We depart early for the walk to Khayer Lake at 4,500m. This high altitude lake is visited only rarely by pilgrims and is seldom seen by outsiders. This is a long, hard day, usually about 10/11 hours walking for the return trip. We will however be rewarded for our efforts by magnificent mountain views along our route, and the opportunity to see this beautiful, often mirror-calm lake surrounded by mountains and shrines. Annapurna is right above us.

Day 9: Khopra (3,600m) to Paudwar (2,000m). 6 hours walk. A long descent, with inspiring views over Dhaulagiri and the Kali Gandaki River valley – the deepest gorge on earth. Overnight homestay in Paudwar village, a Magar village with about 350 houses. In Paudwar we can visit a cheese-making scheme, unique in this area.

Day 10: Paudwar (2,000m) to Tatopani (1,190m). 3 hours walk. An easy descent down to the Kaligandaki River and walk along the river to get to Tatopani for lunch. At Tatopani you can soak your weary legs in the famous hot springs. This town is busier than any other places we pass through, as this is on a main Annapurna Circuit trail. You’ll be able to contrast this to the places you’ve seen, buy things in the bazaar – and more importantly, enjoy a hot shower.

Day 11: Tatopani to beni  We will take a jeep/bus from Taopani to Beni.

Day12: To Beni

drive to Beni, raft down to the holy journey kaligandaki and camp

Day13: Raft down and Camp At Give me Beach

By the time we get to the Exciting rapids, with names like Big brother, Little Brother, Good morning Cobra, Wake and Bake, and Walk in the Dark, the crews will be working together with exquisite timing and precision.  Just after running Little Brother and Big Brother the Modi Khola tumbles down from the Annapurna Base Camp into the Kali Gandaki.

Day14: To Pokhara

The last day finishes with a bang, as it gives us the biggest rapids of the whole trip.  In addition to being the biggest, they're also the cleanest, and we can use the skills we've developed over the last two days to run tighter, more challenging lines.  Who knows, we might even get to go swimming.

and drive to Pokhara, BL, and hotel on BB basis

Day15: free day in Pokhara

Day 16: in Kathmandu

Free day in Kathmandu and hotel on BB basis

Notes:

The trek itinerary is a guide only and may be subject to change at short notice

In order to preserve the remote nature of this trek, it is limited to a maximum of 12 trekkers

This trek emphasizes:

Respect of the local people

Respect of their living habits, customs, and religion

Use of local community lodges and people’s homes for lodging and local products for eating

Protecting the natural and human habitat