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Annapurna Triple Bypass Highlights
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- Three 5000 meter passes instead of one
- Rarely seen traditional villages
- Tilicho Lake, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world
- The newly-opened Nar Valley with the second highest concentration of snow leopards on the planet
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Introduction |
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| The Annapurna Triple Bypass is a new trek we've developed that crosses three rarely-crossed 5,000 m. passes and takes a far more scenic and far more culturally interesting route around the Annapurna Massif than the regular Annapurna Circuit.
The regular Annapurna Circuit is the most popular trek in the world, and it's now choked with teahouses and tourists. Village life, while exotic, is not traditional Nepali culture. We've developed a better way by re-discovering a little known, ancient locals route, originally used by traders to bypass parts of the Annapurna circuit trail that used to be flooded during the monsoon-- The Annapurna Triple Bypass. We can take you deep inside Nepal's real culture for a glimpse at the way the Annapurna Region used to be before westerners arrived.
While this is a strenuous trip, with careful acclimatization, anyone in reasonable shape can complete this trek. |
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Description |
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Starting in Kathmandu, we fly to Pokara and take a pilgrimage trail through traditional villages that have changed little in hundreds of years. After several days, we arrive at sacred lakes at the base of the Namun La, a 5,000 meter pass. We'll acclimatize on the way with beautiful day hikes in pristine country.
Crossing the Namun La, We'll drop down onto the main Annapurna Circuit and immediately make our way into the recently opened Nar-Phu Valley. Nar is a special place, one where our roots run deep, and where we have built a special relationship with the locals, supporting their school. Because we've already acclimatized, we can move quickly up valley, past old fortresses to the village of Nar which is like stepping into old Tibet. The Nar-Phu Valley has the second highest concentration of snow leopards per square kilometer of anywhere in the world. After a day of exploring, we move over our second 5,000 meter pass, the Kang La, to cross back into the Marysyandi River Valley. From there we cross the circuit again but only for a day, then make our way up to Tilicho Lake and our final 5,000 meter pass, the Mesokanto La.
Tilicho Lake at 4,800 m. is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. Crossing the Mesokanto La, often on snow, but non-technical, we'll descend into the Kali-Gandinki Valley and finish on the main Annapurna Circuit trail for a few days ending with a climb up to Poon hill to view Dhaulagiri at sunrise.
The New Annapurna Triple Bypass is destined to become a Himalayan classic trek.
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Further Reading |
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On Milky Pond: Reviving a forgotten tradition, Kathmandu Post Article about young girls visiting sacred lakes near the Namun La.
Annapurna, A Woman's Place by Arlene Blum,
Annapurna, by Maurice Herzog
True Summit : What Really Happened on the Legendary Ascent on Annapurna, by David Roberts
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Summary
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| Location |
Nepal |
| Activities |
Trekking |
| Max Altitude |
5300 m. |
| Total Days |
25 |
| Difficulty |
Strenuous |
| Family Factor |
High altitude makes trek unsuitable for families with children under 12. |
| Departures |
4/15/2007
10/15/2007 |
| Pricing |
| 9-12 |
$3,900 |
| 5-8 |
$4,200 |
| 2-4 |
$4,500 |
Price per person,
based on group size |
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Itinerary |
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| Day 1 |
Meet in Kathmandu |
| Day 2 |
Kathmandu |
| Day 3 |
Fly to Pokara |
| Day 4 |
Drive to Keseari, Trek to Khalcho |
| Day 5 |
Trek to Setigaon |
| Day 6 |
Trek to Chotan Dharmashala |
| Day 7 |
Trek to Taparong Dharmashala |
| Day 8 |
Trek to Thulo Tal |
| Day 9 |
Trek to Namun Base Camp |
| Day 10 |
Cross Namun Bhanjang to Thankchok |
| Day 11 |
Trek to Braga |
| Day 12 |
Trek to Phu |
| Day 13 |
Rest Day in Phu |
| Day 14 |
Trek to Nar |
| Day 15 |
Cross The Kang La to Hongde |
| Day 16 |
Trek to Manang |
| Day 17 |
Trek to Khangsar/Thare |
| Day 18 |
Trek to Tilicho Base Camp Kharka |
| Day 19 |
Trek to High Camp |
| Day 20 |
Cross Mesokanto La |
| Day 21 |
Trek to Marpha |
| Day 22 |
Descend to Tatopani |
| Day 23 |
Trek to Ghorepani |
| Day 24 |
Poon Hill and trek to Naya Pul, and drive to Pokara |
| Day 25 |
Fly to Kathmandu |
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Details
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| Sleeping |
4 Nights 5-Star Hotels
14 Nights Expedition Style
6 Nights in Teahouses
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| Transport |
Air between Kathmandu and Pokara, Shuttles to/from airport and trailhead
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| Group Size |
Max of 12 |
| Guides |
Western Guide
Local Nepali Guide |
| Porters |
Yes |
| You Carry |
Just a daypack with essentials |
| Included |
Experienced leaders, All Lodging, 3 Meals a Day, Group Transport to/from Airport, National Park Entrance and Permit Fees, Porters and Cooks, Group Equipment, Satellite Communication, Medical Supplies |
| Not Included |
International Flights, Cost of Visas, Vaccinations, Tips, Bar Bills, Refreshments, Laundry, Telephone Calls, Souvenirs, Meals beyond 3 per day, Travel Insurance, Personal Clothing and Equipment, Foreign Airport Taxes, Excess Baggage |
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