Annapurna Circuit Trek
Annapurna Circuit Trek is well known by everyone all over the world.
The scenery is stunning, the mountains are magnificent and the hardworking decent people you will meet along the way will stay in your hearts and memories forever. This is a challenging adventure you will never forget and can relive with all your family and friends for many years to come.
About 4-5 hours drive from Pokhara and 6-7 hours from Kathmandu, you will be on the first step to meet with these beautiful, snow- capped peaks.
While doing this trek , you pass through sub-tropical forests , tropical forests, alpine forests and ultimately find yourself in a stunning, barren landscape which looks like Tibet. Enjoy not only the forests , but as you gain altitude , you get the opportunity to experience the contrasting changes in climate. Nature lovers will revel in the beauty of this trek, this country, this planet.
A new trekking trail is open as far as Manang so trekkers can choose either of two ways to start the Annapurna circuit … by walking the trekking trail or an adventure drive on the hilly road.
There has been road building recently which initially was very disturbing, but this has turned out to be of no concern now. Your Annapurna Circuit journey through these amazing mountains and cultures can still be enjoyed and explored. Local people nowadays have good access for food and health needs, important if living in these areas. And when an emergency occurs due to the high altitude or some misfortune, at that time trekkers will also get benefit from the road.
Main attractions of this area are of historical Brahmin-Chhettri culture, then on through Gurung, Bhote & Thakali cultures.
Along with Tilicho Lake at 4,949 meters, the lake of highest elevation in the World, you will trek over Throng-La Pass at 5,416 meters, which has been claimed as the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit, to Muktinath and also to a 511 years old monastery situated in Jharkot on the way to Kagbeni .
The down journey should not be rushed. The beautiful apple orchards of Marpha and sometimes wandering along cool forest pathways all the way to Tato Pani’s hot springs is delightfully wonderful.
Remember to turn around and look where you have come from !
Trekkers can choose to stay at any welcoming guest house along the way. All of which are simply run by local people. You can experience staying in the remotest areas of the World with some of the most rare people of the world.
Treks range from 12 days to one month according to your preference. It is advisable to take rest for a few days on the way as going up directly might cause acclimatization problem.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel
Day 02: Rest, sightseeing, preparation, assignment and briefing.
Day 03: Drive to Bhulbhule via Dumre and Besisahar
Day 04: Commence trek Bhulbhule to Shange (1136m)
Day 05: Trek from Shange to Tal (1710m)
Day 06: Terk from Tal to Bagarchhap (2160m)
Day 07: Bagarchhap to Chame (2630m)
Day 08: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3300m)
Day 09: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3500m)
Day 10: Acclimatization day at Manang
Day 11: Trek from Manang to Ledar (4250m)
Day 12: Trek from Ledar to Phedi or High camp (4600m)
Day 13: Trek from Phedi or High Camp to Muktinath (3710m)
Day 14: Trek from Muktinath to Tukuche (2600m)
Day 15: Trek from Tukuche to Ghasa (2100m)
Day 16: Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1200m)
Day 17: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2850)
Day 18: Explore Poonhill and Trek to Tikhedhunga (1495m)
Day 19: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhara
Day 20: Tourist Bus Journey from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 21: Kathmandu to Your Port of Destination
Fact of the Trip
Trek Name: – Annapurna Circuit with Base Camp Trek
Best season: -autumn (Sep to Dec) & Spring (Feb to May)
Transportation: – By tourist Vehicles (bus, Car, Van)
Accommodation: – Tea house /Camping
Grade: – Strenuous Trek
Highest access: 5416m
Duration: 21 Days
Group Size: Min 1 to Max 10
Culture: Gurung, Magar, Thakali
Himalayan sights: Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and fishtail
Attraction: Close Mountain View, Villages
Day to Day Schedule of our Package:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel
Welcome assistance by Nepal Vacation representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to hotel in Kathmandu. Rest at the hotel and briefing about the trip. Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan.
Day 2: Rest, sightseeing, preparation, assignment and briefing.
Snowy horizon organizes a half day city tour in and around Kathmandu Valley to make you live touch with the monuments, temples and monasteries such as durbar square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath or Swoyambhunath etc. and provide you leisure time for rest and preparation for next trip to Annapurna Circuit Trek and evening briefing at your hotel or at the office. Your overnight accommodation is set in BB Plan at same Hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Bhulbhule via Dumre and Besisahar
The day begins with drive to Besisahar – Bhulbhule about 5-6 hrs from Kathmandu along to the Prithwi highway. We divert off the highway at the bustling town of Dumre and continue for a further one and half hours to Besisahar. After lunch we complete the short drive to the road head at Bhulbhule (846 meters) in the Marysandi Valley, overnight at lodge/teahouse with dinner.
Day 4: Commence trek Bhulbhule to Shange (1136m)
Commence trek to Shange begins after having breakfast and the walk about 5-6 hrs as an easy start and then a taste of things to come – the climb up to Bahun Danda, a picturesque village at the top of this formidable ridge. Then it’s down, across terraces and over small streams, before rejoining the Marsyangdi and following it upstream for several km to our overnight camp with teahouse/lodge in full board near the village of Shange.
Day 5: Trek from Shange to Tal (1710m)
A wonderful walk with such changes in scenery and a range of gradients is begins today. From Tal we head across the river and ascend steeply to finally reach the ridge top high above. We cross another suspension bridge before a continued ascent up a narrow and beautiful valley where, after rain, many spectacular waterfalls will flow. Just before camp at Tal the first village in Manang, we come over a small rise and enter a wide, flat valley with a long, silvery waterfall to the right.
Day 6: Terk from Tal to Bagarchhap (2160m)
We make a trail verse crossing a wide, flat valley. The trail then climbs a stone stairway to 1860m till another stairway. The journey continues making up and down to Dharapani at 1890m. There we find a stone entrance Chorten typical of the Tibetan influenced villages from here northwards. We then visit the Bagarchhap at 2160m that offers the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans design although the village which is still in the transition zone before the dry highlands.
Day 7: Bagarchhap to Chame (2630m)
With often rough and rocky, the trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360m, and then continues through forest, but near the river, to Kopar at 2590m. As we reach the Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II as you approach Chame and two small hot springs by the town.
Day 8: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3300m)
The day starts through deep forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2910m. We then cross another bridge at 3040m, from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face really begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3200m and 3300m.
Day 9: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3500m)
Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region, herd yaks and raise crops for part of the year besides, they also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784. Leaving Pisang, we have an alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meet up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325m involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3475m to nearby Manang at 3500m.
Day 10: Acclimatization day at Manang
Today we spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. The whole day we spend by doing some fine day walks and over viewing the magnificent views around the village and the day time is best to gain altitude. At the end of the day, we return back to our accommodation and have a night rest.
Day 11: Trek from Manang to Ledar (4250m)
Today we leave Manang, and the trail makes an ascent of nearly 2000m to the Thorong La pass. We make the climb steadily through Tenki, leaving the Marshyangdi Valley. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we reach Ledar at 4250m, there we see the vegetations steadily more sparse.
Day 12: Trek from Ledar to Phedi or High camp (4600m)
The trail descends to cross the river at 4310m we then climb up to Phedi at 4420m. At High Camp on the elevation of 4600m, we can recently found some good Guesthouses built. Your overnight stay will be there.
Day 13: Trek from Phedi or High Camp to Muktinath (3710m)
The journey from Phedi “foot of the hill” or at the foot to the 5416m Thorong La pass, begins the day. We then make the climb steeply that is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problem to cross the pass if it is covered by snow. About four hours climb up to the pass marked by the Chortens and prayer flags. As you reach the top, you are rewarded by the magnificent view from the top.
Day 14: Trek from Muktinath to Tukuche (2600m)
Tukuche is also nice settlements of more than 100 houses of Thakali people. It has also 2 monasteries, and one apple brandy factory. If you are interested to see how apple brandy is produced, you will be taken there.
Day 15: Trek from Tukuche to Ghasa (2100m)
From Tukuche the trek begins today downward walk along the Kaligandaki river beach with a trail of motor able road or if tired on self payment basis you can ride a bus or jeep up to Ghasa where your overnight accommodation is set.
Day 16: Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1200m)
From Ghasa the trek begins today downward walk along the Kaligandaki river beach with a trail of motor able road or if tired on self payment basis you can ride a bus or jeep up to Tatopani where your overnight accommodation is set.
Day 17: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2850)
Today is a bit hard day for trek up to Ghorepani with about 50-60 degree slope up via Ghara, Shikha and Chitre the Braman and Magar Indigenous habitant. Lunch on the way and overnight at teahouse/lodge at Ghorepani is set.
Day 18: Explore Poonhill and Trek to Tikhedhunga (1495m)
Early morning trip to Poonhill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri , Tukuche Peak Nilgiri, Varaha Shikhar , Mt. Annapurna I , Lamjung Himal and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After breakfast trek to Tikhedhunga with 4-5hours walking where the overnight accommodation with dinner is scheduled.
Day 19: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhara
This morning the trek starts after having breakfast in Tikhedhunga toward Nayapul about 4 hours with lunch on the way from where you are taken to Pokhara by private vehicle driving and keep you in Hotel as per agreed category with BB Plan.
Day 20: Tourist Bus Journey from Pokhara to Kathmandu
After having breakfast your trip starts by drive back from Pokhara to Katmandu by tourist Coach about 6 hours driving and overnight is arranged in Kathmandu as per agreed category with BB Plan.
Day 21: Kathmandu to Your Port of Destination
With the farewell gift like pashmina or Nepal vacation T-Shirt, our representative will drop you to the International Airport (TIA) to assist you for your final departure to your home or alternatively the next destination.