Annapurna Circuit Trek 14 days

Breakfast and get drive to Besishahar for 6 hours, and trek to Khudi for 2 hours and stay night in Khudi.

Our first day’s walk involves crossing a few suspension bridges and waterfalls including several ascents and descents across rice paddies and a subtropical forest. Initially, the walk is gradual but is then followed by steeper trails. The mountains that we see from Khudi seem a lot closer now. Before reaching Sirung village we pass an ethnic Tamang settlement of Taranche. We admire close-up views of Nadi Chuli and Manaslu mountains from Sirung.

We leave Sirung for Jagat on a relatively easy trail. We leave behind the terraces of the village and hit forest, ferns and woodland. On the forest trail we spot a variety of birds. We also pass through several small villages and a few temples on the way. We cross a suspension bridge over Sangu Khola at Mipra then again at Syange over the Marshyangdi River. There is also a waterfall nearby the bridge. Now our trail moves alongside the mighty Marshyangdi River and we cross one more bridge before reaching Jagat.

After breakfast, we slowly begin our trek today. The trail from Jagat descends until it reaches the river and then continues through a lush forest. Further ascent leads to sharp-edged cliff facing the riverbank. En route, Chyamje comes into picture amidst the glorious backdrop of towering Annapurna mountain ranges. After crossing a suspension bridge, we climb steeply towards the slippery and physically challenging path to Sattale. On treading along a succession of rock-strewn trails, we descend to a grassy riverbank that leads to Tal. As we walk away from Tal, the path becomes rugged and winding. Then we approach steeply-forested village of Karte. Meandering along the waterfalls and cliffs, we finally reach Dharapani after crossing a suspension bridge. Overnight in Dharapani.

Today we walk through a few forested ridges on our way to Chame, which is the headquarters of the Manang District. Throughout the trek we can admire amazing views of the Himalayas including Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft). On today’s trek we also come across small hot springs where we can dip in and soothe our aching muscles. Overnight in Chame.

Venture into a steep and narrow path through a very dense forest and see the curved rock face that rises 1500 m from the river. The forests and heavy vegetation would now be out-of-the-sight. You have to again and again cross the river on suspension bridges. With the trail opening up, you get surrounded by the splendid Himalayan Peaks. Here you find yourself in the U-shaped valley of Manang hanging between two giant snow peaks. Sfter walking through these wonderful sites, you reach Pisang. Overnight stay in Upper Pisang.

Breakfast and trek for 5-6 hours to Manang via Humde village.

Today represents the scheduled acclimatization day. Do not stay idle but rather take a short walk to higher altitude to get acclimatized with the altitude. Manang is a good place to do that as the next two days will be very challenging with the rapid gain in altitude. Not downplaying the possibility of serious health hazards posed by high altitude with cautiousness is simply crucial. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from the acclimatization perspective. An excursion to a little distance away to a village called Vraga, a small old village with a monastery, is also worthy. Also worth visiting is the Himalayan Rescue Association where you can get some ideas about Mountain Sickness. Overnight stay in Manang.

From the Manang village, the trail is eclectically interesting. It crosses a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki, and then continues to climb to the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail passes through this valley northward, passing a few pastures, a scrub of juniper trees as it gradually elevates. The trail passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. Now, it crosses through the meadows where the horses and yaks are seen to be grazing. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, you will spot an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reach another small village of Yak Kharka. Little but a gradual ascent is the key to avoiding altitude problems. Overnight stay in Yak Kharka.

We head to the foot of the pass, Thorong Phedi, today. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. People use this point as a base camp with some of them even doing a hiking to the high camp so that the next day can be easier for them. However, we do not recommend this with overnight stay there because sleeping in higher altitude could well prove life-threatening. As we will have a tough day tomorrow, we take a shelter in the Thorong Phedi for sound sleep. Overnig

Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and trek to Muktinath crossing Thorong La Pass at 5416m, the big challenging day of the trekking steep uphill to Thorong La top, take some photos for short time and continue steep trekking downhill to Muktinath. Stay night there.

Breakfast and get a scenic bus drive to Tatopani, the natural hot Spring, relax and enjoy day dipping to natural hot Spring called Tatopani in Nepali.

Today is also a challenging day, breakfast and trek for a long climbing uphill to Ghorepani, the best view point to see Mount Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu range along with Mount Fishtail, Nilgiri and other many snowcapped mountain, and also can see sunset and sunrise from Ghorepani is in the middile of Rhododendron forest.

Wake up early in the mornig, climb up poon hill to see morning sunrise view along with the Himalayan Panorama of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Fishtail and other snow capped mountains, back to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue trek to Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara. The trek ends here.