On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, after clearing the visa formalities, and claiming the baggage. Head towards departure exit, where our staff receives you for a short transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed join on the lobby with other members for Annapurna Circuit Trek briefing, provided by our guide, leader. On briefing full information of the treks, and hotels in Kathmandu as well of local cultures with do’s and don’ts. Evening a lovely dinner introduction to Nepali foods with exciting cultural programs.
Morning after breakfast, our city / cultural guide takes you on a tour visiting world heritage sites around Kathmandu city. Includes Old Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard, residence of Living Goddess the Kumari; and to Swyambhunath Stupa with more 2,600 years of history. Then head towards holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath a huge Buddhist Stupa. After an exciting and interesting tour back to hotel, preparation and packing for trekking.
Non-essential clothing and items not required for treks, can be stored in the Hotel or with Everest Adventure Tour.
Morning after breakfast guide will receives you for an interesting drive beyond Kathmandu to Bhesisar town. The drive leads on the main busy highway that links to all parts of Nepal, following the Trisuli River for few hours. Then our road divert from the main highway to reach Bhesisar town for overnight stop. Bhesisar, a large town and headquarters of Lamjung district, an exciting place to explore after checking into a nice hotel or lodges.
From Bhesisar, morning taking a four-wheel drive or similar types of vehicles, on leaving the town outskirts. Following the Marsyangdi River upstream to Khude and Bulbule villages, heading towards Syange. Where drive climbs up to Jagat village and the Chamje, slowly the drive leads to Talbesi. From here enter the district of Manang and then short drive to Dharapani village for lunch and overnight halt. Dharapani a nice moderate village, where Annapurna and Manaslu circuit route joins.
At Dharapani onwards into cooler climate, after a great difference from low warm area of Besisahar town. Morning walk follows into a nice forest of pines and rhododendron above Marsyangdi River past Bagarchap and Danaque villages. A short steep climb to Timang, a large village of mixed hill tribes with Magar, Gurung and Manang peoples. Facing grand views of Lamjung and Manaslu Himal, possible lunch stop at Timang along with grand scenery.
Afternoon walk for few hours following down to Kodo village and then short gradual up to Chame. The headquarters town of Manang district, enjoy the comfort of a nice lodge and explore the town. Observe the local activities and the cultures of Manang people.
Leaving Chame town, crossing over a bridge and then the walk follows into a cool dense forest. Lined with tall hemlock, fir, pines and rhododendron trees to reach Brathang village, the walk continues crossing a bridge. Then climb starts for an hour reaching a high ridge facing grand views of Pisang peak. The top ridge with few lodge and restaurants, stopping for lunch. Afternoon walk on easy downhill to Pisang village for overnight stop in a nice local lodge.
Morning from Pisang a short day walk to reach main Manang village, start the trek with gradual climb. Walking on nice forested path to the top of a scenic hill, offers grand panorama of Manang valley. Includes great views of Chulu and Pisang peaks with Annapurna II, III and IV. Walk down to Hongde village with a small airstrip, continue trek to Braga village, and enjoy tour of the monastery.
Located on top of Braga village, regarded as the oldest monastery of Manang areas, beside interesting visit of the monastery. From the top offers spectacular views of surrounding snow-capped peaks. From here a short walk of less than an hour to main major Manang village for two overnights stops.
A perfect place and right altitude for rest day to support acclimatization before crossing high Thorang-La Pass. Enjoy the day with short hike exploring the village steeped with Buddhism religion and cultures. A few hours hike south of Manang village to Gangapurna Himal Ice fall and glaciers is worth a visit.
Rest of the afternoon have leisure walk around the village and marvel the gorgeous views of surrounding giant peaks.
From Manang main village, enjoying pleasant time with extra day, today another short walk to Yak Kharka. The trail follows past Tenki, the last village of Manang then walk on gradual uphill winding trail to Ghunsang. Enjoy the views of Gangapurna Himal with Chulu West peak, as morning walk ends on reaching Yak Kharka. Located on a wide nice field, which is also a pasture areas for Yaks grazing having few nice lodges. After checking into a nice simple lodge and having lunch enjoy the afternoon at leisure with fabulous views of snow peaks.
Another short day to High Camp of Thorang-La Pass, leaving Yak Kharka on a pleasant trail to a small settlement. The place called Ledar, which is on route to Chulu West peak base camp and towards Thorang-La. Walk follows on windswept terrain with short down to cross a stream and steep short up. As the walk follows on gradual path to Thorang Phedi or base with several guest houses and lodges.
After a short rest a steep climb of less than an hour to reach High Camp for lunch and last overnight around Manang areas. The High Camp with few simple and basic lodge accommodations for trekkers, afternoon enjoy short walk and having rest.
The Big Day of the adventure, start the trek early as possible having good breakfast for the long day walk. Follow our guide on a gradual narrow path, and then climb beings on undulating ups, coming across a small icy ponds.
Having few short refreshing stops, continue climb to reach on top Thorang-La Pass, feeling tired but in great high spirit. The pass is marked with rock cairns and prayer flags, enjoy the mind-blowing panoramic views that surrounds the top.
Overlooking Annapurna, Chulus and Damodar Himal as far towards Manaslu Himalaya range. Includes views of Dhaulagiri and some peaks of Upper Mustang areas, from the top a long downhill to another Phedi. Reaching the bottom of Thorang-La pass, an easy walk of few hours to Muktinath and the village for overnight halt. Muktinath considered as a holy site for all Hindu followers, with time visit the temple premises. Thousands of pilgrims from all over India and Nepal visits every season of the year to pay homage and worship.
At Muktinath enjoy the comfort of a nice lodge facing views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiris peaks.
After a long walk and climb of previous day, today taking an exciting drive through Kaligandaki Valley. The reason for taking a drive is to skip the walk on dusty motorable road, which is annoying and disturbing. Taking an overland will save few days of walks, but not missing the grand beautiful views along the drives.
Taking a four-wheel drives or similar, the journey heads down to wide Kaligandaki River valley to Jomsom. The headquarter town of Mustang district and home to Thakali people the tribes of Lower Mustang. Drive continues past apple country of Marpha and Tukuche, then reaching back into forested area at Kalapani and Lete.
Enjoy the great views of Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri Himalaya at close range, then heading down towards the world deepest gorge. Which is made by the great towering peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, with a drop of more than 6,000 m.
From here onwards towards low warm farm areas reaching Tatopani, a lovely village with natural hot-spring. After checking into a nice lodge, with time to enjoy a bathe and dip in a warm pools of Tatopani.
A long day to reach Ghorepani village, from Tatopani morning walks follows the Kaligandaki River for an hour. The route diverts from the main motorable road, heading up with steep climb to reach a nice village of Ghara. The walk continues through Sikha and Chitre villages and into lovely forest of rhododendron and pines. Finally the long day of more than six hours climb ends on reaching a high cooler hill top at Ghorepani. Enjoy the lovely comfort in a nice lodge, located at the base of famous scenic Poon Hill.
Early morning rise up for short hike and climb for an hour to Poon Hill, a popular and famous view-point. Offers spectacular sunrise over chain of Himalayan white peaks with world’s three highest mountain range. Namely, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu Himalaya with an array of snow peaks, includes majestic Machhapuchare Himal the famed Fish-Tail peak. After a glorious morning sunrise views and breathtaking panorama of the Himalayas, down to Ghorepani for breakfast. From Ghorepani enjoy the last and final day of trekking, as walk heads down to lower warm areas. A pleasant morning walks into lovely woods of rhododendron and pines, the reach Ulleri village. From here a long descent to Tirkhedhunga a place with beautiful waterfalls, then ending the trek at Hille village. Staying in a nice simple local lodge within farm lands of rice terraces with warm temperatures.
After a pleasant and enjoyable overnight around the Himalayan hills, morning a few hours drives to beautiful and scenic Pokhara. The road follows on a dirt road for an hour then joining on the main Baglung and Pokhara Highway. An interesting journey through farm areas and rural villages facing tremendous views of Annapurna Himalayan peaks. Slowly the drive ends reaching Pokhara and transfer into a nice hotels by the Phewa Lake side. Pokhara is a beautiful and leading tourist city of Nepal and probably in whole Himalaya region.
The city blessed by natural beauty of high snow mountains of Annapurna Himalayas with serene lakes of Phewa and Begnas. Afternoon at leisure for stroll around the streets of Phewa Lake side. Pokhara is also famous and popular for Paragliding and various adventure sport and outdoor activities.
As time for short scenic flight to Kathmandu, transfer to Pokhara Airport for sweeping smooth air journey. After a grand panoramic views of country landscapes and snow peaks, then landing at Kathmandu airport.
From the airport, a short drive back to your hotels rest of the day at leisure for individual activities.
Everest Adventure Tour, reserves a free day for the trekkers to enjoy more of Kathmandu exciting cultures and its heritage sites. Enjoy the spare day for shopping or join in for tour to Patan or Bhaktapur cities, worth a visit.
Final day in Kathmandu and Nepal, as time for your international flight for homeward bound or next port of call. Transfer to Kathmandu, Nepal international airport bidding farewell to your guide and staff, after a marvelous and enjoyable adventure on Annapurna Circuit
It is not so difficult crossing over Thorang-La Pass, only in deep snow condition can be quite tough and challenging. More or less it is quite moderate climb with long steep descend. Taking time and having frequent stops will overcome the tough sections and difficulty of breathing. Annapurna circuit an adventure with high pass of Thorang-La of above 5,416 meters high, we have set the itinerary days flexible. Having enough time for acclimatization, as well having shorter days in some parts of the walks. However choosing the right season and with best guide of Everest Adventure Tour will be best to enjoy this exciting adventure.
Trekkers will be surprised to find good food menu of varieties, from Tibetan, Nepali, Indian and Chinese to Continental. Includes long list of snacks and drinks for the customer delights in most lodges on treks. The lodge accommodation are nice and lovely according to the choices of the trekkers. From budget, standard to luxury accommodation, either attached or non-attached bath and toilets.
Trekkers should remember as the trek leads higher areas around Yak Kharka, High Camp and in Pisang village. The attached bath and toilets are not available due to freezing temperatures in the night and morning. Where all plumbing systems freeze, and stops the flow of water which will be filled with ice.
On higher areas the lodge provides rooms with common toilets and bathrooms, which is much better than having in rooms. Due to harsh climate and terrain conditions, where all trekkers should understand and needs to compromise.
However, all lodges are clean with good rooms, having large dining with potbellied stoves to make the environment warm and cozy.
The only simple accommodation and foods will be in High Camp, rest of the major villages and settlements. Provides better room accommodation and range of foods quality.
All lodges have hydro-power to run electricity, but at Yak Kharka and High Camp have electricity, run by solar power. Trekkers can charge their electronic items and gadgets. A fee is charged per hour for each items, as for internet and Wi-Fi, have connection. Depending upon the areas in deep gorge and valley, as well weather wise, can be disturbing with bad receptions. The best place is Chame, Manang and onwards from Muktinath. Other places works well with local SIM, which can be bought in Kathmandu at reasonable cost.
Annapurna Circuit involves high altitude and crossing over 5,416 meters pass. Some days can be quite longer as per ones physical fitness and experience on outdoor activities. The minimum age we allow is above 16 years, and maximum age of 70 years. But all should be in good physical shape and in sound medical health and having medical and travel insurance for this adventurous treks.
As this trek involves high altitude, anything can happen like normal sickness or altitude sickness like AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
All trekkers when booked with Everest Adventure Travel needs to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance. Which should cover expenses of immediate and fast transportation like Helicopter with all medical bills incurred. The Travel insurance should cover in case if one has to use helicopter services, if the flight get delayed or cancelled. The other reasons is if the trail is blocked by sudden landslides or avalanches, as well with heavy snow-fall. Where trekkers have to return back to Pokhara or Kathmandu due to bad weather or unfortunate incidents.
