Annapurna Circuit Trek - 18 Days

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Duration: 18 Days
  • Trip Grade: Moderate - strenuous
  • Trip Type: Trekking
  • Min Pax: 1+
  • Trip Style: Lodge to Lodge Trek
  • Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
  • Transportation: Private Vehicle/Tourist Bus
  • Accommodation: Hotel accommodations: 3 Stars or greater hotels, B&B basis
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This 18 days Annapurna Circuit trek takes you to the high point of this trek which requires crossing of the 5416m high at the Throng la Pass, from the side of infertile valley of the upper Manang, the home of Tibeto- Buddhists, down to the both religious (Hindu & Buddhist) pilgrimage site of Muktinath, and the valley of the Kali Gandaki bank, the world's deepest river gorge, before heading down to Pokhara. Besides the mountain views, we encounter on this trek a variety of mountain communities of the Gurung, Manangi and Thakali people as we trek all the way to Throng La pass and down to Phokhara.

The Annapurna region is best described as the most lively and all inclusive trekking destination of Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit Trek has been proved as a highly praised and spectacular trekking route in the Annapurna region since it opened to outsiders in 1977. This three weeks trek starts from Kathmandu by driving along the Trisuli and followed by Marshyangdi River to Basishar, with great view of Manashlu and Himal Chuli to the east. This magnificent trek leads you to the fine village inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups and back grounds, offering spectacular and majestic view of the white Himalayas. As it continues to the north of the main Himalayan range on to the high and dry Manang and Mustang Plateau, the sceneries are incomparably breathtaking.

The highest point of the trek is 5416m high, at the Thorung La pass. Due to the steep climb from Muktinath side to the pass, the circuit is usually walked in a counter clockwise direction. The crossing of the Thorong La passes (5,416m) is a challenging ascent but worth of every effort to reach to the pass. Thorong La pass is surrounded by some of the most magnificent views on mountains and landscape on the planet.

Day to day itinerary:

  • Day 01:Arrival in Thribhuwan international airport (1345m) and Transfer to Hotel:
  • Day 02:Drive to Besisahar by bus/private vehicle (830meters), 6-7 hours:
  • Day 03:Drive to Syange and trek to Chamje (1400meters), 5 hours:
  • Day 04:Trek to Bagarchhap (2160meters), approximately 5-6 hours trekking time:
  • Day 05:Trek to Chame (2630meters), trekking time is approximately 5-6 hours:
  • Day 06:Trek to Pisang (3300 meters), trekking time is approximately 5-6 hours:
  • Day 07:Trek to Manang (3540 meters):
  • Day 08:Acclimatization day at Manang village:
  • Day 09:Trek to Yak Kharka (4000 meters):
  • Day 10:Trek to Thorong Phedi (4450 meters) 4-5 hours:
  • Day 11:Trek to Muktinath (3800 meters) via Thorung La pass (5416 meters), 7- 8 hours:
  • Day 12:Drive to Tatopani( hot spring) 4-5 hours:
  • Day 13:Tatopani to Ghorepani (2834m/9298ft) about 6-7 hours:
  • Day 14:Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3195m) to Tadapani (2520m):
  • Day 15:Trek to Ghandruk and drive to Pokhara:
  • Day 16:Drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus:
  • Day 17:Free day in Kathmandu:
  • Day 18:Final Day of the Trip:

Detail Itinerary

  • Day 1Arrival in Thribhuwan international airport (1345m) and Transfer to Hotel:On your arrival at the Tribhuwan international airport in Kathmandu, you will be met by one of our representative and assist you to transfer to hotel in Kathmandu. You will be briefed about the trek and also your trekking equipment will be checked. Stay Overnight in a hotel on Bed and Breakfast (BB) plan.
  • Day 2Drive to Besisahar by bus/private vehicle (830meters), 6-7 hours:Today early morning our trekking staffs will arrive at your Hotel around 6:30 - 7.00 am in the morning to pick you up from your hotel. The drive to Besishar is about 185km form Kathmandu and will take around6/7 hours. The drive is drive out of the Kathmandu and along the Trisuli and Marsaydhi River to Besisahar (depending on how we feel we even drive further to Syange). On arrival at Besisahar you will greated by the stunning snow capped mountains, hills, and the scenery of farmland. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 3Drive to Syange and trek to Chamje (1400meters), 5 hours:From Bhulbhule the trail ascends all the way to Bahundanda and drops steeply to Syange at 1070meters from Bahundanda. Leaving Bahundanda a large waterfall may be seen as crossing the Marsyangdi River on a suspension bridge. We then follow the river to the stone village of Jagat before climbing through forest to Chamje at 1400meters. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 4Trek to Bagarchhap (2160meters), approximately 5-6 hours trekking time:Our day begins with the rocky trail following the Marsyandi Rivers steadily uphill to Tal at 1675meters, the first village in the Manang district. We make a trail verse crossing a wide, flat valley. The journey continues up and down to Dharapani at 1890 meters. A stone entrance chorten typical of the Tibetan influenced villages. Upon reaching Bagarchhap at 2160 meters, we witness the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans design along with the village surrounded by apple Orchards and maize fields. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 5Trek to Chame (2630meters), trekking time is approximately 5-6 hours:The trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360 meters, then continuing through forest, but near the river, to Kopar at 2590meters. As we reach the Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II as you approach Chame & two small hot springs by the town along the Marshayandi River. Along this route we will be encountered to a local community believed to have migrated from Tibet many years ago, and their feature is noticeable. We believe that they have bought local Tibetan house designs and maintained their ways of living here in Nepal. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 6Trek to Pisang (3300 meters), trekking time is approximately 5-6 hours:Today the day starts walking through deep forest in a steep and narrow valley along the Marsyandi River and crosses a river on a long suspension bridge at 2910meters. We then cross another bridge at 3040meters, from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3200m & 3300meters. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 7Trek to Manang (3540 meters):Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd the yaks & raise crops for part of the year. They also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784. Leaving Pisang, we have alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meets up again at Mungji. The southern part of the route via Hongde airport, at 3325meters which involves less climbing than the northern part of the route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3475meters to nearby Manang at 3540meters. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 8Acclimatization day at Manang village:Today we spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. The whole day we spend doing some fine day walks and over viewing the magnificent views around the village & the day time is best to gain altitude. At the end of the day, we return back to our accommodation & have a good night rest. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 9Trek to Yak Kharka (4000 meters):Today the trail leaves Manang behind & ascents of nearly 500meters to the Yak Kharka. We make the climb steadily through Tenki Manang, leaving the Marsyangi Valley behind. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we reach Yak Kharka at 4000 meters, there we see the many yaks and vegetations steadily more sparse. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 10Trek to Thorong Phedi (4450 meters) 4-5 hours:After ascending about two hours the trail descends to cross the river at 4310meters we then climb up to Thorong Phedi at 4450meters where we have recently, some good Guesthouses built recently. Our overnight stay will be there. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 11Trek to Muktinath (3800 meters) via Thorung La pass (5416 meters), 7- 8 hours:Today is the day we have been waiting for, the day starts early Moring at around 4 am with long ascent. We are hoping to reach the pass by 9-10 am otherwise weather conditions can greatly affect the journey. We cross over at an altitude of 5416 meters we can be exposed to strong winds if we reach to the pass too late. We start to climb steep up with the help of flash lights and the path is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes difficulties to cross the pass if it is covered by heavy snow. About four hours climb up to the pass marked by the chortens & prayer flags. As you reach the top, you are rewarded by the magnificent view from the top. After another 4 hours descent from the pass we reach the holy town of Muktinath. Muktinath means place of Nirvana and is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows you feel are relieved when visiting the Temple, which is a sacred pilgrimage site to both Hindus and Buddhists. The main pilgrimage normally takes place in September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it from which Holy water pours. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple this contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural underground gas. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan
  • Day 12Drive to Tatopani( hot spring) 4-5 hours:We take local transport from here to Tatopani and the drive should take about 4-5 hours and on our arrival at Tatopani we enjoy the hot spring which is at the bank of Kali Gandaki River. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 13Tatopani to Ghorepani (2834m/9298ft) about 6-7 hours:Upon leaving Tatopani, the trail ascent gradually through the villages and farmland with the grand view of Dhaulagiri behind and villages and farmland along side all the way through the forest to Ghorepani. Stay overnight at Guesthouse on the bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner (BBLD) plan.
  • Day 14Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3195m) to Tadapani (2520m):An early start and an hour hiking to Poon Hill (3195m) leads us to a brilliant spectacle, this vantage point provides an unobstructed view of sunrise over the high Himalayas. After spending about 45 minutes on the hillside, we come back to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and start walking to Tadapani. From Ghorepani the trail climbs along ridges and through pine and rhododendron forests to Deurali (2960m). We descend to reach Banthanti, before winding our way to Tadapani (2540m). Trekking time is 5-6:30 hours.
  • Day 15Trek to Ghandruk and drive to Pokhara:From Tadapani the trail climbs downhill all the way to Ghandrunk through the pine, fur and rhododendron forest occasionally encountering with wildlife such as moneys and crossing the streams. We arrive at Ghandruk for lunch after having lunch here we will have sort walk and drive to Phokhara. Up on arriving Pokhara, we will have relaxing evening, included bed and breakfast.
  • Day 16Drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus:The drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu is scenic and will take around 5-6 hours depending on the traffic. Upon arriving in Kathmandu we check in hotel and stay Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu bed and breakfast twin sharing bases.
  • Day 17Free day in Kathmandu: Today we may spend the day doing some sightseeing of the Kathmandu valley plus some shopping.
  • Day 18Final Day of the Trip:Today this amazing trip ends with a breakfast at your hotel. One of our Airport Representative will take you to the Tribhuwan international airport for your onward or return journey. We hope you had wonderful time in Nepal and wish you a safe journey back home.

Cost Include

  • All the ground transportation as per itinerary.
  • Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara with bed and breakfast twin sharing bases
  • Meals 3 times a day (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the
  • An experienced, knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and English-speaking trekking guide and porter to carry your luggage during the trek (2 trekkers:1 porter).
  • Food, drinks, accommodation, insurance, salary, equipments, transportation, local tax for Guide and porter.
  • All necessary paper works and Annapurna conservation entry permits.
  • Travel & Rescue arrangement.
  • TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System).
  • All our government taxes, vat, local tax,

Cost Exclude

  • Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • All kinds of drinks in the mountain (hot, cold and alcoholic).
  • Personal equipment.
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
  • Travel and rescue insurance.
  • Extra personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, laundry, shower, excess baggage charges)
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is expected).
  • Any others expenses which are not mentioned on 'Price Includes' section.
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