Annapurna Circuit Trek - 15 Days

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Your adventure begins in Kathmandu, the colourful capital of Nepal, with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. Kathmandu’s rich artistic and cultural heritage is evident through its traditional architecture, where ornately carved balconies mingle with beautiful shrines and temples. If you arrive early, why not check out Durbar Square with its temples, markets and busy atmosphere. Maybe explore the network of street markets and alley bazaars and Pashupatinath. If you have a few extra days in Kathmandu, the neighbouring towns of Patan and Bhaktapur are also well worth a visit.

Start your Annapurna Circuit Trek with a morning drive from Kathmandu to Ngadi. During the journey, you'll see stunning views of the Trishuli River, green hills, terraced fields and the Himalayas. As you trace the Marsyangdi River, you’ll pass through charming towns and Besisahar, the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Arrive in Ngadi by late afternoon, check into your guesthouse and relax as you prepare for your trek.

Keep an eye out for cascades along your trail today as it makes its way through a deep wooded canyon with a few stretches of steep climbing. Wander through rice paddies, follow winding trails through subtropical forest, cross suspension bridges swaying over raging rivers, pass waterfalls of melted snow and climb steep mountain passes. Over the next 10 days, you’ll come across isolated mountain communities, each with different ancestral customs and traditions.

Today’s trek continues through the remote wooded canyon dotted with waterfalls. You’ll be venturing into the Manang district of the mountain range, with much of the trail ascending throughout the day.

As you arrive at the end of the great Marsyangdi Gorge, make a steep climb to Timang. Then, the trail settles into gentler slopes as the vegetation transforms from dense pine forests to drier slopes. The district headquarters of Manang, Chame, is the largest settlement after Besisahar.

Today is mostly an easy day, with a few ascents throughout the day, but the scenery is as beautiful as ever. Follow the trail through a deep gorge, then past the sweeping slope of Paungi Danda. On the way to Chame, stop at a beautiful apple orchard for a tea break. This evening, relax at your teahouse and maybe play a couple card games with your trekking friends.

Trek the northern trail today via the beautiful upper Pisang and Ghyaru. You're sure to come across local farmers herding yaks. Here’s a hot tip – Tibetan yaks take a special interest in people wearing red, so choose your gear carefully today!

Spend a day here to acclimatise by trekking to a higher altitude, then returning to the lower altitude of Manang for the night. Manang, a village of about 500 flat-roofed houses, offers excellent views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna and Chulu East. Visit one of the oldest houses in the area and hear stories that will illuminate the history of Manag and the Mananges as you enjoy some Tibetan tea.

Today will be a steady uphill climb into the alpine region of the mountain range. You’ll arrive at Yak Kharka, ready for an easier day of trekking tomorrow to acclimatise to the high altitude.

Due to the altitude, feel free to take the next section of the climb at a leisurely pace and soak up the great views. Once at Phedi, there’ll be plenty of time to rest and acclimatise to the higher elevations and get you ready for the next part of the climb, where you’ll encounter the Thorung La Pass – the highest point on this Annapurna Circuit.

Setting off very early to cross the Thorung La Pass (5416 m/17,769 ft) – the trail is steep but easy to follow. Reach the peak of the pass, adorned with prayer flags, a traditional stupa (chorten) and stone cairns built by travellers. Stop to admire the view and marvel at how far you've climbed. Farther along, the trail descends steeply as it proceeds towards Chabarbu. From here on, the trail crosses meadows, drops into a deep ravine, climbs out and follows a wide trail into Muktinath – a pilgrimage site held in great reverence by both Hindu and Buddhist populations.

Veer off the main trekking trail today to make a side trip to the ancient village of Purang. Farther up from the village, continue to take the less frequented route and head past another village with a medieval feel to it – Jhong. From Jhong, descend to the Jhing Khola (river), following its course to Kagbeni. After lunch, visit the village of Marpha, where you’ll have time to explore beautifully designed buildings and perhaps try some locally produced apple jam. After, drive to Kalopani. Settle in, gaze out at the panoramic Himalayan vistas, including the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Mountain ranges and Annapurna 1.

After breakfast, depart from Kalopani by private vehicle, taking in the lush greenery of the terraced fields, charming rural villages and the winding Seti River – keep an eye out for glimpses of the Himalayas. Arrive in Pokhara by the afternoon.

Enjoy a free day in Pokhara to unwind, relax and give those muscles a rest after all that trekking. Your leader can provide recommendations for some good things to do. It’s worth taking a boat for a row out on the lake, especially if the weather's fine. Or, maybe hit the lakeside area for shopping and cafe. Pokhara has an interesting historic area as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery. Perhaps visit the Peace Pagoda, with views of the Annapurnas, the famous fishtail peak of Machhapuchhare and back across to Pokhara. You might also like to visit the fascinating International Mountain Museum to learn some amazing tales of past climbing expeditions.

With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time. Pokhara is a peaceful lakeside haven, so if you would like to spend more time here, just speak with your booking agent about additional accommodation.