Sentiers Du Nepal

We start our journey with a scenic drive from Pokhara, which takes about 3 hours to reach Sikles. The route from Kau khola passes through picturesque villages. We enjoy the beautiful Madi river valley passing through numerous villages and forests.
Arrival and Lunch at Sikles.
After lunch we start our trek for Hugu Goth. The route is scenic and ascends gradually. The trek takes around 5 hours. This part of our trek takes us along the Madi river. This area is known for frequent landslides so we need to be careful.

Second day begins with an exciting morning excursion to Kapuche Lake, the world’s lowest glacial lake, situated at 2546 m. From Hugu Goth, we ascend for a 1.5 hour trek to the lake. This serene lake is famous for its crystal-clear water, and the dramatic ice falls from the surrounding glaciers. We can also see the direct avalanches from Annapurna II and Annapurna IV. Avalanches falling from 7900 m directly to a cliff are visible. Really a stunning natural spectacle!
After visiting Kapuche Lake, we return to Hugu Goth, and descend about 1 hour. From there, we follow the main trek route of the day, ascending towards Nhutaa, a journey that lasts between 3 to 4 hours. We trek through the peaceful and undisturbed dense forest paths.
Upon arriving in Nhutaa, often called as the “Valley of Flowers,” an array of vibrant wildflowers greets us. This unique geographical setting allows us to experience close-up views of towering peaks such as Annapurna II,Annapurna IV, and Lamjung Himal without any other hills obstructing our views. The clear visibility from a relatively low altitude offers a rare opportunity to observe these majestic mountains in all their glory. The sound of avalanches adds to the surreal experience of this beautiful place.

Today we trek through the flowering meadows, this is one of the most beautiful day of this trek. This stretch of trek is famous for its lush grasslands and natural wildflower gardens. We go through forests filled with the white rhododendron, which blooms profusely from late March to early June. The sheer abundance of these blossoms covers the forest in white, transforming our path into an enjoyable picturesque area.
As we trek through these flowering meadows, we are also treated to breathtaking views of the Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, and the entire Lamjung Himal range. These towering peaks serve as a stunning backdrop to the floral spectacle, enhancing the beauty of our journey even further. Combining flora and mountain vistas, this trek from Nhutaa to Kori can be considered one of the most scenic in the Namun la Pass trek.
The elevation gain for the day is moderate, moving from an altitude of 3,050 m in Nhutaa to 3,800 m of Kori. This gradual ascent allows us to enjoy the surroundings without the strain of a steep climb, making it a pleasant day.
Kori Dada: Kori Danda is renowned for its exceptional sightings of high mountains from relatively low elevation. We can hear the sound of avalanches falling even at night, adding a thrilling element to our trek. From Kori, panoramas include Annapurna II,Annapurna IV, Lamjung Himal and a unique form of Machhapuchre. Unlike other viewpoints throughout the region, here in Kori, Machhapuchre’s ( Fishtails) back is visible, displaying only one peak rather than its iconic fishtail shape with two peaks, offering a unique and unseen form of Machhapuchre.

Today our journey takes us into the camping phase. The trek from Kori to Thurchu takes about 8 hours. We begin by descending slightly from Kori, then following trails carved directly into the cliffs, with the Madi river flowing beneath. This path leads us to a charming small lake and we arrive at the much larger Thulek Lake.
Thulek sits at an altitude of 4115 m, just at the base of the Lamjung Himal. We have nice views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV. The serene setting of Thulek seems more beautiful with the reflective waters of its lake.
After Thulek we enter into the avalanche-prone zones where rock falls are common, so we must be careful. We follow a trail carved into the mountain roots until we reach Chimre Bhanjyang, characterized by its rocky landscape. The trek from Thulek to Thurchu is challenging because of its rugged terrain. Chimre Bhanjyang is a high mountain pass. This is also one of the highlights of this trek. From Chimre Deurali, the path to Thurchu is still challenging. We trek all the way through cliffs with challenging trails that mostly ascend. And finally after an approximate 2-3 hour descent, we arrive in Thurju, our camping place for 2 nights. We can a pond which is called Kali Pokhari a significant landmark of Thurchu.
In the past Thurju served as a grazing field and location for buffalo grazing and sheds for the people of Jagat, Timang, and Chyamche. Previously, the primary sources of income here used to be animal rearing and the harvesting of medicinal herbs. Some of the notable herbs found in this region include Sundried Chiraito, Panch Aaule, Yarsagumba (cordiceps), and bushes of Sunpati plant, Nagbeli, and Padamchaal. The presence of wildlife such as Danphe, snow leopards, and Thar adds to the region’s rich biodiversity, and due to it being at the base of the high Himalayas, Thurju is a kind of base camp.

Todaya is rest day to prepare for the challenges ahead with the possibility of side trip to Dudhpokhari. This side trip provides us with essential rest and the opportunity to acclimatize properly before attempting the Namunla Pass and also allows us to explore culturally rich DudhPokhari.
The Dudhpokhari visit takes about 4 hrs uphill trek and 3 hrs to descend. Dudhpokhari is situated at the base of Lamjung Himal and is encircled by the mountains, at an altitude of 4620 m. There are other 3 small ponds around known as Dudhpokhari Kundas. Dudhpokhari is a religious, cultural and spiritual place for the Gurung community. During Janaipurnima, festival, a large crowd of devotees gather at Dudhpokhari to bathe and cleanse their soul. It’s also a place where locals offer animal sacrifices to the Bharaha, their god thanking them for fulfilling their wishful vows.

Today’s trek starts with gradual downhill. Once we cross a river, we start climbing up hill towards the pass. It takes about 4 hours to get to the Namun Bhanjyang , locally known as Danfe pass, this is the highest elevation you climb on this trek. The trek to the pass is demanding on steep up hill. The view from the pass is superb. You can get the views of Manaslu, Himalchuli, Peak 29 & many more. After crossing the pass, we start easy descending to camp site by recently built trail. On certain parts of the trek, like from Thurchu to Namunla Bhanjyang, you have to cross areas hit by landslides, which means zigzagging through fallen rocks and debris. Going down from the Namun La Pass is especially tricky, with paths formed by landslides and small avalanches. The rugged terrain also provides a habitat for snow leopards, with the isolated and wild nature of the area making it an ideal hunting ground, so we might even spot an elusive snow leopard.

The final leg of our trek takes us from Daphe Kharka to Timang, a journey with 5 hours of full descent. This section is relatively easier thanks to a path filled with staircases that pass through tree-lined areas, offering some relief after the challenging terrains of higher altitudes. As there are no natural water resources along this path, we need to carry sufficient drinking water and some snacks. Finally we cross a bridge that marks the end of Namun La Trek.