The Annapurna Circuit is the trek that made Nepal famous among walkers. You start among rice terraces and banana trees, climb through pine forest and Tibetan-style villages, cross one of the highest trekking passes in the world, and come down into the deepest gorge on earth. Every day looks different from the one before.
We walk the quieter trails on the north side of the valley wherever they exist, and we build in two acclimatisation days in Manang, so the climb to Thorong La is hard but not reckless.
Day by day
| Day | Route | Sleep at |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive Kathmandu to Besisahar, jeep to Chamje | Chamje, 1,430 m |
| 2–4 | Up the Marsyangdi valley through Dharapani and Chame | Teahouses, up to 2,670 m |
| 5–6 | Upper Pisang trail to Manang | Manang, 3,540 m |
| 7–8 | Acclimatisation hikes to Ice Lake and Gangapurna | Manang |
| 9–10 | Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi | High Camp, 4,925 m |
| 11 | Over Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath | Muktinath, 3,800 m |
| 12–14 | Down the Kali Gandaki to Tatopani hot springs, drive to Pokhara | Pokhara |
What is included
- A licensed local lead guide, plus an assistant guide for groups over six
- Porters (one for every two hikers), paid fairly and fully insured
- All accommodation on the trail and breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- Park and trekking permits, and airport transfers
- A twelve-week training plan and a pre-departure kit check call
The morning we crossed Thorong La the stars were still out when we left camp. By the top I could not feel my toes and I could not stop grinning.
Mia, Melbourne
