Annapurna Circuit Trek

Day to Day

Day 01Arrival at Kathmandu’s International airport (1350 m / 4450 ft)Welcome to Nepal. You will be greeted at the arrival area of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu's international airport by our representative and escorted to your hotel. Take time to refresh yourself after your international travel. The first evening is open to enjoy as you like, rest and relax at the hotel or explore the surroundings.

Day 02Full Day Tour, Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley After a leisurely breakfast, our skilled guide leads a tour of Kathmandu Valley’s highlights and attractions, including magnificent World Heritage Sites of cultural and historical significance. After the tour, we will hold a pre-departure discussion with our Trek Leader and staff.

Day 03Drive to Besisahar and Bhulbhule (800 m / 2720 ft) We make a scenic drive following an early breakfast. As we travel outside the valley, picturesque views include farmland, jungle and occasional glimpses of snowy peaks. We leave the main highway at Dumre and continue the drive heading north to Besisahar and on to Bhulbhule.

Day 04Trek to Chamje (1410 m / 4623 ft) Our trek begins along pleasantly level trails through lush landscape. Eventually we climb steeply and then pass through an astonishing trail cut into the cliff face. Then we hike through more scenic villages reaching Jagat and a pleasant route to Chamje.

Day 05Trek to Dharapani (1960 m / 6430 ft) We pass through more beautiful fields and forests of rhododendron and bamboo. Along the way, we pass the idyllic village of Tal as we enter Manang District. Tal is in an open valley next to a serene bend in the wide, still river. Tal has a Buddhist monastery and large, nearby waterfall.

Day 06Trek to Chame (2,710 m / 8891 ft) The trail climbs up through forest to a splendid ridge. We have great views of the Annapurna Range here as well as Lamjung Himal. Chame is the headquarters of Manang District and a busy market town. With a hot springs along the riverside, it is a great place to take a soak and rejuvenate.

Day 07Trek to Pisang (3100 m / 10,165 ft) We continue through dense forest in a marvelously scenic area with great views of a large slate peak that rises over 1000 m (3280 ft) and is sacred to the local people and especially the Gurung ethnicity. We then pass along dense forests and cross the Marsyangdi River. The scenery and views of magnificent peaks is magnificent.

Day 08Trek to Manang (3440 m / 11,280 ft) We begin with a climb to a ridge with outstanding sights of the valley of Manang and Tilicho Peak. From here we descend to the airport and large market at Humde. The trail is pleasant with great views of Annapurna III and Annapurna IV along the way. We pass scenic fields and reach the idyllic village of Braga. Buddhist monuments line the trail and we pass below more monasteries before a short climb to Manang on a plateau with great views.

Day 09Rest and acclimatization at ManangThe charming village of Manang leaves much to be explored, and we can choose from several options to spend the day. We can climb above the village to get a full panorama of the valley and mountains around it, or we can cross the river valley to a lake and icefall coming down from the peaks. The Himalayan Rescue Association offers a lecture on altitude at its aid post and ACAP has an information center. There is a museum in the village and Milarepa caves or Ice Lake are an exhilarating day's hike there and away.

Day 10Trek to Yak Kharka (4350 m / 14,260 ft)The trail passes through the old section of Manang and then gently up through Gunsang on the way to the magnificent setting of Yak Kharka. The non-stop beautiful scenery along the way is a real treasure.

Day 11 Trek to Thorung Phedi (4420 m / 14,490 ft) We pass through territory that reveals a change from the green vegetation we passed on the way up the valley. It is a gradual climb as we reach the headwaters of the Marsyangdi near Thorung Phedi. We stay here at the foot of the mighty Thorung La pass and get an early night’s rest for the big day tomorrow.

Day 12Trek to Muktinath (3850 m / 12623 ft) via Thorong La (5416 m / 17,756 ft)Today, we start at the break of down for an early morning climb to the Thorung La Pass. The path is steep but well defined. The route has been used by locals for hundreds of year and becomes steep immediately on leaving camp. The trail is more gradual near the pass, marked with a monuments and prayer flags. It is an exhilarating achievement with dramatic views of the surrounding snowy mountains and valleys below us on this watershed pass. We then make a long descent to Muktinath, a major pilgrimage temple featured the Hindu epic the Mahabarata.

Day 13Trek to Kagbeni (2895 m / 9492 ft) We pay a visit to the famous temple of Muktinath before a descent along the scenic Jhong River valley, through arid landscape that is different than the Manang scenery and more similar to Tibetan landscape. We pass ancient villages down to Kagbeni, the site of an ancient trade post and 15th century monastery. Kagbeni lies at the border for the restricted area of Upper Mustang.

Day 14Trek to Marpha (2650 m / 8688 ft) We follow a pleasant trail along a river basin that can get windy, especially in the afternoon and then break for lunch at Jomsom, headquarters of Mustang District, and then continue our easy trekking to Marpha. Marpha is a charming village with Buddhist Monasteries and surrounded by apple and apricot orchards. The local brandy available is famous among with travelers.

Day 15Trek to Ghasa (1189 m / 3898 ft)The trail descends and passes through pine forests to Ghasa, a Thakali village. The culture will begin to change from Tibetan Buddhism to Hinduism in this area and the terrain becomes more fertile and green.

Day 16Trek to Tatopani (1200m / 3937 ft) The trail descends steeply through the world’s deepest gorge between the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges to a roaring waterfall at Rupse Chhahara. The trail becomes more level and we pass more villages and fields to arrive at Tatopani with a rejuvenating hot springs where we can soak our bodies after days of rugged trekking.

Day 17Trek to Ghorepani (2853 m / 9354 ft) Today will be a big climb through scenic villages surrounded by scenic villages with a diverse range of ethnicity. It is a steady ascent to Ghorepani passing rhododendron forests and a chance to witness wildlife such as monkeys and exotic birds. We will have great mountain views along the way.

Day 18Trek to Poon Hill (3210 m/10,525 ft) and down to Hille (1475 m / 4836 ft)We begin early in the morning to reach the viewpoint of Poon Hill for sunrise and enjoy the astonishing panorama including Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Baraha Shikhar, the Annapurna range and numerous other snow-clad peaks. We return to the lodge for breakfast, and follow a gradually descending path through rhododendron and oak forest to Banthanti, Ulleri, and then a long series of stone steps to Tikhedhunga and Hille.

Day 19Trek to Nayapul (1050 m / 3443 ft) and drive to PokharaToday is the last day on the trail of our Round Annapurna Trek, and it is a relaxed day of hiking as well. The trail follows the Bhurung River to Birethanti before we cross the Modi River and reach Nayapul, where our vehicle will be waiting for a scenic ride to Pokhara.

Day 20Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu We take an early morning departure on a tourist bus to Kathmandu passing through scenic fields and villages along the way to the ancient capital of the Himalaya. The rest of the time is available to explore the city on your own, search for souvenirs for friends and loved ones back home, and relax and enjoy yourself after the remote, high elevation trekking. In the evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Day 21Transfer to the international airport for your final departureOur representative will escort you to the airport for your departure back home. We are sure that you will have enjoyed the experience and our services. As you travel to your own country, hopefully you will remember us and Nepal very fondly. Farewell friend.