Annapurna Circuit Trek

Overview
Useful Info

The Annapurna region is geographically and culturally diverse and has been declared a conservation area. Various tribes inhabit the regions subtropical low lands, bamboo, oak and rhododendron forest, windswept desert plateaus and the towering Annapurna Mountain. Animal inhabitants include the marten, 4 species of wild deer, 2 species of monkey and the elusive snow leopard plus over 400 spices of bird and many other mammals and reptiles. A trek takes you from 1,500feet / 400meters to 18,000 feet / 5416meters and back. You will meet ten ethnic groups, pass through four climate zones. Vast contrast in landscape and vegetation exotic flora & fauna, mountain scenery from every angle. Little wonders why this continues to be the favored trekking region. You will be rewarded with your efforts when completing this trek around the entire Annapurna massif. Walk through the quaint lowland villages, lush subtropical forest up to the remote Manang region resembling the medieval era. Make your way up to the Thorong La pass at 5,416m, and cross down into another valley. The colors, landscape and terrain are comparable to Tibet; you will be walking amongst the highest mountain masses in the world. Trek along the Kali Gandaki, the world’s deepest gorge, all the way down the other side of the valley back into scattered lowland settlements completing the circuit will leave you inspired, with a real sense of achievement. Some part of you trek is one of the most beautiful. Both side will see Snow Mountains. The southern Part will be Annapurna range and the north Manaslu Range in-between the nice Manang valley. Manang is our rest day for trek and we will acclimatize here for one day. This area is covered with Gurung people, the small district of Nepal by population. Next two days of course the challenging days for us to cross the high pass. Thorong La (5416m). After two days hard snow walking we come to the dry and windy place Muktinath Temple (3843m). For couple of days we walk down wards through the Kaligandaki River up to the hot spring at Tatopani, day rest. Again from tomorrow for two days we need to walk up to reach Ghorepani (2834m). From this scenic place we will descend all the way down to Birethanti where our trek ends and continue to Pokhara.

Day By Day

Day 01: Kathmandu to Besi Sahar- Bulbule (8 hours drive)
You have a 7 hour scenic drive to Besi Sahar from Kathmandu Once arrive at Besisahar check in ACAP and Trekking permit walking for Bulbule. Overnight
Day 02: Bulbule to Chamje (1410m)
Crossing Marshyangdi Khola(river) on a along suspension bridge you will come to the ACAP check post, passing a majestic waterfall, watching langur monkeys along the way, the trail reaches to Ngadi and to Lampata. Then finally making a short steep climb you will reach Baundanda, an attractive village. Descend on a steep, slippery trail and then climb to Lili Bhir, where you can visit the small hot spring. The trek to Khanigaon (1170m) and further on to Ghermu Phant with a huge waterfall. The trail descends, crosses the Marshyangdi on a bridge at Syange (1080m) and climbs to Shree Chaur. Passing a small waterfall, descend little bit and the trail reaches Jagat (1330m). After Jagat we take a long climb through the forest where we reach to Chamje. Overnight
Day 03: Chamje to Bagarchap (2160m)
Crossing the Marshyangdi river and making several ups and down the trail forwards through bamboo and rhododendron forest to Tal Besi and to the foot of a large waterfall which is known as Tal (1675m). Descending following the east bank of river, the trek gets to Karte and climbs to Dharapani (1920m). Then the trek enters the east- west Manang valley in a forest of blue pine, spruce, hemlock, maple and finally reaches to Bagarchap. Overnight
Day 04: Bagarchap to Chame (2630m)
From Bagarchap the trail climbs through forest to Dhanakyu (2290m), crosses several landslides and travels uphill through the forest to Lattemarang (2360m). The trail climbs and then descends to Thanchok and to Kotho (2590m), a meadow surrounded by huge pine and spruce trees. Walking about half- hour you will reach to Chame, the administrative head quarters for the Manang district. From here you have the excellent view of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and Annapurna IV. Overnight
Day 05: Chame to Pisang (3190m)
From Chame you will reach Bhratang after walking through the pine forest and huge apple orchard which is surrounded by a stone wall. The trail forward has admirable views of Annapurna II, Pisang peak, Himalchuli and Ngadi Chuli and reaches to Pisang, upper part of Manang Valley. Overnight
Day 06: Pisang to Manang (3540m)
The trails makes a long climb with the excellent view of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak (7134m), reach to Manang airstrip at Hongde (3325m). Crossing to the north bank of Marshyangdi on a bridge the trail reach Mungji (3360m) and climb to Bryaga (3550m), Tibetan-style village. Finally forwarding you will reach Manang. Overnight
Day 07: Acclimatization day in Manang ( 3190m)
After having breakfast you will climb the ridge to the north of the village for excellent views of Annapurna IV, Annapurna II and Tarke Kang (7193m). If you descend from the village you will see the glacial lake at the foot of the huge ice fall that drops from Gangapurna (7454m). Back to Manang. Overnight
Day 08: Manang to Letdar (4250m)
From Manang, the trail crosses a stream, climbs to Tengi, and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi valley, reaches the small village of Gunsang (3930m). The trail passes through a sparse forest of juniper, rose, and barberry and crosses a large stream, to reach Yak Kharka (4090m). Walking about an hour further you will reach Letdar. Overnight
Day 09: Letdar to Thorung Phedi (4420m)
From Letdar the trail continues to climb along the east bank of the Jar sang Khola then descends and cross the stream on a bridge. Then making a short descent you will reach to Thorung Phedi.
Overnight
Day 10: Thorung Phedi to Muktinath (3800m)
From Thorung Phedi, the trail becomes steep; following rocky ridges you will reach Thorung La (5416m), which is the highest point of this trek. From here the views are outstanding. The trail descends steeply and during the decent there are excellent views of Dhaulagiri. You will reach Chabarbu (4290m). The trail crosses a meadow and forwards to Muktinath where you can see the impressive temple of Lord Shiva.Overnight
Day 11: Muktinath to Jomsom –Marpha (2560m)
From Muktinath the trail descends to Jharkot and to Khingar. Beyond Khingar you will meet the junction of two routes. The first one is Kagbeni (the entrance of upper Mustang) and another is to Jomsom. Then the trail proceeds to Eklebatti following the Kali Gandaki River. You will finally reach to Jomsom where you can see the Annapurna Conservation Project check post, hospital, airport and army camp, the same same we will go to Marpha . Overnight
Note: Optional fly to Pokhara.
Day 12: Marpha to kalopani(2530m)
The trail forwards from Marpha (2680m) to kalopani, the large Thakali village. Passing the agricultural projects, you will reach to Tukuche Distillery and to the village of Tukuche (2580m). Crossing the Thapa Khola you will get to Khobang. Then crossing the stream and passing the larjung village you will reach to Kalopani.Overnight
Day 13: Kalopani to tatopani (1190m)
From Kalopani you will heading down to Lete (2480m). Making several ups and downs the trail reaches to Kiaku (2180m). The route crosses the Kaligandaki River on a suspension bridge and descends to Thapla (1890m). Making a steep and rocky decent you will reach Kopchepani and Rupse Chhahara where you can see the beautiful water fall. From Rupse Chhahara walking about thirty minutes you will get to Dana (1450m). Crossing the Bhalu Khola on a suspension bridge the trail meets Guithe (1320m). Passing through a small tunnel you will reach to Tatopani where you can enjoy the relaxing hot springs. Overnight
Day 14: Rest Tatopani
Day 15: Tatopani to Ghorapani (2870m)
From Tatopani the trail again crosses the river and then climbs Shikha, a large and prosperous Magar village and forwards to Phalate. Beyond Phalate you will meet the trail junction and going further you can get to Chitre. The trail forwards through rhododendron and Mongolia forest and finally reaches to Ghorapani. Overnight
Day 16: Ghorapani to Tadapani (2710m)
Early in the morning you can climb about one hour to Poon Hill (3210m), the viewpoint for sunrise taking in the views of Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Himchuli and Machhapuchchhre. Return back to the Hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you will climb to Gurung Hill, crossing pine and rhododendron forest’s with excellent views you will trek down to Deorali (3090m), then further trek down to Banthati (2650m). Passing Banthati trek down to the small river and climbing up the trail heads to Tadapani. Overnight
Day 17: Tadapani to Ghandruk (1900m)
The trail descends steeply through the forest to Baisi Kharka. Then the trail further descends to a stream, crossing the stream the trail proceeds towards Ghandruk, a beautiful village where you can have excellent views of Annapurna South and also the headquarters of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Overnight
Day 18: Ghandruk to Nayapul-Pokhara (1070m)
From Ghandruk the trail descends to Chane (1690m) and to Kimchi (1640m). Following the ridge downhill to Kehone Danda then to Kliu (1390m) and on to a suspension bridge over the Sadhu Khola, finally arriving alongside the modi Khola you will reach to Shauli Bazaar (1140m). Passing through the lovely birch forest you will get to Lamakhet and then to Birethanti (1000m). After lunch drive to Pokhara O/N at Pokhara.