Annapurna Round Circuit Trek Map
Annapurna Round Circuit Trek (21 Days)
The classic Annapurna Circuit trek first became accessible to the world of adventure travelers as recently as 1977, when the Nepalese Government derestricted the Manang Valley, which had previously been closed on account of its proximity to the Tibetan border. Providing a combination of spectacular high mountain scenery, picturesque lowland farms and villages, a wealth of cultural interest and a challenging pass crossing, the Annapurna Circuit trek is justifiably popular. Having carefully reworked the itinerary, we can now offer this world-famous trek within a 3-week period. After a sightseeing day in colourful Kathmandu, we start out from Besisahar, ascending the surprisingly wild and unspoiled Marsyangdi Valley to reach the north side of the Annapurna Massif. In terms of its sheer scale, the valley of the Marsyangdi is surpassed only by the valley of the Kali Gandaki which we trek through on the second part of this exceptional trip. Throughout our walk, we enjoy regular contact with friendly villagers, as well as everchanging panoramas of some of the world's greatest peaks, including Manaslu and the Annapurnas. Even from Pokhara, the views are tremendous, with Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I and Manaslu dominating the northern skyline. Travelling from the Hindu-dominated farmland of Nepal's "middle hills" into the high alpine world on the north side of the Annapurnas, which is the domain of Tibetan Buddhism, this trip also, offers exposure to the whole range of trekking environments for which Nepal is famous. Beyond the Tibetan Buddhist village of Manang, the high point of the trip is reached after a stamina-sapping ascent to the Thorung La (5416m.).
We then descend to the deep valley of the Kali Gadaki, where a wealth of new experiences awaits us – the first of which is the bizarre collection of temples at Muktinath, at the base of the pass.
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- Starting from :
- Drive Kakthmandu to besi sahar.
- Ending at :
- Drive back Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Grade :
- Moderate-Difficult
- Highest Access :
- 5416m (Thorang La pass)
- Best Season :
- March/April/May & September/October/November
- Trekking type :
- Teahouse
- Himalayan sights :
- Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Annapurna range, Manaslu, Nilgiri etc
- Meal :
- breakfast, lunch, & Dinner as a menu
- Transportation :
- Car/Van/bus
- Minimum Group Size :
- 1
- Per day Walking :
- 5 to 7 hours
- Itinerary type :
- Fixed / Customized
- Day 1
- Arrive in Kathmandu Airport & Transfer to Hotel. O/N Hotel
- Day 2
- Kathmandu Sightseeing, Durbar Square/monkey temple/Boudhanath
- Day 3
- Drive
to Besisahar 823m
The journey begins by bus from Kathmandu to Dumre. The bus ride takes approximately about 5 hours to reach Dumre. From Dumre, the road tends to be dusty and bumpy, it takes about 3-4 hours to reach Besisahar, where you first night camp awaits you. This is a small town at the head of the Round Annapurna Circuit; here you can find many shops and a pharmacy where you can buy little things that you might have forgotten.
Accommodation at Lodge or TENT. - Day 4
- Trek
to Bahundanda 1311m
Your first day of trekking starts with a gentle downhill and straight walk. The trail climbs up the east bank of the river, past a high majestic waterfall surrounded by the screw pine trees. From here, the trail then passes small-scattered villages and terraced fields to a small village of Ngadi. The trail crosses the Ngadi Khola on a long suspension bridge, and continues climbing gradually. It makes a steep climb through the scrub forests to Bahundanda (Hill of the Bahuns), an attractive village situated in a saddle on a long ridge. Bahun caste is the highest of the four caste of the Hindu caste system. These people are priests, and are normally experts in the field of religion and education during the olden times. They used to follow a strict vegetarian diet. - Day 5
- Trek
to Taal
The trail descends steeply down the hill passing through rice fields, in and out of the deep river gorges, and then crosses the Marshyangdi on a long suspension bridge. It finally reaches the village of Syange. From Syange, the trail stays near the river and then climbs on an exposed trail along the cliff side into the forest of rhododendron and pine trees. It passes through little settlements along the way to the Tibetan village of Jagat. From Jagat, the trail climbs through forests of Chyamje. The rough trail continues to climb and reach the hilltop where you will relax to this amazing view of this beautiful village of Taal far below in a flat large valley at the foot of a large waterfall with the Marshyangdi river meandering through it. - Day 6
- Trek
to Chame
After Taal, the trail crosses the broad valley through fields of barley and potatoes and then crosses a small stream to a little settlement of Orad. The trail continues to climb into the Manang valley passing through pine and fir forests to a small settlement of Bagarchhap. From here, it continues climbing. The route reaches Lata Manang near the waterfall. From Lata Manang, the trail continues in an easy manner staying level, passing through pine forests past the village of Kodo and reaching another village of Chame, which is one of the biggest villages in the Manang valley. - Day 7
- Chame
to Pisang: (3185 m)
We leave magnificent pine forests and the Marsyangdi at full flow bellow us to enjoy views of the Lamjung and Annapurnas II and IV. Pisang, with its fine tapering walled houses, offers amazing sights of Annapurnas massif on south, Mount Tilicho (7134 m) on west, Chulu Est (6584 m) and the summit of the Mount Pisang (6091 m) on north. - Day 8
- Trek
to Manang 3,351m.
From Chame, the trail drops to the river side and then crosses the Marshyangdi river on a suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, the trail continues along the banks of the river passing through pine forests before reaching the village of Bradang. The trail makes a steep climb up the ridge and down again for several hours reaching to the Marshyangdi riverside. After crossing the Marshyangdi River on a suspension bridge, the trail continues to climb steeply through pine forests to the Sherpa village of Pisang. From here, the trail lead gradually up the ridge top. From this vantage point, you have fascinating panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others. The trail stays over the valley passing through pine forests and finally reaches the village of Humre, where the only airstrip of the Manang Valley is situated. Walking takes about 7 hours. - Day 9
- Rest
Day
It is very important that you take a day rest and get acclimatized with the altitude. Manang is a good place to do that because the next three days will be very challenging and tiring with rapid gain in altitude. You should never be confident with the altitude and always be cautious. You can take an excursion to a little distance away to the place called Brada. It is a small village that you will find interesting visiting. - Day 10
- Trek
to Yak Kharka
From Manang village, the trail crosses a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki above Manang, and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail follows this valley northward, passing a few pastures, a scrub of juniper tress, as it steadily gains elevation. The trail passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. Now the trail goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village of Yak Kharka. Walking takes about 5 hours. - Day 11
- Trek to Thorang
Phedi 4,500m
The trail continues further along after an hour's walk reaching to Ledar. From here, the trail continues to climb along the East bank of Jarsang Khola and then descends and crosses a stream on a wooden bridge. From the bridge, continue walking on the steep slope; watch your steps for loose rocks. The trail is small. In about 1 hour, you reach Thorang Phedi with only one lodge. The camp is set high on the slopes. - Day 12
- Over
Thorang La 5,416m to Muktinath 3,802m
From Thorang Phedi, the trial lead gradually gaining in altitude for the day to Muktinath, crossing along the way hundreds of small piles of rocks erected by pilgrims to honour their departed ancestors. You will have to start very early about 3 am because in the late morning there will be lots of wind blowing which makes walking difficult. A steep uphill scramble to the top of the pass takes about 4 hours. Pack lunch is provided in the morning because the trek is long and hot lunch is not possible. More strenuous downhill walking awaits you on your journey to Muktinath, a pilgrimage center. The place is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhist alike; it has a beautiful landscape set beneath the Damodar Hills. You can visit the temple and view the ever-burning flame of the place considered holy by all Hindus and Buddhist. - Day 13
- Trek
to Marpha
From Muktinath, the trail goes downhill passing the village of Khingar. After about 1 hour, you will find two ways-one going to Jomsom and the other going to Kagbeni. Take the right path to Kagbeni. It is the starting point for trekking to the upper Mustang, which is a restricted area. From Kagbeni, you can see the majestic Kali Gandaki, a deep gorge far into the Mustang country. The village itself has lots of old houses and interesting structures. If you skip this visit to Kagbeni, you can take the left route and walk straight down to Eklebhatti, from where you will walk on mostly flat trails and against the ever-blowing winds of the Kali Gandaki valley. It takes about 5 hours to reach Jomsom, the capital of Mustang District. There is an airfield and daily flights for those who don't want to continue the circuit. A further 1-hour trek down will lead us to Marpha, a large Thakali village, which exhibits the typical Thak Khola architecture of flat roofs and narrow paved alleys and passage ways. Marpha is the apple town of Nepal. The bountiful apple orchards produce some of the best apples in the country. A variety of apple products can be bought here. Apple cider and apple brandy are considered the best product of Marpha. It is a clean and pleasant village. Here you settle in for the night camp. - Day 14
- Trek
to Ghasa 2,012m.
The trail remains on the riverbanks of Kali Gandaki. After an hour's walk, you reach the village of Tukuche. This is one of the Thakali villages that produces apples in huge quantity. After this village, you cross the Kali Gandaki River over a wooden bridge and keep walking along the riverbanks and passing through pine forests to another village of Kokhethati. Here you will have lunch. From this village, you will continue by the river banks for about 1 hour and then cross again the Kali Gandaki River on a suspension bridge to Kalopani, another beautiful Thakali village. From this village, the trail descends steeply down the hill to Lete Khola. Here you can find a few teahouses. You will cross the same river and continue walking through pine forests before reaching Ghasa. Ghasa is a big Thakali village situated nearby the beautiful waterfall. Walking mostly downhill takes about 7 hours from Marpha. - Day 15
- Trek
to Tatopani 1,189m
Descend gradually from Ghasa towards Dana. Enroute is a spectacular waterfall Rupse Chhahara, which presents a most impressive sight. Here the Kali Gandaki River falls in a series of cataracts, which presents a thrilling sight. After an hours descent, the trail reaches the village of Dana, from where there is gradual descent to Tatopani. Tatopani lies on the sub-tropical zone of the Kali Gandaki valley. You can enjoy a hot bath in the Hot Springs here. Camp at Tatopani. - Day 16
- Trek
Ghorepani 2,853m
After breakfast, we take the trail crossing the hanging bridge over Kali Gandaki River. You will then leave the riverbank and start walking up again to the village of Shikha. Ascend again for another three hours through rich forests of rhododendron to Ghorepani. - Day 17
- Visit
Pun Hill, trek to Tadapani 2,650m
We will visit the popular viewpoint of the region, Poon Hill (2.900 meters). You will wake up early in the morning at about 5 am and get ready to go. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the top, which is a small flat spot. You will see the sun gradually rise on the mountains, and the views are breathtaking. The mountain peaks you will see are Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Tukche, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri I, and glaciers.
You will begin walking from here, even though not difficult, it is a long trail from Ghorepani to Tadapani. The trial continues through Ghorepani pass, known as Deurali. It finally emerges on a grassy knoll that offers good mountain views, including a view of Machapuchare. Keep climbing along the ridge in pine and rhododendron forests to a crest at 3,030 meters. Descend to the second pass, also called Deurali. Ghandrung trial descends passing through the village of Banthanti and finally reaches the village of Tadapani. Walking takes approximately about 5 hours to reach this village from Ghorepani. - Day 18
- Trek
to Ghandrung 1951m
Ghandrung is a huge Gurung village considered to be a second largest village in Nepal. The trek from Tadapani to Ghandrung is beautiful going through mixed-forest regions. The trails are sometimes very high, and you can see the valley down for about 400 meters. Mainly Gurung people inhabit Gurung; many of them are ex-British Gorkha soldiers. The village is beautiful and has beautiful frontal views of Machapuchare and Hiunchuli. - Day 19
- Trek
to Dhampus
After breakfast, continue on the trail going up and down through the village of Landrung, Tolka. At Tolka you stop for lunch. The trial continues descending through thick forests and reaches the village of Bichuk and Potana, from where the trial climbs steeply past some scattered houses to the ridge at Dhampus. - Day 20
- Trek to Phedi, drive
to Pokhara 900m
After breakfast, head-down the trail descending steep down to the village of Phedi from where you will take a coach to Pokhara, which is about 30 minute drive. This is the end of your beautiful trek. Our guide will check you into your hotel. REST in the hotel and take a real good shower.
Hotel accommodation in Pokhara. - Day 21
- Flight or Drive
to Kathmandu
The flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes about 20 minutes. Try to find a place on the left side of the plane so you have some last glimpses of the mighty Annapurnas.
Evening on your own.
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu. - Day 22
- Rest Day. O/N KTM, HTL
- Day 23
- Transfer to International Airport with WARM BYE.!!!
