Annapurna Circuit Trek - 18 Days

Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival at the airport, there will be a smiling Touch Planet Treks representative to welcome you and then transfer you to your 3-star standard hotel. After rest, you will have having fresh Nepali Dinner to be served at a hotel giving the first taste of Nepali Food and culture.

Day 2: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation in Kathmandu

Make sure you take your breakfast early in the morning for quite an energetic morning adventure. After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of some of Kathmandu's most significant historical and spiritual attractions. The apparently most distinguished (UNESCO sites) tourist destination of Kathmandu is the Pashupatinath Temple followed by the Swayambhunath (The Monkey Temple). We will later visit the Boudhanath Stupa and the beautifully designed Kathmandu Durbar Square. In Kathmandu here is may Sightseeing places, However, the day trip for sightseeing covering any 4 sights in Kathmandu and Lalitpur. After finishing the day trip, you will get back to the hotel and trekkers can do for preparations for the trek and team briefing.

Day 3: Kathmandu to Dharapani (1,960m/6,430 ft)

This seems like a great day for the trekking. From Kathmandu, start a beautiful drive to Dharapani via Besishahar early in the morning. There are beautiful sceneries you will see during the drive including green mountainous landscapes, hilly cultivated land plains, rivers, and beautiful Himalayan ranges to behold. The time travelled could be big, but every moment transformed into a cherished one because of the beautiful sceneries that continue to accompany the journey. The drive could take around 8-9 hours, depending on the road condition and traffic. The total distance between Kathmandu to Dharapani is approximately 210 kilometres.


Day 4: Dharapani to Chame (2,710m/8,891 ft) - 5 to 6 hours

Today we will mark our further journey towards Chame. The trail leads us over some steep wooded spurs and by several landslides, so here comes some thrilling adventure. During this pleasant trek, you will have a closer look at Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II (7,937 m), and Annapurna IV (7,825 m). To avoid tension after such an active type of trek, we will be able to get into natural hot springs, which is the best way to rest before going on the next day.

Day 5: Chame to Pisang (3,300m/10,824 ft) - 5 to 6 hours

Continuing the drive from Chame, you will come across a steep and rather skinny valley that will take you to Pisang. Here you stand before the magnificent Paungda Danda, a towering cliff around 1,500 meters above the river. This part of the trek is really interesting due to the magnificent panorama of Annapurna II to the south and Pisang Peak to the northeast. As we move down to the Manang Valley, we get to Pisang which is happening, and we spend the overnight nights there.

Day 6: Pisang to Manang (3,500m/11,482 ft) - 6 to 7 hours

On the 7th day, we start our journey from Pisang to Manang but the journey is merely spectacular through Upper Pisang via Geru. It promises scenic views of Mt. Annapurna, Pisang Peak, and the other Himalayas on the way and is considered an easy region to trek. At this stage, you will also realize that the environment changes in terms of climate as we will be near the town of Manang. The atmosphere becomes cooler and drier. We will make a stopover at the Barge Monastery, which is the largest monastery in the entire district, and the peaceful atmosphere of this monastery may help to reduce the headache that some of us may have developed as a result of the thin acropolis.

Day 7: Acclimatization Day in Manang

Today is considered an easy day with the specific aim of helping everyone acclimatize to the altitude. There is an easy trek to Bhojo Gumba or Gangapurna Lake which offers a beautiful landscape and wonderful opportunity to have a walk around. If you are still full of energy, then you may also climb up to Vraga village to meet the Himalayan Rescue Association. This visit will also serve as an informative session on Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and ways of reducing its impacts.

Day 8: Manang to Tilicho Base Camp (4,140m/13,583 ft) - 6 to 7 hours

After leaving Manang, we will stick to the western side of the valley which currently goes down to the river and then south through forests of pine trees. We then continue up to the Kangsar village and then ascend to Siri Kharka which has a beautiful monastery en route. Although it seems to begin with a steep ascend through which you almost feel like you are shifting base from Annapurna to Dhaulagiri, the trek is going to offer you an incredible sight of Mount Nilgiri (7,041 m) and Chulu (6,419 m). After having lunch and having a break we will again start again, and it will take 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Tilicho Base Camp. Take extra care for the next section as we are one hour from Siri Kharka there is a landslide area as a result be careful when moving through this part of the trail.

Day 9: Trek to Tilicho Lake and back to Siri Kharka (4080 m.) – 6-7 hour

The next day rises early for a tough climb over some sharp turns to reach the impressive Tilicho Lake. The climb becomes slightly steeper and yaks and sows with their young ones–deer mostly occupy the fields to our left side. Situated at the base of the north face of Tilicho Peak, this splendid lake is what one French expedition chieftain termed ‘The Great Ice Lake’. Tilicho Lake is significant to Hindus because its narrative that, one of their oldest books, The Ramayana. Following a stunning view of the lake, unusual moments, and a beautiful photo shoot, we will again descend to Siri Kharka for lunch and an overnight stay at a teahouse.

Day 10: Siri Kharka to Yak Kharka (4,040m/13,020 ft) - 4 to 5 hours

Today, we will have to start descending to the Khangsar village with the previous Tare Gumba, century’s old monastery sledding important for the local people. Most of the time, the village is completely deserted, with only shepherds grazing their livestock in the village during the celebration period of the year. After Khangsar a trek follows a rocky cliff to arrive at a hanging bridge over the Thorang Khola valley. From here we will be moving a little up to the plateau where we will be getting a very good view. The next few hours of walking will take us to Yak Kharka, where we have a night’s accommodation.

Day 11: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,420 m/14,501 ft) - 3 to 4 hours

In today’s trek, we move uphill across a suspension bridge to Ledar village. From Ledar we proceed further up along vertical cliffs which rise proudly and grandiosely from the ground. This trek will take us to Thorong Phedi, the last human settlement before we climb one of the highest passes on the planet, Thorong-La Pass. We will use the time to renew our strength and to get ready for what will be in store for us in the future.

Day 12: Thorong Phedi to Thorong La Pass [5,416 m/17,764 ft] – Muktinath [3,800 m/12,467 ft]: 7 – 8 hours

Today’s achievement is the Thorong La Pass, one of the highest passes in the world today. We shall start moving from the Eastern side of the country to the Western side visiting only the best and most accessible destination in Nepal which is moving from Manang to Muktinath. The climbing starts around 3 in the morning and once we get to the top, we’ll be descending straight into the Muktinath Valley which is at the foot of the Thorong La Pass.

Day 13: Muktinath to Tatopani [1,200 m/3,937 ft]: 5-6 hours

In the morning, we have the Muktinath Temple to visit. Muktinath is the holy temple for the Hindu and Buddhist believer. The site is considering as ‘the place of liberation’ or Mukti Kshetra. We will drive to Tatopani via Jomsom, it is about 5-6 hours to drive. Today we will travel by private Van or local bus, Depending on the available transportation. Once you reach in Tatopani you will be transferred to the hotel, you can have tea, coffee and dinner at evening.Tatopani is a hot spring spot where you can have amazing hot spring and there is believe that, it will remove the colds from your body. Overnight stay at Tatopani in the hotel.

Day 14: Tatopani to Ghorepani [2,874 m/9,429 ft]: 7 – 8 hours

Staring from the Kali Gandaki River, we will proceed along the trail passing through the entrance of the Ghar Khola Valley, a place of beautiful, terraced farmland and mountains. When this village of Shikha is crossed and then the next village Chitre. Travels beautiful rhododendron flowers of red and green colors are seen on the slopes. Ghorepani also known as Ghara, a beautiful village nestled on a hilltop. Overnight stay at Ghorepani in Hotel.

Day 15: Ghorepani to Poon Hill [3,210 m/10,529 ft] – Tadapani [2,630 m/8,628 ft]: 6 – 7 hours

An early morning hike to Poon Hill is planned for today the view from here of the sunrise is said to be unique. This magnetic site provides spectacular view of Himalayas, such as Mt. Annapurna, Annapurna south, Annapurna II, Dhaulagiri, Fistail, Himchuli, Dhampus peak and many others. After getting engrossed in the views, we will come back to Ghorepani for having a best-ever breakfast. After the breakfast trekkers will move to Tadapani. Along the way you will pass by the the rhododendron forest, hill tops, small streams, lush forest and local villages.The trail today is down hills and uphill’s before reaching to Tadapani. Once you reach Tadapani you will transfer to the hotel, which will be comfortable, but it will be sharing bathrooms. At evening have a delicious dinner and overnight Unwin in the hotel.

Day 16: Tadapani to Ghandruk to Pokhara: 5 – 6 hours trek and 2 hours’ drive

Today’s walk brings us through the rhododendron forests to end at Ghandruk, which is recognized by the stunningly constructed stone houses and is predominantly a Gurung settlement. We then move down further along Fishtail Mountain, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli and get to Nayapul. From there, it will take a one-hour car drive and reach Pokhara.

Day 17: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu: 5-6 hours

After the breakfast in the hotel, we will travel to Kathmandu by comfortable tourist bus. Pokhara to Kathmandu Road distance is around 200km and it will take 6-7 hours to drive. A drive back to Kathmandu passing through several beautiful sites will be enjoyable. Along the way you pass by Marsandi River, Trisuli River, streams and evergreen mountains. During the travel there will be tea and lunch break. Once arrive in Kathmandu you will be transfer to hotel and after some time rest, we will go for farewell dinner where we will celebrate the achievement of trek. Overnight travellers stay in the hotel and unwind.

Day 18: Departure to your next Destination

On this day the Touch Planet Treks will farewell the guest. One of our representatives will take lovely guests to the airport beginning at around 3 hours before the flight time.