Annapurna circuit trek

When flying into Kathmandu on a clear day, the views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawl down below you & are almost breathtaking, beginning a whole link of memorable experiences that stay with you for a real, long time, Our escort and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.

Our representative will help you check into your designated hotel then you will be briefed about your daily program. This is your first overnight in the valley of the gods.

After having breakfast at hotel, we will take your sightseeing tour in Kathmandu about 9:00 am and the Kathmandu is historical heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents an interesting holy mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and western influence in the valley.

There will be a day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, and Swoyambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Squire, all of them are UNESCO recognized World Heritage sites, return to hotel and you will have some time to buy trekking gear if you need.

You will have an early breakfast at hotel in Kathmandu and our trekking guide will come to pick you up at the your hotel about 7 AM in the morning, we then drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway to Dumre and then follow the narrow and paved road by the Marsyangdi River to Besisahar then to Bhulbhule.

After having breakfast at lodge, we start trekking and the trekking will take about 6 hours to Chamje, The trail goes flat for the first part then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed.

Eventually we descend to the stone village of Jagat (1330m.) situated on a shelf which juts into the precipitous Marsyangdi valley. Now the trail begins to observe small ups and down to Chamje through the forests.

After having breakfast at guest house, we start our trek by descending to the river and cross another suspension bridge; we begin a climb to Sattale (1550m.) on a path so steep that seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley.

We continue on an undulating path above the river, and at one point, where a tributary flows in from the opposite bank, the main river becomes covered with huge boulders that hide the water. Climbing a meandering path to the top of the hill.

We will see the level plain of Tal (1700m.). Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path becomes high and winding, and in several areas hewn from the rock itself. Beyond the small village of Karte (1900m.), there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path drops again to the river and we cross a another suspension bridge and arrive at Dharapani.

After having breakfast at guest house, we start our trekking at first light after a cupper through a narrow field from the village, the Dudh Khola, which originates from the south face of Manaslu, The Marsyangdi River then veers to the left, and as Annapurna II becomes visible ahead, we arrive at Bagarchhap, a Bhote village with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze around Buddhist monastery, continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, we pass through Danaque (2210m.).

There comes a small wooden bridge which makes us follow a steep ascending path up to Timang village which lies at the bottom of Lamajung Himal & then the trail goes through a flat level until we reach Chame.

After having breakfast at guest house, We start our trekking from Lamjung Himal (6893m) as we see it glittering in the morning sunshine with the first rays hitting us warmly in the face, & we set off for Pisang, The mountain disappears as we climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard.

We continue through fir and pine forest, climbing to a high, rocky area as the opposite bank becomes an impassable cliff. From this point the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as we follow the path to Bratang (2950m.) then a short climb from the village brings us to a rock-strewn area where we cross a wooden bridge and follow a high, winding path, before crossing back to the right bank again.

We now trek through a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up wonderful vistas & then we come to a long mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang.

After having breakfast at guest house, we start our trekking with climbs to steep ridge which affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak (7145m.). Descending past Manang's airstrip at Humde (3320m.) will arrive & then we come to a level area from where the north-east face of Annapurna III rises to the skies above us. From the wide plains of the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna IV (7525m.) also becomes visible.

Just beyond this point we cross the considerably reduced flow of the Marsyangdi Khola via a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji. Cultivated fields appear on both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy mountain.

We see the village of Braga with its splendid monastery, Large Chortens and mani walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us, then after a short steep climb we will reach Manang.

This also gives our lungs a breather while we rest our weary bones a bit till we do some short hikes to get used to the thin air as we slowly go to the higher elevations.

Today, we hang around town; this is an important rest and acclimatization day before crossing the Thorung La. There are optional day walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurna, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley.

There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association [HRA] aid post in the village which makes for an interesting and educational visit. Moreover you can visit Ganagapurna Glacier Lake to make your rest day a memorable one.

We start our trek after having breakfast at guest house, today the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through Gunsang (3960m.) village, En route, we will see panoramic views all the day and it seems it is short hiking, however, we will feel a bit fatigued as we are going higher and into less oxygen air.

After having breakfast at guest house, we start our trekking with a climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marsyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge, after a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, you follow a narrow trail across an unstable spree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi.

Today, we start our trekking quite early in the morning crossing the Thorung La (5416m.), The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path is well defined, No trail hassles down here.

The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, we will reach the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. The views are dramatic to say the least, from the snow-covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which are spread out before us.

The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding 1600m but it's compensated for with excellent views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines.

This morning, we will go visit the famous temple of Muktinath and return to the lodge then have breakfast and begin the trek descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet.

After passing through Jharkot and Khingar villages with typical Tibetan architecture, we follow path steeply down to Kagbeni, a primitive village famous for Tibetan architectures and there is a monastery hereabouts said to have been built in the 15th Century the Kagbeni is the border for Upper Mustang, have a lunch in Kagbeni.

We continue trek with flat path along the banks of dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone and arrive Jomsom.

After having breakfast at lodge, We begin our trek Kalopani through Marpha. Marpha is rich in cultivating apples & this is where our apple pies originate from, The apple brandy available there is famous among the local folks and travelers.

Then we continue trek to Kalopani.

After having breakfast at lodge, we start the trek and the trail descends steeply up to Rupse Chhahara (Rupse Waterfall) which is amazing to look at.

There is situated the deepest gorge of the world between two massif mountains Annapurna I (8091m.) in east and Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) in west facing each other near Rupse Waterfall, Now the trail ascends slightly to Tatopani through different settlements, check in to the lodge and will have time to go and take bath on the natural hot spring.

After having breakfast at lodge, we start our trekking by passing through flat level of the land at some distance. Then the trail begins ascending steeply for at least one hour then goes up through different villages inhabited by the people of different caste and a lot of agricultural land that shows this village is pretty well off.

The majority of the people here are Gorkhalis who serve in the Indian army. Then the trail ascends gently all the way to Ghorepani passing through small villages like Phalate, Chitre and so on.

While trekking you pass through rhododendron forests and come across the wild life such as monkeys and birds of various species. You are accompanied by more panoramic views of different mountains.

We will start our trekking with an early morning hike to Poon Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over Himalayas including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhre (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks.

We then return to the lodge and have breakfast, we again follow gradual descending path through the forests of rhododendron and oak up to Banthanti, It is a small village where you can haul up for hot and cold drinks. Then the trail descends to Ulleri (1960m.), a big Gurung village where we will enjoy the views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli. From here the trail up to Tikhedhunga is steeply descending passing through terraces and some robust villages.

Today is the last day of our long Annapurna Circuit Trek and it is a pretty easy hike as well. The trails gradually descend following Bhurung Khola (Bhurung Stream) all the way to Birethanti before we cross the Modi Khola over the suspension bridge a short walk & we reach Nayapul, where our vehicle will be waiting to drive us back to Pokhara.

We take a tourist bus at 7 AM to drive to Kathmandu and the drive will be fantastic along many satellite towns on the way. And we are able to see healthy settlements, Rivers, terraces and landscapes, after 6 hours driving we will arrive at Kathmandu.

If you want to take other tours in Nepal such as Chitwan Jungle Safari, Pokhara Day Tour or Lumbini tour then you can start from today and do let us know if you want to take any tour as we also arrange those tours.

OUTFITTER NEPAL feels honored to have met you & served you. You counted on us & we reckon we didn’t let you down.

We know you’ve enjoyed your vacation & we hope the relationships built up over the weeks will translate into a warm & mutual friendship in the years ahead. Please do remember us. Bon Voyage & take care!!!.