Full Annapurna Circuit Trek [Thorong La]

Our trekking staff arrives at your hotel at 7 am in the morning to pick you up. After a 7/8 hour drive we reach Besi Sahar (760m) where we spend the night.

breakfast – bus – dinner – mountain lodge

Today our journey really starts. We start walking Besi Sahar from where the trail makes a climb to Khudi (790m) where we reach the first Gurung village. Interesting to know is that many of the famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers are Gurungs. When we continue from Khudi, the trail offers fine views of Himalchuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli). We climb to Bhulbhule (825m) and then via Ngadi to Lampata nearby Bahundanda (1310m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we start following a steep trail down to Syange (1070m). On the way, depending on the season, you can see a large waterfall. After crossing the Marsyangdi river via a suspension bridge, we walk along the river to the stone village of Jagat before climbing through the forest to Chamje (1400m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today the day begins with a rocky trail uphill along the Marsyandi river all the way to Tal (1675m). This village in a wide, flat valley is the first in the district of Manang. From here our trek continues up and down to Dharapani (1890m). When we approach Bagarchhap (2160m) we can see the typical Tibetan flat roofed stone houses surrounded by apple orchards and maize fields.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we climb up to Tyanja (2360m) from where we continue through the forest near the river to Kopar (2590m). As we reach Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by fine views of Annapurna II. This town has two hot springs where you can soak and relax yourselves from the trekking so far. Along this route you’re introduced to a local community of which the residents migrated from Tibet centuries ago.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

This day starts with a trek through a deep forest in a steep and narrow valley and crossing a river via a long bridge (2910m). Soon we cross another bridge (3040m) from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda’s rock face really begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between (3200m) and (3300m).

After we freshed ourselves up at our mountain lodge, we can climb to the richly decorated and coloured Tibetan gompa of Upper Pisang. From here we have a great view over Upper Pisang, Lower Pisang and the Marsyangdi Khola river below. If the weather supports us, we also see the great Annapurna’s right in front of us on the other side of the valley.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we continue our trek through the drier upper part of Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd yaks and raise crops for a part of the year. When we leave Pisang there are alternate trails from the north and the south of the Marsyangdi river which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip (3325m), involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga (3475m) to the nearby Manang (3540m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today is time to relax by spending an acclimatization day in Manang. This whole day we can spend doing fine day walks and viewing the magnificent sights around the village. By the end of the day, we return to our accommodation for a good meal and sleep.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we continue and ascend by nearly 500 meter to Yak Kharka. We climb steadily through Tenki Manang, leaving the Marsyangi Valley. From there we continue through the Jarsang Khola Valley and reach Yak Kharka (4000m). From here you see that herds of yaks and vegetations clearly thin out.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we ascend for two hours and then descends again to cross the river (4310m). Then we climb up to Thorong Phedi (4450m) where decent guesthouses have been built in the recent years.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we cross world’s highest pass! This is a long day, starting before sunrise at 4 or 5 am to cross the pass by 9 or 10 am before the strong wind comes up. These weather conditions may greatly affect our journey, particularly at Thorong La pass (5416m). Steeply we climb on a regular route which is quite easy to follow. However, difficulties may arise due to altitude and snow. About four hours climb up to the pass, marked by chortens and prayer flags reward you with stunning views from the top of the pass. Then another 4 to 5 hours of walking takes you to the holy town of Muktinath.

Muktinath means ‘place of Nirvana’ and is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows you feel are relieved when you visit the temple which is a scared pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The prime pilgrimage month is September.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

In the morning, we explore the temples of Muktinath. After that, we have an easy walk, downhill to the medieval village of Kagbeni. It still feels like a medieval village. It has closely packed mud houses, dark tunnels and alleys, imposing chortens and a large, ochre-coloured gompa perched above the town. This is also the gateway to Upper-Mustang. This is the furthest you can venture without a restricted-area permit.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we start early, to avoid the winds that whistle up the valley after 11 am. From Kagbeni, the trail quickly joins the main road between Jomsom and and Muktinath and continues through desert scenery. We take a small shortcut through the stoney river valley, along the riverbed, to reach the entrance to Jomsom (2760m). We pass a school and enter the narrow main street of Old Jomsom, past local guesthouses and shops to the bridge across the Kali Gandaki. We trek further down the west bank, past a hospital and a compound of an Army School of Mountain Warfare. The camouflaged jogging soldiers are a surreal sight in this remote location.

We leave Jomsom behind us, and trek further south, following the road over a low ridge. After a little while, we will see the interesting and picturesque old town of Syang (2800m) and monasteries on a ridge above the road. This village is one of the ’panch gaon’, or five villages. We sleep in one of the five villages, Marpha (2680m).

Marpha is a well-maintained village, and has kept its traditional narrow paved alleys and passageways.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we walk about 4 hours. We leave Marpha through the southern entrance, past a long mani wall and a blacksmith settlement. We don’t take the shortest and busier road, but trek via Chhairo and Chimang. This route gives us great views of Dhaulagiri. And, we pass a Tibetan refugee settlement of around 40 houses and the 300-year old Chhairo Gompa.

We continue past mani walls,  pine groves and a lovely old chorten. We climb to the meadow and a small waterfall and continue uphill, curving around fields to the traditional village of Chimang (2870m). From here, we cross the river Chimang Khola and then the Kali Gandaki. Once on the road again, we cross Thapa Khola and enter the large village of Tukuche (2580m). This was the meeting point for traders laden with salt and wool from Tibet traded with traders with grain from the south. Here you can visit the lovely and nearby Mahakala Gompa, as nuns will let you in. If you are lucky, you can also visit the Rani Gompa, which is normally locked. From Tukuche, we follow the road with numerous ups and downs till we reach Larjung (2560m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

From Larjung, we follow the road as it swings into the wide mouth of the Ghatta Khola. The road bridge is a long distance upstream so most locals cut straight across the river on temporary bridges. The road eventually crosses the Kali Gandaki on a higher suspension bridge and climbs through fir, juniper and cypress trees to descend to Kokhekhati. To avoid the road from here, we cross the Kali Gandaki via a seasonal bridge to the east bank and continue downstream through the forest. After Kalopani and Upper Lete, we climb again up to Titigaon village and pass the pretty Titi Lake (2670m). Then, we pass a few more villages, such as the traditional village of Konjo (2590m), Lete (2480m) and Kalopani (2530m). From here, we have a descend of about an 1,5 hour left to go through the forests till we reach Ghasa (2000m). This village is the southernmost limit of Tibetan Buddhism. And from here on, the mountain pine birch of the middle valley start to give way to subtropical trees and shrubs. You might even spot grey langur monkeys here.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we are off to Tatopani, which means ’hot water’. From Ghasa, we follow the road down, cross a suspension footbridge and follow the mule caravans. This mule track climbs the rocky cliffside to a ridge, leaving the Manang district. Then we make a long descent, cross a 120m long bridge as the Kopchepani river roars through a narrow chasm and rejoin the road to Dana (1450m). The large peak we can see in the south is Annapurna South. We follow the river, pass a hydro station, climb to Banskot, descend to Alugaon and cross the bridge at Guithe.

From Guithe we continue our trek to the village of Tatopani. Here, we enjoy the hot springs and spend the night.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we make a big ascent, the biggest of this trek, to reach Ghorepani (2840m). First we cross the Kali Gandaki – again – and then the Ghar Khola rivers. Then we have a steep ascent of 380m whereafter the valley opens up. From there we ascend through terraced fields to Ghara (1780m). From here, the trail makes a gentle ascent across a landslide area to Shikha, a large and prosperous Magar village that marks the halfway stage.

We cross a stream and climb further up past Phalate (2390m) and Chitre (2420m). Then it is one more hour left, as we follow the steep climb up through lovely rhododendron and magnolia forests till we reach the first lodges of Ghorepani (2840m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today we climb along ridges and through pine and rhododendron forests to Deurali (2960m). After that we descend to Banthanti and Tadapani. From Tadapani we follow the descending trail through the forests to Ghandruk (1940m).

Ghandruk is a village of the Gurung people, an ethnic group of Nepal. The Gurungs have their own dialect, culture, costume and life style. In addition to that Ghandruk is also home to many Gurkha soldiers. It is a famous trekking destination as it is known for its beautiful mountain views. In the afternoon we can visit the Annapurna Conservation Office, museums and explore the village.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Today our trek comes to an end. After a short trek to Nayapul we only have a short drive left back to Pokhara. In Pokhara you can have a relaxing afternoon and stroll around lakeside.

breakfast & lunch – private vehicle – hotel

Today, we take the bus back to Kathmandu. And there, we will bring you to your hotel.

In the evening, we offer you and your guide a farewell dinner together in a traditional Nepalese restaurant.

breakfast – bus – farewell dinner – hotel

If it’s the final day of your holiday in Nepal, we will bring you back to the international airport. Goodbye friends! We hope that we will meet each other again in the future.

breakfast – airport transfer