Annapurna IV is considered relatively easier mountain to climb among all the Annapurnas. The normal route is approached from Manang side. It requires two hours walking from the base camp to reach the bottom of the mountain. It requires approximately 65 - 70 degrees of steep climbing with fix ropes of approximately 500 metres to reach camp I. To reach camp II, approximately 1000 meters fixed ropes will be required along the ridge and some stretches of steep climbing. From camp II to camp III it is relatively easy with zigzag crossing and gradually climbing up. However, it will require approximately 1300 – 1500 meters fixed rope. From camp III to the summit, generally fixed rope is not required and the main rope is used. There are possibilities of avalanches between Camp I and Camp II.
Climbing permit to scale the Nepal Himalayas is issued in all seasons by the Mountaineering Section of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Certain official documents are required to seek permission for climbing peaks. Around 121 peaks do not require liaison officer for expedition. Fees or royalties depend upon the altitude of the peak starting at US $ 1,000 for peaks below 6,501 meters and rising by US $ 500 for every 500 meters.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Preparation day for expedition in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Beshishahar (760m.) and it takes about seven hours. You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the narrow and paved road by the Marsyangdi River to Besi Sahar (823m.). It takes almost seven hours. Beshishahar is the district headquarters of Lamjung district. All the local government offices are situated here. From here, you can see some of mountain peak, natural sceneries surrounding the valley and the daily activities of local people. This headquarter is the centre from where the daily usable commodities are supplied to the different villages and numerous towns.
Day 04: Trek from Besisahar to Khudi.
Day 05: Trek from Khudi to Syange.
Day 06: Trek from Syange to Tal.
Day 07: Trek from Tal to Bagarchhap.
Day 08: Trek from Bagarchhap to Chame.
Day 09:Trek from Chame to Pisang (3155m.) and it takes about five hours. With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling in the morning sun, you set off for Pisang. The mountain disappears as you climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. You continue through a fir and pine forest, climbing to a high, rocky area as the opposite bank becomes an impassable cliff. From this point, the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as you follow the path to Bratang. In the past this was the military station for troops who fought against the Khampa tribal revolution, but the dilapidated buildings are all that remained of that era. A short climb from the village brings you to a rock-strewn area where you cross a wooden bridge and follow a high, winding path, before crossing back to the right bank again. You now walk through a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up a wonderful vista before you. You can see the east peak of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak to the north-east. Continuing on, you come to a long Mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang.
Day 10:Trek from Pisang to Hongde.
Day 11: Trek from Hongde to Yak Kharka.
Day 12: Trek from Yak Kharka to Base Camp.
Day 13-33: Climbing Period.
Day 34: Clean Up Base Camp and trek back to Yak Kharka
Day 35: Trek from Yak Kharka to Manang.
Day 36: Trek from Manang to Churi Lattar.
Day 37: Trek from Churi Lattar to Thorong Phedi.
Day 38: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath and it takes about seven hours.
It demands an early start today for your crossing of Thorong La (5416m). The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but as local people have used this trail for hundreds of years, the path is well defined. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, you reach the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. The views are dramatic to say the least, from the snow-covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which are spread out before us. The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding 1600m but it is compensated for with excellent views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple.
Day 39: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2710m.) and it takes about approximately five hours. You now begin the descent path down the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, you follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom. Jomsom is sprawled along both banks of the Kali Gandaki and from here there are fine views of the Nilgiri peaks. You continue down to Marpha, a delightful Thakali village, complete with a drainage system beneath the flagstone streets. Its narrow alleys and passageways provide welcome shelter from the strong winds of the Kali Gandaki Gorge and Marpha is particularly well known for its apples, apple cider and apple juice, apricot and peach brandy.
Day 40:Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes about 35 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights in morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks.
Day 41: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.
Day 42: Free day in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 43: Fly out from Kathmandu.
