Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most popular treks in the world (despite the new jeep road). Crossing the 5416m Thorang-La pass, the trail travels from Marshyangdi to the Kali Gandhi valley while circumnavigating the famous Annapurna mountain range. It is a dangerous passage; the pass, which is frequently icy and frequently extremely windy, is the highest point of the journey. Apart from the pass, the walk is not very difficult despite its duration. The majority of the routes are bridle paths and are rarely extremely steep.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Highpoints: Crossing the Thorung La Pass (5416m); The Pilgrim town of Muktinath; Views of the Dhaulagiri ice – fall; The world’s deepest valley in the Kali Gandaki river; Hot Spring at Tatopani; and Sunrise and mountain views from Poon Hill.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlights

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a classic trekking route that circles around the entire Annapurna massif, offering a diverse range of landscapes, cultures, and experiences. Here are some of the highlights you can expect while trekking the Annapurna Circuit.

Varied Landscapes: The trek takes you through a wide range of landscapes, from lush subtropical forests and terraced fields to arid desert-like terrain and high alpine meadows. The ever-changing scenery keeps the trek interesting and engaging.

Thorong La Pass: The high point of the trek is the Thorong La Pass at an altitude of 5,416 meters (17,769 feet). Crossing this pass is a challenging but rewarding experience, providing stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Panoramic Mountain Views: Throughout the trek, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of peaks like Annapurna I (8,091 meters), Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters), Manaslu (8,163 meters), and many others. The vistas from different parts of the circuit are mesmerizing.

Diverse Ethnic Groups: The trek passes through numerous villages inhabited by various ethnic groups, including Gurungs, Thakalis, Magars, and Tibetans. This provides opportunities to learn about different cultures, traditions, and ways of life.

Hot Springs: The trek offers a chance to relax in natural hot springs at Tatopani. Soaking in these soothing waters is a welcome respite for tired muscles and aching joints.

Muktinath Temple: A sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists, Muktinath is a highlight of the trek. The temple’s religious significance, as well as the surrounding landscape, makes it a memorable stop.

Cultural Insights: You’ll have the opportunity to visit monasteries, chortens (stupas), and other religious sites that offer insight into the spiritual practices and beliefs of the local communities.

Apple Orchards and Marpha Village: The village of Marpha is famous for its apple orchards and locally produced apple products, including apple brandy. Exploring Marpha and enjoying its unique offerings is a delightful experience.

Natural Beauty: The trek takes you through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world’s deepest gorge, and along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. You’ll also pass by stunning waterfalls, rivers, and serene alpine lakes.

Local Cuisine: As you trek through various villages, you’ll have the chance to taste traditional Nepali and local dishes, along with the opportunity to try Tibetan-influenced food.

Jomsom and Kagbeni: These charming towns offer a blend of culture and stunning landscapes. Kagbeni, in particular, has a unique architecture and is the gateway to the Upper Mustang region.

Community-based Lodges: The development of community-based lodges along the trail provides trekkers with comfortable accommodations while contributing to the local economy.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is known for its diversity in terms of landscapes, cultures, and experiences. It’s a journey that encapsulates the essence of trekking in the Himalayas, offering a mix of physical challenge, natural beauty, and cultural immersion.

The Best time for Annapurna Circuit Trek

The best time for the Annapurna Circuit Trek is during the pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons. These seasons offer the most favorable weather conditions and clear views of the stunning landscapes along the trek. Here’s more information about each season.

Spring (Pre-Monsoon) – March to May:

Spring is one of the most popular and recommended times to undertake the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The weather is generally stable and mild, with clear skies and warmer temperatures during the day. The rhododendron and other wildflowers are in full bloom, creating a colorful and picturesque landscape. The views of the mountains are clear and spectacular. However, keep in mind that this is also a popular season for trekking, so the trails and accommodations can get busy.

Autumn (Post-Monsoon) – September to November:

Autumn is another excellent time for the Annapurna Circuit Trek. After the monsoon season, the skies become clear, and the weather is stable. The visibility is excellent, allowing for breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The temperatures are comfortable during the day, and the trails are generally dry. Like in the spring, autumn is a popular season for trekking, so you can expect more fellow trekkers on the trail.

Both of these seasons provide ideal trekking conditions with clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and stunning scenery. However, it’s important to note that these are also the peak trekking seasons in Nepal, so the trails and accommodations can get crowded. If you prefer quieter trails, you might consider trekking during the shoulder seasons—late February to early March or late November to early December.

Winter (December to February) is not the best time for the Annapurna Circuit Trek due to the cold temperatures and snow-covered trails, especially at higher altitudes. Monsoon season (June to August) brings heavy rain and increased risk of landslides, making it generally unsuitable for trekking.

The Best time for Annapurna Circuit Trek

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nepal.:

When you arrive at Tibhuvan International Airport, our guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax for the next journey, see the city’s attractions, or shop for adventure gear in one of Kathmandu’s many adventure supply stores. We’ll assemble our bikes and be ready for the journey in the afternoon.

Day 2: Drive to Besisahar (923m), then walk to Bulbule:

We depart Kathmandu early in the morning to go to Besisahar. We travel via bus that we have booked. The road leading up to Besisahar is passable. Once we reach Besisahar, we trek an additional two hours to reach Bulebule near the Marysangadi River. After a lengthy bus ride, reaching Bulbule is a simple walk. Once we reach our destination, we refresh and spend the night there.

 

Day 3: Trek to Chamje (1410m).:

On the first day of the journey, we traverse several suspension bridges, waterfalls, rice paddies, and woodlands. Once we reach the cliff at Jagat, we can observe the Marsyangdi Khola and the surrounding rocky hills. Today, the beehives above the cliffs are a point of interest. We will soon reach Chamje, where we will spend the night.

Day 4: Trek to Bagarchap (2160m).:

As we proceed past tight and steep valleys, through rhododendron, pine, and bamboo forests, in the rocky folds of a mountain, we reach a bridge that leads to a rapid rise, and then a climb that reveals a valley that is broadening. After reaching the settlement of Tal, we must travel for a while through barley, wheat, and potato fields before reaching Dharapani. From there, we proceed west through fir and pine forests to Bagarchhap.

Day 5: Trek to Chame (2710m).:

From Bagarchhap, we set out in the direction of a Danaque village, followed by a difficult ascent to a Tamang village with breathtaking views of Manaslu, Lamjung, Annapurna, and other mountain splendors. As we travel through a Tibetan settlement that serves as a transition between the lowlands and high hills, we continue a gentle, level path to Thanchowk, Kolo, and then Chame.

Day 6 - Trek to Pisang (3240m).:

First, we travel through the older section of Chame, ascend to Telekhu, and then continue on a long, level path through woodlands en route to Brathang. After rounding a bend in the trail, we must cross a suspension bridge to return to the south side of the Marsyangdi River. The trail next leads us on a modest elevation over a pine-forested slope, before leveling off as we go from the upper section of the Manang valley to Pisang.

Day 7: Trek to Manang (3540m).:

Pisang marks the beginning of the upper region of the Manang district. On this day, the walk ascends to the Tibetan-style settlement of Braga. Here, houses are built upon one another, making verandas with their roofs. The primary attraction is the Gompa, the largest in the district, which features an extensive collection of statues and is placed on a cliff overlooking the entire village. We arrive at Manang, where we refresh and spend the night, after a while.

Day 8: Acclimatisation in Manang.:

As we ascend to higher elevations, we must acclimatize in order to prevent altitude sickness. With its magnificent natural surroundings and afternoon trek to Khangsar, Manang is the ideal location.

Day 9: Trek to Yak Kharka (4120m).:

Now that we’ve rested, we feel refreshed and ready to resume our journey. As we proceed past the tall trees toward the alpine grass and junipers, we reach meadows where horses and yaks graze. The tranquil setting of Yak Kharka, with its meadows and steep slopes, is the ideal place for us to spend the night. We may alternatively choose to walk for one hour to Letdar, where we can spend the night.

Day 10: Trek to Thorung Phedi (4.560m).:

As we ascend along the east bank of Jarang Khola, the ascent to Letdar facilitates acclimatization to the increasing altitude. Thorung Phedi, a meadow surrounded by sheer rocks, is reached after some time. A few sightings of blue sheep and snow leopards have been reported in the region, although sightings of Lammergeyers and griffons are frequent. Here, we spend the night.

Day 11: Over Thorung La (5,416 m) to Muktinath (3,802 m) - 8 hours.:

Today, we will hike for around 7 to 8 hours. The trail is relatively less challenging because it has been traveled for many years, although high gusts in the upper parts could make it difficult. The trail is thought to have been utilized for hundreds of years to transport sheep, yaks, and other commercial commodities into and out of Manang. We arrive in Thorung Phedi in roughly six hours.

After reaching the Thorung la pass, we will be rewarded with stunning views of Annapurna, Gangapurna, and the severely glaciated summit of Khatungkang. Following a 1600-meter descent, we see the magnificent Dhaulagiri in the distance. The trail eventually gets less steep and enters green fields and meadows before arriving to Muktinath.

Muktinath is a place of nirvana in Hinduism that contains a temple and several monasteries, making it a holy destination for both Hindus and Buddhists. The main attractions of the site include the Jwalamai temple, which features a spring and an eternal flame, as well as the 108 holy water fountains. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit these sites.

Day 12: Trek to Jomsom (2750m) via Kagbeni.:

From Muktinath, we descend through meadows, streams, and fruit orchards on a portion of the Jomsom trek before reaching Kagbeni. We wander around the old village before descending. From Kagbeni we reach Jomson, Kali Gandaki valley.

Day 13: Fly back to Pokhara.:

Today we will take you to the airport to catch a short flight to Pokhara. Arrival in Pokhara, hotel transfer and free time for relaxation and your own activities.

Day 14: Travel back to Kathmandu.:

After enjoying the natural and cultural beauty of Pokhara, we start driving to Kathmandu. We finally get to Kathmandu after about 6-7 hours. We can either take a break or go see the sights in the capital city.

Day 15 - Departure from Nepal.:

Today we will take you to the airport to catch your flight out of Nepal.

What's included

• All necessary ground transfers.
• All necessary accommodations as per the itinerary.
• Tea House accommodations during the trek.
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking.
• All necessary paper works.
• All necessary trekking permits.
• Experienced and First Aid-trained trekking guide.
• Strong, helpful porters.
• Comprehensive medical supplies.
• Trekking map.
• Insurance of all local team.
• Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff.
• Sleeping bag and trip duffle bag.
• Trekking certificate issued by us.
• Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

What's excluded

• Nepal Visa fee.
• International flights.
• All meals not mentioned in inclusions.
• Personal expenses not stipulated.
• Optional add-ons.
• Gratuities.

Customer Reviews

Aussie Couple

"Best travel company you can use"

Raj and his team are awesome. Especially after seeing how other travel companies in Nepal have functioned, not only are they on top of everything, but the guides and porters working with the company are treated really well. The morning we were meant to leave for Lukla, the plane kept getting delayed. By 9 am our guides had a chopper organised to take us, where we later chatted to people who only got on one at around 2 pm and ended up hiking in the dark. We also saw multiple porters carrying more than one duffle bag, however, this company limits it to one, for the wellbeing of the porters. I cannot recommend this company enough.

Lisa G

"Amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience"

My dad and myself did plan to trek the Annapurna Circuit from Jagat to Jomsom and booked the trip via Raj and Getaway Nepal Adventure. While organizing everything in advance went smooth from the very beginning, we were amazed by the organisation of the whole trip once we arrived in Nepal – starting with a pick-up service in Kathmandu airport, also wisely chosing our guide and our porter (Manisha and Dai) which both were a perfect match to accompany us on our trekking. Both were very thoughtful and we felt like a companionship from the very beginning, but also very professional when it came to all concerns regarding the hike, like proper acclimatisation, the daily hike and everything besides. Overall organisation has been extraordinary and there hasn’t been anything where Raj was not able to support (even after the trip has finished).

This really has been a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we were so happy to have this with Manisha and Dai. If ever planning to do a trekking in Nepal again (and we would love to do soon) we definitely would book with Raj again and his company one more time.