Annapurna Skyline Trek

Royal trek that offers  terrific views of the 50km long Annapurna Range and the dramatic fish tail of Machhapuchhare to the north of the city of Pokhara, 200km west of Kathmandu. This is a trek that takes you away from the standard Annapurna routes tramped by some 10 000 people each year. It is a camping trek as the villages have not been spoiled by tourism and so have not built Tea Houses.

This Skyline trek is sometimes called the Royal Trek as Britain’s Prince Charles walked it in 1980 whilst on a visit to meet Ghurkha soldiers who had been serving in the Indian army. The region is populated by the Gurung people who are famed for the men who have served in the Ghurkha regiments. They are farmers, but many, along the tourist routes, have become skilled business men and fine hoteliers.

The advantage is a quiet, easy route, on wide paths, just east of Pokhara that almost anyone can enjoy. The first day takes you through charming rice fields and before climbing a ridge to the village of Kalikasthan and its scenic campsite for the night.  The second day offers ridge walking t through fine forests and several villages to the beautiful Gurung village of Shaklung. The third descends through fertile farmlands to cross the river before rising to Chisopani and the fourth along a ridge between the Rupa and Begnas Tals (Lakes). From the roadside village of Begnas Bazaar we will return to Pokhara by bus.

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)                   

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m/2,986ft), 5-6 hrs drive

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing & trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m/2,986ft), 5-6 hrs drive

Day 04: Bijayapur – Kalikasthan (1370m/4494ft), 5-6 hrs trek   

Day 05: Kalikasthan – Shaklung (1730m/5675ft), 5-6 hrs        

Day 06: Shaklung – Chisopani (2629m/5344ft), 5-6 hrs.        

Day 07: Chisopani – Begnas Bazaar (1000m/3280ft) - Pokhara (910m /2696ft), 5-6 hrs trek, 1  hr drive

Day 08: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu 5 – 6 hrs

Day 09: Final departure

transfer to international airport and fly to onward destination

           "OR"

For more fantastic ideal trip to extend your valued holiday in Nepal, from riding elephant in Chitwan to tours in Tibet and Bhutan, please follow the link.

Cost Inclusive:

• All airport/Hotel transfers
• Tourist standard Hotel in Kathmandu for 2 nights on BB Plan
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• Full meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) during the trek
• Hot drinks (Tea & Coffee)
• Safe Drinking water
• Tourist standard accommodation in Pokhara for 2 nights on BB plan
• All mountain accommodation
• Domestic flight (Kathmandu/ Pokhara / Kathmandu) or tourist bus on choice
• An experienced English-speaking trek leader (Govt. registered trekking guide), assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
• A comprehensive medical kit
• All government and local taxes
• Trekking equipment such as four season down jacket, sleeping bag, trekking boots, rain coat, walking stick and many more as per necessity

Cost EXclusive:

• Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks
• Mineral water
• Personal expenses
• Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu & Pokhara
• Travel insurance & evacuation

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Meet MMT (Mountain Mart Treks) airport representative at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your choice of Hotel /Resort /Guest house. Free afternoon. Involve, Welcome dinner held by MMT management, introduce guide, trip briefing and check trip necessities.

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing & trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

After breakfast, the day will start with our guided trip (tour) to cultural World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley such as (including), pilgrimage sites of Hindus temples at Pashupatinath, the world’s biggest Stupa Bouddhanath, visit Swayambhunath Stupa also known as the Monkey Temple. After exploring the surrounding areas, visit the historical Patan Durbar Square & Kathmandu’s Durbar Square (Freak Street) with temples, unique ancient art, architectures, museum and Kumari (living goddess). Evening pre-trip counseling and ensure once again trekking gears, medical kid and trek legalization needs. (Evening pre-trip discussion: a trekking gear and medical kit check, visa and legalization requirements.)

               “OR”

Leisure and rest day for your own interests.

Day 03:Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m/2,986ft), 5-6 hrs drive

Early morning 07:00 AM drive by tourist bus to Pokhara through the beautiful countryside and following down steam of Trishuli River. ( famous river rafting for traveling with family & beginners) Arrive Pokhara about 02:00 PM and transfer to your choice of Hotel / Resort / Guest House overnight in Lakeside next to Fewa Lake..

Day 04: Bijayapur – Kalikasthan (1370m/4494ft), 5-6 hrs trek

A broad trail starting from rice field near the army camp, then ascends through Rakhigaun to a chautara, a a resting place under  large Bodhi tree. The trail climbs gently along a ridge top through Brahman and chhetri village toward Kalikasthan (1370m/4494ft) Depending on the tine that you start walking you can camp either before or after  Kalikasthan. Both campsites are on ridge top with good mountain view, including of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. Overnight stay in camp.

Day 05: Kalikasthan – Shaklung (1730m/5675ft), 5-6 hrs trek

The trail follows along the forested ridge top through Thulakhet Mathi Thana, where there are few tea-shops. There is short climb, then the trail reaches Naudanda. Continue along the ridge to a school at Lipini village, then make a steep but short climb to forest to the Guring Village Shaklung overnight at camp.

Day 06: Kalikasthan – Chisopani (2629m/5344ft), 5-6 hrs. trek

The Himalaya skyline continues to change as the route comes abreast Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, Manaslu and Hiuchuli. From Shaklung the trail drops steeply down the south ridge of the hill to a large tree, several tea-shop and a police check- point This is a trail junction, trail leads to west is Begnas lake and east to the Marshyangdi khola. The skyline trek climbs toward Chisopani winding around the back of the hill to the village short distance above Chisopani is a high knoll where there is a small temple. This is Chisopani Danda.Overnight stay in tent.

Day 07: Chisopani – Begnas Bazar (1000m/3280ft), 5-6 hrs trek and drive to Pokhara (990m /

From chisopani Danda descend along the ridge for an hour or so, then descends steeply on the stone steps into a small valley and a stream that feeds Rupa Tal. Continue for a short distance through the rice field , then make a final ascent to the ridge that separates Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake, on a wide path that you will share with many local people. From the ridge descend to the Pokhara valley, joins the road at the crowed, dirty and noisy Begnas Bazar. Take a transport 12 KM back to Pokhara.   

Day 08: Pokhara - Kathmandu(1,300m /4,264ft)

Morning at 0730 drive back to Kathmandu 5- 6 hrs through the countryside beautiful landscape. Arrive Kathmandu about 1430 and transfer to your Hotel. Free afternoon.

All flights Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu also offered.

Day 09:  Final departure

Transfer to international airport and fly to onward destination

                "OR"

For more fantastic ideal trip to extend your valued holiday in Nepal, from riding elephant in Chitwan to tours in Tibet and Bhutan, please follow the link.

Departure Dates for Annapurna Skyline Trek

Body wear :

T-shirt, long sleeve, half pant, long trouser, warm Jacket, fleece Jacket, Gore-tax windproof Jacket & trouser, warm trouser, rain Jacket, sleeping bag, down jacket

Head wear :

Sun hat, woolen hat/fleece hat, sunglass & scat

Hand wear :

Gloves

Foot wear :

Warm woolen socks, trekking boots & sandal

Accessories :

Personal toiletries, personal first aid kit, sun block, lip guard, shampoo, soap, shavers, moisturizer, passport copies, pocket knives, flash light, camera & film, towel, water bottle, music & books.

What you carry for the trek :

Please, bring the equipment listed above and pack your gear for the trek into a duffel bag or rucksacks, and small day bag for you. The larger bag with your kit will be carried by the porter to meet you each evening. You should bring a day pack to carry by yourself for water, rain jacket, hat gloves, camera money etc. The weather in mountain is changeable so you will need some warm cloths with you on your day pack.

What to do about the left over baggage :

One day before your departure for the trek you could leave the valuable things which you do not need on the trek such as passport, visa card, flight tickets, in our safety box, and the rest of the things you could store it in our store room. What is a tea house trek? Accommodation and food facilities! Tea house trek mean staying and eating in the local lodges. We stay in double room; rooms are basic but comfortable mattress, normally just a bed and pillow. Most of them have electric light and all have and all have specious dining room –lounge. Mostly in tea houses there are common bathroom. Hot shower also available on the tea- houses but the hot water depend on weather conditions and to pay to get the shower.  We eat at tea- house, though food is usually potential and delicious, menu is not extensive. They offer variety of potato rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup. You could choose food from the menu what you could choose the food from the menu what you would like to have. You would be able to eat the food as much as you like but you would not able to order more than enough and left the food.

Health :

It’s very important not to get sick while you are going on the trek and you need to be careful about what you eat and drink.  You need to stay healthy and avoid getting sick in order to have a successful trek.

Some tips for staying healthy :

Avoid drinking or brushing your teeth with tap water. Drink only sealed bottled or proper boiled water or use water purification tablets. During the trek avoid the temptation to test your fitness through fast walking at altitude.

Medical kit

Your guide will bring normal medical kits with him while on the trek. It is recommended that you also bring a small personal medical kit including pain killers, sore throat, plasters, strapping tape for blisters, etc. If you are taking regular mediation you need to bring those medicine with you and do not forget to bring extra supply if somehow one pack is lost.

The trails :

The trekking trail of Nepal varies from wide, rode-like avenues to narrow, slippery paths built out over enormous drops. In many places, a fall from the trail would be final. One most pay attention at all the time to where you are placing your fact. Be especially careful not move while looking through the view finder of your camera.

The weather :

Nepal has the wildest altitude range of any country of the earth. Each altitude will have its’ own weather problem, from typical heat to arctic cold. In the main trekking season in the spring and fall, the weather is often stable and even the high passes may be free of snow and relatively easy to traverse at times. Those trekkers who encountered an easy at altitude nasty spread the word that boots and warm clothing are not required. This is a mistake. That sudden storm can occur at any time, dumping one or two meter of snow on the passes. At that point, any one with simple running shoes will not be able to process and may even be stranded for a number of days. Frostbite is a constant risk if one walks in snow at high altitude. If you trek in the winter, you most be prepared for cold and snow. If you trek in the monsoon you might be face with slippery trails and difficult rivers crossing. You are heading into the world highest mountain range. Be prepared for changes in temperature and weather.

Altitude and preventing altitude :

Being in a hurry in the mountain of Nepal can be deadly. Acclimatization is the word used to describe the adjustments your body makes as it ascends. Ascend slowly and drinking lots of water is one of the best ways not to get high altitude. You should not plan to go to high altitude if you have know heart disease, difficulty to breathing at sea level or are pregnant. For other chronic medical conditions its better to consult your doctor. Sleeping pills, alcohol, and smoking should not be used at altitude as they tend to decrease breathing and lead to Acute Mountain Sickness. It comes that during 3-4 liters of fluids (Water, Soup, etc) per day to avoid dehydration helps in the acclimatization process.

Tipping and cash requirement

On the trekking route do not forget to bring Nepalese rupees for drinks bottled water drinks/alcohol that might purchase on the way. The sum of amount to carry on the trekking route depends on the day and area you are going to trek in. Tipping is now common in Nepal but there is no certain rules how much should be tips and it’s not the must to tip.

Photographing people :

During a trek you will have many opportunities to photograph local people and amazing society. You could use tens of films taking amazing natural scenery but talking the picture of people it’s a good idea to ask before taking. Some people do not like you to take the picture of them. So always ask before taking the pictures.

Considering Environment :

While trekking you have to consider on the environment not to destroy the environment. There are so many ways you could help not to polluted the environment of the area such as pick up papers, film wrappers, burn all your toilet paper and bury your farce, do not make camp fire.

Insurance :

All tour participants should obtain their own personal insurance which covers accidents, health, eme