Annapurna Circuit Trek

Our team picks you up from the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. After the warmest welcome from our crew, you drive to the hotel to rest from jetlag. In the evening, you participate in the briefing program. The tour manager explains the trip and your necessities in detail. We introduce your trekking guide, who will assist you in buying or renting anything you need. After that, you have free time to settle your packing for the beautiful hike. 

In the morning, your trekking guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to the bus station. You will reach Besi Sahar in 5-6 hours by local express bus. On the journey, you will see the mountains, villages, rice terraces, rivers, and forests.

From Besi Sahar, you change into a local sharing jeep to Chamje for the first night in the mountain. It is around a 3-hour drive on a rugged path.  

After the first hot breakfast in the Himalayas, the trek begins to Dharapani. You follow the steep and gradual path to Tal village. Then, the route ascends through bamboo forests and goes along the cliffside. You reach Dharapani in the afternoon at a comfortable walking pace. 

The trail follows a lush fir, oak, pine, and maple forest. Today, you walk mostly alongside the Marsyangdi River to reach Chame. The route offers fantastic views of Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, and Lamjung Himal. Chame is the headquarters of the Manang district.

The trail continues through a narrow, steep valley to the massive rock wall. It is called the Paungda Danda Rock, which has holy values for locals. In the south, you can see Annapurna II, and in the northeast, Pisang Peak. You continue walking through the Manang Valley to reach Pisang village.

The trail to Manang from Pissang village ascends through Upper Pisang via Geru. Today's walk is blissful as you see the stunning views of Gangapurna, Annapurna range, Tilicho Peak, and Pisang Peak. The air gradually gets cold and dry and gains more elevation, too. On the way, you pass a Tibetan settlement village and visit the ancient Barge monastery.

Today is acclimatization day in our trekking, as you have reached 3,540 m altitude. Everybody must adjust to the thin air in the atmosphere and elevation. To acclimatize, you hike to the Gangapurna hill. From here, you can see Gangapurna and ice lakes. The views of Chulu Peaks, Pisang Peak, and Annapurna III are magnificent. In the afternoon, you can visit the Himalayan Rescue Association and explore Manang village.

After an acclimatization day in Manang, you leave the town after breakfast to go to Yak Kharka. The trail goes gradually up to Tenki Village by crossing a stream. Afterwards, the trail heads out of Marshyangdi Valley and joins Jar Sang Khola Valley. You walk through pastures and juniper forest to Gunsan, a small town with flat, muddy roof houses. Further, crossing a wooden bridge, you ascend to Yak Kharka.

Today, you reach Thorong Phedi, the bottom of the hill. You have a morning meal at Yak Kharka. The trail ascends to a ridge and follows a downhill route. The trail crosses the Marsyangdi River by a wooden bridge. Continue ascending through a narrow trail and a little drop away to Thorong Phedi.

Today is the primary highlight day of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. It is a big day as you cross the famous and challenging Thorong La Pass (5,416 m). Thorong La is the highest and longest pass in Nepal. You start the trek in the early morning, probably in the dark, with a head torch and encounter robust and cold air.

From Thorong Phedi, you climb an hour steep up to reach the high camp of Thorong La. The trail gradually leads to Thorong La's top from Thorong High Camp (4,880 m). You will see outstanding mountain panoramas from the top of the Thorong la Pass. The trail then descends to Muktinath, a pilgrimage site of great importance to Hindus and Buddhists. The route gets rugged and slippery. You visit Muktinath Temple before entering the tea house. 

Today is one of the easy days because you don't do a trek. You drive to Tatopani, a natural hot spring on the bank of the Kali Gandaki River. The road to Tatopani from Muktinath is nicely paved but rough.

It is an excellent and thrilling drive through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. Leaving the arid highlands behind, you join the lush forests to Tatopani.

Today is a short trekking day after relaxing at a hot spring in Tatopani. The trail to Shikha involves a climb. Passing by a checkpoint, you walk on the bank of the river and cross a river. After that, the trail goes a steep climb to Ghara village. You walk through rice-terraced fields and towns to reach Shikha. 

Today, you follow an uphill route to reach Ghorepani, a beautiful village where you can see the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. You walk along the cliffside, passing by locals along the way. The trail goes through lush rhododendron forests to a beautiful Ghorepani village. The village will welcome us with mesmerizing views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Nilgiri.

Today, you hike Poonhill, one of the famous vantage points for seeing the gorgeous sunrise over the mountains. You start a hike in the early morning. It is an hour-long steep climb from Ghorepani to Poonhill. After enjoying the spectacular panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri range and Annapurna range, including Mount Fishtail, you trek down to the tea house.

Then you trek to Tapapani. You climb first to reach the same elevation as Poonhill, then descend to Banthati village through the deep lush rhododendron forest. Continue walking through the forest and rough trail to reach the bottom of Tadapani Hill. One more climb, around 45 minutes, to get the Tadapani, a beautiful site to see the Annapurna South and Fishtail.

Ghandruk is a famous village in the Annapurna region inhabited by the Gurung and Magar communities. From Tadapani, you trek mostly down through the forested path to reach Ghandruk village. In the afternoon, the guide takes you to visit the museum and village.

After enjoying the morning views from Ghandruk village, you descend to Syauli Bazar, a local marketplace with teahouses. The trail leads completely flat to Nayapul via Birenthati. Today, you mostly walk on the road. From Nayapul, you drive to Pokhara, a city of lakes and a beautiful town where you can see the mountains.

After breakfast, you drive back to Kathmandu in a comfortable tourist bus. The ride will be fantastic, with wonderful views of lush green hills, mountains, and rivers. After checking in at the hotel, you have a free afternoon. 

Our airport team helps you check out the hotel and drops you at the international airport.