Annapurna Circuit Trek (21 Days)

    Annapurna Circuit Trek

    Basic Info ( Annapurna Circuit Trek 21 Days ) $ 1300 per person

    Duration 21
    Group Size 2 or more
    TransportaionPrivate car & Tourist bus
    Altitude 4,600 m/15,092 ft
    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 Kathmandu, 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 literary means ‘Goddess of the Harvests.’ The world's 10th tallest mountain Annapurna 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 trek to the sacred Hindu Temple, ’Muktinath’ (place of salvation) from Manang Valley. Other days we trek down further to reach Marpha, a very beautiful village with mesmerizing apple gardens. We trek down to Poonhill, a vantage to see the Annapurna and its range. We trek down to reach the natural charming city of Pokhara via Ghandruk (a typical Gurung village) where we end our trek.


    Accommodation

    After arrival in Kathmandu, we will transfer to your hotel, which is in the peaceful street on the edge of Thamel. We provide you with a deluxe room with a private bathroom and balcony, a Tea/Coffee maker, and toiletries. These hotels are 3-star categories by the government of Nepal. The above package price includes 3-star category hotels however we also provide 4-star and 5-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. But during the trek, there is only Tea House/Lodge which doesn’t have any facility except the twin bed. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, the hotels have 24/7 receptions while the trekking recitations are closed after 9-10 p.m. In some places during trekking, we have private bathrooms but in some areas, there is only a shared bathroom. The entire place has a 24/7 hot water facility but during tea house in the trek, it is chargeable.

    Meals

    For meals we provide Buffet Breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara which is included in the cost. We also serve lunch and dinner from our hotel restaurant where you have to pay by yourself. However, during trekking, we provide three meals per day (i.e. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner per day) from the selected menu as available in the lodge and tea house. Food during the trek is not so well decorated as in Kathmandu and Pokhara however; most of the food is prepared by the local people in their fields. The food is organic, delicious, and quite healthy. We also offer a Welcome and Farewell dinner with our agency team leader with a traditional cultural dance program in Kathmandu.

    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 - Marpha [2,670m/8,760ft]: 4-5 hours 
    Day 15    : Marpha - Ghasa [2530 m/8300 ft]: 5-6 hours 

    Day 16: Ghasa – Tatopani [1,200m/3937ft]: 6-7 hrs

    Day 17: Tatopani - Ghorepani:[2,850m/9,350ft]: 7-8 hrs

    Day 18: Poon hill hike and trek to Tadapani (2540m/8332ft), 6-7 hrs walk

    Day 19: Tadapani - Ghandruk - Pokhara [850m/2,789ft]: 5-6 hrs trek, 1 hr                      drive 

    Day 20: Pokhara - Kathmandu 6 hour

    Day 21: Departure from Kathmandu for next trip or to your home

    Includes

    • All airport/hotel transfers.
    • Three-star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast.
    • Welcome and farewell dinner.
    • A full-day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley including a tour guide by private vehicle
    • Teahouse/Lodge accommodation during the trek with all meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
    • Nayapool-Pokhara by private car.
    • 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 trekking maps (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.
    • International and Domestic airfare.
    • Entrance fee during the sightseeing in Kathmandu.
    • Private vehicle 
    • Excess baggage charges.
    • Lunch and Dinner at Kathmandu and Pokhara.
    • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and during treks.
    • 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 greeted 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 welcomed by tea/coffee. In the evening we have a welcome dinner organized by our team to get to know each other. Lastly, we will spend overnight at Kathmandu.
    Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

    Day 2 : Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

    After a short introduction with our tour guide, today we are having tour to Kathmandu's UNESCO world heritage site with our tour guide which includes Pashupatinath Temple “Nepal's biggest Hindu temple” which is also a place for the body crimination of Hindu religion. Then we will drive to Bouddhanath Stupa which is nearby Pashupatinath temple. Bouddhanath is the Asian biggest stupa. It was damaged by earthquake on 2015 AD however, it has been completely repaired recently. Then after we will drive to Swayambhunath Stupa, popularly known as “Monkey Temple” This stupa is on the small where we can see the whole of Kathmandu valley from there. At last, we drive to Patan Durbar Square, “Ancient Royal Palace”. Inside the square you can see different Hindu temple which are Bhimsen temple, Vishwonath temple, Taleju Bhawani Temple, and Krishna Temple which is the most popular temple among them. Besides it, you can study the Newar architecture, arts and their culture where our tour guide help you to describe the history of every place. At the evening we have a meeting with our trekking guide and make our trekking preparations. And check our equipment for trekking. Lastly, we will spend overnight at Kathmandu.
    Kathmandu - Besisahar [800 m/2624]: 8-9 hrs drive

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

    After having breakfast we will drive to Besisahar from Kathmandu which will take around 8 hours on the local bus. Besisahar, the prosperous town of the British Gurkhas is very entertaining giving you ample opportunity to know how locals live up to drive through these winding roads in local buses which are often enormously packed. Lastly, we will spend overnight in Besisahar.
    Besisahar – Bahundanda (1,310m.) 5-6 hours walk

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

    Today after having our breakfast we will start our first day trek with so much excitement. We will start our trek from Besisahar and walk to Bahundanda where we will spend our first night. It will take around 5 hours to reach there.
    Bahundanda – Chamje (1,430m.) 5-6 hours walk

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

    After breakfast, we will continue our trek and walk to Chamje for around 5-6 hours. The trail next descends down to the famous Marshyangdi River and then finally takes us to Chamje where we will spend the second night of trek.
    Chamje – Dharapani (1,920m.) 4-5 hours walk

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

    Today, we will enter the elegant valley of the Manang district which passes through villages and small terraced farms of barley, potatoes, and corn. At the end part of the trek, we will leave the farms behind as we enter to rhododendrons and bamboo forest. We will stay overnight in Dharapani whereas the total trekking time is 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 start off with 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 Timang for lunch. After having our lunch once again we will start off with a gradual trail and drop all the way to Thanchok and finally reach the pleasing settlement of Chame, the administrative headquarters for 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 walk a gradual trial with apple and peach orchard everywhere 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 be walking 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; we will take the upper trail because it offers us the best views of the mountains. You can see Annapurna massive to the south whereas the mysterious Mustang to the north. We will visit Barge Monastery, the largest monastery in the Manang District. The environment will become colder and drier as we climb upwards. Finally, we would have already trekked for around 5 hours before reaching to Manang for overnight stay.
    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 in the maximum. We will begin the trek late and walk slowly. 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, you might get opportunities to view a lot of yak herdings in the field. We would stop at Yak Kharka to enjoy watching the Yak grazing in vast fields over the tea or just for a break. We will walk further about an hour and spend a day in Letdar and 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 for a short break at the tea shop. Another 45-minute walk through the technical landslides trail takes us to the Thorang Phedi. Overall, we will spend the 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 the High Camp. With brief stops in between, you 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 - Marpha [2,670m/8,760ft]: 4-5 hours

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

    Today walking to Marpha you will get an opportunity to view an utterly different landscape background as Mustang happens to be a desert of Nepal with arid terrestrial. After that, we will leave Muktinath and descend to Kagbeni, the gateway of Mustang with a very cultured Tibetan-style community. We will follow Kali Gandaki, the river older than the mountains and make the world’s deepest gorge, and head towards Jomsom, the administrative headquarters of Mustang and the windy valley of Nepal. Finally, after effortless walk, we will reach Marpha, the valley of apples.
    Marpha - Ghasa [2530 m/8300 ft]: 5-6 hours

    Day 15 : Marpha - Ghasa [2530 m/8300 ft]: 5-6 hours

    An hour's descent will bring you to Kalopani village. Kalopani is another beautiful village with lovely views of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri towering above the mesmerizing pine forest. The final two hours of downhill easy walk for the day will bring you to Ghasa.
    Ghasa – Tatopani [1,200m/3937ft]: 6-7 hrs

    Day 16 : Ghasa – Tatopani [1,200m/3937ft]: 6-7 hrs

    After we leave Ghasa and enter a different district we will try our best to take the earlier trekking route to Tatopani skipping the jeep road. Taking a dip in the pool of Tatopani (hot water). This natural hot spring is an everyday activity for tourists both local and foreigners.
    Tatopani - Ghorepani:[2,850m/9,350ft]: 7-8 hrs

    Day 17 : Tatopani - Ghorepani:[2,850m/9,350ft]: 7-8 hrs

    The trail moves eastward towards the Ghorepani. It is one of the elegant village connecting the Annapurna Base Camp trail. You will continue your walk through rhododendron forest for 3 hours until you reach Ghorepani .
    Poon hill hike and trek to Tadapani (2540m/8332ft), 6-7 hrs walk

    Day 18 : Poon hill hike and trek to Tadapani (2540m/8332ft), 6-7 hrs walk

    A short early morning hike will take you to Poonhill. You can enjoy the surrounding views of Manaslu, Annapurna & Dhaulagiri, along with the sunrise. The trail will descend to Tadapani.
    Tadapani - Ghandruk - Pokhara [850m/2,789ft]: 5-6 hrs trek, 1 hr drive

    Day 19 : Tadapani - Ghandruk - Pokhara [850m/2,789ft]: 5-6 hrs trek, 1 hr drive

    This is our last day of trekking as we make our way back to modernization. The trek to Ghandruk (1,940m) is 3-4 hours. Ghandruk is a cultural village, famed for cultural tourism. From Ghandruk we will make a jeep ride to the lakeside city of Pokhara. Pokhara is a mysterious place with amazing landscapes. Finally, we will spend overnight in the Pokhara hotel.
    Pokhara - Kathmandu 6-7 hours

    Day 20 : Pokhara - Kathmandu 6-7 hours

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

    Day 21 : Departure from Kathmandu for next trip or to your home

    On the last day in Nepal, our office staff will drop you at the airport 2 hours before your actual flight, with some good memories about us and unforgettable memories 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 sandals)

    Upper Body:

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