Annapurna 7 passes trek

Nar Phu Valley Trek is unarguably one of the most remote and least explored treks in Nepal. Opened only in 2003, this trek takes you to the wild, exotic and sparsely populated valleys of Nar and Phu, offering intriguing medieval Tibetan culture and customs completely undisturbed form, and dramatic mountains view.
Nepal’s most unscathed, Tibetan-influenced quarters, the restricted area of Nar Phu Valley can only be accessed with a special permit issued by an authorized trekking agency, who will also provide the obligatory guide. The permit is only valid for seven days so you must complete the trek in this time frame.
The village of Phu is a dramatically placed cluster of houses on a sandy slope of a mountain. It is an ancient Tibetan village which was later host to rebel Khampas fighting against the Chinese occupation of Tibet across the border in the 1960s.
From Phu we cross a couple of passes to connect the Annapurna Circuit main trail at Ngawal, crossing the villages of Nar in between.
Entering the Manang valley, we will immediately come across throngs of tourists which feels nice to socialize for a while, but it somehow steals the serenity of the adventure that we experienced along the Nar Phu Valley. Therefore we leave the highway at Manang and enter an even more fascinating valley leading to the Grand Barrier which is a massive 7000m mountain barrier, and to the world’s highest lake, Tilicho at 4949m. Then we cross the Mesokanto la pass at 5190m, which at any given comparison of beautiful scenery, surpasses the popular Thorung la by leaps and bounds. The Mesokanto la offers breath taking views of Tilicho Lake and soaring peaks of Annapurna II, III and Ganga Purna, Mt Manaslu range and the Chulus. Crossing the Mesokanto La, we leave the Manang valley and enter into another exotic valley of Mustang to end this fascinating dream trip with a mountain flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.

Itinerary B: 30 days with extended itinerary across Tilicho Lake and Mesokanto La

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu – 1330m – welcome dinner.
Day 2. Half day city tour, lunch and trek briefing.
Day 3: Drive to Shiri Chaur – 1100m, 205 kms, 8/9 hours
Day 4: Trek to Shiri Chaur to Tal – 1700m
Day 5: Trek Tal to Nache – 2260m
Day 6: Trek Nache to Kromtong – 2975 m
Day 7: Trek Kromtong to Dharamshala – 3665 meters
Day 8: Trek Dharamshala to Dona Lake – 4250m (Acclimatization Day)
Day 9: Trek Dharamshala to Bijay phedi – 3915m
Day 10: Trek Bijay phedi to Gho- 2510m – across Tripple Pass- 4480m
Day 11: Trek Gho to Tachai – 2340m
Day 12: Trek Tachai to Shonglai – 3360 meters
Day 13: Trek Shonglai to Kujumru phedi – 4900m
Day 14: Trek Kuchumru phedi to Namakyu- 4445 meter, across Kuchumro pass – 4900m and Yarcha Pass -4860m
Day 15: Trek Namakyu to Meta -3560
Day 16: Trek to Chyaku – 3700m
Day 17: Trek to Phu – 4080m
Day 18: Rest and acclimatization at Phu
Day 19: Trek Phu to Loang -4680m across Phu pass – 5050m
Day 20: Trek Loang to Nar -4110m, across Nar Pass – 5400m
Day 21: Trek Nar to Kangla Phedi – 4630m
Day 21: Trek to Ngawal -3675m across Kang La Pass – 5320m
Day 22: Trek to Manang – 3350 m
Day 23: Drive to Khangsar 3740m – 11 kms, 45 mins and trek to Tilicho Base Camp – 4150m
Day 24: Trek Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake – 4950 m
Day 25: Trek Tilicho lake to High Camp (Big rock) – 5000m
Day 26: Trek High Camp to Yak Kharka – 3600m across Mesokanto La – 5300 m
Day 27: Trek Yak Kharka to Jomsom – 2760m
Day 28: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara – 890m
Day 29: Drive to Kathmandu – 205 Kms – 6 hours
Day 30: Departure.

Recommended preparation: 

Stamina is essential, as walking days are long. We recommend previous trekking experience, preferably at altitude. Walking or jogging 45 mins to 1 hour for at least two times a week on undulating terrain or on a tread mill with inclined angle for at least 3 months prior to departure. Cycling is recommended. Long day hikes on weekends with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended.

A Day on Your Trek

Although each day is different, considering the weather, general pace of the group and length of the days walk, in general your day begins with a wake up tea at around 6 to 6:30 in the morning. You will then be provided with a bowl of warm water for washing. Then you will need to pack your duffel bag and your daypack and come to the dining tent for breakfast.
After breakfast we will hit the trail and usually walk for about 3 to 4 hours before we stop for lunch. We will give you about an hour and a half rest during lunch, which will also give enough time for the staff to have their lunch and pack. Usually after 3 to 4 hours of walking we finish the days walk by 4 PM. Tea/ Coffee and snacks will be served on arrival at the camp. Your group Leader will often organize side trips in the afternoon. Your dinner will be served around 7 PM.

High Altitude

On this trek you will be going up to 5400m, so it is very important to understand the affects of altitude. The greatest provocation is going too high too fast. Hi On Life’s itinerary has been carefully designed to minimize the effects of altitude. We ascend slowly and surely allowing enough time for safe acclimatization.
Headaches and breathlessness are common at altitude which in itself is nothing to worry about. In rare cases, this may worsen to Acute Mountain sickness (AMS), so a close watch is kept on all trekkers by the group leader who is trained to recognize the symptoms of AMS which are severe headaches, nausea, lethargy, loss of appetite serious breathlessness even at rest. If any trekkers show such signs they will be descended to relatively lower and safer altitude. The Group Leader’s decision on evacuating such person to a safe altitude is final. Do not medicate yourself without first informing your group leader. Going to altitude slowly with adequate rest and adequate intake of fluid (3 to 4 litres per day), you will most likely have no problems apart from breathlessness on hills which is completely normal as the percentage of Oxygen in the air is relatively lower to that at sea level. The most important thing is not to worry about altitude because our team is there to take care of you.

Staff

Group leader: your most important member of your staff. Our Group leaders are highly trained in all aspects of the trek, conservation, first aid specializing on altitude sickness, emergency procedures and have extensive knowledge of the natural history of the area.

Sirdar: His job is to manage and organize staff duties. He is responsible for the actual operation of the trek.

Sherpas: Their job is to lead your way and distribute equal loads to the porters.

Porters: They are responsible to transport your duffle bags and their job finishes once they reach the designated lodge. Our porters are provided with Gore-Tex suits, trekking boots, gloves, hats, socks, snow gaiters and snow goggles. Most importantly, we regulate them on a 25 Kg carrying which no other company does. Our clients can therefore feel comfortable knowing that our porters are working in a good humane condition. During the trek you can see porters carrying 60-70 kg and sometimes even more than 100 kg!!)

Weather:

Oct/Nov and March/April

On the trek at lower altitude (2500m to 3500m) during daytime the Max temp can be around 15C to 20C and the Min temp can be 0C to 5C

At higher altitude (3500m to 5000m) the daytime Max temp can be between 5C to 10C and Min temp can be between -6C to OC

Please note: when there is an overcast sky, the day time temperature can get down to -2C during day time at altitudes above 4500m. Also the wind makes a big difference in the real feel of temperature.

Dec to end of Feb

On the trek at lower altitude (2500m to 3500m) during daytime the Max temp can be around 2C to 7C and the Min temp can be  – 5C to 2C

At higher altitude (3500m to 5000m) the daytime Max temp can be between -5C to 5 C and Min temp can be between -8 C to -20C

Please note: when there is an overcast sky, the day time temperature can get down to -5C during day time at altitudes above 4500m. Also the wind makes a big difference in the real feel of temperature.

This is just general information and it could vary.

Recommendations for things you should bring:

Clothing:

Head:

• Warm hat wool or synthetic that covers your ears
• Sunhat
• UV shield/ Category 2 sunglasses
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Bandana or head scarf, also useful for dusty conditions

Upper Body:

• 2 polypropylene or wool mix t-shirts
• 2 polypropylene or wool mix long sleeve t-shirts
• 2 long sleeve thermal underwear shirts, lightweight preferably woolen
• 1 polar fleece pullovers medium weight
• 1 polar fleece jacket, OR Primaloft/ Down light weight jacket
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
• For high altitude use, 1 very warm goose-down jacket with hood (we provide this)

Hands: 

• 1 pair medium weight wind stopper gloves
• 1 pr. lightweight poly-liner gloves

Lower Body:

• 1 pair walking shorts
• 1 to 2 pair walking trousers for trekking
• 1 pair stretchable running trouser for evening wear at lodges
• 2 pair lightweight thermal bottoms
• 1 pair Gore-Tex trousers, wind stopper

Feet:

1 pair trekking /walking boots with good ankle support
1 pair trainers, running shoes and/or sandals for Kathmandu and in lodges;
2 pair med weight preferably wool socks
2 to 3 pair of liner socks. Polypropylene or wool
2 pair lightweight trekking socks, poly or wool

Sleeping:

We provide:

• 1 down sleeping bag (rated to – 20 Centigrade or -0 F )
• 1 polar fleece liner

Rucksack and Travel Bags:

• 1 medium rucksack (30-35 litres)
• We provide you 1 big duffle bags.
• Small padlocks for duffel kit bags.

Assesories:

• 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing repair kit
• Camera
• Nylon stuff sacks for food and gear storage, large Ziplocs are useful also
• 2 Water bottles (1 litre)
• 1 small folding knife
• Books, playing cards, ipod/mp3 player, games, small musical intruments
• Adequate amount of batteries, etc.

Health and trouble free holiday

There are no compulsory vaccinations required for entering Nepal. However please consult a doctor for vaccination against Typhoid, Meningitis, polio, and hepatitis. If you have special dietary requirements or allergies, please through your agent, give us a list of what you can and can’t eat so that we can provide proper food for you.
If you are undergoing a course of prescription medicine, please ensure that you have sufficient supplies for the entire holiday. Some types of drugs including antimalarials have side effects at high altitude; therefore please consult your doctors regarding these drugs. The places you trek are mosquito free and there has been no report on malaria in Kathmandu for the past couple of decades.

Insure yourself

We highly recommend you to take a comprehensive Personal Travel Insurance before leaving home. This should cover for your loss of baggage, airline delays, sickness and accidents. And it should also cover you for Emergency Helicopter Evacuation.

Money Matters

The ideal currency to bring with you is USD.

In Kathmandu: Each meal will cost around 4 to 6 USD. Plus 10 to 20 USD for your taxis if you wish to go around the city.
On trek: You will need around 6 to 10 USD per day. This money is for your hot showers, chocolates, soft drinks and beers etc and also for small donations in the monasteries.

Tipping

Although tipping is entirely optional and personal matter the following is recommended as a guideline

In Kathmandu: for bellboys, waiters and porters 30 to 50 Nepali Rupees

On the trek: At the end of the trek it is a customary to tip the field staff.

• For Staff: 150-200 USD depending on group size. The group leader will collect the tip and then split it between the staff and put it in envelops so that the trekkers can give it to the staff during the “Farwell Ceremonies”. Your Group Leader is not included in this tip.
• For Group Leader: 30 to 50 USD per person

Some Do’s and Don’ts

Nepalese people treat visitors as special guests. Although they will never rebuke you publicly for unknowingly offending them, we must consider their culture.

While in Nepal please observe the following:

• Full or partial nudity is not accepted
• Over display of affection between men and women, especially in temples and monasteries are discouraged
• Please remove your shoes before entering monasteries and temples
• Never point the soles of your feet at a person or shrine
• Many Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus. Please ask before entering
• Locals walk around the Mani walls and Stupas in a clockwise direction as a respect and they expect you to do the same although it is not compulsory

“TODAY IS YOUR DAY! YOUR MOUNTAIN IS WAITING, SO… GET ON YOUR WAY!”
DR. SEUSS