Nepal: Moonlit Himalayas

Indian-side vehicle report at Gorakhpur; luggage and document check.

Depart for Sunauli / Belahiya border.

Border formalities, meet the Nepal-registered 4x4 at Belahiya and reload luggage.

Tea stop on Nepal side; continue to Pokhara with the same 4x4 that remains through the trip.

Lunch en route.

Arrive Pokhara and check in, depending on border and highway timing.Conditional

If arrival allows, buy and test a Nepal Telecom SIM near Lakeside; otherwise ask the driver for an earlier outlet.

Early dinner near the hotel.

Breakfast and luggage load for Ghandruk.

Optional drive to Pumdikot Shiva viewpoint, only if the morning is clear and the group wants it.Optional

Short vehicle-access viewpoint visit; skip any extended walking.

Depart toward Ghandruk in the same 4x4.

Tea and road-condition check around Nayapul / Birethanti.

Lunch en route or near the Ghandruk approach, depending on road progress.Conditional

Arrive Ghandruk, check in and settle into the mountain room.

Golden-hour Annapurna and Machapuchare viewing from the lodge or nearest easy terrace.

Local dinner and early night.

Wake, tea and warm layers.

Sunrise and Annapurna South / Hiunchuli / Machapuchare viewing from lodge terrace or nearest easy viewpoint.

Breakfast at the lodge.

Gurung Museum and nearby central village lanes, kept short and easy.

Tea, local interaction and photography around the lodge-side village core; no circular trail.

Local lunch and rest.

Rest, cafe time or lodge terrace viewing.

Second golden-hour viewing window from an easy terrace or lodge edge.

Dinner and second overnight in Ghandruk.

Optional final sunrise from the lodge terrace.Optional

Breakfast and luggage check.

Depart Ghandruk after confirming the descent road condition.

Tea / comfort stop near Birethanti or Nayapul.

Optional Kushma / Baglung-Parbat long suspension bridge viewpoint; skip it if running late or if the group wants less walking.Optional

Lunch around Kushma / Baglung.

Baglung Kalika Bhagwati Temple darshan, keeping the temple approach slow and comfortable.

Beni's Galeshwar Mahadev Temple / Galeshwor Dham darshan and brief Ayodhya Devshila / Kali Gandaki connection stop.

Check in at Beni / Galeshwar and rest.

Breakfast, luggage load and road-condition call with the driver.

Depart Beni / Galeshwar toward Tatopani and Dana.

Tea or comfort stop around Tatopani; hot-spring bathing only if the group accepts a slower arrival.Optional

Rupse Falls / Kali Gandaki gorge roadside photo stop if the shoulder is safe.Conditional

Lunch around Dana / Ghasa sector, adjusted to road timing.

Enter the Lete / Kalopani gorge section.

Arrive, check in and inspect sunrise terrace/viewpoint.

Hot dinner and early sleep.

Wake, tea, warm layers and camera check.

Sunrise attempt from the lodge terrace or a very nearby vehicle-access viewpoint.

Breakfast, luggage load and road-condition confirmation.

Depart Kalopani / Lete after breakfast; keep Tukuche / Larjung to a brief roadside pause if time allows.

Target Jomsom arrival and continue toward Dhumba Lake / Thini by vehicle.

Dhumba Lake and Thini vehicle-supported visit, with only short optional walking.Optional

Lunch in Jomsom.

Check in, rest and warm drinks.

Optional Mustang Eco Museum near Jomsom airport if open, vehicle access is easy and the group wants an indoor visit.Optional

Dinner and early night.

Breakfast in Jomsom and winter road / ice check with the driver.

Drive toward Muktinath / Ranipauwa only after the driver clears the road.

From Ranipauwa, allow 30-40 minutes uphill to Muktinath at a slow pace; pre-arrange a pony or local assistance if needed.

Muktinath temple, 108 water spouts, sacred kunds and Jwala Mai flame visit.

Narsingh Gompa / Mharme Lha Khang only if access and altitude comfort allow.Optional

Lunch around Ranipauwa / Jharkot after an altitude check.

Jharkot village and monastery area by vehicle-supported access; no trail loop.

Arrive Kagbeni, check in and rest.

Rest indoors at the Kagbeni lodge after the high-altitude day; brief terrace views only if comfortable.Optional

Kagbeni Red Gompa, central lanes and safe, accessible riverbank view with local guidance; shorten any walking as needed.

Breakfast at the lodge and luggage load.

Depart Kagbeni for Jomsom fuel / road check, then Marpha.

Marpha old lanes and apple shops as a short, easy village visit; monastery only if access is comfortable.Optional

Early lunch in Marpha; optional sealed apple products for later.Optional

Depart Marpha toward Bhurung Tatopani.

Arrive, check in and confirm current hot-spring operating hours.

Preferred public hot-spring soak if the pools are open; dinner afterward.Conditional

Unhurried breakfast; check the road and public pool hours.

Optional comfortable morning soak only if the previous evening was missed and the pools are open.Optional

Depart Bhurung Tatopani toward Beni and Pokhara.

Tea / comfort stop around Beni or the highway corridor.

Lunch en route.

Arrive Pokhara depending on road conditions and the morning choice.Conditional

Check in, shower and rest.

Dinner at Lakeside.

Slow breakfast and laundry / luggage reset.

Old Pokhara Bazaar, Bindhyabasini / Seti side by vehicle, with only short local walking.

Local lunch away from the busiest Lakeside strip if the group wants variety.Conditional

Preferred gentle outing: Begnas / Rupa lakeside drive. Matepani only if the vehicle can reach close to its entrance.Optional

Sarangkot room confirmation, warm-layer check and camera charging.

Early dinner and easy night.

Lakeside breakfast.

Free time, cafe, spa or light shopping.

Lunch in Pokhara.

Collect bags and camera gear.

Transfer to Sarangkot.

Check in and inspect room / terrace orientation; avoid walking to the public tower.

Near-full moonrise in the east-northeast around 16:24, then sunset viewing from the hotel terrace.

Early dinner; set 4:30 AM alarm.

Wake, tea if arranged, warm layers.

First moonlit Annapurna viewing window.

Pre-dawn photo and video window.

Best pink-peak light as the mountains brighten before valley sunrise.

Approximate sunrise 06:57, moonset west-northwest 07:12 and exact full-moon phase 07:13.

Watch the changing light, then breakfast and checkout.

Descend from Sarangkot; use cable car only if luggage/vehicle coordination is already arranged.Optional

Depart Pokhara side toward Belahiya / Sunauli with the Nepal 4x4.

Target Belahiya / Sunauli handover; meet the pre-booked Indian cab. Allow for delays.

Drive to Gorakhpur with a winter-fog allowance and stay overnight; avoid a fixed same-night train or flight.