Annapurna circuit trek is one of the most exciting treks in the world. Before heading to the Annapurna circuit trek you must need to learn about the Annapurna Region Information. The Annapurna circuit trekking is a trip around the beautiful Annapurna massive. Excellent trekking includes walking each side of dry to arid north to lush green south of The Annapurna Himalaya range. Annapurna round trekking from the lower altitude to the higher elevation of Thorang-la pass is a lifetime adventure.
Annapurna Circuit Trekking leads you to a mind-blowing experience overlooking the jaw-dropping scenery of giant snow-capped peaks. Exciting scenery to enjoy dramatic landscapes and local immense cultures, from the start to the end of trekking. Annapurna Circuit Trekking, one of the most popular Himalaya regions among wide-world travelers, is listed as the world’s Top Ten adventure destination. An amazing adventure to choose from other famous trekking areas like Everest base camp or Annapurna base camp and sanctuary.
Although Nepal Himalayas offers various exciting and exotic adventures, Annapurna Circuit is the favorite of all trekkers. The journey leads from moderate to adventurous walks from low warm sub-tropical to cooler alpine hills then reaching the arctic zone. Fascinating scenery and overwhelming views make Annapurna Circuit, an exciting trek, soaking in the harmony of local colorful Buddhist culture.
The toughest and highest point of the trek is a climb to Thorang-La Pass, which stands at an altitude of 5,416 m. Thorang-La is marked with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags, and rock cairns as offerings and tribute to the holy mountain spirits. Annapurna Circuit trekking is an adventure, a traverse from one scenic valley of the Manang district to magnificent Mustang areas.
Where trekkers can enjoy both sides of the beautiful region, walking from lovely green forests to arid and barren windswept landscapes. Annapurna Circuit is a perfect high-altitude adventure for all types of people to enjoy walking around the massif Annapurna Himalaya region.
This wonderful Nepal Himalayan journey with several options to start and end the trekking, from 2 weeks to a week. Depending upon the beginning point of the walks, at present most trekkers begins from Dharapani village. The route follows towards scenic Manang Valley through the lovely Chame town headquarters of Manang district. After Chame to Pisang village, the starting point of Manang valley is enclosed by an array of snow peaks. Towards the north views of Chulu’s and Pisang peaks, in the south direction facing Annapurna II-III and IV with Gangapurna Himal. En route to the main Manang village enjoy a short visit to an old Braga Monastery, adorned with ancient Buddhist artifacts. An impressive Gompa to gather knowledge of Buddhism religion and customs. From the monastery grand panorama of the Annapurna Himalaya range along with the Chulu and Pisang peaks.
Manang village, located close to the old Braga monastery, is the main and important hub of the Manang district after Chame. Most trekkers spend an extra day at Manang village, a perfect height of 3,519 m / 11,545 feet for acclimatization.
The closest and the best is a short hike of a few hours down to the Marshyangdi River. From the bridge, an hour's climb to a lovely viewpoint, standing close to massif Gangapurna Himal ice-fall and glaciers. Includes views of Manang village and its small turquoise-colored pond, overlooking an array of snow peaks of Chulu peak. The view extends southeast facing Annapurna III, II, and IV with Tilicho Peak in the west. The next exciting place is a long hike up to Ice Lake at 4,620 m / 15, 157 feet high. A tough steep climb but worth the spectacular views and adding heights to get acclimatize.
Trekking to Thorang-La pass and Muktinath Enjoying a pleasant acclimatization day, the adventure continues to the end of Manang valley. Reaching Phedi the base of Thorang-La pass, an early morning climb of few strenuous up to the top. The highest point of the adventure at 5,416 m, for every hard effort reward with an excellent panorama of Himalayan peaks.
After Thorang-La a long descent to Muktinath a sacred Hindu temple which is known as lower mustang trek and a famous Himalayan pilgrimage. The journey continues heading down to Kaligandaki River valley through Jomsom the headquarters town of Mustang district. A scenic and lovely apple country of Marpha and Tukuche, as the trail drops down towards Kaligandaki River. Situated between massif Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himal, which makes the world’s deepest gorge. The walk leads to low warm farm areas at Tatopani, a village with a natural hot spring.
From Tatopani on the high trail to the cooler hills of Ghorepani and Poon Hill. An early morning hike takes you to the top Poon Hill for stunning sunrise views over a chain of Himalayan peaks. Slowly the walk comes to a near end heading downhill to low warm farm villages at Birethati. A short drive to beautiful Pokhara by its lovely Phewa Lake, a perfect place to complete the Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
Various means of transportation to reach the starting point and as well completing the trek. The standard itinerary and trekking route as follows, drive from Kathmandu to Nepal Mid-West towards Lamjung district at Bhesisahar town. The drive follows uphill to enter Manang district at Dharapani 1,820 m of 7 hours exciting overland journey. From Dharapani to Chame 2,710 m and then to Pisang village 3,115 m, walk to main Manang village 3,550 m. Having rest day for acclimatization at Manang, and then to Thorang Phedi or high camp 4,900 m. Cross Thorang-La pass to Muktinath at Mustang district 3,800 m - 07 hours walks.
From Muktinath, skipping a few days taking a drive to Tatopani village 1,100 m. Then continue trek uphill to Ghorepani 2,880 m, next morning hike to Poon Hill for views of sunrise and panorama of Himalaya peaks. this Ghorepani poonhill trek is much popular short and sweet trek near from Pokhara. After that, Walk to Thirkhedhunga 1,440 m, next last day walk to Bhirethati and drive to Pokhara 860 m.
One of the best high altitude adventure, the walk start with gentle uphill most of the way till Manang village. Rest of the walk is on gradual trail with short climb till Manang village. After Manang although the trail is on winding slow uphill till the Phedi, the bottom of Thorang-La Pass. The only hardest and long day walk is climb on top Thorang-La Pass with long downhill to Muktinath. Overall the trek is not difficult, except for the rise in altitude, taking slow with short refreshing stops will overcome the difficulties.
Annapurna Circuit trekking is best to venture in spring time of March to May. The next right season is autumn / fall starts from September to November. Most days are fine and clear for views and walks, but short days due to sunlight hours. Cold in the morning, late afternoon and night times, chances of snow-fall sometimes. Spring is another bright season for trekking around the Himalayas, days are bright and clear with longer sunlight hours. Cold morning and late afternoon can get overcast with cooler air and cold night. Chances of rain lower areas and snow fall above 3,000 m high sometimes. The best season when wildflowers are in bloom makes the hills and valleys lively with flowers in flaming colors. Especially the rhododendron the national flowers of Nepal, Ghorepani and Poon Hill the best place to be to enjoy the natural garden of wild flowers.
The total distance on walks around Annapurna Circuit is between 160 k.m. to 230 k.m. or 100 to 145 miles. Depending upon the length of the itinerary days chosen from the start to the end of trekking. Due to the motorable road, extends all the way to Manang village and from Muktinath to Tatopani and beyond. Most trekkers skips the trek from Muktinath for few days heading to Tatopani village taking a drive on rough dirt road. Then continues trek uphill to Ghorepani and downhill to a road head for drive to Pokhara.
The trek cost for Annapurna Circuit varies as per the itinerary days chosen as well depending upon number trekkers. The trip cost for minimum of 2-3 person for 12 days, includes a drive from Muktinath to Tatopani. Then drive to Pokhara from Bhirethati is approx. it is Starting from $950/ in 2023 and 2024- to up to your needs and luxury services. It depend on your stay in Kathmandu Hotel, Pokhara Hotel and trekking area Hotel as available more luxury.
The above mentioned package cost includes trekking full board with 3 times meals that is breakfast, lunch and dinner. Accommodation is included throughout the trek and at Pokhara on twin sharing basis. For single supplement at extra cost on top of the trip cost, while at Pokhara on bed and breakfast basis.
The trek also Includes trekking permits TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems), ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project).
The trek is accompanied by Adventure One expert and Licensed guide with strong and healthy porters to carry the heavier baggage. The trip cost includes transfer to and from trekking Kathmandu-Dharapani-Pokhara-Kathmandu on private vehicles as per the group size.
The cost does not includes hotel and meals at Kathmandu, extra cost for hot showers, recharging electronic items on each lodges. Including personal expenses on extra snacks, drinks and tipping of guide and porters.
Upon arriving at Kathmandu international airport, one of our representatives will be welcoming you in a traditional way. Then you will be transferred to the hotel. In your free time, you can take a good rest or can explore the local market.
After breakfast, you will start the beautiful journey of the Annapurna trek. Take the Nepal mid-west highway to Besisahar first. The drive continues on the dirt road of Khudi, Bhulbule, and finally to Syange. It is the place where you will be spending your night. overnight at Syange B.L.D ( Breakfast Lunch Dinner)
The trek officially kicks off. You will start with an uphill climb Jagat first. Here you will be leaving the Marsyandhi river behind. Following the winding path, get to Chamje to meet the eastern bank of the river again. As the trek continues, you can enjoy the excellent views of the Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. You will then finally reach Dharapani for the night. Dharapani is a small village and is the meeting point of the Annapurna circuit and Manaslu trekking. You will be spending the night at a local tea house.
The trek resumes after breakfast. Taking the wide winding trail through rhododendron and pine forest, you will first be passing a small yet beautiful village of Bagarchap. You will then gradually get to Danque and then to Timing. You are now officially entering the area with reach Buddhist culture. In the final section, you will be passing Koto before getting to Chame village. You will be spending your night at Chame at a local lodge.
Start the day with breakfast. You will then start the trek with incredible views of mountains and surrounding landscapes. The route slowly starts gaining altitude and offers greater views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Chulu, and more. From Hongde village, the tree lines disappear and the cold weather welcomes you. Along the way to Manang. You will get a chance to visit the Braga monastery. Then get to Manang village for the overnight. Manang village is a village with rich culture and traditions. You will be spending two nights here in Manang.
On a free day exploring the beautiful village of Manang. You can enjoy the greater views of Annapurna II-III and the Gangapurna mountain range. Additionally, a nice walk uphill for views of Gangapurna Glacier and the Manang emerald Lake would be a good fit for the day.
After two wonderful days in Manang, you will be starting the trek after breakfast. Leaving Manang, you will be trekking towards Ghunsang village. Then the uphill route takes you to Yak Kharka. Yak Kharka is a wonderful village with superb views of mountains. The mountains that can be seen here are Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Chulu Peaks. You will be staying overnight at a local tea house.
Leave Yak Kharka after breakfast. The route heads towards the Thorang High Camp crossing the bridge and climbing along the river bank of Jarjung, and then to ThorangPhedi. ThorangPhedi is an alternate overnight place at Thorang High Camp. From ThorangPhedi you will be walking further to Thorang High Camp for the night. You will be staying overnight at a local lodge.
One of the hardest and the biggest day. Start the journey early morning with a packed breakfast. The first section is a steep climb to reach Thorang La. The top offers excellent views of snow-capped mountains and great landscapes. Spend some time at Thorang La before making the final descent to Muktinath. Muktinath is a sacred place to Hindus and Buddhists. Whereas, the literal meaning of Muktinath is salvation. You will be staying at a local tea house at Muktinath.
Explore the temple in the morning. Then you will be taking a downhill route to get back to Jomsom. Jomsom is the headquarter of the Mustang region. You can explore the local village in your free time. You will be spending the night at a local lodge.
With an early morning flight, you will be getting to Pokhara. In Pokhara, you can do half-day sightseeing to explore Phewa Lake, Devis Falls, and Gupteshwor cave. In the evening, you can collect a good sunset view from Phewa Lakeside.
Collecting the great memories of the Annapurna circuit trek, you will be driving or flight back to Kathmandu. if you have some leisure time you can explore around Thamel.
It entirely depends upon the itinerary chosen and provided by Adventure 1 Company. At present situation where the motorable road has reached both sides of the Annapurna Circuit route. Normally the general standard Itinerary is for 13 to 14 days, can be shorter or longer. Depending upon the start of the trek either from Dharapani or further down from Syange or Jagat villages. As well depends on where the trekking ends, from Ulleri village or at Bhirethati to reach Pokhara, where the trek completes. One can make the trek shorter by flying from Jomsom town airport to Pokhara after crossing high Thorang-La pass 5,416 m.
About minimum 4 hours to maximum 6-7 hours walks covering 12-15 k.m. and short of 6 to 8 k.m. The longest hours of walks are crossing high Thorang-La pass with long descent holy Muktinath pilgrimage site and village. The shortest is a walk from Pisang village to main Manang village, Yak Kharka, and High Camp of Thorang-La.
It is not so difficult, as one imagines as any other normal moderate-grade walks around the Himalayas. The only tough is gaining altitude from Pisang village onwards from above 3,000 m onwards. But taking time and enjoying the views and having short refreshing stops makes the trek much easier.
The only hard day of walking is going over Thorang-La Pass. By then all trekkers will be well acclimatized with the altitude to encounter the difficult part of the adventure. Slow and steady with few stops in between the walks makes the trek more enjoyable.
One of the best lodge accommodations and an excellent food menu that one can expect on this trek. As Annapurna Circuit is listed in the world's top adventure destinations, one of the most popular and favorite among trekkers.
Due to the main flow of trekkers, most lodges around the villages have nice cozy lodge accommodation serving a comprehensive food menu. From continental, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, and Nepalese to Tibetan, Mexican and Italian meals are served as per the menu. All lodges provide hot showers with large lively warm dining rooms.
Depending upon the seriousness and nature of sickness, for minor suffering and illness, one can rest for a few days. Then can carry on trekking, but must have someone close to accompany the victim. For major illnesses and severe wounds, the patient needs immediate evacuation by the fastest means of transportation. Like using helicopter services, where all trekkers should be fully insured and claimed through concerned insurance companies.
The company Adventure a1trek will provide an expert guide with Government license Holder and very helpful porters to take care of your needs and requirement. The guide can answer all your queries as well providing information about the area of trekking, local culture, and much more.
Ken and I decided to do a trek in the Himalayas and we were so lucky to be introduced to Dhruba in Kathmandu. We trekked to the highest pass, walked through jungles, and villages, hiked up to the tree line through a barren, beautiful, lunar, desert landscape, and acclimatized before hiking up to the very highest pass. I loved every minute of it. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. The food was amazing and we loved spending time with the Nepalese. I would highly recommend Dhruba as your guide. He is knowledgeable and a true professional. He will look after you and will ensure that you are okay throughout the trip. I learned a lot about Nepalese through Dhruba which was fun! He calls me big sister “Didi.” Although I have not seen Dhruba since 2008, we are in regular contact and he has become a lifelong friend of ours. We miss him dearly and I will definitely be back to have another trip with him again. Thurka Shivapalyan From the United Kingdom
I did the Annapurna circuit and had a wonderful experience. The circuit is a bit touristic, but still, the nature is phenomenal and in the off-season, it's really not crowded, in May the weather is still great. I did the tour with a great company a1 trek with Mr. Ajeeb which Id like to write about here. Everyone I met was really friendly and welcoming and I always had a good feeling traveling with them. I did the Annapurna circuit with Ajeeb and had an excellent experience, so from my point, I can just give a strong recommendation.
Mr. Dhruba Bhatta guided us through the Annapurna circuit trek in April 2011. I contacted Dhruba Bhatta a couple of months earlier and through the net, we defined the timetable of our trekking. During this time Dhruba was available online for us and gently settled all the issues raised us. We arrived from Israel through transit in Mumbai to Katmandu airport where he met us with warm hospitality. After one night's stay in a boutique hotel in Thamel, he took us by bus to the starting point Besisahar. From this point, he took us safely through a ten-day walk (approximately – 130 km) through Manang 3500 meters, Throng la – 5500 ending in the beautiful villages Muktinath, Jomsom, and Pokhara. During these days he carefully took care of all our needs, starting from adjusting the trekking to our fitness, staying and dining in beautiful guest houses, directing the porters that took care of our belongings in the mountains, keeping us safe in the increasing, sometimes extreme altitude environment which can become every moment dangerous to a human being. After the trekking, in the evening Dhruba Bhatta and his team and I together had a nice time and long talks where he introduced us to the Nepali tradition, lifestyle, etc. During these talks, we learned that Dhruba runs trekking in other areas of Nepal, Everest base camp, ABC, Poon Hill, etc. The Annapurna trekking under his guidance became a lovely and most importantly safe experience and I would recommend warmly Dhruba Bhatta to everyone who wishes to go through guided trekking in the beautiful mountains of Nepal.
