Annapurna Circuit Trekking

Your arrival to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our Airport Representative, and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel, inclusive of breakfast.

Today we shall take a comfortable and scenic countryside drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar via the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway.  Leaving Kathmandu behind you drive through the snaky mountain road.  You cross several small streams and run parallel to the Trishuli River. You may see people rafting in the Trishuli river. After you cross the bridge in Mungling, we drive parallel to Marshyandi River. We sometimes see beautiful views of snow-capped Himalayas, which belong to the Manaslu range and surrounding peaks. After nearly 7 hours of drive, with a quick stop for lunch along the route, we finally reach Beshisahar, the headquarter of Lamjung district. It used to be the starting point of the trek until a couple of years ago, but at present condition due to the road being constructed further, we prefer to drive up to Syange. Almost every supply to higher altitude valleys and villages passes through this route and we can see local marketplace here carrying out their deals on commodities. We stay overnight at the Overnight at Guesthouse

 Driving time: 6-7 hours drive. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Just after getting up at Syange, we enjoy a hearty breakfast. Our trekking route comprises a gradual descend through beautiful forests.  Crossing a river over the suspension bridge, we start to ascend to Tal. After walking along the narrow cliffs and ridges, we find ourselves around the rocky settings, and further crossing the local village of Karte, we will again gradually descend to the riverside. After crossing the river over beautiful windy and slowly swinging from steps of people passing by, we spot a mani stone marked with mantras and chants on it. This place is called Dharapani and we stay overnight here at one of the local teahouses. Walking time: 6 to 7 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner    

It shall be around 500m gain in altitude today while we make more ascends with few descends from Dharapani to Chame. Our trekking day begins as we slowly hike up through beautiful refreshing pine and oak trees that lead us to Danaque. Further, we do cross a small wooden bridge and it will be steep ascend to Temang which is situated at the base of Lamjung peak. From this point beautiful views of the Manaslu Himalayan range are visible and also a couple of teahouses here are available, we have our lunch over here and the path turns flattered and straight from there. After about an hour walking easily, we cross Thanchok settlement over there popular for Apple products and thirty minutes from there takes us to Chame. Chame is the headquarter of the Manang district. Walking time:  5 to 6 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Our morning at Chame would be beautiful and sparkling as warm rays of sun sparkle nearby Lamjung Himal (6894m). Boarding on from our teahouse on our foot, taking steps enjoying the natural settings and surroundings, we take a steep climb to a place called Bhartang. We take on that challenge and pull it off with help of the trekking leader’s recommendation, decision and follow-on through jungle walk in between trees, floras, faunas entering into the valley at end of the day called Pisang. We see Pisang peak(6091m) with other nearby Annapurna Himalayas today and stay overnight at the local lodge. Walking time:  5 to 6 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

As we cross 3500m of altitude today, we can see a slight change in our topographical surroundings. The trekking route is much drier in the upper half of the Manang district. Yak herding and local agricultural farmings are major practices and occupations of local inhabitants.  Leaving behind Pisang, we climb a steep ridge that allows us to enjoy great views of Manang valley. Further taking the southern route through a tiny airstrip at Hongde(3325m) gradually, we pass through Ngwal village. Marshyandi river that we see again meets us at Mungi. In this way trekking for further an hour take us to Manang where we shall stay two night for acclimatization. Overnight stay at local lodge. Walking time:  5 to 6 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 

Proper acclimatization is important as it helps us to avoid altitude sickness usually seen commonly during high altitude treks. Therefore assisting acclimatization and letting our body adapt to the change in surroundings is what we do today. We shall do scenic walks around Manang village and do hike up to Gangapurna lake or Melaripa cave so that we reach higher grounds and return to lower ones for sleep. This process is considered the most effective way to tackle acute mountain sickness.  At Manang, there is also the Himalayan Rescue Association and if you are interested in volunteering then you can also assist western doctors here who are basically there to create awareness on altitude sickness and challenges that we have to face in the coming next few days while crossing Thorongla pass. Later today we return to our tea house at Manang and stay overnight there. Walking time:  3 to 4 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We leave behind Manang village today crossing over the river stream. It shall be a challenging walk as mostly it is climbing activity through tough terrains above 4000m of altitude. Then we shall arrive at small Tenki village settlement from where we descend towards Jarsang valley, again cross the river, have our lunch at the nearby lunch site, and take on the strenuous steep climb towards Yak Kharka which is basically a Yak grazing field or in simple words Yak pasture land where we can see few Yaks grazing on grounds. Above this point there is no greenery, we feel like we have entered into alpine surroundings now after. If you can and are interested then with consultation with our professional trekking leader, you can hike up to Ledar today. We stay overnight at the local lodge at Yak Kharka. Walking time:  4 to 5 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Thorang Phedi can be also considered as the base of Thorongla pass or a popular stop before we cross that high altitude pass. Today we leave behind the Yak Kharka, initially, there is a short descend towards the riverside of Marshyandi River passing. Hereafter this riverside lunch we ascend towards Ledar and at the end of the day, we arrive at Thorong Phedi at 4600m above sea level. According to season, your fitness level, and level of interest, you might also take a step forward towards Thorong high camp for a night stay. But most of the time we stop at Thorang Phedi. Overnight stay at local lodge. Walking time:  4 to 5 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 

Today shall be the most important, challenging as well as rewarding day as we cross Thorong La Pass, the highest point of this trek, and heavenly site at 5416m elevation standing tall at eye level with Annapurna Himalayas.  We start our day early today before sunrise between 4 to 5 AM as reaching we target to arrive at the high pass before 10 am. Strong wind and clouds are common phenomena at that point afternoon, so we try to avoid that as far as possible while taking the best views like never before. This part of the trail is quite dangerous too, as heavy snowfall may cause interruption to plans and worst-case scenarios, therefore according to the weather condition of that exact time, consulting your trip leader and following his instructions is compulsory. Don’t simply follow your instincts or other group members. Always trust an experienced and professional trekking guide leading your group. From Thorong La pass we can see panoramic views of Annapurna Himalayas, surrounding us from all directions including other peaks like Yakgawa Kang, Khatung Gang, etc.

Further gentle descend changes to a steeper one and we slowly approach the popular pilgrimage site of Muktinath. Muktinath is a well-known religious site for both Buddhist and Hindu followers. There we get an opportunity to visit temples, monasteries and major Muktinath temples with 108 surrounding water spouts is the major one. Jwala Mai temple is another attraction of the pilgrimage site. We stay overnight at a local lodge in Muktinath. Walking time:  8 to 9 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Spiritual essence circulates around our atmosphere as we shall visit the holy temple of Muktinath early in the morning today. We shall have our breakfast and walk gradually downhill to Ekley Bhatti. It is quite a steep walk down the trails, so careful and proper use of trekking poles along is required. Take one step at a time, don’t rush; simply enjoy the serene surroundings around and comfortably reach Ekley Bhatti. Further, we push ourselves towards Jomsom, a very windy place where you need to have a full face mask and wind stopper jacket to avoid windblast. Wind forming across the Valley Mountain and gorges blow even more strongly in the afternoon; therefore we try to cross the downstream of Kaligandaki and arrive jomsom  before noon.  Walking time:  4 to 5 hours, Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 

A 30-minute morning flight takes us to Pokhara from Jomsom. Once we arrive at Pokhara airport, we then drive to the hotel. In the afternoon either we relax in our hotel or may have a sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley, which covers Fewa Lake, Devi’s water fall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave, etc.

Flight Time: 30 minutes. Accommodation: Pokhra Hotel. Included Meal: B

We drive back to Kathmandu today. Try to get the left pane of your vehicle to enjoy the greeneries, mountains, river gorges, villages and terraces during the drive. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances

The trip concludes here. Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your flight departure from Nepal. Breakfast included. Meals Breakfast,