Annapurna Circuit Trek

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.