Classic Annapurna Circuit Trek -21 days

Your arrival in Kathmandu will be marked by landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). A company representative of Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours will receive you and transfer you to your hotel. Evening you can meet the participants and the trek members. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the narrow and paved road by the Marshyangdi River to Beshisahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung district. All the local government offices are situated here. From here, you can see some mountain peaks, natural sceneries surrounding the valley, and the daily activities of local people.

This headquarters is the center from where the daily usable commodities are supplied to the different villages and numerous towns.

The first part of the trail passes on a flat level along the bank of the Marshyangdi river. You can enjoy the sceneries and the local culture of the Gurung community. After lunch, the trail goes steeply upwards to Bahundanda which takes about 2 hours. From this point, you can see the area surrounded by eye-catching scenarios with snow-capped mountains.

A steep trail descends for early half an hour and then follows a flat path through rice terraces before crossing a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall. It then climbs again and traverses the hillside high above the river before reaching the village of Lali Gaon. Ahead the Marshyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape and you follow the winding mountain path down through Syange (1100m) where there is a beautiful waterfall above and along the river for some distance.

The trail then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. Eventually, you descend to the stone village of Jagat (1330m) situated on a shelf juts into the precipitous Marshyangdi valley.

The first part of the trail descends to the river and after crossing a suspension bridge, you begin a climb to Sattale (1550m.) on a path so steep that it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley. You continue on an undulating path above the river, and at one point, where a tributary flows in from the opposite bank, the main river becomes covered with huge boulders that hide the water. Climbing the zigzag path to the top of the hill, you see the level, plain of Tal (1700m).

Though it is enclosed by cliffs, the level area looks reassuring after the harrowing mountain paths just traveled on. You descend to a grassy riverbank that leads to Tal with its hotels and teahouses. Here you can enjoy the exhilarating waterfalls. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path becomes high and winding and in several areas hewn from the rock itself.

Beyond the small village of Karte (1900m), there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path drops again to the river. You cross a suspension bridge and climb the short distance to the stone Mani marking the entrance to Dharapani (1960m), and your camp for the night.

You climb through forests of pine and oak as you pass through Danaque (2210m). Soon, there comes a small wooden bridge that will take you on a steeply ascending path up to Timang which lies at the bottom of Lamajung Himal.

The trail goes then on a flat level until you reach Chame, where you will find government offices, shops, and hotels. Chame is the administrative headquarters for the Manang district.

With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling in the morning sun, you set off for Pisang. You continue through a fir and pine forest, climbing to a high, rocky area as the opposite bank becomes an impassable cliff. From this point, the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as you follow the path to Bhratang (2950m).

You now walk through a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up a wonderful vista before you. You can see the east peak of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak (6091m) to the northeast. Continuing on, you come to a long Mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang.

Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge that affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak (7145m). Descending past Manang's airstrip at Humde (3320m), you come to a level area from where the northeast face of Annapurna III rises majestically above you. From the wide plains of the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna IV (7525m) also becomes visible.

Just beyond this point, you cross the considerably reduced flow of the Marshyangdi Khola via a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji. After a short steep climb, you reach Manang which is a surprisingly large village for this remote mountain region.

This is an important rest and acclimatization day today before crossing the Thorong La. There are optional day walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurnas, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley or you can visit Ganagapurna Glacier Lake to make your rest day a memorable one.

Today after breakfast at Manang we walk through the dense sandy mountains. An incredible place where there are no trees and no greenery plants just high sandy mountains and amazing views. It takes about three to four hours. Now the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through Gunsang (3960m) village. 

Due to the high altitude, it's better to walk slow and take plenty of water and rest. En route, you see panoramic views all day.

Leaving Yak Kharka, you climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marshyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge. After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, you follow a narrow trail across an unstable scree slope and then descend to Thorong Phedi.

Today is the most important and challenging day of this trek. Today morning we start our trek to Muktinath. It is always good to start early morning for the crossing of Thorong La (5416m). During the daytime, it's wendy so all trekkers prefer in the early morning. This adventure pass takes about seven to eight hours to reach another camp Muktinath. 

The views are dramatic, to say the least, from the snow-covered mountains above to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which are spread out before you.

Eventually, the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple.

You now begin the descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, initially through an arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar villages with typical Tibetan architecture, you follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom. From here there are fine views of the Nilgiri peaks.

You continue walking down to Marpha, a delightful Thakali village, complete with a drainage system beneath the flagstone streets. Its narrow alleys and passageways provide welcome shelter from the strong winds of the Kali Gandaki Gorge.

Your trail descends steeply through forests to Ghasa, the last Thakali village, and the southern-most limit of Tibetan Buddhism. The beginning part of the trail is stretched at almost a flat level to Kalopani and then your trail begins descending steeply to Ghasa. The first part of the trek passes through the windy area covered with pine forests, rhododendron forests, and birches.

The surrounding area of Ghasa is a famous destination for bird watching and wild Marijuana. Here you are quite amazed at the panoramic view of Mount Nilgiri North (7061m), Nilgiri Central (6940m), and Nilgiri South (6839m), Annapurna I (8091m), Dhaulagiri I (8167m), and Tukuche peak (6920m).

The trail descends steeply to Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfalls). The deepest gorge of the world is situated between the two mountains Annapurna I (8091m) and Dhaulagiri I (8167m) which face each other near Rukse Waterfalls.

This is a great place for relaxing the climate-wise as well. As we were many days in the cold climate this is a perfect place to make your body warm after many days. Now, the trail ascends slightly to Tatopani through different human settlements.

After several days of trekking, it is a great idea to take a bath in a natural hot spring and relax. You can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani as the word Tatopani is termed after the natural hot spring situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki River.

It is popularly believed that taking a bath in a hot spring helps you to get rid of skin diseases. Along with this, it gives you physical and mental refreshment as well.

Your trail passes on a flat level for some distance. Then the trail begins ascending steeply for at least one hour. The path then goes up through different villages inhabited by the people of different castes and agricultural land.

The majority of the people here serve in the Gorkha and Indian Regiments. While trekking you cross through the Kali Gandaki river with panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.

Early morning trip to Poon Hill (3210m) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Nilgiri (6940m), Varaha Shikhar (7847m), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Annapurna III (7855m), Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) (6993m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna II (7937m), Lamjung Himal (6931m), and other numerous snow-capped mountain peaks. from the Poonhill top.

After breakfast, the trek from Ghorepani to Tikhedhunga (2650m) through the deep forests of rhododendrons, bamboos, and oaks. En route, you frequently see waterfalls, rocks, wild animals, local birds, Gurung settlements villages on the way and green scenarios.

Today after breakfast you descend toward Nayapul via Banthanti, en route to Nayapul. We will have the last meal on the mountain on the riverside of Modi Khola place called Birethati. This the last-minute walk for the Annapurna circuit trek. From Nayapul, we catch a taxi and drive to the beautiful city Pokhara. Afternoon you can visit the Pokhara lakeside.

While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin, and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach Manakamana Temple. En route, you can enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields, and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to Kathmandu.

An evening we will have a farewell dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance.

A representative from Himalayan Adventure Treks and Tours will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.