Annapurna Circuit Trek

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The Annapurna Circuit Trek is still rated as being one of the best trekking experiences anywhere in the world. It is a journey full of surprises around every corner and encompasses the very best of what Nepal has to offer. The complete circuit from Dhumre took in the past between 18 and 21 days and we have to admit it was a better trek then. However the circuit still retains enough for any adventurous trekker to savour. The Manang Valley is one of many reasons to consider this trek, heaped in culture and tradition it provides so many rich Buddhist experiences along the way. Crossing the magnificent Thorung La 5416 mtrs is a worthy challenge and be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna’s, Manaslu and the Dhauligiri massif. ; The Thorong La is spectacular on a clear day with peaks all around you.

Access to each of the major valleys that cut through the Himalayas to the east and west of the Annapurna Massif improves each year as more sections of jeep road are completed. Although the road is not busy we make every effort to take account of this and to avoid hiking on it as much as we can. Nowadays we choose to fly back to Pokhara from Jomsom.

Highlights

Itinerary

Includes/Excludes

Trip Faqs

General Faqs

Rich and varied trekking from the foothills to high altitude above 5,000 meters
Trek over Thorong La (5,416m)
Walk around the Annapurna range of the Himalayas
Gain insight into both Buddhist and Hindu culture.
Visit Muktinath temple
Relax in beautiful Pokhara
Cultural sightseeing tour in Kathmandu

Day 1

Day 01: Kathmandu

A Himalaya Heart representative will welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel where we will go over the trip in more detail and answer any questions you may have.The rest of the day is free.

Day 2

Day 02: Explore Kathmandu - B

Today we spend time getting more aquianted with our surroundings with a full day sightseeing around the Kathmandu Valley touring its premium destinations that have managed to find a place in the UNESCO world’s heritage list. We begin with Swayambhunath climbing its stairs which are said to encompass the 13 paths to reach enlightenment. The Hindu heritage of Pashupatinath is next on our list resonating in the prayers of thousands who visit the temple each day. We head towards Kathmandu Durbar square to witness a historical journey encompassing generations of Nepalese Kings before ending our journey at Boudhanath well known for its sunset views. Overnight Hotel.

Day 3

Day 03: Jagat (1,960m) – B.L.D

Today we leave Kathmandu’s frenetic streets, via our private 4×4 jeep/s to the starting point of the trek. It’s a beautiful drive terraced hills.fast flowing rivers and distant mountain views. Jagat is nestled between the high peaks of the Annapurna’s and Mt. Manaslu – the world’s 8th highest peak. The track leading up to Jagat heads up through the Marsyangdi River Valley with Himalchuli and Ngadi Chuli (Peak 29 – 7871m) looming over the horizon. Fresh air, nice breezes. lush rice paddies and peaceful villages along the way before reaching our guesthouse in Jagat. This is the start of the Annapurna Circuit, and the beginning of our trek.

Day 4

Day 04: Dharapani (1,860m) – B.L.D

We follow a rocky trail following the Marsyangdi River, passing by some magnificent cascading waterfalls as we go. The area is lush green with plenty of wildlife many troops of monkeys. The trail winds progressively uphill to the village of Tal which is the first village in the Manang District. From Tal the scenery starts to change dramatically from the lush beginnings of the trek more jagged and barren. We continue along an impressive, wide valley upwards along stone staircases until we reach the village of Dharapani. Overnight Guest House

Day 5

Day 05: Chame (2,650m) – B.L.D

We continue up the Marsyangdi River, climbing towards the settlement of Timang at 2360m,then continue to ascend through scented pine and fir forest. As the trail ascends through the forest there are incredible views over the valley and of Annapurna II (7937m). Settling in now and really beginning to feel of being in the high mountains of the Himalaya. Onwards and upwards to finally reach Chame – the administrative center of the Manang District.From here there are some outstanding views of Mt. Manaslu (8156m) and Peak 29 (7871m). Overnight Guest House

Day 6

Day 06: Pisang (3,250m) – B.L.D

We exit the village past a long a stone prayer wall and a large prayer wheel heading into deep pine forest. The Marsyangdi Valley narrows as we go and becomes at one with the trail carved right into the vertical rock face. This is incredible,as we pass this point the valley opens up to reveal a majestic mountain vista, where the Paungda Danda rock face towers over 1500m above the trailhead. Local people believe that atop Paungda Danda is the Gateway to Heaven. This impressive view follows us as all the way as we ascend to Pisang. We are suddenly in a very different area with very different people an amazing day. Overnight Guest House

Day 7

Day 07: Manang (3,519m) – B.L.D

This is a truly Tibetan like and an intensely Buddhist area. We continue up the upper part of the Manang Valley. People in this region are hardened and weathered by their harsh existence, very strong examples of what life is possible of. Leaving Pisang, there are two options that follow the Marsyangdi River both of which meet up again in the village of Mungji and Braga where there is a beautiful monastery – we can take either the southern route or the northern route.

The southern route involves a gentle climb that follows alongside the river. The northern route is more demanding, as we need to climb up the north ridge of the valley. The views along the upper northern route of the Annapurna’s are sensational! Overnight Guest House

Day 8

Day 08: Acclimatization Day – B.L.D

Today is a rest day of sorts!! we need it for acclimatization to enable our bodies to get used to the altitude to come. There are a number of day hikes available that offer amazing views, One Possibility is a hike up the hill (400m ascent) behind Manang to visit the monastery. From here there are magnificent panoramic views of the entire Annapurna range and the enormous ice fall crashing down from Gangapurna. Another option is to take a fairly challenging hike to Ice Lake (4500m), which takes about 5-6 hours up and back. Any aching muscles are rewarded with some stunning views of the region.The evening presents the perfect end to the day, just sit back and watch as the sun sets over the Himalayas. Overnight Guest House.

Day 9

Day 09: Yak Kharka (4,035m) – B.L.D

Leaving Manang in the early morning we head towards the base of the Thorung La. Climbing out of the Marsyangdi Valley, We follow the Jarsang Khola. Here we are way above the pine and fir forests below in semi moraine and certainly truly immersed in the beauty of the high Himalaya. It is a shorter day, taking it slowly as we reach Yak Kharka (Yak Huts) – where yak herders bring their animals to graze. Overnight Guest House

Day 10

Day 10: Thorong Phedi (4,540m) – B.L.D

Another shortish day to aid in acclimatization for the push to come. The scenery becomes wilder as we continue ascending the valley. The trail descends to cross the river, before an ascent up to Phedi at 4450m. Phedi in Nepali means foot of the pass it acts as a gateway for our journey tomorrow – the Thorung La. Overnight Guest House

Day 11

Day 11: Muktinath (3,710m) via Thorong La (5,416m) – B.L.D

We are up early to begin our ascent.To begin with it is very steep so it is slowly just one step at a time until we reach the Annapurna Circuit’s highest point, the Thorung La, at a literally breathtaking 5416m. The pass opens up to reveal an incredible, sweeping panorama of snow-capped peaks that extend towards Tibet and beyond. Looking back to where we have come offers some splendid views of the Annapurna’s. A steep descent follows directly in front of us is the impressive Kali Gandaki, Valley the deepest gorge in the world. The way down is long and again we need to take things slowly, following a series of switchbacks we eventually reach some grassy slopes. We pass some more sheep herder huts before after what has been a tough long but extremely satisfying day we reach the holy town of Muktinath ( 3800m). The temple at Muktinath is an extremely important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. It is surrounded by rugged mountain landscapes and with unparalleled views of Dhaulagiri (8167m), the world’s 7th highest mountain. Overnight Guest House

Day 13

Day 12: Jomsom (2,740m) – B.L.D

In the morning we take a visit to Muktinath temple, Many people come here on pilgrimage and it is possible for you to enter and witness some of the religious ceremonies. It is a great example of how two religions can share the same holy place with mutual respect and support for each other. After soaking up the atmosphere we begin our descent to Jomosom for our flight to Pokhara the following day. The valley opens up before us as we drop down. We stop at the fascinating settlement of Kagebeni for lunch before trekking on to Jomsom. Overnight Guest House.

Day 14

Day 13: Pokhara (900m) – B.L.D

Time to say goodbye to what has been a truly amazing experience. After breakfast we go to the airport to catch the flight to Pokhara. The flight is a fitting end to a wonderful trek as we cut through the Annapurnas with inspiring views of both the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan Ranges. Upon arrival at Pokhara and after the transfer to the hotel the rest of the day is free to explore this beautiful lake town, chill out in a restaurant by the lake or go boating .The mountains however have not left us as Pokhara has perhaps the best mountain backdrop anywhere in the world. Overnight Hotel.

Day 15

Day 14: Kathmandu – B

Drive back to Kathmandu and spend time at leisure. There is also the option to fly back to Kathmandu at an additional cost.

Day 16

Day 15: Departure – B

Today its time to move on we hope you have had a great time with us and we would like to meet again in the future. If you are flying today.we will drop you at the airport as per your flight schedule or assist you with any other move.

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Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag ?

You can bring your own light-weight sleeping bag from home or you can rent one in Kathmandu or Himalaya Heart will loan you one. Most tea houses also have blankets you can use; in the warmer months, you may just want a sleeping bag liner to use with the blankets, and in the colder months, you’ll want a warmer winter sleeping bag.

Where can I store my luggage during the trek?

You can leave your additional luggage at your hotel in Kathmandu or at our company office in Thamel. Either way, your luggage will be waiting for you at your hotel when you return back from your trek.

What trekking gear should I bring from home?

You can buy virtually everything you need for trekking from down jackets to water bottles in Kathmandu. There is a variety of branded stores as well as a large selection of copied products mainly in Thamel that are of fairly good quality. It’s still worth bringing your own gear if it doesn’t take up too much weight, especially your own trekking boots to avoid any potential issues when purchasing new shoes.

What kind of trekking boots do I need?

You should bring trekking boots that are comfortable and broken in. There can be some snow at higher altitudes especially when crossing high passes, so it’s good to be prepared for a variety of conditions. Your footwear should be strong and durable. It should have a chunky sole—preferably made of Vibram or another durable material—and should also protect your ankles..

How much should I tip the guide and porters?

Tipping is not required but is expected, and really depends on how happy you were with the service. Guides (both for trekking and cultural tours), porters, and drivers are typically provided with a tip at the end of their service with you..

Do the guides speak English & have first aid training?

All of our guides at Himalaya Heart speak English and have had many years of experience in guiding foreign travelers. It’s a requirement that they all are trained in first aid as well and we carry a first aid kit during the trek.

What happens if I fall ill during the trek?

If you fall ill during your trek, the course of action depends on what’s wrong. If it’s altitude sickness, moving to lower altitudes and taking altitude medication will solve this in most cases; if it’s severe, our guide will arrange for an emergency evacuation by helicopter Himalayan Heart will cover the initial costs then claim from your insurer (be sure that emergency helicopter rescue is covered in your travel insurance it is an essential requirement before travelling with us). If you have stomach sickness or another type of food or water-related illness, our guide will have medication on-hand for most common illnesses.

General FAQs on Nepal:

When’s the best time to visit Nepal?

The main seasons for trekking are the spring (Mar to May) and autumn (Sep to Nov) when you’ll have clear skies and superb mountain views. The winter (Dec to Feb) is also a great time to visit— these months offer a unique experience and fewer crowds but lower altitude treks are better at this time of year as its cold at night.

What’s it like during the monsoon season?

During the monsoon season (Jun to Aug), most of Nepal experiences heavy rain for a few hours each day. It’s humid, wet, and the trails in the lower regions (Ghorepani, Ghandruk, Langtang, etc) can be quite muddy. If you don’t mind the rain you’ll have the trails to yourself, the skies often clear up in the morning, and certain treks offer stone-paved trails that drain the rain and make for easy trekking. Also, certain regions, like Mustang and the upper reaches of Everest, lie in the rainshadow of the Himalaya and receive little rain but views however are still likely to be restricted.

What’s the difference between private and group tours?

Private tours are tailor-made itineraries built by us around your travel dates and personal interests, whereas group trips are pre-packaged and depart on specific dates. Group trips are also open for others to join, whereas private trips are just for you. You will find a list of fixed departure dates on our website.

How do I get my visa for Nepal?

For most nationalities, you can your visa on arrival in Kathmandu. It takes around 45 minutes and is the most convenient way to get your visa you will need passport size photos.. You can also apply for a visa in advance from a local Nepali consulate in your country if you’d like to have everything arranged in advance. Cost15 Days – 25 USD / 30 Days – 40 USD / 90 Days – 100 USD

How much luggage can I take on domestic flights?

For mountain flights, you’re allowed 5 kg. carry-on to the plane and 10 kg. for checked-in luggage. For non-mountain sector flights, the check-in allowance increases to 20-25 kg.

How many days should I spend in Nepal?

If you’re mainly looking to experience Nepal’s cultural and natural highlights, you can have a great experience in 5-9 days, where you can visit two regions (likely Kathmandu and Pokhara perhaps go on Safari at Chitwan). If you intend to go trekking consider at least 10 days (more is better) to have enough time to reach higher altitudes and safely acclimatize if need be.To undertake one of the longer, classic treks in Nepal or to combine multiple regions and activities into one visit, think about 14-20 days and more if possible.

Are hotels included in the tour price?

Himalaya Heart organises complete tours, meaning everything is taken care of from the moment you arrive in Nepal to the moment you leave, including all of your accommodation in a three star Hotel. If you require better accommodation please let us know and we can arrange this and adjust the tour cost accordingly. Each of our tour pages shows clearly what is and what is not included in the tour price.

Are there any extra expenses not included in my tour price?

Personal expenses (tips, soft drinks, bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, donations, and extra snacks, etc) are not included in your tour price. When checking a particular trek page on our website we have clearly stated what is and what is not included. If you’re going trekking, the only things you’ll need to pay for out of pocket are wifi and battery charging (when available), extra meals outside of what’s included, alcohol, and soft drinks and perhaps hot showers.

Annapurna Circuit Trek - 15 Days