Annapurna Circuit Trek - experience of geodiversity

Itinerary

SHORT ITINERARY

• Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule(800m/2,624ft), Driving Distance: 185km, (9-10 hours).

• Day 02: Trek from Bhulbhule to Jagat(1,300m/4265ft), Walking Distance, 16km, (6 - 7 hours).

• Day 03: Trek from Jagat to Dharapani(1,860m/6,102ft), Walking Distance: 15km, (7-8 hours). 

• Day 04: Trek from Dharapani to Chame(2,670m/8,760ft), Walking Distance: 15km, (7-8 hours).

• Day 05: Trek from Chame to Pisang(3,300m/10824ft), Walking Distance: 13.7km, (5 - 6 hours).

• Day 06: Trek from Pisang to Manang(3,540m/11,614ft), Walking Distance: 15.7km, (6 - 7 hours).

• Day 07: Acclimatization day at Manang (3,540m/11,614ft).

• Day 08: Trek start from Manang to Yak Kharka (4,018m/13,182ft), walking Distance: 10.4km, (3-4 hours).

• Day 09: Trek from Yak Kharka to Throng Phedi (4,450m/14,600), Walking Distance: 703km, (4-5 hours). 

• Day 10: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath(3,760/12,336ft) via Throng La (5,416m/17,779ft), Walking Distance: 15km, (7-8 hours).

• Day 11: Trek from Muktinath to Marpha(2,670m/8,760ft), Walking Distance: 23km, (6-7 hours).

• Day 12: Drive from Marpha to Tatopani(1,190m/3,904ft), Driving hours 5-6 hours.

• Day 13: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani(2,874m/9,429ft), Walking Distance: 16.9km, (7-8 hours).

• Day 14: Ghorepani to Poon hill(3,210m/10,532) hike and trek to  nayapul   (2,706m/8,878ft), Walking Distance: 10.7km, (5-6 hours). and drive to pokhara.

• Day 15: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu(1,300m/4,265ft), Driving Distance: 200km, (5-6 hours).

DETAIL ITINERARY.

• Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule (800m/2,624ft), Driving Distance: 185km, (9-10 hours): Today, in the morning our guides will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the bus station to catch a bus to Besisahar. The bus will head towards the west of Kathmandu valley and continue the journey towards the western part of Nepal till Dumre following the Prithvi Highway. On reaching Dumre, the bus will head towards the north to Besisahar.  After Finishing Permit check at besisahar thebus forwards to Bhulbhule and rest for the day.

• Day 02: Bhulbhule to Jagat (1,300m/4265ft): 6 - 7 hours. this our first day of trek, follows the east bank of marshyangdi river towards Ngadi village passing through 60m waterfall tropical trees and terrace farm with continiuing view of Manaslu, Hiunchuli and Ngadi Chuli. walk of few hours crossing Sisneri khola and lampata we need  climb 15minutes steep to reach Bahundad for our lunch stop. After lunch and little rest trails follows down hills , terrace farm and up hills to reach  beautiful Gyarmu village.From ghyarmu little downhill walk and crossing of tremondous suspension bridge  takes us to Synge. From here gradually ascent offroads motors trails walk takes us to Jagat which is our rest spot of the day.

• Day 03: Trek from Jagat to Dharapani (1,860m/6,4102ft), Walking Distance: 15km, (7-8 hours):Today after breakfast, we take gradually ascent trail for couples of hour to chyamje.From Chamje a short walk brings to a suspension bridge over the raging Marshyangdi river, after crossing the bridge it's another steep climb for another 2-3 hours till Tal, the village is situated on the gorge-valley by the side of the river Marshyangdi and decorated with beautiful waterfall & sandy spread river. Further trek follows the upstream up to the Dharapani, which is through the rocky trails and crossing few suspension bridges and small teashops bring you at quite large village at Dharapani for the overnight at hotel.

• Day 04: Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2,670m/8,760ft), Walking Distance: 15km, (7-8 hours):We continue our trek further to Chame. From where changing the vegetation, people and the landscapes changes and the air will get cooler, the trail then climbs through pine forests to Bagarchhap, the first village on the trek with typical Tibetan architecture. After a pleasant walk to Bagarchhap, the altitude slowly gains as we come at Danaque and to the alpine region passing through farm, orchards and beautiful pine forest with views of towering peaks of Lamjung and Annapurna II, the trail follows the river Marshyangdi upstream passing by the villages of Latamanang and Koto before further half an hour brings you at Chame for overnight at the hotel. This is head quarter of Manang district with grand view of Annapurna II.

• Day 05: Trek from Chame to Pisang(3,300m/10824ft), Walking Distance: 13.7km, (5 - 6 hours):The trails leads from the other side of the river on the northern bank passes through pine woods and small villages with few ups and downs till you reach the orchard village of Bhartang for apple garden. We continue on the gradual path up to a bridge, from the bridge a short steep climb through the pine forest brings you at the top of the ridge of Dhukur Pokhari for the lunch. After walking out of the tree line a great view of Pisang peak on the north and the Chulu peak can be seen with Pisang village below you, from this top a gentle descent of one hour brings you to windswept village of Pisang for overnight. Evening we visit upper Pisang Village and monastery with panoramic view of the Annapurna range and valley.

• Day 06: Trek from Pisang to Manang(3,540m/11,614ft), Walking Distance: 15.7km, (6 - 7 hours):The trek starts with pleasant walk through pine forest and the scenic view. The walk climbs gently up for half an hour and reaching the top, stop at a ridge to get our first view of the Manang valley, This grand spot offers a spectacular views of the valleys, Humde village with it's short air-strip and the great peaks of Gangapurna, Annapurna II & III, Tilicho and on the right Chulu east, on the back Pisang peak. The walk forward to Humde and pleasant walk up to the Braga village for traditionally built up Tibetans style of houses and if can be visited the monastery, it has an outstanding display of statues, Thanka paintings and the religious manuscripts. From here it is only an hour walk to Manang for the overnight.

• Day 07: Acclimatization day at Manang (3,500m/11,482ft).Today is full of rest for acclimatize and explore Manang. The village of about 500 flat-roofed houses is the picturesque set amongst some spectacular scenery -Annapurna II, Annapurna III (7,555 meters), Gangapurna (7,454 meters) to the South - Tilicho (7,132 meters) and the Grand Barrier to the West - Chulu West (6,583 meters) and Chulu East (6,059 meters) to the North. After explore and relaxing day at Manang, visit Himalayan Rescue Association and if needed go for movie show.

• Day 08: Trek start from Manang to Yak Kharka (4,018m/13,182ft), walking Distance: 10.4km, (3-4 hours):After a wonderful time at Manang, the trail leads to a slow climb up for an hour to the Tenki Manang for enclose view of the Annapurna, Gangapurna and Tilicho peak. The track gently winds up offering inspiring views and through terrains with juniper bushes as the only surviving vegetation around this region and will brings you at Yak-Kharka for the overnight.

• Day 09: Trek from Yak Kharka to Throng Phedi (4,450m/14,600), Walking Distance: 703km, (4-5 hours):We start our trek with slow and own pace to get to Phedi. We still have same amazing view of mountains and landscapes. After an hour walk reaches at Ledar and continues to climb along the east bank of the Jorsang Khola, then descends and crosses the stream on a wooden bridge to get a small teashop. We stop for wonderful view and tea breaks, we follows a narrow path across a high, unstable slope before heading to Thorong Phedi for the overnight. Phedi, which means 'foot of the hill', is a common Nepali name for any settlement at the bottom of a long climb.                                                                                                                                                                                        

• Day 10: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath(3,760/12,336ft) via Throng La (5,416m/17,779ft), Walking Distance: 15km, (8-9 hours):Today is longest and hardest day of the whole trip. We start our walk early in the morning with packed lunch and the trail becomes steepest initially and reaches at high camp. Walk on your own pace viewing with sunrise and glimpse of the mountains. We continuing walk to the top takes 3-4 hrs to the Throng top and with a great feeling of victory take a short breaks for picturesque scenery and down to the Mustang part of mountains and the Kaligandaki valley far below to the West. Finally, we made to Muktinath after 7-8 hrs long walk and overnight at lodge.

• Day 11: Trek from Muktinath to Marpha(2,670m/8,760ft), Walking Distance: 23km, (6-7 hours):We visit temple in the morning and continuing our journey descending to the Kaligandaki river valley floor, with a brief stop at Ekle bhatti meaning a lonely teahouse, from here onwards the valley gets very windy path, the walk follows the gentle trail for another two hours till the large town of Jomsom a town and a headquarter of the Mustang region with a small airstrip just above the Kaligandaki River. After lunch at Jomsom further two hours of easy walk towards south east brings us at Marpha for the overnight stop, which is little gem, with whitewashed houses, paved streets and numerous well kept lodges. Here you will have time to celebrate with the local apple products like cider, brandy and juice and dinner with apple pie.

• Day 12: Drive from Marpha to Tatopani(1,190m/3,904ft), Driving hours 5-6 hours:Today, the walk is very enjoyable following the Kaligandaki river down stream reaches another charming village at Tukuche, close beneath the Tukuche peak and Dhaulagiri with spectacular views of Mt. Nilgiri's and the massif icefalls which tumbles from the Dhaualgiri's east face, after an hour walk from Tukuche continuing trek down to Kalolpani village for lunch, and this is another lovely village of more than 30 houses with excellent tea houses and lodge with grandeur view of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri above the beautiful pine forest. After 2 hrs easy downhill brings you long settled Thakali village for overnight at lodge.

• Day 13: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani(2,874m/9,429ft), Walking Distance: 16.9km, (7-8 hours):After spending wonderful day at hot spring we trek down before crossing a suspension bridge over the Kaligandaki river, the path leads by the river for a while just arriving at the junction of the two trails, the other wide path follows the river all the way to Beni. We diverts from here taking the left uphill climb, the first of the climb is quite steep to the top, and continue with farms and villages, from this spot a gradual climb leads us most of the day, leaving behind the terraced fields walking in the dense rhododendron forests and reaching at Ghorepani for the overnight at teahouse. This is a great place for mountain scenery.

• Day 14: Ghorepani to Poon hill(3,210m/10,532) hike and trek to  nayapul   (2,706m/8,878ft), Walking Distance: 10.7km, (5-6 hours), and drive to Pokhara:An early morning start for 40 minutes hike up to Poon hill (3210m/10530ft), the route offers the glimpse of the pleasant rhododendron forest. This brilliant viewpoint provides us an unobstructed sunrise over the high Himalayas and the wide range of panoramic scenery from the far western Himalaya of Dolpo, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna including Mt. Machhapuchre (Fish Tail) and all the way to Manasalu. This is our last day trek after long days and immersing yourself to finish quickly this day. Trek leads through the scenic landscapes and local villages to get steep descend leads us to Ghandrung village for lunch. This is heavily settled Gurung village, a modern village of Nepal. Further an easy path reaches at Birethanthi for lunch, where is the confluence of Modi and Bhurungdi River. After half an hour flat walk will reach at Nayapul. Our trek ends here and drives back to Pokhara lakeside for the overnight stop. Remaining time explore the surrounding lake side area and simply relax at the heart of Lake Town.

• Day 15: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu(1,300m/4,265ft), Driving Distance: 200km, (5-6 hours):Early morning drive by private transfer through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to reach the Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu guide will transfer to the hotel and rest of the time relax or explore the surrounding areas and overnight at hotel.

• We wish you a wonderful Himalayan adventure with us!