Annapurna Circuit Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival Day
Personal welcome at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to your hotel in the tourist district of Thamel. After a short briefing on our trip plans you will be able to go out to explore the local temples and markets.
Day 2 - Kathmandu City Tour
After breakfast we will tour the city, visiting many of the “City of Temples” historic landmarks including Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and the stunning Boudhanath Stupa.
Day 3 - Kathmandu to Besishahar by Private Vehicle
Today we drive out of kathmandu to the start of the Annapurna Circuit at the village of Besishahar. The drive is very scenic traveling though the Nepali countryside before winding up into the mountains towards the start of the trail. 7 hours driving.
Day 4 - Besishahar to Bahundanda
Our Trek starts at the low temperate altitude of 800 metres. We will walk though the lush green fields of corn and wheat as we follow the river slowly up the valley. We will make our way to the Brahmin village of Bahundanda for the night.
Day 5 - Bahundanda to Chyamche
Today we will continue following the Marsyandi River up the valley the landscape becoming steeper at the terraced farmland gives way to steep hillsides. We cross the river over a big suspension bridge and pass many waterfalls on todays walk.
Day 6 - Chyanche to Dharapani
Our trail criss-crosses the river as we climb higher up the valley. As we ascend we will notice the a change in the culture of the people with more Tibetan Buddhists influence. We will stay at the village of Dharapaninow at an elevation of 2160 metres.
Day 7 - Dharapani to Chame
Today our trail takes us up though some dense and beautiful forest. As we emerge from the forest we will have our first good view of the mountains including that of Annapurna II and Manaslu.
Day 8 - Chame to Upper Pisang
We follow the river into a narrow gorge in the the valley where we have a short steep climb up through pine forest that brings us in the the high alpine valley above. As we come out of the forest we will be able to see an almost 360 degree view of striking mountain peaks. We will crossing the river and have a small climg up to the hillside village of Upper Pisang.
Day 9 - Upper Pisang to Nawal
Today we climb up through the beautiful Tibetan villages of Ghyaru and Nawal. As the trail passes in and out of the pine forest we will have amazing views of the Annapurna range. Spending time up in this hillside villages will help our acclimatisation before we cross the Throng La pass in X days.
Day 10 - Nawal to Manang
We have and easy day today as we descend back down into the Marsyangdi Valley ad head to ways Manang. Our trail passes the picturesque village of Braga before arriving at the regions trading hub of Manang.
Day 11 - Manang Acclimatisation Day
We will spend most of today just relaxing and having the look around the beautiful village of Manang. To further help our acclimatisation we will take a small walk up to a nearby viewpoint. There are a couple of small bakeries in the village so take advantage of this luxury before we head further up into the mountains.
Day 12 - Manang to Ledar
Our trail starts to climb up towards Throung La pass and we will cling 600 metres to the Yak herders village of Ledar at the elevation of 4200m for the night.
Day 13 - Ledar to High Camp
Today we climb up the High Camp to put us in the best position to cross Throng La pass tomorrow. It is not a very long climb up the High Camp at 4850m so we will have the afternoon to relax and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Day 14 - High Camp via Throng La to Muktinath
We will leave High camp as early to get the best weather and clearest views from the top of the pass. After just a few hours climbing we will reach the summit of Throng La at 5416 metres where we will take a rest to enjoy the views. From here we have a big descent down into the Mustang Valley and towards the sacred village of Muktinath. We will visit the temple of Vishnu that is a very significant site for Hindu’s many of who pilgrimage from all around Nepal and India to come here.
Day 15 - Muktinath to Kagbeni
After yesterdays long trek we have an easier walk today. We will descend down from Muktinath and visit the beautiful hilltop village of Jharkot where we will visit its old Buddhist monastery. After just a few hours more we will arrive in the historic old town of Kagbeni.
Day 16 - Kagbeni to Marpha
From Kagbeni we will follow the road down the arid Mustang Valley to the busy centre of Jomson. Above us we will be about to see Dhaulagiri being the 7th highest mountain in the world. We will continue down the valley to the cute village of Marpha that is famous for its apple orchards.
Day 17 - Marpha - Ghasa
Today we follow the banks of the Kaligandaki River as we continue down the valley. We pass through the settlement of Tukche were we can visit its monasteries before we comtinue down the Ghasa.
Day 18 - Ghasa to Tatopani
As we continue down the valley we return to greener landscapes of banyan trees and poinsettias. Once we reach the village of Tato-pani (Hot-water) we will be able to have a good soak in the hot pools that give this village its name.
Day 19 - Tatopani to Ghorepani
Today we leave the valley and the road behind us and head back up into the hills. We will climb up through terraced farmland and Rhododendron forest to the hilltop village of Ghorepani. From Gorepani you will have amazing sunset views of the snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna ranges.
Day 20 - Ghorepani to Tadapani via Poon Hill
Before breakfast we will climb from our lodge up to the top of Poon Hill for the sunrise view over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna ranges. Ofter we return to our lodge for breakfast we will descent down through the beautiful bird filled Rhododendron forests to Tadapani.
Day 21 - Tadapani to Ghandruk
As we trek today we will now have nice views of Annapurna South and the ever impressive Machhapuchhre. Our trail continues through the beautiful orchid covered rhododendron forests to the beautiful Gurung village of Ghandruk.
Day 22 - Ghandruk to Nayapul & Pokhara
After over two weeks of trekking you will excited to return to the relative luxury and comfort of Lakeside Pokhara. We just have a few hours walk to reach the trailhead before a short hours bus ride into Pokhara. Once we get to the popular tourist hangout we’ll check into our hotel before heading out for a well deserved meal and a beer.
Day 23 - Return to Kathmandu
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. We will meet up for a final dinner together before we have to say goodbye.
Day 24 - Departure
Transfer to Kathmandu Airport.
Note - If the above itinerary does not meet your needs we can easily adjust this to suit your travel requirements.