15 Days Annapurna Circuit Trekking

Our airport facilitator will welcome you upon arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. They will take you to a 3-star hotel in Thamel, a tourist hub in Kathmandu that is home to a large number of hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and pubs. Most tourists and hikers prefer to stay here because of its location, which occurs to be in the middle of the city.

After settling into your hotel, you might relax or go tour the neighborhood. It is an excellent time to buy any hiking equipment you might need. You'll find many shops selling it on Thamel's streets. In order to be prepared for the adventure the following day, make sure to get a good sleep and get over your jetlag.

You will be picked up by your trek guide from the hotel at around 7 AM and driven to the bus terminal to catch a bus for Besisahar. Make sure to have breakfast and get ready before 7 in the morning. It is a comfortable bus journey following the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway until Dumre. The road is thrilling after Dumre. You cruise along a paved route with the Marshyangdi River by your side to get to Besisahar. You get down in Besisahar and catch a local jeep to Chamje, the location of your overnight stay.

We start our walk after a filling breakfast at the guest house before descending to the river and passing through a suspension bridge. Next, we start the ascent to Sattale (1550 m), which is up a steep slope that makes it seem like one slip could send you tumbling down the valley. But don't worry. With our guide by your side, you'll be safe on the trail.

After climbing a winding trail to the hill's summit, you can see the plain surface of Tal (1700 m). After Tal, the valley becomes more condensed, and the path becomes more twisted. The trail appears to have been carved out of the rock itself in some spots. To get to Dharapani, we must continue walking along the cliffs past the tiny community of Karte (1900 m) before the trail descends to the river again and we cross a second suspension bridge.

We begin the hike from Dharapani by heading toward a small grassy area. The Annapurna II can be seen in the background as the Marsyangdi River turns left. When you finally arrive in Bagarchhap, a Bhote village near a Buddhist monastery, prayer flags can be seen flirtatiously flapping in the wind.

We continue up through pine and oak woodlands, passing Danaque. (2210 m). At the foot of Lamjung Himal, is the village of Timang, which we reach after passing by a small wooden bridge and a tricky slope. The trail is leveled until we reach Chame, where we stay the night.

We start our journey to Pisang after a delicious breakfast at the tea house. You'll be pleased by the sight of Lamjung Himal (6893m), which sparkles in the morning light. The mountain disappears as we climb up the valley, past an extensive apple orchard.

As we proceed on the path to Bhratang (2950m), the valley begins to rise drastically. We reach a rock-strewn area after a little ascent from Bhratang. At this point, we cross a wooden bridge and continue on a difficult, twisting trail. As we continue hiking through a pine forest, the valley's V-shape gradually transforms into a U-shape, revealing an amazing outlook. Then, close to the bridge, we arrive at the little settlement of Pisang, identified by a lengthy Mani Wall.

From Pisang, we start our day by climbing a high hill that provides fantastic views of the Manang River and Tilicho Peak (7145 m). As we walk down past the airstrip of Manang at Humde (3320 m), we arrive at a flat area from which the northeastern face of Annapurna III towers gloriously above us. Annapurna IV (7525 m) is also visible from the vast flat land of the Sabje Khola Valley.

We travel a short distance beyond this to the tiny community of Mungji by crossing the Marsyangdi River on a wooden bridge. The residents grow crops in the fields on either side of the trail. Next, we see the settlement of Braga, surrounded by the spectacular monastery, countless large chortens, and Mani walls. Shortly after a challenging ascent, we reach Manang.

Before traversing the Thorung La Pass, it is essential to acclimatize properly. Manang is a great place for acclimatization because it offers a variety of optional day hikes. One such hike involves walking across a river to see an enormous icefall coming down from the Annapurnas. Another involves climbing far above the village to get a comprehensive view of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley.

It is worthwhile to stop by the Himalayan Rescue Association [HRA] aid station in Manang. If you want to spice up your rest day with some unique adventures, you can also visit Ganagapurna Glacier Lake.

After a well-earned day of rest, you wake up in Manang eager to tackle Thorung La Pass. But it's still a couple more days until we reach Thorung La. So, we go as far as Yak Kharka today.

From Manang to Yak Kharka, the trail gradually ascends while going through the hamlet of Gunsang. (3960 m). We will trek all day, admiring the vast mountain vistas all around us. The altitude will exhaust us even though it seems like a brief hike. Breathing is challenging as we climb to an even higher altitude of 4050 m at Yak Kharka. So, we proceed slowly and cautiously.

After a filling breakfast in Yak Kharka, our pursuit of Thorung La Pass begins. The journey starts with a gradual ascent to a hilltop, then descends to Marsyangdi's headwaters. We then cross a concealed wooden bridge. Before climbing a perilous hill on a narrow path and ultimately descending to Thorung Phedi, we first scale the mountain way on the right side of the Marsyandgi for a short distance. Finally, we make it to the base of Thorung La Pass, Thorung Phedi, and rest well at a mountain lodge overnight to prepare our bodies for the next day.

It's the day we have all been anticipating. Today, we'll cross the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit, Thorung La Pass, at an elevation of (5416 m). We begin our difficult but well-marked trail to Thorang La Pass early in the morning. After 4 hours of steady ascent, we approach the prayer flags and chortens of the renowned pass.

As soon as we reach the top, dazzling views of the brown and purple hills of Mustang as well as the snow-capped peaks at the top of the Kali Gandaki valley, stretch out before us. Standing at the summit of the Thorung La Pass, the breathtaking scenery around you fills your spirit with pride and accomplishment.

After a short moment of appreciation for the insanely beautiful Himalayas, we continue our trek. The enticing view of Dhaulagiri makes the painful 1600 m descent to Muktinath worthwhile. After grassy slopes finally replace the moraines, we reach Muktinath by taking a pleasant stroll upward through Jhong Khola Valley.

Right after you get up and freshen up, you'll head towards the renowned Muktinath to pray for yourself and your friends and family. Breakfast will be ready for you when you return back to your lodge. Enjoy your meal, collect your things, and brace yourself for another adventurous jeep ride from Muktinath to Tatopani along the Kali Gandaki River.

There is a hot spring in Tatopani that is said to relieve pain and heal your sore muscles. After checking in to the lodge at Tatopani, you can visit the hot spring and take a bath to relax your body after the taxing 11 days of your adventure trip in Nepal.

After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we start our journey by strolling through a flat area for a while. The trail then begins a steep ascent that lasts for at least an hour, going through a number of villages with people of different ethnic backgrounds and an abundance of agricultural land. The majority of the people here are Gorkhali families who serve in the Indian army.

The route then passes through several small towns, including Phalate, Chitre, and others, before a steady ascent to Ghorepani. You can see various wildlife as you hike through rhododendron woods and take in the expansive views of numerous mountains around you.

It's time for another highlight of the trek. Today we go for an early morning hike to Poon Hill, which is famous for its glorious Himalayan sunrise. We hike for an hour and a half before dawn to reach the summit of Poonhill, a great vantage point with a spectacular sunrise against the Annapurna range and nearby mountains. You'll be mesmerized by the warm golden sunrise reflecting off the snow-capped Annapurna range, Mt. Machhapuchre, and Mt. Dhaulagiri.

We have breakfast at the Ghorepani lodge after coming down from Poonhill and prepare to leave. Today is also the last hiking day. We walk past a dense forest and cross a small water stream, hearing birds sing their melodies before reaching Ulleri, another Magar village. We continue on a steep downhill trail for a while to reach Tikhe Dhunga, and a brief hike featuring a couple of suspension bridges takes us to Hile.

We board a local jeep in Hile that takes us to Pokhara in 2 hours. After checking in to your hotel in Pokhara, you can head out for an evening stroll in the Lakeside. Celebrate the completion of the trek with a couple of drinks before heading back to Kathmandu the next day.

You are expected to board a luxury tourist bus to Kathmandu at 7 AM, following an early breakfast at your Pokhara hotel. As you travel through several small towns, you get to see the countryside, rushing rivers, terraced fields, and lush rural scenery. The 6/7 hour bus journey will be an incredible experience.

After checking in at the hotel in Thamel, relax or grab some souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Come to your farewell dinner with us on your final evening in Kathmandu. Let's celebrate your successful trek before you leave.

You'll be taken to Kathmandu International Airport on your last day in Nepal for your last journey home. Have a safe trip!

Serving you over the past 15 days has been an absolute pleasure for OUTFITTER NEPAL. It was great meeting you, and we sincerely hope you made wonderful memories in Nepal. We wish to meet you again in the future. Remember us for your upcoming trips to Nepal.