Annapurna region is finest explained as the most happening enticement trekking trail of about 300kms trails in the Annapurna mountain ranges in the Nepal Himalayas .Trek starts right from Besisahar and goes along the Mashyangdi River, with great view of Manaslu and Himal Chuli. The trek accomplishes an altitude of 5,416m at the throrung la pass, connecting the periphery of the legendary Tibetan plateau.
With the glorious mountain vista view includes includes Annanpurna 8,091m, ice pyramid Dhauligiri 8,167m, the home of the legendary Buddhist guru Padmasamba, and Machhupuchhare 6,993m, are few of the beautiful mountains in the world. As the trek go down to the west at Mukthinath from Manang, the route goes to the unproductive Tibetan like village of the kali Gandaki and the World’s deepest gorge passes between the giant Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains at dana is one of the exciting part of this trek.
The Annapurna circuit treks follows the early paths used for trade routes between Nepal and Tibet which trails encompasses extended ease of cultures and religions in this remote and previously remote Zone. This type trail rounds the complete Annapurna massif offers a spectacular assortment of people and landscapes, beginning from lowland to alpine meadows to the Tibet.
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our correspondent who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Once checked in, we will arrange a pre-trip meeting where we will brief in short about the trek, answer any queries you have and meet your trekking guide as well. After the short brief, you can relax and spend rest of the day at your leisure.
Stay overnight at the Hotel / Resort in Kathmandu.
This day we will prepare to begin our journey from city of temples, Kathmandu to village of majestic Himalayas, Annapurna. Today’s whole journey will be drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani via Besisahar which takes about 9-10 hours (220 km). We will change the vehicle from Besisahar and drive in local private jeep for next 3-4 hours journey in mountain road till Dharapani.
We will enjoy the scenic and adventurous ride to Dharapani as the road lies along the bank of Marsyangdi River thorugh Syange and continues with a short and steep climb to one of the beautiful villages of Tal (an ancient glacier lake) before we reach Dharpani. From Besisahar we can see local village people, small villages, spectacular waterfalls on the way to Dharapani.
Stay overnight at lodge in Dharapani.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and then begin the trek to Chame which takes about 6 hours (approx. 16km).
Today on the first day of our trek, we will follow some straight and some ascending trials (mostly road route) and other side we can see pine, oak forest, and maple trees. We will be walking alongside Marsyangdi River. Also, we get to explore Tibetan settlements, Chortens, prayer flags, apple farms on the way as we pass through Bagarchhap and Danakyu. We will pass through the beautiful villages like: Timang (route from Namum Bhanjyang trek) and Koto (route connecting to Nar-Phu Trek). We will have lunch camp in Timang.
With that as we reach Chame, we can see beautiful views of Lamjung Himal (7000m), Mount Manaslu and Annapurna II and (8156m). Chame is the headquarter of Manang district. There are shops and stores here in Chame, if anyone wants to buy any equipment, medicine or any essentials required for the trek.
Stay overnight at lodge in Chame.
NOTE:
**It is also possible to drive upto Manag on this day from Besisahar which takes about 8-9 hours from Besisahar. This will reduce the 2 trek days. However, we recommend to trek from Dharapani as it will be better for acclimatization as we will be trekking to higher altitude.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and begin to trek towards Pisang which takes about 6 hours.
Today, we will walk straight ascending trial (mostly road trial) along the pine and rhododendron forest along the small and rocky ways. On the way we will pass through Bhratang village (2850m), where we can explore apple farm and also observe Gurung community (one of the ethnic groups of Nepal). From here crossing suspension bridge of Marshyangdi River we will reach Dhikur Pokhari (3060m) which will be our lunch camp. From here we can enjoy beautiful view of Annapurna II, Pisang Peak, Tililcho Pek, Chulu Peak, and so on. Also, we can see amazing view of Pangdi Danda & Swargadwari Danda which is considered sacred by local people.
After having lunch in Dhikur Pokhari we will walk another straight trial to reach Upper Pisang which takes another 2 hours. As we reach Upper Pisang we can see mesmerizing views of Annapurna Range. Also, we can explore around mani walls, monastery and observe local Tibetan Gurung people around the village.
Stay overnight at lodge in Upper Pisang.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and head towards Manang which takes about 7 hours. Today we will be trekking via upper trials passing through the villages: Ghyaru, Humde, Ngawal and Braga to reach Manang. On the way, we will explore mani walls, Tibetan people, Buddhist culture, Monasteries, apple farms and amazing views of Himalayas.
We will walk some straight ascending and uphill trial along the alpine forest until we reach Ghyaru village (3570m) which takes about 3 hours. Ghyaru is a beautiful village with the local settlement of Tibetan Gurung and from here we can see mesmerizing view of Mount Manaslu, Pisang Peak, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak and Annapurna Range.
Walking another 2 hours we will reach another beautiful town Ngawal (3660m) which will be our lunch camp. In mean time, we can explore Buddhist monastery and observe their culture and beautiful settlement around Ngawal.
After lunch, we move forward some descending and straight trial and reach Braga (3439m). We will explore Munhci Gompa and see Braga Gompa which is believed to be 900 years old. This place is believed to be historic settlement of Tibetan residential people.
From Braga, walking straight trails we will reach our destination of the day, Manang.
Stay overnight at lodge in Manang.
This day will be the day of acclimatization to prepare our body for high elevation. Also, we can explore around beautiful Manang on this day.
We have different options today to explore around Manang, i.e. to go Gangapurna Glacier (3 hours) or Milarepa Cave (6 hours) or Ice Lake (8 hours).
En route to Gangapurna Glacier we can see Gangapurna Lake, and from the top lower view of Manang village, Tanki Manang, 100 Lama Monastery and top of Ice Lake. The whole journey will be of 3 hours. This route is quite popular amongst tourists as it is short and best for acclimatization.
We can also explore one of the historic Milarepa cave which is believed to be 300 years old. The route is opposite to Ice Lake from Braga. From the cave, we can also see the views of Himalayas.
From Ice Lake, also known as Kicho Tal which lies at the elevation of 4600 m, as we reach Ice Lake, we can see Ice Lake and see magnificent close view of Annapurna Range, Pisang Peak, Thorang Peak, Tilicho Peak, Mount Manaslu, Chulu Peaks and so on. If we want to explore Ice Lake, we have to take pack lunch from Manang as we will be going uphill almost 1000m. And as there are no logdes en route we return back to Manang, the whole trip will be of almost 8 hours.
Stay overnight at lodge in Manang.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and head towards Yak Kharka which takes about 4.30 hours. Today we will be walking straight ascending trial and some stone step trials to reach Tengi Mannag and from there straight ascending through the dry landscape to reach Gunsang.
Gunsang is a small village with the settlement of Tibetan people having small mud houses. Also, we can see yaks and horse pastures in the village. From Gunsang we walk straight ascending trial and cross wooden bridge to reach Yak Kharka. We will reach Yak Kharka at lunch camp. After lunch there are small hills around which we can hike for acclimatization.
Stay overnight at lodge in Yak Kharka.
Today we head to the foot of Thorong La pass, Thorong Phedi. This day we will have breakfast in the morning and prepare to begin our trek to Thorang Phedi which takes about 4 hours. As we will be climbing high altitude, we will walk slowly, taking rest.
From Yak Kharka, we will climb up to a ridge till we reach Ledar (4200m), then descend down and cross the Marsyangdi river on a wooden bridge. Then after we climb uphill for about 40 minutes and reach small tea shop. We will rest here for a while and enjoy the scenery.
Now, we begin to follow a narrow trail across a slope and descend to Thorong Phedi. Thorong Phedi is not a village, it is a rugged terrain with lodges and lush lowland.
Stay overnight at lodge in Thorang Phedi.
Today is one of the important and memorable day of the trek, as we will be crossing one of the highest passes of the world. Early morning we will have breakfast and then begin to trek towards our next destination Muktinath via Thorong La Pass which takes about 8-9 hours.
At beginning we will climb steep uphill till we reach High Camp and from there we will walk zig zag trial till we reach small tea shop and then again walking straight ascending trial we will reach Thorang La Pass in about 4.5 hours.
Thorang La Pass is one of the most challenging as well as the highest pass in the world. From the top of the pass, if weather is clear, we can see breathtaking views of Mustang Range, Dhaulagiri Range, Thorang Peak, Nilgiri Himal and so on. We will celebrate our success and take pictures here and with all the memories we will begin to descend towards Mustang region of Nepal.
From the pass, we will walk total steep descending trial for 2.5 hours and reach Phedi and have lunch here. We will rest for a while and again prepare to walk descending trial for another 1.5 hours until we reach Muktinath.
Muktinath is a religious temple which lies in the Mustang district of Nepal. Muktinath is a sacred temple for Hindu as well as Buddhists. Buddhist people name Muktinath as Chumig Gyatsa (meaning: the hundred springs). While for Hindu people Muktinath means lord of Liberation (mokshya). This it is one of the most important religious places for Hindu and it is believed that taking bath in 108 stone sprouts will give individual salvation from the bad deeds they have done during their lifetime. Also, here lies the statue of Lord Buddha, statue of Guru Padmasava and Buddhist thanka. Also inside, we can see the eternal flame which has been burning for more than 2000 years.
Stay overnight at lodge Muktinath.
This day after having breakfast we will drive from Muktinath to Tatopani which takes about 4-5 hours.
Tatopani is one of the famous destinations which lies in Myagdi district of Nepal. Tatopani is renowned for its naturally occurring hot springs. Geothermal reservoirs located under the surface are provided in the hot springs. These calming waters are said to have therapeutic qualities, primarily for skin and rheumatic disorders (diseases affecting the joints or connective tissue that cause persistent, frequently sporadic discomfort).
Stay overnight at lodge Tatopani.
This day we will have breakfast in morning and then prepare to trek towards Ghorepani which takes about 7-8 hours.
We will walk total ascending trials along lush forest & Rhododendron Forest leaving Kaligandaki River behind. We will have our lunch camp in Sikha and then again ascending for another 3.5 hours we will reach Ghorepani.
Ghorepani is a beautiful settlement of Magar people surrounded by the hills and amazing forests. As we enter Ghorepani we start to see local house, horses, mules, and so on. Also, from Ghorepani we can see amazing views of Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Himchuli, Mount Nilgiri and other Annapurna Range. The word ‘Ghorepani’ means water to horses. It is place where the horses carrying the goods and commodities would clear their thirst.
Stay overnight at lodge in Ghorepani.
This day we will wake up early in the morning and then hike to Poonhill which takes about 2 hours. Poon hill is a hill station from where we can see 360-degree views of Himalayas and catch the amazing sunrise in the early morning. From the top, we can see amazing views of Mount Annapurna, Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Machhapuchre, Mount Manaslu, Himchuli, Nilgiri, Lamjung Himal, Tukuche, and many more. After enjoying the scenic view, taking pictures from Poonhill we descend back to Ghorepani.
As we return back from Poonhill we will have breakfast at the lodge and then prepare to descend back towards Birethanti. Today will be the last day of trek. We will have to descend for almost 6 hours along the Rhododendron and oak forest to reach Birethanti. On the way we will have lunch at Hille and then again walk for about 1-hour motorable road and reach Birethanti.
Upon arrival in Birethanti, we will drive to Pokhara which takes about 2 hours.
Stay overnight at the Hotel / Resort in Pokhara.
Pokhara is a beautiful city of lakes with amazing views of mountains. We can visit the beautiful Fewa Lake, Tal Barahi temple located in between Fewa Lake, Gupteshore Cave, David Fall, Seti Gorge, Pokhara International Mountaineering Museum, Bindabasini Temple and Tibetan Refugee Camp while we are in Pokhara.
Or we can go for spa / sound bath / zip line / paragliding / hot air ballon ride / bungee jump and so on activities while we are in Pokhara.
Stay overnight at the Hotel / Resort in Pokhara.
This day after having breakfast at the hotel, we will prepare to return back to Kathmandu. Again, we will have three options (flight / private vehicle / tourist bus) to return back to Kathmandu. We can choose the favorable option and return back to Kathmandu. It takes 25 minutes by flight, 7-8 hours by private vehicle and 9 hours by tourist bus to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara.
Stay overnight at Hotel / Resort in Kathmandu.
This day will be free day in Kathmandu for UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE sightseeing / mountain flight to see beautiful views of Everest range and so on..
Stay overnight at Hotel / Resort in Kathmandu.
Enjoy your last day in Kathmandu before departure. At your scheduled departure time, our correspondent will pick you up from the hotel, transfer you to the airport, and bid you farewell with warm hearts.