Around Annapurna Circuit Trail takes us through an epic trek – from the lush green valley to the arid Himalayan desert, mountain glaciers to gushing rivers, stunning peaks of the some of the highest peaks of the world, including Annapurna I, II, and III and Dhaulagiri among others. We traverse predominantly through the districts of Manang and Mustang, and their fascinating culture.
Nestled across the backdrop of the Himalayas, Nepal is a diverse country hosting the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger; picture-perfect Pokhara to a few of the world’s highest peaks. At the heart of Nepal is enchanting the Kathmandu valley, almost a portal into medieval Nepal with its own cultural identity.
DAY 01 Arrival Kathmandu
Arrive at TIA, Kathmandu, meet representatives and be transferred to the hotel. Free to visit local attractions the remainder of the day.
Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02 Half Day Sight Seeing
AM: Tour Kathmandu valley and travel through time as you visit UNESCO Heritage sites like the Durbar Squares and Swayambhu Temple.
PM: Briefing about the trek and allow time for last-minute purchases of essentials.
Overnight at Hotel
DAY 03 Drive: Kathmandu / Besisahar / Bhulbhule (820m)
Early breakfast and a 5-6 hour scenic drive along the banks of Trishuli and Marshyangdi Rivers to Besisahar. Lunch en route. Reach Besisahar (823 m) (known as Besigaon prior), the main town of Lamjung District and have your TIMS card examined.
An hour’s drive away we reach Bhulbhule, have our trekking permits checked at the ACAP office. Proceed to cross the river on a ‘suspension bridge’, the first of many, and check into a lodge to retire for the night.
Overnight at Lodge.
Drive duration: 6 -7 hours (approximate)
DAY 04 Trek: Bhulbhule to Jagat (1340m)
Trek formally begins – a pleasant early morning walk through fields of wheat, barley, and maize to reach Nagdi (890 m) – a small picturesque village. Proceed through the trail consisting of terraced farms and small villages. Trail becomes steeper as we approach Bahundanda (Brahmin’s Village) (1314 m). Stop for lunch while enjoying the view of Mt. Phungi (6379m).
After lunch, we descend toward Besi, cross a small stream; pass through a few villages to cross the Marshyangdi River via a suspension bridge. Turn right and start an ascent to reach atop a hill. The trail widens and we reach Jagat, a village along a mountain ridge (1340 m), our stop for the night.
Dinner and Overnight at Lodge
Trek duration: 5 ½ hrs – 6 hrs (approximate)
DAY 05 Trek: Jagat to Dharapani (1943m)
Walk uphill for approximately 2 hours to reach Chamje (1433m). From Chamje, downhill to Marshyangdi River, cross another suspension bridge and walk uphill to reach Sathtalle (‘top of the hill’ in Tibetan). The trail becomes fairly gradual up till Tal Phedi. A 45-minute walk later we reach Tal (1600m), the gateway to Manang. Stop for lunch.
Following lunch, we head north along the river, cross a 60-meter long suspension bridge. As we proceed, some parts of the trail are exposed to a vertical cliff, which calls for caution. Reach Dharapani (1943 m). Dharapani means ‘a stream of water’.
Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.
Trek Duration: 5 ½ hours approximately.
DAY 06 Trek: Dharapani to Chame (2713m)
Log our entries at an ACAP checkpoint. Reach Bagarchap (the river bank) (2164 m) in 45 minutes. Bagarchap marks where the point of contrast in topography begins – lush green fields in the south and arid drylands in the north. Reach Donaque. Ascent to Timang, with the beautiful pine and rhododendron forests by your side.
forests and be rewarded with stunning views of the Annapurna range atop. Lunch at Thanchowk with a backdrop of Mt. Manaslu.
After lunch, we walk towards Kodo which means ‘millet’ and then to Kyupar (2600 m). A police check post guards access to Nar PhuKhola Valley which leads to Tibet. Show our permits again and proceed to Chame (2713 m) – the District Headquarters of Manang.
Dinner and overnight at Lodge.
Trek Duration (5 – 5 ½ hours) (approximate)
DAY 07 Trek: Chame to Pisang (3185m)
Consistently gradual with an occasional climb along the river through pine forests, in two hours we reach Bhartang (2919 m), a small village with mostly Tibetans. Reach DhukurPokhari in 1 ½ hour and have lunch. Enjoy splendid views of the Annapurna range en route.
Walk for about an hour through a pine forest to Pisang after lunch. Pisang is divided into two villages – upper and lower. Upper Pisang is the main town; however, the recent construction of the main highway to Manang has resulted in residents migrating to Lower Pisang.
Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.
Trek Duration: 5 – 5 ½ hours (approximate)
DAY 08 Trek: Pisang to Manang (3530m)
A relatively short however an equally interesting hike. We reach Humde after two hours of a fairly easy walk. Humde has a small domestic airport which connects Manang to Pokhara and subsequently Kathmandu. We cross the village, log our entries at another checkpoint and proceed to Barkha – our lunch destination. We explore the village with its thatched houses and visit the Gompa (the largest in the region with a beautiful collection of Thankas) while we wait for lunch.
After lunch, reach Manang in a short while which sits atop a plateau.
Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.
Trek Duration: 4 – 4 ½ hours (approximate)
DAY 09 Rest Day: Manang (3530m)
Manang at an elevation of 3530 meters serves as a perfect place to rest and acclimatize before proceeding to summit the peak.
Plenty of activities to do – observe the art and explore the culture of this quaint little village. In the afternoon we can take a walk to the north of the village to take in panoramic views of the Annapurna Annapurna IV and II to the southeast and Gangapurna (7455m) and Tarke Kang or Ice dome (7202m) to the southwest.
Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.
DAY 10 Trek to ChuriLeadher (4220m)
A steady climb till the hamlet of Tengi (3642 m); from then on another hour of a steady yet gentle climb to Gunsang (3850 m). After Gunsang the trail is gradual up till our lunch destination, Yak Kharka.
After lunch, a gentle climb through a vast meadow, cross the suspension bridge and reach ChuriLeadher (4220 m) in an hour.
A short day trip to help with acclimatization.
Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.
Trek Duration: 4 ½ – 5 ½ hours approximate.
DAY 11 Trek: ChuriLeadher to High Camp (4450m)
A gradual trail exposes us to a magnificent landscape of the high altitude desert. Reach Dewarli in an hour, cross a wooden bridge to reach the village. Reach Thorang Phedi (translates to ‘foot of the hill’) on a small hill overlooking a high plateau to have lunch.
Hereon, the climb becomes a little challenging. Climb slowly to reach High Camp in an hour.
The view ahead of us is unbeatable. Catch close up views of the mighty Himalayan peaks, look out onto the rolling Himalayan pastures, and notice the Yaks and the Thars.
A short trek today to allow rest for the next day.
Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Trek duration: 4 – 4 ½ hours (approximate)
DAY 12 Trek: High Camp to Thorang La (5,416m) to Muktinath (3802m)
Today is a big day and we set off early. Early morning, we ascend Thorang La. Several prayer flags offering prayers to the mountains as we reach the highest point. At the highest point (5416 m) watch an unparalleled, uninterrupted view of the Himalayas – Thorangse, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Tukche, Gangapurna.
Dropdown 1600 meters in 3 hours to reach Muktinath. Settle for the night.
Dinner and Overnight at Lodge
Trek Duration: 7 – 8 hours (approximate)
DAY 13 Trek: Muktinath to Jomsom (2713m)
Pay a visit to Muktinath – a revered Hindu and Buddhist temple. Breakfast at the hotel and begin the trek to Jomsom. Cross Ranipauwa, Jharkot, a small Tibetan settlement, and reach Kagbeni. Cross the Kali Gandaki and head towards Jomsom, the capital of Mustang district.
Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.
Trek Duration: 4 – 4 ½ hours (approximate)
DAY 14 Flight: Jomsom to Pokhara
Enjoy the last breakfast in the laps of the Himalayas and bid farewell to the Sherpas and Porters and head to the airport for a short flight to Pokhara.
Enjoy a laid back afternoon alongside Pokhara lakeside.
Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 15 Flight: Pokhara – Kathmandu
Breakfast and catch a flight to Kathmandu. Be met by a representative and transferred to a hotel. The remainder of the day is at your own leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 16 Final Departure
Last-minute shopping of souvenirs and transfer to TIA, Kathmandu.
Head home, or to your next destination with beautiful memories and a wide glossary of experiences. Watch the Himalayas pass by.
** End of Arrangements**
Note: Please bear in mind that all Trek and Drive duration are approximate times.
| Best Period | February to May, October to December |
| Total Duration | 16 Nights/ 17 Days |
| Trek Duration | 11 Nights/ 12 Days |
| In Kathmandu | 03 Nights |
| Flights | Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu |
| Highest Altitude | 5,416 meters (17,769 ft) |
| Precautions | Altitude Sickness |
| Trekking Grade | Strenuous |
| Trek Start Point | Bhulbhule |
| Trek End Point | Jomsom |
| Accommodation | Hotels in Kathmandu& Pokhara/ Lodges in Trek |
| Kathmandu Valley | Visit Hindu & Buddhist World Heritage Sites |
| National Park | Annapurna Conservation Area (7,629 km2) |
| Mountains | Machapuchare, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, Mardi Himal, Annapurna II, Annapurna South |
| Villages | Ghandruk, Landruk, Phedi, Ulleri, Jomsom, Pisang, Manang |
| Tribes | Mostly Gurung and Thakalis |
| Forests | Subtropical Forests, of Magnolia and rhododendron |
| Landscapes | Varying from temperate to snow-clad mountains. |
(Please get comprehensive medical insurance/ accidental insurance and should include evacuation by helicopter due to any emergencies that may arise)
Any extra luggage not needed on the trek can be left at the hotel in Kathmandu during your expedition.
| PACKING SYSTEM | You will need to carry a daypack. Other luggage will be carried by porters. We recommend you pack your items in a durable and large backpack/ duffel bag including your sleeping bags. |
| CARRIED BAG WEIGHT LIMIT | 15 kg |
| VALID PASSPORT | Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your arrival date in Nepal. |
| MEDICAL INSURANCE CARD | Should anything happen, we can get you the care you need |
| REQUIRED VACCINATIONS | It is important to receive required (or recommended) vaccinations before traveling abroad. |
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TREKKING GEAR |
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DOCUMENTS & LOGISTICS |
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OTHERS (optional) |
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