Your holiday starts at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing beside the hotel pool. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.

After breakfast in the hotel we board our bus for the drive through the foothills of the Himalaya on the Prithvi Highway. We firstly have to climb up to cross the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, before descending to the banks of the Trisuli River. If we are lucky we may catch a glimpse of one or two snow-capped peaks away to the north. Then, after approximately 3 hours, we cross the Trisuli and head north beside the Thopal Khola to Dhading. Here, the surfaced road runs out and we continue, twisting and turning and gaining quite a lot of height, to the only roadside eatery on this stretch of road. We stop for lunch (dal bhat) before driving on to Arughat Bazaar (530m) where we overnight at a simple lodge above the Burhi Gandaki River. 5 to 6 hours of driving. Clustered on both sides of the river and linked by a suspension bridge, Arughat is the largest settlement in the valley and an important centre for the surrounding region.

A jeep road is being pushed up the valley of the Burhi Gandaki, but there is very little traffic beyond Arughat. Following this road for the first couple of hours of our trek provides us with a gentle and scenic introduction to the holiday. Arriving at the farming village of Arkhet, inhabited by Magar and Gurung people, we stop at a teashop for some refreshment, before crossing to the east side of the river on a suspension bridge and beginning our exploration of the secret trails of the Ganesh region. We follow a reasonably good footpath for the remainder of the day, with steps in places, through pretty, terraced farmland and with several isolated farms and villages. We also encounter a couple of short sections of new jeep road, as we zig-zag upwards to reach our camp on old field terraces on the Lapu Danda (1026m) with views northwards up the Burhi Gandaki Valley towards the snow-capped peak of Shringi (7161m).

Leaving our camp after breakfast, we trek through the fields and between the widespread houses of the village of Manbu. Then, continuing to traverse above the Burhi Gandaki, with a short section on a dirt road (with no traffic), we pass a couple more settlements and isolated farms, before beginning a climb which will take us up to the larger village of Dhunchet (1600m) where we stop for lunch. Look out today for one or two chortens, hung with prayer flags. After lunch, we continue our trek through sparse forest and pretty terraced farmland, again with some sections of stone steps. We reach a more open area with views to the north across the deep valley of the Richet Khola to the village of Yarsa. We set up our camp here on some old terracing that has been replanted with trees at the place known as Lamo Dhunga (1930m). Away to the north-west, we can now see the peaks of Baudha Himal and Himal Chuli (7893m).

After breakfast at camp, we continue our journey eastwards and back up into the forest. The trail is narrow in places and it can be muddy, as we make our way through the trees, keeping a look out for the grey langur monkeys which inhabit this region and for a variety of different forest birds. There are streams to cross and occasional steep sections. We pass an area of terraced fields, but no settlement and once we are in the forest there are a number of small clearings. We gain height steadily throughout the day and finally reach a bigger clearing with several temporary shelters used by local herdsmen. This is the place known as Nauban Kharka (2710m) and our camping place for the night. There are great views from here of the distant Annapurnas, including the 'Fish Tail' peak of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna II (7937m). Closer and to the right of those peaks we can also still see Baudha Himal and Himal Chuli.

We have a couple of ridges to cross today, as we continue to trek eastwards across the grain of the country. It takes approximately an hour, walking on steps and amongst mixed woodland, to reach the first of 2 passes, the Myangal Bhanjyang (2975m) which is marked by prayer flags. Beyond this pass, the trail descends a little through stands of spruce, maple and giant rhododendrons, to emerge into a clearing where there are a number of seasonal dwellings roofed with rough-cut planks. There is a small timber-cutting operation in place here, associated with the rebuilding of earthquake-damaged houses lower down in the valley. The views now include the snow-capped peaks of the Ganesh Himal and the smaller but quite prominent peak of Paldor (5928m). After a certain amount of up and down (Nepali undulation) we reach a second high point with a clearer perspective on Ganesh III (7130m), IV and V, as well as Paldor. Trending southwards from Paldor, the long ridge of the Tiru Danda is also prominent. Descending, we come out of the forest and take lunch on pleasant stream-side pasture. From here, it's a long descent on a steep and at times stepped trail into the valley of the Lapa Khola, with impressive views of terraced fields. The school playground at Lapagaon (1700m) is an obvious landmark as we approach the village. We will camp here or at a smaller school 20 minutes further on through the village.

We are now at the heart of the Ganesh and our aim is to make the most of our time in the villages of this special place. So, we will have just a short walk today, with the afternoon free for exploration at Borang (1625m). After breakfast at camp, we set off through the outlying house of Lapagaon and begin a short and steep descent to the river, mostly on stone steps. We then cross 2 new and impressive suspension bridges in close succession, the second of them spanning the Akhu Khola which flows southwards into the Burhi Gandaki below Arughat. Beyond the river, we trek up through forest on steps to a pair of tea-shops which provide a convenient place to stop for a cold drink or a cup of tea. We then continue, through tidy terraced fields of millet and barley, to the village of Borang where we set up camp on the volleyball pitch below the school. We can still see the summit of Ganesh IV to the north, although the rest of the range is obscured by the steep valley sides.

The traditional trail through these valleys, used for generations by mule trains and local people, has been widened and graded for use by 4WD vehicles during the last couple of years. There is no reasonable alternative to our walking on this 'jeep road' for the greater part of today's journey. There is, as yet, no traffic. Leaving the village behind and heading northwards, we reach a first highpoint and turn abruptly towards the east again, with great views of the Ganesh peaks. From here, we follow the track through picturesque terraced fields with plenty of opportunity to meet the local farming folk. There are a couple of spurs to cross, each of them marked with chortens and prayer flags and each of them offering a new and exciting vantage point. We may also be lucky enough to meet one of the many pony-trains which are still used to bring supplies into this valley. We arrive at the thriving settlement of Sertung (1900m) in time for lunch and set up our camp in the village itself. In the afternoon, there is the option to hike up (30 minutes or so) to Phyangchet Monastery which is on a trail leading more directly towards the Sing La. Note that the original monastery has been damaged by the 2015 earthquake and a robust timber construction has taken its place. Additionally, the village itself is an interesting place to explore. The people living here are mostly Tamangs who follow a religion which mixes elements of Hinduism and Buddhism along with shamanistic beliefs.

We head out eastwards across terraced fields, then descend on a rough path to the Adha Khola. Ahead of us is a steep hillside (300 metres of ascent) which we negotiate by way of a stepped and zig-zagging trail to reach a chorten and mani-wall at the entrance to the metal-working village of Kamigaon. The many small workshops are evident as we pass through this village and continue, gaining height steadily, to Tipling (2300m). There are shops here and a couple of simple tea-houses, where we can stop for a coffee or a coca cola. Where the houses run out, we stop again for lunch and then continue, still heading eastwards and passing a group of 3 old chortens, towards an obvious forested ridge. In this area we may once again encounter local people carrying roughly-hewn timber back down into the valley. Ascending into the forest, we pass a large clearing and possible camping place at 2800 metres and continue to the grazing area of Marmelung Kharka at 3000 metres, where we set up camp. There are a couple of stone shelters here and views of the twin peaks of Ganesh IV and Ganesh III.

We are now on an important trail (used by the local people travelling out of this region and over to Langtang and beyond). The trail climbs steeply away from Marmelung Kharka and meanders through impressive forest with many rhododendrons and older, gnarlier trees festooned with lichen. This is another place where we should be on the look-out for grey langur monleys. We pass a prayer-flagged ridge (a short distance to the left of the trail as we ascend) and reach an open area known as Pansang La Bottom (3600m) where we can look back to see Himal Chuli and Manaslu rising above the Chungar Danda (which we had crossed on Day 6). There is a new jeep road linking Tipling with the Pansang La, but we are able to avoid this almost completely as we continue our ascent to the open area at the Pansang La, arriving in the late morning. After lunch at camp, there is plenty of time to do some exploration. Just a short distance north of the pass, on the crest of the Tiru Danda, the views open out even more, extending from the Annapurnas in the west to the peaks of the Langtang and Tibet. There are some simple shelters and a recently constructed tea-house at the pass and if it is cold we will be able to eat our dinner around the stove in one of the buildings.

Above the pass to the south is a viewpoint (with a stone seat) at a little over 4000 metres and this is a great place from which to watch the sunrise for those who are hardy enough to get up at 5am. Then, after returning to our camp for breakfast, we set off southwards along the Tiru Danda; a spectacular walk which is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the holiday. Shortly after leaving the Pansang La, we pass below our early morning viewpoint and skirt through rhododendron forest to reach an area of open moorland with views to both sides of the ridge. Then, it's back into the forest on the west side of the ridge and here, in this shaded area, we may find cold and icy conditions. Climbing back up onto the narrow and spectacular crest of the ridge, we find a suitable place to eat our packed lunch (there is no water on the ridge, hence the packed lunch), before dropping down again to the west and traversing via forested areas and open grazing grounds to the stone hut and level pasture at Gokchet (3660m). Directly below the Sing La, this is a fantastic camping place with far-reaching views.

We start our ascent to the Sing La (4000m) directly from our camp. Once again, on this shaded side of the ridge, we may encounter some icy sections, as we climb steeply on a rough track to the ridge-line. It's a little over 300 metres of ascent to the level grassy area below the pass and this will take around an hour and a half. Once there, we can relax and admire the views and take some photographs. If the weather is clear and it's not too cold we are likely to spend some time here, before continuing easily to the pass proper. Looking towards the east from the Sing La, and as we descend, we will be able to pick out the location of the Laurebina La and the Thare Danda ridge route leading north from Kathmandu into Langtang. Descending now, our undulating trek takes us through forest and open areas. Shortly beyond the pass, we meet a slightly more well-defined trail coming up from Borang and then begin a continuous descent from the ridge on a trail which is stepped in places. Then, continuing through pine forest, with a lunch stop en route, we reach the isolated farm and excellent camping place at Gongam Bhanjyang (2900m).

A final, not too difficult, day of trekking, as we return to civilization in the form of the villages on the north side of the Salakhu River. To begin with we pass through a picturesque mix of forest, looking out for langur monkeys and for some of the many bird species that this area is home to. There are some impressive stands of rhododendron and in spring these offer up a riot of colour. Descending steadily, we pass an isolated tin-roofed monastery at Bhalche and stop for lunch after around 4 hours in an idyllic spot overlooking the valley. After lunch, a final, steep hour of descent takes us through the villages of Nyuchet and Upallthok to our final camping place of the trip adjacent to the sacred pool of Kipsang Pokhari (1790m). Note that in dry weather, the 'pool' is little more than a marshy area. We will no doubt have a party with our local crew tonight to thank them for all of their hard work.

After breakfast at camp, we board our vehicles for the 6-hour drive (including stops) back to Kathmandu. The first 15 kilometres of the road (to the bridge over the Trisuli) is unsurfaced and slow-going; taking an hour and a half. Thereafter the road is a little better, following the river southwards to Trisuli Bazaar and reaching a low point close to Devighat (500m) where we rejoin the Prithvi Highway. We then follow the Pokhara to Kathmandu road on its long and sinuous ascent up to the rim of the Kathmandu Valley. We arrive in Kathmandu in the middle of the afternoon, check in at the group hotel and then have some time for relaxing or for independent sightseeing before heading out to one of the Thamel restaurants for a celebration dinner.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre-book a day's sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details.