Around Annapurna Circuit Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek | Classical Annapurna Circuit Trek

Trip Facts
Accommodation:	Standard to Deluxe Hotel's Options in Cities & Tea Houses During Trek
Grade:	Moderate
Max Altitude:	5,416 m/17,770 ft
Transportation:	Private Vehicle/Flight
Meals:	As Mentioned In The Itinerary
Group Size :	1 to 15 People
Duration :	19 Nights/20 Days

Highlights of The Trek

Classical Trek to the most Diverse Annapurna Region and it's Wilderness
Witness Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m) and Annapurna IV (7,525 m)
Witness Manaslu Range, Gangarpurna, Pisang Peak, Tilicho Peak, Thorong Peak, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak and many others
Trek Into Thorong- La Pass at 5,416 m, Marshyangdhi Valley and Kali Gandaki Valley
Visit Sacred Muktinath Temple, Buddhist Monasteries and World's deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge and enjoy several Waterfalls
Witness Annapurna Range including Mt. Fishtail (6,997 m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) from Poon Hill during Sunrise
Visit many Hindu, Buddhist and Tibetan Buddhist Villages and Culture
Enjoy Natural Hot Spring at Chame and Tatopani
Enjoy Pokhara, the city of Nature, Adventure and Lakes
Visit Sacred Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Swyombhunath Stupa in Kathmandu
Pay Homage to living goddess, Kumari in Kathmandu Durbar Square
Enjoy Nepali Food, Hospitality and Culture

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival(1,350 m/4,430 ft)

Day 02: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square

Day 03: Drive to Besisahar/Kudi (800 m/2,625 ft)-7 Hours

Day 04: Trek to Jagat (1,340 m/4,395 ft)-6 Hours

Day 05: Trek to Dharapani (1,960 m/ 6,430 ft)- 6 Hours

Day 06: Trek to Chame (2,710 m/ 8,890 ft)-6 Hours

Day 07: Trek to Pisang (3,300 m/10,830 ft)-6 Hours

Day 08: Trek to Manang (3,520 m/11,550 ft)-6 Hours

Day 09: Rest Day in Manang

Day 10: Trek to Lattar (4,250 m /13,945 ft) via Yak Kharka-6 Hours

Day 11: Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,200 m/13,780 ft)-5 Hours or High Camp (4,810 m/15,780 ft)-6 hours

Day 12: Trek to Muktinath(3,802 m/12,475 ft) by crossing Thorong La Pass(5,416 m/17,770 ft)-8 Hours

Day 13: Trek to Jomsom (2,713 m/8,900 ft)-5 Hours and continue to Marpha (2,670 m/ 8,760 ft)-1 Hour

Day 14: Trek to Kalopani (2,530 m/8,300 ft) -6 Hours

Day 15: Trek to Tatopani (1,190 m/3,905 ft)-6 Hours

Day 16: Trek to Ghorepani (2,853 m/9,360 ft)-6 Hours

Day 17: Hike to Poon Hill (3,210 m) and Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540 m/5,055 ft)- 6 Hours

Day 18: Trek to Nayapul-5 Hours and Drive to Pokhara-1.5 Hours

Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu-30 Minutes

Day 20: Departure from Kathmandu

Overview

Around Annapurna Trek also called as Annapurna Circuit Trek is a beautiful trek in the central part of Nepal within the Annapurna Mountain Range. The beauty of the trek is as it passes two different river valleys, encircles the Annapurna Massif (Annapurna I-IV.) and passes through several Hindu Villages in the lower area and Tibetan Culture Village of Manang and Lower Mustang. This trek starts from the minimum elevation of 800 m and to the highest Thorung-La at 5,416 m and has been voted as the best long trekking route in the world.This Annapurna Region is culturally and geographically diverse as it is home for people of different caste and culture, hosts peaks over 8,000 m, Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Dhaulagiri and other so many magnificent peaks including Annapurna Massif and Mt. Fishtail.

Around Annapurna Trekking Route is the best example of Sustainable Tourism managed and maintained by Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and Nepal Trust for Nature and Conservation in the cooperation of local people. This trek passes through diverse cultured villages, dense forest, flora and fauna, paddy fields, water fall, cliffs, snow capped mountains, world’s deepest Kali Gandaki George, Hot Spring Water at Tatopani, Sunrise View Point at Poon Hill over Annapurna and many more.

This trek starts with the city sightseeing in Kathmandu, 7 hours drive to Besisahar, midway drive from Kathmandu-Pokhara highway and trek through beautiful villages, valleys and crosses Thorung-La to get to the most sacred Hindu and Buddhist Temple, Muktinath Temple at an elevation of 3800m. Trek ends at Nayapul and takes 1.5 hours drive to get to Pokhara.

Best Time to go for Around Annapurna Trek is from March to May and September to November as it will be too cold in the upper section of the region and in monsoon, the view of mountains won’t be clear.

For accommodation, there are choices of city hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and in trek, there are several well managed Tea Houses/Lodges with basic rooms and healthy hot meals. The number of days of the trek can be minimized as there is road developed in the region.

This trek is bit difficult than Annapurna Base Camp Trek and longer one. For those, who have less time can go for Around Annapurna Trek-16 Days.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival(1,350 m/4,430 ft)

After arriving at Kathmandu International Airport, our office representative welcomes you with Garland and takes you to hotel in Kathmandu. In the evening, we will have briefing on trek and equipment check by our Trek Manager and Trek Guide. Then, we will take you for dinner to make you introduced with Nepalese food habits and Culture.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: D

Activity Duration:

Day 02: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square

After breakfast, we will take you for guided tour of Kathmandu city. We will begin with Pashupatinath Temple which is famous Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva at the bank of holy Bagmati River. After this, we continue to Boudhanath Stupa, which is giant Stupa in Asia and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu. Then, we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square where Nepalese Kings used to get Throne. Interesting places to see here are Taleju Temple, Statue of Kal Bhairabh and Hanuman, Temple of Jagannath (Erotic Temple) and Kastamandap Temple from which Kathmandu got its name. We visit Kumari Temple and pay homage to the living goddess, Kumari and also walk around the Freak streets which was famous during Hippie Era in 60's and 70's.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 03: Drive to Besisahar/Kudi (800 m/2,625 ft)-7 Hours

After breakfast, we drive to Besisahar or Kudi along the Trishuli and Marshyangdhi River. Optional- Once we reach Chauradi, you can enjoy White Water Rafting at Trishuli River for 3 hours with beach lunch. On the middle of the way to Pokhara, from Dumre, we start driving to Besisahar on right. Besisahar is the main town of Lamjung district where your trekking permit is examined for the first time. Kudi is 30 minutes more drive from Besisahar. Kudi offers us the first glimpse of Manalsu Range.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 04: Trek to Jagat (1,340 m/4,395 ft)-6 Hours

After breakfast, we start our trek by passing Nagdi village and a suspension bridge over Nagdi River. Nagdi is settlement of families originally from Manang Village while Taranche immediately above it, is a Gurung Village. After lunch, we follow the river of Syagne. Syangne is located at the suspension bridge crossing. A waterfall offering challenging bathing is just a few minutes from the village. The trails leads to Jagat, is a village of people with Tibetan Stocks.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Jagat.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 05: Trek to Dharapani (1,960 m/ 6,430 ft)- 6 Hours

Our trail continues towards the east bank of the Marsyangdhi River, climbing gradually except where it is necessary to cross steep ridges. The valley suddenly opens into a large plateau. In this picturesque setting at the foot of a large waterfall, is the village of Tal (1,650 m). Tal is populated by Gurungs and Tibetans. And you enter to the Manang District. In Manang, this district is called Gyasumda. From Tal, the trail rises steeply initially and then rises and falls as it cuts across mountain side to Dharapani.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Dharapani.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 06: Trek to Chame (2,710 m/ 8,890 ft)-6 Hours

From Dharapani, our trail climbs over a forested ridge across the river from Thonje, a large village in Gyasumda (Manang), and then reaches Bagarchap (2,170 m). There is a well maintained Gompa in the upper part of the village containing many Tibetan Buddhist painting and carving. The trail now turned west into the Manang Valley. To the south, it provides a glimpse of Annapurna II and to the east ,Manaslu valley. The route continues to Chame, the administrative headquarter of the district. In Chame, you may consider to enjoy Natural Hot Spring.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Chame

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 07: Trek to Pisang (3,300 m/10,830 ft)-6 Hours

We start on the trail which leads us to a small settlement of Taleku and cross a bridge to the sparsely Bartang. This former Khampa settlement is now orchard and marks the traditional boundary between the Manang area to the north and the predominantly Gurung area to the south. On the trail, we will follow rock walls to climb. After crossing the River on the north bank of Marshangdhi, we arrive at Pisang Village. From Pisang, we see the Annapurna II and Pisang Peak.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Pisang.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 08: Trek to Manang (3,520 m/11,550 ft)-6 Hours

Our path rises gradually and then more steeply from Pisang to crest of a ridge overlooking the Upper Manang valley. We follow the trail down to the flat valley floor and the Ongre. Shortly after Ongre, a bridge crossing over the Sabche River gives us a view of amphitheater formed by Annapurna III and IV. After crossing one bridge, the trail passes by Braga, a village built impressively into a cliff wall. From Braga, it is a short walk to the Manang Village from where you see prominent peaks like Gangapurna to the right of the glacier and Annapurna III to the left.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Manang.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 09: Rest Day in Manang

The day must be spent in Manage village and the vicinity to acclimatize for the higher elevations to be encountered towards Thorong La Pass. There are many opportunities for interesting day excursions from Manang. It is possible to climb the ridge to the north of the village for excellent view of Annapurna IV, Annapurna II and Glacier Dome (7,193 m) or to descend from the village to the glacial lake to the foot of the huge Icefall descending from the northern slopes of Gangarpurna.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/ Lodge in Manang.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 10: Trek to Lattar (4,250 m /13,945 ft) via Yak Kharka-6 Hours

After leaving Manang, our path climbs up till we reach the hamlet of Tengi (3,642 m). From here it takes about an hour to reach Gunsang (3,850 m). From here it’s another one hour forty-five minutes uphill to Lattar (4,250 m). These Himalayan pastures are domains of Yak, a bovine of Tibetan origin, reared for its wool, milk and to transport goods. The Thar, a kind of wild goat that lives in herds, is also found here.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Lattar.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 11: Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,200 m/13,780 ft)-5 Hours or High Camp (4,810 m/15,780 ft)-6 hours

After breakfast, we continue trek to reach Thorong Phedi which normally takes around 4 hours and it is better to walk slowly and drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness. Thorong Phedi means ‘foot of the hill’ and it is situated at a height of 4,200 m on a small hill overlooking a high plateau. After lunch at Phedi, we have option to continue further 1 Hour to High Camp to save time to cross Thorong La Pass in the following day.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Thorong Phedi.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 12: Trek to Muktinath(3,802 m/12,475 ft) by crossing Thorong La Pass(5,416 m/17,770 ft)-8 Hours

Our trail becomes steep immediately after leaving Phedi, switch backing up moraines and following rocky ridges as it ascends to the pass. The trail although steep, is well defined and easy to follow. The only complications to the crossings are the high elevation and the possibility of snow. The pass is marked with its traditional Chortens. The view from the trail and the pass itself are excellent high Himalayan scenes, the entire Great Divine with the Annapurna and Gangapurna to the south, the barren Kali Gandaki Valley and the peak of Thorungtse in the north. The trail begins to descend in snow in winter, which gives way to interminable switchbacks down the steep rocky moraine. Finally, the moraines reach grassy slopes and the we finally descend to Muktinath.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Muktinath.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 13: Trek to Jomsom (2,713 m/8,900 ft)-5 Hours and continue to Marpha (2,670 m/ 8,760 ft)-1 Hour

In the morning, we will Muktinath Temple, a famous pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. In one of the Temple complex, a sacred fire and spring of water glows from the ground. It is believed that who takes a bath in 108 taps within the premises suppose to be pure. After visiting Temple, we start walking down with beautiful landscape crossing Jharkot and Kaajbeni to Jomsom. And from Jomsom, Marpha is one hour further.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House /Lodge in Marpha.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 14: Trek to Kalopani (2,530 m/8,300 ft) -6 Hours

As the trail proceeds south, the trail reaches Tukuche at the elevation of 2,590 m. This was a meeting place for commercial exchange of goods between Nepal and Tibet in earlier days. It was also a headquarter of Maurice Herzog in his first conquest to Annapurna I in 1950. The trail now passes through interesting villages of Khoban, Larjung built with narrow alleyways and tunnels connecting houses with enclosed courtyards, which provides protection against the rough wind from Kali Gandaki River. Further, climbing up to Sokung (2,590 m) through pine, juniper and cypress forest, we arrive at Kalopani.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Kalopani.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 15: Trek to Tatopani (1,190 m/3,905 ft)-6 Hours

We start our trek to Lete (2,470 m) which takes us roughly 40 minutes and has an excellent view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. From Lete, the trail leads across the Kali Gandaki River. After descending to the Lete River, the trail becomes steeper in forests to Ghasa (2,012 m). This is the last Thakali Village in this trek. Below Dana, the trail passes through a small tunnel carved out of the rocky hill side and continues to Tatopani where we can enjoy Natural Hot Spring.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Tatopani.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 16: Trek to Ghorepani (2,853 m/9,360 ft)-6 Hours

Our trail climbs steeply for about 400 m and then goes more gradual through Gara to Sikha, a spread out Magar village with a large school and several Government Offices. We continue to climb mostly in forest to the pass at 2,830 m. From the pass, we make steep descend to Ghorepani which literally means ‘Horse Water Place’.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House in Ghorepani.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 17: Hike to Poon Hill (3,210 m) and Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540 m/5,055 ft)- 6 Hours

Early morning, we may climb up to the Poon Hill at 3,210 m to see the magnificent Sunrise over Annapurna Range including Mt. Fishtail and Mt. Dhaulagiri. It takes normally 45 minutes to get there. After breakfast, we continue the gentle descend down along the Rhododendron forest alongside a sparking clear steam to the hamlet of Narathanti at 2,510 m. Then we continue through forests, pastures and cultivated fields. Then our trail enters the large Magar village of Ulleri. From Ulleri, we make steep descend on step stones to Tirkhedung.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Tirkhedunga.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 18: Trek to Nayapul-5 Hours and Drive to Pokhara-1.5 Hours

After breakfast, we continue our trek by passing Hile. Further, our trail continues to descend through Bhurungdi River valley and cross the river to avoid a steep cliff. Then we continue down to the north village besides Waterfall and Bamboo forests to the large village of Birethanthi (1,037 m), situated at the bank of Modi river. Further, 30 minutes gentle walk along side of Modi River gets us to Nayapul. It is the place where most of the treks starts and ends. Then we board our vehicle to Pokhara.

Accomodation: Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

Meals: B L

Activity Duration:

Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu-30 Minutes

After relaxing morning, we drive to Pokhara Airport in the afternoon and fly back to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, we will host farewell dinner to mark the great success of your Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B D

Activity Duration:

Day 20: Departure from Kathmandu

After breakfast, we will drop you to airport for departure from Kathmandu before 3 hours of your flight time.

Accomodation:

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Cost Info

Cost Includes:

Garland welcome, arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu with office representative.
3 nights in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
1 night in Pokhara with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
15 Nights/16 Day All inclusive treks in Annapurna Region with breakfast, lunch and dinner and tea/coffee each time in meals in local tea houses/lodges.
Meals as indicated in the Itinerary.
English Speaking Trek Guide with a reliable team of porters (2:1 Ratio) and additional Sherpa as per the group size.
Kathmandu full day sightseeing with English Speaking Tour Guide with all applicable entrance fees.
White water rafting in Trishuli River with picnic lunch.
Welcome and Farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project, ACAP Fees and Trekkers Information Management System, TIMS Fees.
Bottle Drinking water in vehicle for sightseeing drives and transfers.
All drives, sightseeing and transfers by Deluxe Vehicle as per the group size.
24/7 hours Assistance.

Cost Excludes:

International Airfare to/from Kathmandu.
Nepal Visa fees on Arrival at airport (USD 50/- for 30 Days).
Pokhara/Kathmandu Airfare as quoted separately.
Meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara except welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Bottle drinking water, hot beverages, charges for hot shower, mobile/camera charges during the trek.
Personal nature of expenses like tips, bar bills, laundry and personal expenses.
Cost may arise of natural calamities, flight cancellation, illness, hospitalization, tour cancellation, blockade etc.
Cost for Emergency Helicopter Evacuation Charges in case of emergency.
Other than in our include section.

Route Map:

Reviews for the Trip

Highly recommend for amazing experience

(5/5)

This was a trek involving seven ladies on a mission to create lifelong memories. Gopi organised everything from start to finish with a realistic itinerary and our food & lodging was excellent. Our guide & his team were very helpful and professional throughout. We did not have to worry about anything and always felt safe. We were looked after very well even through unexpected weather.

Review By: Sajana Gurung

Address: United Kingdom