Annapurna Circuit Trek

Welcome to Nepal. After completing immigration and customs formalities and claiming your baggage, come out of the airport, where our representative will be waiting for you. He will offer you a traditional Nepali welcome and accompany you to your hotel in a private vehicle. He will also assist you in the check-in process. After rest, you can explore the local area and unwind from your long flight.

If you arrive earlier in the day, you can explore the neighborhood around your hotel and get your first glimpses of Kathmandu or visit the Peregrine office. There will be a trek briefing session in the evening where you will meet your guide, discuss the trek, and ensure you have all the necessary trekking gear.

Overnight: The Everest Hotel or similar
Altitude: 1300 m

After an early breakfast at your hotel, the journey begins with a bus ride to your trailhead at Chamje. The drive is delightful as it passes through winding hills and beautiful riverside roads, offering a glimpse of the Nepali countryside. It takes around six hours to reach Besishahar, a small hilly marketplace; here, you will change your vehicles and continue for an exciting off-road drive of about three hours.

Expect the jeep ride to be a bit bumpy as the road on the mountainside is quite uneven. Nevertheless, it is enjoyable as it takes you through beautiful hamlets, rice terraces, rocky cliffs, and deep gorges. Upon arrival at Chamje, check in to your teahouse.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 1410 m

After a good hearty breakfast, your trek begins in earnest today. Your guide will lead you on a beautiful trail with ups and downs. The trail follows the Marshyangdi River, passing waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and lush forests. After trekking for a few hours, you will pass through an entry gate into the village of Taal. The narrow trail opens into the beautiful valley of Taal, where you will stop for lunch. Taal translates to the lake in Nepali. The area got its name when the river was dammed by landslide debris many years ago, creating an artificial lake.

Taal is also the entry point of the Manang district, where a significant section of this trek lies. After lunch, a brief leisurely walk will take you to Dharapani, where you will stop for the night. You will see a Chorten before entering the village, hinting that you are entering the Buddhist region.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 1860 m

As the trial is a bit longer today, we start early after a sumptuous breakfast at your lodge. The course is primarily uphill as you climb up into the alpine land. The trail passes through the scenic villages of Bagarchhap and Danaque. Rising further, you will reach the beautiful Tamang village, where the trail coming from the Manaslu region meets the Annapurna trail.

You can take a tea break here, admiring the beautiful view of Mt Manaslu (8163m) the sixth-highest mountain in the world. Continue walking and pass through the attractive villages of Thanchowk and Koto, where the Nar-Phu trail joins the Annapurna Circuit trail, before entering Chame. A large mani wall with prayer wheels is at the village entrance. Chame is the district headquarters of Manang, with good hotels, Internet cafes, trekking gear shops, banks, and health and communication facilities, among others.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 2650 m

Following breakfast at your lodge, the trail continues from Chame, passing through beautiful alpine forests in a narrow yet steep valley. After crossing the Marshyangdi River on a suspension bridge, the trail climbs up, offering stunning views of rocky surfaces, including the dramatic rock face of PaungdaDanda.

You will reach Dhukur Pokhari, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, cross the river and start trekking toward Upper Pisang. Pisang offers you beautiful views of Pisang Peak and other peaks in the Annapurna Range to your south. The elevation is now over 3000m, and some trekkers may notice breathing difficulties as they enter the area with thinner air. You will stop here for the night.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 3300 m

The trail beyond Upper Pisang lies in the drier rain shadow area. There are two trails to Manang the first is the easy route via the road and Hongde airstrip, while the second is steep through the villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal. You will take the second one as it offers breathtaking mountain views and helps you acclimate to the higher altitude.

It passes through the beautiful settlement of Mungji and the hidden hamlet of Braga before reaching Manang. Manang is one of the biggest villages on the Annapurna Circuit trail. You can find all facilities here. There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) health post to get information about altitude sickness.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 3520 m

Today, you will take a rest day for acclimatization. You have many options exploring Baraka village, Manang village, or going to the Gangapurna viewpoint. The best option is a trek to the Gangapurna viewpoint, which will help you acclimate to a higher altitude.

You can enjoy a beautiful view of Gangapurna glacial lake, Gangapurna glacier well, and Thorong La Pass. Return to the teahouse for lunch. After lunch, attend a lecture on altitude sickness at the HRA health post. The doctors there will advise you on the necessary precautions that you should take to avoid altitude sickness. Take the opportunity to relax and chat with the locals.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 3520 m

The next three days of trekking will be the most difficult as it is an ascent of nearly 2,000 meters to Thorong Pass the highest point of your tour. Beyond Manang, the trail leaves the Marshyangdi Valley and continues along the bank of its tributary JarsangKhola. Consequently, a slow, steady pace is required.

As you gain altitude, the vegetation becomes shorter and sparser as you reach Yak Kharka. The trail offers fantastic views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, TIlicho Peak, and Gangapurna Peak.

After lunch at Yak Kharka, it’s free time for independent activities, relaxing, and a further opportunity for acclimatization.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 4035 m

Today, you will trek to Thorong Phedi or High Camp. It will take 3-4 hours to reach Thorong Phedi or the base of Thorung La Pass, depending on your body and weather conditions. If the trail is snowy, it could take much longer. Walk slowly and steadily, following your guide.

Across the river on the other side of the course, you can see herds of blue sheep and Yaks grazing. There are few tea houses in Thorong Phedi. If you are not tired and willing to go further, you can trek to the High Camp, as it will make the next day’s walk easier. It’s your decision.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 4540 m (Thorung Phedi) and 4880 m (High Camp)

It will be the longest and most challenging day of this Annapurna Circuit Trek. Your guide will give you a wake-up call at 3 am so you can start by 3:30 am. If you start at High Camp, you can start a bit later. It is always wise to cross high passes early in the morning before it becomes windy from 11 am onwards.

The trail is very steep, but it is easy to follow. Crossing if the pass is covered with snow won’t be wise. Your guide will have the final say in that instance. It will take around four to six hours to reach the pass.

At the top, you can see Chorten and colorful prayer flags. A signboard also says you are at the top of Thorong’s pass (5416m). Don’t forget to take a photo keeping the signboard in the backdrop. This is the climax of the trek; take time to recognize your achievement. Remember, this is the world’s highest pass. You can enjoy the magnificent mountain views all around.

The pass divides two beautiful river valleys and watersheds Marshyangdi Valley, where you came from, and Kali Gandaki Valley, where you will descend. After spending some time at the top, enjoy your packed lunch and begin the arduous descent to Muktinath (3800m). Now, you will be more than grateful you brought walking poles. You will reach Muktinath by late afternoon.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 3800 m (Muktinath) (3800m) and 5416 m (Thorong La Pass)

You will enjoy a short excursion to the Muktinath Temple in the morning. It is a joint pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. There is also a holy flame fed by natural gas.

After breakfast, begin your drive from Muktinath to Tatopani. The drive passes through beautiful villages like Kagbeni, Jomsom the district headquarters of Mustang Marpha, Tukuche, and Lete, along the Kali Gandaki river. Upon arrival at Tatopani, check into your teahouse. You can take a very welcome soothing bath in one of the natural hot springs in the village.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 1100 m

Another long day today. After an early breakfast, cross the Kai Gandaki River and start uphill, walking toward Shikha village on the way to Ghorepani. A walk of about an hour or so will take you to a small settlement of Guthrie. You can see lush vegetation and beautiful rice terraces in the village.

Around noon, you will pass through the Ghara settlement at your lunch point, Shikha Village. After Shikha, the trail to Ghorepani is mostly uphill. This steep trail passes through lush forests and rocky sections. The final leg of the walk to Ghorepani is all on stone stairs. The Magar village saddles on a ridge and offers plenty of accommodation options. As it is one of the largest villages in the area, it is always brimming with traders and tourists.

Overnight: Teahouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Altitude: 2800 m

Start the day before breakfast as you hike to the Poon Hill (3210m) viewpoint. This is going to be the last walking day of the trek. Poon Hill, a little above Ghorepani village, commands a beautiful view of mountains in the Annapurna range. As the sun rises, you can enjoy the fantastic views of mountains like Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Himchuli, Annapurna III, Dhampus Peak, and Dhaulagiri, among others. After enjoying the view and taking pictures, walk down to Ghorepani for breakfast. You continue the decent walking to Ulleri and then to Tikhedhunga.

It is an easy walk through beautiful rhododendron forests. You can take lunch either at Ulleri or Tikhedhunga. At Tikhedhunga, board a waiting car and drive to Birethanti, Nayapul, and Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara, check into your hotel. You can find a wide range of pubs and eateries in the Lakeside area to unwind after a long trek in the evening.

Overnight: Kuti Resort or similar (Super Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 3210 m (Poon Hill) and 900 m (Pokhara)

You will be driving to Kathmandu. After early breakfast at your hotel, your trek guide will take you to the bus station and thus your return to Kathmandu begins. We will stop for lunch somewhere along the highway and continue to Kathmandu. The journey takes around seven hours. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, your guide will transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight: The Everest Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1300 m

Your last day in Nepal. After a leisurely breakfast, our representative will transfer you to the Tribhuvan international airport for your flight back home at least three hours before your flight. If your flight is late afternoon or evening, we can organize activities for you on request. Goodbye until we meet next time.

Meals: Breakfast