Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlights
- Beautiful alpine meadows
- Trek through narrow Marshyangadi and Kali Gandaki River valleys
- Crossing the Thorong La Pass located at 5416m above sea level
- A peek into Tibetan Buddhism
- Therapeutic hot springs at Tatopani
- Spectacular view of some of the tallest peaks of the world
Overview of Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is widely regarded as one of the finest trekking trails in the world. While you can see lush forests, terraced fields and densely populated settlements in the lower Annapurna region, the upper trans-Himalayan region is arid and barren, and sparsely populated. The lower region is mostly inhabited by Hindus, while most of the upper region is home to people following Buddhism.
This round Annapurna trek offers trekkers with lifetime experiences as they can witness great cultural, religious and ecological diversity of the Annapurna Region. The walk is pleasing as you can listen to birds chirping above the thick forest canopy and meet ever-smiling locals saying Namaste with their palms joined together. The Annapurna Circuit trail crosses numerous rivers and rivulets and you can see waterfalls cascading through lush forests into deep pools or fast-flowing rivers.
The vegetation in the Annapurna Circuit route ranges from sub-tropical and temperate forests in lower areas to sub-alpine and alpine forests in higher areas. These forests are home to rare medicinal herbs like the caterpillar fungus locally known as Yarsagumba which is believed to have aphrodisiac value, and endangered species like red panda, musk deer and the elusive snow leopard.
Mountain Views During 15-Days Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit trail lies between Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna (8091m) — the 7th and 10th highest peak in the world, respectively. The trek offers spectacular views of mountains peaks like Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal, Manaslu, Pisang Peak, Chulu East, Chulu West, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peaks and the omnipresent Machhapuchhre or the Fishtail.
You will also be walking through Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world between Annapurna and Nilgiri mountains at Andhagalchhi (2,520m). The gorge lies more than 5,000 meters below the summit of Mt. Annapurna, making hiking the Annapurna Circuit a lifetime experience for many.
Annapurna Circuit Route Info
This 15-day Annapurna Circuit trek begins with a scenic drive to Chamje from Kathmandu. The trail then traverses the Marshyangdi River valley passing through scenic sections to the villages of Dharapani, Chame and Pisang before climbing to the village of Manang. You will see chhortens, mani walls and colorful prayer flags as you gain altitude, hinting that you are entering the Buddhist countryside. Continuing further, the trail climbs gradually to Thorong La Pass (5,416) and enters the Kaligandaki River Valley.
Crossing the Thorong La Pass, the trail is mostly downhill and passes through the beautiful Muktinath Temple and beautiful Thakali villages known for the hospitable people and their mouth-watering delicacies. This section of the Annapurna Trail is also famous for organic apple orchards.
From Tatopani, the trail crosses the Kali Gandaki River and climbs to the village of Shikha before reaching the famed Ghorepani Poon Hill region. After enjoying sunrise and mountain views from Poon Hill, we will then descend to Ulleri and then to Tikhedhunga from where we will take a jeep and drive to Pokhara.
This 15-Days Annapurna circuit trekking itinerary is a well crafted itinerary for trekkers who are looking for thrilling and adventurous journey in Nepal Himalaya
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport
After you land at Tribhuwan International Airport, you will go through the VISA and immigration process. Then after claiming your baggage, you may come out of the airport, where our company representative will be waiting in front of the arrival gate for your warm welcome. The representative will take guide you to the allocated hotel at Thamel, Kathmandu. After arriving at the hotel, you can take some rest and make some walk in the tourist market Thamel or visit the Peregrine Treks office, depending on your arrival time. We will introduce you to your guide and give short information about trekking itinerary as well as trekking gears. At night, you will be served authentic Nepalese food with a cultural program. Overnight at a three-star hotel in Thamel.
Meals: Not Included
Day 02: Drive to Chamje
After having early morning breakfast, the journey begins from Kathmandu to Chamje. After a drive of 6 hours, you will reach Besisaharwhere a new vehicle is allotted. From Beskisahar onwards off-road conditions start, which may last up to 3 hours. In this course, the road passes through many villages, terrace rice fields, beautiful huts, river gorge, and cliffs. Finally, upon your will arrival at Chamje, you will be provided the best available room. Overnight at Chamje.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 03: Trek from Chamje to Dharapani
After breakfast, your first-day trek will start with the uphill and downhill crossing of many of the suspension bridges, waterfalls, and rocky cliffs along the river side forest. You will stop for lunch at the beautiful mountain valley Taal which is the entrance of the Manang District. After lunch, you will continue your trek to Bagarchap. The estimated walking hours for today are about 6 hours before you arrive at the Lodge. After refreshment, you may order your dinner. Our guide will help you organize and serve your dinner and drinks. Overnight at Bagarchap.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 04: Trek to Chame
After early morning breakfast, your trek to Chamestart and last for 6 hours approximately. The trails start with steep climbs after passing Danaque village. Two hours walk, and you will reach Tamang village from where you will witness exquisite views of Mt. Manaslu (8156 m) and neighboring mountains. During the rest at Tamang village, you can have a cup of tea to relax and observe the breathtaking views of Himalayas then after you continue your trek to Chame on high roads along with pine forest and arrive Kotto. From Kotto, you can view Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 05: Trek to Pisang
After breakfast, you will walk through the suspension bridge and can see the Tibetan Mani wall and beautifully painted ,gate which is perfect for some memorable photographs. The trails go up through the alpine forest and you will cross through the suspension bridge again. Then after the steep paths start but will enjoy your walk as you will see amazing black big Rocky Mountains on the way. You will have your lunch once you reach DhukurPokhari or Pisang depending upon your pace and interest. However, it’s better to reach Pisang the very day as it will help your body acclimatize better. You will have your lunch in DhukurPokhari or cross it and arrive at Pisang your today’s destination is a splendid and closer view of Annapurna and Pisang Peak. You will feel thin air when you rest and start to walk with hard breathing because of high elevation if you have time, better to climb upper Pisang to acclimatize your body.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 06: Trek to Mangng via Ghyaru
From today, you start trekking towards the upper part of the Manang District. You will gradually notice the beautiful landscape and vegetation in the upper part of the Manang District. There are alternate trails after passing through Pisang village. The left side of the Marshyangdi River is called lower Pisang, and the right side is called upper Pisang. Both routes come become tougher at Mungi, and through there, you will reach a hidden village called Baraka nearby Manag, where you will spend a couple of nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 07: Acclimatization day in Manang
Today, after breakfast, you will make some steep walk up towards Gangapurna Viewpoint (3800 m). To avoid the mountain sickness after viewing Yak Kharka, ThorongPhedi, and Thorang pass (5416 m), then come back to the hotel for lunch and take some rest. Then after you will go to the Himalayan Rescue Association hall at 3 o’clock where you will learn about high altitude sickness. There you will get detail information on how you and your team prepare for Thorang Pass Trek. Then, you will come back and spent a night at the same lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 08: Trek to Yak Kharka
Today’s walking trail starts from Manang to Yakkharka. This route offers you the spectacular views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna Iv, and GangapurnaTilicho Mountain. Today’s trekking route is not long distance. The guides will teach and explain the local language and culture so that you may communicate with locals. The trails take 3 – 4 hours to arrive at Yakkharka (4000 m). If your body can then one more hour of the trek will take you to Leder (4200m). Finally, when you reach the lodge, you can rest in your room and hydrate yourself with plenty of water or garlic soup.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Thorong Phedi (4650m) or High Camp (4800)
This day’s trek is also not very long as we walk from Yakkarka to ThorangPhedi. In total, this route will complete in 3 – 4 hours depending upon your body and weather conditions. For e.g., in the winter season the trail will be covered with snow, hence one needs to walk slowly and carefully to avoid any mishaps. Today you will see blue sheep and yaks on the sides of the river. After walking for around 3 hours you will reach ThorongPhedi (4600 m). You may call it a day if you are tired, otherwise to make the trek of the next day easier you can climb further to reach High Camp (4800 m).
Traveler’s Note: If you have limited time, you can take a Jeep from Kathmandu here. By this, you can save yourself one week.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: High camp to Muktinath via Thorang pass (5416m)
This day is one of the toughest treks as you have to ascend to Thorang La Pass (5416 m). It is one of the highest passes in the whole world. Therefore, the day starts early at around 3:30 AM if you overnight at ThorongPhedi on Day 9. If you overnight at High Camp on Day 9, then you can start your trek at 5 AM. The main reason to start early is to avoid the strong wind that starts to blow from 11 AM onwards. Since there are no tea shops at the top so you will have to fill yo bottles with hot water and carry a head light. It is a 3 – 4 hours of steep yet breathtaking walk to the top. The spectacular views of the mountain on both sides will offer you with majestic photo opportunities. The past trekkers have decorated the top with Buddhist prayer flags. There you may also see a great sign board indicating Thorong La (5416 m), and plenty of trekkers love to take a photo with that in the background. However, you cannot spend a long time there, so to avoid altitude sickness, you will start descending to Muktinath (1616 m). Muktinath is a popular shrine for both Hindu and Buddhist. Overnight at Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Jeep driving to Tatopani (1100 m)
After your breakfast, you will drive on a local jeep to Tatopani via Jomsom, Kalopani, Ghasa. At Tatopani, which is translated in English as warm water, there is an amazing natural hot spring mechanism where you can enjoy the bath with a bottle of beer to negate your tiredness. At this point, you are in at an altitude of 1100 m. Overnight at Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Trek all the way to Ghorepani (2800m)
You will start the course early on this day because of the hot weather during the afternoon time. The trail begins with a steep uphill walk through the terraced farmland and then passes through beautiful Gurung village. Here you can see the lush green mountains and a further than that snowcapped mountains. You will have your lunch at Chitre somewhere in between. You will also witness the national flower of Nepal “Laliguras (Rhododendron)” in abundance during this course. After 8 – 9 hours of walk, you will reach Ghorepani. Ghorepani is very close to Pokhara, and from here, you can see panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. Therefore, it is one of the famous destinations for domestic and international tourists.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Early morning hike to Poon hill, descend to Tikhedhunga and drive to Pokhara
Panoramic views from Ghorepani are not enough for every traveler, and weak up early in the morning around 4:30 take some water, flash- light, and Camera then hike up to Poon Hill through the rhododendron forest in the night. It takes about one hour to the top (3210 m) has a spectacular panoramic view of sunrise up on the Himalayas. Every people climb viewpoint ladder to takes photos and relaxed their eyes then back to Lodge for breakfast and again descent down to the Tikhedhunga to catch Jeep for Pokhara (Lake Side) where they have star level tourist hotels and restaurant provides Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Italian continental food offering picturesque views of Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and Phewa Lake views. Pokhara is a clean city with a spectacular view also called the entrance of Annapurna Mountain. Overnight at 3-star hotel, but dinner is not included to choose variety on the last day of long trekking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Today you will drive to Kathmandu through Prithvi Highway after your [[Not allowed]] will take 6 – 8 hours approximately depending upon traffic. After you reach Kathmandu, you will check-in at an allocated three-star hotel. Tonight you can relax with the farewell dinner of your choice and cultural program. You can also visit tourist spots near your hotel for souvenir shopping or just sightseeing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: Departure
It is the last day of your most memorable trek. Our representative will manage and guide you to the Tribhuwan International Airport 3 hours before your departure time. He/she will warmly say good bye to you and wish your safe journey until we see each other next time.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
