Annapurna Circuit Trek

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Annapurna Circuit Trek - Days

Trip Route

Besisahar - Manang - Ice Lake - Thorong La Pass - Kagbeni - Marpha - Tatopani - Pokhara

Trip Facts

Group Size
1+ PAX
Trip Grade
Moderate/Strenuous
Accommodation
Lodge/Guesthouse
Max. Elevation
5,416 M/17,764 FT
Meals
Full board meals on the trek
Transportation
Tourist Bus/Private vehicle
Best Season
Autumn to Spring

Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlights

  • Visiting number of medieval Buddhist monasteries
  • Explore abundant glacier and fresh watery lake Ice Lake, Gangapurna Lake, Green Lake, Dumba Lake, and Tilicho Lake
  • Annapurna circuit trek offers breathtaking mountain view including 3 mountains above 8000 m
  • Trekking thru Tibetan influence cultural villages Kagbeni, Marpha and Bhraka
  • Take a bath from 108 water taps in Muktinath temple for a sin free in the life
  • Lifetime experience trekking into the world deepest gorge
  • Combined trekking experience in single journey subtropical to trans Himalaya climate zone
  • Encounter infinite flora and fauna en route of Annapurna circuit trek
  • Annapurna circuit trek with several day site trip
  • Crossing over world highest trekking pass "Thorong la pass"
  • Dip into the natural hot spring in Chame and Tatopani
  • Explore heritage sites of Kathmandu valley and natural places in Pokhara

Annapurna circuit trek, a diverse trek in Nepal expose dissimilar culture, diverse nature and also experience the ultimate adventure. A route stretch from steamy rice terrace to alpine climate zone where trekkers explore vivid Nepalese culture and scenery rapidly varying.  Annapurna circuit trek is a combo package of nature, culture and teste your adventure level with crossing Thorong La pass (5416 m). Annapurna circuit trek route follows Marshyandi River northeast of Annapurna mountain range and descends from Thorung la pass alongside the Kali Gandaki River on west south of Annapurna massif. En route of Annapurna trek walking on the huge gorge, rock cliff, throughout traditional mountain village, crossing world highest trekking pass, a turquoise glacier lake, Tibetan plateau and then visiting world deepest ravine also dip into the natural hot spring.
On the Annapurna circuit trek, we do cultural excursion Upper Pisang, Manang, Kagbeni, Marpha, Muktinath, Jomsom, and Tal village before getting back Pokhara. You'll be acclimatized Manang village before tackling against Thorung la pass, on spared day of Manang can do side trek to Ice Lake, Chongkar viewpoint, Praken Gompa, Milarepa Cave, and Gangapurna glacier lake. A rich Annapurna circuit trail taking through beautiful apple garden, semi-arid plateau, rice terrace, snow and icy path over Thorung la and colorful rhododendron forest also get blessed from Hindu temple and Buddhist monasteries. Also, get a close glimpse of animals and take a picture with wild mountain herbs, it uses to make Ayurveda medicine. Upon reaching higher, you will have a stunning view of majestic mountains including Manaslu (8163 m), Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, Thorong peak, etc.
It is the longest available trek in Annapurna area where folks can do hike in natural conservation area from 8 days to 21 days. However, the trek graded strenuous where the average hike is 6-8 hours a day and good physical level requires. For the short time period trekkers, recommended 10-days Annapurna base camp trek, 3-days Poon Hill trek, 6-days Mardi Himal trek, 7-days Khopra ridge trek, and 5-days Poon Hill Ghandruk trek.

Daily itinerary

Once you provides us your Kathmandu arrival details, we pick you up from on arrival gate of Tribhuvan international airport. The airport representative stay standby with your name on placard. Then you'll be welcomed with fresh garland after that short driven to your hotel. After room check-in take your own time for rest and relax.

The bus departs early morning from Kathmandu. Its an interesting drive through Prithvi Highway passing cultivated greeneries, the Trishuli river where people do rafting, then continuing along the Marshyandi river and paddy farms to Besisahar, the commercial city of the nearby area. The drive resume onward to Ngadi village then 2 hours gentle ascend thru Nepalese villages and rice terrace to Bahundanda village.

Annapurna circuit trek route continues on rice promenade and village above the Marshyandi River, on arrival Ghermu village can see thundering waterfall ahead. From here trek continues on the west bank of the river and passes Jagat village and stop for the lunch an hour ahead, Chyamje village. A trek onward on the gorge to Tal village with an exceptional view of boulder formation and waterfall.

From Tal village, the trek continues east bank of Marshyandi River with enjoying mesmerize scenery of thundering waterfall and high cliffs to Dharapani where Manaslu circuit route meet up with Annapurna circuit path. Again follow path east bank of River thru Tache village to Danakyu village. The trail beyond here is steep ascend up to Timang, you will get a breathtaking vista of mount Manaslu. A remaining trekking track to Tanchok is mostly flat on the jungle.

Today we are trekking to Upper Pisang where the Manang valley begins also can see influence Tibetan culture. The first section of trail continues with viewing massive Lamjung Himal then passes large apple farm at Bhratang village. Entire today trekking path is fairly easier than other days onward to Dhukur Pokhari trail goes bottom of mount heave peak. From Dhukur Pokhari follow a small trail on foot of Pisang peak to Upper Pisang. The large village has few tea houses plus colorful Buddhist monastery from here we will see thick snow Annapurna mountain range with mount Manaslu in the far distance.

From Upper Pisang, we taking the upper route to Manang village via Ngawal village. You will enjoy to see the breathtaking mountain view of Annapurna Himalayan range also wider Manang valley. The walk begins from camp then stop on the green lake for the picture then steady ascend up to Ghyaru village. Onward to Manang village walk thru traditional Ngawal village and remaining of Ghale palace. Also passes beautiful natural erosion carved mount and medieval Buddhist monastery Braga village before arriving Manang.

An extra night at 3500 m is highly recommend for the trekker's who are on board to Thorong la pass or Tilicho Lake. There are several option to spend acclimatization day in Manang
Chongkar viewpoint (3860 m): The viewpoint lying opposite site of Manang village on the basement of Annapurna III and above Gangapurna Glacier Lake in en route of Annapurna circuit trek. The viewpoint is around 400 m above the Manang village which takes approximately 2/3 hours for a round day trek. An easy day trek offers the best scenery of blue-green glacier lake and quaint Manang village plus breathtaking mountain view with a shining glacier. One tea shop is available on the ridge and it open seasonal where basic meals and hot drinks are existing.
Praken Gompa (4000 m): While acclimatization in Manang makes your way to Praken Gompa AKA 100 Rupees monks' monastery lying head of Manang village. The trail to Praken gompa is steady climbing-up on vertical mountains and crumbling steeply descending. The monastery is built on the sturdy cliff with two compartment kitchen-cum sleeping room and the temple is in another room. The folks should donate 100 rupees to enter the monastery and in return, blessing to succeed your journey to Thorong La pass. As it high climbs up in 4/5 hours trek, it helps you lot for good acclimatization against alpine altitude. The day hike also offers amazing mountain view including Annapurna range, Tilicho peak, Gangapurna, Mount Manaslu with turquoise Gangapurna lake plus broad Nyeshang valley.
Ice lake (4600 m): Ice Lake AKA Kecho Lake, one of the available challenging detour around Manang village. The length of ice lake day trek is approximately 10 km but huge altitude gain like 1090 m, in 6/7 hours trek. Basically, there are two routes to reach Ice Lake but the path leading from Braga has clear trail than alternative route also passes thru periodic teashop at 4200 m. The route from Braga is competitively wider and more route sign en route also found more trekkers follow.
Another route to the frozen lake is from Manang village, follow a dim path on mountain herbs shrub with steady climbing up but high chances to spot flora and fauna. Relatively the distance is a bit less than main, both trail meet-up at the ridge where the white stupa is built. Do not confuse there are two lakes and the second lake is the Ice lake where possible to see an image of the Annapurna III and Chulu East / Far East peak. The Ice lake day trek offers one of the best views of Annapurna range from east Manaslu and Thorong peak on the west.
Milarepa Cave (4250 m): The cave of great Tibetan saint where he had done meditation for a long time to achieve the enlightenment. The cave is lying on isolate are on the bottom of Annapurna II where only countless tourists explored. The path contains level, steeply ascend and steady descendant on grit. Entire Milarepa day trek hardly sees other people, it presents wide landscapes view below Chulu East/Far East and Pisang peak.

The trek goes gradual up through the Manang village passing the chorten, mani wall, and stupa crossing on the beautiful fertilized land to reach Tanki Manang. Along the trail we will encounter wild animal blue sheep, pheasant and yak and also offers magnificent view of Himalayas. After reaching tea house short hiking on the dwarf alpine for the acclimatization.

You'll see stunning sunrise on Annapurna Himalayan range then trek starts from Yak Kharka. We follow the gradual up trail on the mountain shrubs also can see yak alongside the route. You may refile safe drinking water at Ledar then again continues ramble on highland and cross Marshyandi River. You may stop for a cup of tea on the west bank of the Khola, so trekker's need to be alert on a narrow and unstable spree here because the rock often dwindling down from above the trail. On arrival Thorong Phedi, we make a lunch break then steeply climbing up on pebble trail to high camp. Only one lodge is available at Thorong la high camp with 200 people sleeping capacity. After reserve bedroom short hiking to Thorong high camp viewpoint for acclimatization.

Awaited day on your Annapurna circuit trek, early morning leaving from the lodge. It is a long challenging day with a crossing of the Thorong La (5416 m). The first section of trail to world highest trekking pass is steeply up on the pebble and most probably on deep snow. It would be hard walking on 5000 m altitude but the scenery of the nearby area is vividly awesome. Thorong la summit providing dramatically sights of barren Kaligandaki valley below Mount Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain range.
From here path steeply descend between Thorong peak and Yakawa Kang peak on the moraine, pebble to Phedi, where a branch of Kaligandaki river begins. Keep walking down with crossing suspension bridge then arrive Muktinath temple complex. Enjoying to see natural and religious sites including natural burning gas, 108 water spot, and Buddhist monastery, Hindu temple, bathing pond, Buddha stupa, and Narasimha temple. Then short walking down to lodge at Ranipawa.

After spending night important holy place of Nepal, leaving from lodge with descending steeply on barren hillside via Jarkot village and Jhong village to Kagbeni. Entire today trail continues on semi-arid Kali Gandaki valley, the landscapes and local culture is resemble of Tibet. While preparing lunch at Kagbeni, side excursion on Kag monastery and cultural excursion on medieval alley. While walking on bank of Kaligandaki River where can easily find the ammonite. Also waking against strong wind after midday to Thini village, a trail provides picturesque view of Jomsom village and organic apple orchid farm plus can see Dhaulagiri massive, Nilgiri Himal and Tilicho peak.

Exceptional Mountain View can see from Thini village, including highest mountain mount Dhaulagiri, Tukche peak, Nilgiri Himal and Tilicho Peak. Today walk strolling thru the village, pine forest also passes stunning green Dumba Lake. The trail marked east bank of Kaligandaki River alongside the farm where can see harvesting apple during autumn. The picturesque Marpha and Tukche village on bottom of Mount Dhaulagiri make your day hike enjoyable. Also passing Tibetan refugee Chhairo village before arriving Kalopani village.

Kalopani offers gorgeous Mountain View including two mountains above 8000 Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. Annapurna circuit walk continues into the gorge between Annapurna Himalayan range and Dhaulagiri and stop to take a photo of world deepest valley in Pairothaplo. East bank the Gandaki Khola has trekking trail to avoid the jeep track. The scenery dramatically changed from mountains into the greeneries and cultivate landscapes also enjoy to see long Rupse waterfall before reaching to Tatopani (Hot spring). After room check-in visit to natural hot spring on the bank of the glacier, the river is also possible to dip in the pond which helps you remove your muscle pains.

The distance from Tatopani to Ghorepani is 15.5 Km and except the 1.5 km path from Tatopani to Ghar Kholagaon, the rest of the trail is ascent up throughout the village and rhododendron forest. It probably takes 7-8 hours trekking at a comfortable walking pace. From Tatopani can drive to Ghorepani by four-wheel vehicle, we often walking on jeep road till Ghara village also using alternative trekking trail on the ridge then from Ghara follow trekking track to Ghorepani. The Tatopani to Ghorepani day trek offers a stunning view of the rice field underneath of Annapurna south and Dhaulagiri also enjoys to see charming Nepalese cultures. The Ghorepani village is one of the important villages on Annapurna trekking and it is the best place to go Poon Hill viewpoint.

Option back to Pokhara
From Tatopani possible to get back Pokhara within a few hour's drive. The drive offers astounding scenery of sub-tropical climate also the formation of a natural boulder. A drive continues along the Kali Gandaki gorge on the bumpy and dusty road then from Beni further drive on the blacktopped road to Pokhara.

In the morning the walk starts from your guesthouse, Ghorepani to Poon hill. The single way distance of Poon hill is 1.5 Km from Ghorepani and averagely can complete in 45-60 min trekking with strolling on the stone-stairs. The Poon Hill viewpoint provides breathtaking Himalayas sceneries and also glorious sunrise on the Annapurna mountain range. After taking stunning photos turned back to Ghorepani for the breakfast. We eat delightful breakfast then trek strolling on the downhill into the rhododendron forest then stop at Ulleri which is 9 km far from Ghorepani.
After taking shortstop Ulleri, we jump on the jeep, from here 4-hours' drive to Pokhara. We drive through the villages till Nayapul on the dusty and bumpy road. Now the drive endures on the good paved road on the Kali Gandaki corridor to Pokhara. You will have an enjoyable drive with variation sceneries of the mountains and landscapes. Upon arrived Pokhara, room check-in then has leisure time and explores Lakeside.

The distance between Pokhara to Kathmandu is only 205 km but it requires a complete day drive because of the small and zig-zag road as well as the traffic on the road. The standard tourist bus departure at 7:30 am daily from near to Lakeside Pokhara and 7-8 hours' drive on Prithivi highway. The buses stopping along the high way for breakfast, lunch, and toilet, it is a scenic drive. Although it is a long drive but definitely enjoyable and fun trip. Except for the tourist bus the public buses and micro-buses (Van) departure 05:00 hours to 16:00 hours from Prithi Chowk Pokhara.

Time to say good bye to all your Nepalese friends! You may want to go on a last minute shopping spree. You must be at the airport 3hrs before your flight.

Note:
If you willing to do scenic mountain flight to see Mt. Everest or willing to do one day thrilling white water rafting. We can help to organize you.


What's included?

  • International airport transfer airport/hotel/airport
  • Annapurna circuit trek permit (Annapurna conservation area and Trekkers' Information Management Systems card)
  • Complementary trekking gear sleeping bag, down jacket and trekking pole
  • Annapurna circuit trek is led by highly experience trekking guide
  • Three meals a day during the trek in the mountains (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner with hot drinks)
  • Kathmandu/Pokhara to Ngadi by bus
  • Benito Pokhara by public bus or shared jeep
  • Fresh fruits apple, banana and snack
  • Twin sharing basic accommodation during the trek in the mountains
  • Farewell dinner organize at authentic Nepalese restaurant with live cultural show
  • First aid medical kit, oximeter to check pulse, heart rate and oxygen saturation at higher altitude

What's not included?

  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Meals and accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Porter for carrying the luggage (1 Porter for 2 trekker's)
  • Private transport to Bulbule and to Pokhara
  • Personal expense hot shower, laundry, phone call, interne etc
  • All drinks soft and hard
  • Gratitude/Tips to guide and porter

Fixed Departures

Sorry, No fixed departure dates availabe, Please request for Private Trip

Essential Information

A Guide to Annapurna Circuit Trek Accommodation

The Annapurna circuit trek has a wide range of accommodation facilities on your suitable from budget/cheap to luxury. Since the last few years the friendly mountain people have improved their hospitality in tourism because of the travelers are growing. Tea house base Annapurna circuit trek is authentic trekking style in Nepal, the lodge is built and managed by friendly local Gurung family. Staying overnight with local lodges are directly helping to local people and community. All the guesthouse supplies power from hydroelectricity and solar panel also possible to charge your electronic device. En route both Asian-squat and English style toilet facilities available also 24 hours hot shower with weak connection free WIFI. Meet and chat with like minded travelers while seating on chimney dining hall and restaurant.


Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost

We are operating Annapurna circuit trek in both luxurious and budget for solo, small family and friends group also group joining in reasonable cost because we understand a competitive global market. Annapurna circuit trek cost will depend on the mode of transport your desire to use from Kathmandu to the trekking starting point and get back to Pokhara by flight/drive (shared/public). Kathmandu and Pokhara accommodation are not included in the package but we are happy to suggest a friendly and nice hotel/hostel in the town and do city hotel arrangement at extra cost.


Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary

Annapurna circuit trek is most beautiful trekking route in Nepalese Himalayas, it reflects Nepalese and Tibetan culture from subtropical and alpine climate zone also the trek provide Mountain View.
From 2010 jeep/bus track opening from Besisahar to Manang that break the Annapurna circuit trekking route. In present-day trekkers can traverse up to Manang village buy a four-wheel drive.
The daily regular jeep departure from Besisahar to Chame as long as enough passenger on the jeep (10 PAX). Also, a private jeep tour is possible all the way to Manang. The driving road onward to Manang village which contains bumpy and dusty motorway. Upon trek down to Muktinath village from Thorong la pass, the drive road access to Pokhara and Kathmandu.
The beautiful AC trek can begin from Ngadi, Chyamje, Dharapani, Chamje, Pisang and Manang after that drive back to Pokhara from Muktinath, Jomsom, Tatopani, Ulleri and Ghandrunk. En route Annapurna circuit trek possible to add numerous of the side trek which is the highlight of the trek like Tilicho lake, Ice Lake, Dona Lake, Tiri village, Milarepa cave, etc.