Annapurna Circuit Trek

Trip Features

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  • Total Duration : 21 Days
  • Transportation : Domestic Flight & Tourist Vehicles
  • Max Elevation : 5,416m
  • Trek Grading : Difficult
  • Best Seasons : Spring & Autumn
  • Journey Starts/Ends : KathmanduKathmandu
  • Accommodation : Hotel, Lodges & Tea Houses
  • Note: The trek goes counter-clockwise from Besisahar to Nayapul and reaches its summit in Thorung La.

Trip Highlights

  • Grandeur of mountain views
  • Classic Himalayan trekking
  • Cultural diversity and distinct flora and fauna

Trip Overview

The Annapurna Circuit is a popular name for a trek within the Annapurna mountain range of central Nepal. The total length of the route varies between 160–230 km (100-145m), depending on where the motor transportation is used and where the trek is going to end. The trek surmounts to an altitude of 5,400m on the Thorong La pass, touching the edge of the Tibetan plateau. This trek crosses two different river valleys and encircles the Annapurna massif, crossing Thorong La (5416m), the highest pass on this trek. Practically all trekkers hike the route counter clockwise, as the daily altitude gain is slower, easier and safer.

The trek begins at Besisahar or Bhulbhule in the Marsyangdi river valley and concludes in the Kali Gandaki, the world’s deepest gorge. Besisahar can be reached after a seven-hour drive from Kathmandu. The trail passes along lush green valleys and subtropical forests, several waterfalls and gigantic cliffs and fascinating villages.

Annapurna Circuit has often been voted as the best long distance trek in the world, as combined in its old full form, a wide variety of climate zones from tropics at 600m to the arctic at 5416m at the Thorong-La pass. It offers cultural variety from Hindu villages at the low foothills to the Tibetan culture of Manang Valley and lower Mustang. The trek also goes through Buddhist villages and Hindu holy sites, most notably the village of Muktinath, a holy site for both Buddhists and Hindus, and Braga, one of the oldest monasteries in the region.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel.

Day 02: Rest, sightseeing, preparation, assignment and briefing.

Day 03: Drive to Bhulbhule via Dumre and Besisahar.

Day 04: Commence trek Bhulbhule to Syange (1,136m).

Day 05: Trek from Syange to Tal (1,710m).

Day 06: Trek from Tal to Bagarchhap (2,160m).

Day 07: Bagarchhap to Chame (2,630m).

Day 08: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m).

Day 09: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3,500m).

Day 10: Acclimatization day at Manang.

Day 11: Trek from Manang to Ledar (4,250m).

Day 12: Trek from Ledar to Phedi or High camp (4,600 m).

Day 13: Trek from Phedi or High Camp to Muktinath (3,710m).

Day 14: Trek from Muktinath to Tukuche (2,600m).

Day 15: Trek from Tukuche to Ghasa (2,100m).

Day 16: Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1,200m).

Day 17: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,850m).

Day 18: Explore Poonhill and Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,495m).

Day 19: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhra.

Day 20: Tourist Bus Journey from Pokhra to Kathmandu.

Day 21: Depart back to Kathmandu for your final port of destination.

Brief Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel.

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Be received by our staff that will help in assisting you to get transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu with BB Plan.

Day 02: Rest, sightseeing, preparation, assignment and briefing.

Our Guide will take you around Kathmandu Valley to show the history of Nepal while visiting temples, vibrant streets, and monasteries of Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bodhnath and Swayambhunath. After the half-day city tour, our staff will conduct an evening briefing in the Hotel, preparing you for the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu with BB Plan.

Day 03: Drive to Bhulbhule via Dumre and Besisahar.

The day begins with drive to Besisahar – Bhulbhule that takes about 5-6 hours from Kathmandu. We divert from the Prithvi highway to a bustling town of Dumre and continue for a further one and a half hours drive to Besisahar. After lunch, we complete the short drive to the road ahead at Bhulbhule (846 meters) in the Marsyangdi Valley. Overnight at lodge/teahouse with dinner.

Day 04: Commence trek Bhulbhule to Syange (1,136m).

Commence our trek to Syange (1136m) after having breakfast, where the trek takes about 5-6 hours. It is an easy start to the day where the taste of difficulty arises while climbing up to Bahun Danda, a picturesque village at the top of a formidable ridge. Then, we come across terraces and small streams before rejoining the Marsyangdi, following it upstream for several kilometers to our overnight camp.Lodging in full board near the village of Syange.

Day 05: Trek from Syange to Tal (1,710m).

From Tal, we head across a river and ascend steeply to finally reach a ridge, which is situated at the top. We cross another suspension bridge before a continued ascent up a narrow and beautiful valley where, after rain, many spectacular waterfalls flow. Just before camping at Tal, the first village in Manang, we come over a small rise and enter a wide, flat valley with a long, silvery waterfall to the right.

Day 06: Trek from Tal to Bagarchhap (2,160m).

We make a trail verse crossing a wide, flat valley. The trail then climbs a stone stairway to 1860m till another stairway. The journey continues making up and down to Dharapani at 1890m. There, we find a stone entrance, “Chorten” typical of the Tibetan influenced villages in northwards. We then visit the Bagarchhap(2160 m) that offers the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans.

Day 07: Bagarchhap to Chame (2,630m).

With often rough and rocky passage, the trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360m, and then continues through a forest, but near the river, to Kopar at 2590m. As we reach Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II.

Day 08: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m).

The day starts through deep forest in a steep and narrow valley, crossing a river on a long bridge at 2910 m. We then cross another bridge at 3040m from where the view of the soaring Paungda Danda begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3200m and 3300m.

Day 09: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3,500m).

Today, we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd yaks and raise crops for part of the year, besides; they also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784. Leaving Pisang, we have an alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meet up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325 m. involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3475m to nearby Manang at 3500m.

Day 10: Acclimatization day at Manang.

Whole day is taken for acclimatizing in Manang by doing some fine walks. At the end of the day, we return back to our accommodation and have a night rest.

Day 11: Trek from Manang to Ledar (4,250m).

Today, we leave Manang and the trail makes an ascent of nearly 2000m to the Thorong La pass. We make the climb steadily through Tenki leaving the Marsyangdi Valley. Continuing along the Jar sang Khola Valley; we reach Ledar at 4250m where we see the vegetationis steadily sparser.

Day 12: Trek from Ledar to Phedi or High camp (4,600 m).

The trail descends to cross the river at 4310m. We then climb up to Phedi at 4420m at High Camp on the elevation of 4600m. Since there are a few guesthouses coming up recently, your overnight stay will be in one of the renovated and new guesthouses there.

Day 13: Trek from Phedi or High Camp to Muktinath (3,710m).

The journey from Phedi “foot of the hill” or at the foot to the 5416m Thorong-La pass, begins today. We make the climb steeply that is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problem to cross the pass if it is covered by snow. About four hours of climbing up to the pass marked by the Chorten and prayer flags, you are finally rewarded by the magnificent view from the top.

Day 14: Trek from Muktinath to Tukuche (2,600m).

Tukuche is also a nice settlement of more than 100 houses of Thakali people. It has 2 monasteries and one apple brandy factory. If you are interested to see how apple brandy is produced, you will be taken there.

Day 15: Trek from Tukuche to Ghasa (2,100m).

From Tukuche, the trek begins in a downward walk along the Kaligandaki river beach with a trail of motor able road or if tired on self-payment basis you can ride a bus or jeep up to Ghasa where your overnight accommodation is set.

Day 16: Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1,200m).

From Ghasa, the trek begins downward along the Kaligandaki river beach with a trail of motor able road or if tired on self-payment basis you can ride a bus or jeep up to Tatopani where your overnight accommodation is set.

Day 17: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,850m).

Today is a slightly strenuous day for trekking up to Ghorepani with about 50-60 degree slopes via Ghara, Shikha and Chitre. Lunch is set on the way and overnight we rest at a tea house/lodge at Ghorepani.

Day 18: Explore Poonhill and Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,495m).

Early morning trip to Poonhill (3232m) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche Peak Nilgiri, Varaha Shikha, Mt. Annapurna I (8091m), Lamjung Himal and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After breakfast, we trek to Tikhedhunga with 4-5 hours walking where the overnight accommodation with dinner is scheduled.

Day 19: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhra.

The following morning, the trek starts after having breakfast in Tikhedhunga toward Nayapul, which takes about 4 hours. Lunch is served on the way from where you are taken to Pokhra by private vehicle. Guests are accommodated into the hotel with BB Plan.

Day 20: Tourist Bus Journey from Pokhra to Kathmandu.

After having breakfast, your trip starts by driving back from Pokhra to Katmandu by tourist Coach that generally takes about 6 hours. Overnight is arranged at Hotel in Kathmandu with BB Plan.

Day 21: Depart back to Kathmandu for your final port of destination.

With the farewell gift of Richa Tours T-Shirt, our representative will drop you to the International Airport (TIA) to assist you for your final departure to your home or alternatively the next destination.

Date and Price

Note Regarding Dates:

Although this trip is currently unscheduled, Richa Tours is keen to prepare the necessary arrangements for the group or yourself. Feel free to contact us. The best months to travel this destination are between March to May and October to November.

Note Regarding Price:

Contact us with your needs and we will put forward the best feasible price for you.


Service Include and Exclude

Includes

  • Airport-hotel-airport pick-up and drop by tourist vehicles
  • Hotel & Guest house accommodation
  • Sightseeing tour as per itinerary with English/Other language speaking tour guide
  • License holder English speaking trekking guide
  • Porters to carry your luggage during the trek
  • Insurance for all trekking staff
  • Annapurna National Park permits/Acap
  • Down jacket and sleeping bag on hiring & returnable basis
  • Surface transfer from and to Kathmandu
  • All government taxes

Excludes

  • Your travel insurance during the tour & trek
  • Nepal entry visa fee and airport tax during the departure
  • Alcoholic, cold and hot drinks
  • Laundry & telephone bill
  • Extra Meal during the tour & trek
  • Tips for Tour Guide, Drivers, staff & Trekking staff
  • Any other personal expenses