Annapurna Circuit Trek

Detail Itinerary

• Day 1Arrival & Transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu:On your arrival at the international airport in Kathmandu, one of our representatives’ will meet and greet you and also assist you to transfer to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey. Our representative will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.informal briefing about the days ahead.
• Day 2City sightseeing: Kathmandu ValleyToday you will be take around Kathmandu valley to see the main attractions of Kathmandu such as Kathmandu Durbar square, Pashupatinath Temple, Baudha Nath Stupa and Monkey temple(Syambunath) and Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
• Day 3Drive on the road towards Pokhara, before turning into the Marsyangdi Valley, Overnight stay at Jagat (1314m):Today we begin our journey after early breakfast for the drive westwards to the start of the trek; you will be accompanied by our trek crew. After few hours’ drive, we arrive at the small roadside town of Mugling, where we stop for an early lunch. Soon after leaving Mugling, we reach the small town called Dumre, beside the Marsyangdi River. Here, we turn north on a smaller road which follows the river and drive pass Besi sahar. We cross the river on a long suspension bridge at Syange before climbing to our overnight accommodation at Jagat (1314m).
• Day 4Start trekking Via Chamje and Tal to Dharapani (1945m):Today we begin our trek around the Annapurna massif. Although the road continues up valley, its condition is very rough and it is much more pleasurable to walk from here. Wherever we can, we take the old trekking trail away from the road. From Jagat we start with a steady climb to Chamje, before descending to cross the river on a suspension bridge. Climbing once more, we enter the Buddhist region of Manang at the village of Tal (Tal means lake in Nepali). Here the terrain levels for a short section and the raging river slows to a lake-like appearance. Beyond Tal, the trail crosses the river again and continues for about four kilometres to Dharapani (1943m).
• Day 5Trek through a number of villages to Chame (2713m) with good views of Manaslu:The valley now turns towards the west, as we pass through the interesting Buddhist village of Bagar Chap. Manaslu is visible behind us and Annapurna 2 comes occasionally into view to the south. Even during today's walk we will be obliged to follow sections of the new road, as we pass through forested areas and stop off to check out several small settlements en route to our overnight stopping place at Chame (2713m). This is the administrative centre of this region, with shops, a bank and a school, as well as views of the Annapurnas. Ascent 1300m, lodge accommodation.
• Day 6Trek to Upper Pisang (3300m):We cross the Marsyangdi several times today, in a steep gorge section of the river. The path is sometimes built into the cliffside on wooden piers. Climbing through a forested ridge beyond Buradhan, we reach a more open valley with some pasture, where we cross the river to its north bank, to reach the terraced fields of Upper Pisang (3300m). We have great views of the north side of Annapurna II. Trekking time is 6-7 hours, lodge accommodation, ascent 1000m.
• Day 7Trek on a high trail through Ghyaru (3720m) and Ngawal (3680m) to Manang (3540m):Today's walk will take us even further away from the valley floor and up onto its northern slopes, via the interesting villages of Ghyaru (3720m) and Ngawal (3680m). The main Annapurna Circuit trail follows the river in the valley floor but the views of the Annapurnas from this high level trail are simply stunning and this, together with the fascinating houses and gompas of the isolated settlements that we will see, makes the extra effort involved in walking this trail very worthwhile. Plus, it's great for our acclimatisation. From Ngawal we descend to the valley and rejoin the main Annapurna Circuit trail at Braga, from where we have a mainly level walk for approximately 4km to reach Manang (3540m).
• Day 8A rest day, Stay second night in ManangToday is day for acclimatisation in Manang(3540m). Manang is a large village inhabited by Tibetan people. We spend a day here, to help with our acclimatisation, prior to crossing the Thorung La. There is plenty to see and do around Manang, which is the last sizeable village on this side of the pass. As a part of our acclimatisation, we will want to get up as high as possible during the course of a short walk. One option is to hike up to the Chongkor viewpoint above Gangapurna Lake and to carry on to a prayer-flagged ridge and deserted village, with great views northwards across the valley and towards the route leading to the Thorung La.
• Day 9Short trek via several isolated tea houses to Lethar (4250m). Afternoon at leisure:In accordance with our programme of careful acclimatisation, we must ascend very slowly and this gives us a relatively short day as we continue toward the Thorung La. Climbing out of the Marsyangdi Valley, there are great views of Manaslu, the Annapurnas and Tilicho Peak as we head northwest up the Jarsang Khola, through scrubby juniper and across alpine meadows up to the settlement of Letdar (4250m).
• Day 10Trek beside the Jarsang Khola, with views of Gangapurna. Overnight at Thorung phedi/High Camp (4750m):We continue on the east bank of the Jarsang stream to a covered bridge, beyond which a steep trail climbs across scree to reach the tea-houses at Thorung Phedi (4450m) where we may spend a night here or depending on how we feel we can climb up to Thorang high camp to make the crossing of the pass easier for next day, we will hike up for a further hour and a half to the single lodge at Thorung High Camp (4750m). Arriving at around midday, we will have lunch and then take it easy and make sure we are well prepared and well acclimatised ahead of the pass crossing tomorrow. It is possible that thorong high camp might be oversubscribed hence we may have to stay at the Throung Phedi.
• Day 11Early start for the crossing of the Thorung La (5416m) and long descent to Muktinath (3800m):No need for too early a start from High Camp. After breakfast at around 6 am, we set off on the steep ascent to the Thorung La. The trail is well defined, though potentially icy in places. After the steep start, it eases off, passing a number of glacial lakes on the slow climb to the cairns and prayer flags at the pass (5416m). At this altitude, this is a tough 2 to 3-hour climb. There are tremendous views in both directions. In addition to the mountains that have been with us for the last few days, we can see the brown and red hills of Mustang to the north-west and the valley of the Kali Gandaki below us. Descending from the pass is quite straightforward, but hard on the knees. It is three hours (and 1500 metres) down to the sacred village of Muktinath, with excellent views of Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak and Nilgiri.
• Day 12Drive south through the Kali Gandaki Valley, via Marpha and Ghasa, to Tatopani (1190m):The road that for many years has been slowly extended up the Kali Gandaki Valley has now reached Muktinath. Rather than walk along this dusty jeep road we now board on the transport for the spectacular journey through the World’s deepest gorge between the Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. This road sneaks through the mountains is subject to blockage and landslip so we may have to walk short sections of it as we make our way down through the airstrip town of Jomsom to Marpha with its whitewashed houses, paved streets and numerous well-kept lodges and Tibetan craft shops and then on into the wooded part of the valley and down to Tatopani, where it will feel particularly warm, having descended more than 2500 metres since setting out this morning. Tatopani means 'hot water' in the Nepalese language and there is hot spring here which can provide a relaxing end to a long day of driving. We stay overnight in a lodge at Tatopani.
• Day 13Trek up out of the valley with great views of Dhaulagiri. Overnight at Ghorepani (2900m):Leaving the Kali Gandaki behind, we follow a steep trail which climbs the valley of the Gahr Khola. After a couple of hours the scenery opens out and there are fine views back towards the Kali Gandaki and Dhaulagiri, whilst ahead of us lies a steep terraced hillside, dotted with farms and villages. We take lunch in the village of Chitre approximately two-thirds of the way up the 1700 metre climb to Ghorepani. The going is easier after lunch and before long the trail enters an unusual (and cool) forest of moss-hung oak and rhododendrons for the last hour or so to Ghorepani (2855m). Large grey langur monkeys inhabit this high woodland and the sight of these bounding white-furred, black-faced creatures is at first startling. Entering Ghorepani is itself something of a surprise. Numerous tall, chalet-styles, wooden lodges crowd around the trail at the ridge crest and present a rather incongruous sight. At this point we are at the junction of several trekking routes and there are likely to be lots of travellers passing through this ridge-top settlement in all directions. Whichever way they have come, they will be tired after a long climb and will stop to slake their thirst at one of the many hostelries. Traditionally a stopping place on the route from Pokhara into the prosperous Kali Gandaki Valley, the name Ghorepani means horse-watering place.
• Day 14Optional pre-dawn ascent of Poon Hill (3195m), treks along a ridge to Tadapani (2650m):It is a must for those who stay at Ghorepani to make the walk up to the celebrated viewpoint of Poon Hill (3195m), which is a continuation of the ridge to the west of the village. Dawn is the best time to go - so, we arrange a wakeup call around 5 o’clock and those who wish can head up the well marked track by the light of our head-lamps. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow. You may be able to buy coffee and some snakes at Poon Hill. Descending to Ghorepani, we make time for breakfast, before setting off on our trek towards the south side of the Annapurnas and into the fabled Annapurna Sanctuary. Our trek today takes us eastwards, through rhododendron forest and along a pleasant ridge-top trail to Tadapani (2650m).
• Day 15Trek Chomrong towards (2210m) the valley of the Modi Khola with great views of Fish Tail: From Tadapani our trek Continues towards the Modi Khola (the river flowing out of the Annapurna Sanctuary) and with great views of the ‘Fish Tail’ peak, Machhapuchhre, we pass through a number of charming settlements, en-route to our overnight stay place in the highly picturesque Gurung village of Chomrong (2210m).
• Day 16Trek to Himalaya (2310) through the rhododendron and bamboo forest to the collection of lodges at Himalaya (2310m):The trek starts with heading downhill, stone steps as we descend to the Chomrong Khola. From here and having crossed the Chomrong Khola, we begin a steady ascent of the main valley of the Modi Khola. In less than one and half hours of trekking we reach the village of Sinuwa where we take a small break. From here the trail continues to climb through terraced fields and then through forest of bamboo and rhododendron to the ridge crest at 'Sinuwa Hill Top' which we should reach after a further another 1.5 hours of trekking. We continue through the forest, mostly following the contour and then making a short descent to the collection of lodges known as Bamboo (2310m) reached after 2 more hours of trekking. From Bamboo we climb again through yet more attractive forest, reaching the lodges of Dobhan after just over an hour and after a final 1.5 hours we reach our overnight lodging at the place known as 'Himalaya
• Day 17Ascend through a narrowing of the valley to Annapurna Basecamp (4130m):The next section of the trail is subject to avalanche during the winter and usually has to be rebuilt each year so it is not possible to describe exactly. Some years this may involve a long climb to by-pass unstable ground in the steep-sided valley but mostly the trail-makers do a good job of finding a route which makes a steady ascent including the construction of some resourceful bridges. Along the way we pass the fire-blackened overhang of Hinko Cave, used by porters as shelter and we should reach the lodges at Deorali (3170m) after around 2 hours. Beyond Deorali the valley narrows to a steep sided gorge as we head towards the 'gateway' to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Depending on the trail conditions, we may opt to cross the young Modi Khola to the east side for a while before returning to the west to climb up to the area which is called Machhapuchhre Basecamp (MBC), a level and grassy moraine platform at 3700 metres, with several lodges. At this point we have passed through the narrow 'entrance' to the Sanctuary and find ourselves in more open country which is dominated by giant snow covered peaks. It will take around 2 - 3 hours of trekking from Deurali to reach Machhapuchare base camp and from here it is a relatively gentle walk of only about 2½ miles to Annapurna South Base camp (4130m). Increasingly impressive views and jaw-dropping mountain moments rewards us for our efforts as we climb the last steep section before reaching the base camp area and the entire south face of Annapurna is revealed. A cirque of stupendous peaks surrounds us and the feeling of being inside a hidden valley - a sanctuary in fact - is overwhelming. After we check into our lodge we can relax and admire one of the most stunning mountain auditoriums in the Himalaya.
• Day 18Early start for the sunrise views. Then, after breakfast at the lodge, descend to Dobhan (2540m):For those who wish, a pre-dawn wake-up for sunrise view over the mountains. After breakfast we leave all this behind and retrace our steps first to MBC then on to Deurali where we will have lunch. After lunch in the afternoon we continue our descent of the Modi Khola to reach the relatively warm climes of Dobhan (2540m) where we will spend the night.
• Day 19Trek down through bamboo forest to the Chhomrong River. Then steeply up to Chhomrong:Back into the vegetation again as we pass through Bamboo and the ridge top Sinuwa where we shall take lunch. After lunch we trek along the terraced fields as we descend to the Chomrong Khola and begin a final climb of the day before we reach to Chhomrong, where we will be staying overnight.
• Day 20Contour around and then descend on a stepped trail to Gandruk (1940m) on the west side of the Modi Khola.Today is a relatively easy hike, starting on a fairly level trail for the first half of the trail, passing through small Gurung villages and rhododendron forests. After crossing a small wooden bridge over the Kimrong Khola we part company from the trail on which we walked in. Instead of crossing 'New Bridge' to Landruk our trail now follows the west bank of the Modi Khola and ascends steeply to the village of Gandruk. At an elevation of 1940 metres, Gandruk is an exceptional village and has been given the status of 'model village' by the Annapurna Conservation Area Authority. We will spend a night here and experience the hospitality of popular village.
• Day 21Trek down to Naya Pool and drive to Pokhara. Afternoon free to explore Lakeside:The trail follows the fall of the Modi Khola and in around 4 hours we reach the bustling road-head town of Birenthanti. At the road beyond the town, we meet up with our transport for the one hour ride back to Pokhara where we check in to our comfortable hotel. After a shower and clean-up we will have some free time to wander by the lake - or sit in the garden of one of the excellent lakeside restaurants and admire the view of the Annapurna’s. Compared to Kathmandu, Pokhara is a very laid-back town and is the perfect place to relax at the end of our trek. Pokhara also has a reputation for great restaurants and this evening we will go out for a celebratory meal.
• Day 22Fly/drive to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing or relax:We take the morning flight/drive to Kathmandu. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines. This evening we will have a dinner in one of Thamel’s excellent restaurants.
• Day 23Final Day of the trip: Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided:The transfer to airport in Kathmandu is provided. Depending on your flight time, we may leave your hotel after early breakfast. If you wish to extend your staying in Nepal, there are lots of extensions that can easily be added to your holiday in Nepal. Why not pre-book a simple day-tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a few-days excursion to one of the important wildlife reserves in Chitwan or Bardia national park. Extend your packages for visiting to neighbouring country Tibet or Bhutn and India.