Annapurna Circuit Trek- Amazing Trek in Nepal
Overview
Annapurna Circuit Trek offers the most varied and unbelievable scenic setting ranging from charming fields of paddy and greenery pastures, temples and monasteries, tiny brooks to boisterous snowy rivers, greenery hills to magnanimous mountains, pebbles path to stone steps, pine and oak trees to barren bushes.
Because of its remarkable distinct flavor throughout the trek, it is considered as one of the most strenuous and amazing popular circuit in Nepal. To challenge, it should not be less undertaking than anywhere else in the world.
The trek starts at Besi Sahar of Lamjung. As soon as you get on the public bus or private vehicle from Kathmandu, within 7-8 hours of journey you arrive at Besi Sahar in Lamjung. From this point, the trek to one of the most magnificent trek routes commences further through Bhule Bhule in Marshyangdi river valley.
Once the trade route, and prohibited to foreigners was opened since 1977 to see the thousands of trekkers trailing on this solitude but soul-inspiring circuit. The Annapurna circuit trek measures the distance of 160 to 230 kilometers. The length of the route depends on the use of vehicles and how many places are visited during the trek.
The trek offers the variation of the altitude from 800 meters to the 5416 meters when you ascend the Thorung La Pass. Annapurna Circuit trek takes you to the different districts and circles around the Annapurna Mountain Range. During your trek you would enjoy the glittering gigantic mountains such as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I-IV, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak and Gangapurna.
Among the ten tallest mountains in the world, Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers you the charismatic panorama of three mountains. Moreover, the Annapurna Circuit Trek also magnifies your astonishment with the glance of the deepest gorge in the world called Kali Gandaki gorge where the trek ends.
Paving on the edges of the paddy fields you would continue your trek upwards trailing through the stone steps and cold climate higher altitude. In the quest of viewing the tantalizing snow-capped mountains you would pace your feet on the shadowy and narrow path where you would never see any scene of snowy mountains. But don’t worry, the perseverance pays you off.
Amazing Experience in Annapurna Circuit Trek
The most amazing experience of Annapurna Circuit Trek would be to come across the culture of hilly Hindus at the foothills at lowland Terai to the midland hill, to Buddhist followers of Nepal with the influence and culture of Tibet tradition in the village of Manang and Mustang.
Annapurna Circuit trek also lead you to visit Muktinath, a mutual shrine for Buddhist and Hindus which is situated at an altitude of 3,800 meters. Culture and custom of this high land will be understood and observed more when you visit one of the popular Himalayan place of Nepal called Kagbeni.
The more you trace higher, the more predominant would be experience of the community such as Thakali, Gurung and Sherpa in Annapurna Circuit Trek. The Tibet flavor can be experience as it once being the ancient trade route to Tibet.
Culture and tradition are varying in every country and every region. This is also the case in Nepal as it is the country known as the multi-cultural country. As you explore the different places along the trek you would acclimatize with different atmosphere and understand the trail better. Above all, this is adventurous act!
Day 01: Kathmandu to Besi Sahar in Lamjung (830 meters)
The adventure commences from Kathmandu to Besi Sahar, Lamjung. The curved road following the edge of the Trishuli River offers the view of hills, jungle and townships and villages of Dhading, Manakaman, Mugling some positioned in the peak of the hills and many others on edge of a river which flows along the bottom of the hill. Travelling for 6-7 hours of journey, you reach to the first point of the trek.
Day 02 of Annapurna Circuit Trek: Besi Sahar to Bahundanda (1300 meters)
Tracing over the lowland field of paddy and greenery jungle to either sides of your path, you would see the clean water flowing in the river unlike the water seen in the rivers of Kathmandu city. The trekking starts trailing on the edge of the terraced rice field.
The path leads you to the subtropical jungle giving you the view of small villages and rustic setting. When you reach to Khudi village going past Sera village, you come to see the snowy mountain Manslu.
After a while the peak doesn’t appear as you trail further. Eventually, you gear up for Bahundanda which is located at an altitude of 1300meters. Thus, you complete the trek of about 7 hours for second day.
Day 03: Bahundanda to Chamje (1410 meters)
Trek trails through the paddy fields and rivers resembling the scenic surrounding of previous day. The journey of annapurna circuit trekking continues along the path of the river which takes you to the village named Jagat.
While tracing the way, you would also see small cascades in contiguous distance. Going past Jagat village, your trek heads up for Chamje. On this day you continue the trek for about 6 hours.
Day 04: Chamje to Bagarchhap (2160 meters)
The trek brings you close to the appearance of rhododendron and bamboo forest. After crossing Marshyangdi River over a suspension bridge, the first experience of Tibet culture and custom appears in the form of stone-made houses and flat roofs.
Bagarchhap is the first village which welcomes you with Tibet influence. This day your trek hours reaches up to 7 hours.
Day 05: Bagarchhap to Chame (2170meters)
We continue your trek further to cross Syal Khola. You come to see the big trees of walnuts and apple orchid on the way. During your trek now on, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II and IV.
Acclimatizing with altitude and environment you reach to Chame village. The village entrance is decorated with a long wall with numerous prayer wheels. The day concludes with the trek of 6 hours.
Day 06 of Annapurna Circuit Trek: Chamje to Pisang (3190 meters)
Leaving Chamje behind you trail further to reach at Telekhu. The continuation of the trek enters into the forest to arrive at Brathang village. You come to see a gigantic rock rising to 1500meters above the river.
The path even hikes ahead to cross the Marshyandi River again over a suspension bridge. Legs get treatment trailing through the pine forest before resting for the day at Pisang after completing 5 hours trek.
Day 07: Pisang to Manang (3540 meters)
Offering you even clearer and concrete experience of Tibetan tradition, you reach to Braga village which has houses made of stones and shared the same courtyard on their roofs. The beauty of the village has been heightened by the statue, positioned on the rock cliff overseeing to the village, which you would see during your trek.
The magnificent figure and the village is followed by the arid landscape and peculiar rock cliffs in the scene would provide you the glimpse of upcoming geographical structure as best part of this annapurna circuit trek. You are now in the vicinity of the Himalayan village of Manag where you can buy the things you want to.
Day 08: Rest Day
You would have tired and exhausted by continuous 7 day trek. More than that, you need to acclimatize to the environment and altitude. Considering the need of the trekkers, this day has been designated as the rest day. You would visit the village and also can do your washing to yourself or to the laundry.
Day 09: Manag to Letdar (4250 meters)
Here on the landscape and flora gets you different flavor. You would see the juniper and alpine grass leaving behind the large trees and dense forest. Rather you would see the yaks and herd of sheep grazing on the meadow of the hill which looks very charming and alluring in spite of having less greenery and tall trees.
The trek offers you taste of upper Himalayan land. This day the trek continues for 4/5 hours to bring us at Letdar.
Day 10: Letdar to Thorang Phedi (4450 meters)
The trail looks comparatively easier as we pave along the bank of the Jarang Khola to reach to Thorang Phedi. Before ascending to the adventurous highest pass of the trek, you would enjoy the view of blue sheep, yaks, even snow leopards appearing far on the rocky hill and slope meadow.
You would also see the Himalayan vulture roaming around on the sky whereas Himalayan griffon barking running hither and thither.
Day 11: Thorang Phedi via Thorang la to Muktinath (5416 meters)
As adventurous as Thorang La pass is the more exciting and wonderful moment would be when you reach at the peak of the pass during Annapurna circuit trekking. Starting the trek early in the morning before sunrise considering the fact that you would not be affected by the windy air that would disturb when you start late.
As being the tradition route for the locale for hundreds of years, you would not be more hopeless for the pass as it would be completed anyway. Trailing on the icy path of the pass, you would marvels by the magnitude the surrounding offers you at the same you would also feel difficulty to breathe.
Don’t worry, this comes as part of the adventure. Meal doesn’t come free! Eventually, you would scale the pass where you can spend your some fruitful and incredible moment of your life. Then you descend down to the area of Muktinath.
This sanctified shrine both for Hindu and Buddhist is one of the most celebrated place in Nepal, where 108 taps flow water. In the neighboring distance there is located a Jwala Mai Temple which flames the light by natural gas generated from underground. Wow, this day contains the longest trek of nine hours.
Day 12: Muktinath to Jomsom (2665 meters)
As soon as you arrive at the Muktinath, you would not long to leave this holy Himalayan hermit. You would get mesmerized by the serenity and divinity this place presents to you. Even though the blessed feeling of Muktinath can’t be superseded by any place in entire trail, you would definitely want to visit the place called Kagbeni.
Because of its ancient link and relation with Tibet, it has complete cultural influence of Tibet. To magnify your experience and understanding on Tibetan culture, Kagbeni would be the place not to miss when you have come very close to it.
The trail runs down to Kali Gandaki gorge via Kagbeni. Make sure you’ve almost fill your storage capturing the amazing and astonishing beauty of the nature, and prosperity of the culture and of course your own adventurous trek in the form of video or photo.
Eventually, through the hike downwards, you arrive at another popular destination of the trek called Jomsom. Before arriving the jamboree junction of people, you trek for 6 hour this day.
Day 13: Jomsom to Pokhara
You may have thought when you would reach Pokhara. Considering the 14 day trek, you’ve passed 12 days already and you’re now on 13th day of the trek, you would think when you would reach to Pokhara. Yes, now the time has come you to take you directly to Pokhara by flight.
May be it’s time for resting your legs and body, and giving time to the fingers to get in to the social media, family and friends. (If you love sharing in the social media). Having kept the fact in mind that Pokhara being the best place for paragliding, you would enjoy the panoramic view of Pokhara.
Day 14 or Last Day of Annapurna Circuit Trek
Here you come again to the place you’d first landed while arriving to the country. Collecting and accumulating the unbelievable and unforgettable parts and portion of the trek, you finally arrive to Kathmandu. With the best hope and happiness, we extend our heat-felt thanks to you for being the part of this awe-inspiring trekking.
You are humble enough to welcome you again for more mind-blowing and magnificent trek in the hallowed Himalayan land of Nepal.
Things included in the package
- We provide you the bed and breakfast. Accommodation will be shared by two people. However, you can book for the single room with extra charge.
- The overland transport will be held on tourist coach as per the itinerary and size of the group.
- The applicable fee for the Trekking, National Park and Conservation center will be covered.
- We offer you a welcome group dinner
- The wages, meals, and transportation of our trekking staff (guide) will be arranged.
- We also have included the comprehensive medical kit and service of guide.
Things Excluded in the package
- Pick-up/Drop from/to airport.
- The visa fee you would have to pay for travel, medical insurance and airport tax.
- The meals of your personal interest will not be offered in our expense.
- We would also not provide the personal sleeping bags and bags.
- The charge applied in case of emergency evacuation by any means of transport would not be included.
- The charge for accommodation in Kathamndu in you early arrival before the trip will not be included and also the late departure. Moreover, the early departure from trek will also not included in our expense.
- We also don’t include the cost of international flights.
- The trip doesn’t offer the travel and rescue insurance.
- We also don’t include the phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra poter etc.
- We also don’t offer tips for guides and porters, you can give them yourself if you like to give.
Trek start dates
1st Group: 1st of every Month
2nd group: 15th of every month
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Trip Cost- Destination: Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Min-pax: 1-15
- Accommodation: 2 or 3 star level
- Duration: 14 days
- Max altitude: 5416m