TrekkingEasy, Moderate

Annapurna Sanctuary | Base Camp Trek

Based on 5 Reviews
US$ 1050 $1250

The Annapurna Sanctuary trek traverses a variety of terrain, from lowland villages, start from Nayapul / Birethanti and rock cover trail thousands of steps to Banthanti and beautiful view of terraces agriculture. This trek which is one of the famous shorter distances from Pokhara and viewpoints of Annapurna ranges and Dhaulagiri mountains, the view of Annapurna from Poon hill is outstanding. Trekking through Ghorepani Poon hill helps you to acclimatize and explore different terrain before you get to high altitude Annapurna Base camp.

The trek through Gurung villages and climb through the Modi Khola gorge into the Annapurna Sanctuary, an amphitheater of huge Himalayan peaks, this trek offers fine close-up mountain views without the acclimatization problem of the Everest region. The route to the Annapurna Sanctuary and Annapurna South – Face Base Camp is a spectacular short trek. Although it has some long steep climbs and descents, primarily on stone steps, the trek is not difficult if you take your time.

The first few days of this trek are actually the hardest because of all the climbs and descents into the side valley and are much tougher than seen on the map might be suggested. The second half of the trek is a more gradual ascent up the Modi Khola.

Trekking in Nepal especially in the Annapurna sanctuary doesn’t require prior experiences, better to have a guide or someone already been on the route. Trekking trails/routes are straight forward either start from Phedi or Nayapul. This trek probably the best option for a short vacation and want to see a mountain close-up. We organize this trekking for people who wants to get life-time experiences with no stress. You can trek the whole year round up to Ghorepani poon hill that’s shorter options and for the Sanctuary suitable time is Feb – June & Sept mid – December end.

 

 

 

  • Destination:Annapurna Region, Nepal
  • Trip Grade:Easy, Moderate
  • Max Elevation:4160 meters
  • Total Duration:10 - 15 days
  • Best Time:Feb - June, Sept - Dec ,
  • Best option for short trip:5 star

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu transfer to the Hotel.
  • Day 2: Fly to Pokhara 25minute and transfer to the hotel.
  • Day 3: Drive to Nayapul 2hours and trek to Uller 5-6 hours altitude 1960m.
  • Day 4: Trek Uller to Ghorepani 6 hour altitude 2860m.
  • Day 5: Trek to Poon Hill, and trek to Tadapani altitude 2660m.
  • Day 6: Trek Tadapani to Chhomrogn 5 hours altitude 2170m.
  • Day 7: Trek Chhomrong to Dhobhan 5hours altitude 2600m gain 430.
  • Day 8: Trek Dhobhan to MBC 5 - 6 hours altitude 3700m gain 1100m.
  • Day 9: Trek MBC to South Annapurna Base Camp altitude 4130m Early morning, and trek back to Dheurali.
  • Day 10: Trek Dheurali to Jhinu 5 - 6 hours and stay at altitude 1780m.
  • Day 11: Trek Jhinu to Potana 6 - 7 hours and stay at altitude 1890m.
  • Day 12:Trek Potana to Kande and drive to Pokhara.
  • Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu for 25 minutes and transfer to the hotel.
  • Day14: Extra day in Kathmandu.
  • Day15: Transfer to the International airport for final departure.

 

 

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu transfer to the Hotel.
Travel to Nepal takes several days depending on where you travel from; Arrived in Kathmandu average elevation of 1380 meter /4554 feet where Navigate Outdoor’s guide/staff meets you and transfer to the hotel close to great food from all over the world, beautiful handicraft/shopping, and the number of temples and markets are nearby. Navigate’s will come to brief you about your trekking; if you have questions regard trekking please be ready and be clear at the pre-departure meeting.
Day 2: Fly to Pokhara 25minute and transfer to the hotel.
The most beautiful and short flight in the Himalayan range; when you are in flight you will able to see the most beautiful Ganesh Himal, Manasalu, Lamjung, and Annapurna Himalayan range, your flight land at the Pokhara just a few KM southeast of Pokhara valley. You have half a day in the lakeside (the most popular touristic area in Nepal) you can sit next to the lakeside and take a view of Annapurna and the fishtails mountain range.
Day 3: Drive to Nayapul 2hours and trek to Uller 5-6 hours altitude 1960m.
Your guide will be ready with a vehicle just outside of your hotel, make sure you packed your personal stuff for the trekking and baggage you want to leave behind in your hotel; we recommend packing your bag the night before. If you are not a morning person and don’t want to have your breakfast ask them to pack your breakfast the night before. We’ll drive 2 hours to Nayapul where start your trek, In the first one hour you will be walking on the jeep off-road; still, you’ll see the old trekking route and houses next to the Modi Khola. We stop at Birethanti have lunch and continue our trek to Uller. We cross the beautiful Hile and Tikhedhunga and climb the stone-covered trail to Ulleri and stay overnight at the teahouse.
Day 4: Trek Uller to Ghorepani 6 hour altitude 2860m.
Our guide will arrange all the necessary services food, accommodation, and brief for the day. Today we trek to Ghorepani via Banthanti (Thanti means where you rest and take snacks/tea), the switchbacks and stone-covered trails continue until Banthanti with beautiful stone slate roofing and traditional Gurung and Magar houses. We shared the trail with locals and other visitors we will encounter many trekkers going up and coming down from the Ghorepani. After Banthanti the trails switch to dense forest mixed with Rhododendrons, bamboo trees. Reach at the ridge Ghorepani now you are at the height of 2860m from sea level the giants Annapurna South, Himchuli, Fishtail, and Dhaulagiri lines on the northwest, North and Northeast. You enjoy your sunset views and the mountain teahouse at Ghorepani.
Day 5: Trek to Poon Hill, and trek to Tadapani altitude 2660m.
The most popular views point Poonhill; we get up very early at least 2hours before the sunrise and walk to the Poonhill and wait for the magnificent absolutely beautiful sunrise and the color of the horizon lower valley and the giant Himalayan Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Annapurna, Nilgiri, and its range, cold you must be equipped, and ready for the most amazing moment at the views tower. After sunrise view and a great time we walk back to the teahouse have breakfast and start trek to Tadapani. One of the longest days with wilderness, mixed forest beautiful day of our trekking. The trails switchback, ups and down to Banthati, and climb a few hundred meters before reaching Tadapani. We spent a night at Tadapani; our guide will make arrangements for a lunch break, snacks break, and whole day plan please talk to your guide if you need any care or services.
Day 6: Trek Tadapani to Chhomrogn 5 hours altitude 2170m.
Our day starts after your breakfast, our assistance and guide will be staying in the same guesthouse and they will be local and have a lot of experiences the good location for the break, lunch, and night hold. Today we drop a thousand feet down to Chhomrong Khola the trail loop down next to the local’s house and mixed forest. After having fresh hot lunch at the Chhomrong Khola our journey continues to Chhomrong village; this mountain town is very beautiful and has lots of options good internet connection, Himalayan organic coffee, Germany Bakery/ pastry, and more if you are fancy. After Chhomrong we have only one trail lead towards the Annapurna Base Camp.
Day 7: Trek Chhomrong to Dhobhan 5hours altitude 2600m gain 430.
Let’s start our day a little earlier than yesterday, we have a long and lots of stone-covered switchbacks dropping to the stream and back up to Shikha. We stop at the Bamboo for hot lunch, most of the houses are made from Bamboo and the bamboo forest along Modi Khola. The beautiful waterfalls, dense forest, and the wildlife encounter is the highlight of the day.
Day 8: Trek Dhobhan to MBC 5 - 6 hours altitude 3700m gain 1100m.
We start our trek as early yesterday we take more stops and enjoy our beautiful hike to the valley, we stop at Deurali have hot lunch, and continue our journey to the Machhapuchhare Base Camp (Fishtail’s mountain base camp) today we reach alpine and glacier valley surrounded by the big Annapurna circuits mountains. We offer an optional ridge hike to see the glacier valley receding and the effect of global warming. Navigate Outdoor encourage to fill up drinking water from filling station and reducing plastic uses and eat local food Dal-Bhat to support locals.
Day 9: Trek MBC to South Annapurna Base Camp altitude 4130m Early morning, and trek back to Dheurali.
Our guide will give a wake-up call for the base camp trek, today we trek to base camp spent few hours at the South Annapurna Base and see the beautiful Annapurna circuits sunrise views, and more. We can customize your trip as you like we can spend one day at the Annapurna Base Camp (after breakfast we can hike up to Goth to see the real Annapurna Mountain circuits and the whole range. After that, we can hike down to Deurali and spent a night at the Deurali.
Day 10: Trek Dheurali to Jhinu 5 - 6 hours and stay at altitude 1780m.
The longest distance of the trekking with some incline and long decline hiking to the Jhinu the small mountain village where you can experience the warm spring/hot springs. The trail from Shikha to straight down to the Khola and straight up to Chhomrong and again switch back downhill to the Jhinu. We stop for hot Lunch at Bamboo or Shikha Deurali depending on our departure and pace. It will be a beautiful trekking day.
Day 11: Trek Jhinu to Potana 6 - 7 hours and stay at altitude 1890m.
Crossing the longest swing bridge of sidestream and Modikhola the trail continue to Landruk the Gurung village where we stop for our lunch and enjoy the views of Annapurna South, Fishtail and Himchuli during eating hot dal baht and mixed veg. Landruk is the most beautiful Gurung village I ever been, people are so friendly and happily live in the mountain, they haul bandle of fodder from far dawn and grow seasonal fruits, vegetables; and their ricefield is just next to the Modikhola which is 1000-1200feet down in the river valley. After lunch, we trek on the jeep trail to Ghot and climb to Deurali where we stop take hot drinks and continue our journey to Potana. When the weather is clear we can see the best views of Fishtail and Annapurna Mountain ranges from the hotel.
Day 12:Trek Potana to Kande and drive to Pokhara.
After having the last breakfast at the mountain with the best of the entire trip the fishtail right in front of you and the green valley in the south; we take multiple shots and getting ready for the bustling town Pokhara. After 3 hours downhill trek we reach the Kande via Australian Camp, and drive 1:30 minutes to the Lakeside Pokhara and stay in the Pokhara.
Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu for 25 minutes and transfer to the hotel.
Depending on your departure schedule we arrange your flight tickets either morning or the afternoon and we can easily reschedule your departure time the night before. Traveling back to Kathmandu there are many options as you like flight or private / tourist bus (6-7hrs). we’ll arrange your pick up and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu.
Day14: Extra day in Kathmandu.
Extra full day in Kathmandu, Kathmandu is the hustle bustle old city of Nepal, there are so many wonderful monuments and UNESCO heritage sights, where you can spend a whole day or half-day cultural tour and get to know about the mystery of Newar’s culture. We can also arrange a half-day cooking class, cultural sightseeing in Khokana, Bungmati, and Kritipur or you can just have a late breakfast laydown rest and get prepare for your long journey back home, you can always explore the tourist/local market where you can find interesting handicrafts, souvenir and gift items for your loved. We'll gather for the farewell dinner in the evening in the local restaurant share your feedback and experiences with Navigate Outdoor for better services for future clients.
Day15: Transfer to the International airport for final departure.
Our company representative will drop you at the International airport in Kathmandu, it would be great to leave 3 hours before departure. Thanks for choosing us and supporting our local business.

Cost Includes

What is including|

  • Experienced English-speaking guide & assistance for baggage carry.
  • Flights Kathmandu –Pokhara – Kathmandu.
  • Tourist bus tickets (optional)
  • 3-night hotel in Kathmandu & 2-night hotel in Pokhara bed & breakfast.
  • Essential group First aid.
  • Trekking permit and TIMS.
  • Guides & Porter’s salary their necessary charges.
  • Food Lunch, Dinner, and Breakfast with hot drinks tea & Coffee.
  • Accommodation at local tea-house twin sharing room.

Cost Excludes

 What is not including?

  • Travel/ trekking, accidental insurance (mandatory)
  • Lunch and dinner while you are in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Personal Expenses (e.g. alcohol, snacks, chocolate, and internet)
  • Alcohol and all bottle beverages.
  • International airfare and airport tax.
  • Guides/ assistance’s tip.
  • Emergency evacuation.

Cost and Dates

Trip Start Date Trip End Date Price Availability Book
8th May, 2024 18th May, 2024 US$1050 Available Book Now
1st October, 2024 US$1050 Available Book Now
18th October, 2024 28th October, 2024 US$1050 Available Book Now
1st November, 2024 10th November, 2024 US$1050 Available Book Now
12th November, 2024 21st November, 2024 US$1050 Available Book Now
1st December, 2024 10th December, 2024 US$999 Available Book Now
16th December, 2024 25th December, 2024 US$950 Available Book Now

Please be ready and keep in mind that adventure in the Himalayan Mountains requires an open & emphatic mind. During your trek you are lacking some of the basic need like attached bath, hot shower and electricity. Due to weather conditions, health issues, and other general issues of the group members or sudden natural disaster like landslide, snow storms, and other natural aspect we may to change your route. We try our best to follow our original plan when you booked your expedition, but your safety is our primary concern. In case the trip need reroute of your trek is necessary, our group leader/ guide make final call or decision. Essential Gear

  • Camera, water bottle, extra money, sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat, hiking loose fitting shorts/ synthetic T-shirt etc.
  • Hiking boots, sports shoe, 3 to 4 pairs woolen socks, 1 pairs gloves, warm hat,
  • Day backpack 35ltr  to 50ltr , and a duffel bag for your clothing.
  • Warm layers, down or synthetic jackets, fleece, hiking pants, Thermals.
Create your dream trips together customize your holiday particular interest or wishes. Please do not hesitate to contact us for details and additional information about the area. We will provide a comprehensive gear list on booking. All out trips are customizable please contact us if you have certain date and time for the trips. we're happy to accommodate according to your requirements and interest.

    Landing in Nepal’s only International airport Kathmandu walk two minutes to immigration get ready for your online  visa application, having Passport, Passport size picture, change US Dollar saves your time in visa processing in the immigration. A long flight journey arriving in Nepal, keeping low expectations some delay in the baggage handling and a long line make your journey a little bit curious  want to get out of the crowd, and have a good rest in the hotel. While you walking outside of immigration, baggage claim don’t forget to buy (Nepal Telecom & Ncell) prepaid Sim card  takes a few minutes to sign approve, it makes your tour & travel vacation easier and stress free. Kathmandu valley is very small mountain valley surrounded by mountains, have interesting history, culture, diverse human culture in small area. Prepaid taxi makes your life easier no need to deal with taxi driver at the arrival, provide your information where you staying how many people are sharing transport they’ll easily accommodate your interest.       Booking Luxurious Hotel, Budge Hotels, and guesthouses you can book online or ask your agency they will book and simply add in your tour budget. Popular tourist destination is Thamel, you can get all the above accommodation options, world’s test, and fun evening walk, check local handicraft shops, small local restaurant and Nepalese cuisine. Kathmandu is worth to spend 2-3 days historic sites tour vacation would gives you glimpse of Nepalese culture, tradition and diversify of people. Bhaktapur is smallest district in Nepal with many beautiful historic places in the planet, Bhaktapur Durbar Square area, Changu Narayan, Nagarkot mountain view point short hike to Changu Narayan Temple. Staying overnight at Bhaktapur Durbar Square area great way to see night life of local people peace and Boddhanath Temple, Soyambhunath temple, Baantapur Durbar Square, Patna Durbar Square, and Pashupatinath temple all of them are UNESCO heritage sites, you can easily spent day or two even more time to check and take piture and learn Nepali culture and tradition with local guide at the sites. You can easily arrange tour guide from your hotel, and travel agency, worth to have a licensed tour leader with agency cost around $35 - $50 per day.       After your few days tour vacation, day hiking in Kathmandu valley your journey makes a lot easier to travel other part of Nepal. Your budget and time available there are many different adventure activities can do around Kathmandu, hiking Shivpuri National Forest a minute away from your hotel, climber can easily spent a few days climb limestone natural, bolted rock climbing, and indoor climbing in Thamel Kathmandu. For rafter, water adventure lover you can easily do day whitewater rafting two hours away from Kathmandu and enjoy the Himalayan Rivers and local outfit. There are many options in the close by extreme adventure, luxurious overnight stay in the resort, cultural tour and journey in Kathmandu. Nepal’s is most popular destination for trekking, mountain climbing along with whitewater expedition, cultural city tour and world heritage sightseeing. Have a great tour vacation and adventure journey in Nepal. Chura Mani Aryal www.navigateoutdoor.com

Sam & Jenn Nicholson Montana USA

Mani; Clearly you are chosen & Choose across the globe to make a lasting impact on our children. Your strength, calmness, guidance/wisdom, and patience are so evident. We will forever be grateful for the effort + Impact that you have made on our son. Thank you from our bottom of our hearts for this. It’s unbelievable. Peace & love to you forever. Sam & Jenn Nicholson Montana USA 2018.

Journeying a river: Jai Karnali, January 2020

How did river Ganga come to be?

Mythology says that there was a noble King who requested that Ganga descend from heaven to bless humanity and quench the thirst of the land and its people.
Pleased to shower the world with blessings, Ganga rushed down with such gusto that people feared that all that came in the way would be washed away. The God Shiva came to the rescue and stopped the momentum of the water with his long thick long hair. Because of this, Ganga flowed smoothly and satiated the thirst of all beings and showered blessings on the land with each drop of precious water.
Ecologists interpret this myth as a metaphor- Shiva’s thick long hair is synonymous with dense jungles that help check the floods and stop the land from washing away as the river accelerates down the slopes from the melting glaciers.

Rafting down the river Karnali in Western Nepal last month, it felt as if the myth was true! In our group of 11 people were some seasoned sailors, kayakers, river guides, and rafting experts, but a few like me had never been on a raft. I am also not a strong swimmer; so, it was an act of faith and surrender to the river and expertise of our leader Mani, and river rafting expert Manu to go on the trip.
We put the rafts in the river after about 4 hours drive up the town of Surkhet at an altitude of about 800 m. The rafts and the equipment, including the tents and rations, were supplied with the generous support of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) in the States.

This expedition was conceptualized and planned by Ravi, NOLS India Programmed Director, and Mani ( #navigateoutdoor Nepal) NOLS senior Instructor and who co-led the expedition. The two kayakers, Ganesh and Nanu Kayaks and were in the tumultuous waters of Karnali watching and guiding our rafts at each and every rapid that came along. They were plenty of challenges to varying degrees!

For the next seven days we were out on the river, and camping at some of the most beautiful banks. We witnessed a vast expanse of pristine natural habitats along the way both on land and in the waters. We parked the rafts often to take a walk over to beautiful villages and bought fresh vegetables, fish, milk and yogurt, etc. from the villagers. We savored some delicious meals in cottage eateries that you can find along the traditional walking routes of the shepherds, traders, and village folk, that connect the plains with the high Himal region in the kingdom of Nepal and beyond on the Tibetan plateau. The river crisscrossed some of the most wonderfully crafted hanging bridges on these routes as well.

We saw how the simple and rich life of fishing communities sustainably harvest the bounty of fish from the river. They fish in their dug up canoes made from tree trunks. The fish from Karnali is famous across the region and fetches amongst the highest price in Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu. High value and low volume seem to be the guiding factor – it can be 2-4 days walk to sell and transport the fish, so, the fish is dried or smoked creating a very special, niche type of produce from the villages along Karnali.
Agriculture and livestock rearing is still flourishing in the villages. It was amazing to see some of the most appropriately designed dehusking, pounding, and winnowing equipment still in use – that has perhaps not changed in the last thousand years.

It is indeed a living culture that uses and maintains the landscape, in harmony with nature, using indigenous knowledge to enhance biodiversity and what we call ecosystem services. Our faith in the concept of the Gross National Happiness index was further strengthened. The common Human Development indices merely emphasize infrastructure and access to institutions such as hospitals and schools- but there is so much to be taken into account for true sustainability. While the intent is not to romanticize the old, biocultural heritage, the wisdom of the old seems to be working harmoniously and should well complement human development in a more meaningful way.
Some of the big questions being discussed in conferences and seminars across the world could be answered in a much more eco-friendly and happy way by experiencing the life and values of the community here and of other indigenous peoples across the world.

The modern idea of development as highly individualistic has become increasingly crippled with outdated notions of competition, rather than collaboration, also creating massive disparities in income and consumption of natural resources.
We could learn from the communities here, and take lessons from the past into the future: the dignity of physical work, interdependence, and interconnectedness are three principles that need to be central to human endeavor- there is no sustainability without equity and dignity.

Gradually, we descended down with the flow of the river, as it slowly calmed down in the Terai region. It’s a rich habitat for tigers, rhinoceroses, elephants, and another charismatic megafauna. The very sight of these deep jungles invokes awe. We got off the banks of the mighty Karnali at the little town of Chiso Pani.

We deflated the rafts, packed the gear, washed, and rushed to one of the many restaurants in this little town. Some of us relished the delicious fish from Karnali to their heart's content! For others like me, the restaurant served fabulous fresh greens with dal-bhat; as they say in Nepal “Dal Bhat power, 24 hours!”

May the river Karnali have a long life and continue to bless humanity as the King had anticipated in the ancient times. May present-day leaders start to wake up to the wisdom in conservation and sustainable utilization of the river, rather than damning it and threatening the sheer existence of these communities. May we all learn from the life of the people here; all the wonderful ways to weave a close-knit community and flourish together with nature.

Thanks for the whole team Chura Mani Aryal, Manohar, Nanu and Ganesh river experts, and beautiful Karnali River, and people from the river corridor.

Ajay Rastogi

Majkhali India

Ajay Rastogi,Majhkhali India

"I want to thank you and your guides and employees again for the wonderful memories I have of the Manaslu trek and the lovely side trip into the Tsum Valley. The scenery and experiences were great and I especially loved the variety of forests, the wildlife, and of course the incomparable mountain scenery. I want to add a special thank you to you for the special care you gave me when my foot and leg became very swollen. Your help and knowledge allowed me to complete the trek with minimal discomfort. I still experience the problem to a minor degree but still, look forward to further adventurous travel when the situation allows in the future. Conversations with you about Nepalese history were also an enjoyable and informative aspect of the trek".

I would like to thank Navigate Outdoor for organizing such a joyful and safe trip to the Tsum and Manaslu region. I'd like to thank Mani and his entire team to make our trip such memorable and extra care to all of us on the trekking. I really enjoyed having my own personal time exploring the side valley taking pictures and interact with local people on the trail. Mani is an experienced leader who allows space while trekking. He helped, and always available for other trekkers they need medical attention. I saw him support others and interact with them in a really professional way. I appreciated and enjoyed the 24 days trekking in the Tsum valley and Manaslu round trekking.

Nick Green Australia 2018

Nick Green,Australia

 

I appreciate your attitude "Anyway life comes first and business comes second and other things." I can see you are really living that motto when you tell us of the wonderful time you are having with your family.

Dane, and I really enjoyed the trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary. While I have been trekking in the Himalayas a number of times it was nice to do a trek with my son. Dane was very impressed to see the high mountains. Thanks for organizing Annapurna Base Camp trekking for me and my son Dane. Mani, I really appreciated sharing your previous experiences and telling stories about your own life and adventure career. We'll do another trip in the future. We'll share our experiences with our friends and recommended Navigate Outdoor. I can't express the joyful moment I had on the Annapurna Base camp trip you with, and felt 100% safe, thanks for taking care of us in the trekking.

Malcolm and Dane Dwyer Australia 2019

Mal & Dane,Australia

Karnali River Experience.

They say that the journey is better than the destination. That all the experiences along the way are like an accumulation of rocks along a riverbed. This story is another stone in a river.

I have known Mani Aryal for several years, meeting him in the United States, in the state of Utah. Mani and I were both on a work contract to take a group of students down Desolation & Gray Canyon on the Green River. After spending three weeks with Mani I knew that I made a paddling adventure buddy and that he would be a person that I actively stay in contact with. The years have a way of floating by with adventure and intentions. Every time I spoke to Mani he persistently invited me to Kathmandu to see his home and to float the rivers. Three years after saying “no”, I finally could say “maybe”.

Kathmandu is large in legend and small in structure. The shuttle ride from the airport is an example of whitewater: dodging potholes, must-make moves, and pure adrenaline. It’s best not to watch.

There are two options to get to the river when signing up for a Karnali River Expedition trip: 1) take the plane or 2) ride with the guides and gear on public transport. I was on a tight budget, so option #2 was the only way to go. Putting together a multiday river trip is always difficult, especially when you start combining buses, shuttles, and rendezvous. The first leg of the journey was via public transportation to Koholpur. The guides and I, hanging out at the main bus depot, loading all of the gear we would need for the next 12 days was a new experience indeed.

You see a lot of different people and livestock on the long-distance buses. Chickens and goats are not uncommon. If a woman is standing with a baby, it’s a norm to hand a baby to you, a seated passenger, to hold the child in order to give her a break.

The second half of the shuttle was a private bus to the put-in, the small village of Dungeshor that is located straight down a canyon. The route our bus driver picked was shorter to save fuel but longer because of road conditions. Our bus rocked, creaked and moaned down the road for 8 hours only to cover 85km. “Singletrack” may be a better description than “road” as there were only inches to spare between rock walls and open air.

 Sideswiping other buses, scouting rock gardens, and pushing our transport were common occurrences that quickly become norms. We reached Dungeshor after 10 pm to hastily inhale some food and beer from a generous restaurant owner who opened his doors after hours. Afterward, we set up our tents on the riverbank to welcome a solid, unwavering piece of ground to usher in some sleep.

The next morning, the guides were in their prime, having already started getting breakfast ready for everyone. Mani was no exception, greeting me with a great, white smile and a coffee to help orient my mind back to my body. The biggest surprise was all of the children hanging about camp. We were all warned not to leave our gear unattended. Later that day, I realized a carabineer walked off to hang out with the children. The guides seemed to include me that much more by laughing and sharing stories of gear gone lost.

Throughout the six days, Mani and his guides were exceptional hosts. It seemed as if they never stopped moving. Always quick to put a coffee in your hand, help you set up your campsite, or to offer a meal. Every morning they would barter with local fishermen to add an extra flair to the menu. On the water, I felt safe and involved in risk management. All ideas were heard until a plan formed to be implemented with everyone on board. The standard followed by Mani was professional.

Six months after this trip, the strongest memories I have are of traveling to and from the river. Once I had oars in my hand and a blue sky above me I knew who I was and how I got there.

The total trip duration from Kathmandu to Kathmandu was 10 days included the bus journey.

 Dan Colorado USA.

Thank you, Mani. I look forward to our next adventure.

Daniel Ives

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