[Annapurna Circuit] Transportation from KTM to Chame | Nepal - Lonely Planet Forum

ONLINE

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 22:04:13 +0000

Hi everybody!

We're travelling to Nepal in the coming weeks and will do a part of the Annapurna circuit. I realise that it would be nicer to hike at least from Tal, but due to time constraints, this is unfortunately not possible. I have lots of high altitude climbing experience and we are both well acclimatized before arriving in Nepal, so I'm not worried about the altitudes.

I am however wondering about the transportation options to Chame or at least Dharapani. I know about the classic bus to Besisahar and jeep service up to Manang. The details, however, are quite elusive.

How long can I expect the bus ride from KTM to take? I know Nepal and India quite well, so I realize that anything from 5 to 13 hours is possible. But what is a realistic expectation? I'm asking mainly because I'm not sure which is the better option:

1) Drive KTM-Besisahar, sleep in Besisahar and take the first Jeep at 7 am (which I'm guessing will be in Dharapani before noon) and hike to Chame on the same day.
2) Drive KTM-Besisahar and try to get a Jeep to Tal on the same day (night) and hike Tal to Chame on the second day.

I would very much prefer the second option. From a quick glance at the map, the distance between Tal and Chame should be easily doable.

But: is this even an option? Do the jeeps still leave that late in the day, after we arrive in Besisahar? And is it worth it? I hear the rice fields around Tal should be nice. And also, what should I expect the price to be for a jeep from Besisahar to Tal, Dharapani and Chame?

The second question I have for you guys is the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Again, due to time constraints, we have to fly (or take a bus, but I'm guessing it's more than 10 hours in the bus from Jomsom to Pokhara). Can I expect the flights to be leaving in early October? If so, is the cost of ~80$ still correct and how would I best obtain tickets?

Thank you in advance!

ONLINE

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 10:06:51 +0000

Hi winternight,
I strongly suggest the second option, you drive same day to Tal. The Chame Buse/Jeep will be waiting for passengers from Kathmandu Bus. Try to leave Kathmandu as early as you can. the cost would be approx 25 to 30$ to Chame from Beshishahar and cost till Tal $ 15...
The bus takes to Pokhara from Jomsom about 10 to 12 hours. Yes, the flights keep open in early October (keeps open mostly all-around of the year), try to get flight ticket on the first flight... the cost of the flight is approx $110. Online reservation is not so easy, it's complicated as I have heard some comments... better to contact to trekking/travel Agency.
All the Best!!!

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ONLINE

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 12:06:12 +0000

Thank you @InfoNepalTrek for the comprehensive information!

I arranged the Jomsom to Pokhara flights through a friend in Kathmandu.

I will let you know how it worked out :) Thanks again!

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ONLINE

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 20:19:58 +0000

Hi Winternight. I want to share my recent AC experience from May 2017. We took all day (10hrs) to get from KTM to Besisahar due to road works etc. The next day we took a jeep to Chame, which again was a full day (6.5 hrs on the road plus waiting at BS for jeep). I don't recommend this road at night as it is bad enough during the day. From Chame we started walking. The NATT guidebook we followed suggests it is a 9 hr walk Tal to Chame, and I recall it was still a long haul in the jeep, so either plan on it being a couple of days or take the jeep all the way to Chame and this time saving opens up some side trip options further up the valley. Jeep BS to Chame was 5000 NPR each (in a small jeep was us, 2 pax, + driver and 13 others!). I don't recall much rice around Tal, that seemed mostly below BS. Good you have your Jomsom to Pokhara flight booked as it was difficult to find someone to buy tickets from the day we got there and internet booking was problematic, so took bus from Jomsom to Tatopani, then next day luckily shared a ride to Pokhara in nice 4WD owned by the lodge, as bus would have been a long drive.
Caution over having the Jomson flights booked as this may cause you to rush your ascent of Thorong La ahead of proper acclimatization. 5416m/17000ft is a serious height and can kill you if not prepared so best to have a buffer day in your plans to be sure. We needed it! Our AC trip was 11 days total KTM to KTM, 6 days walking with an extra day at Thorung Phedi to better acclimate, which we luckily made up on the Tatopani to Pokara day as we got dropped at the airport and managed to get a KTM flight for later that day.
Enjoy your time in this wonderful area, I have fond and vivid memories and long to return some day to explore more of the region.

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ONLINE

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 12:18:51 +0000

In response to #3

Hi @Micandvic

Thank you for sharing your experience! Yes, I expected the trail Tal to Chame to take about 7-8h.

Like I said, I have experience with high altitude climbing and expeditions and I'm not worried about our acclimatization schedule (we will not be rushing over Thorong La and have 2 side-trips planned). All in all, we have 10 days until Jomsom. Also, our flight tickets can be rescheduled.

Thanks for the info about 10-hour ride to Besisahar. I guess it depends on the current conditions! For now, I'm just hoping our bus will be faster and we can get to Tal on the same day. If not, it will have to be a jeep until Chame the next day.

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ONLINE

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 13:11:53 +0000

For reference I've walked Chamje–Chame in one day. That was 25 km and 9:30 hrs with relaxed pace.

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Wed, 19 Sep 2018 01:00:17 +0000

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