Annapurna Circuit Trek- 14 days

As you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our staff from the Nepal Hiking team will receive you and transport you to your hotel in a private tourist vehicle. The staff will help you with the check-in process.

After the long flight, rest and rejuvenate at the hotel. Once you feel refreshed, you can go outside to glimpse Kathmandu.

Before your Annapurna Circuit trekking starts, you will get the detailed itinerary briefing and meet your guide. If any equipment is missing, he can assist in buying it in the local market.

Your actual Annapurna adventure starts on the second day. Early in the morning, we will depart from your hotel in Kathmandu by a private tourist vehicle or shared jeep.

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 will then continue through a dirt track.

As we ascend, we can see the changes in the landscapes, which offer the view of snow-covered mountains and waterfalls. This second part takes about 2-3 hours. We will pass several small villages like Bhulbhule, Ngadi, and Syange before reaching Jagat, the first destination of your Annapurna Circuit Trekking.

As we touch Jagat, we can see a shift from lush hills to more rugged terrains, which symbolizes the transition to a higher altitude. The rest of the time is free so that we can rest or explore the beautiful village of Jagat.

Today, on our Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary, we will hike to Dharapani, which covers about 12- 14 km.

Following along the Marsyangdi River, you will reach Chamje, a village known for its nearby waterfalls. After Chamje, the trail becomes steeper (hard climb for 30 minutes), leading you to another suspension bridge before reaching Tal Village. In Tal, as you enter, you will be welcomed by a large waterfall; your Permit will be checked in the ACAP office.

Continuing from there, you will move on to a rugged, narrow gorge near Chaijo. You will cross the suspension Bridge over the fast-flowing river of Marsyangdi. After a couple of hours, you will be at Karte (1829m).

Passing by the Karte with a steep climb along the lush forest and small villages, we will finally get to Dharapani. Dharapani is a major destination of the Annapurna circuit, marked by its chortens and mani walls. Dharapani is the gateway/entrance pass for the Manang district. 

Leaving Dharapani behind, you will first encounter Thonche (Thoche) village after a short hike. Your permit may be checked again at the military checkpoint once more. After walking around for an hour in a forest area, you will reach a Tibetian-style village named Bagarchhap (2160m). This place is famous for its blend of both Hindu and Buddhist culture. 

Taking a short break, you will move forward to the pine forest before arriving at Danakyu (Danaque). You can see a magnificent view of Mount Manaslu (8,163) from here. As you leave, the trail becomes steeper. You will climb towards 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 Tibetian-influenced village featured with Buddhist chorterns prayer flag)

The final stop before reaching our ultimate destination on day 4 of the Annapurna Circuit trek is Koto. Koto village is the gateway to another hidden trekking gem in the Annapurna area, Nar Phu Valley. If you want to trek around Nar –phu valley, you need to register there at the police checkpoint.

After a short hike uphill, you will finally reach Chame (the district headquarters of Manang).
Chame village (2670) has a wide variety of facilities, including a health post, a shop, even a bank, and multiple teahouses.

You will begin the day by crossing over a long suspension bridge over Marsyangdi Nadi. The majestic Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV looming in the distance will be your companion for your day, making your Annapurna Himalaya Nepal trek more enjoyable. About an hour after leaving Chame, your first stop will be Barthang (Bhratang 2850m), a small village famous for its beautiful apple orchards.

As you continue, you will cross Swargadwari Bridge before coming to a U-shaped valley that marks the area around Dhikur (Dukure) Pokhari. From here, you see the drastic change in landscape: the green valley down below and the stark, sheer rock wall to your right.

The trek becomes easier as you come near to Pisang. Pisang is a large village divided into two different parts: Lower and Upper. First, you come to Lower Pisang (3200m); this village offers spectacular views of Pisango Peak as well as other high, towering Annapurna ranges.

To reach Upper Pisang (3300m), you have to hike 30 -45 minutes more from Lower Pisang. It is a more traditional and culturally significant village located on the ridge above the river.

The sixth day of trekking in the Annapurna Circuit route is filled with a variety of highlights. We will cover approximately 16 km within 5 to 6 hours.

Leaving Upper Pisang, the trail begins with a more steep and challenging climb, but it rewards you with magnificent views of Annapurna II & Annapurna III (7,555m).

Hiking around for 2 -3 hours uphill, you will reach your first stop, Ghyaru village (quiet, authentic Tibetian-style village at 3670m). After walking for several ups and downs, you will eventually get to Ngawal (3,660m). As you are above 3500m altitude, you need to maintain your pace.

Descending downward from Nagwal, passing through alpine fields with some yak herds and grazing sheep. As we approach Braga, the surrounding area becomes drier and rockier. You can hardly see any green vegetation. Braga (Braka) is a village famous for its ancient Buddhist Gompa (which dates back 900 years).

As we approach Manang village, the views of the Annapurna range, Gangapurna, and Tilicho peak will dominate the horizon. Manang (3540m) 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.

Manang is a key rest stop on the Annapurna Round Trek. Today, you have a chance to explore Manang village. If you are feeling tired or prefer a less challenging day, you can spend your time in Manang, visit some Gompa nearby, or even hike to Gangapurna Lake.

Gangapurna Lake is a comparatively short and easy hike that takes about 1 -2 hours for a round trip. From Manang, you need to hike for 30 -45 minutes to reach the Lake. For a better view of the Gangapurna glacier, climb a little higher up.

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

Today, your trek is a relatively short but important stage in Annapurna Circuit Trek Nepal. Leaving Manang, you will ascend into a higher elevation by farmland and stone walls with a close-up view of the Annapurna Himalayas like Annapurna III and Gangapurna (7,455m) in the background.

After a gradual ascend, you will be at Tengi (3690m), which is a midpoint of Yak Kharka and way to Tilicho Base Camp. After an hour from Tengi, you will be at a small settlement, Gunsang
(Ghusang -3950m). As you climb, the vegetation changes, with only a few trees and more alpine shrubs. It signals that you have already entered a high-altitude area.

The path follows the Marsyangdi Khola, with clear and stunning views of Chulu West (6,419m) and Chulu East (6,584m). The air becomes as you come near Yak Kharaka (4050m). You should maintain your pace; it should be steady and allow your body to adjust at higher altitudes.

We cross the river on a wooden bridge and pass an ancient Mani wall in a pleasant meadow before arriving at another small village – Yak Kharka.

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

Today, the trail initially 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 will reach Letdar (Ledar-4200m), where your permits and paperwork will be checked. There are some tea shops, and you can cross the Jarsang Khola on a wooden bridge before you approach Thorong Phedi (4525m).  "Phedi" means "foot of the hill" in Nepali, and this is the last stopping point before the Thorong La Pass. This section is more challenging due to both the increasing altitude and the more rugged and rocky 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, you will start early in the morning to take advantage of suitable weather and more stable trail conditions. During the day, the weather can turn harsh, with strong winds and colder temperatures at high altitudes.

The trail to Thorong La Pass consists of rock, scree slopes, and even snow (depending on the season). The air is thin at this altitude, so we suggest you maintain a slow pace and regular breaks. After 1 -2 hours of climb, you will reach High Camp.

The trail looks easier, but due to altitude, it feels more challenging than it seems. But the increasingly spectacular views of Thorong Peak, Khatungkang (6,484m), and Yakawa Kang (6,482m), along with prayer flags, Mani stones, and some small shrines, make your day more enjoyable.

After a slow climb of 3 – 5 hours, you will reach the summit of the Thorong La Pass; a large stupa and prayer flags mark it. The scenery from the Thorong La Pass (5416 m) is truly amazing.

Celebrating the achievement of your Annapurna Hike, leaving footprints, and making memories, you will descend to Muktinath (nearly 1600m down).

You will walk along the Thorong Khola and reach Chambar Bhir, then Muktinath (3760m). As you descend, you can see the views of Kali Gandaki Valley and Dhaulagiri (7th highest mountain in the world- 8,167m).

After a long descent, you will arrive in the sacred town of Muktinath; it sits at the foot of Thorong La, home to the famous Muktinath Temple, and it is a place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists.

Early in the morning, you can explore the Muktinath Temple, where you’ll find the eternal flame and 108 water spouts. Many travelers bathe in the cold, icy water from spouts as a spiritual cleansing ritual. After visiting Muktinath temple, you will start your short walk 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 will 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 and it needs a special permit to enter). As you leave Kagbeni behind and take a final stretch to Jomsom, you will pass a tiny settlement of Ekle Bhatti.

As you approach Jomsom (center of the Mustang district), you notice the change in the landscape, which is becoming more crowded, with more villages and cultivated land.

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 will go 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.

You’ll catch a bus back to Kathmandu, leaving the mountains behind you. The roads are winding and will take you through green hills and cool rivers. Once you reach Kathmandu, you will be 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.

A member from the Nepal Hiking Team will come to pick you up and accompany you to the airport. You’ll leave with some incredible memories of this Nepal Annapurna Trek.