Annapurna Circuit Trek

You will explore Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. Durbar Square reveals the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most significant places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Bauddhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, you are introduced to our fellow participants and discuss our trip to our office. Overnight in Kathmandu.

After morning breakfast, you begin your journey to Western Nepal via a bus to Besisahar. Besisahar is the district’s headquarter of Lamjung. By bus, it takes about 6-7 hours to reach there. Microbus or bus takes you faster.

From Besisahar, you take a walk through the beautiful countryside through Bhulbhule to Ngadi. It takes about 2 hours through a dusty road to reach Bhulbhule and from there you reach Ngadi in no time. Overnight in Ngadi.

From Nadi Bajar, you pass by the village of Arkhale to get to Syange. Syange Village lies on the other side of Marshyangdi. You have to cross a suspension bridge to reach Syange. In Syange, you come across a beautiful waterfall that is worth capturing. From Syange, you walk straight into the village of Jagat. Overnight in Jagat.

After breakfast, we slowly begin our trek today. The trail from Jagat drops until it reaches the river and then continues through a dense forest. Further ascent leads to a sharp-edged cliff facing the riverbank. En route, Chyamje comes into picture amidst the magnificent backdrop of overlooking Annapurna mountain ranges. After crossing a suspension bridge, we ascend steeply towards the slippery and physically challenging path to Sattale. On walking along with a series of rock-strewn trails, we descend to a lush riverbank that leads to Tal. As we walk away from Tal, the path becomes rough and rambling. Then we approach the steeply-forested village of Karte. Walking along the waterfalls and cliffs, we finally reach Dharapani after crossing a suspension bridge. Overnight in Dharapani.

Today we walk through a few forested elevations on our way to Chame, which is the headquarters of the Manang District. Throughout the trek, we can cherish amazing glimpses of the Himalayas including Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525 m). We also come across small hot springs where we can dip in and relax our aching muscles. Overnight in Chame.

A steep and narrow path through a very thick forest will bring us to the dramatic arched rock face, rising 1500 m from the river. This is the steepest bit of the Marshyangdi Valley, so steep that the trail is carved into the vertical rock. After passing this rock, the valley opens up with majestic panoramas. As the valley widens, we observe the Paungda Danda, a massive sloping rock face that towers over 1500 m above the trail. We trek through the trail for a while before arriving Lower Pisang where we spend the night.

There are two routes to Manang but we follow the path that takes us to Upper Pisang via Geru. This trail assures excellent scenes of the beautiful panorama and the mighty mountains including Annapurna and Pisang. We begin to notice a difference in the landscape and vegetation. The cold and dry climate also forms a much more rigid environment. Our short visit to Barge monastery, the largest monastery in the whole district of Manang will be significant. Overnight at Manang.

We can make a short hike to either Bhojo Gumba or Gangapurna Lake. We can even hike to Himalayan Rescue Association in Vraga village which will provide us some concept about Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), its symptoms, and preventions. Overnight in Manang.

Today as we leave Manang, the trail advances a mounting of almost 2000 m to the Thorung La pass. We begin the ascent steadily through Tenki, leaving the Marshyangdi Valley. As we continue along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we reach Ledar at 4,250 m. There we observe the vegetation’s steadily more scattered. This is also a snow leopard area.

The trail drops to cross the river at 4,310 m we then climb up to Phedi at 4,420 m. At High Camp at an elevation of 4,600 m, we can discover some good, recently built Guesthouses. Overnight in Phedi.

Crossing Thorong La pass, one of the highest passes in the world, will be our ultimate intention today. We will be crossing the pass from Manang to Muktinath which is the easiest and safest direction. When we finally make it to the top of Thorong La pass, we realize that our journey was worth it. We can take a few photos before traveling to Muktinath Valley at the foot of the Thorong La pass. Overnight in Muktinath.

Muktinath is a significant pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. In the morning, we visit a Bishnu Temple and a Gompa. Descending from Ranipauwa village down the sheer and desolate hillside, we descend toward Kagbeni and then to Jomsom finally reaching Marpha. The trail today is pretty surreal as we trek along a hill above the Kali Gandaki River which is also the world’s deepest gorge. The barren landscape of this area resembles Tibet. Marpha is also popular as the Apple capital of Nepal where one can enjoy various items made from Apple. The local Apple brandy of Marpha is popular all over Nepal. Overnight in Marpha.

Today’s trek continues southwest along the dirt road on the west bank of the Kali Gandaki river, passes Dhonga and reaches the large important two-part village of Tukuche divided by an open flat meadow. There are many lodges/hotels, four gompas, a few shops, a library and a brandy distillery (apple, peach, and apricot). As we leave Larjung, the trail crosses two bridges a little further on a long suspension bridge passing through the world’s deepest valley, the Kaligandaki gorge. The trail continues to the tiny settlement of Dhaiku/Kaiku and drops down steps to cross a wooden bridge over the Kaiku Khola and shortly arrives at the village of Ghasa. Overnight in Ghasa.

As we leave Ghasa, the path passes a suspension bridge to the left bank and then switchbacks high above the river. Continuing, we pass the beautiful Rupse Chhahara (waterfall) and then after crossing a wooden bridge arrive at the village of Rukse/Rupse where there are orange, lemon and banana trees and fields of maize on the steep hillside. There are several thatched houses and excellent views of Annapurna South can be seen from this point. After crossing another suspension bridge and passing through the small settlement, we arrive at the popular busy village of Tatopani, an ideal place for a rest day. Overnight in Tatopani.

Today, we head up the Ghar Khola valley as the trail leads us through a terraced farmland with mountains all around. We pass through the villages of Shikha and Chitre before reaching a stunning rhododendron woods. When in blossom the rhododendron trees will be covered with pink or red flowers. We reach Ghorepani, a beautiful village located at a hilltop after walking further. Overnight in Ghorepani.

We make an early morning climb along the steep trail to the viewpoint of Poon Hill (3,210 m) to catch the sunrise over the Himalayas. Poon Hill is the most popular trekking destination of the Annapurna region. It is also a famous viewpoint to experience the amazing scenes of Mustang, Pokhara and many other highest mountains including the close-up scenes of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The snowy peaks of the high mountains rise above and around us sparkling in the morning light. After taking photographs, we return to Ghorepani. After breakfast, we head east and climb a nearby hill. Then we descend through rhododendron thickets, pass by magnificent waterfalls and reach Tadapani to spend the night.

We continue to descend from Tadapani deep into the jungle. Our trail crosses through a dense forest dotted with the red rhododendrons. The flowers which are a common sight in the Nepalese hills is Nepal’s national flower. The trail is quite wet underfoot and for a few hours, it is a steep downhill section. Then we finally arrive at Sinuwa. Overnight at Sinuwa.

We continue our trek through thick forests cherishing Nepal’s rich biodiversity and reach the low camp. From here, the fantastic view of Mt. Machapuchhre (Mt. Fishtail) up the valley is mesmerizing. We can spend some time in the evening to witness the local lifestyle. Overnight at Deurali.

After an hour walk from Deurali we climb gently through a river bed then over a steep trail over to the mountainside. The hike from Bagar to Machhapuchhre Base Camp is moderately exhausting. From Machhapuchhre base camp, we get magnificent panoramas of the majestic Machhapuchhre along with Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gandharvachuli and Gangapurna which is absolutely a pleasant experience. On our way to ABC, the vegetation disappears and the path unfolds as we enter the Annapurna sanctuary. From here, we get spectacular scenes of the near-vertical south face of Annapurna overlooking above us. The sanctuary possesses a magnetic vista without anything blocking the 360-degree panorama. From the base camp, we again get to relish mesmerizing panoramas of the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli and other peaks. Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp.

From the Annapurna base camp, we retrace our steps to Sinuwa. Today’s trek is downhill, so it shouldn’t be very difficult. Besides, we will always have the company of the amazing scenery to cheer us up. Overnight in Sinuwa.

From Sinuwa the trail is a downhill walk until we reach Jhinu which is mainly famous for its natural Hot Spring. This hot spring is believed to have the natural healing capacity, so trekkers often plunge into this water spring after strenuous trekking in the Annapurnas. This natural hot spring has been well established by the community people; so they will charge you a few cash for a relaxing dive in the water. It is a surreal experience. Overnight in Jhinu.

From Jhinu hot springs we walk at the right side of Modi Khola for 5/6 hours to Birethanti which can be regarded as one of the best and the most relaxing walks of the whole trek. Then we finally reach Nayapul. From Nayapul, after one and a half an hour’s drive, we will reach Pokhara. We can visit in Fewa Lakeside for a while and have dinner. Overnight at Hotel.

You can visit many interesting places in Pokhara today. You can go boating in the scenic Phewa Lake, visit World Peace Stupa, Fewa Lake, David’s Falls, Gupteshwor Temple, Tal Barahi Temple, Sarangkot, Begnas Lake, International Mountaineering Museum and many other places. You can also try out some adventure sports such as Whitewater Rafting, Boating, Canoeing, Paragliding, Mountain Biking and many more. Overnight at the Hotel.

To return to Kathmandu, you can take either take a 30-minute flight to Kathmandu or a 7-8 hour bus long drive. You will witness amazing landscapes either way. Upon reaching Kathmandu, feel free to stroll around the places of Kathmandu. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

We thank you for being a part of our tour and travel. We bid you farewell and drop-off at the airport, or the opportunity to join another of our programs. Our representatives will drop you at the airport 3 hours before the scheduled time of your flight.