The region that lies in the central part of Nepal and near or northern parts from Kathmandu includes famous areas - Gosaikunda, Helambu and Langtang that are magnificently mysterious, beautiful and explorative. Following trekking points fall on these areas. Details of other important trekking points in this region are already mentioned in the trekking itineraries on our websites -

LANGTANG TREKKING

LANGTANG Village
Langtang (3480m) is a proper village with shingle roofs, traditional latticed windows and stone walls. The deep-sided cultural valley greets the visitors to see sunsets with Kangchenpo/Fluted Peak turning pink or occasionally crimson. Few other peaks are also spectacular from the valley. Around Langtang village, Mondo and Pablu kharkas remain energetic for scrambling up.

BAMBOO VILLAGE
Bamboo/Langmoche Khola (1980) walls pitilessly tighten above you and the violent boulder-choked khola (stream) steepens to a death-to-kayakers grade. In the dappled shade the less optimistic could call the barely sunned gorge forbidding or gloomy, but with good hosts, warm fires and copious food it takes on a different perspective.

GHODA TABELA
Ghoda Tabela/Qurpu-nesa/Tara (2950m) means horse grazing area, settling of Langtang and star respectively. Strangely no village name refers to the other striking feature around here-the incredible waterfalls.

LANGTANG NATIONAL PARK
The national park, established in 1971, was first of its kind in Nepal. The buffer zone, created in 1996, of the national park covers five kilometers area includes Syabru, Tarkeghyang and Sarmathang. The park straddles the Himalayan range and so encompasses diverse ecosystems from rainforest to alpine. It shelters snow leopard and at least two other endangered species - musk deer and red panda - which have already had specially protected reserves created for them.

KANGJA LA
The Kangja La (5122m), also spelt Ganja La, is the highest pass over the Jugal Range which can be interestingly trekked. The other pass is Gosaikunda’s Lauribina (4600m). The crossing is spectacularly alpine; you can literally touch the glacier ice and a bit of scrambling is involved, so it definitely deserves the wild level. Panoramic Langtang sea of the magnificent mountains can be viewed from the area.

KYANGJIN GOMPA
Kyangjin (3900m), cresting a minor ridge, is erroneously called Kyangjin Gompa. The Gompa’s name is Gyaltsthan. The valley is perfect musk deer country where an army post has been set up.

TILMAN’S PASS
Tilman’s Col is a challenging alternative exit of Langtang Valley, an isolated route for mountaineers. After crossing the heavily glaciated pass the difficulties don’t end passing through down steep and rough terrain to Panch Pokhari (Five Lakes). Up the Pangrima Valley are three other possible points to cross the Jugal Himalaya range.

BARBAL
Barbal (2300m) lies amid thickening forest of maple trees with singing and squawking of birds, and apple orchard.  It is the place of wild animals and birds such as barking deer, green parrots and pheasants.

LANGTANG GOMPA
It is located at the area of Thangshyap (3200m) just nearby Langtang Village. Fields begin here all belonging to Langtang Village. Gompa, related to Lama praying temple for, is occasionally open. Any Lama worth his butter in Langtang or Helambu can mystically drill holes in rock and around his gompa you can find several of these mysterious holes. Another feature here is garnets. Towering above to the north-left, are a couple of peaks called Langtang Lirung, the sacred peak where ill spirits are prayed for making climbing successful.

BASE CAMPs
There are popular two base camps in the region. Base Camp, 4350m (Kangja La) has few flat spaces for tents. This area has a pool called Yeshekupedakta. And another Base Camp, 4600m (Poldar) with camping spots and two routes that involve scrambling up is highly challenging. It is a large flat area fed by glacier waters. Between base camp and glacier camp are several more several rough camping spots leading to ridges.

CHERKHO
Cherko or Tsergo Ri (4984m) is situated like an island of enlightenment among a sea of ice and mountains. It is also the most strenuous and is better attempted after being at Kyangjin for a couple of days. There are several routes up. The quickest and most brutal is via Tarche Pesa and the west pur.An alternative route traverses from just below the first set of huts to the sacked kore of Digyabsa. There are several more choices including the kore of Yala.

KYIMOSHUNG
Climbing these twin peaks (Kyangjin, 4350m and Kyimoshung 4620m) is a must for even the shortest of visits to Kyngjin. The walls of the mountain are so steep that the snow avalanches off to form the glacier below rather than collecting up the sides of the bowl. To the south-east, Cherko squats just left of the savagely beautiful. Past the saddle to the east is a slightly higher point of 4670m; jagged ridge continues to get higher.

DRAG RI
This is an area worthy of exploration. Just beyond the first swath of scree entering from the right/north are some grassier slopes with a faint trail. Heading up, the grazing runs out but it is possible, though quite steep, to reach a rounded summit of spectacular views.

PANGSANG BHANJYANG
Pangsang Bhanjyang, 3856m, is the open pass marked by stone guardians and prayer flags. The new views include the Manaslu range and parts of Annapurna. To the north, the magnificent Ganesh Himal begins to come into view while to the immediate west complicated creased ridges descend to become the middle hills of the Ganesh range. To the south, ridge after blue-ridge of hills extends towards Kathmandu. From just south of the pass most of the route to the Singla (4000m), the highest point of the high ridge that runs east west of the north-south ridge, is visible. Singla provides a stunning sunset and sunrise panorama along with views of Machhapuchhre.

GONGUR BHANJYANG
Gongur Bhanjyang, 2950m, is the saddle pass often used by groups as a camping or lunch spot. East leads to the kharka previously visible while dropping west leads to many villages and the valley floor. The standard trekking route is the straight, flat option. There are also some interesting rock formations reminiscent of the faces photographed in the Honey-hunters of Nepal, a 1988 national Geographic article and book available in Kathmandu.

BHALCHHE/PHALJE
Bhalchhe, 2050m, extensive fields, remains at the distance of 3 to 4 hours from the saddle. This is a typical Tamang village complete with shit-lined trails, throngs of kids and woman who beg for cigarettes. Stoned stepping down trails reaches through an old stupa, various villages, Sattobhatti, 1380m, to Trishuli river.

TRISHULI
Although the closest road and bus is at Betrawati the slightly longer walk to Trishuwali is also rewarding. The river, which is not far away from Kathmandu, is famous for rafting. Among various communities in the area, Tamang dwellings by the sides of the river always stand for unique and tremendous heritage of the typical culture.

Pokhara, a valley of natural beauty is beautifully located on the shadow of Annapurna Himalaya ranges. In no other place do mountains rise so quickly. In this area, within 30 km, the elevation rises from 1000 m to over 7500 m. The Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges, each with peaks over 8000 m, can be seen from the valley.
Annapurna Treks including Base Camp and Circuit trekking are very popular in Nepal. Seventy per cent of the visitors who come to Nepal travel to the Annapurna areas near by beautiful Pokhara.The Annapurna treks will be even more interesting in spring as the whole forest along the trail turns red, pink and white with rhododendron flowers. This wonder trip can be done anytime of the year except during the monsoons [July thru August].
The trail takes the visitors through fascinating traditional villages of Nepal’s ethnic communities of the Gurung, Magar, and Thakali who will greet you very warmly if one cares to stop for a conversation. The hike continues through dense rhododendron forest with towering snowy peaks in the background.
The return walk is even more fascinating as the trek winds around different ridges towards Ghorepani, where you behold breathtaking views of an early morning sunrise where a red halo seeps through glistening gaps over the snow capped peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. The sceneries observed throughout the trek embellish the Himalayan landscape where mind’s eye defines the natural splendor as an experience that can be never elapsed.

BIRETHANTI
Birethanti (1050m) is a root for starting trek in the region. Being very close to Pokhara, there is ACAP office at Birethanti from where entry permit is issued. It is a place pleasant enough to stay by the side of beautiful big streams. This route leads to both Ghorepani to Jomsom and Ghandruk to Chomrong and Annapurna Sanctuary.

GHOREPANI
Ghorepani (2750m), the famous down pilgrimage, is widely popular to watch the sunrise across a spectacular Himalayan panorama from the summit of Poon Hill (3193m). Poon Hill is situated 450 m above this village. Tens of thousands trekkers pass through Ghorepani to view sun rise from Poon Hill with breathtaking views stretching to Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna ranges. Poon is a Magar family and the hill was named after them. It is a junction for Ghandruk and Chomrong, and for Jomsom and Muktinath.

GHANDRUK
Ghandruk (1939m), the picturesque town of slate-roofed Gurung people who are traditionally Buddhist is the headquarters of Annupurna Conservation Area. It gently goes uphill through cultural Gurung hamlets which take you to the foot [Base Camp, 4130m] of Mt. Annapurna, one of the most magnificent peaks in the world.  Ghandruk is a kind of Thamel in Kathmandu. There are many hotels and lodges in a traditional way. [There is now an alternative route of journey that begins from Pokhara heading towards Phedi on about 45 minutes drive through Pokhara-Baglung Highway. It gently goes uphill through cultural Gurung villages to a plateau of Ghandruk.]
JOMSOM
Jomsom (2710m), capital of Mustang district and there is Nepal Army School of High Altitude Mountain Warfare. It has a small landing and take-off airport. The Mustang Eco Museum, impressive collection of various themes, is well worth a visit. Amchi, a traditional herbal medicine doctor uses the extensive herb garden planted around the museum. The trekking route from Ghorepani to Jomsom passes gracefully through very popular points such as Tatopani (hot water), Lete & Kalopani (black water), Dhaulagiri Ice-Fall, Tukuche, and Marpha. There are very good hotels and resorts available and many more services needed for tourists.

MUKTINATH
Following Kagbeni, Jharkot and Ranipauwa from Jomsom., Muktinath (3800m), Hindu pilgrimage with walled temple complex of Muktinath (liberating/salvation God), is shrine for both Hindus and Buddhists for centuries. It is the second most holy place in Nepal after Pashupatinath. Beneath the alter in Jwala Mai temple, a nun lifts the grubby curtain to reveal, deep within the cavity,  a thin blue flame of natural gas burning from a hole that also emits a trickle of water. Vishnu Temple with its courtyard of 108 brass water spouts stands in the centre of the complex. It is believed that bathing under the freezing water of 108 spouts brings salvation to Hindu. Marme Lhakang, Buddhist temple with the sacred grove of poplars which is said to have sprouted from the walking sticks left by the 84 great magicians on their way to Tibet, is just beyond Vishnu Temple. Gompa Sarwa, another Buddhist shrine also known as Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava was a Buddhist saint who passed in the 8th century leaving his foot prints in a stone outside the temple closure, is very famous.

CHOMRONG
Chomrong (2170m) is the right place from where we can see Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak) as its exact name. The peaks that surround Annapurna Sanctuary look very impressive from Chomrong, an excellent place for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
Annapurna Sanctuary lies as a natural amphitheater at the location from the top of the trail that begins in Chomrong and follows the Modikhola. This valley is as magical as its name with 10 peaks of 6000-8000m rising from it. Annapurna Base Camp/Chelo Gya (4130m), Machhapuchhre Base Camp/Khili Dung (3700m) and Tharpu Chuli (Tent Peak) Base Camp, are lying magnificently at this area. Three Annapurna peaks, Hiun Chuli and Gangapurna add grace to this area.

HONGDE AIRPORT
Hongde Airport is located at Chame (2670m), district headquarters of Manang district with a large white gate with a corrugated iron roof as an entrance. It has all the trappings of an administrative centre including various services and facilities.
PHEDI
Thurung Phedi (4450m) is a place to stay if you are suffering from the high altitude. This route comes from Manang and leads to Muktinath. The foot of the Thurung literally means one very large lodge and a smaller one below.

MANANG
Manang (3540m) is a valley from where the views of the Annapurna, Gangapurna and the glacial lake (Tilicho) below it are spectacular. Lamjung, Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, the false peak of Annapurna III and the Gangapurna above the glacier are the peaks from left to right. Some 200 or so flat-roofed houses are tightly packed together with prayer flags on long poles. Manang Gompa is in the centre of Town.

TILICHO LAKE
Tilicho Lake (4,949 m) is one of the highest lakes in the world. Mountain lakes are known to geographers as tarns if they are caused by glacial activity. Tarns are found mostly in the upper reaches of the Himalaya, above 5,500 meters. Due to the extremely mountainous surrounding terrain and the difficulties associated with reaching the area, this lake is rarely visited by outsiders.

THORUNG LA
Thurung La (5416m), one of the world’s highest passes, lies ahead of Manang. It is the place to take commemorative photograph of themselves. Two peaks--Yakwa Kang (6482m) and Khatung Kang (6488m)-- rise up from the saddle of the pass. This is the pass to head towards Muktinath. Views of the mountains lining the Kaligandaki Valley and Dhaulagiri (8167m) are very panoramic.

BESHISAHAR
Besisahar (820m) is the capital of Lamjung district, known as the centre of ethnic cultures. It lies at the end of the road. This district is adjoined to historical Gorkha district which was the beginner of present Nepal. This trek route also reaches to Thurung La Pass.

NAR PHU VALLEY
A fantastic journey in a wild and unexplored area located north of Annapurna: the Nar Phu Valley, adjoined to Tibet. This trek is perfect for travelers who want to discover the Annapurna circuit as well as explore an untouched valley. A rough and wild trek, this trek takes you to the exotic Nar Phu valley that lies in the remote corner of the Annapurna region. Opened to visitors only in the year 2003, the Nar Phu valley remains untouched by modernity. The inhabitants, who roughly comprises of about 350 Nepalese Tibetans, have retained their age old practices. Most of them are engaged in yak herding and farming.  

The journey from Kathmandu to Kodari was quite pleasant, as a group of us from our office made our way to Zhangmu, the border town of Tibet on 1st Sept '08. There were many marvelous sights on the way, waterfalls cascading down the mountainside wreathing the green mountains like white ribbons, the rivers gurgling by the roadside. Apart from some minor landslides at one or two places, it was an altogether smooth ride. We had been expecting worse, as we had heard about the bad condition of the road that leads to Kodari. But it was not that bad. In fact it was quite smooth sailing. On the way we passed by 'The Last Resort' and saw the famous metal suspension bridge over the Bhote Kosi river.
  
It took nearly four hours to reach Kodari. By that time it was raining heavily. We needed to get a pass to cross over to the Chinese side. The Nepalese immigration office issues passes to Nepalese nationals on producing the citizenship card. This pass is valid to let you enter the Chinese side. For other nationals, a Chinese visa is required. After getting the pass from the Nepalese immigration office (a small office with few chairs that is situated beside the road), we crossed the Friendship Bridge and entered the Chinese side. There is a red mark on the middle of the bridge that divides the Chinese and the Nepalese side. The Chinese guard stationed at the gate, checked our bags very thoroughly. From there, the town of Zhangmu is about 8kms uphill. Vans and taxis ply regularly. We got into a van which charged NRs 100/- each per person. The road on the Chinese side was quite different from Nepal's. In Nepal the roads are tarred and pitched while the Chinese pave their roads with concrete. Another difference is, the Chinese driver sits on the left side.

The road (the white strip) that leads to Zhangmu.  The hills on the right hand side is Nepal

The inhabitants of Zhangmu are a mix of Nepalese (mostly Sherpas), Tibetan and Han Chinese. Though the currency is RMB they accept Nepalese currency too. If you are a Nepali you won't get lost as most of the shopkeepers speak and understand Nepali. It took about half an hour to reach the town. By the time we reach Zhangmu it was already getting dark and cold. We made a beeline for the Base Camp restaurant. The restaurant is a haunt of expedition members and foreigners in general. It is decorated with snow boots, crampons, trekking sticks, ice axes and various national flags. We were told by the Nepalese cook who worked there that during peak season the restaurant remains so packed that it is impossible to get seats. But while we were there, the restaurant was not full yet it was not empty either. There were a few Australians and Americans.
The Chinese time is ahead to the Nepali time by 2 hrs 15mins. So even though it was only 7pm Nepali time, in Zhangmu was 9:15pm. Maybe it was a psychological effect, I was yawing already! For dinner we decided to have authentic Chinese and thus made our way to a Chinese restaurant located just a few steps up and across the Base Camp restaurant. Though our order was for five people, the food served was enough to feed ten! Rice, chicken soup and a variety of chicken side dishes, we had a sumptuous dinner: not bad for NRs1500! Since we were planning to leave early the next day, some of us wanted to go shopping. It was close to 10pm (according to the local time) and most of the shops were closed .But luckily we found a departmental store that was still open. Most of the stuff that is available in Zhangmu is readily available in the khasa market of Ason in Kathmandu and there's not much of a price difference (that's what I discovered). While going through the stuff at the store's rack, I came across a 'never- seen / tasted-before' candy: chicken and duck's candied feet .Wrapped in a transparent plastic bag, the legs looked weird and scary, placed one over the other, like shriveled human hands. The lady at the store explained to me that it tasted sweet and was prepared using sugar and molasses. According to her the kids over there loved it. By the time we got back to the hotel, it was raining cats and dogs.
We were spending the night at Sherpa Hotel. We booked double rooms with twin beds. The room was quite clean, the beds were comfortable, the sheets were clean and there was hot & cold running water in the attached bathroom. A discotheque/ nightclub that was located right next to the hotel blared Chinese pop music at full volume. I drifted off to sleep, listening to loud Chinese techno music competing with the sound of rain and the roar of the thundering Bhote Koshi river.
Morning dawned, and we were ready to make our return journey. After a quick breakfast at the hotel's café, we drove down to the immigration office through hairpin bends and finally crossed the Friendship Bridge to the Nepal side.

The border town of Zhangmu (Tibet)