Annapurna Circuit Trek- 14 days

The day you arrive, our team welcomes and transfers you to the hotel. All the check-in processes are assisted. The team member provides a brief description of the Annapurna circuit trek and what to expect during the trek.

Early in the morning, a guide picks you up in the morning. Then, in a drive, you leave behind Kathmandu and enter the Lamjung district of Nepal. The first part of the trip is up to Besisahar only, which may take about 5 or 6 hours. After Besisahar, the road is slightly rough; the journey continues through a dirt track.

Along the route, you can witness distant snow-capped mountains and beautiful waterfalls. The second part takes around 2-3 hours and passes the villages of Bhulbhule, Ngadi, and Syange before reaching Jagat.

This is the day when you start your journey on foot. Following along the Marsyangdi River, you reach Chamje, a village known for its waterfalls. After that, the trails are steep (climb of 30 min) before a suspension bridge leading to Tal Village.

In Tal, There is a large waterfall and ACAP office, which requires permit checking. As the hike continues, the trails are rugged; there is a narrow gorge near Chaijo. You come across the suspension bridge, and after a couple of hours, you reach a village named Karte (1,829m).

The steep climb continues until Dharapani. There are chortens and mani walls, and the village is a gateway/entrance pass for the Manang district.

This day, you leave behind Dharapani and head towards Chame. The first village you encounter is Thonche (Thoche) village. Then, as the hike continues, you reach Bagarchhap village, popular for its blend of both Hindu and Buddhist culture.

The hike continues through the pine forest, arriving at Danakyu (Danaque). The village has magnificent views of Mount Manaslu. The trails get steeper until you reach Timang village, which is set on a ridge. 
Another noticeable village after crossing the forested area of Latamro (Lata Marang) on the route after Timang is Thanchok (a Tibetan–influenced village that features a Buddhist Chortens prayer flag).

After that, you reach a small village named Koto (the gateway to another hidden trekking gem in Nepal, Nar-Phu Valley). Then, a short hike uphill, you reach the day’s destination, Chame (the district headquarters of Manang).

The village has a wide variety of facilities, including a health post, a shop, even a bank, and multiple teahouses.

Early in the morning, you start the hike and cross the suspension bridge over Marsyangdi Nadi. The majestic Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV looming in the distance will be your companion for the day.

After an hour of leaving Chame, you come across the village named Brathang, a village with the biggest apple farm in Nepal. As you continue, there is a Swargadwari Bridge before coming to a U-shaped Valley that marks the area around (Dukure) Pokhari.

From here, you see the drastic change in landscape: the green valley down and the stark, sheer rock wall to your right. The trail gets easier as you come near to Pisang. Pisang is a large village divided into two different parts: lower and upper.

First, you come across lower Pisang: the village offers spectacular views of Pisang Peak as well as towering Annapurna ranges. To reach upper Pisang, you need to hike 30-40 minutes more from lower Pisang. It is a more traditional and culturally significant village located on the ridge above the river.

This is the sixth day of trekking in the Annapurna Circuit. The beginning of the trail is a steep and challenging climb, but the views of Annapurna II and Annapurna III that it provides are stunning.

After hiking around 2-3 hours uphill, you reach a village named Gyaru (a quiet, authentic Tibetan-style village). After that, you eventually reach Ngawal. On the trail, you get to see a stunning Landscape with snow-capped mountains, Green hills, and a river flowing right below it.

After that, you descend through the Yak pastures and alpine fields. As you approach Braga, the surrounding area becomes drier and rockier. You can barely see any green vegetation. Braga (Braka) is a village famous for its ancient Buddhist Gompa (Which dates back 900 years).

As the trail approaches Manang village, the views of the Annapurna range, Ganggapurna, and Tilicho peak dominate the horizon. Manang is one of the largest, most crowded, and most important villages of the Annapurna Circuit. It offers a variety of facilities for trekkers from worldwide.

This day, you stay here at Manang for acclimatization and rest. To acclimate, you hike to one of the best tourist destinations in the place, Ganggapurna Tal. It is a freshwater lake produced by the majestic Ganggapurna peak and glacier.

Ganggapurna Lake is a comparatively short and easy hike that takes about 1-2 hours for a round trip. From Manang, you need to hike 30- 40 minutes to reach the lake. For a better view of the Ganggapurna glacier, climb a little higher.

Optional: You can also hike to Milarepa Cave, a round trip that may take 5 to 6 hours.

The trek is relatively short on this day. Leaving Manang, the ascend goes unto farmland and stone walls with a close-up view of the Annapurna Himalayas, like Annapurna III and Ganggapurna in the background.

After ascending, there is a village named Tengi, which is a midpoint of the Yak kharka and a way to Tilicho Base Camp. The trail then leads to Gunsang. You can witness only a few trees and alpine shrubs.

Following the Marshyangdi Khola, there are stunning views of Chulu West and Chulu East. Maintain your peace, and the hike should be done slowly and steadily. Finally, you reach Yak kharka as you cross a wooden bridge over the river.

Gentle but gradual ascent is the key to avoiding altitude problems.

The trail today starts with a gentle ascent through rocky meadows and along the Kone Khola (a small branch of the Marsyangdi). After an hour of walking from Yak Kharka, you reach Letdar (Ledar), where the permits and paperwork are checked.

There are some tea shops and a wooden bridge that goes over Jarsang Khola before Thorung Phedi. “Phedi’’ means foot of the hill in Nepali, and this is the last stopping point before Thorun La Pass. This section is challenging due to the increasing altitude and rugged and snowy terrain.

If you want, you may opt to hike to Thorung High Camp to make it easier for the day ahead. Thorung High Camp is 300m - 400m higher than Thorong Phedi and may take around 1 – 1.5 hours to reach there.

Today, the hike starts early as the morning weather is more suitable, and the trails are in stable condition. During the day, the weather is unpredictable and windy with colder temperatures.

The trails to Thorung La Pass consist of rock, scree slopes, and even snow (depending on the seasons). The air is thin at this altitude, so we suggest you maintain a slow pace and regular breaks. After 1-2 hours of climbing, you reach High Camp.

The trails are easier, but the altitude is challenging. You can see spectacular mountain views of Thorung Peak, Khatingkang, and Yakawa Kang, along with prayer flags, mani stones, and some small shrines.

Then, after a slow Climb of 3-4 hours, you reach the summit of Thorung La Pass. The pass provides breathtaking panoramic mountain views. After completion, celebrate the achievement of Annapurna Hike, leaving footprints and carrying memories.

Continuing the trail, it descends along the Thorung Khola and reaches Chambar Bhir, then Muktinath. As you descend, you can see the views of Kali Gandhaki Valley and Dhaulgiri (7th Highest mountain in the world).

Muktinath is not so far from here, and it sits at the foot of Thorung La, Home to the famous sacred Muktinath. It is a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

This morning, we recommend exploring Muktinath Temple, where you can find the eternal flame and 108 holy water taps. Many travelers bathe in the cold, icy water from spouts as a spiritual cleansing ritual.

After that, you continue walking to Jharkot. Jharkot is home to a beautiful monastery (Shakya Gompa) and a traditional medicine center. Taking a short break at Jharkot, following the Kali Gandaki River with the view of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri, you descend steadily to Kagbeni, which takes 3-4 hours. It is one of the most iconic villages around Annapurna Circuit.

Kagbeni is the gateway for Upper Mustang (a restricted region that needs a special permit to enter). As you leave Kagbeni behind and take a final stretch to Jomsom, you pass a tiny settlement of Ekle Bhatti before reaching Jomsom (the windy valley of Nepal).

Note: The road connecting Muktinath and Pokhara offers an alternative to trekking, providing the convenience of driving instead. If you prefer not to walk along the road, you have the option of taking a jeep to Jomsom, which is just a one-hour drive away and at extra cost.

The flight from Jomsom to Pokhara starts early. You leave behind the valley but take its memories with you. Once you land in Pokhara, you are transferred to your hotel and reminisce about your whole adventure. Then you can stroll around the Lake City, admiring its vibrance and liveliness.

However, it's important to note that flights to and from Jomsom can frequently experience delays or cancellations due to unfavorable weather conditions. If your flight to Pokhara is canceled on the scheduled date, an alternative option is to travel by jeep, which takes approximately 5 hours to reach Pokhara.

On this day, you catch a bus back in Kathmandu, leaving the mountains behind you. The roads are winding and take you through green hills and cool rivers. Once you reach Kathmandu, you are checked into your hotel.

• Due to extensive road construction on the Prithvi Highway, the journey from Pokhara to Kathmandu now takes approximately 8-9 hours instead of the usual 6-7 hours. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the traffic congestion and increased air pollution during this period. The construction is aimed at improving the road infrastructure, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

• If you prefer not to drive, you have the option of taking a domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The flight takes only 25 minutes, but there is an additional cost of USD 90.00 per person. However, it's worth noting that flight delays and cancellations are common, especially during the summer and winter seasons.

On this day, a guide picks you up from the hotel and drops you at the airport, providing a farewell and see you next time.