Annapurna Circuit Trekking

Duration	21 Days (14 for short trek)	Per Day Walking	5 - 7 Hours
Max Altitude	5,416m	Accommodation	Teahouse
Trek Grade	Moderate to Strenuous ****	Best Season	February, March, April, May, October, November

 

The Annapurna region is probably the best known, and most popular trekking area in Nepal - and not without good reason, containing the massive peak of Annapurna 1, which at 8,091m is one of the eight highest mountains in the world.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is as highly praised and spectacular as any in the region, and gives an unsurpassed experience of trekking in the Annapurna Conservation Area. There are 3 main options for trekking here - the 21 Day full Circuit, the 14 day half circuit from Besishahar to Jomson, and the 11 day half circuit from Nayapul to Muktinath - the Jomsom Trek. The last part of the full circuit is the effectively the Jomson Trek in reverse.

The full three week trek starts from Besishahar and goes along the Marshyangdi River, with great view of Manashlu and Himal Chuli to the east. This magnificent trek leads you through villages inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups, offering spectacular and majestic view of the white Himalayas. As it continues to the north of the main Himalayan range on to the high and dry Tibetan Plateau, the scenery is equally breathtaking.

The highest point of the trek is Thorung la pass at the top of the valley at 5,416m high, and it is due to the difficulties of crossing this pass that the circuit is usually walked in a counter clockwise direction. As we descend to the west at Muktinath from Manang, we continue to the the barren Tibetan like village of the kali Gandaki - the world's deepest gorge passes between the giant Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains.Then it's on to the hot springs at Tatopani for a good soak, before heading up to the stunning viewpoint at Poon Hill (3,195m).

Itinerary:

Day 01	Drive Kathmandu to Besishahar (790m). About 5 hours scenic drive by car / van / bus. O/N at Guesthouse.
Day 02	Besishahar to Bahundanda (1310m). The route follows the Marshyangdi River upstream, crossing a long suspension bridge and passing a beautiful, thin waterfall with a fine bathing pool. We ascend to the town of Bahundanda, which means ‘Brahman Hill’. There are good views to the north and a little-known hot spring here.
Day 03	Bahundanda to Chamje (1400m). The gorge becomes narrower as we cross a cantilever bridge followed by a suspension bridge. We pass a few small settlements along the route and Chamje, the destination for the day, is one of them. Having traveled upstream, we observe many changes in the people, architecture and vegetation. Houses are now built of rocks, the vegetation is less tropical and the culture more Tibetan-like.
Day 04	Chyamje to Bagarchhap (2160m). Leaving Chamje, the gorge becomes more impressive. We cross into the district of Manang and see more Bhotia people. These are primarily agro-pastoralists and the real trans-Himalayan traders of the region. The route climbs gradually to the town of Bagarchap meaning (butcher’s place). The houses here have flat roofs, indicating that there is less rainfall here than the south. There is a temple here worth visiting, and views of the Annapurna's and the Lamjung Himal.
Day 05	Bagarchap to Chame (2630m). With often rough and rocky, the trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360m, & then continues through forest, but near the river, to Kopar at 2590m. As we reach the Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II as you approach Chame & two small hot springs by the town.
Day 06	Chame to Pisang (3300m). The day starts through deep forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2910m. We then cross another bridge at 3040m, from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face really begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3200m & 3300m.
Day 07	Pisang to Manang (3500m). Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region, herd yaks & raise crops for part of the year besides, they also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784. Leaving Pisang, we have an alternate trails north and south of the Marshyangdi River which meet up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325m involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river, and chances to watch the eagles soar. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3475m to nearby Manang at 3500m.
Day 08	Manang - Acclimatization day Today is acclimatisation day, which is best spent being active and climbing to higher elevations for views but returning to lower altitudes to sleep. Manang itself is in a spectacular location with many attractions. There are lakes, caves, moraine-hills, monasteries or local activities in town.
Day 09	Manang to Ledar (4250m). Today we leave Manang, & the trail makes an ascent of nearly 2000m to the Thorung La pass. We make the climb steadily through Tenki, leaving the Marshyangdi Valley. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we reach Ledar at 4250m, there we see the vegetation's steadily more sparse. This is snow leopard area.
Day 10	Ledar to Phedi or High camp (4600m). The trail descends to cross the river at 4310m we then climb up to Phedi at 4420m. At High Camp on the elevation of 4600m, we can recently found some good Guesthouses built. Your overnight stay will be there.
Day 11	Phedi or High Camp to Muktinath (3710m). The trail now leaves the river valley and climbs steadily over lateral moraine. The pass, marked by a large cairn, is the high point of our trek at 5416m. It is an exhilarating geographical feature, dividing 2 mighty Himalayan valleys. Far below to the west is the Kali gandaki River. We descend in that direction for the village of Muktinath, located in a poplar grove. It is a sacred shrine and pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.
Day 12	Muktinath to Jomson (2713m) From Muktinath to Jomson, we see people from Mustang, a restricted area to the north, who come to sell handicrafts to pilgrims. Among their merchandise is the highly-revered mollusk fossil called shaligram. We will pass some ancient caves and see the impressive white mountain that is the Dhaulagiri. We also transit at the significant town of Kagbeni, which is at a junction of 2 rivers and the north-south and east-west trading routes.
Day 13	Jomson to Kalopani (2530m). End of 14 Day trek (fly to Pokhara this morning). We descend to Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and fertile fields, and continue down the Kali gandaki reaching the former Thakali trading centre of Tukche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan rain shadow blends into coniferous forest,and we reach the main river valley and Kalopani. From here there are spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna's.
Day 14	Trek to Tatopani (1200m.) A beautiful walk, with another transition into sub-tropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias. The trail follows the river through a narrow gorge and descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall,before winding through the valley to Tatopani. The hot springs that give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for a good scrub.
Day 15	Rest day at Tatopani (hot spring)
Day 16	Trek to Ghorepani (2819m) Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to the village of Ghorepani, meaning (horse water). We camp at the pass for the best views of the sunset over the spectacular,snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.
Day 17	Hiking to Poon hill (3200m.) - Tadapani (2600m.). This morning, we will get up early in the morning, and go for hiking to Poon Hill. From here you will see superb view of sunrise, and panoramic view of Himalayas, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Fishtail, and so on. After visiting Poon hill, we will come back to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and continue walking to Tadapani.
Day 18	Trek to Ghandruk (2000m.) Today the trail undulates through giant rhododendron forest and orchid colonies to the pretty Gurung town of Ghandrung,where the Annapurna range and Machapuchare (the Fishtail) dominate the mountain views, although glimpses of Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu range can also be seen further east.
Day 19	Trek to Pothana (1950m.).
Day 20	Trek down to Phedi, and half an hour car drive to Pokhara.
Day 21	Drive back to Kathmandu by car / van, or stay in Pokhara.

 

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