Annapurna Circuit trek
Duration: 22 days Maximum Elevation: 5416m
Grade: Medium / Hard
Season: Mid September to November and March to mid May
Summary: Walk completely
around the Annapurna massif. Trek through low land Brahmin and Chhettri villages
to the remote Manang village, and down the Kalkigandaki Gorge (officially
deepest George in the World). Cross a 5416m pass-probably the highest you will
ever get without climbing a mountain.
This
20 day trek offers the widest range of experiences we have ever encountered, and
for this reason it has become most popular trek in Nepal. It passes through
country inhabited by a wide diversity of peoples, offers spectacular mountain
scenery and goes far north of the Himalayas to the Tibetan Plateau. Altitudes of
5416m are reached, and a high level of physical health and fitness is
necessary.
The
journey begins in Besisahar town, where, for the first 7 days we will trek
through the eloquent rice paddies, lush jungle and hospitable villages of the
Annapurna Conservation Area. The awe-inspiring views of Mt. Manaslu (8187m) and
the Annapurna range provide a dramatic backdrop for the initial stages of this
trek. An acclimatization day will be spent in the Tibetan village of Manang
(3500m), where we will be able to observe Buddhist monks in worship at one of
the many majestic monasteries of this area. A side trip will also be taken to
the icy Gangapurna Lake and the awesome Gangapurna Glacier, a photographer’s
paradise! We continue ascending to the Throng La Pass (5416m), from where we can
enjoy spectacular views of Mustang Peak and the snow-covered giant; Dhaulagiri
(8167m). Arriving in village of Muktinath, we will be able to see the celebrated
Hindu pilgrimage site of Muktinath Temple with its 108 spring water taps and the
mysterious natural gas fires. We descend, following the breathtaking Kali
Gandaki River Valley, officially the deepest gorge in the world. Continuing
along the gorge to the beautiful village of Tatopani, we will be able to bathe
in the famous hot springs. We will take an early morning side-trip to Poon Hill
viewing point (3210m), where we will enjoy a magnificent sunrise over the whole
Annapurna range. Finally, we descend to the village of Nayapul from where we
will take a bus to Pokhara city, the final destination.
Outline Itinerary
Day
1 Arrival in Katmandu International Airport and transferred to Hotel
Day
2 Katmandu Valley Sightseeing; pre trek information; evening guide
introductions
Day 3
Early morning drive from Katmandu to Besisahar by bus
Day
4 Trekking starts: Besisahar to Bahundanda
Day
5 Bahundanda to Chamje
Day
6 Chamje to Bagarchhap
Day
7 Bagarchhap to Chame
Day
8 Chame to Pisang
Day
9 Pisang to Manang
Day
10 Acclimatization day in Manang
Day
11 Manang to Letdar
Day 12
Letdar to Thorung Phedi
Day 13
Thorung Phedi to Muktinath
Day 14
Muktinath to Kagbeni
Day 15
Kagbeni to Marpha
Day 16
Marpha to Larjung
Day 17
Larjung to Ghasa
Day 18
Ghasa to Tatopani
Day 19
Tatopani to Ghorepani
Day 20
Ghorepani to Tirkhedhunga
Day 21
Tirkhedhunga to Nayapul trekking finishes
Day 22
Nayapul to Pokhara by bus trek concludes.