Upon reaching Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu will be received by our staff and guide. With a warm welcome after then a short drive to a hotel in the main tourist hub areas of Kathmandu city. As well our professional guide will also brief you about the Annapurna Circuit Trek program and check all required trekking gear. If you don't have gears Nepal High Trek will provide us the trekking gear like sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, and duffle bags.

Our Classic Annapurna Circuit Trek starts with an exciting drive on Nepal’s busy highway to reach Besisahar. It's a large town headquarters of Lamjung district. However, it takes more than 7 to 8 hours to get to Besisahar by public vehicle. You will get an opportunity to explore the authentic villages, hills, rivers, and scenic views throughout the drive. Besisahar is a beautiful place to discover the various ethnic cultures with a thrilling valley. You can walk around the town and immerse yourself in charming culture.

For an overnight stay in Besisahar, we will drive to Chame and it takes a maximum of 5 hours to get there. The road is completely unpaved but you will have scenic views of mountain Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, traditional villages, landscapes, hills, rivers, and beautiful villages. The trail towards through the Bhulbhule, Syange, Jagat, Chamje, Taal, Dharapani, Timang, and Chame. Even though Chame is a headquarters of the Manang district it's one of the remarkable places to connect with nature.

The adventure continues from Chame heading into the cooler zone and closer to the mountainous region, as the morning walk leads into the lovely alpine forest of rhododendron and pine trees, following the Marshyangdi River upstream with short ups and down hills to Bhartang village.
After Bhartang village crossing a bridge over the torrential Marysangdi River heading uphill through alpine woodlands with views of Chulu’s and Pisang peaks, then reach a small settlement around Dukuri Pokhari for the possible lunch stop. Afternoon walks downhill to lower Pisang village for an overnight stop after passing rows of prayer wheels with closest views of Pisang and Annapurna II peaks.

From Pisang village with a nice walk for short while and then a gradual climb into the forest of pines and rhododendrons to reach a small ridge with amazing views of beautiful Manang valley and mountains. After enjoying rest with the views walk downhill to Hongdae village with a small airstrip, from here on tree lines fades to barren and arid dry terrain.
Trek with super views to Manang, on route visit old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics and then an hour walk, bring at Manang village for an overnight stop. Afternoon at leisure for a short walk or just relax and enjoy the views of close snowcapped peaks. Around Manang, village houses are built in traditional Tibetan style and origin as Manang people with strong Tibetan influence including culture-Buddhist religion and way of life.

A perfect and ideal place with the right attitude for a rest day to get acclimatized before heading towards higher Thorang-la Pass. Today leisure day to explore around Manang village, and hike to Annapurna II and Gangapurna Icefalls and glaciers including Manang's turquoise glacial Lake It. If you feel strong, or not dizziness better to hike up Ice Lake. It would be quite tough to climb up but each step provides marvelous scenarios of the Annapurna Himalayas.

Today the trail is going gradually up to Yak Khara with remarkable views. After a pleasant stop at Manang, a morning walk leads to Ghunsang village with a gradual climb to reach a small settlement at Yak Kharka. It's an interesting high-altitude walk with super views of Gangapurna-A-II with Chulu peaks after a few hours of scenic morning walk reaching the overnight stop at Yak Kharka. Afternoon enjoy the mountain views and hike around majesty valley.

It is an uphill walk to Thorang Phedi. After walking for some time we cross a suspension bridge and reach Ledar village. We ascend further and pass through towering cliffs before reaching Thorang Phedi, the last village before Thorong La pass. On this trip, we are rewarded with one of the best views of Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, Thorung Peak and Mt. Khatungkan. The word Phedi in Nepalese is referred to as the foot of a mountain. Overnight in Thorong Phedi.

Crossing Thorong La pass is the world's longest pass with a majesty scenario of the Annapurna Himalayas. This Thorong La pass will be our ultimate objective today. We will be crossing the pass from east to west (Manang to Muktinath) which is the easiest and safest direction. We get up around three in the morning and walk up the mountain. When we finally made it to the top, we realized that our journey was worth it. We can take a few photos before heading to Muktinath Valley at the foot of the Thorong La pass.

Muktinath is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists alike. In the morning, we pay our visit to a Vishnu Temple and a Gompa. Descending from Ranipauwa village down the steep and barren hillside, we tumble down toward Kagbeni and then to Jomsom finally arriving at Marpha. The trail today is quite surreal as we trek along a plateau above Kali Gandaki River, the world’s deepest gorge. The barren landscape of this area resembles Tibet. Marpha is also famous as the apple capital of Nepal where one can enjoy different items made from apples. The local apple brandy of Marpha is famous all over Nepal.

From Marpha, we take a new route toward Kalopani via Chokhopani village. Today, we come across traditional villages of the ethnic Thakali people. Also, we get to see beautiful apple gardens. From here we get panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Fang, and Annapurna I mountains. From Chokhopani, we continue to Kokhethanti. We cross a river and come across the newly constructed road site before reaching Kalopani.

Our journey today is mostly downhill. During the early part of today’s trek, we cross the bridge at Ghasa. As we drop to lower elevations, we emerge back into subtropical forests, lush with vegetation. Our trail continues along Rupse Chahara (waterfall). We continue down the east bank from Kopchepani via Garpar to a bridge at Dana. At Narchyang Besi, we get to see a powerhouse that supplies electricity in the area. There are bigger villages in this area where we can observe the everyday lives of the local people.

We leave the Kali Gandaki and head up the Ghar Khola valley. The trail leads us through a terraced farmland with mountains all around. We pass through the villages of Shikha and Chitre before reaching a beautiful rhododendron forest. When in bloom the rhododendron trees with its average height of up to 100″ will be covered with pink or red flowers. Walking further we reach Ghorepani, a beautiful village located at a ridge top

To catch the sunrise over the Himalayas, we make an early morning climb along the steep trail to the viewpoint of Poon Hill (3,210m/10,529ft) the most popular trekking destination of the Annapurna region. It is also a great viewpoint to enjoy the amazing views of Mustang, Pokhara and more than 20 of the highest mountains including the close-up views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The snowy peaks of the high mountains loom above and around us glowing in the morning light. After taking photographs, we return back to Ghorepani. After breakfast, we head east and climb a nearby ridge. We descend through rhododendron forests, pass by spectacular waterfalls and reach Tadapani to spend the night.

From Tadapani, we make a steep descent through the dense and dark forest. This part of the trek will be through a thick forest of old rhododendron trees. When the rhododendron trees are in bloom, these forests actually turn into amazing gardens. By afternoon, depending upon the season of travel, we also get to enjoy cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the ravine. After trekking a few more minutes, we enter the village of Ghandruk, a slope settlement with stone houses mostly inhabited by the Gurung people. Here, we enjoy the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains. We continue our trek to Nayapul from where we drive to Pokhara.

A beautiful staying in Pokhara we will drive or fly back to Kathmandu. You can drive or fly to Kathmandu and by tourist bus takes 8 to 9 hours to get to Kathmandu but by flight just 25 minutes. If you want to back to Kathmandu by tourist bus better to leave in the early morning after breakfast. Usually, all tourist bus leaves at 7:00 am from Pokhara and will stop along the way for lunch and breakfast as well. It would be a long drive but you can see the beautiful multi-scenes throughout the drive and you will create a different bus drive experience.

Our adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! Nepal High Trek & Expedition representative will escort us to the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

You can add Tilicho Lake Trek Itinerary in your Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary. The journey to the shores of Tilicho Lake is adventurous. The trail is less trekked and it is through rugged terrain. Most of the trekking route to the Tilicho Lake is through landslide area. Therefore, it is hard for the trekkers to navigate on their own. In order to maintain the safety standards, you must inform our travel planners to include itinerary of Tilicho Lake Trek. Overall, it is possible to add Tilicho Lake Trek itinerary in the regular itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Valid travel insurance is needed for travelers to do trekking in Nepal. You must buy travel insurance package in your home country. Make sure to provide copy of your travel insurance to your trekking agency based in Kathmandu. If you do this then in case of emergency they can activate clause of your insurance and carry our the rescue activities. Even if you don’t have insurance the agency will activate your rescue procedures but it may results in your personal expenses. Therefore, getting a travel insurance assures your own safety.

Staff insurance is done by the agency itself. It is covered within the package costs. Nepal High Trek ensures that all its staff are insured and they can freely serve the guests without any kinds of hassles in case of altitude sickness. You don’t have to be worried about the safety of the staffs. All you need to do is to take care of your insurance and you shouldn’t forget to send the copy of your insurance to Nepal High Trek city office.

Thorongphedi is safer in comparison to Thorong High Pass but you must not decide to stay whether to stay at high camp or Thorongphedi on your own. Trekking guide will decide whether to keep you for overnight in Phedi or High Camp. Therefore, on this trekking route make sure that you fully heed the instructions of your trekking guide. Even if the trekking route is the classical trekking route and one of the oldest trekking route of Nepal, you must need a trekking guide to navigate you in terms of geography and cultural information.

Overnight sleep at high camp is relatively chaotic than while sleeping in Thorong Phedi. However, if you choose to stay at High camp you can easily trek through Thorong La Pass (5416 m) but it is not exasperation to say that while staying overnight at Thorong Phedi too you can cross the pass and enter Lower Mustang area of Muktinath Temple.

The best season to do Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal is either spring season or autumn season. During spring season in Nepal, the flower blooms and you will be welcomed by the green lush forests. Majority of the blooming flowering trees look amazing during this time of the year. Moreover, the scenery is clear and you will be able to see amazing vista of mountains and hills. As for the autumn season in Nepal, it is similar to spring season in terms of availability of green lush forests environment. Moreover, the autumn season is the time when Nepal celebrates its biggest festivals like Dashain and Tihar. During this time of the year, trekkers can enjoy the majestic attractions of the mountains and at the same time they can fully immerse into the deep roots of their culture and traditions.

A porter carries load of two guests. In normal scenario a porter carries baggage of two trekkers. The trekking agency provide a porter to two trekkers. Therefore, it is highly advised to all the trekkers that don’t pack unnecessary things while trekking in Nepal. Please pack inside a duffle bag the things that are required during the trek. Rest of the luggage can be stored in the store room of the hotel that you stayed in upon arrival in Nepal. The Nepal High Trek will ensure that all your luggage are safe and in the same condition that you have left. However, for this you need to inform to the agency that you will be keeping your luggage at the airport or your hotel before embarking on the trekking trip in Nepal.

Permits required for the Annapurna Circuit Trek are Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS), Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit etc. are the major permits required to do this trek. However, if you wish to do trekking to restricted regions like Upper Mustang and Nar Phu Valley around Annapurna Circuit Trek route then your permits doesn’t allow to operate the trekking. Moreover, you need to get the special immigration trekking permit.

You can reach up to Chame village by using jeep. However, the construction of road is up to Pisang village of Manang. It is way risky in terms of altitude sickness to go directly to Manang village on jeep. So, please avoid jeep drive to Manang directly. Instead, choose to do the trekking with gradual ascent!

The altitude of Thorong La Pass is 5416 m. This is the highest altitude that trekkers have to walk through during Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Nepal. This pass is the world's longest and challenging pass too.

Upon crossing the Thorong La Pass, trekkers reach the Lower Mustang region. Once they have reached the Muktinath area above Kagbeni village, trekkers can decide to extend their trekking to Upper Mustang region. However, they need to inform the travel planners of Nepal High Trek. The Upper Mustang region of Nepal is the restricted trekking region. It requires special permit from the immigration office. It is because that the region is classed under the restricted region of Nepal. Please inform our travel planners beforehand to book the trekking trip to Upper Mustang. If you don’t want to confirm then the team of Holy Garden School is capable to organize the trip but guardian has to pay for the extra activities.

The shortest time to cross Thorong La Pass along with the trail head and trail end places is about 10 to 11 days. However, regular Annapurna Circuit Trek with Thorong La Pass ranges from 14 to 16 days. If these trekkers add Tilicho Lake then another 4 days will be added in the original itinerary.

Mt. Annapurna South, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna I, Annapurna II,  Mt. Himchuli, Mt. Annapurna III, Mt. Gangapurna, Mt. Lamjung Himal, Pisang Peak, Nilgiri etc. are seen during Annapurna Round Trek.

The journey to the base camp of the world’s 10^th tallest mountain is the journey of lifetime. You can easily knit the momentous travel tales that you can share with generations to come. However, the journey may inspire you to do other destinations of Nepal. The trip of Annapurna Base Camp takes trekkers to the foothill of the world’s 10^th tallest mountain Mt. Annapurna. However, the trip of the Annapurna Circuit Trek encompasses almost every villages on the multi-ethnic villages of Annapurna region. Moreover, the journey is full of mountain wilderness as well as cultural diversity. In this journey trekkers can immerse into Gurung, Magar, Tibetan, and Thakali people’s culture in Nepal. Yes, the mountain and hilly scenery is there but at the same time they will be able to experience at least culture and traditions of more than three ethnic group of Nepal.

Yes, the Annapurna Circuit Trek with the alternative name as either the Annapurna Round Trek or as the Ghost Trail run by Arya Stark in the famous Game of the Thrones episode presenting similar traits. Trekkers shouldn’t miss out the fact that the trekking route was opened in 1977 A. D. Today’s date is 2024 then you can easily figure out that how experienced the team of Nepal High Trek is? We offer you the best amenities and information while doing this classical trekking trip in Nepal.

Food and Accommodation during the trek of Annapurna Round or Circuit is diverse. You can find the logistics ranging from basic to luxury. The Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal is the most commercial trekking package after the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and the Langtang Valley Trek. However, the trekking route was opened back in 1977 A. D. Please make sure to inform your travel planners before heading to trek about your expectations.

According to your trekking trip price the guide works. Therefore, you don’t need to worry as the trekking guide of Nepal High Trek performs immense hospitality and working ethics even if the guests show no sign of thankfulness. Most of the trekking tea houses, lodges, and hotels have their own rooms and eating area. Therefore, they are fully equipped to serve their guests. However, my plan is different in terms of food and accommodation. I desire to open my own trekking agency and restaurant to ensure that all the trekkers or foreign tourists visiting Nepal feel at home.

In overall, the conditions of food and accommodation during the trek is up to the par standard. Normal people may not have to raise the question as very high ranking officials are involved!

The trekking trail head on this trekking route is either Besisahar or Chame. However, the construction of the new road up to Manang Village ensured that trekkers can cover almost 25 % of trekking route in a jeep. During the Annapurna Circuit Trek Classical route trekkers started the journey from Besisahar. The place is just about 6 to 7 hours of drive from Kathmandu and district headquarter of Lamjung district.

The average distance of Annapurna Circuit Trek ranges from 160 kilometers to 230 kilometers. There are different ways to do this trek. Nowadays, trekkers use driving, trekking, and resting on this trekking trip. If you include all the activities then the total distance covered on this trekking trip is about 230 kilometers. The classical Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal includes Thorong La Pass crossing from Manang Valley and entering the Lower Mustang region’s places like Muktinath. Trekkers then follow the trail of Tatopani to Ghorepani and eventually reach to Pokhara via Nayapul or Birethanti. However, this itinerary is not common nowadays!

Don’t do solo trekking of Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Nepal. The trekking trail of the Annapurna Circuit Trek is well signed and there is very little chance that trekkers get lost in the trekking trail. Even if this is the case, the blogger highly recommends trekkers across the globe follow the protocol and hire a guide. Please don’t do solo trekking of Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Nepal even if it is possible to do!