Annapurna Circuit Trek

On the first day of your trek, we'll drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, which is the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Along the way, you'll get to see the beautiful landscapes of Nepal, including terraced rice fields, rugged cliffs, and lush forests.

From Besishahar, we'll continue our journey to Dharapani (1,900 m), which is the first village on the trek. Dharapani is a small village situated on the banks of the Marsyangdi River and is known for its traditional architecture and stunning mountain views. It is a charming village that offers a glimpse into local life and culture. You'll get to see traditional houses, prayer flags, and people going about their daily lives.

On the second day of our trek, we'll continue our journey toward Chame, a beautiful town in the Manang district of Nepal. The trail takes us through dense forests of pine and oak, and we'll have plenty of opportunities to take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We'll pass through several traditional Nepalese villages along the way, where we can take a break and chat with the friendly locals. The trail is moderately challenging, with some steep inclines and rocky terrain, but our experienced guides will be with us every step of the way to ensure our safety and comfort.

As we get closer to Chame, As we reach Chame, the headquarter of the Manang district, we are pleased by the fine views of Annapurna II as you approach Chame and two small hot springs by the town. Chame is situated at an altitude of 2,650 meters and is a bustling town with a mix of modern amenities and traditional Nepalese architecture.

The trail from Chame towards Pisang, a small village situated at an altitude of 3,205 meters. The trail takes us through a narrow valley and offers stunning views of the Annapurna range, including Annapurna II, III, and IV.

The trek from Chame to Pisang is a gradual uphill climb, and the trail is well-defined, making it easy for trekkers to navigate. We'll pass through several traditional Nepalese villages.

As we get closer to Pisang, the terrain becomes more rugged, and the trail becomes steeper. However, the stunning views of the Himalayas in the distance make the effort well worth it. Pisang is a charming village with traditional Nepalese architecture and a rich cultural heritage.

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 and 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 alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3,325 m 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. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3,475m to nearby Manang at 3,500m.

When you come above 3500 meters from the sea level; it is vital to take it as an acclimatization day so today we spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. The whole day we spend by doing some fine day walks and over viewing the magnificent views around the village and the day time is best to gain altitude. Many people go hiking to the ice lake or on nearby excursions. At the end of the day, we come back to our accommodation and have a night's rest.

After a hot breakfast; today we depart from Manang gently as the altitude goes high and the air is thinner. We make the climb gradually through Tenki, leaving the Marshyangdi Valley. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we get to Ledar at 4,200 m, where we see the vegetation steadily more sparse.

The track descends to cross the river at 4310m we then climb up to Phedi at 4,420 m. At High Camp on an elevation of 4,600 m. Overnight stay will be there.

The journey from Phedi “foot of the hill” or at the foot of the 5,416 m Thorong La pass, begins the day. We then make the climb steeply which is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problems to cross the pass if it is covered by snow. About four hours to climb up to the pass marked by the Chortens and prayer flags. As you reach the top, you are rewarded with a magnificent view from the top.

We'll be heading towards Jomsom, a small town situated at an altitude of 2,700 meters. We'll start the day with a visit to the Muktinath Temple, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple is located at an altitude of 3,800 meters and is renowned for its natural gas flames and 108 water spouts that are believed to have healing properties.

After our visit to the temple, we'll start our descent toward Jomsom. The trail takes us through the rugged Kali Gandaki Valley, where we'll pass through several traditional Nepalese villages, including Kagbeni and Jharkot.

As we get closer to Jomsom, the landscape becomes arider, with barren hills and sandy terrain. The town itself is situated in a wide valley and is home to a small airport, making it a popular stopover for trekkers.

We'll be leaving Jomsom behind and heading towards Tatopani (6-7 hours of drive), a small village known for its natural hot springs. Tatopani means “Hot Spring'' in Nepali. You can enjoy the natural hot bath here after the tiring big Himalayan hike over Thorong La. Nepalese believe that the body aches and bone and vein-related diseases like Arthritis are healed if you soak in a hot spring. Overnight in Tatopani. 

The trek is relatively easy compared to some of the previous days, with mostly downhill terrain. As we descend toward Tatopani, we'll pass through several traditional Nepalese villages, including Ghasa and Marpha. Ghasa (2010m) is the first Thakali village on the road north and the southernmost limit of Tibetan Buddhism in the valley. Marpha is a nice settlement of more than 80 houses of the Thakali people. It also has 1 significant Buddhist monastery and one apple garden. If you are interested to see how apple brandy is produced that can be seen and can be bought in nearby Tuksche, you will be taken there. We'll also have the opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains.

Once we arrive in Tatopani, we'll have plenty of time to relax and soak in the natural hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties. We'll also have the opportunity to explore the village and interact with the friendly locals.

On our final day of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, we'll be leaving Tatopani and heading towards Pokhara, the second-largest city in Nepal. It takes 4 to 5 hours to drive from Tatopani to Pokhara. 

As we descend toward Pokhara, we'll pass through several traditional Nepalese villages, including Ghara and Shikha. We'll also have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and take in the fresh mountain air.

Once we arrive in Pokhara, we'll have some free time to explore the city and relax after our trek. Pokhara is known for its beautiful lakes, stunning mountain views, and relaxed atmosphere. We'll have the opportunity to visit some of the city's top attractions, including the Phewa Lake, World Peace Pagoda, and the International Mountain Museum.