Annapurna Circuit Trekking

Starting wonderful Annapurna Circuit Trekking adventure with an interesting overland drive towards Nepal mid west, leading to Besisar town (headquarter of Lamjung district). From here transfer to another vehicle and continue drive on dirt road passing villages of Khudi, Bulbule and Ngadi following the Marsyangdi River upstream.

Drive continues through rice terraces fields and villages to Dharapani a small village for overnight stop in the comfort of nice lodge.

Dharapani a nice village with Buddhist culture, situated on the junction of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu trekking trail.

Start the morning walk a into cool rhododendron and pine forest passing villages of Bagachap and Danque, then to Timang village from here onwards into more Buddhist area, with super view of Mt. Manaslu 8,163m / 26,781ft, from this village few hours trek leads to a large town at Chame for overnight stop, a major town and headquarter of Manang district.

From here air gets cooler as the walk leads closer into mountains through beautiful forest of rhododendron and pine trees, following Marshyangdi River upstream to Bhratang village.

From this village an uphill into pine trees to Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few lodge and views of Chulu and Pisang peak, after a lunch stop walk downhill to Pisang village for overnight stop.

Pisang village located within Manang valley with stunning mountains views as altitude gains for here onwards.

Walking into forest with short uphill with views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu and Pisang peak, then reaching Hongde village with a small air strip, from here tree lines fades to barren, arid landscapes.

On route Manang village visit old Braga monastery with Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting, frescos and super panorama of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk to Manang village.

The houses here are of traditional Tibetan style with culture and traditions.

An important rest day for acclimatization before reaching high altitude and up to Thorang –la, here with short hike exploring Manang village beneath towering Annapurna and Gangapurna peaks, a nice short hike up for views of Gangapurna Glacier and the Manang glacial Lake.

After a good rest at Manang, walk towards Yak Kharka, an interesting high altitude walk with views of mountains, crossing small streams to reach at Yak Kharka, a small settlement with incredible views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Chulu Peaks.

Morning walk leads closer to Thorang-la as the walk progress crossing a bridge and then a climb along the Jarjung River, then leading at Thorang Phedi for short rest and then climb the last hour uphill to Thorang High Camp for overnight stop.

Start the early morning walk on this Big Day! A thrill and highlight of this great adventure, after breakfast a long climb up to Thorang-la with steep haul to reach at 5,416 m / 17, 872 ft on top of Thorang-la decorated with Buddhist prayer flags.

Highest point of our adventure, offers superb vista of beautiful landscapes and snowcapped peaks, from here a long descend to Muktinath at 3,800 m.

Muktinath a holy place for both Hindu and Buddhist the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation’.

After Muktinath, rest of the journey is easier with moderate walks all the way with a big drop of 1,200m downhill to Kaligandaki river valley, this pleasant walk leads to Kaligandaki river valley, from here walk to Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang area with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River.

After Jomsom walk to Marpha, one of the most charming village with white painted houses, paved streets and well kept lodges. At Marpha celebrate with local apple products cider, brandy and juice this area from Kagbeni to Larjung is famous for delicious apples.

From Marpha onward, walk is enjoyable following Kaligandaki river downstream with views of Tukuche peak, Dhaulagiri and Mt. Nilgiri walk to Larjung village, after few hours walk getting back into tree lines of pine, oaks and rhododendron forest and then reaching at Kalapani village, another lovely village with grand views of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri, a short downhill brings at Lete village for overnight stop.

Walk from Kalapani and Lete onward leads to dramatic change in vegetation and climate, as walk leads between two giant peaks of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna forming world deepest gorge.

First two hours of trek leads through Ghasa village with view of snow capped peaks into forest.

After Ghasa a southern end of Mustang area mostly dominated by Thakali people ethnic tribe till Tatopani village.

This pleasant walk continues leading back to paddy fields in warm sub-tropical climate to Tatopani passing beautiful waterfalls of Rupsi.

Tatopani (Hot Spring) village the valley is quite constricted and it is quite warm with sub-tropic climate and vegetation, Tatopani is another nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of the River Kaligandaki.

After a wonderful time at Tatopani, trek continues on the nice winding trail for an hour, our route diverts heading uphill with steep climb then with gradual up all the way through dense forest to reach at Chitre, from here an hour climb to Ghorepani village with fantastic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South with Vara-Shikar known as Annapurna Fang.

Ghorepani famous and popular for hike to Poon Hill a view point offering super wide views of world’s three highest peaks and range of other mountains with striking sunrise and sunset.

Morning an hour hike up to Poon-Hill at 3,210m, offers fantastic sunrise views over array of mountains from Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu to Annapurna and as far to Ganesh Himal in the far eastern horizon including the majestic Mt. Machhapuchare “The Fish Tail”.

From here walk through lovely rhododendron forest, and then with long descend from Ulleri village to Tirkhedhunga for last overnight stop in the hills of Annapurna Himalaya.

After Tirkhedhunga, last day walk of this adventure leads downhill most of the way through farm villages, then finally reaching a nice village at Bhirethati by the river Modi, from here a short walk to Nayapul ending the final walk of this great adventure with a drive of two hours to Pokhara for the overnight stop by the Lake Phewa.

Pokhara, a popular touristic city, where the peaks of Annapurna Mountain range reflects on its beautiful serene lakes of Phewa and Begnas.

Morning a drive to Kathmandu after a wonderful experience on Annapurna Circuit trekking, on reaching Kathmandu transfer to your hotels with the afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping.

(Flying options 30 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara)