Destination
Nepal
Annapurna Circuit Trek
When it comes to walking a trekking trail uphill and downhill from one end to another that the famous travel magazine of the world has praised, Annapurna Circuit Trek is not only that trek but also the trek that will give you a lot of adventure options by connecting with the trekking trails of the Upper Mustang Region, Tilcho Lake, and the Larkya La Pass. With more extra days, you will be able to explore more of what other trekkers have done that is only mentioned in the itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. This is a trekking trail with lots of adventure just like the trekking trail of the Everest Base Camp Trek that can be added to the trail of the classic Three High Passes Trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek is iconic because it gives you the experience of climbing a high pass known as the Thorong La Pass. The height matters because it scales up to 5000 m plus, it is to be remembered in the journey of your life as an award that you receive on the Himalayan border between Nepal and Tibet. Because of this, you have done something valuable by grasping the opportunities. Another adventurous part of the trekking trail of the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the Kali Gandaki Gorge where you will be walking and feeling proud of what you have done in the world’s deepest gorge. This is a trek in which one adventure comes after another, and of course, there are plenty of mountains ascending to the elevation of 7000 and 8000 m.
However, the classic Annapurna Circuit Trekking Trail has been punctuated by the jeep road that goes into the wild and undeveloped region of western Nepal. Even here the west is wild. And it is in wild Nepal, you know there is a lot of fun in trekking. The trekking route branches off from the usual trekking route to take you to the world’s best viewpoint, which will always be mentioned by western trekkers throughout their life, and you are going to cherish what you have seen all your life as you are going to share the richness of the mountain view with your friends. This will always be the topic of your talk in your leisure time.
Table of Contents
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy the one and only circuit trekking trail of Nepal.
- Cross the high pass of 5000 m by walking uphill and then downhill.
- See the panoramic view of mountains from the top of a viewpoint.
- Walk the optional trekking trail that connects with the Mustang Region.
- Also, enjoy walking the parts of the Jomsom Muktinath Trek and the Tlicho Lake Trek.
How long does it take to hike the Annapurna Circuit ?
To complete this trek, you need at least 15 days. But you will also need 3 more extra days. Altogether 18 days is enough for you to enjoy the vacation in Nepal. Since the trekking trail of the Annapurna Circuit branches off to another trekking region of Nepal like the Upper Mustang, with more extra days, you can customize the trip.
How difficult is the Annapurna Circuit Trek ?
No, it is not that difficult, in the beginning, the trekking trail is easy. As you go deeper, you will find some parts of the trail flat. That means they are easy to walk. The deeper you go, you will come across the pass to be crossed, and this is the most difficult part of the trek. Crossing the pass means ascending the elevation of 5000 m plus covered with snow.
How much does the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost ?
We trek the Annapurna Region with you on a full board service by providing you Lodge accommodation and 3 meals a day like breakfast, lunch, tea, coffee, juice, and dinner for 15 days. The service also includes 3 nights stay in Kathmandu on bed and breakfast, hotel accommodation, hotel transportation, airport transportation, guided trekking in the Annapurna Region, porter, Trek Permit (ACAP), TIMS (Travel Information Management System), Value Added Tax, and ground transportation (outside Kathmandu also). All is included at our cost of USD 1200. We also give a group discount to 2 trekkers.
Trip Details
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01 - Arrive in Kathmandu
- Day 02 – Drive to Besisahar and trek to Bulbule.
- Day 03 – Trek to Chamje
- Day 04 – Trek to Bagarchhap
- Day 05 – Trek to Chame
- Day 06 – Trek to Pisang
- Day 07 – Trek to Manang
- Day 08 – Acclimatization in Manang
- Day 09 – Trek to Yak Kharka
- Day 10 – Trek to Thorung Phedi
- Day 11 – Cross the Thorang La Pass and Trek to Muktinath
- Day 12 – Trek to Jomsom
- Day 13 – Drive to Tatopani
- Day 14 – Trek to Ghorepani
- Day 15 – Hike to Poon Hill, Trek to Nayapul, Drive to Pokhara
- Day 16 - Drive to Kathmandu
- Day 17 - Departure from Kathmandu
Itinerary
Welcome to the city of temples. Our trekking guide will meet you at Tribhuwan International Airport. As you head to our office or a hotel in private transportation, you will start becoming familiar with the styles of how Nepali people spend their life at night or during the day, according to your arrival time.
Today, you will have a chance to know the two sides of Nepal, that is, you will know about the condition of a city, and then about rural Nepal. From rural Nepal, it is time to go into deeper rural areas, and Bulbule comes into that category. Although it is rural, you find the trek easy.
Today, it is not only about walking a trekking trail made of earthly matters but also of bridges. Further, the trekking trail that is man-made also takes you beautifully naturally made scenery such as waterfalls and finally to Chamje.
Today’s trekking trail is not only about walking uphill and downhill but also about reaching the top of the trail to see the sweeping view of the Annapurna Region. Walking from there, you will be on the trail that passes through the villages, including Tal and Dharapani. The agricultural field that you have walked previously now reaches the forest and finally to Bagarchap.
This day has to be enjoyed for seeing the picturesque view of the famous mountains of the Annapurna Region, such as Manaslu, Lamjung, Annapurna, etc. You have to walk uphill to see these mountains, but the good news is there is a flat trekking trail from Thankchowk to Chame. Easy.
You feel you are making out of your trek as you walk uphill, through the forest, cross the Marshyangdi River and its swaying suspension bridge and reach the highest elevation of the Manang Valley. Exploring quickly with your eyes, you head out to Pisang.
You are in the midst of Tibetan culture because the area where you are trekking lies close to the Tibetan border. Although the area is undeveloped, it has what you don’t see in other places in the world. Because you will see the places inhabited by humans, including their houses stacked upon one another, as well as the largest monastery before reaching Manang.
Today, it is time to acclimatize because you are ascending to a higher elevation. Our guide will take you for an uphill climb to Khangsar. It is also time to explore the beauties of Manang. As you do so, you will be richly rewarded from the Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
It’s all about walking uphill that takes you to a green field of juniper and small grasses where the mountain horses and yaks have been grazing. The field is slopey, and Yak Kharka is located in such a place.
You know when you are heading to the base of the pass, you are really heading to one of the highest elevations in the Annapurna Region. When the elevation is higher, you are bound to see some cliffs, including endangered species like blue sheep and snow leopards. Spending a night at the base means having a new kind of experience near the Himalayas.
You can guess how it is like walking on the uphill trekking trail of the pass. At the end of the walk, you reach a viewpoint, which is always rewarding. You say this to yourself when you see the stunning view of Annapurna, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiri, etc. From the top, you head to Muktinath, which is a place of religious significance to both Hindus and Buddhists.
Do you know that Jomsom-Muktinath is one of the famous treks of the Annapurna Region, and today, you are going to follow its trekking trail? You are going to have the best of both worlds. And its trekking trail is easy because it goes all the way downhill. The most prominent village you will reach is Kagbeni from where you head to Jomsom.
The jeep road might upset our trekkers, but you will be taken to a hot spring through an uphill trekking trail. The view that comes to your eyes is still scenic because it is made up of the mountains like Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Annapurna, etc. Who says the jeep road by the river is not scenic?
This is a village of the Magar people, and it lies on a hill. To reach there, you have to follow the trekking trail that is ascending. On the way, there are flowers like magnolia and rhododendron, and of course, the view of the famous mountain.
This hill is a viewpoint to see all the famous mountains of the Annapurna Region. Your guide will take you to the top of this viewpoint early in the morning. The mountains that you see from the top are Annapurna II, III, IV, and others. Following the downhill trekking trail from there, you will reach Nayapul and finally to the city of lakes.
It is going to be a long hour drive, and you will have an opportunity to know the villages of rural Nepal. You are driving on one of the famous highways in Nepal.
We will come to the hotel to pick you up to take you to Tribhuwan International Airport three hours prior to your international flight.
Inclusion & exclusion
FAQ's
Since you will have a full board service, the lodge provides a pillow, blanket, bedsheet, mattress, and table in the Annapurna Region. But we still recommend a sleeping bag because it is light and easy to carry. Above all, you can hire a sleeping bag. The bag is much warmer, and you need the sleeping bag most at the base of the Thorong La Pass.
No, because we care about you because you might get lost on the trekking trail that branches off to the Larkya La Pass, Tilcho Lake, and the Upper Mustang. The same trekking trail takes you to the highest elevation of 5000 m pass covered with snow. Only our trekking guide knows how to walk on such a snow-covered trekking trail. In addition to this, you don’t know how Tibetans wanted to be respected culturally in the Annapurna Region.
There are no symptoms of altitude mountain sickness in the Annapurna Region. On the other hand, you might have these after ascending from Namche Bazaar in the Everest Region. One of the reasons is you are heading to the base of the world’s highest mountain. Where there is Everest, there are lots of mountains compared to the Annapurna Region, and where there are lots of mountains, the trekking trail is much steeper than in the Annapurna Region. Based on these, Everest Base Camp Trek is harder than the Annapurna Circuit.
Yes, it is a must, including TIMS (Travel Information Management System). Its name is ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project). You need this before entering the Annapurna Area. When you have this permit, your name will be registered. On the other hand, you have to show the TIMS at every checkpoint in the Annapurna Region; this shows updates or track the information of your arrival date and time.
