Annapurna Circuit Trek

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Welcome to Nepal. A person will meet you at Tribhuvan Airport. They will take you to your hotel. You can rest. Or you can look around the busy streets of Thamel. In the evening, you will have a talk about the Annapurna Circuit trek. You will go over what to expect.

Day 2: Drive to Jagat (1,300 m)

You start early in the morning. You take a nice drive from Kathmandu toward the mountains. The road follows the Trishuli River. Later, it follows the Marshyangdi River. You pass fields on hillsides. You see old villages. You then get to Jagat. This is where your trek begins.

Day 3: Trek to Dharapani (1,860 m)

Your first day of walking starts now. The path goes down to the river. Then it climbs through a forest to Chamje. You will cross a bridge that hangs over the water. You keep going through oak and rhododendron trees. You reach the village of Dharapani.

Day 4: Trek to Chame (2,670 m)

Today's walk gives you the first great views of the Annapurna mountains. You walk through forests of pine, fir, and maple trees. Chame is the main town for the Manang area. It is a busy village. It has amazing views of Lamjung Himal.

Day 5: Trek to Pisang (3,200 m)

The path follows a steep, thin valley. It goes through thick forest. As you walk on, the valley opens up. You see the large Paungda Danda rock face. From here, it is a short walk to Pisang. It has two clear parts: upper and lower villages.

Day 6: Trek to Manang (3,540 m)

There are two ways to get to Manang. The upper way is suggested. This is through Ghyaru and Ngawal. It offers great views of Annapurna II, III, and Gangapurna. The land gets drier and more bare. You are now in the rain shadow of the Annapurnas. Manang is a main village. It has its own culture and great views.

Day 7: Rest Day in Manang (3,540 m)

Getting used to the high air is very important. This helps you cross the pass safely. You will spend the day in Manang. You will take a short walk to a higher place. This could be Gangapurna Lake or a viewpoint above the village. Then you come back down to sleep. This helps your body get used to the thin air.

Day 8: Trek to Yak Kharka (4,050 m)

Leaving Manang, the path climbs steadily into a high mountain area. You pass through the small place called Gunsang. You cross fields where yaks and horses eat grass. Your stop is Yak Kharka. This name means "Yak Pastures."

Day 9: Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,450 m)

Today's walk is shorter. This helps you save energy for crossing the pass tomorrow. You go up to Thorong Phedi. This means "foot of the hill." Some trekkers may go on to High Camp (4,925 m). But sleeping at Phedi is safer for getting used to the altitude.

Day 10: Cross Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), Trek to Muktinath (3,800 m)

This is the hardest day of the Annapurna Circuit trek. You start before the sun comes up. This helps you avoid strong winds in the afternoon. The climb is steep and tough. But the reward is a great feeling of success. You get wide views from the top of Thorong La. From the pass, it is a long walk down to the holy place of Muktinath.

Day 11: Drive to Tatopani (1,190 m)

From Muktinath, you take a jeep or bus. You go down the amazing Kali Gandaki Valley. The land changes. It goes from dry desert back to green forests. The drive is bumpy. But it has nice views. It ends in Tatopani. This word means "hot water" in Nepali.

Day 12: Rest Day at Tatopani Hot Springs (1,190 m)

This is a much-needed rest day. Put your tired muscles in the warm, natural springs by the river. Relax. Enjoy your success in crossing the pass.

Day 13: Trek to Ghorepani (2,860 m)

You leave the Kali Gandaki valley. You start your climb toward Ghorepani. The path goes up through fields on hillsides. You pass villages where Magar and Gurung people live.

Day 14: Walk to Poon Hill (3,210 m), Trek to Birethanti

An early morning walk up to Poon Hill is a must. You will see one of the most famous sunrises in the Himalayas. You get a full view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains. After breakfast, you go down through pretty rhododendron forests to Birethanti.

Day 15: Drive to Pokhara (820 m)

From Birethanti, it is a short walk to Nayapul. Your trek officially ends here. You will take a private car for the nice drive to Pokhara. Spend the evening relaxing by the pretty Phewa Lake.

Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu

You take a comfortable tourist bus back to Kathmandu. The trip takes about 6-7 hours. It gives you a last look at the beautiful Nepali countryside. In the evening, enjoy a last dinner. This marks the end of your great trip.