Overview And Highlights
Road development in the Annapurna region has caused many changes to the length and meaning of “trekking adventures”: for both trekkers and the people of the villages through which the trails pass.
While Nepali residents gain the convenience of having vehicles deliver goods ‘to their door’, they lose the lucrative income lodges gain from foot customers. Hikers also have to put up with the dust of passing transport – and the visible result is, sadly, that these regions loose popularity.
Notwithstanding these developments, the Annapurna Circuit has much to offer and is well worth the irritations.
Days
16 days
Distance
120 Km
Difficulty
Medium
Highest Point
5416 mt
Best Season For The Trek
Road development in the Annapurna region has caused many changes to the length and meaning of “trekking adventures”: for both trekkers and the people of the villages through which the trails pass.
Trek Difficulty
While Nepali residents gain the convenience of having vehicles deliver goods ‘to their door’, they lose the lucrative income lodges gain from foot customers. Hikers also have to put up with the dust of passing transport – and the visible result is, sadly, that these regions loose popularity.
Notwithstanding these developments, the Annapurna Circuit has much to offer and is well worth the irritations.
Day To Day Itinerary
Day 1
1300 mtArrival: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, collect your luggage and exit the building where we
will meet you. (Look for our Travel Nepal Himalayas name board and your name). We will then transfer you to your
hotel: afternoon free.
Evening: a welcome dinner, trek description and a check on essential gear. Overnight in hotel.
Transfer: car
Food: welcome dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 2
1300 mtA Day in the City: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing OR A Day at Leisure
Take a day tour that includes six heritage sites including Swayambhunath, the “Monkey Temple”; the historical
Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar
Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A guide, car and driver will take you to each site-entrance. The car will wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not
included.)
OR: A day at leisure to follow your own interests.
Transfer: car
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 3
1860 mtKathmandu to Dharapani (1 860m/6 100ft)
From Kathmandu, the western Prithvi Raimarg climbs out of the Kathmandu Valley and follows the Trisuli, and other
rivers westwards, to Pokhara. The road links Hindu villages and terraced farming communities, crossing rivers that
flow from the ice fields to the north. Time will be made for lunch!
At Dumre (400m, 4½ hrs) we turn north into the Marsyangdi Nadi Valley on a secondary road to the commercial
centre of Besi Sahar (760m, 2hrs). A ‘new’ minor road then heads into the hills (2-3hrs), past the completed hydro-
electric scheme, before climbing to Syange (1 080m), Chame (2 700m/8 850ft) and bustling Dharapani. This is a large
settlement at the confluence of the Dudh Khola from the Manaslu range to the north and the Marsyangdi Nadi.
Overnight in Dharapani.
Transfer: 8-10 hrs jeep
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 4
2700 mtDharapani to Chame (2 700m/8 860ft)
The road now swings westwards along the river. Walk, slowly, past barley, wheat and potato fields before climbing
steadily up steep forested ridges to Bagarchhap, a Tibetan village – and the first glimpses of the Annapurnas to the
west: Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II (7 937m), and Annapurna IV gradually to the south. Before Chame there is an
impressive mani wall heralding good views of these peaks. Chame is the Manang District headquarters. Overnight in
Chame.
Trek: 4-5 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 5
3300 mtChame to Upper Pisang (3 300m/9 190ft)
Walk up along the north bank, through dense fir and pine forest to Bhratang (2 950m) and on to a section of trail,
blasted from the rock, before an astonishing view of a gigantic curved, ice-carved, rock face. It rises 1 500m above
the river: and takes an hour to pass. Later, walk along another impressive ledge hewn from a cliff face before the
trail re-crosses to the southern bank of the river and ascends, opposite the wall, into the U-shaped upper Manang
Valley between two snow peaks. The views become more exciting as you approach the split-village of Pisang.
Overnight in Upper Pisang – away from the dusty road.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 6
3500 mtUpper Pisang – Ghyaru (3 670/12 040ft) – Ngawal (3 660/12 008ft) – Braga (3 470m/11,390ft) – Manang (3 500m/11 480ft)
Today’s, demanding trek offers, cloud willing, some of the finest scenery in the region. Walk through pine forest,
past a tranquil little lake and on to pass chortens and a bridge before zigzagging up to Ghyaru – a cluster village (to
maximise agricultural ground for quick growing barley, buckwheat, beans and potatoes) with a revered monastery.
A 30min fairly level walk is followed by a 30min drop to attractive Ngawal with ancient Juniper trees. Continue down
to Mungji (3 500m), then on to fascinating Braga: oldest village in the region and another (tighter) cluster village
built up the slope of a hill, with its gompa near the top and an impressive wall with Kang – entrance gate next to the
trail. Finally, continue to the substantial village of Manang. Overnight in Manang.
Trek: 6-7 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 7
3500 mtManang rest and acclimatisation day.
Deal with any necessary washing etc. Then, at least walk up to the Bocho monastery or to Gangapurna lake and the
smaller lake. The village is renowned for its fine bakeries, enjoy, then walk again. Overnight in Manang.
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 8
4050 mtManang – Ghyanchang (4 000m/13 120ft) – Yak kharka 4 050m/13 290ft)
From Manang climb NE to Tengi (3 690m) then up and out of the Marsyangdi Valley; turning NW into the Jarsang
Khola Valley. Ascend slowly to minimise altitude problems.
The trail passes summer kharkas through scrub juniper as it steadily climbs above Gunsang (3 920m): a cluster of flat
mud roofs just below. Continue to Ghyanchang then cross the tributary before rising through kharkas of grazing
horses and yaks. Later, a wooden bridge, heads towards an ancient mani wall and the small village of Yak Kharka;
with great views. Overnight in Yak Kharka.
Trek: 6-7 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 9
4540 mtYak kharka – Letdar (4 200m/13 780ft) – Thorung Phedi (4 540m/14 900ft)
A short day’s, deliberately, slow, steady 500m climb ascends to the seasonal outpost before the pass. The path winds
through desolate high scenery: scrub vegetation gradually giving way to rock, scree and an exposed path across a
landslide before reaching the trekker-lodge at Thorung Phedi (foot of the hill). Until recently, there was a single
teahouse with a warm cosy dining room and beds for some 150 trekkers. There are now two lodges with a mix of
rooms and facilities. Overnight in Thorung Phedi.
Further up the “hill,” lodge staff man a smaller lodge on a cold exposed ridge: known as High Camp. Rather stay at
Thorung Phedi than head for this high elevation: just for a shorter summit day.
Trek: 3-4 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 10
3800 mtThorung Phedi – Thorung La (5 416m/17 770ft) – Muktinath (3 800m/12 470ft)
A pre-dawn start is best for this long arduous day. Slowly climb 900m to the summit flags before descending 1 600m.
From the lodge ascend gently. Thorung La is a flag bedecked col between Thorung Peak (6 211m/20 378ft) and
Yakwakang’s (6 482m/15 434ft) cliffs.
Views back to the east are snowy. Ahead and far below is the brown desolate scenery of the rain-scarce Kali
Gandaki-Mustang Valley. On the opposite side of the valley, the huge Dhaulagiri range rises to the southwest. Ahead
and to the north, the mountains of Dolpo stretch to the horizon: and are an extension of the Tibetan highlands to
the north.
After pictures and a rest, begin the ~4hr descent to Muktinath. Initially, the loose gravel path is steep. Later, it
becomes rockier and easier to navigate. Enjoy the barren scenery and gradual change to denser air!
After a few hours, the revered Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site of Muktinath will come into view. This oasis of
springs is surrounded by a lengthy wall and is bedecked by thousands of prayer flags. There is a small Vishnu temple
and smaller Buddhist shrine: testament to Nepal’s religious harmony. The Tibetan name for this oasis is Chu Mig Tsa
Gye (108 springs).
Your tranquillity will change as you pass the shrine to nearby Ranipauwa (3 710m) and the buzz of motorbikes...
The region is collectively known as Muktinath. Overnight in Ranipauwa. After breakfast, visit .the shrine.
Trek: 9-10 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 11
1190 mtMuktinath – Tatopani (1 190m/3 900ft)
A rutted road from the lowlands, mostly along the trekking trails, now reaches Kagbeni. A Chinese road from Tibet
through Upper Mustang meets the road below Kagbeni (2 840m). A recent tarred road links Muktinath with Kagbeni.
Kagbeni is a fascinating old village on the Mustang border. Its people are a mix of Buddhist and Bӧn believers: the
latter skilled in herbal medicine widely used in rural regions. If possible, visit and explore the village.
From ~10:00 to 16:00, daily winds blow dust up the valley from the lowlands (due to rising hot air from the Tibetan
hills) and now the gravel road makes trekking particularly unpleasant.
Jeep transport has become preferable and is widely used for the drive to Jomsom (2 760m, administrative centre of
the Lower Mustang region). Change to a second jeep for Tatopani (hot springs). From there we leave the road and
Buddhist culture – and trek into lush forest once more. Overnight in Tatopani.
Transfer: 5-6 hrs jeep
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 12
2880 mtTatopani to Ghorepani (2880m/9 450ft)
The trail now enters the Ghar Khola Valley, leaving the road and dust behind which swings south east towards the
front of the Annapurna Range. Most of the trail is through protected rhododendron, oak, birch and magnolia forests;
rich in beauty and wild life. Ghara (1 780m), Phalate (2 390m) and Chitre (2 420m) are agricultural villages on high
ridges: with views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. The large tourist village of Ghorepani is below Poon Hill.
Overnight in Ghorepani.
Trek: 7-8 hrs in the forest
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 13
1430 mtGhorepani - Poon Hill (3 210M/10 530ft) – Hille (1 430m/4 690 ft)
An early, ¾ hr, steep trek leads to Poon Hill’s grassy summit: in time for sunrise and superb, unobstructed, views of
the high Himalaya from Dhaulagiri I (8 172m) in the west, across the Annapurnas (Annapurna I, 8 019m), to
Machhapuchhare (6 997m, Fish Tail) and east to Manaslu (8 156m). Behind you: Sal forests to India.
Return to your lodge for breakfast, then begin the pleasant downward walk to Naya Thanti (2 210m) and on,
through rhododendron forest, thinning out as the trail drops to Ulleri (1 960m): a Magar village with slate-roofed
homes and good views of Annapurna South. A 3000+ step, staggard, staircase then, gradually, descends, crossing
two suspension bridges, to Hille (1 430m) in more open agricultural country. Overnight in Hille.
Trek: 7-8 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 14
820 mtHille – Nayapul (1 070m/3 500 ft) trek, then drive to Pokhara (820m/2 700ft)
The trail descends gently through two small villages to Birethanti (1 050m): a bazaar town above a large suspension
bridge over the Modi Khola – Bhurungdi Khola confluence.
From the bridge the trail climbs slightly to Nayapul (1 070m) – and a private vehicle for the tortuous road that winds
its way through several villages to Naudanda (1 430m): and good views of Phewa Tal, Pokhara and the lake. The road
continues to wind down to Pokhara (820m) through rice paddies – to your hotel. Overnight in a Pokhara lodge.
You may well want to add a day or two to your itinerary and spend it in Pokhara with its attractive lake, superb
mountain views, restaurants, mountain museum, myriad second hand bookshops, and ‘laid-back atmosphere’.
It lies in the wettest area in the country where rains of 4 000mm fall between June and September.
Trek: 3 hrs
Transfer: 1 hr drive
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 15
1300 mtPokhara to Kathmandu by vehicle or flight
Pokhara is 200km west of Kathmandu: ~7 hours by road by bus or private vehicle, or a ½ an hour flight along the
Himalayan Range. (Sit on the left of the plane for good views!) The city now boasts a new airport. Transfer to your
lodge. Afternoon free. Evening: Farewell dinner.
Transfer: car or flight
Food: breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 16
1300 mtFinal Departure
Final departure form Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport
Transfer: car
Food: breakfast
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