Annapurna Circuit Trek- 18 DaysAnnapurna Circuit Trek- 18 Days

Annapurna Circuit Trek- 18 Days

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  • Duration18 Days
  • DestinationNepal
  • Difficulty Level Moderate Trek
  • Maximum Altitude 5416m
  • Activity Trekking
  • Group Size 1-16
  • Accommodation Hotel in Kathmandu and Teahouse during mountains
  • Meals Breakfast in Kathmandu and Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner trek
  • Best Season March to May and September to December
Overview of Annapurna Circuit Trek- 18 Days

Annapurna region is one of the most famous trekking regions in the world. Annapurna Circuit Trek provides an opportunity to make a trek around the Annapurna region. Enjoy the mesmerizing green and snow-capped mountains including Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, the Annapurnas, the Dhaulagiri, and many more. You’ll also enjoy the exotic Nepali, Tibetan, and Trans-Himalayan cultures of the Annapurna region. You’ll see rural & rustic villages inhabited by a wide diversity of ethnic people including Gurungs, Magars, and Newars. The northern side of the region, Manang and Mustang, are influenced by Tibetan culture and Buddhist religion. Among Nepal’s 75 districts, Manang and Mustang are the only two districts that are beyond the Himalayas. Climb from the sub-tropical terrain of Pokhara to the world’s highest pass of Thorung La (5,416 m) and the Tibetan influence desert-like Kaligandaki Valley. You’ll also come across several waterfalls and lakes. You will be at the bottom of Ruchhe Waterfall, which is the biggest waterfall in the entire Annapurna Trekking route. Similarly, you’ll enjoy hot springs in Tatopani.

Cross the Thorung La pass, with magnificent views of the Himalayas and the Marsyandi Valley. Colorful Mustang and Kaligandaki Valleys can be seen from the Thorang La pass top. Visit the Muktinath Temple and some other monuments around the valley. Kalopani is a wonderful spot to see Dhaulagiri Ice Fall, Mt Dhaulagiri, and Mt Annapurna I. Poon Hill is famous for the breathtaking sunrise views over the Himalayas, with magnificent views of the Himalayas and the Marsyangdi Valley. After Ghasa, cross the Kaligandaki River, and trek through the deepest gorge in the world made by two giant mountains – Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.

 

Highlights
  • Sightseeing around Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • The Thorung-La pass (5416m) pass, Trekking Beyond the Himalayas
  • The pilgrimage hub of Muktinath, Tibetan Camps
  • The Dhaulagiri Icefall
  • The deepest gorge in the world in the river Kaligandaki
  • Ruchhe Waterfall, the biggest waterfall in the entire Annapurna Trekking route
  • Hot springs in Tatopani
  • Sunrise views of the Himalayas from Poon Hill
Itinerary

A representative from All Nepal Hiking will meet you when you arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA). After helping you get ready, our consultant will drive you to your accommodation and briefly explain the journey. Ask our tour operator or guides for any questions about the hike or adventure. Your preparation for the walk will also receive help from our personnel. You can take in the nightlife in and around your hotel in Kathmandu.

 

  • Max. Altitude:1300m
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Time:40 mins drive from airport

You will meet your trek leader for a briefing about the trek beginning the next day. After the briefing, there will be a short question and answer session about your trip in which you may ask anything regarding the trek. We all finalize our preparation for the trek. In the evening, enjoy the nightlife in Kathmandu.

  • Max. Altitude:1300m
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Time:1 day
  • Meals:Breakfast

After breakfast at your hotel in Kathmandu, drive to Besisahar along the banks of Trisuli and Marsyangdi Rivers. On the way, you’ll see rural villages, green mountains, and snow-capped mountains, including Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and the Annapurnas. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:760m
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Time:6 to 7 hour by bus
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek toward Chame by crossing river Marshyandi and following the trail through the riverbank. You'll see several waterfalls on the eastern hillside. Among Nepal's 75 districts, two districts are beyond the Himalayas. They are - Manang and Mustang. While doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek, we trek in both these districts. Chame is Manang's headquarters, and Jomsom is Mustang District's headquarters. Chame is a big town with many government offices, grocery, guest houses, local restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:2670m
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:5-6 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek to Pisang is an easy walk, almost flat. Therefore, it’ll be a short day today. Walk through the pine forests and villages like Bharatang and Dhukur Pokhari. You’ll see yaks grazing in the woods. Another attraction of the area is the apple gardens. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:3240 m
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:5 to 6 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You can choose one out of two routes to get to Manang. The usual lower route follows the Marsyandi Valley via Hungde. Another brutal upper way takes extra three hours, but it offers magnificent views of Annapurna II and Annapurna III, the charming Villages of Gheru and Nawaal. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:3540 m
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:5 to 6 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll make our excursion around the Manang Valley which would also help in acclimatization. Manang Village is a wide valley, and the district of Manang is named after this beautiful village. There are several activities you can do today. You may climb to the Praken Gomba, where you’ll have an audience with the “100 rupee Lama”. You may also trek to the other side of the Valley to Gangapurna Lake and climb the correct ridge to Chongar View Point. The viewpoint is decorated with prayer flags. If interested, you may even see the Gangapurna Glacier and Yaks shelters further. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:3540 m
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail goes gently up to Gunsang village, and then it becomes almost flat to Yak Kharka. After having lunch, we can have a day trip around Yak Kharka. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:(4018 m)
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ascending from Yak Kharka, gradually uphill, through the ridge of the mountain desert, we descend to the Marsyangdi River and cross the wooden bridge. A narrow and stone falling trail appears, so we carefully walk through the narrow trail for 20 mins and reach Thorang Phedi. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:(4450 m)
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early in the morning, get up to prepare for Thorang La pass. In the first hour, we walk vertically up to High Camp. Then the climb becomes more gradual, with magnificent views of the Himalayas and the Marsyandi Valley. Colorful Mustang and Kaligandaki Valleys can be seen from the top. We descend to Jhong River to Muktinath and visit the Muktinath Temple and other monuments around the valley. The main attractions of Muktinath include 108 running taps, Natural Gas flame, monasteries, and nunneries. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:3780 m
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Down the Muktinath, we cross the Kaligandaki River. Now you are in the deepest gorge in the world,, made by two giant mountains, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. You will be at the bottom of Ruchhe Waterfall, the biggest waterfall in the Annapurna Trekking route. There are hot springs in Tatopani. After checking in the guesthouse, you can jump into the hot spring ponds on the banks of Kaligandaki River. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:(1190 m)
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:3-4 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will have the last crossing of the Kaligandaki River. We trek uphill to Durbindanda and can see the Ghara Shikha villages and Rhododendron forest near Ghorepani. While walking through nice villages, the locals will smile at you. The Dhaulagiri views are amazing, and the Annapurna ranges in the south are very close. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:(2860 m)
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:6-7 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our crew will knock on your door to wake you up early in the morning so we can reach Poon Hill for Sunrise View. Poon Hill is famous for its breathtaking sunrise views over the Himalayas. We walk for 50 mins in the dark with the sounds of chirping birds in the pine and Rhododendron forests. Get ready to capture the colorful mountains with your camera. From Poon Hill, we descend to Ghorepani after having a heavy breakfast. After an early trek to Poon Hills, you will trek to Deurali and Banthati through the forest. Touring Tadapani would be difficult if the trail is covered with snow and may take more hrs. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:(2660 m)
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:5 to 6 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You can enjoy the beautiful sunrise views from your dining table at Tadapani. If you happen to be in the Spring, you’ll find Tadapani surrounded by colorful Rhododendrons. We walk down to Bhaisi Kharka through the Rhododendron forests. Up to the top of Ghandruk is a forest. Ghandruk is a beautiful Village famous for its hospitality. There’s also an ACAP office, a museum, and a monastery in Ghandruk. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

  • Max. Altitude:(1940 m)
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:3 to 4 hrs
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The first part of the trail is steeply down to the Modi River. Look at the beehives on the cliff by the river. After crossing the river, we ascend to Landruk, and the trail is flat till the bottom of Tolka. Villages like Landruk and Tolka are very much rich in Gurung culture. Trek over to Deurali and descend to Pothana - another attraction of Gurung Heritages. Enjoy the great views of Fishtail Mountain and Pokhara Valley. Overnight in a guesthouse. FB

 

  • Max. Altitude:1890 m
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:3:30 to 4 hrs
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend gradually to Dhamphus Village, another beautiful Village of completely greenery paddy fields. Community forest is another attraction. There are also graveled roads and schools in Dhampus. We continue descending to Dhamphus Phedi and catch our vehicle. A drive of 30 minutes takes us to Pokhara. Arriving in Pokhara, we can enjoy many activities like boating, fishing, etc. Overnight in a hotel. FB

  • Max. Altitude:(820 m)
  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Time:30 minute
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you will return to Kathmandu by car. You can stop along the trip to take in the scenery of rural Nepal, rivers, and terraced fields. You will be transported to your accommodation upon arrival in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free to tour the city or relax.

  • Max. Altitude:1300m
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Time:7-8 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Today is the last day of your Annapurna Base Camp trek. You will be driven to Tribhuvan International Airport in preparation for your travel. As you leave Nepal, you will have memorable recollections of the beautiful mountains and the Nepalese people's remarkable friendliness.

  • Meals:Breakfast
Cost Details
Includes
  1. All airport/hotel transfers
  2. 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu 1 night Hotel in Pokhara
  3. All accommodations and meals during the trek
  4. Pickup and drop to start your trek and from the ending point to your Hotel In
  5. Kathmandu or destination
  6.  An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide), and Sherpa
  7. porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance,
  8. equipment, flight, food, and lodging
  9.  All necessary paperwork and permits (National Park permit, TIMS)
  10.  A comprehensive medical kit
  11.  All government and local taxes
     
Excludes
  1. Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary
  2. Travel Insurance
  3. International airfare
  4. Nepal entry visa
  5. Alcoholic, non-alcoholic drinks and water, soft drinks, etc.
  6. Hot showers during the trek
  7. Personal trekking equipment
  8. Tips for trekking staff and driver 
Departure Dates
Select a Departure Month
Trip Date PriceStatus 
Start DateStartsSep 27, 2023End DateEndsOct 14, 2023PriceUS$999StatusAvailable
FAQs
  • Some of the highlights include breathtaking mountain views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other peaks, crossing the Thorong La Pass, exploring diverse landscapes, and experiencing the local culture of the Himalayan region.

  • The cost of the trek can vary depending on factors such as the duration of the trek, your choice of accommodations, whether you hire a guide or porter, and your personal expenses. On average, budgeting around $25 to $40 per day for basic expenses should give you a rough estimate.

  • The Annapurna region is home to various wildlife species, including snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, langurs, and a variety of bird species. However, spotting wildlife is not guaranteed and requires luck and patience.

  • Yes, it's possible to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek in the reverse direction, starting from either Besisahar or Bhulbhule. However, it's less common and may affect your acclimatization schedule.

  • Teahouses and lodges offer a variety of meals, including Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, and Western dishes. Common menu items include dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), momo (dumplings), noodles, pasta, and fried rice. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.

  • Yes, you can purchase bottled water at teahouses along the trail, but it's recommended to carry a reusable water bottle and use water purification tablets or a water filter to minimize plastic waste and ensure a clean water supply.

  • ATMs and money exchange facilities are available in some larger villages along the trail, such as Manang and Jomsom. However, it's advisable to carry enough cash in Nepalese Rupees to cover your expenses during the trek.

  • Yes, the trek can be extended or modified according to your preferences. You can choose to include side trips to Tilicho Lake or the Annapurna Base Camp, or explore other routes in the Annapurna region.

  • The popularity of the Annapurna Circuit Trek means that certain sections of the trail can be crowded, especially during peak trekking seasons. However, there are still opportunities to find quieter stretches and enjoy the serenity of the mountains.

  • The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a popular trekking route located in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It is known for its diverse landscapes, stunning mountain views, and rich cultural experiences.

  • Yes, there are numerous teahouses and lodges along the route where you can find accommodation and meals.

  • Yes, altitude sickness is a potential risk during the Annapurna Circuit Trek, as some parts of the trail reach elevations above 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). It's crucial to acclimatize properly by taking rest days, staying hydrated, ascending slowly, and being aware of any symptoms of altitude sickness. It's recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before the trek.

  • Essential items to pack include sturdy trekking boots, warm clothing layers, a sleeping bag, a backpack, a good quality rain jacket, trekking poles, a first aid kit, water purification tablets, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a camera. It's important to pack light and carry only the necessary items.

  • Along the Annapurna Circuit, there are teahouses and lodges available for accommodation. These basic guesthouses provide rooms with shared facilities such as bathrooms and dining areas. The quality of facilities may vary along the route, with more amenities in larger villages.

  • The Annapurna Circuit Trek is considered moderately challenging. It involves long daily hikes, steep ascents and descents, and high altitudes. Adequate physical fitness and acclimatization are essential. Prior hiking experience and training will be beneficial, but it is not required for fit individuals.

  • Yes, you need two permits to trek the Annapurna Circuit. The first is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which is required for entering the Annapurna Conservation Area. The second is the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card, which provides trekking information and helps ensure safety.

  • The length of the trek can vary depending on the specific route taken and side trips chosen. Generally, it takes around 15 to 20 days to complete the entire circuit, covering a distance of approximately 160 to 230 kilometers (100 to 145 miles)

Clients Reviews
  • green star

    Responsible and resourceful agency

    Go with All Nepal Hiking! Jasmine goes above and beyond in making you feel comfortable and assured pre- and during your trip. She's responsive, resourceful and have allocated an experienced guide for my trek at Annapurna Circuit. I look forward to experience Nepal with her agency again

    T
    Timie Chan Lai TengSingapore,May 2023
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