Ascend to Glory on Pisang Peak Summit

Following breakfast the following morning, you will go for a full-day sightseeing trip of the Kathmandu Valley. You may see Swyambhunath, a very old temple that is essentially classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the revered Pashupatinath Temple.

Highlights of our guided trip include the largest Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath and the exquisite artwork and old architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square, which showcase the ancient culture of Nepal.

Patan City’s historic architecture and renowned fine arts will charm you on a visit. You will have time to explore the neighborhood, eat supper, and maybe take a leisurely stroll down the well-known streets when you get back to your hotel. A traditional Nepalese dinner at the Nepali Cultural Restaurant rounds off the day.

We start our journey to Dharapani after breakfast. It’s a long journey through gorgeous Nepalese towns. At the start of our journey, we follow the winding Trishuli River. We also pass through Pokhara, often known as Lake City, before arriving in Dharapani, one of the largest settlements in the Manang valley. Overnight in Dharapani.

On our way to Chame today, we will cross a couple steep forested ridges and multiple landslides. We should remember to look up, though, for we will be met with breathtaking vistas of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m). We also come across small hot springs, which should allow us to relax for a while. Overnight in Chame.

A tiny steep trail through a dense pine forest will lead us to a magnificent curved rock face that rises 1500m above the river. As the trail opens, we will be surrounded by Himalayan peaks all the way to Pisang. To reach Upper Pisang, we ascend a large slope for around thirty minutes. Overnight in Upper Pisang.

Today is set aside for acclimatization alone. Spending extra time at a high altitude area will ensure a successful trip. We spent the entire day resting and exploring the village. Exploring the area and mingling with the inhabitants will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the local lifestyle. Throughout the day, we can enjoy the views of Annapurna, Gangapurna, and Tilicho. Overnight in Upper Pisang.

After breakfast, we begin our trip to Pisang Base Camp. We rise by a track that winds through a thin forest and grasses. The pasture is utilized to graze yaks and is also the ideal location for our camp. The land is flat and falls on a well-traveled route. Overnight at Pisang Peak Base Camp.

We ascend the south-west ridge to reach the top camp. After setting up our camp, we go through some basic climbing instruction. Our guides will teach you peak climbing skills as well as how to properly use climbing gear such as an ice axe, climbing boots and crampons, harness, ascender, and so on. The training will also include using ropes to ascend and descend. Although prior training is not required for Pisang Peak climbing, we strongly feel that it will raise your confidence and climbing skills, increasing your chances of reaching the summit and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Overnight at the Pisang Peak High Camp.

Following breakfast, we set off on our hike. Today’s trail will primarily be on rocky terrain. The top is steep, thus there isn’t much snow. We will need approximately 20m of rope to ascend a ridge. The slope around the peak is around 70 degrees, necessitating the use of a 200-meter rope. Both fixed and main ropes will be used. The top offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna range and other mountains. We return to base camp for an overnight stay.

This is a separate day set aside for any contingencies. If we are unable to summit Pisang Peak on the intended day owing to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we can use this day.

We trek from Pisang Peak’s base camp to Pisang Village. From Pisang, there are two routes to Manang. We chose the one that goes through Upper Pisang via Geru since it offers spectacular views of Mt. Annapurna, Pisang Peak, and other landmarks. As we approach Manang, the weather becomes increasingly cold and dry. However, a brief visit to Barge Monastery, the largest monastery in the Manang District, should lift our spirits. Overnight in Manang.

The trail begins in Manang hamlet, crosses a creek, ascends to Tenki above Manang, and then climbs out of the Marshyangdi Valley, turning northwest up Jarsang Khola valley. The trail follows this valley northward, going through a few fields and a juniper tree scrub as it gradually gains elevation. The trail continues past the little settlement of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud dwellings immediately below the trailhead. Now the road leads through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient Mani wall in a lovely meadow before arriving in Yak Kharka, another small village. Small but slow climb is the key to avoiding altitude problem.

Thorang Phedi is reached via an uphill trek. After a while of walking, we reach Ledar village via a suspension bridge. We ascend further and pass past towering cliffs before arriving at Thorang Phedi, the last settlement before Thorong La. On this tour, we are rewarded with stunning views of Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, Thorung Peak, and Mt. Khatungkan. Overnight in Thorang Phedi.

Our final goal for today will be to cross Thorong La pass, one of the world’s highest passes. We will cross the pass from east to west (Manang to Muktinath), which is the most convenient and safest route. We get up around 3 a.m. and trek up the mountain. When we eventually reach the summit, we realize that the trek was worthwhile. We can snap some shots before heading to Muktinath Valley, which is located at the foot of the Thorong La Pass. We continue our hike to Muktinath, an important Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site. Overnight in Muktinath.

Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. In the morning, we visit the temple and a nearby Buddhist monastery. Following the brief tour, we continue our journey to Jomsom, which is known for its tasty apples and strong winds. In fact, there are Nepalese songs dedicated to the tremendous gust of wind that blows through Jomsom around noon. After arriving in Jomsom, we can visit the Ecological Museum, which educates visitors about the valley’s rich culture as well as the flora and animals. Overnight in Jomsom.

Today, we take the earliest possible flight to Pokhara, the lake city. After checking into our hotel, we may rest or enjoy the lakefront area around Fewa Lake. We can spend our time here shopping for souvenirs or trying out some local cuisine. Overnight in Pokhara.