Ganesh Himal Trek
Moderate to Hard
Ganesh Himal lies in the central Nepal and towards the northwest of Kathmandu. The trek to Ganesh Himal takes you through the terraced hillsides along with various ethnic groups whose traditional lifestyle can provide the travelers with an opportunity to get in touch of the rural village in Nepal. The trek is full of panoramic views of Ganesh Himal I, II and II and encountering various cultures and traditions of the rural Nepal. Ganesh Himal is named after the mythical elephant-headed Hindu god, Ganesh. The trek starts in Dhunche which is one of the oldest routes used for the trek. An alternative route starts from Trisuli and ending in Syabrubesi.
Trip Highlights
- Less tourist travel in this region making is a perfect getaway.
- Enjoy the lush vegetation as you trek along the panoramic views of Himalayas.
- Experience traditional lifestyle of people in the rural settings.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Depending on your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel.Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 2: Free day in Kathmandu
Today is a spare day in case of flight cancellation due to weather in Jomsom / Pokhara. If you have reached Kathmandu then you do have an option to do a short sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu at the World Heritage sights. Or if you wish you can also walk down the streets of Thamel, shopping area and buy souvenirs for your friends and relatives.Meals: B
Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 3: Kathmandu - Dunche (1900m)
We will be leaving Kathmandu in the early morning for Syabrubesi by bus, a village which is a starting point for treks into the Langtang valley. We will move via Trisuli bazar to Dhunche. We will witness the magnificent scene of various mountains which includes a range of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and other minor peaks are visible from Kakani. The way goes uphill and downhill on the bus. As the weather changes, so do the culture and the people as well. On the arrival at the Dhunche, this is the major town of the Langtang area of Rasuwa district. We will also be encountering the Headquarter of the Langtang National park office.Meals: BLD
Day 4: Dunche - Golcum besi (1700m)
The trail follows the road to Syabrubesi, crosses the Bhote Kosi and heads upstream by a path that seems to get washed out every monsoon. Then it enters the Chilime Khola Valley.Meals: BLD
Day 5: Golcum Besi - Gatlang (2430m)
The trail reaches the confluence of the Chilime and the Brindong Khola. The valley has extensive terracing and is agricultural prosperous, inhabited by Tamangs. The trail steeply climbs through terraced hillsides to Gatlang passing mani-walls.Meals: BLD
Day 6: Gatlang - Somdang (3200m)
The trail enters into forests, reaches Yuri Kharka, a small clearing, and continues through forests climbing steeply to a notch, the Kurpadanda Bhanjyang (3740m). From the ridge, there are fine views of Annapurna and Langtang. The path goes along the crest, traverses a steep hillside and descends into the pine forest to Somdang.Meals: BLD
Day 7: Rest day at Somdang.
Hike around towards Ganesh Himal.Meals: BLD
Day 8: Somdang - Tipling (2790m)
The trail ascends through yak pastures the Pangsang La (3800m). From the pass, there are fine views of Langtang, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal.Meals: BLD
Day 9: Tipling - Chalise (1400m)
The trail descends towards the Bhahil Khola, crosses it for reaching Chalise.Meals: BLD
Day 10: Chalise - Hindung (2400m)
The trail climbs through rice terrace fields up to a pass, makes a descent then climbs again steeply to the camp.Meals: BLD
Day 11: Hindung - Thulo Dhunga (3250m)
The trail starts by a descent then climbs up a ridge through rhododendron forests.Meals: BLD
Day 12: Thulo Dhunga - Deurali (3800m)
The trail ascends up to the pass where there are fine views of Ganesh Himal.Meals: BLD
Day 13: Rest day at Deurali.
Hike around at 4200m.Day 14: Deurali - Chalise (1400m)
Back to Chalise by the same way.Meals: BLD
Day 15: Chalise - Tsapsung khola (1350m)
The trail goes through an intensive terraced fields area, ascends to a stupa at 1700m, crosses an impetuous stream and reaches our camp alongside a river.Meals: BLD
Day 16: Tsapsung khola - Kuri (1600m)
We leave the Ganesh Himal behind us, crossing several Tamang villages.The trail makes a gentle ascent than a long descent to the Brug Donji Khola before reclimbing to Kuri.
Meals: BLD
Day 17: Kuri - Camp (1850m)
The trail goes towards the Trisuli, climbing the last pass which provides the last views of Ganesh Himal and Annapurnas.Meals: BLD
Day 18: Camp - Trisuli (650m)
A long descent towards Trisuli where we will have lunch. After lunch, we visit Trisuli Bazar, the dam.Meals: BLD
Day 19: Driveback to Kathmandu
We will return to the capital for one last taste of Kathmandu city life via bus.Meals: BLD
Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 20: Final departure
Depending on your flight time you will be transferred to the airport. The airport checks in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12 PM.Essential Info
Visa
Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US $25 for 15 days, US $40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival.Non UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the TRIP NOTES for complete advice on AMS.Eating & Drinking
Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping (all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners).Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping. On trek the breakfast will be a set menu usually consisting of porridge and toast. Any additional items that are not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. We do not include lunch and dinner in the tea-houses, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dal bhat to pizza and apple pie.
Although meat is available in the tea houses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges, and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Drinking Water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.
We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking areas.
All tea houses will provide cold water free of charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. In Nepal’s trekking regions most of the bottled water isn’t strictly ‘mineral water’ anyway but is UV treated, so it’s exactly the same technology. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Better still, a SteriPEN will pay for itself over the course of the trek and you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – you will end up spending the same or even less than you would on bottled water, plus you can keep it for future trips.
If you prefer not to invest in a SteriPEN, the tea houses also sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle.
While camping boiled water is supplied for drinking.
Weather
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.
Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.
Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.
Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.
Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.
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How to Book
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Check availability:
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Secure your place
You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
To Book
Let us know which trip you would like to join. For trips that require a certain level of skills and prior experience, we will ask you to provide us with details so that we know the trip is the right one for you.We will send you a form for you to complete your personal details, medical and fitness information. We will also send you our bank details for you to make payment – we will tell you how much and how to pay.
When you are ready, simply complete the form and send it back to us and let us know once you have deposited the relevant funds into our bank account.
We will send you back a written acknowledgement and other information about your trip such as a gear list and any other relevant information specific to your trip.
Of course, at any time leading up to your trip, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us as we will want to give you as much information as you need so that you can feel comfortable and excited about your forthcoming adventure.
We look forward to having you on an adventure with us!