Trip Overview
Do you know that the Annapurna Circuit Trek route is one of the classical trekking routes of Nepal? Yes, the trail is the most popular trekking trail to trek in Nepal. Most of the people visiting Nepal used to trek on this trail earlier. It was the longest detour trekking route as well after Great Himalayan Trail. However, the trial has shortened. It is possible to complete the trekking in less than two weeks’ holiday in Nepal. Therefore, travel planners of Nepal High Trek in Nepal have knitted the best itinerary for the Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days package. Relish the chance to walk on Nepal’s legendary trekking trail and learn the culture of multiethnic people living around the route.
The number of days for trekking decreased significantly. The major reasons behind the decrease in the length of the trekking route are the construction of the road. Nowadays, the hilly postal road constructed by Nepal Government has drastically shortened the trekking days. However, trekkers need to be aware of risk-free and altitude-friendly trekking procedures. It is always fascinating and momentous to walk in high-altitude regions without the risk of AMS. The test of the trekking agencies’ mettle and experience in the field of Nepal Trekking is shown while operating the trekking activities considering such factors.
Why you must do Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days?
There are countless reasons to do Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days. The most essential thing and also the hurdle in every successful trekking trip is the length of the holiday. Nowadays, it is hard to get long holidays. Moreover, longer holidays mean more financial burden. Therefore, having shorter holidays yet visiting the high-altitude passes and Himalayan landscape is truly rewarding. In about 12 days’ time, trekkers will get the chance to witness more than a dozen mountain vistas, multiethnic villages, monasteries, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, temples, green lush diverse forests, and grassy meadows.
Another most important reason to do the Annapurna Round Trek is the inclusion of Tilicho Lake in the itinerary. The itinerary of Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days includes the world’s highest-situated lake Tilicho Lake. Gurung, Thakali, and Tibetan Nepalese people villages are the added bonus along with the exploration of monasteries and temples.
Tiliho Lake Trek Itinerary
The lake is the world’s highest-situated lake of the world and it’s located at 4919m above sea level. Please check out the Annapurna Circuit Trek package on our site. The trip of Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days takes a different route to Tilicho Lake away from the normal Circuit Trek route. The trail is rugged and prone to landslides. Therefore, trekkers need to heed the instructions of the trekking guide. Earlier trekkers had to stay overnight in the tented accommodation. However, it is not the case now. Trekkers can get teahouses and lodges in the Tilicho Base Camp. After the exploration of the lake area, trekkers meet the circuit trek by trekking through Ledar.
How difficult is the Annapurna Round Trek?
Walking on the rugged trail high in the mountains is not an easy task. It requires a good amount of physical fitness, perseverance, and a positive mindset. Therefore, without exasperation, Nepal High Trek highly recommends trekkers to build their level of fitness to a certain level. On average, trekkers have to walk 6 – 7 hours uphill and downhill during the trek. Moreover, altitude to plays a crucial role. Involve yourself in some cardiovascular exercises to build your fitness level and respiratory power. If you do the following activities, it is fairly moderate to do the trek.
Is it Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trek?
Yes, the trek is also popularly known as the Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trek. It doesn’t matter whether you call it the Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days or the former. However, don’t forget to discuss the itinerary with the travel planners. Always ask for includes and excludes before finalizing the trek.
Things to know before Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days
You need to know lots of things before booking the trek in Nepal. Lots of people get hassles in their trekking trips because of a lack of information about the conditions while trekking in Nepal. Here is a list of the things that you must know before doing the trek in Nepal.
- Permit: You need two permits to do the trek. They are ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project – Rs. 3000 per person) and TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System – Rs. 1000 per person).
- Travel Insurance: Highly needed! The plan must include emergency helicopter rescue, medical expenses, accidents, trip cancellations, etc.
- Food and Accommodation: Trekkers will be spending the overnight either in a teahouse or a lodge. There are numerous restaurants along the way. People can enjoy food items from Western cuisine to local dishes. However, in some places, the choice of menu items is very less.
- Trekking Solo is risky. There are many confusing side trails in the area. Moreover, the rugged and landslide-prone trail is a high risk for solo trekkers. While crossing the Thorong La Pass, there are many fatal and unfortunate incidents happened to solo trekkers. Therefore, avoid doing solo trekking in the Annapurna Circuit Trek route.
- Best time to do the trek: The months of spring and autumn season in Nepal are the best times to do the trek. During this time of the year, the climate is cooler and the surrounding environment or scenery is clearer.
- Get a reliable and Nepal government-licensed trekking agency to arrange the trek for you.
- Rent or buy the proper gear and equipment for trekking. Ask for recommendations from the travel agency in order to pack or buy clothes, gear, and equipment needed for the trip.
Besides, Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days, if you have ample time you can extend the holiday throughout the trip. This trek has combined other popular treks like Nar Phu Valley Trek, Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek, Jomsom Muktinat Trek, and Annapurna Tilichoa Lake with Meshokanto La Pass too.
Book the Annapurna Circuit Trek for 12 Days in Nepal with us. The team of highly experienced travel planners of Nepal High Trek ensures an updated and altitude-friendly itinerary. The trekking trip in Nepal with us is always resourceful, stupendous, affordable, and memorable.
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Details Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu international airport get transferred to hotels after being received by our guides and staff, at hotel check-in and join in for a group briefing regarding treks and other useful information, with a welcome dinner.
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar 760 m – 7/8 hrs.
In the morning drive leads you away and beyond Kathmandu Valley heading to low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains to reach at mid Nepal. It lies in the Lamjung district and Besisahar is headquarter of the Lamjung District. Probably, It takes 7- 8 hours by local bus and you can explore the courtyard with the scenic view of the Trishuli river and thrilling mountain ranges.
Day 03: Drive from Besisahar to Chame 2670 m – 5/6 hours.
After breakfast, we will drive to Chame. The Chame is the headquarter of the Manang district. The road is unpaved but you can see the stunning sceneries of multi-authentic villages, various landscapes, pine forests, hills, and a delightful view of mount Manaslu. The road goes through the Marshyangdi river and it’s a challenging drive to Chame. From Jagat, the walk begins on a winding path to Chamje. Chame is a small mountain town located at 2670 m above sea level and where you spend a beautiful time.
Day 04: Trek from Chame To Upper Pisang 3, 230 m – 7/8 hrs.
From here onward walk gets closer to the mountains heading through a beautiful alpine forest, following the Masrsyangdi River upstream to Bhratang village, as the walk heads uphill into pine trees to Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few lodges and views of Chulu and Pisang Peak, after a lunch stop walk downhill to Pisang village for an overnight stop.
Day 05: Trek from Upper Pisang to Manang Village 3,450 m – 7/8 hrs.
Pisang village is situated within Manang valley facing stunning mountain views where altitude gains slowly from here onward, as the walk takes you to a short uphill with views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu, and Pisang peak to reach Hongde village. From here tree lines fades to barren, arid landscapes as the walk leads to Manang village on route visit the old Braga monastery enriched with Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting, frescos, and a superb panorama of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour’s walk to Manang village.
Day 06: Rest Day at Manang for local hikes and Acclimatization.
Rest day for acclimatization before heading to high altitude and crossing the Thorang La Pass. We would highly recommend the hike to Gangapurna Lake or Ice Lake. Even though Ice lake is quite difficult to get it lies at 4430m above sea level. Besides, explore Manang village beneath towering Annapurna and Gangapurna peaks, a nice short hike up for views of Gangapurna Glacier and the Manang glacial Lake.
Day 07: Trek from Manang to Khangsar Village (3756 m) – 3/4 hours.
Today we are heading to Khangsar village from Manang village. Probably the Khagsar village is the last village during the trip and where you can immerse the charming culture with beauties of the Annapurna Himalayas. The trial is flat with gradually up and should climb around 3 hundred meters. Along the trail you will have memorizing scenarios with a marvelous valley. It takes a maximum of 4 hours to get at Khangsar village.
Day 08: Trek from Khangsar village to Tilicho Base Camp (4050m) – 3/4 hours.
Today’s quite a short walk but strenuous walking day towards the Tilicho Base Camp. In the morning enjoy the marvelous Annapurna peaks and with beautiful valley. The trailhead to through Sirikharka (4050 m) and it’s a brilliant place to discover nature. The trail is sleepy and quite dangerous so you should walk carefully.
Day 09: In the early morning visit the world’s highest Tilicho lake and trek to Siri Kharka (4050 m – 7/8 hours.
In the early morning hike to the world’s Tilicho Lake (4919m) and it takes 2/3 hours to get to the lake. Where you can extremely explore the mesmerizing lake with the Annapurna Himalayas. The lake is frozen in the winter season and it looks splendid as well. After completely visiting Tilicho Lake the trail goes to Shrikharka. It’s located between the Tilicho base camp and Yark Kharka.
Day 10: Trek from Siri Kharka to Ledar - (4125 m) - 3/4 hours
After having breakfast at Siri Kharka we'll head to Ledar. It's attractive gradually up through with unexpectedly scenarios of diverse peaks with a beautiful valley of Manag. However, you will extremely soak into the diverse sparkling peak of Annapurna with other peaks too. You will reach at Ledar within 3 to 4 hours from Siri Kharka. When you reach at Ledar after the tea break you should climb at least 2 -3 hundred meters and it's very helpful to adjust to high altitudes.
Day 11: Trek from Ledar to Thorang High Camp 4850 m – 4/5 hrs.
The morning walk leads closer to Thorang-la as the walk progresses crossing a bridge and then a climb along the Jarjung River. After that, the trail leads to Thorung Phedi where you can have lunch. After lunch a maximum strenuous uphill to Thorong High Camp. It's the best place to test your buddy in high altitude for a night.
Day 12: Cross Thorang-La 5,416 m and to Muktinath 3,800 m – 7/8 hrs.
Starting early morning to reach the highest point of the great adventure, after breakfast climbs up to Thorang-la at above 5,416 m marked with Buddhist prayer flags, which offers superb vista landscapes and snowcapped peaks, from here a long descent to Muktinath at 3,800m. Muktinath is a holy place for both Hindus and Buddhists, the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation’.
Day 13: Drive from Muktinath To Pokhara by local deluxe bus – 10 hrs (810m)
Today you must long drive to Pokhara. It’s challenging with a scenic drive to explore the various views with the magnificent place too. After Muktinath, the rest of the journey is easier with an exciting scenic drive all the way downhill with a big drop of 1,200m to Kaligandaki River valley. The ride leads at Kaligandaki River valley, from here heading past Jomsom, the headquarters town of Mustang area with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River, through Marpha village, as the drive leads downhill past Lete. The journey enters between Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna forming world’s deepest gorge of the Kali-Gandaki River.
Day 14: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu afternoon free at leisure.
Morning from Pokhara an exciting overland journey back to Kathmandu by tourist A/C bus en route to observe farm villages and towns and then reach Kathmandu by afternoon. The rest of the day is free for individual activities and shopping for souvenirs. Except for the tourist bus, you can take a short flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 15: Final departure from Kathmandu homeward bound or to respective destinations.
Morning from Pokhara an exciting overland journey back to Kathmandu by tourist A/C bus en route to observe farm villages and towns and then reach Kathmandu by afternoon. The rest of the day is free for individual activities and shopping for souvenirs. Except for the tourist bus, you can take a short flight back to Kathmandu.
- Airport Pickup drop by private car.
- Meals During Trek: Your stander meals on the mountain (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
- Trekking permit: ‘Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) and ACAP Permit
- Kathmandu to Besi Sahar and Besisahar to Chame by jeep.
- Pokhara to Kathmandu tourist A/C bus ticket.
- 9-night tea house accommodation during the trek.
- Three cups of hot tea during the trek.
- Fresh fruit during the trek
- NHT’S Dawn jacket and sleeping bag (If you needed and to be returned after the trek)
- One Government license holder trekking guide has included his salary, food, accommodation, and
COST EXCLUDE:
- Nepal entry visa fee (you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport – Katmandu).
- Your Travel and rescue insurance.
- International airfare and airport departure tax.
- All the Food in Kathmandu. Also in the case of early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled Itinerary.
- All the expenses in the mountain over than scheduled itinerary (due to strike, delay or canceled flight)
- Extra night Hotel in Kathmandu if arrive early or late departure than scheduled Itinerary.
- All the Bar bills and personal expenses (phone call, laundry service, battery recharge, a bottle of water, hot water, shower.
- Tips for the guide and porter.
Annapurna Circuit Map
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