Annapurna Circuit - 21 Days

Our representative at the airport will meet you and transfer you to your respective hotel that you have requested us to book it for you. After check in at the hotel and bit of freshen up we will meet at the lobby to share the information of your further program in Nepal.

On your first day in Kathmandu, we let you take rest after a long flight from your home country. After breakfast, you can visit around Thamel (where your hotel will be located) and shop few items that you have missed to bring with you or We can add Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing tour on your request. A full day sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu valley which includes some of the sites that are listed in UNESCO world Heritage sites. Pashupatinath, Boudhnath & Bhaktapur is the best recommended sites during the sightseeing in Kathmandu valley.In the afternoon, we will have a meeting with our fellow participants and check the final preparation for the trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.

An early morning drive from Kathmandu which can take around 7 to 8 hours, on a zigzag road along the Trishuli River. Passing through terraced farms and beautiful huts. Upon reaching Mugling we will change the track of the road and head towards Pokhara. before hand we will again change the track from Dumre and drive north to Besisahar. It will take around half and hour to reach Khudi, which is our trek starting point. Embrace the first glimpse of Manaslu Range upon reaching Khudi.

After breakfast we get ready for Our first day’s of walk. We will be acceding and descending several time crossing suspension bridges and waterfalls, rice paddies and subtropical forest. Mountains seems closer than from Khudi and the walk gradually followed by steeper trails. Taranche is the Ethenic Tamang settlement which we will pass by before reaching Sirung. Close view of Ngadi Chuli and Manaslu mountains are Astounding.

The day from Sirung to Jagat is quite lighten one as the trail is not that difficult. We walk along the villages that is decorated with terraces, dense forest and variety of ferns. For the bird lovers you may want to carry your binocular and a you (D)SLR camera to watch those different beautiful birds with your lenses close to your eyes. Passing through few villages and temples where people vow upon their deity, we cross Sangu Khola with the help of a suspension bridge at Mipra and then the Marshyangdi river at Syange, don’t miss the beautiful waterfall next to the bridge. We now follow the trail alongside the Marshyangdi River where we will be crossing another bridge before we settle in Jagat. Overnight in Jagat.

As we start our walk we see big rocks facing towards the river bank of Marshyangdi. Wild bee hives can be seen on the rocks, its quite difficult to notice it unless you are not a regular passer on this trail. Its amazing to see how mules and men fit into narrow road but on the other hand we really need to be careful while walking the trail we should walk on the corners so that we do not get pushed away by the mules to the river. Passing through lush forest and ascending towards the height we come to Tal where we will have our lunch stop. Tal basically means “lake”, settlers are mainly Gurung’s, one of the ethnic group of Nepal. After Tal we have to walk on the trail built on the cliff. Before Dharapani we cross a hanging bridge. Dharapani is quite narrow close-in town with cliffs rising both sides, which does not get much sun around the year.

Dharapani literally mean tap water, the journey to Chame from Dharapani crosses through forest. Chame is in the Manang district. Amazing views of the snow capped mountains including Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV. We encounter a pool of a hot springs, if you wish to relax your muscles then you can certainly go for it.

Narrow and steep trail passing over Chame, crossing dense forest will bring us 1500 meter above the river. One of the steepest piece of the Marshyangdi valley. As we are walking along the path we can figure out that there are huge rocks that are carved vertically, where there are little enough space for walking. Before settling down for the day we pass right through the Paungda Danda, where we can witness a sloping rock that rises over 5,000 ft. Overnight in Lower Pisang

Before we start our journey to Manang we need to make sure to carry some stuffs handy as we approach towards Manang we can feel that there is changes in weather, it gets more chillier and even the vegetation looks different. On the other hand the mesmerizing views of the beautiful landscapes and grand mountains including Annapurna and Pisang. Barga Monastery, which is the largest of its kind in the entire district can be a memorable one. Overnight at Manang.

Acclimatization doesn’t involve resting in one spot, we will try to get our body and mind set for the rest of the trail. We will be doing short hikes to the Bhojo Gumba or Gangapurna Lake. If you think we can make it up to Braga Village then we can even visit the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) center, where we can get wide knowledge of the Acute Mountain sickness. Overnight in Manang.

We climb up to the Tenki village after crossing a stream, the trail continues to the Marshyangdi valley until we take the northwest route to Jarsang Khola where we can come across a valley. The trail continues with the grazing land and juniper trees. As we began to gain elevation the trail further passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. On the way we can witness the horses and yaks on pastureland. Yak Kharka is just few meters away after crossing a small river on a wooden bridge. The trail also passes an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow. Now we finally arrive in Yak Kharka. Overnight at Yak Kharka.

Take it slow and steady as we are walking uphill to Thorang Phedi. After walking about an hour we will steeping in a suspension bridge that takes us to Ledar village. We climb up furthermore and pass through soaring cliffs before arriving Thorang Phedi, the last town that we see before Thorong La pass. During the journey we will have exciting and memorable views of Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, Thorung Peak and Mt. Khatungkan. “Phedi” The word in Nepali is referred to as the base of a mountain/high hill. During the dinner you guide will brief you about the timing and the trail for next day. Overnight in Thorong Phedi.

We know that you have been waiting for this big day, for many crossing through one of the highest pass in the world would be a dream come true, like for climbers getting in to the summit of the highest mountain in the world. Thorang La pass is above 5000 m. height which will be crossing from east to west that is Manang to Muktinath, the safest route. You need to made up your mind the day before that for this day you need to wake up early and prepare yourself not only physically but mentally. Usually you start walking around three in the morning but let your guide decide if he wants to start early looking at the groups health conditions. When we make it to the top we will have a short break to take picture, you will realize when you look back that all those sweating and aching of muscles is worth it. We start descending down to Muktinath. Overnight in Muktinath.

Muktinath is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists alike. In the morning, we pay our visit to a Vishnu Temple and a Gompa. Descending from Ranipauwa village down the steep and barren hillside, we tumble down toward Kagbeni and then to Jomsom finally arriving at Marpha. The trail today is quite fantastic as we trek along a plateau above Kali Gandaki River, the world’s deepest gorge. The barren landscape of this area resembles Tibet. Marpha is also famous as the apple capital of Nepal where one can enjoy different items made from apple. The local apple brandy of Marpha is famous all over Nepal. Overnight at Marpha.

From Marpha, we take a new route toward Kalopani via Chokhopani village. Today, we come across traditional villages of the ethnic Thakali people. Also, we get to see beautiful apple gardens. From here we get panoramic views of Dhaulagari, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Fang and Annapurna I . From Chokhopani, we continue to Kokhethanti crossing a river and come across the newly constructed road site before reaching Kalopani. Overnight at Kalopani.

During the early part of today’s trek, we cross the bridge at Ghasa. As we lower the elevations, we emerge back into subtropical forests, lush with vegetation. Our trail continues along Rupse Chahara (waterfall). We continue down the east bank from Kopchepani via Garpar to a bridge at Dana. At Narchyang Besi, we get to see a powerhouse that supplies electricity in the area. There are bigger villages in this area where we can observe the everyday lives of the local people. Upon reaching Tatopani, we relax and have a bath in the hot spring.

Today we leave the Kali Gandaki and head up the Ghar Khola valley. The trail leads us through a terraced farmland with mountains all around. We pass through the villages of Shikha and Chitre before reaching a beautiful rhododendron forest. When in bloom the rhododendron trees with its average height of up to eight feet will be covered with pink or red flowers. Walking further we reach Ghorepani, a beautiful village located at a ridge top. Overnight in Ghorepani.

Poonhill is the best place to have a sunrise view over the Himalayas. So to catch this opportunity we make an early morning climb along the steep trail to the viewpoint of Poon Hill (3,210m), the most popular trekking destination of the Annapurna region. It is also a great viewpoint to enjoy the amazing views of Mustang, Pokhara and more than 20 highest mountains including the close-up views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After taking photographs and having some coffee or tea, we head to Tadhapani via Ghorepani. We descend through rhododendron forests, pass by spectacular waterfalls along the way and reach Tadapani. Overnight at Tadapani.

From Tadapani, we make a steep descent through the dense and dark forest. This part of the trek will be through a thick forest of old rhododendron trees. When the rhododendron trees are in bloom, these forests actually turn into amazing gardens. By afternoon, depending upon the season of travel, we also get to enjoy cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the ravine. After trekking a few more minutes, we enter the village of Ghandruk, a slope settlement with stone houses mostly inhabited by the Gurung people. Here, we enjoy the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains. We continue our trek to Nayapul from where we drive to Pokhara.

We mark the end of our successful trip with a farewell dinner hosted by Sisne Rover where we can share our experiences of the trek before leaving Pokhara. The dinner will be accompanied by Live Nepalese Cultural show with Dance and Songs of Nepal. Overnight in Pokhara.

We drive to Kathmandu in the morning by tourist bus. After arriving in Kathmandu, we leave for our hotel. We enjoy the day leisurely or catch up on some last minute shopping or explore any landmarks we missed during our first day in Kathmandu. . Overnight in Kathmandu.

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today. A representative of International Adventures Treks & Expeditions, will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.