Awesome Nepal Treks Pvt. Ltd. "Safety, Quality and Integrity"

Short Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek
Duration: 11 Days
  • Duration: 11 Days
  • Maximum Altitude: 5416m.
  • Accommodation: Hotels and in Lodge basis during trek
  • Group Size: Minimum 2 Trekker's
  • Trip Grade: Moderate & High Pass
  • Meals: Breakfast at City; Full Board of Meals on Trek
  • Activities: Tours, Sightseeing, Trekking in Annapurna Himalayas
  • Best Time: All year round except June to August the wet months
  • Start / Ending: Beshisahar to Pokhara

‘Short Annapurna Circuit Trek – Adventure around north and south of Annapurna massifs mountains with Thorong-la Pass’

Highlights

  • Thorong La Pass (5416 m)
  • Manang Village & Mustang Village
  • Thakali, Nepalese Tibetan, and Multi-Ethnic Villages
  • Muktinath Temple & Eternal Flame
  • Diverse Vegetation
  • Landscape & World’s Deepest Gorge
  • Sacred Holy Fossils (Shaligram)
  • Nepal’s most popular trekking detour

The journey of Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal is one of the most popular detour walking. However, the construction of roads in the high-altitude Himalayan belts of Nepal has curtailed the trekking routes. Therefore, the Annapurna Circuit Trekking itinerary has been shortened. Even if there is a road network it is not recommended to go to Manang Village via road. The risk of altitude sickness is very high while going on a jeep ride to Manang. The travel planners of Awesome Nepal Treks & Expeditions have knitted the best and most updated itinerary for the trekkers to enjoy the magnificence of the Annapurna Round Trek route in shorter holidays.

Can we do Short Annapurna Circuit Trek without the risk of Altitude Sickness?

Yes, you can do the short Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal without the risk of altitude sickness. However, you need to heed the instructions of our guide and follow our itinerary. Over 2 decades of experience in the field of Nepal Trekking has taught us a great deal about organizing trekking. Moreover, we send our travel planners and trekking guides to research trekking during off-seasons. It has helped us to knit the most updated trekking trip in Nepal.

If you are physically fit and have the desire to conquer the 5414 m Himalayan Pass, get ready to experience Nepal’s mountainous greatness by doing Short Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Crossing Thorong La Pass

You can get two options to cross the Thorong La Pass. Either you stay overnight at the Thorong Phedi or stay in the high camp. Staying in the high camp is tricky as there is the possibility of you getting caught in altitude sickness. However, it helps trekkers to cross the Thorong La Pass (5414 m) easier the next day. However, our itinerary follows the route of the Thorong Phedi. Even if the itinerary consists of the High Camp, the trekking guide will assess the trekkers’ situation and decide where to stay for the overnight. The crossing o Thorong La Pass is easier from High Camp but from Thorong Phedi it is not impossible rather traditional itinerary consists of the crossing from the Phedi.

Is it possible to visit Poon Hill during Short Annapurna Circuit Trek?

No, you wouldn’t visit Poon Hill during Short Annapurna Round Trek like our regular Annapurna Circuit Trek. It requires more vacation. Poon Hill is the best vantage point in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. The place offers the best place to witness the mountains ranging from the world’s 7th tallest Dhaulagiri to 10th Annapurna. Traverse the amazing Annapurna Circuit Trek route and accumulate momentous memories rather than visiting Poon Hill. In less than two weeks holiday, you can leave your footprints at the top of the world’s most popular Himalayan Pass.

Travel Insurance, Best Season To do Trek, and Why to do Annapurna Round Trek?

In order to book the trekking, you have to get travel insurance. This is the basic requirement to get permits for any kind or any region of trekking in Nepal. Make sure to get the travel insurance plan which includes helicopter rescue, medical expenses, and accidents. Throughout the year, trekking in the Annapurna region of Nepal is possible. However, the spring and autumn seasons in Nepal is the best time to do this trek. Months of March, April, May, September, October, and November are the best time. Experience the Gurung Culture, Tibetan Nepalese, and Thakali people. Relish the chance to experience the diversity of the Himalayas, people, and landscape.

Book the Short Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal with the team of Awesome Nepal Treks & Expeditions. We ensure hundred percent return on your travel investment in the form of momentous travel latels.

Details 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 insurance 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. (M Hotel or equivalent)

The morning starts with the drive on tourist coach or smaller vehicle as group size for overland journey takes you away from Kathmandu valley, heading into low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains. As drive continues on busy main highway past farm villages and town heading Nepal Mid-West to reach Besisahar town and headquarter of Lamjung district. After a pleasant stop continue to drive beyond Besisahar to reach small farm village of Syange and then uphill on winding dirt road to reach at Jagat. After lunch or snacks break, we will head to Dharapani. Expect bumpy roads ahead. Overnight at Teahouse

From Dharapani walk on winding trail within rhododendron and pine forest past villages of Bagarchap and Danque, then to Temang village from here onwards where you can notice more Buddhist culture along with views of Mt. Manaslu. After a refreshing short stop at Temang village where few hours trek leads to Chame town for an overnight stop, Chame a large and major town of Manang area and as well a headquarters of Manang district. According to the latest itinerary, we will start our walking from this place however the trail is through the road but in order to avoid altitude sickness we will start the trek from here.

After Chame walk to Pisang where scenic Manang valley starts and air gets much cooler from here onward walk leads close within mountains, morning walk into the cool alpine forest of rhododendron and pine trees, following Masrsyangdi River with few short ups and down to Bratang village. From here follow the uphill path into woodland to reach at Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few teahouses and lodge overlooking Chulu’s and Pisang peak, with a lunch break here, walk descends to lower Pisang village for an overnight stop.

Pisang village offers great scenery of mountains and surrounding landscapes, from here altitude gains as the morning walk leads through forest and with a short uphill with super views of staggering Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulus and Pisang peak. As the walk reach flat valley at Humre village, from here onward tree lines disappear 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. The houses built in typical Tibetan traditional style where Manang people are known for their rich culture and traditions.

A necessary rest day for acclimatization before heading higher elevation to Thorang –la pass, in Manang with optional short hike and explore Manang village and valley, Manang a large village situated on windswept valley at the bank of Marysangdi River beneath Annapurna and Gangapurna mountain range, a nice walk uphill for views of Gangapurna Glacier and the Manang Emerald Lake. You can visit the century-old Monastery during the acclimatization activities.

After a good rest and time at Manang, morning walk leads towards Gunsang village on the uphill path to Churi Ledar near Yak Kharka, an interesting high altitude trekking with super views of snowcapped mountains, then crossing a small stream river to reach Yak Kharka, a small settlement with tremendous views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Chulu Peaks. From here an hour or less walk to our overnight stop at a small place of Churi Ledar within Yak grazing country close to Chulu West peak.

As the walk advances to high area, heading closer to the base of Thorang-la as the walk leads to cross a bridge and then a climb along the river bank of Janjung, Khola as the 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. On the other side of the pass you can visit Hindus' sacred temple of Lord Vishnu the Muktinath Temple along with the eternal flame at the monastery.

One of the major and highlight of the adventure, after early breakfast walk leads to long climb up towards Thorang-la, climb on steep terrain with the winding path to Thorang La Pass situated 5,416 m / 17,700 ft high. The highest altitude gain of the adventure offers the vista of dramatic surrounding and far country landscapes with high snowcapped mountains, after an exciting stop where long descend takes you at Muktinath which is above 3,800 meters high. On reaching Muktinath for an overnight stop, one of the holiest spots for both Hindu and Buddhists the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation’.

From Muktinath where walk stops for a day, as Muktinath and onward to Jomsom where the motorable road has reached some few years ago, making it possible for the drive and shorten our trekking day itinerary. Taking a morning drive down towards Kaligandaki river valley reaching at-large town of Jomsom and headquarter of Mustang area, as well home of Thakali a flourishing people and traders on this old Trans Himalayan Salt and Caravan trade route, Jomsom a town with small airstrip, where you can time for yourself exploring this nice town of Mustang region famous for delicious apples and its products.

Our last day of this wonderful adventure on Semi Annapurna Circuit Trekking, where morning flight from Jomsom takes you at scenic Pokhara, as morning flight offers grand views of both Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalaya, as flight land at Pokhara airport and then transfer to your hotel by the side of serene Phewa Lake with views of Annapurna Himalaya and Machhapuchare peaks famously known as ‘Fish Tail’.

Depending upon the size of the group wither travel on Tourist Coach or in private car to reach back at Kathmandu, morning after breakfast in Pokhara hotel, where drive leads you on busy and exciting highway past farm villages and towns to Kathmandu, with time in the afternoon for leisure or engage in personal activities and shopping. (Options to choose by air from Pokhara to reach Kathmandu 30 mins flight with the panorama of mountains and dramatic landscapes, at Kathmandu airport transfer back to your hotels.

Finally, all good things must come to an end with grand memories and exciting experience on Semi Annapurna Circuit Trekking, with last final day in Nepal a country of Himalayan wonders where our staff and guide transfer you to Kathmandu international airport for your flight home or to respective countries.

Cost Details

Cost Includes

  • All airport transfers
  • 3*** star Hotel in Kathmandu for 2 nights with breakfast
  • 2** star Hotel in Pokhara for 1 night with breakfast
  • All necessary paperwork and permits (ACAP and TIMS Permits: bring 3 passport size photos for trekking legal documentation)
  • Private transport Kathmandu to Jagat
  • Jomsom to Pokhara by flight
  • Full meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on your choice
  • Hot drink (in the cup as per meal)
  • Seasonal fresh fruits dessert every day
  • All mountain accommodation (Soft comfortable private twin sharing room)
  • An experienced English-speaking Govt. registered trekking guide and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
  • Guide & porter salary, insurance, equipment, transport and lodging
  • Pokhara/Kathmandu by tourist bus
  • A comprehensive First Aid kit
  • All government and local taxes
  • Trekking equipment: down-filled sleeping bag and jacket

Cost Excludes

  • Personal nature expenses
  • Drinks, beverages, hot shower, etc.
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips
  • Lunch and dinner in Pokhara
  • Meals and hotel accommodation in Kathmandu

FAQ

Cost & Date

Route Map

Client Reviews

Lorraine Morgan

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.

Ryan Schult

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.

Derek Manhas

Subject: Humbling & Surreal Experience

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.