Annapurna Circuit Express Trek

Detail Itinerary

• Day 01:Drive from Kathmandu (1400m) to Besisahar (760m) Early in the morning, our company representative (especially guide) will pick you up from your hotel. You will then be transferred to the Tourist Bus Stop. We will then drive for Besisahar. While on a journey of around 6 hours we will enjoy the countryside view of Nepal, its greenery, fast-flowing rivers, and high hills. We will spend a night in Besisahar.
  
  Driving Time: 6 hours
  Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu (1400m)
  Minimum Altitude: Besisahar (760m)
  No. of hotels/lodges: 20+
  Major Attractions of the day: local villages, green vegetation, and off-road tracks
• Day 02:Drive to Chame (2630m) After breakfast at the hotel in Besisahar, we will drive with local sharing jeep till Chame (District Headquarters) which takes about 6 hours. The route to Chame is very interesting and exciting. In route, we will get the view of several mountains namely-- Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV. We will spend some time in hot spring before halting a night at Chame.
  
  Driving Time: 6 to 7 hours
  Maximum Altitude: Chame (2650m)
  Minimum Altitude: Besisahar (840m)
  No. of hotels/lodges: 10+
  Major Attractions of the day: green forest, fast-flowing rivers, local houses, and people, waterfalls, suspension bridges, cascades, and so on
• Day 03:Chame to Upper Pisang (3190m) Today, our trail goes through a steep and narrow valley. Here, we get the first view of Paungda Dada. It is a curved rock face that rises 1500m from the river. It is a kind of its own viewpoint from where we get a memorable view of Annapurna ll at south and Pisang Peak at north-east. Finally, we will descend to Manang Valley where we spend our night at Upper Pisang.
  
  Walking Time: 6 to 7 hours
  Maximum Altitude: Pisang (3300m)
  Minimum Altitude: Chame (2650m)
  No. of hotels/lodges: 10+
  Mountains Viewed: Annapurna and Manaslu Himalayan Ranges, Gangapurna
  Major Attractions of the day: Danakyu, waterfalls, cascades, splashing river with whitish waves, green forests, alpine vegetation, rhododendron and pine blooms, off-road tracks and sunset view, Mt Annapurna (8091m), old monasteries, Mani wall, and ancient villages, Dhukur Pokhari
• Day 04:Upper Pisang to Manang (3520m) We follow the route which goes through Geru. We choose this trail because it gives you an opportunity to view Mt. Annapurna, Pisang Peak, among others. The climate of Manang is cold and dry. In Manang, we visit Barge Monastery. It is the biggest monastery in the Manang district. We spend our night at Manang.
  
  Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
  Maximum Altitude: Manang (3540m)
  Minimum Altitude: Pisang (3300m)
  Mountains Viewed: Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Pisang peak, and Gangapurna
  Major Attractions of the day: Gompa and shrines, Braga village, pine forest, Tibetan-styled houses, colorful Chortens, monasteries, and snowcapped landscape
• Day 05:Manang Acclimatization Day Today is a rest day at Manang. We rest in order to keep ourselves fit and to avoid altitude sickness. Halting here for a day helps to get familiar with the environment. But, we will be busy doing short hiking to Bhojo Gumba or Gangapurna Lake. We will spend overnight in Manang.
  
  Altitude: Manang (3540m)
  Mountains Viewed: Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Pisang peak, and Gangapurna
  Major Attractions of the day: Gompa and shrines, Tibetan-styled houses, monasteries, snowcapped landscape, and Gangapurna Lake
• Day 06:Manang to Yak Kharka/Ledar (4250m) Today, we cross a stream to reach Tenki village. Our trail continually moves ahead until we reach the valley of Jarsang Khola (River). From Jarsang Khola we move towards Ghunsa. On the way, we will see pasture land of horses and yaks. Further, we cross a small wooden bridge near the Mani wall to reach Yak Kharka. Ledar is an hour away from Yak Kharka. In Ledar, we will spend our night.
  
  Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
  Maximum Altitude: Yak Kharka (4018m)
  Minimum Altitude: Manang (3540m)
  No. of lodges: 5+
  Mountains Viewed: Annapurna and Manaslu Ranges
  Major Attractions of the day: Marsyangdi Valley, Jarsang Khola Valley, juniper forest, pasturelands, chortens and Mani Wall (Prayer Wall), up and downhill trail, wooden bridge, horse and yak marches, and so on
• Day 07:Yak Kharka/Ledar to High Camp (4600m) From Ledar we move towards Thorang Phedi. It is a rewarding trail that gives beautiful views of Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, Thorung Peak and Mt. Khatungkan. We halt at High Camp as it is an hour away from Thorang Phedi.
  
  Walking Time: 5 to 7 hours
  Maximum Altitude: Thorong Phedi (4500m)
  Minimum Altitude: Yak Kharka (4018m)
  No. of hotels/lodges: 2 to 3
  Mountains Viewed: Annapurna ranges
  Major Attractions of the day: Thorong High Camp, Thorong Phedi, up and downhill trail, river valley, forest and blooming flora, Durali Tea Shop, campsites, and so on
• Day 08:High Camp to Muktinath (3800m) Today is the last day of walking along the difficult track as we cross Thorong La Pass. It is one of the highest passes in the world and one of the major destinations of the venture. To cross this pass, we choose the safest and easiest way which is from east to west (Manang to Muktinath). For this, we wake up early in the morning at around 3:00 am. Reaching the top will assure that your trip was really worthy. We will capture the moment in our cameras and take photos of the amazing icy peaks and mountain views. We will then head towards Muktinath Valley. You will experience a cultural and religious atmosphere when you arrive in Muktinath temple. The place is visited by thousands of Hindus and Buddhists throughout the year. We will spend our night in Muktinath.
  
  Walking Time: 7 to 8 hours
  Maximum Altitude: Thorong La Pass (5416m)
  Minimum Altitude: Muktinath (3800m)
  No. of hotels/lodges/teahouses: 5+
  Mountains Viewed: Mount Annapurna, Mount Dhaulagiri, Dhampus Peak, and Tukuche Peak
  Major Attractions of the day: Thorong High Camp and Thorong La Pass, Muktinath Temple, Kali Gandaki, River Valley, dry and barren land, colorful hills and splashing rivers
• Day 09:Drive from Muktinath to Jomsom to Tatopani After all the trekking and religious exploration in Muktinath Temple, we will then drive to Jomsom. You can watch the barren lands around Muktinath as you head to Jomsom. On your way, you will pass Marpha village where you can find different varieties of apple dishes like Apple pie, apple cider, apple crumbles, etc. It is known as the Apple city. We will pass through Kali Gandaki River Bank, Thakali Villages, and Kali Gandaki Gorge as head to Jomsom. After you reach Jomsom, we will have our lunch. After resting for about an hour and exploring Jomsom, we will head to Tatopani. As the name refers, ‘Tato’ means Hot and ‘Pani’ means water. Here exists the most famous hot spring of Nepal. You can enjoy a wonderful bath and have a good rest in Tatopani today. Stay overnight at Tatopani.
  
  Driving Time: 6 to 7 hours
  Maximum Altitude: Muktinath (3710m)
  Minimum Altitude: Tatopani (1190m)
  No. of hotels/lodges: 10+
  Mountains Viewed: Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan Ranges
  Major Attractions of the day: Natural Hot Spring, off-road drive, cascades and waterfall, river-side track, Thakali Village, Kali Gandaki Gorge, Marpha Village, Apple garden and varieties, and River Valley, Tatopani Hot Water Spring, a waterfall in Rupse Chartra, forest sidetracks, and so on
• Day 10:Drive from Tatopani to Pokhara (Drive) to Kathmandu (Flight) After you have enjoyed time in the wonderful village of Tatopani filled with splashing waters, old ethnic houses filled with great cultural experience, you will then drive to Pokhara. The road to Pokhara is pitched and maintained. So, it will be a very comfortable ride. After you reach Pokhara you will have 2 options available. You can either end your trip to Pokhara or take a flight back to Kathmandu. The Pokhara to Kathmandu flights are operated throughout the day. So, you can easily get back to the capital. After you reach Kathmandu the guide will drop you at your hotel.
  
  Driving Time: 6 hours (Tatopani to Pokhara)
  Flight Time: 30 to 35 minutes
  Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu (1400m)
  Minimum Altitude: Tatopani (1190m)
  No. of hotels: 100+
  Mountains Viewed: Fishtail Mountain, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri Ranges
  
  Note: If you choose you can have an extra day in Pokhara and fly back to Kathmandu on the next day. You can stay around the famous Pokhara lakeside and enjoy wonderful sightseeing. Please contact the NTA team for further queries about the trip.