Annapurna Circuit Trek

Trip Facts

Duration 18 Days
Trek Duration 11 Days
Trek Distance 130 km
Max. Altitude: 5416m. (at Thorung Pass)
Activity Trekking
DIFFICULTY Moderate to Adventurous
Trek Starts Dharapani
Trek Ends Ghandruk

Overview

The Annapurna Circuit Trek stands as one of the most classic trekking routes not only in Nepal but also worldwide. It offers a breathtaking blend of geographical diversity, natural beauty, and cultural immersion. The trek encircles the Annapurna mountain range, which includes Annapurna I (8,091m.), the 10th highest peak in the world, leading you to Thorung-La Pass (5,416m.) and the Kaligandaki Gorge, respectively the widest pass and the deepest gorge in the world. It offers diverse range of landscapes, from humid subtropical forests to dry Trans-Himalayan range. The landscape and vegetation change daily as you ascend. The trek follows two important rivers, the Marshyangdi and the Kaligandaki. It also takes you to Muktinath, a place of religious and cultural significance for both Buddhists and Hindus. Similarly, eternal natural flames and hot springs are also important attractions of the trek.

The trek covers Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, Myagdi, and Kaski districts in the central region of Nepal, encompassing most of the Annapurna Region. In the past, people would start the trek from Besisahar, the headquarters of Lamjung. However, with roads now extending to remote villages, trekkers commonly begin from Dharapani or Chame. The duration of the trek varies from 14 to 21 days depending on the routes taken and any extension trips included.

Special Features of the Trek

  • Trek along Nepal’s most classic and legendary route.
  • Cross Thorung-La Pass (5,416 m), the widest pass of the world.
  • Trek to Kaligandaki River Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.
  • Experience authentic Tibetan and Thakali-style houses and culture.
  • Enjoy stunning views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Mt. Annapurna I (8,091 m), the seventh and tenth highest mountains in the world, along with many other towering peaks.
  • Visit Muktinath, a sacred site where Buddhist and Hindu shrines and temples coexist harmoneously.

Detail Itinerary

Accommodation Hotel

WELCOME TO NEPAL, the land of the Himalayas! 

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will receive a warm welcome from the company representatives of Osprey Adventure, who will assist you with your luggage and guide you to the hotel. After checking into the hotel, the company representative will provide you with a comprehensive briefing about your upcoming trip, including inclusions and exclusions, safety precautions, cultural norms, and other important information that will be useful during your stay in Nepal.

Accommodation Hotel

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Your city tour guide will arrive promptly at the hotel with a private vehicle and driver. After breakfast, you will process to visit the following religious and historical sites, all of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1979 AD.

Swayambhunath is situated atop an elevated hill station in the heart of Kathmandu city, standing 77 meters above the city’s level, providing panoramic views of the entire Kathmandu valley. It is also famously known as “Monkey Temple” among tourists due to the abundance of monkeys found on the site. While primarily a Buddhist pilgrimage site, you can also find a Hindu temple harmoniously coexisting alongside the main temple of Swayambhunath.

Kathmandu Durbar Square, situated in the heart of Kathmandu, is the former Royal Palace of Nepal. “Durbar” translates to ‘palace’ in Nepali. It stands out as one of three durbar squares in the Kathmandu valley. Today, it serves as a key attraction for tourists, renowned as the center of medieval art and architecture.

Within the Durbar Square, your tour will encompass visits to several historical landmarks, including the ancient palace museum, the temple of Kumari (the living goddess of Nepal), Hanuman Dhoka, the Kasthamandap Temple, and the statue of Kal Bhairav.

Boudhanath is the largest stupa in Nepal, situated 11km northeast from the heart of Kathmandu city. Its magnificent size and mesmerizing shape are sure to leave you stunned. Historically, it is believed to have been built in the early 5th century and now stands as a beacon of Buddhist belief. Surrounding the stupa, there are many terrace restaurants where you can enjoy a lunch break.

Pashupatinath Temple stands as one of the largest and most revered shrines for Hindus worldwide. Situated on the western bank of the holy Bagmati River, which flows through the center of the Kathmandu valley, it also serves as a popular cremation site for Hindus. The majority of Hindus who pass away in the Kathmandu valley are brought to Pashupati for cremation, so it is highly likely that you will observe open-air cremations during your visit. Entrance to the main temple is restricted to Hindus only. However, even if you are non-Hindu, you can still observe the main temple from the eastern bank of the river.

 

Drive Distance 255 km
Drive Duration 10 hours
Altitude Gain 520 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

You will embark on a scenic journey through the heart of Nepal, passing through diverse landscapes and charming villages along the way. Initially, you will drive westward out of Kathmandu, following the Prithivi Highway (known as Kathmandu – Pokhara highway). After 5 hours of driving, the road diverges from the main highway and heads towards Besisahar for an additional hour. From Besisahar, the journey continues northwest, passing through rugged terrain and following the Marshyangdi River. After approximately 4 hours of driving from Besisahar, covering a distance of 80 km, you will reach Dharapani.

Trek Duration 6 hours
Trek Distance 15.5 km
Altitude Gain 810 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

Today marks the first day of the trek. The breakfast will be served at 7:00 am, and the day’s journey begins right after. You will be given a briefing to pack your luggage before breakfast, which will remain your usual routine until the trek ends. The journey beings by following the trail along the Marsyangdi River on a gradually upward, easy path to Bagarchhap, a picturesque village with Tibetan-style houses.  You will follow a similarly graded path until you reach Danakyu. From Danakyu, the path ascends through pine and rhododendron forests all the way to Timang, the highest point of the day. If the weather remains favorable, you can enjoy wonderful mountain views from there. From Timang, the trail continues straight on the road to Thankchock, where you will stop for lunch. From there, you will mostly walk through pine forests all the way to Chame, passing through Koto village. (FYI, Chame village is the headquarters of the Manang district).

 

Trek Duration 6 hours
Trek Distance 13 km
Altitude Gain 530 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

It will be a pleasant day. The path will not be very difficult, and the journey will be enjoyable through the pine forests. You will cross the Marshyangdi River at Chame and continue following the river from the other side. The trail will be a little zigzag until Bhratang. After a short walk from Bhratang, you will cross the Marsyangdi River. The path will be slightly steeper for some time, and you will begin waking through the pine forest until you reach Dhikur Pokhari, where lunch will be served. From there, you can see a huge rock lying ahead. The trial is very straight in the meadow through pine forests until you reach Pisang.

Trek Duration 7 hours
Trek Distance 20 km
Altitude Gain 340 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

There are two routes you can follow to Manang. The lower route follows via Humde airstrip, which is much easier and takes less time. The upper route follows via Ghyaru and Nagwal, which is more difficult and takes longer to reach. However, it is suggested to follow the upper route. In terms of views and scenery, the upper route has no parallel to the lower one. That’s why almost everyone follows the upper route, even though it is harder. The walk will be very straightforward, through pine forests, passing Miring Tso (a small lake) for 45 minutes. After crossing a river, the path begins to ascend very steeply for one and a half hour to Ghyaru, from where wonderful mountain views can be observed. The trial is fairly straight with a slight ascend to a ridge. From there, the path begins to lower slightly until Ngawal, where the lunch will be served. From Ngawal, the path follows a slope downhill all the way to a place with a teashop, where path from the lower route joins. From there, path will be very straight to Manang, passing Braga village.

Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

The rest day has been allocated not to remain idle in the hotel, but to follow the “Climb high, sleep low” principle of acclimatization. You can either hike to Gangapurna Glacial Lake nearby or can hike to Milerapa Cave or Ice Lake. The latter two take full day to complete the round trip. 

Trek Duration 4 hours
Trek Distance 10 km
Altitude Gain 510 meter
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

After a short walk from Manang, the routes to Thorong La Pass and Tilicho Lake separate. You will follow the route to the right side. Now you are already in the treeless Trans-Himalayan region, where the air is dry and the wind is strong. The path begins to ascend passing houses, Buddhist chortens and mani walls. You won’t see many villages and tea shops from here. The lunch will be served once you reach Yak Kharka.

Trek Duration 4 hours
Trek Distance 6.5 km
Altitude Gain 380 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

The trail follows straight in the beginning and slightly upward to Ledar (4250m) for an hour. From Ledar, the trail continues to climb along the east bank of the Kone Khola, then descends to the river. After making a short ascent on a good trail to a teashop, the route then follows a narrow path across a high, unstable slope all the way to Thorong Phedi. “Phedi” is a Nepali word meaning ‘foot of the hill’.

 

Trek Duration 8 hours
Trek Distance 16 km
Altitude Gain - 630 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

Departing from the usual morning routine, you will begin the day’s journey early, at around 2:00 am. It will still be dark, so you will need a headlight. The trail is steepest in the beginning for about an hour. However, once you reach High Camp, the path becomes much easier. It will take another four hours to reach the top from High Camp. Thorong-La Pass is the highest point of the trek, a wide ridge adorned with Buddhist prayer flags, from where you can observe spectacular views on both sides. From the top, the trail descends steeply for another three hours, all the way to Muktinath.

Drive Distance 62 km
Drive Duration 3 hours
Altitude Gain - 2610 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

Today, you will drive to Tatopani. In the past, people used to trek to Tatopani, but since the road was constructed up to Muktinath, most people prefer to drive. The path follows Kaligandaki valley, tracing the Kaligandaki River all the way to Tatopai. You will also notice dramatic changes in vegetation as you descend from the Trans-Himalayan region to a sub-tropical temperate zone. There is a high possibility to finding fossils on the riverbank between Ekle Bhatti and Jomsom, remnants of the sea animals that lived under the Tethys Sea about 20 million years ago. The journey will be pleasant as the landscape changes. Jomsom serves as the headquarters of the Mustang district, with a small airstrip offering the option to fly out to Pokhara. You can also pass through the beautiful orchards of Marpha, a tradition village. From Kalapani, you can observe wonderful mountain views. You can also pass through a place, which is the deepest gorge in the world. By lunchtime, you will reach Tatopani. “Tatopani” is a Nepali word meaning ‘hot water’. There is a natural hot spring where you can enjoy bathing in the afternoon.

Trek Duration 5 hours
Trek Distance 8 km
Altitude Gain 745 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

The trail follows the road straight until crossing the Kaligandaki River, which takes about an hour. After crossing the river, the path begins to ascend. Some sections of the path are very steep. However, due to road construction in the village, you have the option to follow the road, which is relatively easier but takes longer. The journey to Sikha involves mostly uphill trekking, passing by beautiful local houses.

 

Trek Duration 4.5 hours
Trek Distance 9 km
Altitude Gain 815 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

The path for the day involves mostly uphill trekking. You will walk passing by local houses until you reach Chitre. From there, the path enters rhododendron forests leading to Ghorepani. Lunch will be served in Ghorepani.

 

Trek Duration 7.5 hours
Trek Distance 11 km
Altitude Gain - 120 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

Wake up at 5 am and start hiking to Poon Hill with your guide. Be ready with warm clothes, gloves, and a hat. You will also need a headlight since it will still be dark. It takes about 45 minutes to one hour to hike to reach Poon Hill. The sunrise usually occurs at 6 am. Once you reach Poon Hill, you will be stunned by the 180° mountain views, including Mt. Dhaulagiri (the seventh highest in the world), Tukuche Peak, Dhampus Peak, Nilgiri, Fang, Annapurna I (the tenth highest in the world), Annapurna South, Hiuchuli and Fishtail respectively from left to right. After spending some time there, return to the hotel for breakfast.

You will be given time to pack your bags, and breakfast will be served. After breakfast, you will trek to Tadapani. The trail climbs for about one and half hours, then proceeds straight for about one hour through rhododendron, pine and bamboo forests to Deurali. From Deurali, the trail descends fairly steeply for about one and half hours to Banthanti, where you will stop for lunch. From Banthanti, the trail continues straight for about 20 minutes and then descends steeply for 20 minutes to the river. From the river, it takes about half an hour of steep climbing followed by 15 minutes of gradual ascent to reach Tadapani. Tadapani is a hill station with seasonal settlement and serves as a junction where trails from four directions converge.

 

Trek Duration 4 hours
Trek Distance 6.5 km
Altitude Gain - 690 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

Tadapani offers a beautiful sunrise view of Mt. Annapurna South and Hiuchuli, providing much closer perspective of both mountains. After breakfast, prepare to commence the day’s journey. The trail leads straight to Bhaisikhara for the first one hour, following a well-built and easy path through dense rhododendron forests. From Bhaisikhara, the trail gradually descends for about an hour until reaching Ghandruk. Lunch will be served in Gandruk. In the afternoon, you can visit the village and cultural museum.

Trek Duration 5 hours
Trek Distance 7 km
Altitude Gain - 240 meters
Accommodation Tea-house Lodge

After a wonderful morning in Ghandruk, you will begin the day’s journey. Tolkha will be visible from Ghandruk. The path descends steeply downhill for an hour. After crossing a suspension bridge over the Modi River, the path then ascends steeply to Landruk, which takes another one hour. From Landruk, the path follows a road all the way to Tolkha, passing by local houses and crossing streams. Lunch will be served in one of the restaurants.

Accommodation Hotel

Tolkha offers a grand view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. From Tolkha, the path gradually ascends on a road for about an hour. After that, the path ascends steeply through dense forests all the way to Deurali, which offers views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.) and Fishtail (6993m.). From there, the path continues through forests with ups and downs to Dhampus, where lunch will be served. From Dhampus, the path steeply descends to Phedi. You will then take a car from there and drive to Pokhara.

Accommodation Hotel

Pokhara is one of the best tourist cities in the world. You can enjoy a variety of activities in Pokhara, from leisurely sightseeing to thrilling adventure activities. As per our schedule, you will embark on a sightseeing programme, which includes boating on Phewa Lake, walking to World Peace Stupa, Davis Falls, and Guptewhor Cave, and then return to hotel by drive.

Drive Distance 205 km
Drive Duration 6 hours
Accommodation Hotel

After early breakfast, you will depart from the hotel at 6:00 am and drive to tourist bus station by a car or taxi, where you will board the bus for the 5 to 6 hours scenic journey back to Kathmandu.

Accommodation Hotel

Today is a leisure day. You can plan your activities as you wish. You can hire a taxi and explore your favourite places or go shopping. If you wish to arrange extension trips you can talk to your guide or contact Osprey Adventure.

Today marks your final day in Nepal. We will drive you to Kathmandu International Airport three hours before your flight time.

Note: If you would like to spend more time in Nepal, you can join our leisure or adventure extension trips such as City Sightseeing, White-water Rafting, Jungle Safari, Paragliding, Bungee Jumping etc.

Cost Includes

  • 4 nights’ accommodation in a tourist category hotel in Kathmandu in BB meal plan.
  • 1 nights’ accommodation in tourist standard guest house in Pokhara in BB meal plan.
  • 12 nights’ single accommodation in standard tea-house lodges in Annapurna Region with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea and Coffee.
  • Kathmandu – Dharapani drive by private A/C jeep.
  • Muktinath – Tatopani drive by local bus.
  • Ghandruk – Pokhara drive by Private car/jeep.
  • Pokhara – Kathmandu by regular schedule tourist bus.
  • Airport/ bus stop pick-up & drop and other necessary ground transportation in Kathmandu and Pokhara by private A/C vehicle (car/ jeep/ Hiace/ bus as per group size).
  • 1 Experienced, English speaking city tour guide for the city sightseeing Kathmandu.
  • 1 Experienced, English speaking trekking guide for the entire trek in Annapurna Region.
  • 1 High altitude porter for the entire trek.
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit fees and Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card fees.
  • Entry fees in the historical and religious sites for the sightseeing in Kathmandu.
  • Staff insurance fees.
  • First Aid Kit box.
  • Government Taxes and Service Charges.

Cost Excludes

  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Extra beverage, mineral water and bar bill during the trek.
  • Emergency rescue evacuation charges.
  • Additional charges borne by any natural calamities or political strikes.
  • Personal insurance fees.
  • Personal medical charges.
  • Tips for the guide and porter.

Equipment

Choosing the proper equipment for trekking in Nepal is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. Most trekking destinations in Nepal are remote, with few accessible markets. Even where markets exist, prices tend to be high. Therefore, it is essential to prepare all necessary equipment before starting your trek. Kathmandu, particularly the Thamel area, is the ideal place to acquire equipment if you haven’t brought it from your home country. Alternatively, Pokhara offers equipment at similar prices to Kathmandu.

Below is a list of general equipment. Not all items may be necessary depending on your destination. Consult your travel consultant or guide if assistance in selecting the appropriate equipment.

*Note: FYI, you can also rent a sleeping bag and a down jacket in Kathmandu. The cost varies from $2 to $3 per day for each item, depending on the quality.

  Clothing / Body wear

  • A pair of trekking boots
  • A pair of sport shoes (to be used at campsite)
  • A pair of sandals
  • Hiking socks and woolen socks
  • Trekking full baggy pants (one or two, depending on the length of the trek)
  • Trekking half pants
  • A pair of warm cotton trousers
  • T-shirts (half sleeve and long sleeve)
  • A warm high-neck jumper
  • A set of thermal coat
  • One light jacket
  • One down jacket
  • Sun hat/cap
  • One woolen/warm hat
  • A pair of woolen gloves
  • Wind proof sets
  • Waterproof sets / raincoat

  Other Items

  • -5 to -20 sleeping bag
  • A pair of trekking poles
  • A one liter water bottle
  • A pair of sunglasses
  • Sunscreen (recommended above 30 SPF)
  • A headlight/flashlight with required batteries

Map

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