Annapurna Circuit Camping Trek - 22 Days

Quick Facts:

Highlights of Annapurna Circuit Camping Trek:

Annapurna Circuit Trek offers you an extraordinary experience of Nepal's landscapes, its diverse cultures, floras and faunas. The trek begins in the lowland in the rice paddy fields in the foothills at 840 meters (2,755ft) and takes you as high as 5416 meters (17,764ft) above sea level at Thorungla Pass. We can experience spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains towering above the lush green hills to desert like valleys that offer you opportunities for excellent pictures and memories to treasure.

The Annapurna Region is home for many different varieties of floras and faunas. Among the floras, the rhododendron forests are interspersed with various species. There are over 30 species of Rhododendrons found in Nepal. The Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal found in several colors, red, white, purple, and pinkish red, when in blossom in the spring. Those who love to see the spectacular rhododendron flower covered forest scenery with snowcapped peaks in the background should consider trekking in Nepal in the spring season from March to April. Other species of floras found along the Annapurna trails are Sal, Acacia, Chestnut, walnut, Birch, Rosewood, Silky Cotton trees, Oak, Hemlock, Alder, Silver fir, Maples and Blue pines to mention a few.

Mammals: Among the mammals, the rhesus Macaque, common Langur monkeys, snow leopard, Himalayan Weasels, Yellow-Throated Marten, jackal, wolf, fox, Ghoral, musk deer, blue sheep, and many other species are found here. However, the most commonly seen ones are the blue sheep, weasels, and martens around Manang and the monkeys in the lower valleys.

Birds: Some of the birds that make their home in the Annapurna Region of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project are the White capped river chat, Thrushes, Whistling thrush, Little fork tail, White breasted king fisher, Eurasian king fisher, Brown dipper, the White breasted dipper, Lamergier, Himalayan Griffon and many others. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project covers a huge area from altitudes of about 1500m to 8091m above sea level. Therefore, there are great varieties of bird species that live here year-round or as migratory species. Those of you, who are avid bird watchers and love to see birds in detail, should join our bird watching tour. Nevertheless, we can sample a few of the above while trekking around the Annapurna.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu (4,400ft)

Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel, check in and relax. 

Evening-trip briefing and welcome dinner. Overnight hotel / 2 nights,  

Day 2 Kathmandu Free Day

The free day allows you to overcome the jetlag. Options on this day are to do easy cultural tours visiting various Cultural World Heritage Sites to see ancient Nepalese arts and architect or simply relax. 

Day 3 Road to Bhulbule

Breakfast at hotel and travel overland to Bhulbule for about 6-7 hours depending on traffic. Jeep, Van or mini bus are the usual vehicles we use to transport our clients depending on size of the group. We will stop en-route for lunch. Bhulbule is a small town located at the bank of the Marshyangdi River and surrounded by scenic farmlands and villages. Camping.

Day 4 Hike to Jagat

We will hike to Jagat via Bahun Danda, a hilltop village and through scenic slopes, farmlands and villages. It is an easy hike at start and then a small uphill until we reach Bahun Danda. Then rest of the afternoon is fairly easy with small downhill, straight and uphill trails. In the afternoon we will cross over the Marshyangdi River to Jagat. Camping.

Day 5 Hike to Dharapani

We will hike up along the Marshyangdi River crossing it twice by the time we reach our evening stop. It is a scenic river valley trail with sheer rock cliffs and scenic green. Camping.

Day 6 Trek to Chame (8,626ft)

We will hike through open space and forest covered trails. Part of the time, we will also hike on the newly constructed road. In the evening, we will reach the Manang District headquarter located at the Marshyangdi River bank surrounded by forest covered valleys and sheer rock walls. It has local lodges and restaurants of various standards. Camping.

Day 7 Trek to Pisang (10,463ft),

We will hike the beautiful evergreen and deciduous forest trail along the Marshyangdi River valley in the extreme lower slope of Annapurna two on the left and steep rock cliff on the right. Although we are hiking up and gaining nearly 2000 feet elevation, it is an easy trail. As we approach Dukur Pokhari, the valley opens and the scenery is breathtaking. It is then a flat to gradual uphill trail until we reach Pisang Village, where we spend the night. Camping.

Day 8 Trek to Manang (11,611ft),

Today, we are hiking up this wide open valley of the Marshyangdi River and Manang with excellent mountain views. Today’s trail is mostly easy and flat except one small uphill before Humde Village. 

The view of peaks such as Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Tilcho, Pisang and Chulu East are breathtaking. We will hike to Manang Village past Braga Village with a monastery in the cliff. Camping.

Day 9 Leisure day in Manang for acclimatization,

Today, we will visit the Braga Buddhist monastery and then relax rest of the day to better acclimatize. Camping.

Day 10 Trek to Ledar (4200m/13,776ft)

We will hike through the medieval village of Manang while enjoying the spectacular view of Annapurna I-IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Manaslu far in the east of Marshyangdi River gorge, Pisang, Chulu East-West and Thorung Peaks (locally know as Yakwakang 6482m on the right of the pass, Thorung Peak on the first left 6144m and Khatungkang 6484m immediate left of Thorung Peak). After we leave Manang and Ghusang villages, we will hike through Yak Kharka, which literally means Yak pasture where lodges and teahouses have been built to cater the growing number of hikers through this route. As we get higher, we will hike along one of the tributaries of the Marshyangdi River that begins in the Thorung and Chulu West glaciers. Now we are hiking the upper alpine belt where the common vegetation is mostly made up of juniper, barberries, Dwarf alpine rhododendrons and various other alpine scrubs. 

Mammals seen easily along this route are the herds of blue sheep. We will spend the night at Ledar. Camping.

Day 11 Trek to Thorung High Camp (4925m/16,154ft),

Early breakfast and trek to along the slope. The beginning part of the trail is easy. Then we hike through landslide area. Once we reach the original Thorung Phedi/base camp, we will hike a straight uphill trail until we reach the high camp.

Upon arrival, we will check into our rooms, refresh, relax, eat a healthy dinner and sleep early to prepare the next day. Camping.

Day 12 Trek Thorung La pass (17,764ft) to Muktinath (12,464ft),

Today is the most strenuous and important day of our trek which should not be taken lightly as this is a high altitude hike. We will get up at 2:00AM, pack up, drink, eat and start hiking uphill at 3:00AM. We shall reach the pass by 9:00AM

We will stop at the pass few minutes to take photos and enjoy the great views of Thorung peaks and Chulu West to East peaks as well as some of the peaks of the upper Mustang region. We will then hike downhill rest of the day. The upper part of the trail is rocky, but easy to hike on while the lower slope trail close to the Westside of the Thorung base camp is narrow and steep which is become difficult for people with weaker knees. As we hike down valley to Muktinath, we will begin to see the vast Kali Gandaki River valley (the deepest river gorge in the world between two 8000m peaks, Annapurna one on the left and Dhaulagiri one on the right) with snowcapped peaks and brown rocky peaks. The Kali Gandaki River not only flows through the deepest gorge, it also is one of the longest rivers of Nepal with its origin at Nhubine Himal Glacier of Mustang Nepal -Tibet border area. We will enjoy the majestic views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak and Thorung peaks. The whole region of upper Manang, Muktinath, Kali Gandai River gorge and upper Mustang are rain shadow areas. Therefore, the people here construct their houses with flat rooftops using mud and stone as the main walls. Camping.

Day 13 Trek to Marpha (8,758ft),

We eat breakfast; visit the Muktinath temples of both Buddhist and Hindu faith and hike downhill to Kagbeni. Afternoon, we will hike along the Kali Gandaki River bed passing through Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang and then to Marpha Village for overnight. Camping.

Day 14 rest and explore Marpha

Today, we will rest and visit village people and their Buddhist monastery.

Marpha has Nepal’s most famous Apple orchard and nursery. Camping.

Day 15 trek to Ghasa (6,593ft)

We will hike along the Kali Gandaki River banks for most of the day by crisscrossing at various points. Expect to hike part of the time on the dirt road as the road builders did not spare the ancient trails and made it part of the motor road. Enjoy the beauty of nature and greetings of people along the way. It is an easy trail most of the day except toward the end of the day that we will hike through narrow trails. In the afternoon, we will begin to see pine forest and mixed deciduous forest as we descend to warmer area. We will also see the majestic peaks of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri peaks, Tilicho Peak, Annapurna One and Annapurna South above the gorge. Camping.

Day 16 trek to Tatopani (3,903ft)

Today, we will along the Kali Gandaki River’s narrower part of the gorge passing through sparsely settled area. Rupse Chhahara is a beautiful waterfall coming down a steep cliff. Everything is beautiful except the hike on the dusty dirt road as we do not have an alternate route. The ugly part of the road development in this area is not sparing the thousands of years old ancient foot trail between Nepal and Tibet. We will then arrive in Tatopani, a more open area with lodges where we’ll spend the night. Camping.

Day 17 trek to Ghorepani (9,184ft),

We will eat early breakfast and hike uphill rest of the day to Ghorepani passing through villages, farmlands and Rhododendron forest. Although it is some five thousand feet gain on this hike today, we can make it as it is a low elevation hike. Camping.

Day 18 Trek Poon Hill Viewpoint (10,529ft) and to Tadapani (3,903ft)
At 4.30AM we’ll trek uphill to Poon Hill Viewpoint (3200m) to enjoy spectacular Himalayan views at sunrise. We can see the Annapurna Himalayan range, and Dhaulagiri range. This is one of the best Himalayan views one can enjoy on a Nepal trek. Then return trek, breakfast, check out and trek to Tadapani, surrounded by dense rhododendron forest. It is a beautiful hiking trail with forest and Himalayan scenery with possible sighting of wildlife such as langur monkeys, barking deer, goral deer and birds.

Camping.

Day 19 Trek to Ghandruk (6,363ft) and the to Syauli Bagar)
After breakfast, we will hike to Ghandruk for lunch, a famous Gurung village from where we can enjoy an excellent view of the Annapurna Himalayan range on the south side.

After lunch, we will hike a gradual downhill trail to Syauli Bagar. Camping.

Day 20 Trek to Nayapool and drive Pokhara (3,149ft),
Breakfast and trek through the scenic Modi Khola valley with terraced farms and villages. It is a gradual downhill trail with many stone steps.
Lunch break in Birethanti at Modi riverside. Afternoon, drive to Pokhara’s Phewa Lakeside, check in and remaining time at leisure to explore Phewa Lakeside scenery, temples, local souvenirs from modern to antiques.
There are well established restaurants that serve authentic Nepali, Eastern and Western cuisines to your choice. Dinner is on your own. Overnight stay at hotel / 1 night.

Day 21 Flight Pokhara to Kathmandu
Breakfast at hotel, check out and flight to Kathmandu.
On arrival, transfer to hotel and day at leisure. Farewell dinner. Overnight stay in hotel / 1 night.

Day 22 Departure from Kathmandu
Breakfast served at hotel and then our complimentary transfer will take you to Kathmandu Airport for your connecting flight. Our service ends after we transfer you to the airport.