Annapurna Circuit

From Kathmandu, you will make your way towards Besisahar which lies in Lamjung district. For the first part, you will take a winding route down a lush and green hillside. The road is dotted with agricultural farms, villages, shops, and restaurants. Leaving Tribhuvan Highway you will join the Prithvi Highway by crossing the Marshyangdi River.

After riding for about 5 to 6 hours, you will reach the picturesque village of Besisahar. From here, you will ride on a dirt road that can be dusty and bumpy during the dry season and muddy during bad weather. However, the views of the snow-capped mountains of Annapurna, waterfalls, and river keep you entranced during the journey.

The vehicle will pass by the small villages of Bhulbule, Ngadi, and Syange before finally arriving at Jagat. Jagat is a beautiful riverside settlement along the Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit route. The village has a number of guesthouses and lodges, and you will stay in one chosen by your guide.

Overnight in Jagat.

The first day of your trek will take you to the hamlet of Dharapani. Leaving Jagat you will walk on a jeep track that hugs the side of the mountain. Below flows the Marsyangdi River. There are two routes leading to Dharapani. The walking trail has a steep climb with a whole lot of staircases, while the jeep track is mostly flat and much easier to walk on. Depending on the weather and the condition of the route your guide will choose the one that is suitable for you.

The landscape is stunning with lots of waterfalls, gorges, and quaint villages. There will be a few river crossings via suspension bridges. At the village of Tal, your permits will be checked. Continuing your trek you will walk past a deep gorge close to the village of Chaijo. After crossing a bridge, you will reach Karte. Taking an uphill trail with a steep climb will finally lead you to the village of Dharapani. The village marked by chortens and mani walls serves as the gateway to the Manang district.

Overnight in Dharapani.

You will begin your trek immediately after breakfast. Today too you will walk past a beautiful landscape filled with lush green scenery, pristine rivers, and waterfalls. Walking past the pine forests and small local villages of Thonche(Thoche) and Bagarchhap you will get to experience the natural beauty of Annapurna Circuit. Passing through these small settlements, you will also get to experience a beautiful blend of Buddhist and Hindu cultures.

The trail winds past a lush pine forest and arrives at Danakyu, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of Mt. Manaslu, Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Marshyangdi River. A steep ascent later you will come to Timang village, which sits on a ridge. You will cross the lush jungles of Lamatro and the Buddhist village of Thanchok, dotted with Buddhist chortens and prayer flags.

At Koto, a village known as the gateway to Nar Phu Valley, you will stop for a brief rest. The lush and verdant hills gradually change to sparse and barren landscapes. A short uphill hike will bring you finally to Chame, the stop for today. This is one of the largest villages along the Annapurna Circuit route and has teahouses, lodges, health posts, cafes, restaurants, and banks.

Overnight in Chame.

After breakfast, you will begin your trek and make your way towards the suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River. You can savor the terrific view of the tall Pauganda Danda, a striking rock face that rises dramatically over the valley, while making your way out of the village. Inspiring views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV accompany you throughout the day.

After walking for about an hour, you will reach the village of Brathang, which has Nepal's largest apple orchard. Locals are engaged in apple farming, and trekkers refer to this area as 'Apple country' due to the many apple orchards that are seen along this route. You will get the chance to savor delicacies made from apples like apple pie, apple crumble, apple strudel, apple cider, etc.

From Brathang you will proceed towards the Swargadwari Bridge and enter the U-shaped valley close to Dukure Pokhari. The landscape transforms dramatically at this point with green valleys spreading below and a sheer rockface on the right. Walk on an easy trail as you approach Pisang, an ancient village divided into two parts – Lower Pisang and Upper Pisang.

From Lower Pisang, you can enjoy beautiful views of Pisang Peak and the Mt. Annapurna ranges. A 30-40 minute hike uphill brings you to Upper Pisang, a traditional village with a rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. The local people here are known as Mananges.

Pisang lies above 3000 meters, and you might start feeling the effects of altitude. Keep yourself warm and hydrated. This is one of the longest days of your trek as you will be walking for about 7 to 8 hours.

On the sixth day of Annapurna Circuit route itinerary, you will head towards Manang. The day begins with a steep climb. There are two routes leading to Manang. One follows the valley floor and is much longer, while the other includes climbing a steep route and offers a better view of the mountains. You will take the higher trail from where you can enjoy stunning views of Annapurna II and Annapurna III.

After walking for about 2-3 hours, you reach Gyaru, an authentic Tibetan-style village. Continue walking to Ngawal, showcasing breathtaking landscapes of snow-capped mountains, and a river below.

From Ngawal you will descend to yak pastures and alpine fields, transitioning to a drier, rockier terrain near Braka. The village of Braka is home to Samgag Samling Monastery, an ancient Buddhist monastery believed to be more than nine hundred years old. A brief stop at Braka will allow you to explore the Buddhist gompa and the medieval village.

Braka is one of the most picturesque villages on the trail. The village has a unique layout where houses are stacked one atop the other, with each house featuring an open verandah formed by the neighbor's rooftop. Experience the amazing local culture while strolling around the village.

As you approach Manang, the Annapurna peak, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak dominate the horizon. Manang, one of the largest and busiest villages on the trek, offers various facilities for trekkers. The village sits on a plateau overlooking the summits of the Annapurna mountains and Gangapurna.

This day is dedicated to rest and acclimatization in Manang. To get used to the altitude, you will take a short, easy hike to Ganggapurna Tal, a beautiful freshwater lake formed by the Ganggapurna Glacier and Peak. The hike is moderate, taking about 1-2 hours for a round trip, with a 30–40 minutes’ walk from Manang to the lake. If you're up for it, you can climb slightly higher for even better views of the Ganggapurna Glacier.

If you are interested in Tibetan Buddhism, you can opt for a more strenuous hike to the Milarepa Cave instead. The cave lies above the village of Braka, on a steep rocky cliff beneath the summit and glacier Annapurna III. While the climb along the ridge is exhausting, it offers you grand views of Mount Annapurna III and the Manang Valley.  The landscape looks surreal as you reach the cave. There's a small Buddhist gompa right below the cave.

After returning to Manang, you can explore the village and interact with the locals, learning about their culture and daily life. The village exudes a medieval ambiance as you walk through the flat-roofed stone houses separated by narrow alleyways. The eastern half of the village is lined with lodges, shops, and cafes. You may also want to visit the local health post for a quick health check.

This day gives you the perfect chance to immerse yourself in local life and enjoy the stunning surroundings. The acclimatization hike will ensure that you are fully prepared for the trek ahead.

Overnight in Manang.

Today's trek is relatively short and begins with a slow ascent from Manang through farmland and stone walls, offering close-up views of Annapurna Mountain. The dirt road ends in Manang, and the trail that you take today is more peaceful, without any vehicular traffic on the route.

You will slowly make your way to Tengi, a small village that lies on an intersection between the routes leading to Yak Khaarka and Tilicho Base Camp. As you continue along the Annapurna Circuit trail, you will pass Gunsang, where the landscape transitions to alpine shrubs with only a few trees.

Following the Marshyangdi Khola, enjoy magnificent views of Chulu West and Chulu East. As you proceed, the elevation gain becomes more noticeable. Maintain a steady pace and rest at intervals. The day's trek ends with a wooden bridge crossing to reach Yak Kharka. Spend the evening exploring the village and its surroundings or climb higher to Thorung Phedi to aid acclimatization.

Overnight in Yak Kharka.

Today's trek is going to be the shortest in your journey. It takes about 2.5 – 3 hours to hike to Thorung Phedi from Yak Kharka.

The trek begins with a gentle ascent through rocky meadows along the Kone Khola, a small branch of the Marsyangdi River. Within an hour, you will reach Ledar, where your permits will be checked.

The trail continues past the tea shops at Deurali and crosses a newly built metal bridge over the Jarsang Khola, leading to Thorung Phedi, the final resting point before attempting Thorung La Pass.

The route becomes challenging at higher elevations, with rugged terrain. The trail is narrow and at some point, you will have to cross a landslide-prone zone. Be cautious while crossing this section.

To avoid the strong wind and afternoon clouds you will make an early start, typically around 4:30 am. The weather is more favorable and safer for trekking early in the morning. Later in the day, strong winds and colder temperatures can make the trail more challenging.

The path to Thorong La Pass has a mix of rocky terrain, scree slopes, and snow, depending on the season. The air becomes thinner at this altitude, and breathing becomes difficult. It's important to walk slowly, taking regular breaks, and staying hydrated. After about 1–2 hours, you will reach High Camp, where the stunning views set the tone for the journey ahead.

From High Camp onwards, you can enjoy amazing views of Thorung Peak, Khatungkang, and Yakawa Kang. There are many switchbacks, and the false summits and high altitude make the hike challenging.

After a 3–4 hour climb, you will finally reach the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit—the famous Thorong La Pass, at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet). The pass is decorated with colorful prayer flags, mani stones, and shrines, adding a spiritual touch Here, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Annapurna range and the stunning great barrier ridge that separates the drier Tibet-like region of Manang from the rest of Nepal. After taking pictures and celebrating the moment with your team, you will make your descent to Muktinath.

The descent takes you along the Thorung Khola route, passing Chambar Bhir with beautiful views of the Kali Gandaki Valley and Dhaulagiri, the seventh-highest peak in the world. While the descent is grueling, this part of the trail is very scenic and peaceful.

Finally, you will arrive at Muktinath, a sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists. Located at the base of Thorong La Pass, Muktinath is renowned for its spiritual significance and peaceful ambiance. It is home to the famous Hindu temple, Muktinath, as well as ancient Buddhist gompas. With its serene atmosphere and cultural depth, Muktinath provides a spiritual touch to your Annapurna Circuit Trekking—a journey filled with adventure, natural beauty, and rich cultural experiences.

Overnight In Muktinath.

You will begin your day with a visit to the sacred Muktinath Temple, home to the eternal flame and 108 holy water taps. The temple is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists as this is the only place in the world where the five elements(air, water, fire, sky, and earth) come together. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, who is recognized as Chenrizeg or Avalokiteshwara by Buddhists. Many pilgrims participate in the spiritual cleansing ritual by bathing in the icy water flowing from the spouts. A pilgrimage here is believed to grant moksha or salvation.

After spending some time at the temple, you will continue to Jharkot, where you can explore the beautiful Shakya Gompa and a traditional medicine center. Later, you will descend gradually to the Kali Gandaki River, enjoying majestic views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. After walking for 3-4 hours, you will reach the ancient village of Kagbeni.

Kagbeni, a picturesque village on the Annapurna Circuit route, serves as the gateway to Upper Mustang, a restricted region requiring a special permit. The village sits on a green oasis at the junction of two rivers. With its closely packed mud houses, dark tunnels, and alleys, Kagbeni has the ambiance of a medieval village.

Leaving Kagbeni, the final stretch of your trek will lead you to the small settlement of Ekle Bhatti before finally arriving at Jomsom, the end point of the trek. Jomsom is the largest town on the Annapurna Circuit trail. The town has a large population of Thakkalis, an ethnic community who are known for their business skills.

Overnight in Jomsom.

Congratulations you have finally completed the Annapurna Circuit. It's now time to head back to Pokhara. You will catch one of the early flights heading to Pokhara from Jomsom. Enjoy amazing views of the snowcapped mountains during your flight. After landing at the airport, you will be driven to your hotel. Freshen up and relax. Or you can explore the charming lakeside area on your own.

Today you will leave Pokhara and return to Kathmandu by bus. It is a picturesque ride filled with views of the lush countryside and small villages. On reaching Kathmandu Valley you will head to your hotel and take a rest. Or maybe you can explore Thamel and shop for souvenirs to take back home.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today is the last day of your trip. It's finally time to bid farewell to Kathmandu and Nepal. Bid goodbye to your friends and acquaintances that you have made during this trip. Nepal Hiking Team's guide will pick you up from your hotel and drop you at the airport.

If you wish to explore more places in Nepal, Tibet or Bhutan, please do not hesitate to contact us. We have a range of tour and trekking itineraries that might interest you.