Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Traverse Annapurna Circuit Trek holidays and discover the best time and places to visit.

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Geography

Hills, Forest, Hills

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location

Annapurna Conservation Area

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Trip Grade

Moderate

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Duration

20 days

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Max. Altitude

5416m

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Min. Pax

2 People

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Religion

Buddhism, Hinduism

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Ethnic People

Gurung, Thakali, Magar, Bhote

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Accomodation

Teahouse

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Transportation

Private vechicle, Tourist bus

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek is a highly praised and spectacular trek in Nepal that takes you around the Annapurna massif. The trekking trail passes through the subtropical forests, ethnic villages, and allows you to explore the natural and cultural highlights of the Annapurna realm. The Annapurna Circuit Trek circumnavigates the Annapurna Conservation Area and entertains the travelers with the Tibetan-Buddhist culture in villages of Manang and Pisang to lead to the Thorang La Pass (5416m), one of the highest passes in the world.

The 20-day adventure begins with your arrival at Kathmandu. Short stay in Kathmandu will give you the opportunity to witness the historic and cultural places. From Kathmandu, you drive to Bhulbhule via Besisahar and start trekking. Afterward,the trail takes you through the lush vegetation and challenging gorges formed by Marsayangdi River. While ascending to the northernmost parts of the Annapurna region, the trek also traverses along the fine villages inhabited by the ethnic groups such as Gurung and Magar. Passing through the rhododendron and bamboo forests you can see wildlife like Danphe, Langur monkeys, and jackals. Meandering along the ascending paths, the travelers go past Chame, Pisang, and Manang witnessing some of the grandest display of culture in the lifestyle and monasteries. The latter part of the trek takes you to the mighty Thorang La Pass (5,416 m).

After crossing the pass, you head down Muktinath, a holy destination for Hindus and Buddhists. You then enter the Kali Gandaki valley and pass through the deepest gorge in the world. Before ending your journey at Nayapul, you hike to Poon Hill and enjoy the mesmerizing sunrise along with the panoramic views of the snow capped mountains. The best seasons for this trip are autumn (September – November) and spring (March-May) as the weather is clear and the temperature is moderate.

Danphe Adventure Treks is a pioneer of tours, treks, and mountain expeditions in Nepal. We have expert guides who are fluent in English and will provide you with a detailed orientation throughout the trip. You will be accommodated in the finest teahouses with highly trained staff assisting you in any time of need.

Trip Highlights

  • Pass through the beautiful rhododendron forests and ethnic villages I Annapurna Conservation Area.
  • Explore monasteries like Braga Gompa to learn about the Tibetan influence in the culture there.
  • Enjoy the relaxing hot springs at Tatopani.
  • Visit the Muktinath Temple, an illustrious pilgrimage site to Hindus and Buddhists.
  • Relish the panoramic Himalayan scenery atop the Poonhill viewpoint.

Trip Itinerary

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  • Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu | 1300m

    The trip begins with your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Our company representative will welcome you at the airport. Then you will be transferred to the hotel which can follow light sightseeing around the nearby places. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

  • Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing tour and trek preparation

    After breakfast, you meet our tour guide at the hotel premises. He will give you the highlights of the day which includes a brief history of the places you will be visiting. Our company van will take you around the valley for sightseeing to sites like Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath. Meanwhile, we arrange the permits and other documents required for the trek. In case, you have missed anything while packing you can buy them at the market. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

  • Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar| 840m | 6-7 hrs and Trek to Ngadi | 930m

    Early in the morning, you take a scenic drive to Bhulbhule. On the way, you take a short break at Besisahar for lunch. Besisahar is the district capital and has a big market. From Bhulbhule, you start the trek and pass through some tropical trees and terraced fields to reach Ngadi. Here, you can make final preparations for the trek. Overnight stay at Ngadi.

  • Day 04: Trek to Jagat | 1300m

    The trail climbs steadily to Bahundanda which is a small village with shops and teahouses. After exiting Bahundanda, the trail drops to Syange and crosses Marsayangdi River on a suspension bridge. You continue the trek alongside a peaceful river and then make an ascent to the village of Jagat. Overnight stay at Jagat.

  • Day 05: Trek to Dharapani | 1860m

    Today’s trek begins with a gentle walk through the farmlands and dense groves of rhododendron and bamboo. First, you pass through the village of Chamje and then climb to the beautiful Tal village. Tal is the entry point of Manang district. After reaching Dharapani, you get your permits checked as the town lies at the border of Annapurna and Manaslu conservation areas. Overnight stay at Dharapani.

  • Day 06: Trek to Chame | 2670m

    You leave Dharapani and then start the walk to Chame. The trail starts alongside Marsayangdi river valley and climbs through the peaceful forest ridge and settlements providing views of Annapurna and Lamjung mountains. Eventually, you descend back to the river and pass through the terraced fields before making a final climb to Chame.

  • Day 07: Trek to Pisang | 3300m

    From Chame, you climb on a steep narrow path a dense forest and head towards a dramatically curved rock. Later, you reach the valley which sports fabulous mountain vista. Passing Danakyu and Koto on the trek, you continue the trek towards Pisang which offers views of Annapurna II (7,937 m) and Pisang Peak (6,091 m). Overnight stay at Pisang.

  • Day 08: Trek to Manang | 3540m

    Today’s trekking route provides stunning views of the landscapes and surrounding peaks. You pass the out-of-order Manang airport and make your way to an open valley. After Braga, you follow the trail dotted with Buddhist shrines and reach the large settlement of Manang. You can also explore the Braga Monastery before heading to Manang. Overnight stay at Manang.

  • Day 09: Rest day at Manang for acclimatization with short hikes

    In order to adjust with the high altitude, you take the day off for acclimatization. During this time, you can go on short hikes around the village or visit Gangapurna Lake. This is also a good time to check out the monasteries of Manang and get some insight into the local culture. Overnight stay at Manang.

  • Day 10: Trek to Yak Kharka | 4050m

    After acclimatization in Manang, you move forward to the Thorung La Pass (5416m). You make your way through the older section on Manang and then climb through Ghunsang to reach the open meadow of Yak Kharka. On the trek, you can spot herds of yaks grazing in the pasturelands making for a brilliant photographic session. Overnight stay at Yak Kharka.

  • Day 11: Trek to Thorang La High Camp or Phedi | 4925m

    Today’s trek is relatively short but provides spectacular mountain views. You make your way to the foot of the high pass and start the preparations for the climb tomorrow. Most of the trekkers use Thorung Phedi as a base camp. However, you can spend the night at the lodges near the Marsayangdi River. Overnight stay at Thorung La High Camp.

  • Day 12: Trek over Thorung La | 5416m| to Muktinath| 3,800 m

    You wake up early in the morning and start climbing the Thorung La Pass (5416m). The trail becomes steep after leaving Phedi but is easy to follow.  From the top of the pass, you can enjoy the views of Annapurna Mountains, Thorung peak (6144m), and Kali Gandaki valley. After climbing down the pass, you follow the wide trail to reach the holy temple of Muktinath. Overnight stay at Muktinath.

  • Day 13: Trek to Kagbeni| 2810m

    In the morning, you visit the holy Muktinath temple and then head towards Vishnu temple in the temple vicinity. There are also a number of Buddhist gompas owing to the Buddhist celebration of the temple. After the visit, you continue your trekking journey with a descent down the hill into the deep Kali Gandaki gorge. Then you follow the sandy and windy trail and arrive at Kagbeni. Overnight stay at Kagbeni.

  • Day 14: Trek to Marpha| 2670m

    You follow the flat, sandy trail from Kagbeni and head towards Jomsom. Jomsom is the capital of Mustang district. After a short break at Jomsom, you start the trek once again and make your way to the apple village of Marpha. Upon arriving here, you can taste the delicious apples and local alcohol beverage named after the village- Marpha. Overnight stay at Marpha.

  • Day 15: Trek to Kalopani| 2530m

    After leaving Marpha, you follow a new route to Kalopani. The trail passes through the traditional Thakali villages and offers the views of mountain peaks like Annapurna (8,091 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), and Nilgiri (7,061 m). You follow the riverbed of Kali Gandaki and pass Tukuche and Larjung on the way. Overnight stay at Kalopani.

  • Day 16: Trek to Tatopani| 1190m

    On the 16th day, you head towards Tatopani. The trail is quite easy and mostly downhill. On this route, you pass through the subtropical forests and visit Rupse waterfall, if time permits. After arriving at Tatopani, you can take a relaxing warm bath at the natural hot springs here. These springs will help you relax and are good for the skin as well. Overnight stay at Tatopani.

  • Day 17: Trek to Ghorepani| 2880m

    Today, you head to the eastern side of the Kali Gandaki River and then follow a steady climb to Ghasa. The trail passes through the rural settlements, terraced farmlands, and beautiful rhododendron forests. After walking for some you climb a ridge and reach your destination of Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a Gurung village and is famous for hosting amicable environs for the travelers. Overnight stay at Ghorepani.

  • Day 18: Early morning hike to Poon Hill| 3193m| and trek to Nayapul | 1070m| 4hrs and drive to Pokhara | 820m

    You wake up early in the morning and hike to Poon Hill. It is a famous spot, and arguably one of the bests, to witness the beautiful sunrise over the panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains. From here, you can get close views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. You return to Ghorepani for breakfast and then follow the downhill trail to reach Nayapul. Here, you get on a short drive to Pokhara, the tourist capital of the country. Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara.

  • Day 19: Drive back to Kathmandu afternoon free at leisure and farewell dinner

    From Pokhara, you drive along the Prithvi Highway enjoying the views of the landscapes and rural settlements. After reaching Kathmandu, you can take some rest at your hotel room. You can also head into the city and shop for gifts and souvenirs. In the evening, you join the trip group for a farewell dinner hosted by the company. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

  • Day 20: International departure homeward bound

    The 20-day trip comes to an end. After a fulfilling breakfast, our company representative will take you to the airport 3 hours before the flight schedule. We wish you safe travel and hope to see you soon on your next venture in Nepal.

What's Included

  • Airport Pickups and drops in a private vehicle.
  • Hotel in Kathmandu and with breakfast as per the Itinerary.
  • Cultural tour at Kathmandu with Guide in private vehicle.
  • All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek.
  • All Ground and Air Transportation during the Trek.
  • An experienced, English speaking, and friendly guide and Porter (1 Porter 2 trekkers).
  • Salary for the staff including their food, drinks, accommodation, and transportation.
  • All necessary paper works, Conservation entry permits, and TIMS card.
  • An arrangement for emergency helicopter service which will be paid by your travel insurance.
  • Sleeping bag, down jacket and trekking map, if necessary,( to be returned after the trek)
  • All government taxes, vat, and local taxes.
  • Nepal entry visa fee. (You may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan international airport (Kathmandu). You will require 2 passport size photos & 25 USD.
  • International airfare.
  • Your travel insurance (compulsory).
  • Meals in Kathmandu
  • Entry fees for cultural tours.
  • Personal expenses (alcoholic, non-alcoholic drinks bar bills, battery charge, extra porter, boiled water shower, etc.).
  • Tips for guide, porter and driver

Equipment List

List of Equipments required for Annapurna Circuit Trek:

Head

  • One Warm winter hat/beanie
  • One Sun hat
  • 1 Headband/buff
  • 1 Sunglasses with UV protection
  • One Headlamp/ Torch with extra batteries

Upper Body

  • Two pairs of Fleece sweaters- one light and one heavier
  • two pairs of quick-drying long-sleeved base layer shirts
  • Three pairs of Short sleeve trekking shirts
  • One pair of Wind/rainproof Jacket v 1 Down Jacket

Lower Body

  • One pair of trekking shorts
  • A pair of trekking trousers
  • One pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
  • Two pairs of trekking pants with Ziff off bottoms
  • One pair of fleece or woolen trousers
  • One pair of waterproof pants, breathable fabric

Hands

  • One pair of lightweight warm gloves
  • A pair of poly-liner glove

Feet

  • One pair of trekking boots
  • A pair of sandals/ trainers (for wearing around the lodges)
  • One pair of down booties (great for keeping feet warm)
  • Two pair of thin lightweight inner socks
  • Two pair of warm woolen or poly socks
  • Gaiters (only in winter)

Other

  • One Sleeping Bag
  • 12 1 Sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • 1 pair of trekking poles
  • Water purification tablets/Steripen/Drops
  • 1 quick drying towel

*All Inclusive Price*

$1250 USD

  • Prompt Online Booking
  • Well Arranged Itenary
  • Group Discount Available
  • Privacy Protected
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Any Question? Feel free to call our travel experts.

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Annapurna Circuit Trek