Today we will pack up, say our goodbye to the building project team, and head back to Kathmandu. Dinner today is on your own.

Today is set up as a rest day to recuperate from service project work week and enjoy the wonderful culture and sites of Kathmandu. An optional city and temple tour is organized for the group today starting after breakfast. This tour includes a guide and transportation to visit multiple sites around Kathmandu. The only extra costs during this tour are for the entrance fees to the world heritage sites we visit; the Swayambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple), the Pashupatinath Temple, and the Boudhanath Stupta. Meals outside of breakfast, included at the hotel, are planned on your own to give maximum flexibility to explore the city, relax and spend the day how you please. Tonight you will meet your trekking guides and they will conduct an orientation meeting with a thorough briefing on your route. This time will be used to answer any last-minute questions you may have.

Today we transfer to Koto Village in jeeps. It is an 11-12 hour drive along one of the most unique and scenic roads in Nepal. One part of our route takes us along an incredible road blasted out of a cliff. On this drive we will see waterfalls, deep gorges, and many amazing views. After our arrival in Koto we will get settled into our tea house accommodations for the evening, and enjoy a classic Nepali dinner.

Hiking Distance: 12.7 mi (20.4 km)

Elevation Gain: 3980 ft (1213 m)

Elevation Loss: 875 ft (267 m)

Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

Today we embark on our trek with an initial stretch to the town of Meta (11,725 ft/3,574 m). We begin by crossing the river and entering the Nar and Phu Valleys. Today’s hike takes us through majestic forests, through a narrow canyon, under a broad waterfall, and out into the open for big mountain views. The last stint into Meta ascends a steep hill, where we earn jaw-dropping views of some of the giant glaciated peaks in the region.

We will check into our tea house, have some time to relax and/or sight-see, then meet for a much-deserved dinner.

Hiking Distance: 11.2 mi (18 km)

Elevation Gain: 2875 ft (876 m)

Elevation Loss: 1450 ft (442 m)

Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

After breakfast we’ll depart Meta, and begin to see some of the iconic, spectacular Tibetan Buddhist chortens for which Nar and Phu are known. Our hike meanders along a ridge with a wonderful view of a magnificent monastery. We’ll continue hiking through breathtaking canyons and gorges, then up a steep ascent to the village of Phu (13,380 ft/4,078 m), our base for the next three nights.

Today is set as a day to better acclimatize and a general rest day. In the morning, we’ll go on a short optional hike up to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa. Here we’ll honor Lama Karma Sonam Rimpoche, who arrived in Nepal with the Dalai Lama in the late 1950’s. We’ll return to Phu for a wonderful, Nepali lunch. The afternoon before dinner is free time to explore Phu further or relax how you wish. Phu is a fascinating village, and a day of exploration here is well spent. Opportunities abound to be around the villagers as they spin wool (sheep and yak), crush seeds into oil paste, and engage in other daily activities.

Hiking Distance: 11.3 mi (18.2 km) –Optional Hike

Elevation Gain/Loss: 3460 ft (1055 m)

Trekking Duration: Optional up to 6-7 hours

Today is another layover day to further acclimatize in Phu. You’ll have the option of further exploring the village and relaxing/recuperating, or hiking up to the Himlung Himal base camp.

For those participants interested in an extra challenge, we offer a trek up to Himlung Himal base camp (16,075 ft/4,900 m). Himlung Himal (23,379 ft/7,125 m) was recently opened for climbing, and the route to its base camp takes us through a stunning glacial valley and past herds of blue sheep grazing on steep cliffs.

Hiking Distance: 10.8 mi (17.4 km)

Elevation Gain: 1650 ft (503 m)

Elevation Loss: 2980 ft (908 m)

Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

Today we retrace our steps back toward Meta, but deviate at the Nar Phedi monastery (11,650 ft/3,551 m), which is our accommodation for the night. Amazingly, the monastery is all that Nar Phedi consists of.

The monastery accommodations are neat and clean, and the nuns are exceptionally gracious and welcoming. We’ll join them in the kitchen and help/watch them cook dinner on a rustic fireplace. In the evening the nuns often do a blessing (“puja”), which we are welcome to observe. A modest donation box exists for visitors to contribute to the health of this wonderful, friendly place.

Hiking Distance: 2.7 mi (4.6 km)

Elevation Gain: 2700 ft (823 m)

Elevation Loss: 450 ft (137 m)

Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

Today is a relaxing hike. We ascend from Nar Phedi and hike along a winding trail up a hill toward Nar (13,770 ft/4,197 m). We hike past a line of colorfully painted chortens on the way into the ancient village of Nar around lunch time. Nar is not very far from the famous, very popular Annapurna Trail, but it is off the beaten path enough to be rarely visited by trekkers and is as stunningly picturesque as Nepal gets.

The rest of today is set aside to explore and enjoy Nar. We’ll reconvene for dinner at our tea house.

Hiking Distance: 9.2 mi (14.8 km)

Elevation Gain: 3950 ft (1204 m)

Elevation Loss: 5605 ft (1708 m)

Trekking Duration: 11-13 hours

Today is a strenuous hike so we’ll wake before sunrise, have a quick breakfast, and begin trekking towards Kang La pass. At Kang La pass we tie into the popular Annapurna Circuit. Kang La pass is not a technically difficult pass, but the high elevation (17,375 ft/5,296 m) will take its toll on us. From the pass we will soak up views over Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, Annapurna II, and other towering Himalayan giants.

*Important Note: In spring the pass can sometimes be impassable, in this case an alternate route will be used.

We’ll descend from the pass and make our way to Ngawal (12,005 ft/3,660 m), which sits along the Annapurna Circuit. You will immediately notice the difference of being on the Circuit, as the tea houses are larger, the menus much more extensive and access to cell signals and wifi are again available.

Hiking Distance: 6.5 mi (10.5 km)

Elevation Gain: 750 ft (229 m)

Elevation Loss: 1925 ft (587m)

Trekking Duration: 4 hours

Driving Duration: 6 hours

Today is the last day of our amazing trek. We’ll notice the rise in temperature and the flora become much greener as we descend more than 6,000 feet from where we were yesterday at Kang La pass. We pass a beautiful lake and arrive in Upper Pisang (10,500 ft/3200 m), where we get picked up by jeeps and driven to Besisahar. Here we’ll find our evening’s accommodations in the form of a comfortable lodge.

Driving Duration: 6-7 hours

Today we board jeeps, drive back to Kathmandu, and check into our hotel. Tonight we will have a final farewell dinner together at one of our favorite Nepali restaurants.

This is the departure day for which to schedule your outbound flights. As a group we will make our way to the airport and say our fond farewells. What an amazing 2+ weeks it’s been!