Circumnavigate the Annapurnas – with one peak at 8091m & 28 peaks over 6000m surrounded by the Kali Gandaki Gorge, Marshyangdi River & Pokhara in the south.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek first opened to trekkers in 1980, and today is considered one of the best trekking destinations in the world, passing through Rhododendron forests in the lower regions of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. Witness this massif and its many towering peaks that include Annapurna I, II, III, IV, the Dhaulagiri (8167m), Machchhapuchhre (Fish Tail), Annapurna South and Manaslu.
Sherpa Expedition and Trekking’s Annapurna circuit trek is perfect for those with a reasonable standard of fitness. The Annapurna trek takes you through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world’ deepest gorge and the world’s highest lake, and 300m high Ruptse Falls. The Annapurna Conservation Area has more than 100 species of orchids, Rhododendron forests, sub-tropical marshes, valleys, bamboo and oak forests, alpine glades and hundreds of wildlife species such as Marten, deer, Langoor monkey, and the Snow Leopard. Besides the diversity of flora and fauna, there is the unforgettable hospitality of the people in outposts, villages and towns along the trek.
The Annapurna Circuit trek offers some of the most spectacular views of a multitude of enormous snow-capped peaks and treks through high altitude passes, including the famous Thorong La Pass (5416m).
Sherpa Expedition & Trekking staff will be there to greet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and take you to your hotel, followed by a briefing covering information, do’s and don’ts of your trek. Your safety and comfort are paramount.
We leave Kathmandu and drive to Besishar after which we take a fairly easy 2-hour trek to Bulebule located near the Marsyangdi River. Tonight we stay at Bulbule.
Today the trail takes us over several suspension bridges, past cascades, through rice fields and across various slopes. The trek is quite short before reaching Chamje where we stay the night.
Leaving Chame we pass through rhododendron, pine and bamboo forests and follow the trail through the valley before arriving at Tal and its cultivated farm plots of wheat, potatoes and other grains. After passing through Dharapani we head in a westerly direction via fir and pine forests until we reach Bagarchhap where we stay the night.
From Bagarchhap we continue to the village of Danaque before climbing to Tamang Village where we are offered magnificent views of Manaslu (8163m), Annapurna and other towering peaks. Our trek takes us through several Tibetan villages, such as trek Thanchowk, Kolo before reaching our destination, Chame.
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 we t head higher passing a pine-forest as we trek through the upper reaches of the Manang valley to Pisang. Tonight we stay at Pisang.
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.
Medical professionals recommend that before heading to higher elevations that trekkers spend some time acclimatizing. They also recommend staying active. Today we will climb up to Khangsar (3756m) as a way to further help us acclimatize. Overnight stay at Manang.
Today we head off on a 10.4 km uphill trek to Yak Kharka passing through juniper forests and may see yak grazing in the pastures. On the route, we pass the only teahouse at Thorong Khola. Depending on the conditions we may decide to go a little further and stay the night at Letdar.
Climbing higher we gradually get used to the higher altitude. We follow the east bank of the Jarang Khola and along with the trail view steep bluffs before reaching Thorung Phedi (meaning foothills). If we are lucky we may see the famous blue sheep and even a snow leopard! This is also home to Lammergeyer (bearded vulture). There is also a belief the mythical griffons are in this region!
Today is most likely the toughest day of the trek, hiking for around 7-8 hours. The higher altitude contributes to the degree of difficulty, and sometimes strong winds in these upper regions. Along the trail we may pass sheep, yaks and merchants transporting their goods. Once we reach Thorong La Pass we will be rewarded with breath-taking views of Annapurna, Gangapurna and eye-catching peak of Khatungkang (6484m). Leaving the pass we descend around 1600 metres and the brilliant Dhaulagiri (Dhavali giri, meaning “White Mountain”) is the highest mountain that is entirely in Nepal. The trail is more undulating and relatively easy before we reach Muktinath where we stay the night.
From Muktinath, we pass through lush meadows, fruit trees and streams passing through Kagbeni before we reach Jomson in the Kali Gandaki valley. Kagbeni has a well-deserved reputation for its horticulture industry.
The road trip to Tatopani takes about 5-6 hours dropping into the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, the deepest valley in the world. From Marpha to Kalopani we pass via Chokhopani Village, a typical Thakali town well know for its unique cuisine. On the drive, you will be stunned by the awesome views of several famous mountains, such as Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Annapurna before reaching tonight’s destination, Tatopani (meaning hot water). You may wish to bath in the hot pools and unwind.
Today we ascend 1670 metres, quite a hard slog, and pass through more cultivated farm land with their terraced fields. We climb through a rhododendron forest, spectacular in spring time, magnolia and of course a panoramic view of the mountains. Tonight we stay at Ghorepani with magical views of the Annapurna Ranges and Machapuchare (fish tail) one of the few unclimbed peaks in Nepal due to its religious status – home to Lord Shiva.
An early morning start and we trek up to Poon hil to watch the sunrise, an eye-opening experience that will leave you breathless. As dawn approaches the change in colours will be a magical experience where you camera will go into overdrive! This has to be one of the best places, on any trek, to view the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri and its many snow-capped peaks. This is an unforgettable experience and will give you photos to boast about! We then head back to Ghorepani for breakfast and after have a 5-hour trek downhill to Nayapul. The first leg of the trek down to Tikhedhunga is a very steep descent after which we pass terraced fields for several hours before reaching Nayapul, and then on to Pokhara for the night.
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!
Sherpa Expeditions & Trekking staff will transfer you to the airport for your final departure from Nepal. We hope that this epic trek will be firmly ingrained in your memory and will be enough to prompt you to consider your next trek with us!
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 don’t 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.
Fill out the form below and a Travel Expert will reach out to create your perfect tour.
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.
100%
Based On 58 Reviews
We just finished the Annapurna circuit and it was a great experience, with beautiful views and a lot of support from our amazing guide who even made the program more interesting than planned!
Annapurna Circuit Trek was a great beautiful trek. My guide was amazing and let me customize itinerary extensively. We even added Poon hill trek as I did this trek 3 days earlier and I got a great view of Annapurna Massif.
Great Trek in Himalayan Range and really lived up to its reputation. Always something to see and a good physical challenge. The guide was helpful and suggested about the itinerary and best foods to eat at altitude, I will definitely trek with Sherpa Expedition and Trekking Team.
Average Customer Ratings
How The Travellers Have Rated This Package
55
3
0
0
0
People Considering This Package Right Now Check availability
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*
Your email address is required for downloading package details.*
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.
© Copyright Sherpa Expedition And Trekking. All rights reserved.
Made with in Nepal by TECH 101