Thapa Peak Climbing (22 days)

Drive from Kathmandu to Beni takes about eleven hours. You follow the Marshyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Pokhara is tourist's paradise with lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The drive from here goes uphill all the way to Naudanda. It then descends to Nayapul with views of Annapurna South, Fish tail, green hills, terraces and villages. To reach Beni, your drive moves along the bank of Mardi river. This is one of the picturesque road journeys. You camp for the night.

Trek from Beni to Maldhunga (1300m.) which takes about six hours. You climb steadily to the rough and chilling but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp. You camp for the night.

Trek from Maldhunga to Darbang takes about five and a half hours.
This day you trek for early one hour passing through jungles with varieties of oaks, rhododendron and so on. Your trail now follows flat land passing through stream at one place. Darbang is a small village mainly inhabited by Magar and Limbus. There is a beautiful camping site. You camp for the night.

Trek from Darbang to Takum takes about 5 hours. This day also you trek ascends through narrow path for early one hour. Now, you go along the flat land passing through jungle with varieties of rhododendrons, oaks and Christmas trees at some distance. After you cross a small stream, your trail follows ascending path until you reach Takum. Here, you camp behind the school located in central Takum. You find a Hindu temple where the villagers go to submit their offerings.

Trek from Takum to Muri takes about 6 hours. You start trekking to descend trail for early one hour passing through jungle. Then you follow ascending path and before you approach Muri you pass along the flat land until you reach Muri. This is a small village mainly inhabited by Gurung and Rai, one of the ethnic communities of Nepal. You camp for the night.

Trek from Muri to Baghar(2080m.). Descend a gentle slope and cross a rocky stream then descend a path amid terraced fields to Dhora khola. Cross the river and climb to the right up the mountainside to Ghorban dhara. The view from this pass is fine, for the first time you can see Ghustung south (6465m). Follow the right bank path past Naura where you begin to ascend the mountainside. After climbing for a short while, take a path that traverses the steep grass-covered hill. The Myagdi khola assumes a steep-walled V-shape as the traverse ends and a high, winding path climbs the steep, grassy slope. The steep slope will not tolerate any missteps but the path is well-constructed with a great number of zigzag stone step paths. At last the long climb ends, and you enter a traverse to the right-here you must also beware of falling into the gorge of the Myagdi khola. Soon you descend through a forested area, emerging to a ridge snout where bagara (2080) is visible. Descend through terraced fields to this mountain village where you camp in people's yards or the terraced fields. You camp for the night.

Trek Baghar to Dobang (2520m.). Here, you leave the villages behind and the trial becomes increasingly challenging. You camp for the night.

Trek from Dovan to Upper Vungini (Italian Base Camp) takes about 6 hours. Passing through the beautiful forest you rapidly gain altitude and mountains burst out all around. You camp for the night.

Rest day for acclimatization. You camp for the night.

Trek from Upper Vugini (Italian Base Camp) to Glacier Camp and it takes about 4 hours. After crossing the first glacier, probably using a rope in a couple of tricky spots, you climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings are spectacular which makes up for the rough and dangerous trail. We may also use a rope on this section. This is a particularly tough day. You camp on the glacier rubble.

Trek from Dhaulagiri base camp to French Col (5010m.)- Hidden valley takes about four hours. You trek along trail covered with ice and soft snow. The stunning views of Dhaulagiri range completely enchant you. You camp for the night.

Trek from French Col to Thapa pass (5015m) takes about five hours. The views are same as earlier day. This day you trek along flat path covered with ice and snow. You camp for the night.

Rest at Thapa Peak Base Camp. This is an acclimatization day and you can make necessary preparation for Thapa peak summit. You camp for the night.

Climb Thapa peak and back to Base Camp which takes about ten hours.
At the summit you will be enclosed by the views of Dhaulagiri I, Nilgiri, and Annapurna and so on. You camp for the night.

Trek from Thapa Peak Base Camp to Yak Kharka takes about five hours. To reach your destination you trek leveled path all the way. En route you pass Battase Danda. The views of Tukuche peak, Thapa peak, Annapurna range mesmerize you. You camp for the night.

Trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha (2670m.) takes about five hours.
This day the trail moves downhill till Marpha. On the way you pass small forests of juniper and other local vegetation. You will be accompanied by the splendid views of Nilgiri, Annapurna and rocky hills. You camp for the night.

Trek from Marpha to Kalopani (2530m.) takes about five hours. You trek over flat path along the bank of Kali Gandaki. En route you pass Tukuche and Larjung village. These villages are predominantly inhabited by Thakali and you find small monasteries, mani walls, chortens and prayer flags in these villages. The views of Dhaulagiri I and Nilgiri North with Tukuche add another dimension to your trek. You camp for the night.

Trek from Kalopani to Tatopani (1190 m.) takes about six and a half hours. You descend the path which passes through forests before you reach Ghasa (2010m.), a Thakali village. The surrounding area of Ghasa is famous destination for bird watching and wild marijuana. Here, you are quite amazed at the panoramic view of Mount Nilgiri North (7061m.), Nilgiri Central (6940m.), and Nilgiri South (6839m.) and others. From here, the trail descends steeply up to Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall) which is amazing to look at as it is the highest waterfall. The deepest gorge of the world is situated between two mountains Annapurna I (8091m.) and Dhaulagiri I (8167m.). The trail again descends slightly to Tatopani through different human settlements. You can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani as the word Tatopani is termed after the natural hot spring situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki River. It is popularly believed that taking bath in Hot Spring helps you to get rid of skin diseases. You camp for the night.

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. Or you can fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu and it takes about 25 minutes.