Annapurna Circuit Trekking

Kathmandu arrival (1350m) & Overnight in Hotel

Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital city of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.You will be met on airport and transferred to your hotel. After the arrival, the group will be formally introduced to Guide for the activities over the next few days. One should pay attention in particular to the safety aspects of the briefing. Any questions or doubts should be asked and clarified at this time. We check your insurance details and other requirement for your trekking.

Kathmandu Sightseeing.

After breakfast, we start an interesting tour around Kathmandu. Escorting by an English speaking guide be, try to give them a full taste of our vivid culture image and an enchanting manner of its people. In our sightseeing tour we go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square. Durbar Square: -This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar square, protected as an UNESCO world Heritage site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also museums inside the palace building. There is an entrance fee of Rs.250 for foreign visitors. Your ticket to the Square entitles you to visit all the museums. Swayambhunath, 6.5 kilometers west of Kathmandu, situated on a hillock, this 2000 years old Stupa is the world’s most glorious Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Pashupatinath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, it is an impressive pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has bathing and cremation ghats, which are of absorbing interest to the tourist, particularly in the mornings and on festival days.

Kathmandu - Besi Sahar drive (820m / 7 hrs)

Seven-hour drive to Besi Sahar the district headquarter of Lamjung for overnight.

Besi Sahar - Bahundanda (1310m / 7hrs)

The route initially follow a rather dubious road along which buses and trucks occasionally will be passed, but there are no big climbs. However, the first day is memorable for a rather spectacular bamboo suspension bridge, which is quite entertaining. The walk takes about leisurely 4 hours to Ngadi and then about 2 hours quite tough because of a number of long climbs followed by moderate descents will take you to Bahundanda (Brahman village).

Bahundanda - Chamje (1430m / 6hrs)

The route winds its way through several small villages and past innumerable terraces rice field. You will cross the Marsyandi River on modern metal suspension bridges, before finally arriving at the village of Jagat at 1325m, the topography change as the Marsyandi River cut through an increasingly steeper and narrower gorge, with numerous spectacular waterfalls dropped from the valley sides. As is typical of such steep sided gorges along high paths before dropping down to the river level in order to cross over the river. Beyond Jagat we will experience our first prayer wheels and other signs of Buddhism. The people also start to look more Tibetan, with some women wearing the more traditional looking Tibetan clothing. From Jagat, a 20 minute moderate flat and descend, we reach to a river and then a moderate climb through land slide for one hour distance is a Gurung village of Chamje for over night.

Chamje - Danaque (2,300m / 6hrs)

This day is an easy walking about 6 hours. In total we crossed the river 3 times. The walk to Dharapani ('Black water') not only sees a change in topography but also in people and culture. From Dharapani an easy gradual uphill to Bagarchhap, where avalanches has swiped away nine houses on 1995. From there we walk an easy walk to Danaque about half an hour for over night.

Danaque - Chame (2,710m / 6hrs)

This day to be relatively easy walking. Walk along pine forest clad mountainsides. Most of the grunt this day occurs in the morning on the ascent to Tamang Besi, although this is not too arduous. From this climb we secure our first views of Manaslu since the bus journey to Besi Sahar. Toward the end of the days walk the route has been wiped out by some sizeable landslides, with evidence that there are likely to be more to come. A large archway that is adorned by three small stone structures marks the entrance to Chame. Pray flags and pray wheels are in abundance and spectacular mani walls. The whole area is now dominated by the Buddhist religion and spectacular views up toward Annapurna II.

Chame - Pisang (3200m / 5hrs)

The Marsyandi River passes through a steep narrow valley in the Chame area and as a result the sun is both late arriving in the morning and early to depart in the evening. From the pine shaded spot we can see the stunning view of one of the lower peaks flanking Annapurna II. On the north side of the river the mountains are highly distinct, forming some of the most unique scenery. After lunch we climb relatively steeply through pine forest for 135 m, catching occasional glimpses of the high peaks. The final section of the walk to Pisang is generally down hill or flat following a river plain. Pisang is a pretty standard village for these parts of the Marsyandi river valley. Pisang provides the first decent views of Chulu East, which appears as a dramatically pointed snowy summit pyramid.

Pisang - Manang (3550m / 5hrs)

The initial route from Pisang to Humde is a short, steady ascent to a low ridge from where there are fantastic views up the Marsyandi river valley. From this viewpoint the valley is broad and flat due to the presence of extensive river terraces. Village Humde is remarkably similar in appearance to Pisang. There is a fabulous view of Annapurna III, which at 7,555m is the 48th highest mountain in the world. Manang is split into 2 areas, an old and new end. The new end resembles a wild-west town with a wide dirt street lined with hotels and wooden shops. The old part of town is a labyrinth of narrow streets, lined by 3 storey stone buildings with enclosed courtyards for animals on the ground floor and people above.

Rest day.

Acclimatization is important as the ascent profile for the next two days would steepen dramatically taking us to 5416m and enjoy pleasant vista from Thorang La. A visit to HRA hospital and surroundings are also worthwhile.

Manang - Yak Kharka (4105m / 5hrs)

Fairly continuos uphill from Manang gaining about 300m to Gunsang. From Gunsang the path is generally flat. At a crossing point of a small side stream between two mani walls (route deviates) great views of the south face of the Chulu massif were had. After regaining height lost crossing the stream the route gently undulates while gaining the remaining altitude before arrival at Yak Kharka (means Yak Pasture).

Yak Kharka - Thorang Phedi (4420m / 3hrs)

Fairly constant upward route until just before Phedi where one descends perhaps 150m to the braided river bed before climbing back up to Phedi. This is the end of the line, the source area of the Marsyandi River. Several small streams run out from deep gorges in the vertical limestone cliffs and converge in a broad braided river plain.

Phedi - Muktinath (3800m), across the Thorung La (5416m / 8hrs)

Total ascent 895m, total decent 1815m. Big day!! We ascend steeply to a 4590m, then along an undulating trail to the flat top of Thorung La (5416m.) From here there are views of the Annapurna range to the south and Mukut Himal bordering Dolpo to the West. The trail descends steeply over glacial moraine, which gives way to grassy meadows before we reach Muktinath. This is one of the most important pilgrimage sights for Hindus. Holy water flows from the 108 carved spouts surrounding the Vishnu temple in a grove of poplars. Muktinath is also home to many ethnic Tibetans and holy Buddhists, who come here for the temple in which fire miraculously burns in a stream of water inside a small but very holy temple.

Muktinath - Jomson (2713m / 5hrs)

Easy days walking down. Throughout the morning there are great views up the valley toward Muktinath and it's Gompa, as well as the Thorung La. Sakya Gompa at Muktinath has lots of nice paintings outside and some very smartly painted drums etc. Walk down to Kagbeni for lunch (2.5 hours). The village is sat at the entrance to the Mustang valley and is separated from a steep cliff of vertical sedimentary rocks by the Kali Gandaki River. From the whole Mustang Valley down to Jomson the river runs down a shallow gradient forming a wide braided river plain, then another 3-hour walk to reach Jomsom.

Jomsom - Kalopani (2560m / 5hrs)

Descend to Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and fertile fields. Continue down the Kali Gandaki reaching the old Thakali trading center of Tukuche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan rain shadow end and open spaces make way for coniferous forest and Kalopani (2560m.) From here there are spectacular 360-degree views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas high above.

Kalopani - Tatopani (1200m / 5hrs)

A beautiful walk, with another transition into sub-tropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias. The trail follows the river through a narrow gorge, and descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall, before winding through the valley to Tatopani. The hot water springs that give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for a good 'scrub.'

Tatopani - Ghorepani (2850m / 6hrs)

Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to the village of Ghorepani. We camp at the pass for the best views of the sunset over the spectacular, snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.

Ghorepani - Ghandrung (1950m / 5 hrs)

Today the trail undulates through giant rhododendron forest and orchid colonies to the pretty Gurung town of Ghandrung, where the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) dominate the mountain views, with glimpses of Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu range can also be seen further east.

Ghandrung - Birethanti - Pokhara (915m / 7hrs)

A steady climb down past startlingly green cultivated terraces and picturesque, beautifully-preserved farms to the Modi River, which the trail follows back to Birethanti. Drive to Pokhara, a big natural Beauty City out of Kathmandu, which is 200km from Kathmandu. Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of fishtailed Machhapuchhre rising behind it make it an ideal setting to spend a few days in Pokhara.

Pokhara – Kathmandu drive or fly. (1300m / 6 hrs or ½ hr)

After breakfast in the morning we say goodbye to Pokhara and head back to bustling Kathmandu by car or private bus (There is an option to fly). In the afternoon free day of your own. Overnight in Hotel.

Kathmandu free day of your own.

This is the free day and you can use it for your shopping .In the evening we will drive you for farewell dinner with cultural dance.

Final Departure.

All too soon it's time to bid Nepal farewell and one realizes that we can never be intimate, only acquainted with this amazing adventure kingdom.