The 10 days Annapurna Circuit Trek takes you by road directly to the higher altitude villages of Besisahar, Chame & Manang.
This 10-day trek is within the bounds of the Annapurna Conservation Area and offers incredible views of the Annapurna massif and a trek through the high altitude, physically demanding Thorong La Pass (5416m). You also get to see the world’s deepest gorge - Kaligandaki Gorge; breathtaking sunrise views of the Himalayas from Poon Hill; a visit to Muktinath Temple, one of the most in Nepal and to polish it off, a dip in the therapeutic hot springs at Tatopani. This trek takes you from the sub-tropical forests to the wind-swept rugged lands at Thorong La Pass. Along the trail, you will witness the terraced rice paddy fields and farmlands of the native villagers living at these higher altitudes.
Here is a sample of soaring snow-capped peaks you will see along the trail: Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m) Mt. Manaslu (8163 m), Mt. Annapurna II (7937 m.), Mt. Annapurna III (7555m), Mt. Annapurna IV (7525m), Mt. Annapurna south (7219m), Mt. Nilgiri (7041m), Mt. Machapuchare (6998m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6441m), Mt. Lamjung Himal (6986m) and Tukuche Peak (6920m).
A real eye-opener is the amazing character of the Tibetan lifestyle in the Mustang valley. Their traditional culture and religious devotion are unique and is clearly visible along the trail, with prayer flags and rock cairns and monuments. If you are lucky you may get to see the elusive Snow Leopard. The less elusive blue sheep, grazing yak, donkeys, and other wildlife are in abundance and add to the beauty of this trek. Toward the end of the trek, you can take a dip in the natural hot springs at Tatopani (meaning hot water in Nepali).
The Annapurna Circuit Trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule, Jagat, and Dharapani before reaching Chame. From here we begin our trek to Pisang along the banks of the Marsyangdi River valley before reaching Damang. We spend a day at Manang to acclimatize and then follow the trail to Yak Kharka. The next day we climb up to Thorong Phedi and then to the highest altitude of our trek Thorong La Pass (5416m). Once through the pass, we head down to Muktinath, a sacred place for Hindus and Buddhists. Leaving Muktinath we drive to Tatopani where we spend the night. The following day we follow the trail to Ghorepani, Poon Hill to Tadapani, Nayapul, and then we drive to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu.
Your guide will collect you from your hotel and then together we take a 7 to 8-hour drive to Dharapani, via Besisahar. At Besisahar we register with the local authorities. You will have time to get accustomed to the Nepal countryside before reaching Dharapani, located on the banks of the Marsyangdi River where we stay the night. Breakfast & dinner included.
Our journey today begins with a bus ride of 6 to 7 hours to Chame alongside the Marsyangdi River (150 km in length) After lunch we head to Jagat, passing Dharapani( 1860 m) where we register at the checkpoint that signals the beginning of the Annapurna trek before heading on to Chame. Chame has a large vibrant bazaar and natural springs situated next to the Marsyangdi River. From this vantage point we can see Annapurna II (7937m), Lamjung Himal (6932m), and looking back you will see Manaslu (8154m) and Peak (7833m). Overnight at Chame Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
After leaving Chame we pass through Telekhu and along the trail have some breathtaking views of Annapurna and Pisang (6091m) until we have to re-cross on a suspension bridge to the south bank of the Marsyangdi River. After crossing the river wet head higher passing a pine-forest as we trek through the upper reach of the Manang valley to Pisang. Tonight we stay at Pisang. Today’s trek is around 5 to 6 hours. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
The town of Pisang is the start of our trek in the upper Manang area. Today we head to Braga; a Tibetan village with its unique architecture with houses constructed one upon the other. One of its main attractions is its Gompa, the largest in the Manang region. Manang is popular with trekkers and is also a place to acclimatize before heading to higher altitudes. We stay here for the night after a long day of 8 to 9 hours trekking.
From Manang you will be blessed with views of Annapurna II; Annapurna III (7555m); Gangapurna (7454 m); and to the south to Tilicho (7132 m); and the Grand Barrier (a 7000m ridge)to the west; Chulu West (6583m) and Chulu East (6059m) meters in the north. After spending the day acclimatizing at Manang we head to Thorong La Pass where the view before you is simply amazing. Yak Kharka. We then descend through Yak Kharka, Tenki leaving the Marsyangdi Valley behind us and cross the Jarsang Khola River on the suspension bridge before reaching today’s destination -Ledar.
Today we trek for 3 to 4 passing the trail where it intersects to Jarsang Khola (4310m) and to Phedi (4420m). From this point, we continue climbing across a pebbly trail until we reach High Camp ( Thorong Phedi 4540m).
Today is the most difficult day of the trek as we head up and through Thorong La Pass, one of the most elevated passes in the region, and especially more difficult because of its elevation. An early morning, 3 a.m. wakeup, will see us on the trail in the fresh morning air. Upon reaching the pass you will appreciate the effort and absorb some of the most breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks seen on this trek. Your efforts will be well rewarded! To the north is Tibet and to the south the Annapurna Ranges. From here we descend down a steep trail until we reach Muktinath, taking between 3 to 4 hours. Muktinath is holy to Buddhists and is known in Tibetan as Chumig Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means "Hundred Waters".
After leaving Muktinath we head down the valley and eventually end up at the Kali Gandaki River and, then reach Jomson where we can rest while waiting for transport to Tatopani. On the drive, through the valleys, we will be able to see Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs and their towering snow-clad peaks. After reaching Tatopani we can relax in the thermal hot springs and watch the nearby river roaring by.
The following day we drive for around 6 hours by jeep, via Beni Bazaar, before reaching Pokhara. This evening you can sit back and relax, enjoy and drink or two and look back on your amazing adventure through the amazing Annapurna Conservation Area – stroll along Lakeside. Other attractions in Pokhara are the World Peace Pagoda (clearly visible across Phewa Tal (lake), , Bindabasini Temple, Phewa Lake, Matepani Buddhist Monastery, International Mountain Museum and Devi's Falls.
Today we head back on a 6 to 7 hour drive to Kathmandu with many fond memories of Nepal and its unique culture and geography. These memories will last a lifetime!
The following information will give you some idea about what you need to bring for the trek. It is important you do not forget the essential items, as this will determine your comfort and safety on the trek. Equally important is that you do not burden yourself with unnecessary equipment on the trek.
(Note our company guide will carry the medicines and first aid kits during the trek. However, we recommend you bring your personal first-aid kit as well)
You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu. During the trek, we will be staying at lodges/ teahouses. You may find comfort and better quality teahouses - having attached bathroom at lower levels- until you reach higher elevations, where the accommodation is more basic with bare necessities.
In Kathmandu, your hotel includes breakfast, whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided during the trek. A staple food of the Manang & Mustang regions is potatoes, oats, buckwheat, Sherpa stew, and Tibetan bread. Sherpa’s’ started farming potatoes when the first seeds were introduced to the region in the early 90s. There is a limited choice of food at higher elevations and except many potato dishes. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates – an excellent source of energy needed at high altitudes.
We use a private car for sightseeing and for the airport to hotel pick and drop off. We use public transportation or local buses during the trek.
This can be a challenging trek where you often have to walk 6-7 hours a day. You need past experience of hiking or trekking but if you have done any kind of trekking activities then it is always a plus! We have met people from all walks of life, shapes, and sizes who have completed the trek. The only difficult part is when altitude sickness strikes and the effect that it can have on your body. Before leaving for Nepal it is good if you can prepare yourself physically by increasing your stamina and oxygen intake.
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Yes, you can. No matter who you are, as long as you are reasonably fit, can walk for 5-6 hours a day and trek/hike a few uphill, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking team will support you to the fullest to transform your dream of standing at Annapurna Circuit into reality.
The pre-monsoon (February, March, April and May) and post monsoon (late September, October, November and December) are considered the best for the Annapurna Circuit trek as the weather conditions become favorable during this time, providing you with good visibility and a suitable atmosphere for Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
No, there is no age limit for the trek to Annapurna Circuit but, you need to be in good physical shape and have a positive attitude. We also suggest you to prior to the excursion though we suggest you to please see your doctor and obtain necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for traveling in extreme altitude prior to the excursion.
During trekking, you will be served meals in the teahouses. Typical meals are noodles, rice, pasta or potato dishes along with vegetables and egg/chicken/meat dishes. Other items mostly served as breakfasts include egg, pancake, bread, porridge, muesli, and toasts with peanut butter and honey.
A teahouse trekking accommodation will be made for you for the Annapurna Circuit Trekking whereby you will be able to stay at tea house (Local lodge) and have wholesome food and neat and clean comfortable bed throughout your trekking journey. This form of arrangement also allows you to carry less baggage; you can trek at your own pace and enjoy the Annapurna panorama on your own schedule. It is also an eco-friendly way of trekking whereby trekkers can have more contact with the local people.
Most of the teahouses on the Annapurna Circuit trail have squat toilet facilities but recently built lodges have western-style toilets as well. Nowadays, flush toilets are also being introduced with number of increasing foreign mountaineers each year. It is highly recommended to carry your own toilet paper and other required toiletries. Hot shower facilities are available. The most common type is a bucket shower, usual buckets with tap filled with hot water and placed in a shower room. Hot shower costs from US$ 2 to 5 per use and the price increases along with the elevation. Attached bathrooms and toilets are not available unless you book for a luxury lodge during the Annapurna Circuit trek.
What you want to wear depends on you but we suggest you wear warm clothes during the Annapurna Circuit Trekking. A down jacket, thermal longs and top, comfortable trekking trousers, t-shirts, fleece, windproof jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves might be useful. There are numerous trekking shops in the Thamel area of Kathmandu where you can get all of these items in both local and branded stores alike. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking may also accompany and assist you if required.
During the Annapurna Circuit Trekking, you will be on a long journey for which you will need two bags to keep your belongings. A rucksack/duffle bag and a day bag for personal items. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will provide you with a duffle bag (which is need to refund after the trek) that you can use throughout your entire journey and even afterward. These bags are durable and hence perfect for any kind of trekking journey. While the duffle bag will be carried by the potters, you will have to carry a day bag on your own. A day bag is a small backpack that has enough room for everything you will need on a day hike such as lunch, water, extra clothing and perhaps a few personnel items like camera, battery chargers, etc.
If possible, we suggest you bring your own equipment. However, sleeping bags and down jackets will be provided to you by Sherpa Expedition and Trekking. With regards to trekking poles, if you are used to walking with it then take them with you, as you will probably find them useful especially on the way down. They are not essential though and the walk is manageable without them. It is mostly a personal preference. If you prefer to take the trekking poles with you on the trekking then you can either bring your own pole or buy it from numerous options available in Kathmandu itself.
Yes, if you have a bag of extra clothing for when you return from the trekking, you will be able to store it safely in Kathmandu Sherpa Expedition and Trekking office. The storage facility is provided by most hotels and lodges in Kathmandu or you can also store it in our office for the duration of the trekking.
Our itinerary has been specially tailored to prevent any kind of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) while moving up to higher altitudes. Normally, altitude sickness starts from 3,600 meters and above. You will be trekking at a relatively slow and gradual pace as part of the acclimatization process. Cut off caffeinated, alcoholic and smoking items. Drink at least 4 liters of water a day. Trek slow. Don't skip the acclimatization days. Better to continue with Diamox (if any symptoms show up). Drink Garlic Soup. In the higher elevation, there is less oxygen in the air and this is more so while crossing high passes. Our expert guides will advise you on how to avoid AMS and treat it when/ if required.
Make sure to have both medical and evacuation insurance before coming to Nepal for Annapurna Circuit Trekking. You should be careful in choosing a policy while traveling to a Himalayan country like Nepal as some insurance companies may make special exceptions for adventure travel. If you are confused about the insurance, please inform us and we will help you. It is usually better to arrange your insurance in your country before travel.
The trekking will be 5-7 hours a day depending upon the landscape and destination.
It takes 4 to 20 days to reach Base Camp depending upon the mode of transportation and packages of Sherpa Expedition and Trekking offers.
We at Sherpa Expedition and Trekking Team always have the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of our valued customers as our foremost priority at all times, and we assure you a wonderful and unforgettable time with us in our beautiful country. Sherpa team members of Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will be carrying all the necessary gear, equipment, and first aid kits and they have extensive first aid training. If a trekker falls sick on high altitude, the leader will decide whether to continue the trek. In case of emergency, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking have a rescue helicopter to bring you back from the higher elevation. Moreover, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking also provides oximeter to monitor the oxygen level at high altitude and offers regular health check-up facilities.
You can either trek on foot or by a flight. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking offer exciting and reasonable flight to Pokhara for 4 days and 10 days. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking can also customize your tour as per your necessity.
The flights are usually regular between September and May. But due to high altitude, bad weather and unforeseen technical issues, you may experience a delay or cancellation of the flight. On the occurrence of such events, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking tourist bus will be arranged.
Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will provide one porter for two trekkers to carry 20 kgs of luggage (maximum 10 kg for each trekker). Please be sure your porters are not overloaded because they do not carry only your equipment but also lift your spirit to reach new heights, and your love, affection, and generosity can be the reason for them to work hard to take you to your destination. However, the weight limit on flights to the Annapurna region, basically to Pokhara is a total of 20 kgs including hand bag and you need to pay an extra amount per kg for the excess baggage. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking pays up to 5 kgs of extra baggage making your total to 20 kgs with your hand bag.
Garlic soup is a must while trekking. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking recommend trekkers to drink green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon ginger tea and drink at least 2-4 liters of water a day. However, it is better to avoid alcohol and alcoholic beverages, caffeinated items, and hot-chocolates at high altitude.
Sherpa Expedition and Trekking won’t recommend non-veg items because the meat in such places may not hygienic and healthy. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking also encourage to avoid dairy and cheesy items and strongly suggest not to consume them during the trek. So, our packages are suitable for both vegan and vegetarians.
Your guide and porters are a big reason why you got a chance to feel something very few can have. Apart from guiding and carrying your necessities and being mindful of your safety, they want to see you happily succeeded more than anyone like family and help you successfully complete the trek safely. So, your tips reflect gratitude towards them. So, tipping is a recommended culture for porters and guide in Nepal as a gesture of thankfulness.
Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will introduce dozens of shops selling knock-off gear in Kathmandu. You can also barter those gears at the knock-off places but be sure you keep the receipt safely. Moreover, you can rent the needed gears if you do not want to buy them.
Yes, most guesthouses offer Wi-Fi, for a small charge. it cost USD$5 per day.
ATM services are available only in Pokhara & Jomsom. However, the services might not work or run out of cash. Therefore, we suggest you carry a small amount of money to buy snacks, etc during the trekking.
Most of the tea houses/ lodges have electricity whereby you will be able to charge your iPod or camera batteries. Please note that lodges/tea houses will charge you some extra money for the services. The fee may vary from 1 USD to 5 USD per hour.
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Based On 35 Reviews
Annapurna Circuit Trek was an wonderful experience in every way. The views were stunning diversity of landscape and culture was amazing. Our Sherpa guide and other members were extremely informative, polite and helpful.
I did the Annapurna Circuit trek with Sherpa Team and it was an incredible experience. The team was professional and ensured our safety and comfort at all times. The views of the majestic mountains and the unique culture of the region left a lasting impression on me.
If you dot deal with cold, hand warmers are advisable too. Really enjoyed every bit of the trek as it is not only mountain views that surrounded us, but we also visited villages and temples which offered.
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Sherpa Expedition and Trekking is one of the pioneers of Trekking, tour and expedition in Nepal which was established on January 07, 1977, with a motto: ‘Enhancing Tourism possibilities across the Globe’. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking is proud to be recognized as the fifth Trekking and Adventure company authorized by the Tourism Board of Nepal.
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