Annapurna Circuit (trip)
Annapurna Circuit
- Kathamndu Airport, Nepal
- Active & Adventure
| from $1,920* per person | 23 Days | February-July, September-December |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Ace The Himalaya | 12 people max | |
The highest point of the Annapurna Circuit trek is Thorung La pass at the top of the valley at 5416 meters high. Due to the difficulties of crossing the pass, the circuit is usually walked in a counter clockwise direction. Traveling clockwise the longer ascent and shorter descent from west to east is too much for many people to manage in one day.
As we descend to the west at Muktinath, from pass we continue to the barren Tibetan like village of the Kali Gandaki - the world's deepest gorge, passes between the giant Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. After you cross the Thorung La pass from Manang to Muktinath the final seven days of the circuit trek are the same as the Jomsom Trek from Pokhara, but in reverse.
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Locations visited/nearby
Nepal, Asia
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Ace The Himalaya:
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Reviewer: Claire Love
located in
Dubai
We were a group of 4 girls wanting a challenge and that's exactly what we got...one that was tailored to our needs! Our Ace team led by Aakash KC did a sterling job getting us all the way to Everest base camp - having filled us with numerous mo-mos! The team were amazing managing to put up with our varied moods, humour and joining in the brithday celebrations! We were privaleged to have two guides with Dhruber always running ahead to secure our night's accomodation. An amazing trip, that made treking to EBC and Kalapattar a huge accomplishment! Thank you for making our experience an awesome one!
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Reviewer: Colleen Shanahan and Michael Fischer
located in
Philadelphia
USA
We spent two and a half weeks hiking from Jiri to Everest Base Camp with guide Gyanu and porter Manoj and had a terrific experience. Gyanu was professional, experienced, and good company on the trail. He did a great job of being flexible (we changed our itinerary several times and he was very accommodating) and of making sure we were having the experience we wanted (from picking good lodges en route to scouting out fresh chicken when we were growing weary of dal bhaat to using his previous experience as a cook to make some terrific momos). His years of experience also meant he could answer any question - from Nepali politics to mountain naming to the local liquor to which lodge has good pizza. Manoj was equally good company, with a humorous charm and was eager to practice his developing English and guiding skills - we have no doubt he is on his way to becoming a great young guide. When we head to the Himalayas again, we would happy to go with Gyanu and Manoj.
As to the Jiri to Everest itinerary, we enjoyed having the experience of the week from Jiri to Lukla to get our trail legs and see some much quieter, less trekker-focused villages. We particularly liked Junbesi and Khari Khola. We might make one change: taking two days instead of one to walk from Jiri to Bhandar. We also enjoyed the Lukla to Everest base camp portion with it's spectacular views. Unfortunately, due to weather we did not go through Cho La pass to Gokyo so we will have to return to visit that area.
All in all, a great experience. -
Reviewer: Darlene Frazee
located in
1604 Honey Court,
USA
Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I had on the Everest Base Camp Trek. Not only was it an amazing hike through a beautiful country with wonderful people with which we could have never made it without our guides and porters. Bharat was our lead guide and I have to say the best guide I have ever had. He not only took care of us he made sure the porters were taken care of and he knew the people and cared for the environment. Dhurba was the other guide, he would go ahead of us to make sure we got a good place for the night and come back to walk with us, he was like Superman! Ace the Himalayas is a first class trekking company that cares about their clients, environment and the people of the region. I highly recommend them and will always use them when I visit here.
Itinerary
Day 01- Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1345meters).There you will be met by our Airport Representative and transferred to hotel by private tourist vehicle. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02- Kathmandu city tour.
In the morning after breakfast at 9 AM, we host a Pre-Trip meeting at your hotel in Kathmandu and introduced your trek Leader/Guide mean time and it will provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about the your trek and to introduce you to other participants. This includes a final briefing and preparations for the trip.
PLEASE ADVISE US IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE PRE-TRIP MEETING.
In THE PRE-TRIP MEETING All passengers MUST bring:
1. Passport.
2. Four copies of Passport size photos each.
3. Travel Insurance Policy.
4. A writing pen
5. Notepad.
After the Pre-Trip meeting and breakfast your sightseeing trip will start at 9.45 AM in the morning. We provide a private vehicle and professional tour guide. We visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. After Bodhnath Stupa we visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. We also visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a collection of pagoda and shikhara – style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is The Lion gate, The Golden gate, The Palace of fifty five windows, Art Galleries, The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla.
The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area near by your hotel. Later, we are supplied with our Trek Pack and departure information for tomorrow. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03- Drive to Besisahar (830meters) by bus. 7 hours.
Trekking staff will arrive at your Hotel at 7.00 am in the morning to pick you up. We have 7 hours of driving to Besishar. It is about 185km from Kathmandu. On arrival at Besisahar you will witness stunning snow caped mountain scenery. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 04- Trek to Bahundanda (1310 meters) 5 hours.
Today our journey starts at Besishahar, from where, the trail makes the climb to Khudi at 790m, then reach the first Gurung village (many of Nepal’s Gurkha Soldiers are Gurungs). As we continue the from Khudi the trail offers fine views of Himalchuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli). It climbs to Bhulbhule at 825m, it then goes to Ngadi before reaching Lampata at 1135m and nearby Bahundanda at 1310m. A brilliant start to the culture of Nepal. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 05- Trek to Chamje (1400meters). 5 hours.
The trail drops steeply to Syange at 1070meters from Bahundanda. Leaving Bahundanda a large waterfall may be seen. Crossing the Marsyangdi River on a suspension bridge. We then follow the river to the stone village of Jagat before climbing through forest to Chyamje at 1400meters. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 06- Trek to Bagarchhap (2160meters). 5 hours.
Our day begins with the rocky trail following the Marsyandi Rivers steadily uphill to Tal at 1675meters, the first village in the Manang district. We make a trail verse crossing a wide, flat valley. The journey continues up and down to Dharapani at 1890 meters. A stone entrance chorten typical of the Tibetan influenced villages. Upon reaching Bagarchhap at 2160 meters the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans design along with the village surrounded by apple Orchards and maize fields. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 07- Trek to Chame (2630meters). 5 hours.
The trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360 meters, then continuing through forest, but near the river, to Kopar at 2590meters. As we reach the Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II as you approach Chame & two small hot springs by the town. Along this route we are introduced to a local community said to have migrated from Tibet a long time past, noticeable by their different features. With them, they have bought local Tibetan house designs and maintained their ways. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 08- Trek to Pisang (3300 meters) 5 hours.
The day starts through deep forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2910meters. We then cross another bridge at 3040meters, from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face really begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3200m & 3300meters. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 09- Trek to Manang (3540 meters). 5 hours.
Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd the yaks & raise crops for part of the year. They also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784. Leaving Pisang, we have alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325meters which involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3475meters to nearby Manang at 3540meters. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 10- Acclimatization day at Manang village.
Today we spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. The whole day we spend doing some fine day walks and over viewing the magnificent views around the village & the day time is best to gain altitude. At the end of the day, we return back to our accommodation & have a night rest. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 11- Trek to Yak Kharka (4000 meters) 5 hours.
Today we leave Manang, & the trail makes an ascent of nearly 500meters to the Yak Kharka. We make the climb steadily through Tenki Manang, leaving the Marsyangi Valley. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we reach Yak Kharka at 4000 meters, there we see the many yaks and vegetations steadily more sparse. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 12- Trek to Thorong Phedi (4450 meters) 5 hours.
After asending for two hours the trail descends to cross the river at 4310meters we then climb up to Thorong Phedi at 4450meters where we have recently found some good Guesthouses built. Our overnight stay will be there. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 13- Trek to Muktinath (3800 meters) via Thorung La pass (5416 meters) 8 hours.
Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at 4 am to reach the pass by 9-10 am otherwise weather conditions will greatly affect the journey. We cross over at an altitude of 5416 meters we can be exposed to strong winds if crossing too late. We start to climb steeply that is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problems to cross the pass if it is covered by heavy snow. About four hours climb up to the pass marked by the chortens & prayer flags. As you reach the top, you are rewarded by the magnificent view from the top with another 4 hours trek will take to the holy town of Muktinath.
Muktinath means place of Nirvana and is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows you feel are relieved when visiting the Temple, which is a scared pilgrimage site to both Hindus and Buddhists. The main pilgrimage normally takes place in September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it from which Holy water pours. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple this contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural underground gas. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 14- Trek to Marpha (2670 meters) 6 hours.
Our descent continues through the Kali Gandaki Valley to Marpha. Marpha is home to many apple orchids as well as all the various food products made from the fruit. Apple Brandy is a local specialty that you may be lucky enough to taste en route. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 15- Trek to Ghasa (2010 meters) 6 hours.
We descend through the valley following the Kali Gandaki River to Ghasa. We walk along the bank of Kali Gandaki River. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 16- Trek to Tatopani (1190 meters). 5 hours.
Today, we will walk through the world’s deepest gorge in the Earth at Kopchepani; we then continue descending through the Kali Gandaki River valley to Tatopani. This place is famous for its hot springs. This is the best place to relax your body after a long days trek, we will have one more extra day here tomorrow to relax. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 17- Rest and relaxing day at Tatopani. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 18- Trek to Ghorepani (2810 meters) 6 hours.
Leaving the hot springs behind us we ascend again to Ghorepani arriving mid afternoon. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 19- Hike to Poon Hill (3210meters) and trek to Tikhedunga (1570meters) 5 hours.
Today, very early in the morning, we start an hour hiking to Poon Hill at elevation of 3210meters, a brilliant spectacle; this vantage point provides unobstructed views of the early morning sunrise over the high Himalayas. There we spend about 1 hour, then return to Ghorepani where we take a hot breakfast at the hotel then trek down to Tikhedunga (1570meters). Before starting towards Tikhedunga, we then walk down along the ridges and through rhododendron forests to large Magar village of Ulleri at 2070meters. After that we descend steeply down to Tikhedunga. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 20- Trek to Nayapul (1010 meters) 3 hours and drive to Pokhara
Today, we are going to end our trek at Nayapul at elevation of 1010 meters, then driving to Pokhara for an hour by private vehicle. We have short and easy walking day for today. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 21- Pokhara city tours.
Your sightseeing trip will start at 9 AM in the morning after breakfast. Places we visit are Fewa Lake, Bagnes Lake, Devi’s water fall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave. You will have relaxing afternoon. Overnight at hotel.
Day 22- Drive back to Kathmandu (1345meters).
Overnight back at the hotel in Kathmandu. If you are interested in continuing onto Chitwan Jungle Safari, River Rafting Adventure, Kathmandu Shopping Tour or Scenic Everest Flight.
Day 23- Transfer to international airport for your final departure.
The trip ends, our Airport Representative will drop you to the Kathmandu international airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
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