Annapurna Circuit

The Annapurna Region lies towards the northern part of Nepal, renowned as one of the world’s preeminent trekking destination, it escorts you through rhododendron forests and over the foothills of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. Annapurna Circuit Trekking gives you awesome views of the peaks Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Dhaulagiri (the spectacular ice pyramid) and Machhapuchchhre (fish tail), and those of Annapurna South.

This trekking is the most rewarding way to experience Nepal’s natural embellishment and cultural assortment walking along through the forest of rhododendrons, isolated hamlets, small mountain villages, birds, animals, breathtaking landscapes, you will also encounter friendly and warm hearted people of different cultures offering a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life.

The Annapurna region is reached via Pokhara, which is 200 kilometers from Kathmandu. It is five or six hours by road and 30 minutes by air from Kathmandu.

DAY 01: Arrive In Kathmandu
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you’ll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time to visit Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions that are highlighted on our guided tour. There’s time to explore the city’s many charms on your own also. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali welcome dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu.

DAY 02: Kathmandu City Tour
After breakfast, we’ll visit Swayambhunath temple, said to be a 2000 years stupa on a hillock that offers breath-taking views of Kathmandu City. We will then proceed to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath temples. After lunch we’ll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) – which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley – famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. O/N in Kathmandu. O/N in KTM.

DAY 3 Kathmandu – Besi Sahar(823m)
Drive to Besi Sahar. N/O at besi Sahar.

DAY 4 Besi Sahar – Bahundanda(1311m)
The route follows the Marsyangdi River upstream, crossing a long suspension bridge and pasing a beautiful, thin waterfall with a fine bathing pool. We ascend to the town of Bahundanda, which means ‘Brahman Hill’. There are good views to the north and a little-known hot spring here.

DAY 5 Bahundanda – Chamje(1390m)
The gorge becomes narrower as we cross a cantilever bridge followed by a suspension bridge. We pass a few small settlements along the route and Chamje, the destination for the day, is one of them. Having travelled upstream, we observe many changes in the people, architecture and vegetation. Houses are now built of rocks, the vegetation is less tropical and the culture more Tibetan-like.

DAY 6 Chamje – Bagarchap(2103m)
Leaving Chamje, the gorge becomes more impressive. We cross into the district of Manang and see more Bhotia people. These are primarily agro-pastoralists and the real trans-Himalayan traders of the region. The route climbs gradually to the town of Bagarchap meaning (butcher’s place). The houses here have flat roofs, indicating that there is less rainfall here than the south. There is a temple here worth visiting, and views of the Annapurnas and the Lamjung Himal.

DAY 7 Bagarchap – Chame(2615m)
Leaving Bagarchap, the valley becomes narrow and picturesque. The vegetation is temperate, broad-leaved forest. Chame is a government town and district centre for Manang. There are interesting religious buildings and hot springs

DAY 8 Chame – Pisang(3133m)
We continue in an unrelenting narrow valley of pine, hemlock and cypress forest. The trail through a serene forest leads tolower Pisang; a side trip to higher Pisang (100m higher) is a must for an amazing view of Annapurna II. This arid region is in the rain shadow of the Himalaya. The men here are traders – and may sell or trade almost anything – and part-time farmers,and the women are full-time farmers.

DAY 9 Pisang – Manang(3500m)
There are 2 routes from here: a low road and a high road, the latter taking longer but affording outstanding views of the Annapurna Himal and few trekkers. Both routes converge in the large and interesting village of Braga, which is the seat of the oldest monastery in the area. The gomba is about 900 years old and belongs to the Kargyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and contains some unique works of art. Manang is 30 minutes from here.

DAY 10 Manang(3500m)
Today is acclimatisation day, which is best spent being active and climbing to higher elevations for views but returning to lower altitudes to sleep. Manang itself is in a spectacular location with many attractions. There are lakes, caves, moraine-hills, monasteries or local activities in town.

DAY 11 Manang – Latdar(4176m)
Leaving Manang, facilities become scarcer. We cross small tributaries and contour along pleasant meadows with occasional birch groves. There is a chance to see herds of blue sheep.

DAY 12 Latdar – Thorung Phedi(4404m)
We gain altitude gradually, and spend the night at the phedi, meaning ‘foot of a hill’. If you are lucky you may spot a snow leopard near here at dusk!

DAY 13 Thorung Phedi – Thorung La(5416m) – Muktinath(3802m)
The trail now leaves the river valley and climbs steadily over lateral moraine. The pass, marked by a large cairn, is the high point of our trek. It is an exhilarating geographical feature, dividing 2 mighty Himalayan valleys. Far below to the west is the Kaligandaki River. We descend in that direction for the village of Muktinath, located in a poplar grove. It is a sacred shrine and pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.

DAY 14 Muktinath – Jomsom(2713m)
From Muktinath to Jomsom, we see people from Mustang, a restricted area to the north, who come to sell handicrafts to pilgrims. Among their merchandise is the highly-revered mollusk fossil called shaligram. We will pass some ancient caves and see the impressive white mountain that is the Dhaulagiri. We also transit at the significant town of Kagbeni, which is at a junction of 2 rivers and the north-south and east-west trading routes.

DAY 15 Jomsom – Kalopani(2530m)
We descend to Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and fertile fields, and continue down the Kaligandaki reaching the former Thakali trading centre of Tukche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan rain shadow blends into coniferous forest,and we reach the main river valley and Kalopani. From here there are spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.

DAY 16 Kalopani – Tatopani(1190m)
A beautiful walk, with another transition into sub-tropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias. The trail follows the river through a narrow gorge and descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall,before winding through the valley to Tatopani. The hot springs that give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for a good scrub.

DAY 17 Tatopani – Ghorepani(2819m)
Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to the village of Ghorepani, meaning (horse water). We camp at the pass for the best views of the sunset over the spectacular,snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.

DAY 18-19 Ghorepani – Tadapani – Ghandurng(2012m)
Today the trail undulates through giant rhododendron forest and orchid colonies to the pretty Gurung town of Ghandrung,where the Annapurna range and Machapuchare (the Fishtail) dominate the mountain views, although glimpses of Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu range can also be seen further east.

DAY 20 Ghandrung – Dhampus(1700m)
The views continue to outstanding even as we descend, to the village of Dhampus.

DAY 21 Dhampus – Pokhara
Today the trail descends through forests, all the way to the valley floor, from where we make our way to the city of Pokhara.

DAY 22 Pokhara
We relax in Pokhara after a hard but satisfying trek. There are numerous activities in this scenic city like a boat ride on the tranquil Phewa Tal Lake, and visits to the Tibetan refugee camps and handicraft centres.

DAY 23 Pokhara – Kathmandu
Today we say goodbye to scenic city of Pokhara and head back to bustling Kathmandu.

DAY 24 Kathmandu
Today free to discover the charm of this quaint city. Optional tours can be arranged.

DAY 25 Departure
After breakfast you’re free before drop to airport for your final destination.