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Annapurna
Circuit
Trip Profile: 25 Days Trip
04 Nights in Kathmandu
02 Nights in Pokhara
19 Days Trekking
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 The
Annapurna Circuit is one of the classic treks in the world and
on the ‘must do’ list of any serious trekker or adventurer.
The circuit takes one around the Annapurna Himal, following
the courses of 2 mighty rivers: the Marsyangdi in the east and
the Kaligandaki in the west, and takes one over the 5400m-high
Thorung La Pass in between the upper reaches of the rivers.
The Kaligandaki is the world’s deepest gorge, flanked by the
giant Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himals. The flora, geography
and culture also change dramatically around the circuit.
ITINERARY
DAY 01: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel.
While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and
Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions
are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore
the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious
traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu.
DAY 02: KATHMANDU CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said
to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view
of Kathmandu City. We will then processed to Visit Pasupatinath
and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square,
Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities
in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and
Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working
with wood, stones and metals. O/N in Kathmandu. O/N in KTM.
DAY
3 KATHMANDU - BESI SAHAR(823m)
Drive to Besi Sahar. N/O at besi Sahar.
DAY 4 BESI SAHAR - BAHUNDANDA(1311m)
The route follows the Marsyangdi River upstream, crossing a
long suspension bridge and pasing a beautiful, thin waterfall
with a fine bathing pool. We ascend to the town of Bahundanda,
which means ‘Brahman Hill’. There are good views to the north
and a little-known hot spring here.
DAY 5 BAHUNDANDA - CHAMJE(1390m)
The gorge becomes narrower as we cross a cantilever bridge followed
by a suspension bridge. We pass a few small settlements along
the route and Chamje, the destination for the day, is one of
them. Having travelled upstream, we observe many changes in
the people, architecture and vegetation. Houses are now built
of rocks, the vegetation is less tropical and the culture more
Tibetan-like.
DAY 6 CHAMJE - BAGARCHAP(2103m)
Leaving Chamje, the gorge becomes more impressive. We cross
into the district of Manang and see more Bhotia people. These
are primarily agro-pastoralists and the real trans-Himalayan
traders of the region. The route climbs gradually to the town
of Bagarchap meaning (butcher’s place). The houses here have
flat roofs, indicating that there is less rainfall here than
the south. There is a temple here worth visiting, and views
of the Annapurnas and the Lamjung Himal.
DAY 7 BAGARCHAP - CHAME(2615M)
Leaving Bagarchap, the valley becomes narrow and picturesque.
The vegetation is temperate, broad-leaved forest. Chame is a
government town and district centre for Manang. There are interesting
religious buildings and hot springs
DAY 8 CHAME - PISANG(3133m)
We continue in an unrelenting narrow valley of pine, hemlock
and cypress forest. The trail through a serene forest leads
tolower Pisang; a side trip to higher Pisang (100m higher) is
a must for an amazing view of Annapurna II. This arid region
is in the rain shadow of the Himalaya. The men here are traders
- and may sell or trade almost anything - and part-time farmers,and
the women are full-time farmers.
DAY 9 PISANG - MANANG(3500m)
There are 2 routes from here: a low road and a high road, the
latter taking longer but affording outstanding views of the
Annapurna Himal and few trekkers. Both routes converge in the
large and interesting village of Braga, which is the seat of
the oldest monastery in the area. The gomba is about 900 years
old and belongs to the Kargyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and
contains some unique works of art. Manang is 30 minutes from
here.
DAY 10 MANANG(3500m)
Today is acclimatisation day, which is best spent being active
and climbing to higher elevations for views but returning to
lower altitudes to sleep. Manang itself is in a spectacular
location with many attractions. There are lakes, caves, moraine-hills,
monasteries or local activities in town.
DAY 11 MANANG - LATDAR(4176m)
Leaving Manang, facilities become scarcer. We cross small tributaries
and contour along pleasant meadows with occasional birch groves.
There is a chance to see herds of blue sheep.
DAY 12 LATDAR - THORUNG PHEDI(4404m)
We gain altitude gradually, and spend the night at the phedi,
meaning 'foot of a hill'. If you are lucky you may spot a snow
leopard near here at dusk!
DAY 13 THORUNG PHEDI - THORUNG LA(5416m)
- MUKTINATH(3802m)
The trail now leaves the river valley and climbs steadily over
lateral moraine. The pass, marked by a large cairn, is the high
point of our trek. It is an exhilarating geographical feature,
dividing 2 mighty Himalayan valleys. Far below to the west is
the Kaligandaki River. We descend in that direction for the
village of Muktinath, located in a poplar grove. It is a sacred
shrine and pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.
DAY 14 MUKTINATH - JOMSOM(2713m)
From Muktinath to Jomsom, we see people from Mustang, a restricted
area to the north, who come to sell handicrafts to pilgrims.
Among their merchandise is the highly-revered mollusk fossil
called shaligram. We will pass some ancient caves and see the
impressive white mountain that is the Dhaulagiri. We also transit
at the significant town of Kagbeni, which is at a junction of
2 rivers and the north-south and east-west trading routes.
DAY 15 JOMSOM - KALOPANI(2530m)
We descend to Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses
and fertile fields, and continue down the Kaligandaki reaching
the former Thakali trading centre of Tukche. As the trail continues,
the Himalayan rain shadow blends into coniferous forest,and
we reach the main river valley and Kalopani. From here there
are spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
DAY 16 KALOPANI - TATOPANI(1190m)
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 springs that
give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for
a good scrub.
DAY 17 TATOPANI - GHOREPANI(2819m)
Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the terraced
fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to the village
of Ghorepani, meaning (horse water). We camp at the pass for
the best views of the sunset over the spectacular,snow-capped
Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.
DAY 18-19 GHOREPANI - TADAPANI - GHANDURNG(2012m)
Today the trail undulates through giant rhododendron forest
and orchid colonies to the pretty Gurung town of Ghandrung,where
the Annapurna range and Machapuchare (the Fishtail) dominate
the mountain views, although glimpses of Lamjung Himal and the
Manaslu range can also be seen further east.
DAY 20 GHANDRUNG - DHAMPUS(1700m)
The views continue to outstanding even as we descend, to the
village of Dhampus.
DAY 21 DHAMPUS - POKHARA
Today the trail descends through forests, all the way to
the valley floor, from where we make our way to the city of
Pokhara.
DAY 22 POKHARA
We relax in Pokhara after a hard but satisfying trek. There
are numerous activities in this scenic city like a boat ride
on the tranquil Phewa Tal Lake, and visits to the Tibetan refugee
camps and handicraft centres.
DAY 23 POKHARA - KATHMANDU
Today we say goodbye to scenic city of Pokhara and head
back to bustling Kathmandu.
DAY 24 KATHMANDU
Today free to discover the charm of this quaint city. Optional
tours can be arranged. DAY 25 DEPARTURE
After breakfast you’re free before drop to airport for your
final destination.
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