Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit trek is best described as the most happening incentive trekking destination of Nepal. It has been proved as a highly praised and spectacular trekking route in the Annapurna region. 

This trek begins with a drive to Besisahar and winds through lush subtropical forests and traditional farming terrace villages of west Nepal and goes along the Marshyangdi River with a great view of Manaslu and Himalchuli to the east. This Magnificent trek leads you to the fine village inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups offering spectacular and majestic views of the white Himalayas. As it continues to the north of the main Himalayan range on the high and dry Tibetan Plateau the scenery is equally breathtaking. 

The highlight of this trip is to reach the sacred site of Muktinath Temple through the trek over the Thorong La Pass (5416 m). We get close to numerous snow-capped Himalayas Mt. Manaslu (8156 m) Annapurna I (8091 m) Dhaulagiri (8167 m) Annapurna II (7940 m) Annapurna III (7550 m) Annapurna IV (7525 m) Annapurna South (7220 m) Tilicho Peak (7135 m) Nilgiri (7040 m) Machhapurche (6998 m) Lamjung Himal (6985 m) Himchuli (6445 m) and Tukuche Peak (6920 m).

Detail Itinerary                                                                                                 

Day 1. Arrival

After arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your respective hotel. Depending upon your arrival time you may spend free time visiting nearby sanctuaries. 

**3-star Hotel (BB)

Day 2. Kathmandu - Besisahar (drive 7 hrs.) - Khudi (800m): Drive 2 hrs.

We began our drive to Besisahar. During the journey you will get to enjoy spectacular scenery of white mountains, green hills, rivers and hamlets. Khudi offers us a first glimpse of the gorgeous Manaslu Range.

Alternate: We can get off at Besisahar and then trek for two hour to get to Khudi along the wide trail. If we arrive at a reasonable time it’s worth considering walking directly on to Khudi and stopping there for the night otherwise we can continue to drive till Khudi. The trek Meanders along the Marsyangdi River. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 3. Khudi - Jagat (1300m): Trek 6-7 hrs.

First we will reach the village of Ngadi Bazaar and then of Ngadi, surrounded by green paddy fields and along many nice garden lodges where you will cross on a huge suspension bridge over the Ngadi Khola (a side river of Marsyangdi River). From here the trail moves gently upwards to Bahundanda, an attractive village in the saddle of a long ridge. The trail descends on a very steep trail to Syange and then Jagat. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 4. Jagat - Dharapani (1960m): Trek 6-7 hrs.

The day begins with the rocky trail following the Marsyangdi rivers steadily uphill to Tal (which features an open plateau, affording us amazing views of the snow-capped peaks). The trail continues uphill, passing through bamboo and rhododendron forests. The marsyangdi river becomes narrower as its water thunder through the narrow chasm with plenty of white water. Dharapani is a good place to stay with good views up both canyons. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 5. Dharapani - Chame (2710m): Trek 5-6 hrs.

A rather quiet day where we took our time to marvel at the landscapes. The villages are even more beautiful, isolated from everything out of nowhere. The route crosses several landslides as it works its way uphill and through a walnut tree forest until we arrive at Chame. As we reach the chame, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, and Lamjung Himal. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 6. Chame - Pisang (3300m): Trek 5-6 hrs.

The whole day is picturesque and quite an easy walk through a dense forest with a steep and narrow path before we reach Pisang itself. You have to take a steep climb to the upper pisang as the morning views are breathtaking. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 7. Pisang - Manang (3540m): Trek 6-7 hrs.

There are two routes to Manang but we follow the trail that takes us to Upper Pisang via Gyaru. The green forests give way to a mountainous and dry landscape. Our goal is slowly approaching but surely the snowy peaks are becoming more and more visible. There are more places to visit in Manang like Gangapurna Lake, Khangsar village, Bhojo Gumba etc. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 8. Acclimatization Day 

We spend a day acclimatizing our bodies before going higher elevation on the next day. We headed for a short hike to Khangsar (3745m, a village situated before Manang) or Gangapurna Lake or Bhojo Gumba or Himalayan Rescue Association. So, we reach higher grounds and return to lower ones for sleep and walk around Manang Village. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)  

Day 9. Manang - Yak Kharka / Ledar (4260m): Trek 3-4 hrs.

Trekking slowly upwards to Thorung La, we will leave the large trees behind and see vegetation consisting mainly of scrub juniper and alpine grass. The typical himalayan village is an accolade to its name, as lots of yaks can be seen grazing and standing around. After passing Yak kharka it takes about an hour to reach Letdar. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 10. Yak Kharka / Ledar - Thorong Phedi (4600m): Trek 3-4 hrs.

The area from Ledar to Thorong Phedi has a surreal beauty. The valley is narrow and there are steep slopes on both sides. The slopes are multi-colored with many different hues of oranges, yellows & brown. After climbing for quite a while the trail suddenly dropped steeply to the river & we crossed a wooden bridge. From here, the trail zig-zags steeply up to a small tea house in Phedi. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 11. Thorong Phedi - Thorong La Pass (5416m) - Muktinath (3800m): Trek 7-8 hrs.

It was a steep, relentless climb, as it would be all the way to Thorong La. At the pass there’s a huge pile of prayer flags, a plague and a small teahouse. From Thorong La pass to Muktinath was a very long & steep downhill trek with bare dry and rocky terrain. 

Muktinath is a sacred temple for both Hindu and Buddhist. The sacred temple has 108 waterfalls that resemble water flowing from taps and mysterious natural gas fires that boggle the mind.

From the elevated venue you will see amazingly standing Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri Range, Gangapurna, Khatung Kang and heavily glaciated peaks. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 12. Muktinath - Marpha (2670m): Trek 4-5 hrs.

We passed through several small villages Rani Pauwa, Jharkot, Khingar etc. After Jharkot the trail gradually descended. We reached a surprisingly beautiful marshy lake with willow, poplar and fruit trees. As we approached Kagbeni the scenery became even more spectacular. Kagbeni is a charming, beautiful old city & one of the principal gateways to Upper Mustang. 

We followed the deep Jhong Khola down the Kali Gandaki river valley to a small village of Ekle Bhatti. Before Jomsom, a strange series of walls, a maze perhaps appeared across the Kali Gandaki. Marpha is one of the most Picturesque villages with white houses and wooden windows, small streets, temples and of course apple gardens.

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 13. Marpha - Kalopani (2530m): Trek 5-6 hrs.

This part looks like a fairy tale. The trail will continue through the Tukuche & Larjung village and a dense forest of fir, juniper and cypress trees. There are a few symbolic bridges made from branches by the villagers. The trek will be rewarded by the spectacular views of Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri.

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 14. Kalopani - Tatopani (1190m): Trek 6-7 hrs.

Our trek leads us through the steepest and narrowest part of the Kali Gandaki valley. By crossing the Kali Gandaki river on a suspension bridge, we have to descend past Thepla, Kopchepani, Rupse Chhahara(waterfall), and Dana to reach Tatopani. Tatopani (situated on the river bank) offers a well deserved hot bath. The Terrain will become warm and lush again which your skin will gladly welcome. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 15. Tatopani - Ghorepani

On the way, we cross the Kali Gandaki and Ghar Khola, before walking up through rhododendron forest to Ghorepani. We have to pass through the beautiful typical red white colored houses in Ghara & Shika Village. 

**Mountain Teahouse (B,L,D)

Day 16. Ghorepani - Tadapani (2700m): Trek 6 hrs.

Poon hill offers close up views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The sunrise will be worth the wait from Poon Hill, warming up the horizon, lighting up the sky and the snow-capped mountains before peaking over the distant hills. After breakfast, we continue the trail to Tadapani. Wooden logs artistically lodged in the mountain side served as the stairs, uphill to Deurali Danda. Then descended through the paved rock stairs to Tadapani.

**Mountain Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 17. Tadapani - Ghandruk (1950m) - Pokhara: Trek 5-6 hrs. & Drive 1 hrs.

The trail takes through one of the world’s largest Rhododendron forests. A wide stone path leads to a terraced mountain village(Ghandruk) primarily populated by one of Nepal’s many ethnic groups, the Gurung People. We trek further to Nayapul then drive to Pokhara. 

**Mountain Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 18. Pokhara - Kathmandu

Drive back to Kathmandu and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. After arriving in Kathmandu, we can take a rest and do some souvenir shopping or sightseeing. We will have a farewell dinner in the evening for the successful completion of our trek. 

**3-star Hotel (BB)

Day 19. Departure

Host or Publisher Native Trails