37telephone: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only)international telephone: +44 1453 844 400www.mountainkingdoms.comThe Himalaya Wild NepalO ur first five days take us away from the traditional Manaslu Circuit on a challenging yet extremely rewarding alternative route. Our trail passes by waterfalls and through villages surrounded by rice terraces and verdant fields in rich hues of green and yellow. The cultivated landscape provides a haven for a vast array of dazzling butterflies. Looking up we enjoy a breathtaking backdrop of towering Himalayan peaks including Baudha, Rupina La and Ganesh. We join the main Manaslu Circuit at Khorlabesi and follow the Budh Gandaki River valley through attractive traditional villages, before climbing steeply towards our high point, the Larkya La (5,213m/17,104ft). More delightful scenery accompanies our gradual descent alongside the Dudh Khola and Marsyangi Rivers. We have a full day to relax and reflect on a truly magnificent trek.W e fly into the remote airstrip of Tapeljung and step out into rural Nepal. There is a striking contrast in scenery as we progress along the trail, from the culturally interesting Rai and Limbu villages, through rhododendron forest, to spectacular 7,000m plus giants such as Jannu and Kangchenjunga. This trek visits the southern base camp first, assisting acclimatisation, before crossing the Mirgin La and Sinion La to the finale at Pang Pema, (5,030m/16,500ft). The views from both north and south base camps offer ample reward for the rigours of trekking up to 5,000m. Amidst many of the highest mountains in the world, this is an incredibly diverse trek with some of the most beautiful Himalayan scenery in Nepal. T he circuit around the world's ninth highest mountain is a world apart from neighbouring Annapurna Circuit. Remote and wild, it offers a far tougher challenge and greater sense of exploration for those keen to immerse themselves in high mountain country. From the trailhead at Darbang, steady acclimatisation takes us through picturesque terraced villages where the inhabitants are of Magar descent. We continue steeply upwards into the remote heart of the Himalaya where, surrounded on all sides by towering peaks, we will cross airy passes and ascend a glacier for incredible views across to the Annapurnas and down to the Terai from French Col, 17,585ft/5,360m. Two days later we return to civilisation and fly back to Kathmandu. Our Marketing Manager, Jude Limburn Turner, rates this trek as one of her all-time favourites. Manaslu Circuit Enjoy soaring peaks and Tibetan-style villages on this enhanced version of a classic trek. Kangchenjunga North & South Base Camps A spectacular trek in Eastern Nepal. Dhaulagiri Circuit A genuinely 'wild' adventure for the trekking enthusiast through stunning high mountain scenery. £1,695£2,350£1,955£2,595£1,930£2,565Land OnlyFlight IncludedLand OnlyFlight IncludedLand OnlyFlight IncludedSat 01 Oct - Sun 23 Oct 11On Trek: 18 days Thu 29 Sep - Thu 27 Oct 11Sun 09 Oct - Fri 28 Oct 11Appointed Leader: Niki MorganAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 3 Camping: 18Optional: Single Room £90 Single Tent £125Insurance: £99On Trek: 23 days Local LeaderAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 4 Camping: 23Optional: Single Room £110 Single Tent £140 Insurance: £114On Trek: 12 days Appointed Leader: Stuart McNeilAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 5 Camping: 13Optional: Single Room £170 Single Tent £90Insurance: £99Trek | Duration: 23 DaysTrek | Duration: 29 DaysTrek | Duration: 20 DaysGuaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clientsGuaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clientsGuaranteed to run for a minimum of 4 clientsGrade: StrenuousGrade: StrenuousGrade: Strenuous (Expedition Grade)Heading for Pang Pema, Kangchenjunga, Gill MarshallFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comAnother Kangchenjunga trek - see page 41

38Download holiday itineraries fromwww.mountainkingdoms.come: info@mountainkingdoms.comWild Nepal The HimalayaL ying in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, this distinctive mountain desert region has only been open to trekkers since 1988 and requires a special permit to enter. First we fly to Juphal, and trekking north, we enter Phoksundo National Park following the route made famous by Peter Matthiessen in his book 'The Snow Leopard'. The trek crosses the Kang La, 5,279m/17,320ft, and passes the mystical Crystal Mountain to reach the remote eleventh century monastery of Shey Gompa. En route we visit the most isolated villages of Upper Dolpo, some of which still practice ancient pre-Buddhist Bon Po religions and where the villagers wear traditional Tibetan-style clothes.The sheer isolation of the region means that Upper Dolpo is ideal for the keen walker who would like a wild, yet culturally distinct, Himalayan experience. T he far western end of Nepal is rarely visited. Pristine and relatively unknown, it contains the three-mile long Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal, lying 240 miles west of Kathmandu. Its National Park was established in 1975 by the late King of Nepal and just to the north lie the Kanjiroba mountains, which rise to a dizzy 6,850m/22,500ft and form a perfect backdrop to Rara Lake. Firstly, we fly to Jumla then we begin our five-day trek to Rara, passing through Sinja, the one-time winter capital of the ancient kingdom of Malla, and finally crossing a pass of 3,800m/12,500ft before dropping down to the shores of the deep blue lake. After a rest day at the lake, we follow a different route back to Juphal through a stunning and unspoilt mountain region. This trek will suit those who like to get off the beaten track but without trekking too hard or too high.T his pioneering circuit passes through a striking and remote region of upper Humla which borders Tibet. Here, in a remote corner of far west Nepal, traditional Tibetan culture has been far better preserved than across the border. Strict government limits on visitor numbers ensures that the few visitors who make it here are warmly welcomed.From Simikot we start out following the rushing Karnali River heading towards the first of our two high passes. The trekking is extremely rewarding, both culturally and scenically. There are stunning mountain views, dramatic gorges, glorious meadowland and ancient monasteries, some over 1,000 years old. The region is a haven for rare flora and fauna, and we can hope to see Blue Sheep, Barking Deer, and, if we are incredibly lucky, the elusive Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard Trek, Upper Dolpo A trek for true adventurers through wild and ruggedly beautiful mountain terrain. Rara Lake & Far West Nepal Trek through unspoilt mountain scenery to remote and tranquil Rara Lake.Limi Valley with Tashi Tenzing Explore Nepal's last wilderness with the grandson of Everest pioneer Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.£2,750£1,635£1,635£2,150£3,395£2,335£2,275£2,850Land OnlyLand OnlyLand OnlyLand OnlyFlight IncludedFlight IncludedFlight IncludedFlight IncludedSat 10 Sep - Thu 06 Oct 11Sat 09 Apr - Sun 24 Apr 11Sat 08 Oct - Sun 23 Oct 11Sat 06 Aug - Sun 28 Aug 11On Trek: 21 days Appointed Leader: Stephen GoodwinAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 4 Camping: 21Optional: Single Room £110 Single Tent £125Insurance: £114On Trek: 10 days Local LeaderAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 4 Camping: 10Optional: Single Room £110 Single Tent £75Insurance: £95 On Trek: 16 days Local Leader: Tashi TenzingAccommodation (nts): Hotels: 5Camping: 16Optional: Single Room £120 KathmanduSingle Tent £135Insurance: £99Trek | Duration: 27 DaysTrek | Duration: 16 DaysTrek | Duration: 23 DaysGuaranteed to run for a minimum of 5 clientsGuaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clientsGuaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clientsGrade: StrenuousGrade: Moderate Grade: Moderate/Vigorous Phuksundo Lake, Upper Dolpo, Neil Sloman For detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.comFor detailed itineraries see www.mountainkingdoms.com