Annapurna Circuit Trek

You’ll begin your Annapurna Circuit adventure with a scenic drive from Kathmandu. The trek starts at an elevation of 1,324 m and heads northwest to the peaceful village of Bhulbhule. This first day is all about traveling. Expect to spend a few hours driving, giving you time to enjoy the changing views, including the Trisuli and Marsyangdi river valleys.

The drive along the Trishuli River Valley is calm and pleasant. You’ll pass small villages like Mugling and Besisahar. After about six to seven hours, you’ll reach Bhulbhule, near the Marsyangdi River. Here, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the Annapurna Massif and spend the night in teahouses.

You’ll cross a suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River. The trail takes you gently down steep banks of subtropical jungle. The trail runs along the river, offering spectacular views of the region. You’ll see terraced rice fields, as well as millet and corn. These reside with the local Gurung and Tamang communities, which offer a glimpse into rural Nepalese life. The green grasses and wildflowers that fill the fresh air are fragrant. Several miles away, you can see the snowcapped Lamjung Himal in the distance.

You’ll stop for an intimate lunch at a village such as Ngadi or Bahundanda. Trekkers enjoy local meals, such as dal bhat or momos, while interacting with friendly locals. After lunch, you’ll continue along the trail that leads to local settlements. The stone house villages and stone-house teahouses, which sell chai, are another major attraction. Eventually, you’ll arrive at Jagat, which is a former trading post. The stone paths and a traditional lodge await you, where you’ll rest overnight.

 If you thought the last day was tough, get ready for even more treacherous terrain through high trails and snowy ridges. The third day of the trek takes you to Dharapani. As the altitude rises over 1800 m, the treks become a bit slower, with plenty of breaks in between. Today, you’ll trek alongside the Marshyangdi River as you reach Tal Village. This means you are now in the vicinity of the beautiful Manang region.

You’ll continue the journey to Kodo, one of the largest villages in the Manang valley. Its charming buildings and friendly atmosphere make it a great place to take a short break. Now cross a strong suspension bridge that offers an exciting view of the river below. Next, you’ll follow a short but steep climb up the stone Kani, a traditional gateway that marks the entrance into the next part of the adventure. Finally, you’ll arrive at Dharapani, the overnight destination for the day.

The Annapurna Circuit trek is getting enjoyable day by day. You are now getting closer to the destination. The trek begins early morning from Dharapani. You’ll walk on paths through tall trees. It is quiet and peaceful, situated next to the Marsyangdi River, which makes a lovely sound.

As you reach Chame, you pass through green fields and majestic sights. Tall mountains, like Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV, are visible from a distance. After reaching Chame, visit local stores, monasteries, ridges, and return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After a fantastic stay in Chame, it’s time to move on. After breakfast, you’ll continue the trek through the narrow and steep trekking trail until you get a view of Paungda Dada Rock. This rock wall holds great significance for the local people in the area. From the trail from Chame, you’ll catch a glimpse of Pisang Peak to the east and Annapurna II to the south.

The first stop from Chame is Bhartang, where the major attraction is the apple orchard. Many trekkers often queue to taste the famous apple pies from the place. Now, you’ll move from Bhartang and reach Dhukur Pokhari. You’ll take a brief break. In the distance, you can see the beautiful Swarga Dwari.

After moving on from Dhukur Pokhari, you’ll arrive in the grassy fields near Pisang. It is the official football training field for Pisang Youth Club. After reaching Upper Pisang, be sure to book your hotel or room immediately, as availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Overnight stay in one of the teahouses.

The sixth day of the trek is quite special as it takes you to Manang. You’ll pass through small villages, such as Geru. From there, you can see the peaks of Annapurna I, II, IV, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho, and Pisang Peak. The trek becomes more challenging as you ascend to high altitudes, and the air becomes dry and cold.

Along the way, you’ll pass through different Tibetan settlements. There you can ask and learn about Buddhist culture. You’ll also visit the Braka Monastery, which is the largest monastery in Manang. In the evening, you can stroll around different pubs and bars in the area. You can then explore Manang Bazaar before going to bed.

Manang is the ideal place for acclimatization, as it can minimize the possibility of altitude sickness. However, you’ll still trek around the Manang Valley. There are various places to visit in the area, including Gangapurna and the surrounding ice lakes. The majestic views of the mountains will keep you company throughout this trail. You can also visit the Himalayan Rescue Association to learn more about altitude sickness, its symptoms, and prevention methods. After a few hours of hiking through the area, you’ll return to Manang village for an overnight stay.

After a day in Manang to acclimate, you’ll head to Ledar. The trail begins with a gentle climb westward through pine forests and yak pastures, crossing a small stream before reaching Tengi at 3,660 m. The path then becomes steeper as it climbs the hillside of the Marsyangdi Valley. Here, you can enjoy views of Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and the turquoise Gangapurna Lake below. You’ll pass through the quiet village of Gunsang (3,900 m), known for its prayer flags and stone teahouses.

The final part of the trek involves a 1- to 2-hour uphill walk on a dusty, exposed trail to Ledar, a group of basic lodges situated on a ridge. This trek gains about 710 m in elevation and is essential for adjusting to higher altitudes. When you get to Ledar, the land changes to high mountains filled with few plants, juniper bushes, and yaks. Day’s overnight stay at Ledar.

Today is an essential day for trekkers. They leave Ledar, which is at 4,200 m, and head to Thorong High Camp, located at 4,850 m / 15,912 ft. The trek starts with a steady climb along the Jargeng Khola valley to Thorong Phedi. Here, the landscape transitions to a rugged, high-alpine area with stunning views of peaks such as Gangapurna and Annapurna III.

Many trekkers take a break here to rest before the final steep climb to High Camp, where they will gain 400 to 500 m in altitude through switchbacks. This climb is short but carries a risk of Acute Mountain Sickness due to the high elevation. Reaching High Camp is important because it is the highest point where one can sleep on the trek. This sets up trekkers for an early start to cross the Thorong La Pass the next day.

Finally, the day has arrived when you’ll reach the iconic Thorong La Pass. You’ll start the hike from Thorong Phedi before sunrise to avoid the cold and thin air. The climb will be challenging, but reaching the pass will be well worth it. It is advised that you start early in the morning, around 4 AM, to avoid afternoon winds. The lights from your torches, headlamps, and stars will navigate your way towards the peak of the pass. After reaching the peak, you’ll find the hike was well worth it.

The views of the Annapurna mountains, beautiful lakes, and glaciers look like a postcard. You can stop and take lots of pictures, even though you should be careful of the cold. As you descend into Muktinath, you’ll realize how easy it is to drop wearing crampons. You might slip often if you are not careful, as the base is pure ice, so be careful. Near Muktinath, you’ll see 108 stone taps pouring water from the Kali Gandaki river. Don’t forget to visit the eternal flame, which has been burning for over 2,000 years.

After spending the night in Muktinath, you’ll start your morning with a visit to the Muktinath temple, followed by a drive to Tatopani. The bus ride to Jomsom is quite scenic but equally challenging, as the roads are pretty uneven. First, you’ll reach amazing Kagbeni, and then move forward to Jomsom. After reaching Jomsom, you’ll stop for lunch. You’ll then continue driving until you reach Tatopani.

Tatopani is one of the underrated places in the region. Not only is this village beautiful, but it also offers a chance to relax in the natural hot springs. Imagine 11 days of continuous trekking, and finally, you have the opportunity to rest your legs in hot water. The experience will definitely rejuvenate your body.

Today, the trek begins at Tatopani, where you cross the Kali Gandaki River. The destination is the beautiful Ghorepani, situated on at mountain ridge. You’ll pass through several Thakali villages, including Chitre and Shikha. Along the way, you can enjoy the diverse vegetation of the region.

The forests of magnolia, birch, and rhododendron accompany you until you reach beautiful Ghorepani. Many trekkers believe the view from Ghorepani is fantastic in the Annapurna region. The spring and autumn seasons are considered the best times to trek in Nepal. In the evening, you’ll return to your teahouse for an overnight stay.

The thirteenth day of this Annapurna Trek starts with an early morning hike towards Poon Hill. The stunning view of Annapurna II, Fishtail, and Dhaulagiri from Poon Hill will compel you to take some fantastic pictures. After taking as many photos as you want, you’ll return to Ghorepani lodge for lunch. Now we start our trek from Ghorepani to Tikhedhunga, from where you’ll drive to Pokhara for an overnight stay.

Your Annapurna Circuit trek concludes today as we leave Pokhara. After breakfast, you’ll take a 200-kilometer drive back to Kathmandu on a comfortable tourist bus. The journey follows the beautiful Marsyangdi River, showcasing stunning landscapes, before shifting to the Trishuli River, surrounded by lush hills. Enjoy the natural beauty of Nepal as we create lasting memories along the way.

As we reach Kathmandu, the 14-day Annapurna Circuit trek package officially comes to an end. We hope your journey on the Annapurna Circuit has been an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, new friendships, and lasting memories.,We hope to see you back for a different adventure.