Overview for Annapurna Circuit Trek In Nepal
- Trip Code: CT-10034
- Package: Annapurna Circuit Trek In Nepal
- Duration: 16 Day(s)
- Max Alt.: 5,416m/ 17,764ft
- Trip Level:
ModerateRequires some level of experience in trekking with basic physical ability.
- Group Size: Min. 2- Max. 12
- Start At: Kathmandu
- Ends At: Kathmandu
- Transportation: Tourist Bus | Private Vehicle | Domestic Flight
- Accommodation: Guest House | Hotel
- Best Season: March- April- May- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov
- Trip Route: Besi Shahar-Chyamje -Dharapani- Chame- Pisang- Manang- Thorung Phedi- Thorung La – Muktinath- Tatopani- Ghorepani- Pokhara
Trip Highlights
- Exploring the Manang valley
- Crossing the Thorang La Pass, the highest point of the trek
- Beautiful Kagbeni village
- Hot spring at Tatopani
- Ghorepani village and sunrise view from the Poonhill hill station
Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal is one of the most complete trekking packages of Nepal. This trek in Nepal includes variation of uniqueness to its travel itinerary which makes it popular among trekkers and travel enthusiasts. The highest point of this Annapurna trek entails while crossing the Thorang La Pass sitting at an elevation of 5,414m. During this trek in Annapurna circuit, we'll be passing through the dry valley of upper Manang which is also home to isolated settlement of Tibetan-Buddhists, visit the Muktinath region, and the Kali Gandaki valley where world's deepest river gorge lies. This trek in Nepal also gives the travelers a chance to encounter various mountain community and settlements of Gurung, Thakali, and Manangi people.
The Annapurna Circuit trek has been liked by many and is very popular among trekkers in the world since its opening in 1977. The trek begins from Besishahar and goes along the trails of Marshyangdi River accompanied by the amazing views of the Himalayan ranges. Some of the main mountain ranges of the Annapurna region are Mt. Dhulagiri (8,167m), Nilgiri (7,061m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Tilicho Peak (7,135m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Ganggapurna (7,454m), Chulu (6,584m), Fishtail (6,997m), Mardi Himal (5,553m), and Mount Manaslu ( 8,156m). Three of the mountain peaks among them are above the height of 8,000 meters. The trail goes through the north of the Himalayan range of Nepal on towards the high and dry Tibetan Plateau. This trek even offers an amazing natural hot spring experience to travelers at a place called Tatopani.
This trek in Nepal is however bit strenuous due to the land topography and high altitude. But an enthusiasm for trekking and a little bit of determination will let anyone complete this challenge and it is definitely worth it. Due to the difficulties of crossing the Thorang La pass in Nepal, the circuit is usually walked in a counter-clockwise direction. The Annapurna Circuit trek is a one of the best treks in the world as it offers travelers the opportunity to be close with the Great Himalayas, experience the unique isolated settlements and cultures of Nepal, and be in the foothills of some of the biggest mountain peaks in the world. The best time to do the Annapurna Circuit trek or visit Nepal is during the Spring (March- June) and Fall (Sept-Nov) season however the upper Mustang trek can be done anytime of the year as the weather up there is pretty much the same during the whole time except for the winter.
Trip Itinerary of Annapurna Circuit Trek In Nepal
Arrival in Kathmandu
A company representative from Core Treks will come to pick you up at the airport. After that we'll be taking you to your hotel. After taking some rest we'll meet you at our office or at your hotel and have a short briefing session regarding our travel. Feel free to ask any question you might have regarding the trek. If you want to explore the city we might as well walk around the street of Thamel and it's even possible to do some last minute shopping. There're no further activities for the day so you might as well check into the hotel.
Kathmandu to Besi Shahar
Upon having breakfast, a company representative along with travel guide will come to pick you up at your hotel. Then we begin a long drive to the town of Besi-Shahar and the drive will take around 6-7 hours to reach our destination. Upon arriving Besi Shahar we rest as the next day our trip to the Annapurna Circuit begins.
Besi Shahar to Chyamje to Dharapani
We drive for about 2 to 3 hours furthermore towards the village of Chyamje from where we begin our trekking. We make our way to the Dharapani village and the walk will take from 5-6 hours.
Dharapani to Chame
The walk today might be a bit challenging but the mesmerizing views of the mountain ranges like Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and IV will suffice for it. The trail involves some steep ridge walking and landslide crossing. After about 5 hours of trek we reach the village of Chame where we'll be resting for the night.
Chame to Pisang
After having our breakfast we make our way towards the village of Pisang. We'll be walking through the trails of dense forest. We reach towards the front of a rock face which rises above the river and we then enter into a beautiful valley from where amazing views of the mountain ranges can be savored. We'll call it a day upon reaching Pisang.
Pisang to Manang
Walk on this day is truly a joy. There are two different routes we can take which are via the Upper Pisang or via Geru. Beautiful views of the mountains follow us throughout the trek. Later we encounter a famous monastery called Barge monastery which is a unique experience in itself. Finally we reach Manang and our journey comes to an end for the day.
Acclimatization Day at Manang
Today we enjoy and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Manang village. Also as an acclimatization procedure we remain at Manang to get our bodies acclimatize with the high altitude of the Himalayas. We can do some hiking trip to Bhojo Gompa or to Gangapurna Lake which will help us to adjust with the high altitude even more.
Manang to Yak Kharkha
We set off after having our breakfast towards the proper walking trails of the region. We gradually make our way towards Yak Kharka as we slowly ascend towards higher altitude. We leave the Marshyangdi valley behind us and advance to the village of Yak Kharka where we'll be staying overnight.
Yak Kharka to Thorang Phedi
Our trek on this day is relatively shorter and easy as we make our way towards the base of the Thorang-La Pass known as Thorang Phedi. It is a small settlement and a prime resting place for trekkers doing the Annapurna circuit.
Thorang Phedi to Muktinath via Thorang-La pass
This might be our big challenge as crossing the Thorang-La Pass might be the most difficult phase of the whole trek. We walk in a slow and steady pace as we make our way to highest point of our trek. We'll be crossing the sandy trail of the Thorang-La pass which lies at an elevation of 5,416 meters. After that, we make our way towards Muktinath, which is also a very special pilgrimage destination for Hindu and Buddhist community.
Muktinath to Kagbeni
We descend through the valley following the Kali Gandaki and walk towards Kagbeni. Kagbeni is a village in the Upper Mustang of the Himalayas located in the valley of Kali Gandaki river. It is a beautiful village with traditional mud house and stone house settlements. We make this village our destination for the day and enjoy the scenic views upon reaching here.
Meal Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Kagbeni to Tatopani
Today we'll drive through the world's deepest gorge also known as the Kali Gandaki gorge. From there we'll be descending through the Kali Gandaki valley towards Tatopani. As the name suggest, Tatopani literally means hot water and it is named so because of the existence of a hot spring. It is an amazing experience as the getting into the natural hot water relax our tired bodies and gives us the energy we need that we might have lost from walking too much.
Tatopani to Ghorepani
We head towards the culturally rich and thick settlement of the Ghorepani village leaving the hot spring behind. Ghorepani is a very popular village and many trekkers make it their prime destination for trekking as trek to Ghorepani is one of the best short treks available in Nepal.
Ghorepani to Hille to Pokhara
We wake up early in the dawn and hike up towards a hill station called Poonhill before sunrise. This is a specialty of this place as it provides the panoramic sunrise view of the Annapurna range which is a beautiful sight to behold. Walking through the starry sky and finally watching the peaks of the mountain change its color from white to glittering gold is really spectacular. After enjoying the view we descend back to Ghorepani and upon having breakfast we make our way towards Hille. We trek down to Hille from where we'll drive back to Pokhara as we have come to an end of our trekking journey. We can enjoy the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara and its nightlife this day.
Pokhara to Kathmandu
We'll return back to Kathmandu via the mode of transportation of your choice (i.e. by air flight or by drive). We'll drive back to Kathmandu and back to your hotel. After resting for a bit, we'll be organizing a dinner party for our fellow guests where you'll be taken to a traditional Nepalese cuisine restaurant.
Departure
Our travel journey has now come to an end as we say our goodbyes and take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport 2 hours prior to your flight time. We'll come to pick you at your hotel and a representative will drive alongside you up till the departure gate at the airport.
Trip Includes
- Airport transfers by Private Vehicles.
- Standard twin- sharing accommodation in a three starts hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara, breakfast included. (3 Nights).
- Twin sharing accommodation during trek. (12 Nights).
- Kathmandu – Besi Shahar & Pokhara – Kathmandu by Luxury tourist bus (If you want both ways private vehicle & flight also available on additional cost).
- Besi Shahar to Chymje (Trekking start Point) & Kegbani to Tatopani by local transport.
- Hile to Pokhara by private vehicle.
- Three daily meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
- TIMS Fee- Trekkers' Information Management System & Annapurna Conservation area permit (Please bring 2 passport size photos).
- One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide. Porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary and equipment. Accident insurance for all staff
- Farewell dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural performances.
- Personal care & attention.
- Local and government taxes.
Trip Excludes
- All kind of beverage including mineral water, Phone calls, laundry, hot shower during Trek
- Travel and Rescue Insurance
- Tipping to crew.
- Personal mountaineering gears
- Optional trips and sightseeing if extended
- International airfare and airport departure tax
- Visa fee, you obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu
- Do not mention the services apart from the services mentioned in "Cost Included services"
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal is considered as a moderate level trek. The trekking requires some level experience and a brief training session before beginning the trip. Our mountaineering experts will take you through the guidelines during the training session and inform you about the precautions that could be taken in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Yes, it is completely safe to trek to the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. It helps if you have past trekking experience but possible even with no experience at all. In case this is your first trek ever, be sure to attend the training in order to be aware of the consequences during acclimation.
Expect 5-7 hours of hiking per day on average. Some of the most beautiful sceneries of Nepal such as Manang valley, Thorang La Pass which is the highest point of the trek, Kagbeni village, hot spring at Tatopani and sunrise view from Poonhill hill station.
The food is generally our traditional Nepali lunch which is Dal (Lentil Soup), Bhat (Boiled Rice), Tarkari (Veggies), and Achar (Pickle).
For the accommodation there are specially Hotels & Lodges, Tea houses, and Camping facilities. However due easy accessibility of hotels & lodges throughout the trial, camping is usually avoided during the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal.
To book the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal, CoreTreks offers you a number of booking options including:
- Online booking,
- Wire transfer OR,
- Cash on arrival
We recommend you to go through our booking policy before you head to the payment. In case of further inquiries please feel free to contact us.
Help Himalayan Project
Helping Hands for Himalayan People-Nepal (abbreviation: HHHP-Nepal), a non-profitable, autonomous, non-political, self-existence and dependent social organization. It is especially a volunteer organization working in the field of development in the Himalaya of Nepal, on the right of gender, ethnic a ...
Additional Information
Useful Links:
Here are some links to useful information to help you plan your trip better:
- Travel Insurance
- Trek Packing List
- Responsible Tourism
- Free Travel Guide (New)
CoreTreks is always striving for customer satisfaction and quality services. At the same time, we do not compromise on our responsibilities. We discourage any activities that harm the surroundings as well as the people. Nepal is a country of respect, hence we encourage travelers to greet people and show respect to the culture and traditions.
Altitude Sickness:
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness may start once you reach 1500-2000 meters and upwards. If you gain altitude rapidly without letting your body adapt to the thin oxygen at higher altitudes, you are most likely to suffer from Altitude Sickness. But if you plan for acclimatization days to your itinerary, you are good to go.
The itinerary includes acclimatization days to avoid Altitude Sickness. The sickness is common at high altitudes. Please note that sickness is a topic to be taken very seriously. Here are some few extra preventions:
- Avoid climbing rapidly, give your body some time to adjust
- Drink more water, not less than 5 liters a day
- Eat more, eat often, and eat healthily
- Listen to your body, do not ignore symptoms
- Do not skip acclimatization days
- Be prepared in case of an emergency
Safety and Security
A comprehensive Travel Insurance is mandatory while trekking with CoreTreks. However, there are a few measures that you can implement to ensure safety:
- Secure your belongings
- Do not flash cash or jewelry
- Have an emergency plan
- Do not trek alone
- Only choose authorized trekking agencies
Trekking Equipment
CoreTreks will provide you with the essentials such as a Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bags, a duffle bag, a t-shirt, a trekking map, a self-sufficient medical first aid kit, and more. These are to be returned after completion of the trek.
Personal mountaineering gears are not included but we will provide you with a list of equipment necessary for your trek.
Walking Hours
On average, walking time per day is 5-6 hours below 3,000m. For altitudes higher than 3,000m the average walking time is 3-5 hours per day. The walking hours may vary according to conditions but do not exceeds 6 hours mark per day.
Hiring a Porter/Guide
An experienced guide will be provided for a group of 1-5. A group consisting of 6-12 individuals will be provided with 2 professional guides. The package also includes a porter for every 2 individuals.
All our guides are licensed and well-experienced. They have been guiding with CoreTreks for almost a decade. Guides come in handy whenever you need some quick information, and to enhance overall trekking experience.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Best 16 days of my life
From: Swaziland | On: 11 May, 2019
This trip was literally the best trip of my life. I love Nepal and all the people there. I was planning to trek to Annapurna Base Camp for almost a year and finally got a chance to pack my bag up and book a flight to Nepal.
All the credit goes to CoreTreks and the whole team. The guides were so calm to explain everything and I loved it. I have nothing to complain. Highly recommended if you are looking to trek in Nepal.
Thank you Nepal
From: United States | On: 11 Oct, 2019
Annapurna was amazing. As a travel enthusiast, I can say that Nepal is a great travel destination for trekking and hiking. Sadly I could not experience many other adventure activities that Nepal had to offer but no problem, I will visit again.
Thanks Nepal and the CoreTreks team for guiding us through the trials and helping us transfer our luggage including booking the hotels and food. Thanks again.
Delicious meal with luxury stay
From: Australia | On: 23 Apr, 2018
I would consider the trek to be easier than I thought it would be. Being among the Himalaya range at the base of Annapurna is something that I will forever admire.
I am a big fan of different food all around the world. I loved the Nepalese cuisine. Also I did not expect our stay to be that much luxurious at all, thanks to CoreTreks and the guiding team.
One small suggestion would be to offer some more items on the package like spa, swimming pool, and more. Thanks.
One of my best trips
From: Canada | On: 05 Oct, 2016
Annapurna Circuit Trek is the best trip I have ever had. The trekking was tiring but worth every step. I’m an active trekker myself and had always wanted to visit Nepal for trekking.
Thanks to CoreTreks for making my dream come true. I can frankly say that I enjoyed my time in Nepal.
Thanks to the team at CoreTreks for helping us through our journey and providing us with the best accommodation and food. Highly recommended for travelers.
