Annapurna Circuit Trek is the best long-distance trekking route in Nepal. The AC trip revolves around Mt. Annapurna, the tenth-highest mountain in the world and will traverse within the Annapurna Conservation Area (western Himalayas) and touch some lower Mustang parts towards the journey's end.
Annapurna Circuit Trekking is said to be the best circuit trek in the world. Trekkers enjoy a serene walk in nature on this trip, which leads to a high mountain pass, Thorong La (5,416 m). You walk past picturesque villages, dense rhododendron forests, meadows, and beautiful river valleys.
The cultural diversity, adventure, landscapes, and experience that the Annapurna Circuit adventure offers set it apart from all the trekking routes in the Himalayas. To make the Trek even more exciting, you can extend the trip to Tilicho Lake or the remote Nar Phu Valley.
Annapurna circuit walking route further descends to Muktinath temple (3,800 m), a sacred pilgrimage site. Then it follows the Kali Gandaki gorge to Tatopani, from where you hike to Ghorepani through the jungle.
After enjoying a great sunrise view from Pon Hill, you walk down to Pokhara. Between the treks, we rest in Manang village (3,519 m) and go on a side hike to explore Braga monastery and Parken Gompa or hike to Ice Lake (4,500 m).
Annapurna circuit journey is a very immersive venture that combines adventure and culture. Experience the thrill of pushing forward on a steep, rugged path and the tranquillity of unwinding and rejuvenating nature, which is the magical essence of the Annapurna Circuit Odyssey. This journey takes you far away from your conventional life.
The interactions with locals, the snow-capped mountain views, the simple but delicious meals, and all the stories our mountain guide shares will make the Annapurna circuit trek a lifetime voyage for you. Annapurna Circuit voyage is an adventure for travelers who dare challenge themselves.
There are many attractions of Annapurna circuit trekking in Nepal Himalaya and we have highlighted below some of them.
Annapurna Circuit Trail is in the Annapurna range area. Along the way, you will see the Annapurna Mountains peeking through hills and forests now and then. Annapurna South and Annapurna IV will become your friends in the first few days. Gradually, other ranges will also unfold as the trail opens up.
Annapurna circuit trek is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. It is a protected area. The trekking route is very rich in flora and fauna. You will walk past rhododendron, bamboo, oak, pine, fir, etc forests. There is a high chance of encountering animals and birds along the way.
Annapurna circuit trekking route is adventurous, full of ups and downs via lush forests, narrow paths, meadows, and gorges. You will cross thrilling suspension bridges, walk along rushing rivers, and encounter beautiful waterfalls. Many steep and sloppy sections dare you to push yourself. You will overcome many challenges while enjoying nature and its tranquillity.
Annapurna Circuit Trek goes through many fine villages inhabited by different ethnic groups. You meet Brahmins, Newars, and Chhetris in the lower belt.
The upper trail includes people from the Magar, Gurung, and Thakali communities. These locals have a unique social ecosystem, norms, and beliefs that enchant your journey. Their simple mountain lifestyle, warm hospitality, and humble nature will leave a lasting impression on you.
Annapurna Circuit hiking trip is not just a trek but a cultural immersion that will open your eyes to a new world.
The locals are amiable and welcoming. The night stops are in these villages: Bhulbhule, Chamje, Dharapani, Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi, Muktinath, Tatopani, Ghorepani, and Hile. You get to enjoy the warm hospitality of the natives while spending nights in these villages.
During the Annapurna circuit journey, we have added an acclimatization day in Manang village. Acclimatization is resting and adjusting to the elevation. To do so, we went on a hike.
We have two options- the first one that trekkers usually do is a hike to Braga monastery. Or, you can do a strenuous hike to Ice Lake at 4,500 m.
The scenery and mountain views during the Annapurna circuit trek in Nepal are phenomenal. There is not one day in the mountains without a beautiful landscape.
You also witness diverse landscapes, ranging from verdant hills and rushing rivers to trans-Himalayan landscapes, rocky cliffs, and gorges.
Along the trekking route, you will see Himalayan mountains like Annapurna (8,091 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Nilgiri (7,061 m), Tukuche (6,920 m), Pisang Peak (3,250 m), Tilicho Peak (7,134 m), Hiuchuli (6,441 m), Fishtail (6,993 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), Gangapurna (7,455 m), etc.
When you approach Yak Kharka, the upper part of the trail has giant pastures. Yaks and other mules can be grazing or basking in the sun.
The trail follows a steep, rocky path and ascends to Thorong La, Nepal's highest mountain pass. Crossing the pass asks for the guidance of a professional trekker who can navigate through the slippery slopes.
At 3,800 meters, Muktinath temple is one of the significant pilgrimage sites in Nepal. It is also the usual resting point after crossing Thorong La. The site is essential to both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple dates back to the 7th century and is one of the 108 Siddhpeeth.
After a few hours of drive, you will leave Muktinath behind and pass by the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki.
Only a few people talk about it, though. It is an ancient trade route between Tibet, Nepal, and India. The trail then passes by narrow alleys and beautiful stone houses of Kagbeni on the way to Jomsom and to Tatopani.
Tatopani is known for its natural hot springs. We spend a night there while descending. Locals manage the hot springs, and we must pay a few extra bucks to enjoy them.
The natural hot springs will relieve our sore muscles and help us eliminate skin diseases. Therefore, remember to pack a swimsuit and carry extra cash with you.
In the later part of the Annapurna Circuit trek, we hike to Poon Hill, located above Ghorepani village.
At 3,210 meters, Poon Hill offers excellent sunrise and snow-capped mountain views. It is a famous viewpoint in the lower Annapurna region, and often trekkers visit this place as a single short trek- the Poon Hill trek.
We suggest you hire a porter to carry your bag pack while on a trek. Trekking with a light day pack is much easier, and you will enjoy your trekking holidays to the fullest. A trekking porter carries about 20-22 Kg (about 10-11 Kg from each of you), and we suggest hiring a porter between two trekkers.
There are options to upgrade the transport to a private jeep instead of the local bus. A Jeep costs US $290.00, and 6 people can drive in a Jeep.
On Day 14, you can take a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu instead of a long bus journey, which costs US $120.00 per person.
Are the dates offered unsuitable, or do you want to take a private trip? Check availability for your date.
Annapurna Circuit Trekking is challenging because it involves crossing a high mountain pass. The Thorong La pass is one of the main highlights of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Standing at 5,416 meters, the Thorong La is the highest trekking pass in Nepal and is equally arduous. The route to the top of the pass is not technically demanding but requires professional guidance and support.
Likewise, you will spend a long time in the mountains, almost 10 days, even though the accommodation and meal facilities are decent on the Annapurna circuit trek route. You have to adjust to a simple lifestyle that is drastically different from what people in cities are used to.
The daily long walk on mountainous terrain, never-ending staircases, and frequently trodden sections require fit bodies. You must have sound health, body, and mind to enjoy the Annapurna circuit trekking regardless of all the hurdles. As the trek progresses, the region becomes increasingly remote, limiting the available services.
The elevation rise drops the oxygen level and complicates the trek. You will get exposed to altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness. While trekking, we take all the measures and have an ample acclimatization period. In odd cases, some trekkers still get symptoms of altitude sickness. In such a situation, the mountain guide will give you first aid and take other necessary actions.
You might wonder how safe it is to trek to the Annapurna Circuit. Well, the answer is quite simple and obvious: you can join the trek without any worries. All you have to do is be aware of the underlying risks and avoid any activity that may trigger them. Our expert team will take care of you in the mountains.
Our airport team will help you with hotel transfers on your arrival day. They will be at the terminal gate holding your name card. Enjoy the remaining day relaxing and unpacking.
After a breakfast, we visit different tourist sites with a guide. We spend the morning exploring monuments like the Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhnath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
The remaining day is spent packing for the trek and meeting with the mountain guide.
We have a long journey to the starting point of the trek today. After having a warm breakfast, we leave Kathmandu and drive following green hills, rivers, and terraces. The drive will be smooth for the most part. Passing by Besisahar, we'll continue the drive to Dharapani, enjoying the view peaks.
Today is a long trekking day, so gear up and prepare early. We will trek through beautiful villages, and the trail passes by subtropical forests. We can see unique rock formations and a great mountain panorama on the way. After around two hours of walking, we will reach Timang and walk by the Marshyangdi River valley. Then comes Koto village at 2,600 meters, and we finally reach Chame.
This part of the trail is lovely. We walk past huge apple orchards and see Paungda Danda, a giant rock rising 1,500 meters from a river. From here, we walk past prayer wheels and dense pine forests. After four hours of walking alongside verdant hills, we reach Pisang village.
Today, we use the upper trail via Ghyaru. It is a very scenic route. You can sense the influence of Tibetan Buddhism on this part of the trail and onwards. Walking past lush forests and Mani walls, we reach Ngawal. From here, ascend and cross a forest to Braga. Then, walk up to lovely Manang village.
Today, we spend an acclimatization day in Manang village. The rest day is crucial to avoid altitude sickness. We will hike to Praken Gompa, Gangapurna Lake or take a challenging walk to Ice Lake at 4,500 m. After the hike, we will spend the remaining day in Manang village.
Manang village has much to offer, like coffee shops, museums, and a theater. So, we will have a great time here.
Walking past alpine grasses and junipers, we ascend through remote mountain villages to the meadows where we can see yaks and horses grazing. We first leave Manang village and reach Gunsang after two hours of walking. On the way, we can see snowy mountains. Trekking through firs and junipers, we gradually ascend to Yak Kharka to spend the night.
Today is a short day. The trail ascends to Ledar and passes by Deurali Tea House. On the way, we will pass by Jarang Khola. From here, we walk on a rugged route to Thorong Phedi, we will hike further up to high camp if we will have time left and you are able to do as it will be easier for the next day to go pass over the Thorong La.
The region opens up, and the scenery becomes wider. We will get a good night's sleep today and get ready to cross the pass at dawn the next day.
We will wake up very early today. Leaving Thorong Phedi/High Camp, we will start to walk up to the Thorong La Pass. The trail passes by a transit point at Thorong La. Upon reaching the top of the pass, we can see prayer flags and breathtaking mountain views. The trail then gradually descends to Muktinath.gradually descends to Muktinath.
Before leaving Muktinath, we will visit the temple and receive blessings. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the main temple, so we will explore the premises. After breakfast, we will hop on the jeep/bus and begin our bumpy, scenic ride to Tatopani.
We will drive along the Kalli Gandaki gorge and numerous villages, enjoying views of snowy mountains and green hills on the way.
We walk on a flat path and ascend steeply through remote villages and terraced fields.
The trail then passes by lush forest to Phalate and Chitre villages. The last few hours of the route go through rhododendron forests to the beautiful Ghorepani village. Snow-capped mountains surround the village.
Early in the morning, we hike to the Poon Hill viewpoint. From here, we see a gorgeous sunrise and views of numerous mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Fishtail, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Lamjung Himal, etc.
After having breakfast, descend through the rhododendron and oak forest to Ulleri. After having lunch in Ulleri, we drive to Pokhara.
We leave for Kathmandu in the morning today. The drive will be comfortable and scenic. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we'll drop you off at the hotel and let you enjoy the rest of the day as you wish. In the late evening, we'll meet for a farewell dinner with the team.
Today, you leave for your home country. Our airport team will drop you at the Tribhuvan International Airport and bid you our final goodbye.
I choose the Outfitter Himalaya team to organize my trekking in the Annapurna Circuit and Bhutan Tour. They are committed to all that I need and spared no effort to...