ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT
The Annapurna Circuit trek is a remarkable adventure that combines diverse landscapes with rich cultural experiences. This renowned route takes trekkers through lush subtropical forests, terraced rice paddies, alpine meadows, and stark high-altitude deserts, all while offering stunning views of the Himalayas, including the majestic Annapurna I. The trek also immerses visitors in the traditions of Gurung and Magar villages, providing a deep cultural connection. Reaching Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters, trekkers are surrounded by a breathtaking amphitheater of snow-capped peaks, making this journey both a physical challenge and a profound encounter with nature and culture.
Kathmandu, Pokhara, Nayapul, Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Tadapani, Chhomrong, Dovan, Deurali, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Bamboo, Jhinu Danda (Hot Spring), Nayapul, Pokhara, Kathmandu.
18 Days
FROM: £
DURATION: 18 Days
GROUP SIZE: 10 people max
DIFFICULTY: 4
MAX ELEVATION: 4,130m
DAY 1-2
Kathmandu
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After arriving at Kathmandu airport, a member of our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, where you will spend your first night.
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This afternoon, you will have time to shop in Kathmandu if you need to pick up any last-minute items.
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In the evening, you will join us for a welcome dinner and meet your guide for the first time. During dinner, your guide will review the route you will be embarking on.
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Those staying an extra night will have an included tour of the UNESCO sites.
DAY 2-3
Kathmandu > Jagat: 1100m/3608ft - 8-9 hours drive
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After breakfast, your guide will pick you up for a scenic drive to Besisahar via the Prithvi Highway.
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For much of the drive, the Trishuli River flows beside you, with rolling hills, mountains, farmlands, and quiet villages painting the landscape. After about 6-7 hours, you will arrive in Besisahar.
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From Besisahar, you'll head to Jagat, the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Nestled between Annapurna and Manaslu, Jagat is a picturesque village reached after an 8-9 hour journey from Kathmandu, covering approximately 185 km.
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Upon arrival, your guide will take you to your guesthouse. Settle in, refresh, and relax in preparation for the trek ahead. Enjoy a restful night's sleep, ready for the adventure to come.
Jagat > Dharapani: 1960m/6430ft - 6 hours - 12.5km
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Today’s trek begins with a serene walk through dense forests and along the Marshyangdi River, leading you to Chyamche at 1,310 meters. From there, a steady ascent brings you to Tal at 1,700 meters, the first village in the Manang district, offering a captivating Himalayan panorama.
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After a brief stop, the journey continues to Dharapani at 1,960 meters. The path meanders through impressive stone staircases and expansive valleys, providing a rich and diverse trekking experience.
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You’ll spend the night at a guest house in Dharapani, preparing for the adventures ahead.
DAY 3-4
DAY 4-5
Dharapani > Chame: 2630m/8628ft - 5-6 hours - 16km
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After breakfast, set out for a day of trekking on the Annapurna Circuit. Today's trek spans 16 km and involves an ascent of over 700 metres.
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The route takes you through villages such as Bagarchhap, Danakyu, Timang, Thanchok, and Koto, each offering its own unique character.
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The final leg of the journey, approximately one hour, presents stunning vistas of Mt. Manaslu and Ngadi Chuli before arriving in Chame, the administrative hub of Manang District, situated at 2,670 metres.
DAY 5-6
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Begin today by hiking past prayer wheels and through pine forests, with the towering Paungda Danda rock—known as the "Gateway to Heaven"—soaring above you.
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After a scenic trek, reach Lower Pisang and continue to Upper Pisang. Rest and enjoy the striking surroundings before spending the night at a local guesthouse.
Chame > Pisang: 3300m/10826ft - 5 hours - 12km
DAY 6-7
Pisang > Manang: 3540m/11614 ft - 5 hours - 15km
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Today's trek offers a captivating blend of cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes. Begin with a two-hour ascent to Ghyaru (3,730 m), a vantage point where Tibetan and Buddhist influences merge with panoramic views and verdant forests.
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Continue for approximately to Ngawal, following a steadily rising path. From Ngawal, descend through tranquil forests to Braga, home to ancient stupas and a revered monastery. After exploring Braga, a short walk leads to Manang, where you’ll settle in for the night.
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You’ll have the option to take either the southern or northern route from Pisang to Manang. The southern path is more straightforward, while the northern route presents a more rigorous challenge.
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Your guide will determine the best route based on the day’s conditions.
DAY 7-8
Manang: Acclimatization day at 3540m/11614 ft
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Day 7 is dedicated to acclimatisation.
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Use this time to adjust to the higher altitude. You can explore local sites like Praken Gompa or tackle the challenging trek to Ice Lake (4,500 m). Your guide will organise shorter, leisurely hikes in the afternoon.
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Manang offers plenty of dining options and shops.
DAY 8-9
Manang > Yak Kharka: 4110m/13,484ft - 3-4 hours - 10km
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From Manang, the trek to Yak Kharka takes you through alpine meadows and pastures, with views of snow-capped peaks, a winding river, and a tranquil lake. The trail passes through Ghunsang in about two hours, offering a serene landscape of junipers and firs.
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Yak Kharka, where yak herders reside, is reached by a gradual ascent. Here, stay in basic lodgings and stay hydrated. Watch for any altitude symptoms and inform your guide if needed.
DAY 9-10
Yak Kharka > Thorong Phedi: 4600m/15,091ft - 3-4 hours - 6km
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Today’s trek begins early with a challenging journey from Thorong Phedi. First, you’ll ascend to High Camp before tackling the steep climb to Thorong La Pass.
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At the pass, enjoy expansive views of snow-covered peaks extending into Tibet and celebrate your achievement surrounded by prayer flags.
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The descent to Muktinath involves navigating through snow, mud, and loose gravel, with stunning views of Annapurna, Gangapurna, and Khatungkang to keep you motivated.
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You’ll reach Muktinath (3,800 metres), a revered site for both Hindus and Buddhists, famed for its Jwalamai temple, eternal flame, and 108 holy water spouts.
DAY 10-11
Thorong Phedi > Muktinath: 5416m/17,769ft - 7-8 hours - 15km
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Today’s trek begins early with a challenging journey from Thorong Phedi. First, you’ll ascend to High Camp before tackling the steep climb to Thorong La Pass.
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At the pass, enjoy expansive views of snow-covered peaks extending into Tibet and celebrate your achievement surrounded by prayer flags.
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The descent to Muktinath involves navigating through snow, mud, and loose gravel, with stunning views of Annapurna, Gangapurna, and Khatungkang to keep you motivated.
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You’ll reach Muktinath (3,800 metres), a revered site for both Hindus and Buddhists, famed for its Jwalamai temple, eternal flame, and 108 holy water spouts.
DAY 11-12
Thorong Phedi > Cross Thorong La Pass: 5416m/17,769ft > Muktinath: 3800m/12,467ft - 7-8 hours - 15-16km
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Today’s trek is the most challenging yet rewarding part of our journey. We start early from Thorong Phedi, ascending to High Camp in about 50 minutes. From there, we push on to Thorong La Pass, the highest point at 5,416 meters, where stunning views of snow-capped peaks await.
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After celebrating our achievement at the pass, we begin the careful descent to Muktinath. The trail is tricky with snow, mud, and loose gravel, so we take it slow.
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After roughly five hours, we reach Muktinath, a sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists, where we’ll spend the night.
DAY 12-13
Muktinath > Marpha: 2670m/8,759ft - 6-8 hours - 15-16km
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Today, we begin by exploring ancient caves and wandering through the picturesque village of Kagbeni in the Kali Gandaki Valley. Our trek continues to Jomsom, a lively Himalayan town with a school, monastery, and a bustling row of shops and guesthouses.
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From Jomsom, we cross the impressive Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. We pass through charming villages with their distinctive white houses and wooden shutters before reaching the beautiful village of Marpha.
DAY 13-14
Marpha > Ghasa: 2010m/6,594ft - 6 hours - 10-12km
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After an early breakfast, we embark on a scenic journey to Ghasa. Our route leads us through charming villages, across rivers, and through expansive yak pastures. The trail meanders through a lush green valley, offering serene landscapes with minimal wind and no dust.
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As we traverse this verdant terrain, we encounter a variety of wildlife. Cows, goats, and yaks are commonly seen grazing peacefully, while playful monkeys and their young can often be spotted swinging through the forest canopy.
DAY 14-15
Rest and relax in the hot springs
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We take a well-deserved break here after trekking continuously for several days. This pause allows us to fully appreciate the stunning surroundings and immerse ourselves in the local lifestyle, traditions, and culture.
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Spend some time exploring the village on a leisurely hike, engaging with local children, and enjoying traditional music and dance.
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Take this opportunity to relax and prepare for the next day's journey.
DAY 13-14
Ghasa > Tatopani: 1,190m/3,904ft - 5 hours - 12-14km
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After crossing the river and navigating over large boulders, we reach Kopchepani in about 2 hours.
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The journey takes us through quaint villages and expansive grasslands, with lush, forested areas providing a pleasant contrast to the dusty trail marking our arrival at Kopchepani.
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Take time to soak in the scenic beauty, capturing photos and videos of the majestic mountains, homes nestled on verdant slopes, and the impressive Rupse Waterfall cascading beneath the path.
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As we continue downhill, we pass through more vibrant local villages before arriving in Tatopani.
DAY 15-16
Tatopani > Ghorepani: 2810m/9,219ft - 7 hours - 15-17km
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After our rest day, we continue our trek towards Ghorepani. Our path takes us across rivers and through lush forest areas, with occasional ascents up stone steps and past quaint farmhouses.
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As we progress on the Annapurna Circuit, we’re treated to stunning views of the mountains and traditional villages like Ghara, Sikha, and Chitra, which cling to the verdant slopes. The journey involves several steep sections, so we’ll make at least three stops for tea or lunch along the way.
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We arrive in Ghorepani, the most bustling village on the circuit.
DAY 16-17
Ghorepani > Poon Hill: 3,210m/10,529ft > Nayapul > Pokhara - 7-8 hours
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In the early morning, we set out for Poon Hill, the final highlight of our Annapurna Circuit trek. This short, scenic hike takes us through charming Gurung and Magar villages, lush farmland, and forests of pine, oak, and vibrant rhododendrons, all while offering stunning views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Machhapuchhare.
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The sunrise at Poon Hill is the trip's crowning moment. After soaking in the view, we return to Ghorepani and descend through Nangethanti, Birethanti, Ulleri, Tikhedhunga, and Hile to Nayapul.
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From Nayapul, we drive to Pokhara. Upon arrival, explore the lakeside area, enjoy panoramic lake views, and shop at local stores. Spend a comfortable night in Pokhara, prepare for your journey to Kathmandu, and rest well in your hotel.
DAY 17-18
Pokhara > Kathmandu: 6 hours
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After breakfast, we drive back to Kathmandu via the scenic Prithvi Highway. Enjoy the final views of your Annapurna Circuit adventure from the window, with green hills and the Trishuli River as your backdrop.
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The drive takes about 5–6 hours.Upon arrival in Kathmandu, your guide will drop you off at your hotel.
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This evening we will celebrate with a farewell dinner!
DAY18
Kathmandu Airport
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We highly recommend staying an extra night or two in Kathmandu to accommodate any potential delays with internal flights.
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On your final day, we’ve arranged an airport transfer to ensure you reach Kathmandu Airport in time for your international flight home.
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Until next time...!
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