Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the popular trekking trails in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It's located west part of Nepal where a walk leads you around the massive mountain range of Annapurna great Himalaya from North to South and crossing the highest point of the adventure over Thorang-La pass at above 5,416 m high. Annapurna Circuit Trek starts with moderate walks following raging Marysangdi River right up to its glacial source at high and scenic Manang valley, enclosed within high peaks of Annapurna II – III-IV with Gangapurna and Chulus. Annapurna Circuit Via Tilicho lake Trek is listed as the world's best adventure destination, which you can witness on daily walks from low warm paddy fields to high cooler alpine country ending at remorseless fields of ice and glaciers at Manang and Thorang-la.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu international airport get transferred to hotels after being received by NHTE guide and staff, at hotel check-in, and join in for group briefing regarding treks and other useful information, with welcome dinner.
Day 02: Drive to Jagat 1,290 m via Besisar 800 m – 08 hrs.
Morning where morning drive leads you away and beyond Kathmandu valley heading low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains to reach at Nepal Mid-West to reach around Lamjung area in Besisar town. From here drive continues on rough jeep road heading higher up past farm villages and terraced fields as drive end at Jagat village for an overnight stop, in this nice village.
Day 03: Trek to Dharapani 1,920 m – 05 hours.
From Jagat, the walk begins on a winding path to Chamje into the forest with views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain range, then walk to Tal village located on the nice valley from here two hours walk to Dharapani village for an overnight stop. Dharapani is a nice village with Buddhist culture, situated on the junction of Annapurna circuit and the Manaslu trekking trail.
Day 04: Trek to Chame 2,670 m – 05 hours.
Morning walk starts into rhododendron and pine forest past Bagarchap and Danque village, to reach at Timang village, from here on with more Buddhist culture overlooking view of Mt. Manaslu, as trek leads to a large town at Chame for an overnight stop, a major town and headquarter of Manang district.
Day 05: Trek to Pisang 3, 230 m – 05 hrs.
From here onward walk gets closer into mountains heading through a beautiful alpine forest, following Masrsyangdi River upstream to Bhratang village, as walk heads uphill into pine trees to Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few lodge and views of Chulu and Pisang peak, after a lunch stop walk downhill to Pisang village for an overnight stop.
Day 06: Trek to Manang Village 3,450 m – 05 hrs.
Pisang village situated within Manang valley facing stunning mountains views where altitude gains slowly from here onward, as the walk takes you to short uphill with views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu and Pisang peak to reach Hongde village. From here tree lines fades to barren, arid landscapes as walk leads to Manang village on route visit old Braga monastery enriched with Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting, frescos, and a super panorama of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk to Manang village.
Day 07: Rest day at Manang for local hikes and acclimatization.
Necessary rest day for acclimatization before heading high altitude and at Thorang -la, here explore Manang village beneath towering Annapurna and Gangapurna peaks, a nice short hike up for views of Gangapurna Glacier and the Manang glacial Lake.
Day 08: Trek to Yak Kharka 4,110 m – 04 hours.
After resting at Manang, walk to Yak Kharka, an interesting high altitude walks facing views of mountains, crossing small streams to reach at Yak Kharka, a small settlement with incredible views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Chulu Peaks.
Day 09: Trek to Thorang High Camp 4,600 m – 04 hrs.
Morning walk leads closer to Thorang-la as the walk progresses crossing a bridge and then a climb along the Jarjung River, then leading at Thorung Phedi for short rest and then climb the last hour uphill to Thorang High Camp for an overnight stop.
Day 10: Cross Thorang-La 5,416 m and to Muktinath 3,800 m – 07 hrs.
Starting early morning to reach the highest point of the great adventure, after breakfast climb up to Thorang-la at above 5,416 m marked with Buddhist prayer flags, offers superb vista landscapes and snowcapped peaks, from here a long descend to Muktinath at 3,800m. Muktinath is a holy place for both Hindu and Buddhists the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation.
Day 11: Drive to Tatopani 1,190m via Jomsom and Marpha – 04 hrs.
After Muktinath, the rest of the journey is easier with exciting scenic drive all the way downhill with a big drop of 1,200m to Kaligandaki river valley, as ride leads at Kaligandaki river valley, from here heading past Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang area with small airstrip above Kaligandaki River, through Marpha village, as drive leads downhill past Lete. Journey enters between Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna forming world's deepest gorge of Kali-Gandaki River. After Ghasa village end of Mustang to reach at Tatopani, (Hot Spring) village a nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of the River Kaligandaki.
Day 12: Trek to Ghorepani 2,750 m – 06 hrs.
After a wonderful time at Tatopani, trek on a winding trail for an hour then uphill all the way through dense forest to reach Chitre, from here an hour climb to Ghorepani village with views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South with Vara-Shikar known as Annapurna Fang. Ghorepani is famous and popular for hiking to Poon Hill a viewpoint offering super wide-angle views of the world’s three highest peaks and range of other mountains with striking sunrise and sunset.
Day 13:Trek to Tirkhedhunga 1,500m – 05 hours walk.
Morning an hour hike up to Poon Hill above 3,210m, for a stunning sunrise over the range of mountains from Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu to Annapurna and as far to Ganesh Himal in the far eastern horizon including the majestic 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.
Day 14: Trek to Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara 850 m -05 hrs walk and 2 hrs rides.
The last day walk from Tirkhedhunga leads to scenic Pokhara, morning walk leads to a long descend past farm village to reach at the base of a hill around warmer low farm areas. A pleasant walk on the long downhill, from here reaching raging Modi River at Bhirethati village and towards road-head at Nayapul for exciting few hours drive to Pokhara by its serene Phewa lake.
Day 15: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu afternoon free at leisure.
Morning from Pokhara an exciting overland journey back to Kathmandu on route observe farm villages and towns and then reach Kathmandu by afternoon, rest of the day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.
Day 16: Final departure from Kathmandu homeward bound or to respective destinations.
Last day in the land of Himalayan wonders, as per your international flight time depart from the hotel for an airport for your international flight back to home countries or other respective destinations.
