Himalayan Dark Skies Astro-Tourism

Manang → Mustang → Nagarkot

Highlights

• Stargazing at 4,000+ meters with professional astronomers — the darkest skies on Earth above the world's highest peaks.
• Astro-Tourism · 10 Days
• Small group, guide-led

Day-by-day itinerary

1. D1

   Kathmandu: Astronomy Foundation

   Arrive in Kathmandu. Evening orientation on Himalayan astronomy: why the skies are darker at altitude, what to expect, and how to observe. Telescope setup practice and constellation identification.

   Manang As per plan

2. D2

   Nagarkot: Introduction to Dark Skies

   Drive to Nagarkot for your first high-altitude stargazing session. Observe the moon (if visible), planets, and bright deep-sky objects. Learn to use star charts and astronomy apps.

   Manang As per plan

3. D3

   Pokhara to Manang: The Ascent

   Fly to Pokhara and begin the Annapurna Circuit trek to Manang. Slow pace with daily rest. Evenings include basic stargazing as altitude increases and skies darken.

   Manang As per plan

4. D4

   Manang: Deep Sky Observing

   Three nights in Manang (3,540m) for intensive observing. Professional telescopes reveal Saturn's rings, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion Nebula, and globular clusters. Astro-photography workshops. Discussion on Buddhist cosmology with a local lama.

   Manang As per plan

5. D5

   Muktinath: Stars Over Sacred Ground

   Cross Thorong La to Muktinath, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Evening stargazing at a place where earth and sky have been worshipped together for millennia. Special focus on planetary observation.

   Manang As per plan

6. D6

   Return & Astro-Photography Editing

   Return to Pokhara and Kathmandu. Full-day workshop on processing astro-photography images. Creation of a personal portfolio. Farewell dinner under the stars at a Kathmandu rooftop.

   Manang As per plan

Price includes

• Local storyteller guide
• Stays as per itinerary
• Daily breakfast
• All ground transfers

Make it yours (upsells)

Everything apart from the trip itself is an upsell — tick what you want.