Annapurna Circuit Trek

On reaching Kathmandu International Airport received by our staff and guide with warm welcome then a short drive to your hotel in the main areas of Kathmandu city, here joining with other members of Annapurna Circuit trekking, our guide will brief with full information about the trek - hotels-culture with do’s and don’ts, include welcome dinner in a nice Nepali restaurant with folk programs.

As per the given time for sightseeing tour around Kathmandu, after breakfast our city and tour guide will pick you with short interesting drive for an impressive and exciting tour, Kathmandu although a metropolitan city retaining its ancient culture and traditions, where most of the World Heritage Sites are located for your interest, includes medieval period custom and culture as it was for hundreds of centuries, Kathmandu valley a blend of Buddhism and Hinduism in perfect harmony, after an interesting tour afternoon free preparation for Annapurna Circuit.

Our Annapurna Circuit trekking starts with an exciting drive on Nepal’s busy highway to reach at Bhesisar a large town headquarter of Lamjung district. After Bhesisar taking another vehicle for the rough and interesting ride towards mid hills following Marysangdi River past Khudi, Bulbule, Nagdi villages to reach at Syange village.

From here leaving the river behind drive climbs on the steep road to reach Jagat and Chamje village and then on the scenic road to Dharapani village for overnight stop where the air is cooler with alpine temperature. This nice village located on the midway of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu route./p>

Morning walk leads on a winding trail into rhododendron and pine forest past Bagarchap and Danque village, then with the steep climb for few hours to Timang village with views of Manaslu-Lamjung and Annapurna II. From here onward walk leads to complete Buddhist villages of interesting culture and old traditions. From Timang village downhill to Koto and then a short slow uphill to reach at large Chame town for an overnight stop, Chame a major and headquarter town of Manang district.

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 Marshyangdi River upstream with short ups and down hills to Bhartang village. After Bhartang village on crossing a bridge over 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 walk 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 rhododendron 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 short walk or just relax and enjoy the views of close snowcapped peaks. Around Manang, villages 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, a leisure day to explore around Manang village and hike to Annapurna II and Gangapurna Icefalls and glaciers including Manang turquoise glacial Lake. 

After a pleasant stop at Manang, morning walk leads to Ghunsang village with the gradual climb to reach a small settlement at Yak Kharka, an interesting high altitude walk with super views of Gangapurna-A-II with Chulu peaks, after few hours of scenic morning walk reaching the overnight stop at Yak Kharka. Afternoon enjoys the mountain views at leisure.

It is an uphill walk to Thorang Phedi. After walking for some time we cross a suspension bridge and reach Ledar village. We ascend furthermore 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, one of the highest passes in the world, 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 make it to the top, we realize 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 apple. 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.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to the beautiful lake city of Pokhara and drive towards Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, we have the rest of the day off to rest or do some souvenir shopping. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening.

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.