TREKKING ITINERARIES

PTT/ST/01

KATHMANDU VALLEY

3 DAYS/2 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Shivapuri 219m.

PTT/ST/02

KATHMANDU - NAGARKOT

4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Bhanjyang Danda 2215m.

Off into Mountains

Trekking has come a long way since the days it meant a tedious journey on foot.Today trekking conjures up visions of the
 spectacular Northern or eastern Himalayas. In an environment free of the depredations of modern city life, a trekker 
communes with nature, savouring it's awe-inspiring bounties.

Trekking satisfies one of man's basic impulses the urge to travel forth and seek adventure. An urge that can be satisfied by the young and old alike as trekking is comparatively undemanding, requiring only stamina for long walking hours, and the mental agility to adapt to a changing environment.

Trekking brings home the fundamental truth that man needs very little to lead a full and joypus life. Most treks traverse uninhabited areas where modern amenities are just not available. The trekkers learns to prune his needs to the bare necessities of life-anddiscovers that it all fits into a mere rucksack. Ask any trekker and he will tell you of the exhilaration of travelling light and yet the sense that all his life's needs are at hand. Trekking is not just a cheap alternative way of seeing Nepal. It is the only way to explore the country properly. You walk because there are no roads. However, you walk in luxury: there are porters to carry your gear; the best Sherpas to guide you; specially trained cooks to give you first -class food; large tents with comfortable sleeping bags and mattresses; separate dinning tents and separate toilet tents.

From the jungle of the low valleys to the base camp of the world's highest mountain. PTT organizes a wide variety of treks of different type and length. Apart from offering a diverse choice of 'standard' trekking routes, the company specializes in treks tailor-made to suit special requirements. Journeys can be made to any part of Nepal open to foreign travellers. And in the more remote areas of this hidden land strangers are rarely seen, for much of Nepal is still largely unexplored by outsiders.

Treks normally last from seven days to a month or more, although special short treks can also be arranged. To be able to relax into the rhythm of the trekking routine, at least two weeks is recommended. Only on trek of this length can the traveller fully appreciate the charm of this beautiful land of contrast and colour.

Beyond the Valley: Nepal is the ultimate destination for a trekking enthusiast- offering routes from the short and easy to the long challenges of the snowy peaks. The spectacular Himalayas, Abode of the Gods, evoke a feeling of reverence and excitement which is universal. Trekking is allowed nearly everywhere in Nepal. Certain areas along the Chinese border are closed, but other areas - such as the Everest Base Camp, the Rolwaling Valley and the Langtang National Park - are only a single kilometer (as the crow flies) from the Tibetan frontier.

The Kathmandu Rim and the North of Kathmandu North of the Kathmandu valley, between the Himalayan foothills and the Tibetan frontier, are several regions popular with trekkers. These include the Langtang Valley, the Helambu district, and the high country above Gatlang.

The Langtang Valley is located some thirty kilometers directly north of Kathmandu, close to the boundary with Tibet. Extending in a East West direction. It is bordered in the north by the main crest of the Himalaya, dominated by the Langtang Lirung, the highest peak in the area. To the south are the Chimse Danda ridge, crossed by the Ganja La pass and Jugal Himal, culminating in Dorje Lakpa. Remote and until recently practically unknown, the Langtang area was not penetrated by a Western traveller until 1949. In 1976, Langtang became Nepal's second largest National Park. Within this area are about 45 picturesque villages plus 1000 plant, 160 birds and 30 mammal species.

The main approach to the valley from Kathmandu is via the gorge of the Trishuli River. This spectacular gorge once formed an important trade route to the Tibetan fort at Kyirong, just over the Chinese border. The trail passes through a dense forest of oak, birch, pine hung with Spanish moss, hosting delicate orchids. The inhabitants of this valley, mainly sheep and yak herds are thought to be descendants of Tibetans from Kyirong.

Langtang National Park also includes the sacred Gosainkund Lakes and the Helambu district. Gosainkund is a pilgrimage site for thousands of Shiva devotees. According to legend, Shiva formed the lakes by thrusting his trident into the mountainside, creating three gushing springs forming the lakes, where people come to bathe in it's holy waters.

Lying immediately northeast of Kathmandu, Helambu is bounded on the north by a wall of 5000 meter peaks. The region is corrugated by a jumble of valleys and ridges running north-south, through which run the headwaters of the Sun Kosi river. Helambu's population is predominantly Sherpa. There are several Sherpa villages and Buddhist monastries scattered around - through distinctly different from the Everest area. The largest village nearest to Kathmandu is Tarkhegyang with a beautiful Gompa and excellent views from Yangri Danda. In the spring when the Rhododendrons are in bloom, a visit here is particularly worthwhile.

PTT/ST/03

GOSAINKUNDA LAKE

7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Gosainkunda Lake 4380m.

PTT/ST/04

HELAMBU SHERPA COUNTRY (NORTH KATHMANDU)

8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Tarke Ghyang 2545m.

PTT/ST/05

CLASSIC LANGTANG-GOSAINKUNDA LAKE-HELAMBU TRAVERSE

8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Gosainkunda Lake 4380m.

PTT/ST/6

INSTANT EVEREST TREK

8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Thyangboche 3875m.

Perhaps every visitor to Nepal dreams of trekking to the foot the world's greatest peak,Mount Everest, and camping among 
the hardy Sherpa people who live in it's shadow. The route followed by trekkers to this Khumbu region, which contains three 
of the world's highest mountains (including Lhotse and Cho Oyu), is certainly a well trodden one, and it should hardly be 
surprising that the 'roof of the world' should be the scene of some of mountaineering's most significant accomplishments.

PTT/ST/7

MOUNT EVEREST BASE CAMP FLY-IN

14 DAYS/13 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Kala Pathar 5550m., Gorakshep 5150m.

PTT/ST/8

EVEREST BASE CAMP & GOKYO LAKE

21 DAYS/20 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Chunguima Pass 5390m, Kala Pathar 5550m.,
                                Chunkhung Ridge 5520m.

PTT/ST/9

CLASSIC EVEREST BASE CAMP WALK-IN

23 DAYS/22 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Kala Pathar 5550m, Gorakshep 5150m.

THE BASE OF THE FISH TAIL

Two hundred kilometers west of Kathmandu, nestled in a valley beneath the Annapurna massif is the town of Pokhara. Many
 visitors to this country find their lasting impressions from the awesome 'fish tail peak' of the majestic Machhapuchare reflected
 in the still waters of the Phewa Lake.

The valley of Pokhara, at about 900 meters above sea level, is significantly lower than Kathmandu, and is virtually in the geographical centre of Nepal. There may be no other place in the world from which the great Himalayan peaks can be admired from such a close distance. The Annapurna I, the Machapuchare, the Dhaulagiri, the Himalachuli all about 7000 meters and above.

There is a wide variety of trails in the mountains around Pokhara for trekkers. The best of all possible treks in the Pokhara region however, is the walk around the Annapurna. This walk-a minimum of 22 days-is considered by many a classic trail. It offers some of the most breathtaking Himalayan scenery, and at the same time gives the traveller a cross section of Nepali culture, from lush irrigated valleys of the south to the high arid country north of the Annapurna Massif. Starting the walk from Dumre, through the Marsyangdi valley the trail affords an excellent ever-changing view of the high Himalaya. On the north west you can see the Macchapuchare, Lamtang Himal, Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Annapurna III, and the Gangapurna. Dominating the eastern skyline are Manaslu, Himalchuli, Peak 29, and Budha Himal. The Marsyangdi Valley itself is extermely fertile and is heavily cultivated with rice, millet, corn and buckwheat. Huge shady Banyan trees shelter scattered villages where mangoes and bananas flourish. Brightly painted houses are surrounded by the scarlet and orange blossoms of poinsettias and marigolds. At Bagarchaap, the Marsyangdi River swerves west to enter the long Manang Valley, closed to foreigners until recently. The region is increasingly forested will pines and firs. The Manang Valley, closed to foreigners until recently. The region surrounded on all sides by major Himalayan Peaks. The southern end is guarded by Annapurna II, III and IV, the west by Gangapurna, Glacier Dome and Tilicho peak. Lesser known mountains stand to the north and east including Chulu Himal, and Pisang peak. The people of the Manang Valley are similar to Tibetans in culture and in dress, through their historic origins are unknown. The main villages of this valley-Pisang, Braga, Manang-are reminiscent of American Hopi Indian communities. One of the communities. One of the most interesting sites in the valley is the Braga Gompa dating back 400 to 500 years ago.

Crossing the Thorong La Pass from Manang requires a long but gradual climb and from the top there are unmatched views of the northern faces of Annapurna and her satellite peaks, decending to Muktinath, at 3810 meters. The eternal flame at Muktinath is a holy pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists alike. Pilgrims also come to this region seeking black ammonite fossils known as Sholigrams, considered to be the embodiment of Vishnu.

The location of the Kali Gandaki gorge between Tibet and India, and it's otherwise lack of high altitude passes, have made it one of the most important trade routes through the Himalaya. It's origin in forbidden Mustang on the Tibetan plateau in nothern Nepal, it carves it's way through the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains with Tatopani village at 1100 meters making this the deepest gorge in the world.

The climb upto the Meso Kanto pass to see the famous lake at the foot of Tilicho Peak is a difficult but worthwile trip. As the trail travels through from Tatopani to Ghorepani Pass through Sikha the landscape is today transformed. Pine forests turn to deciduous and the fields of hardy grain to the gentle rice paddies. An hour above Ghorepani Pass, Pun Hill at 3000 meters affords a spectacular view of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and the magnificent Kali Gandaki gorge. From here there are two return routes to Pokhara. One is through Ghandrung and the other through Birethanti joining eventually at the Yangdi River Valley.

At 2300 meters, upon elevated open valleys and long ridges clothed in temperate forests and alpine meadows is the Jumla region, 360 kilometers west of Kathmandu. A region whose historic and scenic grandeur approaching that of the Kathmandu valley. It once nurtured a great kingdom. One can trek along the broad valley to Tatopani two days away or three days to Ghotichaur a delightful valley of grassy slopes and pine forests. Four days north of Jumla is the idyllic site of the Rara Lake National Park. The lake itself is 10 square kilometers of crystal blue waters at 3000 meters elevation and the 106 square kilometers park areas surrounding it are clad with pine forests and snow falls that last into May, a focal point of bird migration. Longer treks from Jumla head northward into Kanjiroba Himal, characterized by their wild remoteness and the lack of human inhabitation.

Anytime is trekking time in Nepal, with your own choice of terrain and season.

PTT/ST/10

PRINCELY ANNAPURNA

3 DAYS/2 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Syanglung 1450m.

PTT/ST/11

INSTANT ANNAPURNA

9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Siklis 3025m.

PTT/ST/12

ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Annapurna Base Camp 4000m.

PTT/ST/13

AROUND MANASLU-LARKYLA PASS TREK

23 DAYS/22 NIGHTS

Highest altitude of trek:       Larkya-la pass 4878m.

PTT/ST/14

DOLPO-"LAND OF THE SNOW LEOPARD" TREK

18 DAYS/17 NIGHTS

Note:One day for exploration to Pungmo village after Sumduwa.
Highest altitude of trek:       Numla Pass 5650m.

E-mail : ptt@mos.com.np