Annapurna Circuit Trek

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Matterhorn Treks & Expedition will transfer to your hotel, We will brief about your trip  activities. You’ll have rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel B/B.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Sightseeing in Some of landmarks that are the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of (PashupatiNath), the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (SwayambhuNath) and Buddhists shrine (BouddhaNath). You can also make your last minute buying of personal items and preparation for the next day. Overnight at Hotel B/B

Day 03: Drive to Tal by jeep 9 hours
After  breakfast  we drive 6-7 hrs by private transport to Tal through the scenic countryside and river view. This is an interesting drive through the foothills of the Himalaya. En-route to Pokhara our route diverts from the town village of Dumre towards north to Beshishahar. This is big town and district headquarters of the Lamjung.
Overnight at the Lodge Full board.   

Day 04: Trek from Tal to Chame (2820 m) 6-7 hours drive                                                                                      Today we start our trekking. Our first stage takes us up the valley. We pass several villages such as Dharapani and Bagarchap. A final climb brings us to Timang where we will stay overnight. From here you have a beautiful mountain view and we enjoy it extensively when the visibility is good. Overnight at Lodge in Chame (2820 meters).

Day 05:  Chame –  Pisang ( 3180 m )  Walking Time 6 Hours
This is a beautiful walking day in an area of heavy woods. When you reach Baratang area, you’ll be able to see an amazing cliff called “Paungda Danda”, 1500 meters high above the river and the path.
After you leave the woods area you enter a large valley, taking you towards Pisang. Pisang is divided into two parts. The lower part of Pisang is located 3180 meters high, and contains many guest houses. The upper part of Pisang is located 100 meters above, it is more interesting but there are no guest houses there.
The area around Pisang is amazing, the view of the mountains around you is mind-boggling, and it is recommended to stay there another day just to rest, get used to the heights, and enjoy the lovely sights. Overnight at Lodge Full board.

Day 06:  Pisang – Manang 3440 m, Walking Time 7 Hours.
From Pisang to Manang there are two ways. The first one goes along the Marsyangdi River, but – it is more boring. The recommended way is to climb up to a village called Ghyaru, and the descend back to Manang. It is quite a hard climbing, but it is worth it – the panoramic view from Ghyaru is spectacular! And – Ghyaru and another village you’ll reach on this way are really special.
It is a long walking day, but the view on the way is amazing. The peaks of Annapurna II (7937 meters), Annapurna IV (7525 meters) and Annapurna III (7855 meters) are just above you, as if you can touch them. These peaks are covered with heavy snow, while the other side of the river looks dry like a desert! Really outstanding.
So – from Pisang you climb towards Ghyaru (3670 meters). On the way you’ll pass an amazing little “green lake”. After Ghyaru you reach a village named Nawal. From there you get to Manang. Overnight at Hotel Full board

Day 07: Rest Day at Manang
After the hard day you had getting to Manang, you’ll have to rest there for acclimatization.
There’s a western clinic in Manang, with volunteers that treat the locals and advises about awareness to mountain sickness. It is recommended to attend the daily briefing they give about mountain sickness.
Manang itself is beautiful. Unique houses all built from stones and wood, the enormous mountains above, a charming lake (frozen in the winter), and lovely people and cute children. When you are in Manang you can go for short walks around. Overnight at Hotel Full board.

Day 08: Manang – Yak-Kharaka  4000 m Walking Time 4 Hours
The way from Manang takes you upper to the origins of the Marsyangdi river – you’ll reach the adjoining of “Khangsar Khola” and “Jhargeng Khola”, where they turn into the big “Marsyangdi” river. From now on you’ll walk up the Jhargeng Khola (until Thorung-La pass).
From Manang you pass Gungsang and reach Yak Kharka – 4000 meters high. It is not even a village, just a place with some guest houses for travelers.
Note that on those heights, you already feel the low density of the air. Every step requires more effort, and you need to rest many times during walking – Take it easy, don’t rush! This is the key for avoiding mountain sickness. And – drink a lot, even when you’re not thirsty. Overnight at Lodge Full board.

Day 09:  Yak-Kharaka  – Thorung Phedi  4500 m, Walking Time 3.1/2  Hours
This day you walk towards the last station before the great mountain pass. You walk to Churi-lattar (4250 meters), which offer some guest houses and tea-houses, and then reach Thorung Phedi – 4500 meters high.
In Thorung Phedi there’s only  two guest house, and it is recommended to get there early to catch good rooms to sleep in. In the touristic season or in case the pass closes, the place is quite full. Overnight at Guesthouse Full board.

Day 10:  Thorung Phedi – Thorung La Pass 5416 m – Muktinath 3800 m. Walking Time 9 Hours
This is the day of the trek. Get up early, and start walking at about 4:30 or 5 am.
It is about 900 meters of climbing to the pass – from 4500 meters to 5416 meters. In the spring and after the summer the trail should be quite clear, but after snow storms the way could be confusing.
Most of the walking is in the snow, surrounded by snowy mountains all over. Walking is difficult, Finally you’ll reach the pass, the highest point you’ll reach on this trek – 5416 meters!
On the other side of the pass it is really “another world” – the landscape changes dramatically from snowy mountains to dry yellow-brown cliffs, area that looks like a desert.
Going down after the pass is also an uneasy task. It is a descend of 1600 meters, which really makes your knees cry. Finally you’ll reach Muktinath, There are plenty of guest houses in Muktinath, with really good food, and some temples worth visiting – Actually Muktinath is one of four major places of pilgrimage for Hindu people in the Himalayas, and it is also sacred to Buddhists, Overnight at Lodge Full board.

Day 11:  Muktinath – Jomsom 2750 m  Walking Time 6  Hours
The part of the trek from Muktinath to Jomsom , is really different from the trek in the Marsyangdi side. Here, the climate is relatively dry, and the landscape looks like a desert.
The area on the way from Muktinath to Kagbeni is full of ancient caves, and till you reach Jomsom you’ll be able to see wonderful geological forms around you.
The way from Kagbeni to Jomsom goes along the Kali-Gandaki river,  The geological forms you’ll see on the way around you are really spectacular. Jomsom, located 2700 meters high is a big village. It has a small airport, and so -connected by air to Pokhara and Kathmandu. Overnight at Guesthouse Full board.

Day 12: Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (820 m/2,690 ft)
This morning we pack our bags and get ready for the exciting mountain scenic flight to Pokhara. The flight transit through between two high peaks Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m/26,538 ft) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m/26,788 ft) and give us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy with best views of surrounding Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Himalayan range. We have full day at Pokhara to enjoy with its natural side in Pokhara. Overnight at Hotel B/B

Day 13: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,300 m/4,264 ft)
Morning we will drive by regular tourist bus  through the scenic countryside and en route will stop for breakfast & lunch. It takes 7 hours back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu guide will transfer to the hotel and rest of the day relax or explore the surrounding areas. Overnight at hotel B/B

Day 14: Kathmandu
This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure at your own or can be extends your extra trip with us on additional cost or time to explore the Thamel for last day shopping and evening Matterhorn Treks & Expedition will take you for Farewell dinner. Overnight at hotel B/B

Day 15: Departure from Kathmandu
Matterhorn Treks & Expedition will transfer you to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.