Annapurna Circuit (Round Annapurna) Trek
Highlights
- Community of Magar and Gurung
- Spectacular mountain view of Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, cultivated field
- Picturesque scenery
- Beautiful Mustang-style villages
- Terraced fields and thick rhododendron forests
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a classic Trek around the world’s 10th highest mountain. This trek is longer and more difficult than other treks in Annapurna region. Beginning in Jagat, the route passes along the Marshyangdi River through beautiful Gurung villages until it reaches Manang. After Manang is a climb over Throng La Pass (5,416m) and then down into Muktinath with views looking out over the beautiful desert scenery of lower Mustang. From Muktinath it’s a few days hiking down the Kali Gandaki River Gorge, by some counts the deepest gorge in the world with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks, both over 8,000m on either side. The trek is rich in variety and vistas from the rolling hills of Marshyandi to the Himalayan interior, Lower Mustang desert to the rice paddies, orange orchard, and natural hot springs around Tatopani.
Along the way are Mustang peak and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Manaslu (8187m), Annapurna I (8091m), the Hindu temple and Buddhist monasteries around in Muktinath (3,800m). From Ghorepani one can climb Poon Hill for a sunset or sunrise view of all the mountains from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu and the sacred Macha Puchre (Fish Tail Peak). There are 108 waterfalls ranging in size along the route and lovely local people along the way. In the springtime, the enormous rhododendron forests around Ghorepani/Poon Hill area will be in full bloom.
Along the way are comfortable guesthouses with all amenities including a wide variety of foods in the restaurants, comfortable beds, clean rooms, and even the occasional truly hot shower. Some guesthouses also have wifi for checking the weather on the pass or getting other important news. The trek ends in Nayapool just a short jeep or taxi ride from Pokhara.
If one desires they can also add Tilicho Lake to the trek to see the world’s highest lake of its size with astonishing views of Tilicho peaks and the glaciers that plunge into the lake along the southwestern shore. This side trail adds 2-3 days.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport and transfer to the hotel.
We will be at the airport to welcome you when you arrive. We will have a nameplate so you can recognize us. If you are arrive in the morning, we can make a sightseeing program after a good meal. If you wish to book your hotel accommodation in Kathmandu through us, we can happily assist, or you can book directly if you wish. In the evening we will have a short briefing to prepare for the trek.
Day 02: Drive Kathmandu to Syangee by Jeep (1104m) 7 hours
Today we make the long drive to Syangee out of the Kathmandu valley and through the surrounding agricultural lands before making a short one hour trek to Jagat along the Marshyangdi river. We will stop for lunch on the way with a view over the famous rafting destination, the Trishuli River. The road is rough for the last 14 kilometers after Besi Sahar. Overnight Lodge in Jagat 1300m.
Day 03: Trek Trekking Jagat to Dharapani (1860m) 6-7 hours
Today, our trail passes from Jagat along a sequence of waterfalls and a forest that becomes more temperate with oaks as you travel toward Chamche village. An ascent from Chamche village brings you to the town of Tal (lake in Nepali) at 1707 meters. Long ago a landslide blocked the river here, forming a lake. Only its flatbed remains today, with a magnificent waterfall. From here the Manang district begins. After Tal, the valley begins to narrow before Dharapani 1860 m.
Day 04: Trek Dharapani to Chame (2715m.) 6-7 hours
Chame is headquarters of the Manang District. Here we will buy local vegetable and other necessary goods. Getting higher now, we will see the changing vegetation and land along with the people and architecture. The temperature here will be significantly lower, particularly at night. From Dharapani the path climbs to Timang with beautiful views of Manaslu to the east then through pine forests to Bagarchhap, the first village on the trek with distinctive Tibetan architecture. From Bagarchaap the altitude gains as we come at Danaque and to the alpine region passing through beautiful aromatic pine forest with views of towering peaks, Lamjung and Annapurna II. The trail follows the river Marsyangdi upstream passing by the villages of Latamanang and Koto and further half an hour to Chame where we stay. You will have a first striking view of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal from here.
Day 05: Trek Chame to Pisang (3185m.) 5 hours
From Chame, the trail crosses to the other side of the river and wanders through pinewoods and small villages with few ups and downs till you reach the orchard village of Bhartang, a village of apple gardens. Then, we continue on the gradual path up to a bridge suspension, from the bridge a short steep climb takes us to the top of the ridge of Dhukure Pokhari for the lunch. After walking out of the trees, a great view of Pisang Peak opens on the north and Chulu peak can be seen with Pisang village. From this top a gentle descent of one hour brings you to windswept village of Pisang for overnight. Explore Pisang village and the riverside. Overnight at lodge. It is also possible to go to Upper Pisang on the hillside south of the River and see the Monastery and soaring views of Annapurna II to the north.
Day 06: Trek Pisang to Manang (3350m.) 5 hour or 6.5 hours
Today we either walk through the low road Manang valley or take the high road through Gyaru with sweeping views of the peaks and the valley. If you are up for it, the highroad has astounding views over the Manang valley as it wanders through gorgeous traditional villages. Humde village with its short air-strip sits below the trail and the great peaks of Gangapurna, Annapurna II, III, and Tilicho to the south and Chulu east lie above. Now behind us is Pisang peak. Past Humde it is a descent to Braga village and a wandering path through dry mountain hills. From Bhratang, a half an hour walk past a big monastery and yak pasture takes us to Manang, a big town and a haven where many trekkers take a rest day.
Day 07: Manang (Acclimatization Day)
We explore the Manang area today. The village of about 500 flat-roofed houses is surrounded by some fabulous scenery -Annapurna II, Annapurna III (7,555 meters), Gangapurna (7,454 meters) to the South – Tilicho (7,132 meters) and the Grand Barrier to the West – Chulu West (6,583 meters) and Chulu East (6,059 meters) to the North. There are many day hikes we can take here, and in the evening we can even watch a movie in a quaint high country movie hall with wooden benches, blankets, a woodstove, tea, and popcorn.
Day 08: Trek Manang to Yak Kharka- Ledar ( 4200m.) 5 hours
From Manang, our route leads slows for an hour up to the Tenki Manang for observing the view of the Annapurna, Gangapurna and Tilicho peak. The track then winds up and up offering exciting views and new terrain with juniper bushes as the only surviving vegetation around this region. We will arrive at Yak-Kharka for a leisurely lunch. Then we walk 1 hour to Ledar. Overnight lodge.
Day 09: Trek Ledar to High Camp ( 4600m) 5 hours
We begin slowly to Phedi which means ‘foot of the hill’. The view of mountains only gets better. We continue to climb along the east bank of the Jorsang Khola, and then move down and cross the Marshyangdi River, now just a stream on a suspension bridge to get a small tea shop. We stop for amazing view and tea break. Then we follow a narrow path across a high gracel slope before heading to Thorong Phedi where we will have a nice lunch. One hour of climbing later and we arrive at Thorong La Pass.
Day 10: Trek High Camp to Muktinath (3800m.) 7 hours
Today is the longest and toughest day of the trip. We begin our walk early in the morning at the earliest sign of dawn. Walk at your own pace viewing with sunrise and taking in the light on the mountains as your climb. We will climb 3-4 hrs to the Thorong La Pass where we will all get a great feeling of victory and perhaps a bit of light headedness due to the altitude, 5,416m or 17,768 feet! We will take a short break for picturesque scenery that just opened before us with Mustang and Dhaulagiri in the distance and the Kali Gandaki valley far below to the West. After a long descent and lunch with fresh Seabuck Thorn Juice at the foot of the pass, we will arrive to Muktinath. Overnight at lodge.
Day 11: Trek Muktinath to Marpha ( 2670m) 6 hours
We will move down slowly through fields of wheat and poplar groves, past beautiful Mustang-style villages and into the Kali Gandaki River Valley. We follow valley southwards to Marpha, home to lots of apple orchards and a center for production of apple brandy. The Kali Gandaki valley here is called the Thak Khola from the ethnic group the Thakalis, the main inhabitants of this area.
Day 12: Marpha to Tatopani by jeep (1100m) 4 hours drive
We drive for about 4 hours from Marpha to Tatopani through the beautiful rural communities abundant grasslands. Following the Kali Gandaki River, we arrive at the old trading centre of Thakali where people called Tukuche live. We can observe the coniferous forests and reach Kalopani (2560m). Soaring above the road is Dhaulagiri. The drive continues from Kalopani to Tatopani (1100m) which literally means “hot springs.” Here is a perfect chance for a relaxing bath.
Day 13: Trek Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,800m.) 7 hours
Today we climb from Tatopani to Ghorepani. We travel through terraced fields and thick rhododendron forests. We camp at the pass for the best views of the sunset over the spectacular, snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.
Day 14: Trek Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3210m) then to Tadhapani (2,869m) 6 hours
This is one of most significant days of our trek for mountain views. We start our journey climbing to Poon Hill (3210m) at sunrise. Poon Hill offers most splendid views at sunrise over the high mountains. Lot of white mountains can be seen from here including Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna South (7119m), Macha Puchre-Fishtail (6993m), Nilgiri south, Singa chuli, Annapurna I (8091m) and many more peaks. We then descend to Ghorepani and trek down, up, down, up to Tadapani for 6 hours. We will stay overnight at Tadapani.
Day 15: Trek Tadapani to Ghandrung (1940 m) 4 hours
This mellow day takes us to Ghandruk, a most enriching village, home of Gurung people. The trail mainly passes through forest and goes gently down. We stay overnight at Ghandruk.
Day 16: Trek Ghandruk to Nayapul then to Pokhara 5 hours trek, 1.5 hours drive.
Our trek today, goes down to Nayapul through the cultivated fields in Modi Khola valley with a nice view of Macha Puchre, then to Nayapul before driving to Pokhara.
Day 17: Fly to Kathmandu
Around mid day or morning fly to Kathmandu
Day 18: Final departure.
We will come to the hotel to go to the airport together and finally say goodbye and safe travels home.
Cost:
- 4 Person: US$ 6000.00
- 3 Person: US$ 4900.00
- 2 Person: US$ 3430.00
- 1 Person: US$ 2405.00
Service Included
Airport transfer pick-up and drop by private car.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project fee and Trekking permit fee.
Necessary trek guide / Porters and their wage, insurance, transportation etc.
3 meals per day with tea and overnight accommodation in the teahouse / lodge along the trail.
Drive Kathmandu to Shyangee by private Jeep.
Flight Pokhara to Kathmandu
Transfer Nayapul to Pokhara by private Car / Jeep.
2 nights 3 star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on BB basis.
1 night 3 star accommodation including breakfast in Pokhara
Service Excluded
Personal and Trekking equipment
Lunch and dinner during the Kathmandu and Pokhara stay.
Travel / medical insurance and emergency evacuation cost.
Personal expenses such as telephone calls, alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks (including cold drinks and mineral water/boiled water), donation & tips etc.
Any other expenses which aren’t mentioned on price include service.
Sight seeing Tour in Kathmandu asnd Pokhara city.
Tips, Gifts Bonus.
Trekking Boots
Woolen Socks
Gaiters
Rucksack
Camp / Lodge footwear
Thermal Underwear
Walking trousers
Track suit
Weatherproof trousers
T-shirts
Polar fleece pullover(s) and/or jacket
Woolen Shirt
Woolen cap
Woolen Gloves
Neck scarf
Sunglasses
Kit Bag
Sleeping Bag + inner sheet
Map / books
Down jacket – depending on season and area visited
Gortex Jacket / Polo Jackets
Sleeping Bag
Weatherproof jacket
Small Towel
Trekking poles
Small day pack
Torch with battery
First aid equipments and medicine
Water carrying bottles
Camera, film with batteries
Fact of the trip
- Destination: Nepal
- Trip Name: Annapurna Circuit Round Annapurna Trek
- Grade: Moderate
- Maximum Altitude: 5416m/17769ft
- Accommodation: Tea house/ lodge/camping
- Minimum Price: US$ 1500.00
- Maximum Price: US$ 2405.00
- Best Time: Oct-Nov and Mar-May
- Transport: Flight / Drive
- Group Size: 1+
- Trek Duration: 16 days
- Duration: 18 days