Main Info
TRIP FACTS
Mount Annapurna Circuit Trek
The desire to be a part of the Annapurna existence indicates a certain level of awareness in you. Furthermore, there is a strong possibility that the level of interest in the Annapurna Circuit Trek will reach a higher level of blissful fullness. Its realization and transformation allow for recreation, joyness, enjoyment, and pleasure.
Annapurna was named after the Hindu Goddess of Food rather than a person. You can enjoy going along a trail that translates literally to “full of prosperity,” where “Anna” represents food and “purna” represents fullness.
The Annapurna Circuit trail brings you from a low loop of the Annapurna massif to pine forest at higher elevations through barren landscapes, revealing a spectacular mountain range in the Annapurna region. Consider the majestic Mount Annapurna’s panoramic views and their astonishing existence. As you pass through the remote villages, your level of awareness assists you in discovering the inner strength of the surroundings.
We lead you to the Annapurna Circuit route by following your inner transcendent desire to be in the Himalayas. Our advice is intended to assist you in your pursuit of recreation, joy, bliss, and excitement.
Annapurna Circuit Hike
Immerse in the forest, connect with nature, and forget about the constant pings of their phones and other people’s demands on their time and energy. Being out in the fresh air and surrounded by natural beauty enhances our senses and helps us tune in to our inner experiences.
Hiking in Annapurna Circuit is guided to unionize extreme divisions which brings you to oneness. As you walk through Annapurna’s existence, your level of awareness helps you find the inner power of your surroundings.
We organize fix departure for the Annapurna circuit hike in September when the weather is best for trekking. Core trekking in Annapurna Circuit is all about getting to know the local people and getting close to the dazzling peaks and hills.
Annapurna Circuit Yoga
Appreciate and reconnect to the land of Annapurna, nature, and yourselves. Yoga during Annapurna Circuit is all about bringing your regular yoga practice into direct connection with nature. Yoga in nature is best when it comes to finding union with the natural world.
Practicing yoga in nature may help people feel more connected to nature and more at peace with one’s self. Being in Annapurna Round and relaxing your body in nature restores us to an awakening state. The departure date has been set for the month of June when conditions are ideal for yoga.
Annapurna Circuit Celebration
Life is all about being happy, and social interaction with other people not only makes us happy but also helps us learn more about other cultures. The Annapurna Circuit celebration is a mix of trekking and the celebration of Nepalese festivals.
The celebration at Annapurna Circuit will start in April on the occasion of the Nepali New Year. Let’s take a break from our hectic schedules to celebrate this holiday together.
Trek Highlights
- The world’s deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki, is located between the 8,000-meter Annapurna and Dhaulagiri
- “Muktinath”, a pilgrimage site worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists famed for its 108 stone fountains and eternal flame
- Breathtaking views of the Annapurna and its surrounding peaks in the Himalayas make it perhaps the most satisfying characteristic of the Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Thorong La Mountain Pass, at an elevation of 5,416 meters, is the highest point on the Annapurna circuit and has an accessible route linking the village of Muktinath
- Marpha, the clean, picturesque valley with tiled walkways surrounded by whitewashed homes and rich with the soft tinkling of the prayer wheels
- Jomsom is a well-known locality recognized for its Shaligrams, or ancient stones, which the Hindus consider Lord Vishnu’s natural state
- Pokhara, one of Nepal’s finest tourist hubs, is the primary starting point for most treks in the Annapurna region, including the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Annapurna Circuit Trek Route Map
Are you wondering about the map of the Annapurna trek? If you click the infographic image below, you will see the route map of Annapurna Circuit.
We have designed the digital map for simplicity and practicality and to enhance your trekking experience. In addition, this map portrays the extension trails, peaks, rivers, and religious sites. Click the infographic image below to learn about the route.
Annapurna Circuit Trek distance is 13 days, starting with the scenic drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule. The distance of the Annapurna Circuit trek is about 160 to 260 kilometers. The distance differs from the days of the itinerary and the trek start point.
Our trek starts ahead of Chamje, Dhuku Pokhari, Manang, Phedi, and Thorong La. We then begin to descend to Muktinath, Jomsom, and then Pokhara. On the map, you will see the extension route too. Upon your interest, we can also extend the trail to Upper Mustang for more exciting views.
Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulty
Mount Annapurna Circuit Trek cannot be considered a challenging trekking route in Nepal. It is moderate-level trekking yet is the longest trekking route in the region. So, it can be challenging for a beginner trekker to complete the journey without prior training and preparation.
One of the causes that make the Annapurna Circuit trek difficulty level challenge is that the route takes you to a high altitude. The highest elevation pass in the area, Thorung La, is reached by following the trekking path, which rises to a height of 5416 m. Due to the severe cold and severe snowfall, this section of the trek is incredibly challenging and is blocked for most of the year.
You may avoid some path sections to make your walk more accessible. But by doing so, you will have to cut off to observe the best features of this journey. The only way a trekker can better tackle the challenges of the Annapurna Circuit trek is to get physically ready for the trip. Travelers can boost their strength, capacity to adapt to their surroundings, and trekking abilities by engaging in some daily physical activity.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Permit
Every person who wants to complete the Annapurna Circuit trip must have one of two trekking permits. The two permits are (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) TIMS and (Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit) ACAP.
For TIMS, The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) have jointly implemented this essential permit to ensure the safety and security of any trekker in Nepal.
While for ACAP, the permit is required for all trekkers who want to travel in the Annapurna region. The National Trust for Nature Conservation handles its management, and a portion of the ACAP fee supports the trust’s efforts to protect this stunning area.
Note: Please keep 8-10 passport-size photographs with you, which will be asked for while making government documents.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost Details
Cost Includes
- Basic yet comfortable accommodation on twin sharing basis during the trekking as per itinerary
- 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and 10 dinners are served from the locals’ kitchens during the trekking as per the itinerary
- Purified drinking water during the entire trekking as per itinerary
- Annapurna Conservation Area trekking permit
- Tourist Bus from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu
- Bus from Jomsom to Pokhara
- General first aid medicine kit
- A guide to managing the entire holiday
- One porter for two of you for trekking (prepare to give max. 15 kgs’ luggage from each of you so that it will not exceed 30 kg. for your porter)
- Complimentary T-shirt
- Duffle bag during the trip
Cost Excludes
- Food and Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Personnel expenses of any kind
- Any Travel Insurance
- Any additional cost due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstances might affect itineraries
- Tips for any staff and guide
- Costs associated with evacuations due to illness, accidents, or other natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides, floods, etc.
- Anything that is not listed in the “PRICE INCLUDES” section above
Itinerary
Before your trip, we must ensure that all paperwork and other preparations are made. We will also have a meet-up and pre-trip discussion with the trek guide in our office.
Please note:
The 12 days of Annapurna Circuit Trekking itinerary is only for guidelines. You can customize the trek according to your taste. The above trekking hours are also estimated for general ideas only. The itinerary also depends upon traffic and weather conditions on your activity date.
Sometimes, a few changes in the itinerary may happen due to last-minute changes in government rules, transportation schedules, or natural calamities like floods, landslides, etc.
The first day of this Annapurna Round itinerary is a travel day with a small hike. The journey time from Kathmandu to Besisahar can range from 6 to 8 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and the number of stops. After the rough ride to even roads, we finally reached Besisahar.
After resting in Besisahar, we will start something less than 2 hours walk to Bhulbhule. The first section of the road is along the gravel road with significant elevation changes, making walking easy. You will follow the river with a nice view of green hills, valleys, and surrounding mountains. After some minutes of walking, we will reach Annapurna Conservation Area Checkpoint and register our permits there. After then, we will continue our walk to go Bhubhule.
Today the walk is not as luxurious as yesterday. We set off after the early morning breakfast towards Ngadi. Continuing along the road, we will cross the small village of Ngadi. This flat section is comprehensive and easy to follow. We will then cross a small waterfall and a hydropower station.
As we climb higher, beautiful views of the valley, river, and surrounding mountains will open up. The path will continue past agricultural crops and slopes, where local women care to crops in the morning light while men work in nearby communities.
After reaching Bahundanda, the climb to the village was pretty tough, especially in the morning heat. This village is the highest point of today's trekking, and after taking in the views, the trail took us back down into the valley. You will get a good flavor of rural Nepalese communities and an insight into what life was really like in this part of the country.
After some more walking ahead, we will reach Jagat and then Chamje. To reach today's stays, we will pass through stone stairs, waterfalls, and green valleys. After like 1 hour of trek, you will arrive at Chamje overnight.
After the early morning breakfast, you will start to descend the steps towards the water and cross the raging river via the first suspension bridge of the day. Today you will experience the spectacular verdant landscape was not something you may expect. Continuing, we soon came to a gate welcoming us to the Manang district. After some hours of walking, we descended towards the river and headed to the Tal village.
After some rest, we will start our walk along the path, which was now squeezed between the river and the imposing cliffs. You will continue to walk, tackling other small villages, terraced fields, and suspension bridges. After about 4 hours of walking for Tal, we will reach Dharapani and Danaque.
We set off after the early morning breakfast for the Timang. Slowly the landscape starts to change, and you will feel the altitude as we trek higher. The area was almost alpine when you reached the Timang. During the walk, you will start to see the cows grazing in the grass-covered meadow, taller snow-covered mountain summits, and small waterfalls. After some memorable walk for some 3 hours, you will reach Timang.
The path now meandered through pine forests, past waterfalls, and between villages. Now and then, it veered off the dirt road to wind through needle-covered forest paths. Following the zig-zagging trail along a rushing river and cattle grazing happily, you will reach Koto. There is another checkpoint where they check the permit and TIMS card and register my details.
As we walk further, we will reach Chame village and then follow the river. As we walk, the trail passes through green fields before heading through a dense pine forest. After an hour of different walks from here, we reach another village home to an apple farm with its cafe and accommodation. Pushing on, we will continue on the path, which goes up and down for a while as it hugs the cliffside. After crossing the tricky trails, we eventually cross the bridge, and the path will ascend sharply to the pine forest. We will continue climbing through the forest before the path reaches the village of Dhukur Pokhari.
After the early breakfast, we head toward the valley of Lower Pisang. We will pass through lakes, grass fields, and snow-covered slopes as the river meander between Lower and Upper Pisang. Today the walk will be more challenging than previous days, but it also offers some of the most incredible views. You will also reach above 3600 meters so remember about altitude sickness.
Today is a long walk as you will cross many villages of Ghyaru, Ngawal, Braga, and finally, Manang. As you are near Manang, you will witness the beautiful stupa and a different landscape than before.
From now, you will cross an altitude of more than 4,000 meters above sea level, so acclimatization in Manang is essential. At this point of height, we will be preparing ourselves with a 5416-meter altitude pass. It is necessary to prepare your mind and body well at this altitude.
You have many options for hanging out in the Manang. If you want to explore more around Manang, there are plenty of active ways to spend. You can hike to the Ice Lake, which will take around 7 hours of a return trip. If you want to hike less, you may visit Tilicho Lake, the highest lake in Nepal. If you don't like walking much, you can hang around the Manang, visiting the restaurant, bakery shops, and stupas.
The seventh day of our Annapurna Circuit trek was one of the shorter but most memorable. We'd be traveling from Manang to Ghunsang and Yak Kharka today. Stunning mountain views make it an enjoyable day during the walk. The path is pretty narrow in some parts, passing the mules and yaks. You will cross a couple of suspension bridges during the walk the hike.
We eventually arrive in Yak Kharka, where most people stay the night to avoid exceeding height.
Our ninth day of trekking will be the shortest, but with good reason: it is the final day before trying to cross the 5416m Thorang-La Pass. Today's itinerary would take us from Yak Kharka to Ledar, then to Deurali, and lastly to Thorong Phedi.
Our tenth-day trek will be one of the toughest yet the most incredible of the entire trek. This route would take us from Thorong Phedi to High Camp, Thorong-La Pass and finally to Muktinath. Today is the day we will eventually attempt to cross the Thorong-La Pass. At 5416m. As you wake up at 4, you will have breakfast and start your trek. As we ascend higher, you feel like walking over bare mountain peaks, piles of snow and ice along the path. After 3 hours of strenuous walking, you will finally reach the Pass. Your heart will fill with joy as the beautiful peaks surround you.
After some rest, we will start our hardest part to descend. This was the most significant and most prolonged descent of the entire trip, and our knees felt challenging to control. The trail will be slippery, and everyone will find walking difficult because of mud or loose gravel. After around 4 hours of walking from the high Pass, you will reach Muktinath.
Our eleventh day of walking takes us to the dusty trail with access to the road. Instead of the trekking trail, our route will take us along the newly paved road out of Muktinath. You can check out the village of Kagbeni, which serves as the gateway to the remote Upper Mustang region. The landscape will be arid here, but you can still trace green vegetation. After walking further into the unpaved roads, we finally reach Jomson.
We will catch the early morning bus to reach Pokhara. During your ride, witness the impressive view of the dazzling peaks, and several green hills. After the adventurous ride, you will reach the beautiful city of Pokhara.
Maps
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