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.

  • Difficulty level: Medium

  • Elevation gain: 4100 mt

  • Trip length: 120 Km

  • Duration: 16 days

  • Participants: 15 people

  • Internal travel:

  • Overnight:

  • Price from: $700


Do you like this trek?

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 mt

Arrival: 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 mt

A 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 mt

Kathmandu 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 mt

Dharapani 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 mt

Chame 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 mt

Upper 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 mt

Manang 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 mt

Manang – 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 mt

Yak 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 mt

Thorung 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 mt

Muktinath – 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 mt

Tatopani 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 mt

Ghorepani - 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 mt

Hille – 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 mt

Pokhara 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 mt

Final Departure

Final departure form Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport
Transfer: car
Food: breakfast

What Do You Need?

Fotogallery


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