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"few people have kindness, compassion and love for others; my guide had all of these and more".
Read more about this and further testimonials On a tea house trek, all your accommodation and food is catered by the local village Guest Houses along the trail. These days, although still local style houses, most of the accommodation is very adequate and hygienic with comfortable rooms for sleeping and a range of local and western dishes that can even rival the best restaurant in town! Jomsom
Trek... "A Cultural Pilgrimage" One of the most popular treks in Nepal, the Jomsom trek from Pokhara to Muktinath, offers the greatest cultural diversity of any in Nepal. Along this scenic route you will pass through villages inhabited by different ethnic groups such as Thakali, Gurung, and Magar and at higher elevations the Tibetan culture is predominant. Here you may visit several authentic Tibetan monasteries. The trail follows up the Kali Gandaki Valley, one of the deepest gorges in the world, between the soaring peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and finally emerges to the north of the main Himalayan range, in a dry, desert-like area, similar to the Tibetan Plateau. The high point of the trek is at the Holy Temple of Muktinath 3800m which affords spectacular views. It is also possible to finish the trek at Jomsom, elevation 2,800m. This an easy to moderate trek that can be completed all year round. The average time is 14 days although a flight one way or the other not only offers incredible views, but enables you to do this trek in approximately 8 - 10 days. *Return to Top* Annapurna Sanctuary... "The great white peaks" A classic walk right into the heart of the mountains. This popular trek ascends through picturesque villages to the center of the Annapurna range offering dramatic mountain scenery. Standing in the middle of the Sanctuary, surrounded by towering snowy peaks ranging between 6000-8000m, is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Sunrise and sunset are magical as you watch the sun dance on the peaks of Annapurna 1, Annapurna South, Annapurna 3, and Machapuchare. The maximum altitude reached on this trek is 4,400m at Annapurna Base Camp. The trail up is often steep and the Sanctuary trek is perhaps one of the more challenging of the teahouse treks. If you allow the time to ascend at your own pace this trek is open to the moderately fit. A minimum of 10 days should be allowed to complete this trek with extra days for exploring the Base Camps and for alternative routes down, for example via the Hot Springs of Tatopani. Best time for trekking: October to November and April to May. *Return to Top* Annapurna
Circuit... "A little bit of everything" This three-week trek encircling the Annapurna Range passes through country inhabited by a wide range of people and offers spectacular mountain scenery. Starting in the tropical Pokhara Valley, you climb from lush lowland forest to the arid valley of Manang. The high pass of Thorong La at 5,400m offers a breathtaking view of the entire mountain range. On either side of the pass are fascinating Tibetan villages built almost entirely of stone. The trail descends to the Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage site at Muktinath joining up with the Jomsom trek. Due to the high altitude pass the best time for this trek is October to November and April to May. Due to the altitude and length, this trek is considered to be quite strenuous. However, if you allow yourself enough time the circuit is suitable for the moderately fit. Ghorepani - Ghandruk Loop... "Sunrise at Poon Hill"A perfect loop (5 days) for a short trip. The beginning of the ABC Trek, this trek ascends and descends through picturesque villages, offering great views of the Annapurnas from the famous Poon Hill. Sunrise is magical as you watch the sun dance on the peaks of Annapurna 1, Annapurna south, Annapurna 3, and Machhapuchhare. The terraced village of Ghandruk, with excellent mountain views, is a major settlement of the Gurung people, an ethnic group of Nepal. Along the way you pass through rhododendron forests, impressive river gorges and terraced fields. The maximum altitude reached is 3,200m at Poon Hill. This trek is open to the moderately fit. Best time for trekking: October to December and March to May. Please contact us for information about short 1-5 day treks. Everest... "Mother Goddess of the World"
Enter into the spectacular living geology of the Langtang region. Stunning glacial valleys and breath taking snowy white peaks await trekkers along this 7-12 day adventure. The trail ascends through lush oak and rhododendron forests which transform into peaceful hemlock and larch woodlands in higher elevation. After crossing an ancient glacial moraine, the snow caped peaks of the Himalayas loom into view. The traveler enters an awe inspiring U-shaped glacial valley before arrival into the villages of Langtang (3300m) and Kyangjin (3700m) Kyangjin boasts a cheese factory with delicious yoghurt. Ambitious travelers can undertake several side treks from these villages. These include Langtang Glacier and the Tsergo Ri (5033m) which afford spectacular mountain vistas. This is a hike for the moderately fit, and the travelers who love unadulterated nature. Many trekkers combine this adventure with the Gosainkund Lake (4380m) and Helambu treks to have a full two week adventure spanning sacred lakes, remote villages and ending up in Kathmandu.
This trek provides ample opportunity to observe the rich biodiversity along the Khimti and Linkhu river valleys, ranging from temperate to alpine vegetation. Folded pine forests, blooming rhododendrons, scattered bamboo patches and colorful pastures provide suitable habitats for endangered wild animals and birds species such as Red Pandas, Musk deer, Himalayan Thar, various species of pheasant including Danfe, and if you are lucky, the elusive Snow Leopard. Along the way you can see the still vibrant culture and traditional lifestyle of the Sherpa, including traditional Yak cheese production and terraced agriculture practices. Beautiful monasteries lie along the trail in Lhachhewar, Kyama, Gumdel and Thodung offering visitors spiritual experiences.
The Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as "The Chasing of the Demons", centred around the Tiji myth. Tiji tells the story of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The demon father wreaks havoc on Mustang by creating a water shortage which, in this extremely arid land, is the most precious life-sustaining resource. Dorje Jono eventually defeats the demon and banishes him from the land. Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation of this myth. Throughout the festival the events and story of the myth are re-enacted. The festival is timed to coincide with the end of the dry season (late spring) and ushers in the wetter monsoon season. Tiji comes from the words "ten che" meaning "the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds" and is a spring renewal festival that also celebrates the triumph of good over evil. In 1964 Michel Peissel was the first westerner to observe the Tiji festival. At this time, the Mustang region was still completely closed off to foreigners and he had to obtain special permission from the government of Nepal in order to enter the region. Despite his arrival on the last day of the celebration (he was unaware of the observance of Tiji) the experience left a lasting impression on him. "The scenes I witnessed were so extraordinary and so unexpected that I dared not believe my eyes and even today I have some trouble in believing in the reality of what I saw that day."Rural Treks..."A
taste of the real Nepal" A rural trek allows the opportunity for close contact with the indigenous people of Nepal. We visit quiet, peaceful villages in
the Annapurna region filled with magnificent natural beauty. Accommodation is in the village homes and we can enjoy local family meals. These treks do not reach high altitude but traverse through the hill regions of Pokhara
Valley. The "Panchase Trek" offers wonderful views of the Annapurnas
as does the "Royal Trek" where Lamjung
is also visible. Both of these treks are open to the moderately fit and can be
completed in 3-6 days.
*Return to Top* Tibet…the forbidden land. Situated just north of the mighty Himalayas, Tibet has opened it's doors for tourists and adventurers. The highest plateau on earth, rising more than two miles above sea level, boasts a unique form of Buddhism, not found anywhere else in the world. This remote land, of rich culture, wide open spaces, and intricately decorated monasteries, is dominated by the ancient holy city of Lhasa. An aura of magic and mystery awaits you, with majestic views of the spectacular Himalayas, including Mt. Everest. This unique land is now easily accessible from Kathmandu, and is a trip not to be missed in this lifetime. Best time to visit is April to November. Mt. Kailash Trek... The Holy Mt. Kailash is situated at a height of 6714m (22,156 ft.) above sea level. For four major religions of the world, Buddhism, Jainism, Bonpo and Hinduism, Mt. Kailash is the spot of utmost reverence. For Buddhists, Kailash is Mt. Meru, the center point of the universe. For the Jains, Kailash is the Mt. Ashtapada, a very holy place of pilgrimage. For the Bonpo followers, Kailash is the nine-faced swastika mountain and is constantly emanating great power. For the Hindu, Kailash is the Sumeru Parvat, the spiritual center of the world around which all the earthly powers revolve. If there are heavenly abodes on earth, Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are to be treasured as the most celestial. It's flames give birth to the four great Asian rivers: the Indus, the Bramapada, the Ganges, and the Sutlej. 'As the dew dry in the morning sun, so are the sins of human beings cleansed by the sight of Kailash, where Lord Shiva resides!' We take you on a Kora (circumambulation) of Kailash on foot, crossing the high pass, Dolma La at 5636 m. (18,600 ft.) We also take you on a parikrama of Lake Manasarovar by Jeep and visit the Gompas and holy sites on the shore of the lake. It is indeed a rare opportunity and privilege for all devotees who have been dreaming of being close to the home of the Gods of this world! Kharta Valley Trek... This trek requires some stamina but is very worthwhile. It is a spectacular walk along steep-sided valleys and glacial lakes and if the weather allows, some of the grandest Himalayan scenery to be found. In the summer, spectacular grassland flowers are in blooming in the remote Kangshung valley, famed as the valley of flowers . The highest point on this trek is Langma La (5320m). On a clear day the view south from Langma La is outstanding. We see Makalu, which dwarfs all the other peaks from this angle, including Everest. The big trios at the far west end of the Kangshung valley, from left to right, are Lhotse Shar, Lhotse and Mount Everest. The valleys and ridges below the snowline are richly covered with grasses and thick vegetation nurtured by the monsoon rains that manage to sneak behind these mountains. On our way to Lhasa after our trek, we visit Everest Base Camp, where the sheer grandeur of Everest's north face can only believed when you see it. Before we fly back to Kathmandu we spend a couple of days in Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibet and an object of devout pilgrimage - it is still a city of wonders. The medieval push and shove of crowds, the street performers, the stalls hawking everything from prayer flags to jewel-encrusted yak skulls, and the devout tapping their foreheads to the ground at every step is an exotic brew that few newcomers can resist.
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