16 Day Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is truly a “life memory experience”. This 12-day trek (over an 16-day period) will offer a steady stream of images and elicit emotions and memories that will remain with you long after you’ve returned home. It will both inspire and challenge you. Many people who complete it report that years later, they have not lost the sense of awe and wonderment that they experienced while trekking.

The journey begins with a scenic six-hour drive to Besisahar from Kathmandu ending at Pokhara, the Annapurna Circuit is a sacred pilgrimage for the trekking faithful and a trip to remember for a lifetime. The walk takes you up Kali Gandaki Gorge (the deepest in the world), over the Thorung-La Pass (5416m) across the dry Tibetan plateau ‘behind’ the Himalaya and back to the green forests of your starting point. The Annapurna Circuit offers the ultimate in variety of terrain and cultural diversity. Taking off from the lush rhododendron forests and terraced rice paddies of the mid-hills, the route follows the Kali Gandaki upriver with Dhaulagiri (8167m) to the left and Annapurna I (8091m) to the right to the dry Tibetan plateau. Gurung and Magar villages give way to settlements resembling old Tibet. The landscape changes from thick greenery to bare rock and windswept plains. The way up the Kali Gandaki Gorge follows the ancient trade route to Tibet. On leaving the Thakali village of Tukuche (2590m), a dramatic change occurs in the vegetation, from pine and conifer forests to dry and desert-like terrain. Marpha is another important Thakali village of flat-roofed houses and narrow stone-paved alleys. Further up the trail, the Tibet-like country north of the Himalaya is a magical experience – bizarre rock formations carved out by the wind, vertical rock faces pockmarked with cave dwellings and high-altitude turquoise lakes. Muktinath (4100m) is a highly revered Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage spot. Traversing over the Thorung-La Pass, the highest point on the trail, is an intense experience of accomplishment.

Bird-watchers will also find the trek most interesting (there are over 800 species in Nepal). White-capped river chats, redstarts, little forktails, whistling thrushes Camp at Muktinath (3750m) and large pied kingfishers crisscross the skies.

Trip Highlights: Spectacular views of Ganagapurna, Machhapuchhare, Hiunchuli, Annapurna 1, Annapurna South, Dhulagiri, Tilicho and many other peaks. Magar’s, Gurung’s, Thakali’s, Managi’s settlements, Monastry and Hindu’s temple on the way, fossils. Manang village, Thorung La Pass (5416m), The Pilgrimage town of Muktinath, Views of the Dhaulagiri Ice – Fall, The worlds deepest gorge in the Kali Gandaki river.


16
Days
All Season
Moderate To Challenging
5416m

Trip Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Kathmandu or meet our representative in Kathmandu – transfer to hotel. Overnight (O/N) Hotel.

Day 2Kathmandu sightseeing, including the Buddhist stupa of Boudhnath, Swyambhunath(Monkey Temple), and Patan Durbar Square, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. O/N Hotel.

Day 3After breakfast Kathmandu to Ngadi (930 meters). Overnight Lodge.

Day 4Ngadi to Jagat (1300 meters) Overnight Lodge.

Day 5Jagat to Dharapani (1860 meters). Overnight Lodge.

Day 6Dharapani to Chame (2670 meters). Overnight Lodge.

Day 7Chame to Pisang (3190 meters). Overnight Lodge.

Day 8Pisang to Manang (3540 meters) Overnight Lodge.

Day 9Acclimatization Day in Manang Overnight Lodge.

Day 10Manang to Yak Kharka (4200 meters) Overnight Lodge.

Day 11Yak Kharka to the high camp of Thorong Phedi (4450 meters) Overnight Lodge.

Day 12Phedi, Over the Thorong La Pass (5416 meters) to Muktinath (3816 meters Overnight Lodge.

Day 13Muktinath to Jomsom (2750 meters) Overnight Lodge.

Day 14After breakfast, Flight to Pokhara. Afternoon Free time on your own. Overnight Hotel.

Day 15Pokhara to Kathmandu by land. Overnight Hotel.

Day 16Transfer to International Airport for Departure.

Notes:

No specific previous experience is required to complete this trek but good health and able to walk min. 4 to max  7hrs at a normal pace are necessary (with breaks in between) | Beside the given departure date, the trip can be arranged at any date | Single supplementary may apply

Included and Additional Expences

  • Airport/Hotel/Airport transfers.
  • 3 Nights Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu on Bed & Breakfast Basis twin share
  • 1 Night Hotel accommodation in Pokhara on Bed & Breakfast basis twin share
  • Sightseeing tour with English speaking city guide and all monument fees
  • Basic comfortable Mountain lodge on trek
  • Jomsom – Pokhara flight
  • Domestic airport tax.
  • 1 porter for each 2 members to carry their baggage (includes their food, accommodation and daily wages)
  • 1 Sherpa English speaking guide for entire trek days (includes his food, accommodation, and daily wages)
  • Kathmandu/ Ngadi by Land.
  • Trekking Permit
  • TIMS Permit
  • Down Jacket, Sleeping bags, liner and duffel/kit bag (Sleeping bag and down Jacket needs to return after the trek.)
  • All Government taxes, vat
  • Meals + Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and mineral water (Meals easily available on the lodges cost USD 7-10 p/m)
  • Your travel insurance (mandatory)
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa
  • Any Service which is not included in service included section
  • Tipping
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