Trip Profile: 22 Days
Hotel: 2+2 Nights in Kathmandu
Hotel: 1 Night in Pokhara
Trekking Days: 18 Days
Maximum Elevation: 5416 m
Best Months
March, April & May
September, October & November
Annapurna region is a rare combination of long arrays of snow capped peaks, crystal clear lakes, turbulent rivers with deep gorges, Tibetan Monasteries, hot springs and picturesque villages inhabited by simple and friendly ethnic people. The "Around Annapurna Trek" or "Annapurna Circuit" takes in all the region has to offer. This deservedly famous trek is perhaps one of the most scenically and culturally diverse treks in the Himalayas.
Our highly trained, skilled and experienced trekking guide will lead throughout the trekking period that will spend a significant level of time acclimatizing to new altitude to increase safety and comfortable levels.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
When you arrive in Kathmandu, our airport representative will receive
at the Tribhuvan International Airport
and transfer to the hotel. Stay overnight 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 proceed to visit Pashupatinath and
Bouddhanath Stupa. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Kathmandu- Besi Sahar
After breakfast, we’ll hit the road to Besi Sahar. Stay overnight
at Besi Sahar.
Day 04: Besi Sahar- Bahundanda
After breakfast, we take the direct route upstream the Marsyangdi
River and take crossing a long suspension bridge and passing beautiful
scenery, thins waterfall with a fine bathing pool/ We ascend to
the town of Bahundands, where you can have good views to the north
and a little-known hot spring here.
Day 05: Bahundanda-Chamje
After breakfast, start trekking at Bahundanda while passing
through
the breathtaking scenery. The first pass is the gorge which 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 traveled upstream,
we observer 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 06: Chamje- Bagarchap
After breakfast, we leave Chamje and 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 Bagarchan meaning (butcher’s place).
The house 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 07: Bagarchap-Chame
After breakfast, we keep moving into the valley of Chame, which
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 08: Chame-Pisang
After breakfast, we continue in an unrelenting narrow valley of
pine, hemlock and cypress forest. The trail through a series forests
leads to Pisang’ a side trip to higher Pisang 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 part-time
farmers,
and the women are full-time farmers.
Day 09: Pisang-Manang
After breakfast, we constantly carry on a jungle trek to a certain
area; 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, other routes converge in the large
and interesting village of Braga, which is the seat of the oldest
monastery in the area. The gompa is about 900 years old and belongs
to the Kargyupa sect of Yibetyan Buddhism, and contain unique works
of art. Manang is 30 minutes form here.
Day 10 : Manang
After breakfast, today is acclimatization day, which is best spent
being active and climbing to higher elevations for views but returning
to lower altitude 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
After breakfast, we leave Manang, facilities become scarcer, 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- Thourng Phedi
After breakfast, we gain altitude gradually, and spend the night
at the Phedi meaning ‘foot of the hill’. If you are
lucky you may spot a snow leopard near here at dusk!
Day 13 : Thorung Phedi- Thorung La – Muktinath
After breakfast, 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 valley. 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
After breakfast, form Muktinath to Jomsom, we see people form Mustang,
a restricted area to the north, who comes to sell handicrafts to
pilgrims. Among their merchandise is the highly revered mollusk
fossil called Shaligram. We will pass some ancient caves ad 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
After breakfast, 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
After breakfast, a beautiful walk, with another transition into
sub-topical 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 thought 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
After breakfast, steadily climbing all the 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 : Ghorepani- Tadapani-Ghandrung
After breakfast, 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 Manasalu
range can also be seen further east.
Day 19 : Ghandrung-Dhampus
After breakfast, the views continue to outstanding even as we descend,
to the village of Dhampus.
Day 20 : Dampus- Pokhara
After breakfast, the trail descends through forests, all the way
to the valley floor, from where we make our way to the city of Pokhara.
Day 21 : Pokhara- Kathmandu
After breakfast, you’re return to Kathmandu by road. After
arrive in Kathmandu you are free to pick up some last minute souvenirs,
rest. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 22 : Depart Kathmandu
After breakfast, you are free until we pick you up and proceed to
the international airport for your next destination.