Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal is a detour walking adventure. There are numerous trekking routes in Nepal within the long detour walking. Among these stupendous walking routes of Nepal Annapurna Circuit is probably the oldest and most famous.
Awesome Nepal Treks has knitted various options for the Annapurna Circuit Trek. You can choose to do the short trekking as well or add the Tilicho Lake in the itinerary. It depends on your requirement. This is the regular and normal trekking route.
The journey starts with the drive to Syange via Besisahar from Kathmandu. Nowadays, the trekking route has been shortened. You can opt to take the jeep to Manang as well. However, the risk of altitude sickness is very high. Classical Annapurna Circuit Trek is an authentic way to accumulate the exoticness.
Trekkers have to trek through places like Dharapani, Chame and Pisang to reach Manang. This is the first phase of Annapurna Circuit Trek. As the altitude increases the change in vegetation and landscape is evident.
Annapurna Circuit Trek starts from the coniferous forests belt and covers alpine grassland to tundra region vegetations. While traversing in the trail trekker can encounter the people of different origin as well. Brahmins, Chhetris, Untouchables, Gurung, Magar, Tibetans and Thakali are the prominent ethnic communities who are in the route.
The trekkers will get acclimatized by walking around the vast Manang Village. The sight of the panoramic mountains and the serene Himalayan climate will undoubtedly knit the momentous trekking. Trekkers then walk towards Thorong Phedi after resting a day in Yakkharka.
The most challenging day is when trekkers cross the Thorong La Pass. Early in the morning before sunrise trekkers embark on the journey to cross the world’s most famous high altitude Himalayan pass. From the top of the Thorong La Pass, one can enjoy the view of mountains like Annapurna III, II, Chulu East-West, Thorong Peak etc.
Thorong La Pass is world-famous high altitude pass. It offers great scenic vista. It is a gateway to Lower Mustang from Manang region.
On the other side of the pass is gorgeous Lower Mustang area. Annapurna Circuit Trek in a classical way leads trekkers throughout the Annapurna region. Even if the road is on the trail, we recommend choosing the walking activity. Trekkers take the route along the Kaligandaki River to Marpha.
Lower Mustang’s famous towns like Jomsom, Marpha and Lete are next highlights of the trekking. These places are habituated by Thakali people who are famous for the Apple liqueurs and authentic Thali Set Food. Apple farm in Marpha and the River valley landscape is effervescent.
Trekkers then dip into the natural hot water springs at Tatopani. Rejuvenating the tired muscles trekkers again walk uphill to Ghorepani. Annapurna Circuit Trek meets the Annapurna Base Camp Trek on this place.
Check out our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek package for the more detailed information on Ghorepani and vantage point of Poon Hill.
Marvellous sunrise experience from the top of Poon Hill is the last iconic activity that trekkers do in the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The journey finally ends in Tikhedhunga from where trekkers will take the bus drive to Pokhara.
Book the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal with us. This is the classical trekking voyage which is on the verge of extinction because of the numerous hilly roads. However, for the authentic experience of Nepal’s oldest long detour trekking, we recommend this itinerary.
Your first impression of arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport is an experience in itself. But don’t be worried by the apparent confusion as your airport representative will be waiting to welcome you with your name written on a placard. Depending on traffic, you will be at your hotel within 20 minutes or so.
You have time to relax and enjoy the ambiance and comfort of the hotel until your evening Group Meeting. This is when we collect your details and discuss how the trip will run for the coming days. After the meeting, we go for our first group dinner. Your tour leader will take you to a traditional Nepali restaurant in Thamel.
A free day in Kathmandu to relieve you from jetlag on long flights, our morning sightseeing tour starts after breakfast in the hotel, where you will be engrossed with tour around world heritage sites around Kathmandu visiting Old Durbar (palace) Square, and ancient stupa of Swayambhunath, after a tour head back to hotel with preparation for Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
(other options on the tour of Hindu Holy Temple of Pashupatinath dedicated to Lord Shiva and Bouddhanath large Buddhist Stupa the area is also known as Little Tibet)
Starting this wonderful adventure with an interesting overland drive towards Nepal midwest, leading to Besishahar town (headquarter of Lamjung district). From here transfer to another vehicle and continue to drive on the dirt road passing villages of Khudi, Bhulbhule, and Ngadi following the Marshyangdi River upstream, the drive continues through rice terraces fields and villages to Syange a small village for an overnight stop in the comfort of the nice lodge.
From Syange our walk begins with climb leaving Marshyangdi River behind reaching Jagat village, a farm village with many lodges for trekkers. After Jagat walk leads on a winding path to Chamje, and back at Marshyangdi River crossing to the east side into the forested area, with superb views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. As the walk continues reaching a nice village at Tal Besi, from here another 3 hours walk leads to our overnight stop at Dharapani village. Dharapani a nice village located on a junction of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu trekking trail.
After Dharapani walk leads into rhododendron and pine forest passing villages of Bagarchap and Danque, then at Temang village with more Buddhist cultured village including views of Mt. Manaslu 8,163m / 26,781ft. From Temang village few hours trek leads to Koto and then to Chame town for an overnight stop, Chame a large major town of Manang area and a headquarter town of the district.
From Pisang onwards walk leads close to mountains through alpine forests of rhododendron and pine trees, following Marshyangdi River upstream with short ups and down hills to Bhratang village. From Bhratang village walk follows uphill through alpine woodland to Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few teahouses and lodge overlooking Chulu’s and Pisang peak, with the possible lunch stop, and then descends to lower Pisang village for an overnight stop.
Morning views of mountains, from here onward altitude gains as the walk lead through the forest with short uphill and views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu’s and Pisang peak.
Walk downhill to reach flat valley at Humre village, from here onward tree lines fades for barren, arid landscapes with cold, dry arctic climate. Before Manang, visit old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting, and frescos and stunning views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk reaches Manang village.
A necessary rest day at Manang for acclimatization before reaching higher areas to Thorang-la pass, in Manang short hike around Manang village, this is a large village situated on windswept valley by the bank of Marshyangdi River below Annapurna and Gangapurna mountain range, a nice walk uphill for views of Gangapurna Glacier and Manang glacial Lake.
After a good rest at Manang, walk towards Ghunsang village with the short uphill to reach at Yak Kharka, an interesting walk with views of snowcapped mountains, on crossing a small stream reaching Yak Kharka for an overnight stop, a small settlement with views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Chulu Peaks.
Morning walk lead to more high elevation getting closer at the base of Thorang-la after crossing a bridge with a climb along the river bank of Jaejoong Khola, finally walk leads at Thorung Phedi, here depending upon the physical conditions of the clients, if all goes well an hour steep climb to Thorang High Camp for overnight stop.
One of the highlight and Big Day of this adventure! After early breakfast walk leads to a long climb to Thorang-la on the steep winding path to reach Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m / 17,769 ft. The highest point of the adventure with views of snowcapped peaks, and then with long descends to reach holy Muktinath around Lower Mustang area. On reaching Muktinath for an overnight stop, this is a holy spot for both Hindus and Buddhists the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation’.
After Muktinath, rest of the journey is easier with moderate walks all the way with a big drop of 1,200m downhill to Kaligandaki river valley, this pleasant walk leads to Kaligandaki river valley, from here walk to Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang area with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River. After Jomsom walk to Marpha, one of the most charming village, a gem village, with white painted houses, paved streets, and well-kept lodges. At Marpha celebrate with local apple products cider, brandy and juice this area from Kagbeni to Larjung is famous for delicious apples.
From Marpha onward, walk is enjoyable following Kaligandaki river downstream with views of Tukuche peak, Dhaulagiri and Mt. Nilgiri walk to Larjung village, after few hours walk getting back into tree lines of pine, oaks and rhododendron forest and then reaching Kalapani village, another lovely village with grand views of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri, a short downhill brings at Lete village for overnight stop.
Walk from Kalapani and Lete onward leads to the dramatic change in vegetation and climate, as walk leads between two giant peaks of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna forming world deepest gorge. The first two hours of trek leads through Ghasa village with the view of snow-capped peaks into the forest. After Ghasa a southern end of Mustang area mostly dominated by Thakali people ethnic tribe till Tatopani village. This pleasant walk continues leading back to paddy fields in warm sub-tropical climate to Tatopani passing beautiful waterfalls of Rupsi. Tatopani (Hot Spring) village the valley is quite constricted and it is quite warm with sub-tropic climate and vegetation, Tatopani is another nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of the River Kaligandaki.
After a wonderful time at Tatopani, trek continues on the nice winding trail for an hour, our route diverts heading uphill with steep climb then with gradual up all the way through dense forest to reach at Chitre, from here an hour climb to Ghorepani village with fantastic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South with Vara-Shikar known as Annapurna Fang. Ghorepani famous and popular for the hike to Pun Hill a viewpoint offering super wide-angle views of world’s three highest peaks and range of other mountains with striking sunrise and sunset.
Morning an hour hike up to Pun-Hill at 3,210m, offers fantastic sunrise views over the array of mountains from Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu to Annapurna and as far to Ganesh Himal in the far eastern horizon including the Mt. Machhapuchare “The Fish Tail”.From here walk through lovely rhododendron forest, and then with long descend from Ulleri village to Tirkhedhunga for last overnight stop in the hills of Annapurna Himalaya.
After a pleasant overnight at Tikhedhunga with views and sound of beautiful waterfalls, our last day of this great trip leads into warmer areas of rice fields and terraces overlooking magnificent views of massive Himalayan range of mountains, an hour walk downhill to Bhirethati village and at Nayapul on the road head of Baglung-Pokhara, after getting into a vehicles few hour drive brings you beautiful and scenic Pokhara after a great and wonderful time up in the high mountains.
Morning a scenic drive to back Kathmandu with grand memories of this fantastic and exciting Annapurna Circuit trekking, an interesting six hour brings you back in Kathmandu with the afternoon free at leisure for shopping souvenirs.
(Options of flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu of 30 mins)
Your last day in amazing Nepal in the land of Himalayan wonders, after wonderful experience and fond memories of Annapurna Circuit Trekking around great Annapurna Himalaya, our staff transfer you to the airport as per your time for the international flight for your final departure towards homeward bound.
Subject: Thanks for a great trek
Message: We have just completed a 15 day Himalayan trek with Awesome Nepal Treks and it could not have been better! The trek was very well organized, had excellent food and accommodation, there was no problems whatsoever and our guide Dil was a very informative, well-spoken and absolutely entertaining guy. The whole experience was amazing and I would strongly recommend Awesome Nepal Treks to anyone who wants a great, enjoyable, hassle-free trip.
My cousin and I traveled to Nepal in 2011 and completed the Everest Basecamp Trek with our guide Dil Thapa.
Dil absolutely made sure this trek would far exceed my expectations and I am grateful for the time we shared together in Nepal.
There are an endless amount of photos and videos online for us to see the natural beauty of Nepal before arriving there. The greatest compliment I can give Nepal (more specifically, Dil Thapa) is this, the beauty of Nepal is its people first and foremost.
Trip Name: Short Poon Hill Trek
Booked this trek from the comfort at home in the UK. Communication with Dil was brilliant, his response to all my emails were quick and courteous. He tailored the trek around us, as a small group of 4 adults ranging in age from 29 to 69 (who was still recovering from an ACL op last May). His pace was brilliant for our group.
Dil arranged to meet us in our hotel in Kathmandu and talked us through the trek, bringing maps, holdalls and T-Shirts.
The trek was for 3 nights, 4 days staying in good, clean lodges. All was included except our drinks.
We experienced trekking in glorious sunshine up to Poon Hill. There was still snow on the ground and Dil provided the group with crampons, which made walking easier and safer.
Our trek started and ended in Pokhara. Dil and his team collected us from our hotel in Pokhara promptly at the time agreed.
Dil and the porters were brilliant, the porters were more than porters and made our trek even more enjoyable. We felt totally safe and Dil was an excellent guide. The scenery was spectacular.
Would certainly use Awesome Nepal Treks again as Dil arranges trips to Tibet and Bhutan.