Annapurna Circuit trek provides you dramatic changes in landscape, culture and climate. Annapurna Circuit Trek (16 Days)
Day 1: NGADI
Drive to Khudi (792m) – a Gurung village crossing the Khudi khola (suspension bridge). From there it’s a 2 hours walk to Ngadi village (860m), the first night of the trek. Day 2: JAGAT
Trek start early morning moving north up to a suspension bridge crossing the
Ngadi khola. Taking the path upwards to Marshyangdi leads to the village of Lampata in the Manang District. The climb up is steep and takes 2 hours to reach Bahundanda- a Brahmin village Here, we stop for lunch and enjoy the view of Mount Phungi(6379m), towards the North.After lunch climb down a steep slope for about thirty minutes until we reach the Dhule Khola, cross over to reach the village of Besi. In about an hours time we get to see the magnificent water fall at Syange (1136m) flowing from the high plain hamlet of Ghulima. From here it takes about two hours to reach Jagat, a village along the ridge of the mountain, at a height of 1340m
Day 3: TAL
In the morning after ascending for about forty five minutes, we will reach bhatti, from where it will take another thirty minutes to reach the village of Chamje (1433m). It takes about one hour to reach the hamlet of Sattare ('top of the hill', in Tibetan) from Chamje. We have our lunch since this is the idle place to have lunch.After lunch we start by walking along the ridge of the hills and then uphill for about an hour through the bamboo forest, to reach the village of Tal set in the middle of the broad valley at a height of 1707 meters. Tal means 'lake' in Nepali language. Day 4: CHAME (2,713m)
It takes 45 Minutes to reach the village of Bagarchap (2164m) which literally means 'the river bank'. Bagarchap marks the barrier between the humid valleys of the south, which we have crossed on the way, and dry regions of the high- Marsysngdi. That the monsoon is more or less absent in this region is evident by the change in vegetation.From Bagarchap, it will take an hour to climb up to the hamlet of Dhanagya (2300m) where we stop to have our lunch. After lunch it takes us about 2 ½ hrs to 3 hrs through the hamlet of Thanchock and Besi Salla ( which means "the Garden of Pines") to reach Kodo( and also called Koto) meaning 'Millet' and then to the village of Kyupar (2600m). Outside the village a police check post controls the asses to the Nar Phu Khola Valley which leads to Tibet. We have to show our trekking permits here again before proceeding to Chame (2713m), the District Headquarters of Manang District, which is another forty five minutes away. Day 5: PISANG (3,185m)
After the school at Chame we have to cross the bridge to get to the northern bank of Marsyangdi. We walk along the river to reach the village of Bratang (2919m), mainly populated by Tibetans. Here we stop to have a hearty Lunch. On the way Bratang we pass through a splendid pine forest with splendid views of Lamjung and Annapurna II and IV. After lunch it's about two hours walk to reach the top, where trekkers traditionally plant a pine sapling, not only to establish that they have made it to the top, but also to contribute to the reforestation of the area. We have to go down to Pisang (3185m) from here and it takes about an hour to reach there. There are neither houses nor any water resources on the way down. Day 6: MANANG (3,530m)
After crossing the Pisang Khola there is a forty-five minutes steep climb up to a steep pass. From the top of the pass we get a glimpse of Paunda Danda (4655m), mount Pisang and Manang valley, with right before you Mount Tilicho. On the way down to Hongde we come across a check post where the trekking permits will be again examined. We will have our lunch here until the permits are examined. After Hongde the valley widens and we get to see the Annapurna III and IV (7555m and 7525m) to the left, East and West Chulus (6584m and 6419m) on the right, towards the horizon, there are views of highest peak of Mount Thoroung(6481m) and to the east, the crown of Mount Pissang. From Hongde we climb up to the ancient village of Braga (3505m).We can take time to wander around Braga to see this picturesque village with its flat roofed houses and to visit he Gompa, not only the largest in the region but also the richest with its fine collection of thangkas (religious scroll paintings) and prayer books. It takes only forty-five minutes to reach Manang from here, which sits on the plateau of 3530 meters. Day 7: Acclimatization day at Manang. This is the day for rest and acclimatization before proceeding to higher altitudes. We can go for a walk in the afternoon to the north of the village, which offers a panoramic view of Annapurna IV and II to the southeast and Gangapurna (7455m) and Tarke Kang or Ice dome (7202m) to the southwest. Day 8: YAKKHARKA
Day 9: PHEDI
Thorung Phedi means "foot of the hill" and it is situated at the height of 4220m on a small hill overlooking a high plateau. These Himalayan pastures are domains of Yak, a bovine of Tibetan origin, reared for its wool, milk and to transport goods. The thar, a kind of wild goat that lives in herds, is also found here. This is also another short day to prepare oneself for the hard climb to the Thorung La (pass) the next day. Day 10: THORUNG LA PASS
Early morning wake up and start the ascent to the pass. We have to cross about twenty hills on the way to reach to the summit, Thorungla, at 5,415meteres and it takes about 41/2 – 5 hours to reach here. On the way up, we get to see many prayer flags several cairns (small mounds of rocks). From the top, one can see the panoramic view of Yakgawa Kang or Thorungse (6481m) to the north, and Khatung Kang (6484m) to the south and the Annapurna along with the Gaganpurna to the southeast. In the horizon to the west, Dhaulagiri (8169m) and Mount Tukuche (6920m) are also visible. From the summit the descent to Muktinath (3802m) takes about three hours and the difference in altitude is of 1600m. Here we will find another checkpost where permits are checked. Day 11: MARPHA (2,667m)
After crossing the hamlet of Ranipauwa, adjacent to Mukntinath, we arrive at the village of Jharkot (3612m), mainly populated by Tibetans. It takes about two hours through rocky terrain and horse caravans to reach Kagbni (2807m). It will take us about two -three hours to reach Jomsom (2713m) from Kagbeni, the administrative headquarters of the region. Here there is an airport with regular flights to Pokhara, a bank, post office, hospital and few hotels. We have to show our permits again before moving on to Syang (30 Min. away) and then to Marpha (2667m) our camping place for the day. Marpha is famous for its apple liquor and it has a charm of its own with its black-salted streets and unusual architecture. Day 12: GHASA (2,012m)
We start by walking along the bank of the river Kali Gandaki for an hour and half to reach the village of Tukche (2951m), dominated by the name of the same peak, which stands at the height of 6930m. This beautiful village is populated by Thakalis, whose houses reflect just how significant this centre of Trans- Himalayan trade is. After Tukche, the path meanders along the Kali Gandakhi valley for about one and half-hours to reach the village of Lajung (2560m). Outaide the village there is against pine where villagers sacrifice chickens and goats to propitate the Goddess Kali. The hamlet of Sokung (2951m) is another thirty minutes away. From here it takes about forty-five minutes to reach the hamlet of Dhampu. Here we have to cross the river to enter into Kalopani (or 'black water') located at 2530m.We will have lunch here and enjoy the impressive views of Dhaulagiri, the Nilgiris (South: 6839m, Central: 6940m and North: 7061m) and Annapurna I (8091m).From Sokung the path climbs up and down over a low altitude tropical forest to reach the village of Ghasa(2012m) which is two and half hours away. On the way we have to show our permits at the check post in the village of Lete (2438m). Day 13: TATONPANI (1,189m)
It will take about forty five minutes to reach the hamlet of Panoi Thaala and fifteen minutes from here we will reach Deorali, the boarder hamlet between the Mustang and Myagdi district. After crossing several hills from here, we start to descent until we reach the bridge leading to the west of the river. Few minutes walk from here will take us to the village of Rupse Chhara (1550m), near a huge a waterfall. From Rupse it takes us about forty five minutes to reach the village of Dana (1446m), distinctive because of its large houses and decorative windows. From here it takes us about two hours easy descent to reach the camping place for the night, Tatopani (1189m). The names of the village mean 'hot springs' for which the village is famous. Day 14: GHOREPANI (2,874m)
Today will be a hard day since we will cover a long distance with a difference in altitude of 1700 meters. From Tatoapni it takes two to three hours to reach the village of Ghara (1768m) and another hour to reach the village of Sikha(1920m) where we stop to have our lunch.After lunch a climb through terraced cultivation's, for about an hour and half brings us to the village of Chitre (2316m), and then across a rhododendron forest until Ghorapani, which is about an hour away. Ghorapani (2874m), means 'Horse water " or water place for horses' is, in fact, a stop over for donkey caravans traveling from Jomsom to Pokhara. Over the night at lodge. Day 15: GHANDRUK (1920m./ 6400 ft.) After breakfast trek towards Kyumrong Khola for lunch. After lunch trek to Ghandrung Village via Kyumrong Danda. Ghandrung (6297'). This area is offers some of the finest trekking in Nepal. The Anapurna range and Machapuchhere dominate the mountain views through glimpses further East to Lamjung Himal and Manaslu Range are also possible. Ghandrung village is rich through its excellent farming land and the generations of its sons who have sent and received pay and pensions from the British and Indian Gurkha armies. Day 16: POKHARA
After breakfast, trek through a pleasant down hill trail and then the trail levels out and follows the banks of the river. After having spent a long time at higher altitudes, the heat sometimes makes traveling on the open riverbed an uncomfortable one. After about 3 hours arrive at the riverside settlement of Birethanti for lunch. This is also the main entry point to the Annapurna Conservation Area and after lunch, walk along the high banks of the Modi Khola for about 30 minutes and end trek at Naya Pul to meet waiting vehicles for the one hour drive back to Pokhara. Trek Duration - 4 hours + 1 hour drive. Overnight at the Hotel. Situated at 925 meters, Pokhara is the country's second largest city, located on the west bank of Seti River . Only foothills separate Pokhara from the full height of the Himalayas , and the magnification 8000m. Peaks of Annapurna Range. It is a vacationer's paradise with its crystal clear lakes and fantastic views of Annapurna range including the fish tail Mountain. Upon arrival, check into hotel. The rest of the day is free to the lake side bazaar with its quaint shop's and lakeside restaurant.
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