Annapurna Circuit Trek - 18 Days

Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Attend the group welcome meeting today and enjoy a brief orientation walk around Thamel.

Travel through scenic landscapes, picturesque countryside, and small towns along the way to Besi Sahar. The group will arrive in time for lunch. After lunch, the group will take the local transportation to Chamje along a winding, narrow road. Spend the night at the teahouse.

For almost 2 weeks, we immerse ourselves into the spectacular mountain wilderness of the Annapurna Range. At 8,091m (26,545ft) Annapurna 1 is one of the highest mountains in the world. Its surrounding sister mountains are equally imposing, creating magnificent panoramas from any view point. Throughout the trek we come across isolated mountain communities, each observing different ancestral customs and traditions, resulting in not only a visually superb expedition but also a culturally rich one. Amid the rugged mountain scenery, we meet warm and welcoming locals herding yaks and goats on grassy pastures, and visit their monasteries and temples. Along the way, we see waterfalls of melted snow, cross icy rivers, broad plains, and high mountain passes and reward ourselves with a soak in natural hot springs (you've earned this!). The trekking is challenging, averaging 6-7 hrs a day, often at high altitudes. The highest point we reach, occurring on Day 9, is the 5,416m (17,769ft) Thorung Pass.

Given the dangers of altitude sickness, it is imperative that we take at least 3 days to ascend to this height. A couple of days are also allowed for rest and acclimatisation.

Today, trek from Bagarchhap to Chame (2,670m, 8,760ft). Breathe in the fresh mountain air and climb up along the trail through dense pine and fir forests. Enjoy stunning views along the way of Manaslu and other peaks of the Annapurna range. Have lunch in Thanchok before continuing on to Chame, the district headquarters of Manang.

Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m,10,827ft). Leave the village of Chame behind, walk out past the prayer wheels and cross wide rivers and pine forests on the way to Pisang. As you hike, enjoy stunning scenery, narrow canyons, and valleys with Annapurna Range as the backdrop. Have lunch in the small, beautiful village of Dhukur Pokhari. Arrive in Pisang and visit the village monastery.

Trek from Pisang to Manang (3,540m, 11,614ft). Today, enjoy stunning views of Annapurna Range, pass through the village of Braga, with its ancient monastery from the 8th Century. Then, continue towards Manang village, passing through fields of barley and buckwheat.

Enjoy an acclimatization day in Manang. Set off on a short excursion hike to Gangapurna Lake sitting at 3550m and Choser View Point at 3700m. Have lunch in Manang and explore the village before hiking to a Stupa located in the hills outside of Manang.

Trek from Manang to Yak Kharta (4,018m, 13,182ft). Today, is a relatively short walking day with only 9kms in distance covered. Trek slowly and climb higher as the trail passes through a sparse forest of juniper and scrub. After lunch in Yak Kharka, complete an acclimatization hike in the surrounding area.

Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,450m, 14,600ft). Enjoy a short, but challenging hike today from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi. Begin with a gradual ascent through the alpine landscape and pass through pastures of grazing yak, small chortens, and streams en route.

Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,800m, 12,467ft). Today the group will reach the highest point of the trek. This is the toughest uphill walking day. Keep a slow steady pace and enjoy the views while hiking. After reaching the top of Thorong La Pass (5416m) the group will follow the trail as it descends steeply for several kilometers to Muktinath – an important pilgrimage site for both Hindu’s and Buddhists.

Trek for 2 km, losing 1800m in elevation to then take a a local bus from Muktinath to Ghasa today and take a break from trekking. On the drive, view the contrasting yellow hills against green farmland of the valley floor. See the Kaligandaki, the deepest gorge in the world. Witness the dramatic changes in landscape of the Kaligandaki River and journey past several picturesque villages.

Trek from Ghasa to Narchyang today. Travel on foot through the Kali Gandaki Valley and the lower Mustang region of Nepal. Walk along the Kali Gandaki River and through lush forests of rhododendron, oak, and bamboo. Upon arriving at Narchyang, our host community members will welcome the group. Narchyang once used to be the gate for North Annapurna Base Camp Trekking route. But with the Annapurna Base Camp being shifted to south, the village has remained isolated and devoid of tourism for a long time. In order to boost the amount of visitors to the region, the community has recently been active through Narchyang Community Homestay and started welcoming trekkers to their homes. The community is mostly of Magar Culture and are known for their innocence, simplistic ways of life, and bravery.

Today the group will ascend once again on the trek. Walk through the forests and terraced fields, and climb uphill admiring the stunning views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli along the route. Reach a mesmerizing view of ascending levels of teahouses and lodges with the mountains surrounding. Today's hike will be 4-5 hours.

Today trek from Sikha to Ghorepani (2,860m, 9,137ft). The route is seeped in history and the views of Machhupuchare and the Himalayas from Ghorepani are absolutely unmatched on a clear day. View local villages, teahouses, and settlements along the uphill route.

Enjoy an early morning excursion to Poon Hill for sunrise. Then venture through Ghorepani to Ramghai, enjoying spectacular views of the Annapurna range along the way. Cross through forests, streams, and bridges to reach the final destination, Ramghai.

Take a short hike from Ramghai to Birethanti where our bus will be waiting to take us to Pokhara. Rest and take a well-deserved shower in this lakeside resort town.

We travel back to Kathmandu where the rest of the day is free for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxing in one of the many rooftop cafés.

Depart at any time.