Annapurna Circuit Trek (17 Days)

    Annapurna Circuit Trek

    Basic Info ( Annapurna Circuit Trek 17 Days ) $ 1250 per person

    Duration 17
    Group Size 2 or more
    TransportaionPrivate car & Tourist bus
    Altitude 4,600m/15,092ft
    Accomodations Hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara, Tea House/Lodge during trek
    Best Seasons Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November)
    Activities Trekking, Hiking
    Meals Welcome and Farewell dinner at Katmandu, All meals during treks

    Basic Intro

    Annapurna Circuit trek allows you to explore the vicinity of the inner Mustang that takes us from 830m/2,723ft to 5,416m/17,769ft through the deep valleys and high mountains encircling the giant Annapurna Himal. Annapurna region is the finest explained as the most happening enticement trekking trail of about 300 km trails in the Annapurna mountain ranges in the Nepal Himalayas. Annapurna is a Sanskrit word that literally means ‘ Goddess of the Harvests.’ The world's 10th tallest mountain Annapurna, is surrounded by many Himalayan ranges which include the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre - the famous fish-tail mountain that dominates the skyline above Pokhara. In addition, this area possesses the Kali Gandaki, the world's deepest gorge.

     

    This trek starts right from Besishahar which is 7 hours drive from Kathmandu city and goes along the Marshyangdi River, with a great view of Manaslu and Himal Chuli. The trek accomplishes an altitude of 5,416m at the Thorung La pass, connecting the periphery of the legendary Tibetan plateau. We will trek to the sacred Hindu Temple, ’Muktinath’ (place of salvation) from Manang Valley. On other days we will trek down further to reach Marpha, a charming village with mesmerizing apple gardens. We will trek down to Poonhill, a vantage to see the Annapurna and its range after that we will trek down to reach the natural charming city of Pokhara via Ghandruk (a typical Gurung village) where we end our trek.

    Day 01: Arrival, transfer to Hotel 

    Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation 

    Day 03: Kathmandu - Besisahar [800 m/2624]: 8-9 hrs drive 

    Day 04: Besisahar – Bahundanda (1,310m.) 5-6 hours walk 

    Day 05: Bahundanda – Chamje (1,430m.) 5-6 hours walk 

    Day 06: Chamje – Dharapani (1,920m.) 4-5 hours walk 

    Day 07:  Dharapani to Chame [2,710m/8,891ft]: 5 - 6 hrs 

    Day 08: Chame - Pisang [3,300m/10824ft]: 5-6 hrs 

    Day 09: Pisang to Manang (3,500m/11,482ft), 4-5 hrs walk 

    Day 10: Manang: Rest (Acclimatization day) 

    Day 11: Manang – Letdar (4,250m.) 4-5 hours walk 

    Day 12: Letdar - Thorong Phedi [4,600m/15,092ft]: 3-4 hrs 

    Day 13: Thorong Phedi –Thorong La - Muktinath [3,800/12,467 ft]: 7-8 hrs

    Day 14: Muktinath - Jomsom [2,670m/8,760ft]: 4-5 hours 

    Day 15: Jomsom - Pokhara [2530 m/8300 ft]: 7-8 hours 

    Day 16: Pokhara - Kathmandu [1,200m/3937ft]: 6-7 hrs 

    Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu for next trip or to your home 

    Includes

    • All airport/hotel transfers.
    • Three nights 3-star hotel in Kathmandu(Hotel Bliss International or similar category)  and 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in Pokhara (Hotel Crystal Palace or similar category) with breakfast.
    • Welcome and farewell dinner.
    • A full-day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley including a tour guide by private car. (6-8 hrs)
    • Teahouse/Lodge accommodation during the trek with All meals (16 Breakfast, 11 Lunch, 11 Dinner).
    • Jomsom – Pokhara flight with all flight taxes.
    • Kathmandu-Besisahar & Pokhara-Kathmandu tourist bus tickets.
    • An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide), assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide), and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, food, and lodging.
    • Four seasonal sleeping bags, and a trekking map (sleeping bags are to be returned after trip completion).
    • All necessary paperwork and permits (National Park permit, TIMS).
    • A comprehensive medical kit.
    • All government and local taxes.

    Not Includes

    • Nepal Visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs).
    • International airfare to and from Kathmandu entrance fee during the sightseeing in Kathmandu.
    • Private vehicle (Kathmandu-Besisahar and Pokhara-Kathmandu cost $120 one way).
    • Excess baggage charges.
    • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara(and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary).
    • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
    • Travel & Health Insurance – Emergency Helicopter Rescue Insurance (Most recommended).
    • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc).
    • Tips for guides and porters.
    Arrival, transfer to Hotel

    Day 1 : Arrival, transfer to Hotel

    According to your flight details, you will be accosted by our representative at the international airport with your name and Himalayan Club Tours and Travel written on it. Then, we will assist you in transferring to the Hotel where you will be heartened by tea/coffee. In the evening we will have a welcome dinner sorted by our team to get to know each other. Lastly, we will spend overnight in Kathmandu.
    Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

    Day 2 : Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

    After a short inauguration with our tour guide, today we are having a tour of Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage site with our tour guide which includes Pashupatinath Temple “Nepal's biggest Hindu temple”. It is also a place for the body crimination of the Hindu religion. Then we drive to Bouddhanath Stupa which is nearby Pashupatinath temple. Bouddhanath is the Asian biggest stupa. It was mangled by an earthquake in 2015 AD however, it has been completely utterly repaired recently. Then we will drive to Swayambhunath Stupa, widely known as “Monkey Temple”. This stupa is on a hammock from where we can see the entire Kathmandu valley. At last, we will drive to Patan Durbar Square, “Ancient Royal Palace”. Inside the square, you will get a fortuity to view different Hindu temples which are Bhimsen Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Taleju Bhawani Temple, and Krishna Temple which are the prominent temples among them. Besides that, you can also explore the Newar architecture, arts, and culture where our tour guide will help you by narrating the history of distinct places. In the evening we will have a meeting with our trekking guide, he will help us with our trekking preparations and also check our equipment for trekking. All-inclusively we will spend overnight in Kathmandu.
    Kathmandu - Besisahar [800 m/2624]: 8-9 hrs drive

    Day 3 : Kathmandu - Besisahar [800 m/2624]: 8-9 hrs drive

    After breakfast, we will drive to Besisahar from Kathmandu which will take around 8 hours by local bus. Besisahar, the well-heeled town of the British Gurkhas is one of the diverting places that will give you giving you ample opportunities to know the local lifestyle and how locals live up to drive through these winding roads in local buses which are often enormously packed. Overall, we will stay overnight in Besisahar.
    Besisahar – Bahundanda (1,310m.) 5-6 hours walk

    Day 4 : Besisahar – Bahundanda (1,310m.) 5-6 hours walk

    Today after having breakfast we will kick off our first-day trek with a ball of fire. We will commence our trek from Besisahar and walk to Bahundanda where we will squander our first night which will take around 5 hours.
    Bahundanda – Chamje (1,430m.) 5-6 hours walk

    Day 5 : Bahundanda – Chamje (1,430m.) 5-6 hours walk

    After breakfast, we will pursue our trek and walk to Chamje for around 5-6 hours. After the trail, we will reach the adjacent descent down to the famous Marshyangdi River. Then it will finally take us to Chamje where we will soccupy the 2nd night of the trek.
    Chamje – Dharapani (1,920m.) 4-5 hours walk

    Day 6 : Chamje – Dharapani (1,920m.) 4-5 hours walk

    We will infiltrate the breathtaking valley of the Manang district by passing villages and small terraced farms of barley, potatoes, and corn. At the climax part of the trek, we will vacate the farms behind us as we enter the rhododendrons and bamboo forest. We will stay overnight in Dharapani after the trekking for 4–5 hours.
    Dharapani to Chame [2,710m/8,891ft]: 5 - 6 hrs

    Day 7 : Dharapani to Chame [2,710m/8,891ft]: 5 - 6 hrs

    From Dharapani we will set up a gradual trial to Bagarchap and eventually get to another settlement of Danagyu. Next, we will climb through the amazing woodland trail to the village of Timing for lunch. After having lunch once again we will kick off with a gradual trail and drop all the way to Thanchok and at length reach the pleasing settlement of Chame, the administrative headquarters of Manang district.
    Chame - Pisang [3,300m/10824ft]: 5-6 hrs

    Day 8 : Chame - Pisang [3,300m/10824ft]: 5-6 hrs

    Leaving Chame we will cross the suspension bridge and stroll a gradual trial with apples, peaches, orchards, etc., that will take us to the village of Talekhu. Now the valley starts opening up and we will walk the broader version of the trail to Brathang, legend says that it used to be the settlement for Khampas (the Tibetan warriors). Soon we will walk to the forested trail of pine and fir to Dhukure Pokhari (holy pond) for lunch. The next hour and a half of beautiful trail lands us in Pisang.
    Pisang to Manang (3,500m/11,482ft), 4-5 hrs walk

    Day 9 : Pisang to Manang (3,500m/11,482ft), 4-5 hrs walk

    Today we will make our way to the major village of the Manang District. There are two ways to reach Manang either we should take the upper trail as it offers us the best views of the mountains from where we can see Annapurna massive to the south or take the mysterious Mustang to the north. We will also take a look at Barge Monastery, the largest monastery in Manang District. The environment will become colder and drier as we climb upwards so we should hike faster as it will take around 5 hours to reach the Manang where we will disburse overnight.
    Manang: Rest (Acclimatization day)

    Day 10 : Manang: Rest (Acclimatization day)

    We will spend the day in Manang to acclimatize our bodies to the elevation. Acute mountain sickness could be a serious problem in the mountains so, it is important to take a day's rest here. However it will not be only a day of rest, we recommend visiting around or take a short hike nearby.
    Manang – Letdar (4,250m.) 4-5 hours walk

    Day 11 : Manang – Letdar (4,250m.) 4-5 hours walk

    The walk from Manang to Letdar is not very long but since we reach the limit in terms of altitude, we will walk only for 4 to 5 hours at the maximum that's why we will begin late and will walk slowly and we will go through the stone walls and exit Manang. Soon the valley opens up and the views of the mountains get bigger and broader, depending upon the season if we are lucky you may also get opportunity numbers of yak herdings in the field and explore the extinct yaks of the mountain reasons. We will also stop at Yak Kharka to enjoy watching the Yak grazing in vast fields over tea or just for a break. We will walk further about an hour and call it a day in Letdar and will spend overnight in Letdar.
    Letdar - Thorong Phedi [4,600m/15,092ft]: 3-4 hrs

    Day 12 : Letdar - Thorong Phedi [4,600m/15,092ft]: 3-4 hrs

    We will continue with the gradual trail and cross a footbridge, a short steep climb to the ridge, and then take a short break for tea at a Tea shop. Then for the other 45 min, we will walk through the technical landslides trail that takes us to the Thorang phedi. Overnight at Thorang Phedi.
    Thorong Phedi –Thorong La - Muktinath [3,800/12,467 ft]: 7-8 hrs

    Day 13 : Thorong Phedi –Thorong La - Muktinath [3,800/12,467 ft]: 7-8 hrs

    The early morning trek is required to assault the Throng La Pass, as it is the toughest leg of the trail. The trail goes steeply upwards to High Camp with brief stops in between the passes. After crossing all the passes we will reach the top of Thorang La pass, which is the highest point of the trek. You can spend some time here and start descending the other way towards the Muktinath.
    Muktinath - Jomsom [2,670m/8,760ft]: 4-5 hours

    Day 14 : Muktinath - Jomsom [2,670m/8,760ft]: 4-5 hours

    After breakfast we will start our trek towards Jomsom. This is the last day of trek where we will be going to one of the most developed city of Mustang district. Overnight in Jomsom.
    Jomsom - Pokhara [2530 m/8300 ft]: 7-8 hours

    Day 15 : Jomsom - Pokhara [2530 m/8300 ft]: 7-8 hours

    After breakfast we will drive to Pokhara by local jeep. It will be a long journey by jeep as it take almost 7 hours to reach the beautiful city Pokhara.
    Pokhara - Kathmandu 6-7 hrs drive

    Day 16 : Pokhara - Kathmandu 6-7 hrs drive

    We drive to Kathmandu early in morning in cozy tourist bus by following the same Prithivi highway. While driving we can see river on the left while high hills on the right side. In evening we have a farewell dinner with our office team leader where you can share your experience about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Overnight at Kathmandu.
    Departure from Kathmandu for next trip or to your home

    Day 17 : Departure from Kathmandu for next trip or to your home

    Last day in Nepal our office staff will drop you at the airport 2 hours before your actual flight, with some eidetic and indelible memories about us along with notable moments about trekking.

    Equipment List

    Head:

    • Sun hat or scarf
    • Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
    • Sunglasses with UV protection

    Lower Body: 

    • Lightweight cotton long pants/ Hiking shorts
    •  Fleece or wool pants (seasonal) 
    • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

    Feet :

    • Thin, lightweight inner socks 
    • Thick, warm wool hiking socks
    •  Hiking boots with spare laces
    •  Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)

    Upper Body:

    • T-shirts
    •  Fleece jacket or pullover
    • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket 
    • Down vest and/or jacket 

    Hands: 

    • Lightweight gloves

    Accessories:

    • Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F
    • Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
    • Trekking Bags/Duffel bag
    • Basic First Aid Kit
    • Large plastic bags
    • for keeping items dry inside the trekking bag
    • Trekking Poles
    • Water bottles
    • Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet paper, etc)

    Toiletries (it’s up to your comfort label):

    • 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
    • Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
    • Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
    • Deodorants
    • Nail clippers
    • Face and body moisturizer
    • Feminine hygiene products
    • Small mirror

    Personal Hygiene (it’s up to your comfort label):

    • Wet wipes (baby wipes)
    • Tissue /toilet roll
    • Anti-bacterial hand wash
    • Diamox (Drugs for altitude sickness incase)
    • Water purified pills

    Extras/Luxuries (it’s up to your comfort label)

    • Binoculars (optional)
    • Reading book
    • Journal & Pen
    • Pencils and small notebooks
    • Travel games i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble

    Useful Information

    Autumn (Sept. to Nov.) and Spring (March to May) are the best seasons for the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The weather is sunny and warm with outstanding views. If you wish to avoid crowds and enjoy some alone time with nature then taking this trip during winter (Dec., Jan., and Feb.) could also be an option. However, the temperature during winter could be harsh for most guests. Trekking in the Summer or Monsoon seasons (June to Aug.) will be affected by rain but the Summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist.