Annapurna Circuit Trek

Our journey begins with an early morning ride from Kathmandu. We will drive along winding roads with views of lush green hills, terraced fields, and small settlements. As we descend toward Besisahar, we will follow the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers. The road is smooth in the beginning, but as we get closer to Besishahar, we will face some off-road sections. Beautiful villages, green hills, and terraced farms are the key scenery along the way.

A 7-hour drive from Kathmandu takes you to Besisahar, covering a distance of 197km/ 116 miles. From the busy capital city of Kathmandu, you’ll be in the peaceful town of Besisahar, where you’ll stay overnight. Besisahar lies at an elevation of 760 m (2,493 ft) in the Lamjung district of Gandaki Province. Additionally, Besisahar serves as the entry point for trekkers heading to the Annapurna Circuit.

We will continue our journey into the Annapurna region, leaving Besisahar and driving toward Chame. The road will get bumpier as we pass Jagat, Dharapani, and Timang villages. The road is a narrow dirt track with cliffs and landslide-prone areas. Although the climb can be tiring, it offers stunning mountain views, making it a rewarding experience. Thus, due to the tough sections, only 4WD Jeeps will be able to handle the road. Apart from difficulty, the ride offers a stunning view of the Marshyangdi River, waterfalls, terraced fields, and traditional villages.

After 5 hours of riding, we will reach Chame, the district headquarters of Manang. From here, we will enjoy amazing views of the Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II. The village lies at an approximate altitude of 2,650m and 62km from Beshisahar. Your day’s overnight and dinner are at the tea house or lodge of Chame.

Early in the morning, we will start our trek with an uphill walk through dense pine forests, crossing several wooden bridges. Along the way, we will pass through Bratang village, famous for its apple orchards. Similarly, we’ll walk along the Marshyangdi River, crossing suspension bridges. The trail gets steeper in the afternoon as we approach Dhikur Pokhari, a scenic resting point offering the first clear views of Pisang Peak and the Annapurna ranges.

After a gentle rise, we will reach Pisang, a picturesque village with both traditional and modern houses. There are two parts of Pisang: one is Lower Pisang (3,200m), and the other is Upper Pisang (3,300m). Yet, we’ll stay in Upper Pisang as it will be easy to begin another day’s hike. It takes 5 hours to get to Upper Pisang from Chame, covering a distance of 13.8 km. 

On Day 4, we will begin our trek after having breakfast in Upper Pisang. The route is more challenging than the lower section, but far more stunning. The Upper Pisang section offers the best views of the Annapurna massif and Gangapurna. The pathway passes through the village of Ghyaru and Ngawal before reaching Manang. One of the highlights of the trek is the chance to visit the ancient Ngawal Monastery. 

After walking for 5 hours, covering a distance of 16km, we will reach the day’s destination. Manang is known for its Tibetan culture, monasteries, and stunning mountain views. Today, we will also visit the Gangapurna Glacier and the beautiful Marsyangdi Valley, further enhancing the beauty of the trip.

This is an important acclimatization day to adjust to the increasing altitude. Manang, at an elevation of 3,540m, is high enough that your body needs time to adjust to the altitude and helps with upcoming challenges, making it an ideal location for acclimatization. On the day, we won’t rest all day; instead, we’ll take a short hike to a higher location and then return to Manang, following the rule “climb high, sleep low.”

We will take a short hike to either Gangapurna Lake or Manang Viewpoint, where we can enjoy panoramic views of Tilicho Peak, Annapurna III, and Chulu West. Alternatively, you can take a whole day off and rest in the hotel. In the evening, we can explore the beautiful village, visit monasteries, bakeries, and cultural sites, and prepare for the higher altitude ahead.

We will leave Manang behind and begin our gradual ascent toward Yak Kharka. The trekking route leads us through Tenki Village, where we will climb higher. As we move further, we will pass Gunsang. It is a small settlement with a few tea houses. Throughout the trek, we will see mesmerizing views of Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.

As we continue our trek, we’ll experience a change in landscape, with no more forest left, but grassy slopes, scrub bushes, and rocky cliffs surrounding us. Upon reaching Yak Kharka, a peaceful high-altitude land, we will rest at a cozy tea house and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery. It takes about 4 hours to get to Yak Kharka from Manang, covering a distance of 9.8km.

After breakfast at Yak Kharka, we’ll continue our trek. Today’s journey takes us to Thorung High Camp, an important stop before crossing the Thorung La Pass. The 8 km (5 miles) trek takes around 5 hours and involves a steady climb through difficult terrain. As we ascend, we will cross Ledar. It’s a gradual climb along narrow sections.

After crossing a wooden bridge over the Jarsang Khola, we will make our way toward Thorung Phedi. From here, we will take a steep but short climb to Thorung High Camp, where we will settle in for the night, preparing for the trek’s toughest and most rewarding section.

We will begin our trek early in the morning, as we have a long and challenging day ahead of us. The ascent to Thorung La Pass (5,416m/17,769ft) is steep and requires slow, steady pacing. After about 4 hours of climbing, we will reach the top, where eye-popping views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Mustang Valley will welcome us. The feeling of accomplishment at this high-altitude pass is indescribable.

From here, we will start our long descent of 1,747m (5,732ft) to Muktinath, which takes about 4-5 hours. The pathways down are steep and tiring, but as we get closer to Muktinath, the landscape changes into Mustang’s dry, desert-like terrain. Muktinath is a sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists, known for its eternal flame and 108 water spouts. After a short exploration, we will take a jeep ride to Jomsom, where we will spend the night.

After an adventurous yet rewarding trek, we will take a scenic 8-hour drive covering 152 km (95 miles) from Jomsom to Pokhara. The drive passes through the charming villages of Marpha and Tukuche, following the Kali Gandaki Gorge. As we move closer to Pokhara, we will see a transition from the dry, barren landscapes of Mustang to lush, green hills. The road is bumpy and rough, but it offers a view of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Upon arrival at Lakeside Pokhara, we will check into a comfortable 3-star hotel and have the rest of the day to relax or explore the beautiful lakeside area. You’ll have the freedom to choose your dinner on this day. Thus, you can enjoy your dinner at the lakeside while having your favourite meals. Your overnight is at the hotel in Pokhara.

Day ten is our final day, we will take a 7-hour drive covering 210 km (130 miles) back to Kathmandu. The drive offers views of rivers, terraced fields, and traditional villages. Along the way, the drive passes through Mugling, a major highway junction, before reaching Kathmandu city. Once we arrive in Thamel, a famous tourist destination, we will check into our 3-star hotel and have time to explore its markets.

Furthermore, you can shop for souvenirs for your friends and family. Thamel is renowned for its souvenirs, including Pashmina scarves, singing bowls, handicrafts, statues, and Tibetan art. For the local market, consider visiting Asan Bazaar. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner. Overnight stay is at the hotel in Thamel.