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Best Season: , May, September, October (best in terms of view), November
One of the most popular treks in Nepal is the Annapurna Circuit Trek. It is one of the most popular treks among visitors who want to experience the ultimate trekking experience in their life. One cannot find such a diverse range of natural treasures, stunning mountains, incredible landscapes, Himalayan culture, warm hospitality and so on, making it the most unique and gratifying.
This trekking route offers ample time to witness stunning peaks and mighty Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV and alluring Machhapuchre (Fishtail)– 6997 m along the way. The trail leads you to the mighty Annapurna, passing through hills, and beautiful villages inhabited by multiple ethnic groups including Tamang, Gurung, Sherpa, and Magar. You can enjoy the unique hospitality, lifestyle, and culture and enjoy their traditional cuisine and Nepali food. You will pass across rivers, suspension bridges, slippery rocks, rhododendron forests and more, making your trek a lifetime memorable. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any adventure lover. Annapurna basecamp is best visited in the spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October).
Major Highlights of Langtang Valley Trek.
Your ultimate adventure starts with your landing in Kathmandu valley surrounded by beautiful green hills and alluring Mountain views. After finishing up with customs at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed tothe land of the Himalayas by our representative. You will enjoy a drive through crowded and narrow roads from the airport to your hotel. After freshening up yourself, you can explorea tourist place called Thamel. You would enjoy many choices of restaurants and meals providing both local and western foods.
Kathmandu is also known as a city of temples. Decorated with historic temples, Stupas, Durbar square and beautiful historic monuments listed in World Heritage sites, this city has a lot to offer. Kathmandu is aunique and artistic city that shows the life of ancient people, their culture, art, sculpture, lifestyle and many more. Kathmandu offers different vibes starting in the morning to night. Full of diversity, Kathmandu city offers mouthwatering local cuisines and street foods from different parts of Nepal. People speak 125 official languages. You can enjoy Nepali as well as internationalcuisine based on your preference.
Early morning, you will leave Kathmandu for Besisahar. This is going to be a long drive today. The journey is filled with breathtaking views of the Manaslu and Annapurna range, green hills, and the Trishuli river. The road is winding, bumpy and narrow until you reach the confluence of the Trisuli and Marshyangdi rivers. You will drive along the Prithivi Highway after crossing a bridge over the Marshyangdi. After 20 minutes, you will reach Dumre and follow the north route to Besisahar. After 4 hours of drive from Dumre, you will reach Besisahar. Now, you will take 3 hrs of drive from Besisahar to reach Jagat. The road is rough and tough till you rich Chame. However, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, waterfalls, mountain view and rice terrace along the way. Driving past beautiful villages, you will reach Jagat and stay overnight.
Drive time: 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Today, you will drive to Lower Pisang following Dharapani and the beautiful Chame. The rugged road will pass small settlements including Chyamje, Tal, Karte and many more.On the way, you will see a spectacular view of the Annapurna range. Slowly, you will pass through a stunning waterfall and suspension bridge on your way to Dharapani. After a few hours of drive, you will reach upper Pisang. After 2 days of a drive along bumpy roads, you will be trekking alongside the Annapurna range from tomorrow. Till today, you gain a considerable altitude of 3000m. The views from upper Pisang are stunning. Tomorrow, you will be testing your feet. Today, sleep well, stay hydrated and relax.
Drive time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
The trek from Pisang to Manang is a moderate ascent (lower path) and higher tough with stunning views of the Annapurna range along the way. You will enjoy every moment but depends on how you choose your path. There are 2 different paths from Pisang to Manang. The higher altitude path and lower moderate and shorter one. My recommendation will be a drier upper path to Manang. However, if you are having any symptoms of altitude sickness, try the lower trail. You will walk along with the beautiful Buddhist town – Ghyaru. When you reach Manang, you will see the stunning mountain view of Annapurna, Pisang, Tilicho peak, Pisang peak and Gangapurna.Today, you will spend the night at beautiful Manang.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
It is indeed an additional day to expose your body to a new height. However, you will spend the night back inManang. This is done to help your body adjust and avoid altitude sickness along the journey.Although Manang is a small village, it offers numerous side trips. The rigorous trek to Ice lake (3900m) is one of the most popular of all. Chongkor view will offer a beautiful view of the glacial lake as well. You can also visit nearby Gumbas and local monasteries. The view of the Gangapurna glacier, which overs over the Manang is also beautiful to capture.You can go to the Himalayan Rescue Association (clinic), where they will provide information on altitude sickness everyday for free. It is a good option to get acclimatized before you go over 4000m; the next day.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
On the seventh day of your trek, you will trek to Sri Kharka. Leaving behind Manang, you will trek pastthe western gate and trek down to the river. After crossing it, you will walk through the forest to reach the beautiful Khangsar village.The trail to Sri Kharka is dusty and rugged.After passing a beautiful monastery, you will head further watching stunning Chulu and Gungang in the background. After 4-5 hrs of a trek, you will reach Sri Kharka and spend the night today.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
The trek today will be easy because the trail isn’t that steep, but it will be exhausting because you’ll be walking on small trails through loose stones and prone to landslides. You will witness a360-degree view of the mountain range. From onward, you will not see any hotels/teahouseson the route to Tilicho lake.When you arrive at the base camp, go to a teahouse in which your rooms are reserved for the day and rest. Overnight at Tilicho Base Camp.
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Today, you will trek early morning to beautiful and pristine Tilicho Lake. There will be less wind in the morning and the first ascend will be a little demanding. You will enjoy the mesmerizing view of emerald Tilicho and glittering glaciers once you arrive at the lake. It is situated at the base of Tilicho peak.After exploring the lake and capturing moments for some time, you will retrace back to Sri Kharka overnight.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
After early breakfast, you will begin your trek to Sri Kharka. First, the trek will be easy to descend to Khangsar village. After crossing a river, the trek ascends to the barren landscape from where you can see Yak Kharka. You might see some wildlife (Blue Sheep) on these routes if you are lucky on this day. You can visit Tare Gumba. It is a sacred place for people living in this area. After a few miles of walking, you will reach Yak Kharka. There are a few teahouses that will provide you with food and lodging facilities. This will be your destination for today.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
This is going to be the final stretch of the trek before the difficult trek to Thorong La Pass. Now, your body is progressively acclimating to the high altitude as you walk over 4500m. Take it easy and stay hydrated all the time. The path to Thorong Phedi winds through an isolated and lonely area. It is a glacier valley bordered on three different sides by the high mountains. It’s a typically cold place. When you arrive at the rest stop, go straight to a tea house and get warm. You sleep early tonight because you have a hard day tomorrow. Overnight at Thorong Phedi.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Today’s trek will be challenging compared to the entire trip before and ahead. You will get up early and leave before the sun rises because there is no wind in the morning. The path is steep in the first few hours but not difficult. After one hour, you will reach High Camp where you can rest for a few minutes, drink hot water, tea whatever you have carried and continue going up. The final few hundred meters to the summit of Thorong La is difficult. After 2-3 hours, you will reach the top of Thorong La Pass (5416m/17769ft). When you reach the top, you will be greeted by a breathtaking mountain vista. Dhaulagiri (8167m) stands majestically over the head of Thorong La Pass. From the top, the old kingdom of the upper mustang can be seen in the distance as well. Stay for a while and capture memories with your friends.
After crossing the path, you will descend slowly as the trail is slippery and rocky. It will take around two and half hours to reach the holy pilgrimage –The Muktinath temple. It is revered by Hindus as well as Buddhists as a place of salvation. As you arrive in Muktinath village, go to your hotel to relax your hurting muscles. Overnight at Muktinath.
Trekking time: 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Early morning, you will visit Muktinath (Vishnu Temple) for blessings. It is a famous pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists attracting a large number of people every year. After a short visit to Muktinath and its surrounding, you will either board a vehicle or trek to Jomsom via Lubra (a beautiful village). You can see the best view from the top of Lubra village, which you wouldn’t see from the bus/Jeep. After Lubra, you will descend all the way to Kagbeni (Junction between upper and lower mustang). Upper Mustang lies above Kagbeni – an isolated kingdom secluded from the main area. The road from Muktinath to Jomsom is well paved, however in some place’s construction is going on. If you want to take a jeep, it will take one hour to reach Jomsom from Muktinath. The road winds along the picturesque Kali Gandaki.
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Now, you can celebrate in the evening and relax.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Early morning, our representative will book your ticket to Pokhara. Otherwise, you can take a bus/Jeep to Pokhara.It can take up to 8-9 hrs via Jeep because of the condition of the road. The easy way is to fly back to Pokhara. It will fly through the world’s deepest gorge (Kaligandaki gorge) before landing in Pokhara. Sometimes, the flight could be delayed if the winds are strong and visibility is weak. Enjoy your time and party at the lakeside. Overnight at Pokhara.
Flight time: 25 minutes
Accommodation: Hotel
Drive to Kathmandu via tourist bus. When you arrive in Kathmandu, check into your hotel and relax. Make your last evening special with a special farewell supper at a traditional restaurant nearby. You can take part in Nepal cultural events while enjoying your dinner. You can also buy a few souvenirsas well from local shops nearby.
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Driving distance: 5 miles (8 km)
Accommodation: Hotel
Insurance
Trekking in the Himalayas is not always fun. Our government has designed many protocols to make sure on safety of our tourists but sometimes it is really hard to prevent risk. Due to few transportation options in Nepal, the only fastest way to rescue anyone from the mountain is a Helicopter which could be very expensive. Therefore, we would like you to get insured through a trustworthy insurance company just to be safe. Make sure you are insured with helicopter rescue, medical injuries and any other emergency issues. We would highly recommend you carry a copy of your insurance and send one to us just in case of any emergencies.
Permit Requirements:
TIMS Trekker Permit.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
Gears needed:
Bring all these essential gear with you about the checklist. If you want to buy it in Kathmandu, there are multiple places here as well. Ask us if you want a better place to buy or rent gear.
Physical fitness: Trekking to Annapurna Region is a physically demanding activity, and it requires a good level of physical fitness. One should engage in regular cardiovascular and strength-building exercises for at least a few months before embarking on the trek. Exercises such as hiking, running, cycling, and strength training will help prepare the body for the rigors of trekking.
Adequate acclimatization: Acclimatization is the process of adapting to high altitudes. As you trek higher, the air becomes thinner, and the body needs time to adjust. Adequate acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness, a potentially fatal condition. It is recommended to spend a few days at lower altitudes to allow the body to acclimatize before climbing higher.
A knowledgeable guide: Trekking to Annapurna circuit is a challenging activity, and having a knowledgeable guide is essential for success. A guide will help navigate the route, provide information about the local culture, and assist in case of any emergencies. It is important to choose a guide who is experienced and knowledgeable about the trek.
Proper nutrition and hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing altitude sickness. It is recommended to consume a high carbohydrate and protein-rich diet to provide the necessary fuel for the body. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It is recommended to carry a water purification system or tablets to ensure access to clean water.
Mental preparation: Trekking to Annapurna Circuit Trek is a mentally challenging activity. It requires patience, perseverance, and mental toughness. It is important to be mentally prepared for challenges and to have a positive attitude. It is also important to be aware of the risks and to take appropriate precautions.
Basic first aid knowledge: Basic first aid knowledge is essential for trekking to Annapurna Circuit Trek. It is important to know how to treat common injuries and illnesses, such as blisters, altitude sickness, and hypothermia. It is recommended to carry a basic first aid kit with essential items such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.
Respect for the environment and local culture: Trekking to a very unique region of Annapurna Region is an opportunity to experience the local culture and environment. It is important to show respect for the local culture and customs and to minimize the impact on the environment.
