Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal! Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be met by our representative who will escort you to your hotel. Take some time to rest and freshen up after your flight, and then you can explore the bustling city of Kathmandu.
In the evening, you will meet with your trekking guide who will brief you about the Annapurna Circuit Trek and answer any questions you may have. After that, you can enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner and get a good night's rest before the trek begins tomorrow.
Kathmandu Valley is a treasure trove of cultural and historical landmarks, and exploring it can be a delightful experience. There are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can visit, including:
Pashupatinath Temple: One of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River.
Boudhanath Stupa: One of the largest stupas in the world and a center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.
Patan Durbar Square: An ancient city with intricately carved temples and palace complexes.
After spending a day exploring the cultural and historical landmarks of Kathmandu, you will begin your journey toward the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Today, you will embark on a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, which is the gateway to the Annapurna region.
The drive takes around 6-7 hours, and you will pass through scenic countryside, traditional villages, and winding roads that offer stunning views of the Himalayas. Along the way, you will cross the Trishuli River and Marsyangdi River and witness the changing landscape from lush green hills to arid mountainous terrain.
Once you reach Besisahar, you can check into your hotel and relax for the rest of the day. You can also explore the town and interact with the locals to get a sense of the culture and lifestyle of the region. In the evening, your trekking guide will brief you about the itinerary and preparations for the trek ahead. You can enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner and get a good night's rest before starting the trek tomorrow.
After spending a night in Besisahar, you will continue your journey toward the Annapurna Circuit Trek starting point. Today, you will take a jeep ride from Besisahar to Chame, which is the district headquarters of Manang.
The drive takes around 5 hours, and you will pass through the rugged terrain of the Marsyangdi Valley. Along the way, you will witness the changing landscape from lush green forests to rocky hills and towering mountains. The road is narrow and winding, but the views are breathtaking and make for an unforgettable journey.
Once you reach Chame, you can check into your teahouse and rest for a while. Chame is a small town with a beautiful backdrop of snow-capped mountains and offers stunning views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II. You can explore the town and visit the hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties.
In the evening, you can enjoy a warm meal and prepare for the trek ahead. Your trekking guide will brief you about the itinerary and preparations for the trek ahead. You can get a good night's rest and prepare for the adventure that lies ahead.
On this day of the trek, after breakfast, we will embark on a steep and narrow valley hike to witness the magnificent Paungda Danda Rock, which is considered sacred by the locals. The Paungda Danda Rock is a curved rock face that rises 1500m from the Marshyangdi River. As we trek along the trail, we will also be blessed with clear views of Annapurna II to the south and Pisang Peak to the northeast.
As we continue our trek, we will descend towards the Manang Valley floor, where we will enter the charming village of Pisang. This picturesque village offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is a perfect place to rest and recharge after a long day of trekking. We will spend the night in Pisang, where we can interact with the locals and get a sense of the culture and lifestyle of the region.
On the sixth day of our trek, we will take on the upper trails from Upper Pisang via Geru, offering us breathtaking views of the north face of Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho, and Pisang Peak. As we ascend further, we will experience a noticeable drop in temperature, with the air becoming colder, drier, and harsher. This trail passes through Tibetan settlements, providing us with an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich Buddhist culture of the region.
As we continue along the trail, we will make a stop at the Barge Monastery, the largest monastery in Manang, and explore the beautiful Buddhist shrines and monasteries that dot the path. Finally, we will arrive at Manang Bazaar, a vibrant area that caters to tourists, where we can relax and soak in the scenic beauty of the region.
On this day of the trek, we will take a break from hiking to acclimatize to the high altitude. However, we will still be busy exploring the picturesque Manang village. In the morning, we will embark on a visit to Gangapurna and Ice Lakes, where we can soak in the serene natural beauty of the region. Throughout the day, we will also be treated to magnificent views of Annapurna III, Tilicho, Pisang, and Chulu Peaks.
Later in the afternoon, we may visit the Himalayan Rescue Association in Vraja village, where we can learn more about acute mountain sickness, its symptoms, and prevention methods. This will be an excellent opportunity to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for the remainder of the trek. We will spend the night in Manang village, recharging and preparing for the upcoming adventure.
Following a day of acclimatization in Manang, we will continue our trek toward Yak Kharka. Our journey begins by crossing a stream and ascending to Tenki village, before heading out of the Marshyangdi valley towards the northwest and entering the Jar Sang Khola valley. The trail slowly ascends, taking us through pastures and juniper forests as we head northward.
Along the way, we will pass through Gunsan, a charming village with houses featuring flat mud roofs. We will also have the opportunity to see yak and horse pastures as we continue our ascent. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, we will make our way up the spectacular valley towards Yak Kharka, a tranquil meadow nestled in the mountains. Here, we will spend the night, taking in the stunning natural beauty of our surroundings and preparing for the next leg of our journey.
On this day of the trek, we will continue our ascent towards the foot of Thorong La pass, where we will stay overnight in Thorong Phedi. From Yak Kharka, we will climb up to a ridge, and then descend and cross the Marsyangdi river via a sturdy wooden bridge. After the river crossing, we will continue our climb up the mountain, following a narrow trail across a slope before finally reaching Thorong Phedi.
The terrain on this part of the journey is rugged and uninhabited, offering a stark contrast to the lush lowlands we passed through earlier in the trek. As we approach the foot of Thorong La pass, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic and awe-inspiring. We will spend the night in Thorong Phedi, resting up and preparing for the challenging ascent to the pass on the following day.
On this day, we embark on one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of the Annapurna Circuit trek. We leave Thorong Phedi (4,525m/14,525ft) early in the morning and make our way towards Muktinath Temple (3,760m/12,623ft) via the Thorong La high pass (5,416 m/17,756 ft). This pass is one of the highest in the world, and it marks the highest point of our trek.
The climb through the icy air and high altitude is tough, but the breathtaking views from the pass make it all worthwhile. As we reach the top, we are rewarded with a panoramic view of the majestic Himalayan peaks to the north, and the Annapurna range behind us.
After taking some time to soak in the stunning views, we descend toward Muktinath, a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa, meaning Hundred Waters, and it is famous for its 108 stone sprouts that continuously pour water from the Kaligandaki river. Visitors can also witness the eternal flame that has been burning for over 2,000 years. This day is truly unforgettable and will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
On this day, we will begin by exploring Muktinath Temple and experiencing its spiritual and cultural significance. Afterward, we will embark on a scenic local bus ride to Tatopani, which will take us through some of the world's deepest gorges. The drive will take us from the arid highlands to lush green forests, and we will be amazed by the beautiful landscapes that we encounter along the way.
Once we reach Tatopani, we will have the chance to indulge in the natural hot springs that the area is famous for. These hot springs are believed to have healing properties and are said to be effective against skin diseases. We can relax in the soothing waters, rejuvenating our bodies and minds after days of challenging trekking.
As we continue our trek, we depart from the hot springs and cross to the east side of the Kali Gandaki River, ascending to Ghorepani through the Thakali villages of Sikha and Chitre. During the trek, we will come across terraced farmlands with mountains encircling the area. The trek passes through a variety of lush forests, including rhododendron, birch, and magnolia forests. Our final stop for the night is at Ghorepani, a beautiful village located on a ridge top, where we can enjoy scenic views.
On our final day on the trail, we will wake up early and begin our ascent to Poon Hill (3,210m) to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the entire Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif, which includes the magnificent Mt Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). Poon Hill is renowned for its stunning panoramic views and is a photographer's paradise. We will have ample time to take in the sights and capture the memories of this incredible moment.
After enjoying the sunrise, we will return to our lodge in Ghorepani for breakfast. Once we have filled our stomachs, we will embark on our trek to Birethanti, a picturesque village situated on the bank of the Modi River. The trail will take us through lush forests filled with rhododendron, magnolia, and oak trees, as well as terraced farmlands with mountains all around.
Upon reaching Birethanti, we will take a car to Pokhara, a stunning city situated on the banks of Phewa Lake. The drive will be a scenic one, as we pass through quaint villages and picturesque countryside. Once in Pokhara, we can relax and reflect on our incredible journey and celebrate the accomplishment of completing the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
On our final day in Pokhara, we will catch a tourist bus for a scenic drive back to Kathmandu. The drive takes about 6-7 hours, and we will get to see the countryside of Nepal along the way. The bus will take us through winding roads, passing through picturesque villages and towns with views of terraced fields and green hills.
We will make a stop for lunch on the way and stretch our legs before continuing the journey. The bus will take us through the famous Prithvi Highway, which connects Kathmandu and Pokhara. This highway offers stunning views of the Himalayas, including the Manaslu and Ganesh Himal ranges.
As we reach Kathmandu, we will be dropped off at the bus station. From there, we can take a taxi to our hotel or any other destination in the city. Our trekking adventure in the Annapurna region will come to an end, but the memories and experiences will last a lifetime.
Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey to the Annapurna region. We hope you had an unforgettable experience exploring the beautiful landscapes, meeting the locals, and challenging yourself physically and mentally.
On this final day, we will assist you in transferring to the airport for your departure flight. We wish you safe travels and hope to see you back in Nepal for more adventures in the future. Thank you for choosing to travel with us.
I recently completed the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Miracle Treks and it was a trip of a lifetime. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and made sure that everyone in the group was comfortable and safe. They went above and beyond to make sure that we had a great experience. The trek itself was challenging, but the views were absolutely breathtaking. The accommodation was comfortable, and the food was delicious. I would highly recommend Miracle Treks for anyone looking to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek. They truly made it an unforgettable adventure!
The best time to do the trek is from September to November and from March to May, as the weather is generally clear and dry. However, the trek can be done year-round, with different advantages and disadvantages depending on the season.
The trek takes around 15-21 days to complete, depending on the route and pace.
While it's not mandatory to hire a guide or porter for the trek, it's highly recommended, especially for those who are not experienced trekkers or familiar with the local environment and culture. A guide and/or porter can provide valuable support and local knowledge, as well as help with carrying equipment and supplies.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is considered a moderately difficult trek, with a variety of terrain and altitudes. However, it does require a good level of fitness and acclimatization to the altitude.
There are a variety of accommodation options on the trek, ranging from basic guesthouses and teahouses to more upscale lodges and hotels. The quality and availability of accommodation can vary depending on the season and location.
