Annapurna Circuit Trek 15 Days Detail Itinerary

Oct 02, 2023

Annapurna Circuit Trek 15 Days Detail Itinerary

“Discover the hidden realm of Himalayas” 

The Annapurna Circuit Trek has been the most popular trekking destination for visitor from around the globe since it initiated in the mid-1980s. The magnifique combination of rich natural and cultural heritages. 

Gloriously covered with enchanting flora and fauna, and the magnificent sceneries, the snow-covered lanes of Annapurna Circuit make for the trip of a lifetime. A highlight of this trek is reaching the high altitude and somewhat challenging Thorang La Pass (5416m)- the highest pass of any trek in this region.  

Majestic mountain ranges like - Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, Kali Gandaki the deepest  gorge, one of the holiest Hindu temples Muktinath, ever flowing rivers lakes, and the natural hot springs of Tatopani, all of these and many more are all a part of the Annapurna Circuit trek.  

The trek will start from a Kathmandu to Bhulbhule road trip. The latter half of the journey is mostly on foot through various small villages, forests, and heritage sites and breath-taking sceneries on the way. The 15-day trek goes across four districts: Lamjung, Manag, Mustang and Myagdi. After the completion of your trip at the high Thorang La Pass, you will travel back to Kathmandu, where you can take a flight home.  

“The journey is more significant than the destination”. And the discoveries you make during this journey truly has the protentional to be a truly life-altering experience.  

Key Features of Annapurna Trek  

  • Thorang La Pass (5416m), the highest and most challenging section of the trek which rewards breath taking views 
  • The highest lake in the world, Tilicho Lake (4919m) 
  • The deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki Gorge, which lies between the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs 
  • Series of breath-taking scenic trials between the majestic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains 
  • Muktinath Temple, one of the holiest of shrines fort Hindus and Buddhists alike 
  • Natural therapeutic hot springs at Tatopani, helpful to relax your tired muscles  

Detail Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,400m) 

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan Int. Airport, Kathmandu, you shall be received by representatives from Sherpa Expedition & Trekking. You will be escorted you a local hotel in a private vehicle. 

At the hotel our trekking guide will give you a detailed insight about your upcoming journey. After that, if you wish you may explore around Kathmandu. Even Kathmandu grants a variety of venues worth visiting. You can visit the numerous heritage and religious sites, observe the culture of the locals or visit the tourist capital Thamel.  

This will then be followed by an elegant welcome dinner in the evening.   

Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Syange (1,130m) via Besishar(760m) Duration:7 to 8 hours 

The road trip will start with early dawn. You will be travelling to Besisahar Village in a reserved vehicle. The 190km road trip is estimated to be 6 to 7 hours long. The, from Besisahar you will travel to Syange (3,609ft). At Syange you will be able to marvel at the first views of Mt. Annapurna II, Manaslu and Mt. Lamjung. You will then be accommodated in a local guest house with breakfast, lunch and dinner included. 

Day 3: Trek from Syange to Dharapai (1,860m) Duration: 5 to 6 hours 

The day will begin with a trip to the gorge, will lend you ample opportunities to glance at the vegetations and occasional waterfalls below, and majestic snow-covered peaks around you. Then after a two to three-hour drive, you will arrive to Jagat Village. From there, you will continue your journey through terrace farmlands till you reach Chamje Village. 

After Chamje, you will continue your journey for yet another hour till you reach Tal Village, located at the banks of the glittering Marsyangdi River. The journey from there will be comparatively more comfortable and will eventually take you to your final destination of the day, Dharapani Village. There you will be staying at a guest house for the night and will include all meals. 

Day 4: Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2,650m) Duration: 5 to 6 hours 

As you continue your trip, you start noticing the changes in vegetations, landscapes, and temperature. Along the way you will reach the typical Tibetan styled village of Bagarchhap. As you continue your climb you will reach the apple orchards and farms of Dhanaqi Village. This is a wonderful place which allows you to look at the picturesque Lamjung and Annapurna II peaks.  

Continuing along the banks of Marsyangdi River you will reach the villages of Ratamanang and Koto. Finally, you will reach your final destination for the day, Chame Village, where you will spend the night in a guest house with all meals included. 

Day 5: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m) Duration:5 to 6 hours  

As you continue alongside the banks of Marsyangdi River, you will pass a number of small villages and pine forests until you reach Bratang Village. Then you will have to cross a bridge through a dense pine forest, there you will reach the top of the ridge. Once clear of the trees you will be able to observe Pisang and Chulu Peaks and the Pisang Village below, where you will stay for the night. 

Day 6: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3,500m) Duration: 6 to 7 hours 

The sceneries keep getting better as you continue your journey through Piasng, where snow-covered peaks are a frequent occurrence. After 30 minutes of trek you reach the top of a hill which provides even more clearer view of the valley and the ginormous white peaks of Gangapurna, Annapuran II, Annapurna III, Tilicho and Chuli.  

Then, you will head down to Kongde Village and then to Manag. On the way you will also encounter the Braga Monastery, which happens to be the largest monastery in the area with displays of religious artifacts, paintings and idols. In an hour you will then reach Manang and spend the night in a guest house. 

Day 7: Exploration and Acclimatization day at Manag 

As the altitude increases during the trek it is necessary to acclimatize along the way before heading to any higher. It is recommended to stay active during the acclimatization period. You can take short treks around the village if you wish.  

The village of Manang will be a fascinating venue for foreign travelers. You can explore the village where you can observe plenty of interesting architectures and culture and you will also be able to get a good look at the various peaks from here.  

Day 8: Trek Manang to Yak Kharka (4,050m) Duration: 4 to 5 hours 

After your acclimatization period at Manang, the following day you will head for an hour-long trial alongside the terrain vegetations. The trail presents you with stunning views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna and Chuli peaks.  

Along the trial you will reach the village of Yak Kharka where you will spend the night. You will also have the opportunity to explore nearby villages and surroundings. 

Day 9: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorang Phedi (4,500m) Duration: 3 to 4 hours 

From here on the trek begins ton get tougher than before. As you continue, the terrain becomes bleaker and more exposed to strong winds till you reach Thorang Phed. 

Now, you will have two options from here on; if you have enough energy, you can continue the trial to the High Camp or you can hit the bed for the night and continue the journey the following day which will give you ample energy for the journey ahead.  

Day 10: Crossing Thorang La Pass (5,16m) and heading to Muktinath (3,400m)  Duration: 8 to 9 hours 

Probably, the most important day of the journey. With a very early start to the day, at around 3:30 am you shall begin your trip to Thorang La Pass. With blistering cold winds, you trial, however it also rewards with early breath-taking views of the northern Annapurna, Damodar, Bhirkuti and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges. Various glacial lakes, and ridges come along with the rocky path to the Pass. 

 At this high altitude you will potentially witness snowfall as well. Also, altitude sickness is very common during this stage. However, once you reach the top of the pass you will then be rewarded with more jaw-dropping visuals of the Himalayan Range and Mt. Dhaulagiri. 

You will then head down to the holy village of Muktiunath, where you can catch a breath and have a meal. After another hour of the trial you will reach Muktinath, one of the holiest destinations for Hindus and Buddhists around the world. You will spend the night at a local guest house with all meal arrangements.  

Day 11: Drive from Muktinath to Tatopani (1,300m) Duration: 5 to 6 hours 

After a night at the holy Muktinath, the following day will begin with about two-hour long jeep ride to Jomsom. There you will come across an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) checkpoint. From Jomsom, you will take another jeep ride to Ghasa Vilage, you will see various smaller villages along the way, including Nepal’s district of Apples, Marpha.  

From Ghasa, you will then continue the road trip to Tatoapni (directly translated as ‘Hot Water’ in Nepali). There, after checking in to a guest house, you then will have an opportunity to bathe yourself in the natural hot springs of Tatopani. You can wash all your pain and exhaustion away. 

Day 12: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,870m) Duration: 7 to 8 hours 

After a local fulfilling breakfast at Tatopani, you will then begin your journey to Ghorepani along a descending trail to the suspension bridge at the bottom. From here after crossing the suspension bridge you will travel through the Rhododendron forest, and during the trial you will have spectacular views of the Nilgiri South.  

The trial will then continue to a small village of Ghara and an hour further down to the Sikhar Village. From the highest point of the village you can have a clear view of the track you came through from Tatopani.  

From there, you will resume your journey to Ghorepani, where you will stay for the night. Prior to reaching Ghorepani you will also get glimpses of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks. 

Day 13: Hike to Poon Hill (3,210m), trek to Nayapul (1,000m) and Drive to Pokhara (850m) Duration: 7 to 8 hours 

The journey will start early as you will be assisted to watch the glorious Poon Hill before the morning sun strikes. Poon Hill provides an excellent all-around view of the surrounding mountains and vegetations. Various ranges such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Machhapuchre (directly translated as “having a fishlike tail”), Himchuli and the Southern Annapurna are clearly visible from the great heights of the hill. However, in such high altitudes, there is always high [possibilities of bad weather problems.  

After breakfast at Ghorepani, you will then head downhills through a section of cool forests and several small villages until you reach Bhanthati Village and a little further on Ulleri Village. At Ulleri you will travel via a jeep to Pokhara. During this 3-4-hour drive to Pokhara, you will encounter various farming areas, waterfalls and another ACAP checkpoint at Birethanti on the banks of the Modi River. 

Another 2 hour drive later you will finally reach Pokhara through Nayapul (New Bridge). Pokhara is one of the highest rated tourist locations in Nepal. You may take a boat ride at the Fewa Lake or explore the nearby David’s Fall.  

This evening you will be treated with a farewell dinner to celebrate the completion of your Annapurna Circuit Trek. You shall be accommodated in a three-stared hotel which will also include breakfast and lunch. 

Day 14: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,400m) Duration: 6 to 7 hours 

After your breakfast at Pokhara, you will be on your way back to Kathmandu in a reserved vehicle. As the road trip will be long, you may also consider other options as well, like taking a trip to the Chitwan National Park, or other adventure sports like rafting, mountain biking, or causal guided explorations and shopping. You will stay the night at Kathmandu with breakfast included.  

Day 15: Trip back Home  

You will be having your breakfast at Kathmandu. After the confirmations of your flight bookings and timings, you will be escorted to the Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu, by our representatives. You will reach the airport 3 hours before your scheduled departure. On your flight back home, you can reminisce your wondrous trip at Nepal.  

Accommodations 

During your stays at Kathmandu, you will be accommodated at proper three-stared hotels with attached bathrooms and all necessary amenities and services. However, as you travel to remoter and higher regions, the accommodations will be more basic with only availability of basic facilities. You be staying at various lodges, teahouses and local guest houses, which will add authenticity to your stays. 

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