Annapurna Circuit Trek

Your 17-day Annapurna Circuit Trek begins with your arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal's vibrant capital. Our representative from Basanta Adventure will welcome you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel.

After settling in, you can relax and explore the nearby streets, enjoying your first glimpse of Nepal's unique blend of Himalayan culture, temples, and bustling city life.

As there is no trekking today, the journey is easy and relaxed, giving you time to recover from your international flight and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Today combines trek preparation with an introduction to Kathmandu's cultural heritage. During the Annapurna Circuit trek briefing, your guide will explain the route, altitude progression, accommodation, equipment, safety considerations, and what to expect during the Thorong La crossing.

Later, explore some of Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage attractions, with possible visits to Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, or Kathmandu Durbar Square. Since today's activities are mainly sightseeing and preparation, the day is easy and gives you plenty of time to conserve energy for the trek.

The Himalayan journey begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu toward Besisahar, following highways and winding hill roads through river valleys, terraced farmland, villages, and rural settlements. As the city gives way to the countryside, the landscape gradually becomes more mountainous.

The final section takes you toward the Marsyangdi Valley and Besisahar, the traditional gateway to the Annapurna Circuit. There is no strenuous walking today, although the long road journey can feel tiring because of winding mountain roads and changing road conditions.

Today you travel deeper into the Annapurna region by mountain road. From Besisahar, the route follows the Marsyangdi River through increasingly dramatic scenery, passing waterfalls, suspension bridges, pine forests, rocky cliffs, and remote mountain settlements.

As the road climbs toward Chame, the Himalayan peaks begin to dominate the horizon and the atmosphere becomes noticeably cooler. The journey itself is not physically strenuous, but the rough and winding mountain road can make the day feel demanding, while the rapid gain in elevation means you should take the evening slowly and stay well hydrated.

Today you leave the vehicles behind and begin the walking section of your Annapurna Circuit Trek. The trail follows the Marsyangdi Valley through pine and fir forests, crossing bridges and passing dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and small mountain settlements.

The landscape becomes increasingly alpine as you approach Pisang, while the views of the surrounding peaks grow more impressive. The trail has a mixture of gradual climbs and easier sections, so today's hike is moderate, with the increasing elevation being the main factor to manage.

Today's trail takes you deeper into the spectacular Manang Valley. You can follow the higher route through Ghyaru and Ngawal, where the effort of climbing is rewarded with expansive views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna, and surrounding peaks.

As you approach Manang, the vegetation becomes sparser, and the architecture increasingly reflects the Tibetan-influenced culture of the region. The hike is moderate to challenging today, particularly on the higher route, as you gain significant elevation and spend the night at 3,500m.

Manang is a fascinating village. Here it is our essential place for acclimatization rest day before taking on the Thorong La Pass. There are excellent side trips such as the short climb to the cliffside Bod-zo Gompa where the lama performs a blessing ceremony to protect us on our journey.

Everyone should aim to manage some ascent to further our acclimatization, if only to this little monastery. People with more energy may wish to visit the high village of Khangsar on the opposite bank.

This is quite a short day as it is essential to set up proper acclimatization on the approach to the pass and limit the height gain between our night stops. Up to Tengi (3640m), the last permanent settlement before the pass, we get stunning views across to Tilicho and the Great Barrier.

Above here there are only Goths (shepherd's shelters), Karkha (summer pastures) and our seasonal lodges. We reach our night stop at Yak Kharka, here there are good lodges in the area and in time for lunch. This is an ideal place to give us maximum acclimatization time.

In the afternoon we can explore the ridges towards West Chulu peak which gives us amazing views.

Again, it is not far to Thorong Phedi which translates to the ‘Bottom of the Thorong La Pass’. There are last few lodges before the pass, and it is not recommended to sleep at a higher altitude at this stage. We are here well in time for lunch, again maximizing our acclimatization time.

It is truly a spectacular setting perched between two peaks. There is only one route up from here, towards the pass. Everyone is encouraged to ascend in some way during the afternoon. It is possible to double back onto a great outcrop high above the lodge which offers the most amazing views.

An early morning start to provide enough time to complete the ascent. The trail becomes steep immediately upon leaving Thorong Phedi, but as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path, though often steep is well defined and easy to follow. It will take us almost 4 hours from Thorong Phedi to reach to the pass (5,416m).

The views from the trail and from the pass are just breath taking. We then start descending down the barren Kali Gandaki Valley, which is far below towards the west. The descent is steep and rough. Eventually, the ridge yields to grassy slopes then the final decent to Muktinath is a pleasant walk along the upper part of the Jhong Valley. We cross meadows, drop into a deep ravine and we climb out and follow a wide trail leading to Muktinath.

Our guide will organize a prayer and offer Lungtas (Prayer flags) for good health and happiness for all the trekkers.

Note: Offer Lungta or prayer flags (printed prayer on flags for the peace and good health/happiness) together with our Guide. Offering prayer flags in high passes and sacred sites is believed to bring good fortune and long life in Buddhist culture.

Now we are entering the land of the enterprising Thakali people, the Buddhist people who (like the Sherpas over in Khumbu) controlled the ancient trade route between the Tibetan plateau the Nepali foothills and Indian plains beyond. Grain from below was exchanged with salt from above, and many other commodities.

The Kali Gandaki is counted as an important branch of the famous Silk Road, linking east and west, north and south on a massive scale. Below, its wide flat valley heading south, the landscape changes yet again as we pass between twisted stratified rock formations to Jomsom (2715m), our lunch stop and the centre for the Mustang District.

After lunch we carry on a short way past many orchards, apples and apricots towards Marpha, a gorgeous little village, where the houses and lodges are built around beautiful courtyards which protect them from the strong afternoon wind. Drawn up between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains Marpha is famous for its fruits i.e. apples; apple pie is highly recommended when fresh.

Though the apple brandy favors only the brave - don't be fooled by its innocent fruity flavor.  O/N at Lodge in Marpha (EP)

We carry on almost unnoticeably down at first, past the agricultural research farm just outside of Marpha, to the large village of Tukche (2590m), historically important as an original Thakali trade centre, made evident by its handsome architecture and its rich carvings.

We will have lunch here. Soon we come to the village of Khobang (2560m) where the trail enters an internal corridor protecting the entrances to the houses from the wind. The forests increase in height now and the trail starts to undulate more as we approach Kalopani our night stop in its alpine forest setting to the back drop of the vast face of Dhaulagiri

On through Lete and Ghasa (2040m), the trail now high above the river passing through a narrow gorge, regarded as the deepest and steepest gorge in the world, dwarfing us between the summits of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna high above.

Kabre, the northern-most hill-caste village on the trail, marks the change back from dryer Tibetan landscape, becoming lusher as we move into Gurung and Magar villages and Brahmin and Chettri hill farmers.

We stop for lunch at the spectacular waterfall of Rupse Chhaharo (1630m), a truly beautiful spot. Descending through the small village of Dana, we head for our lodge stop at Tatopani where we can relax before supper. This is the last Thakali village of the south.

We've had all easy days coming down the Kali Gandaki, but now it’s time for some more uphill to cross the Ghorepani pass back to Pokhara. This can be quite a long day, all up hill, especially as it can get hot on the lower slopes if we leave it too late in the day. So we get a good early start, climbing up through the villages Ghara (1830m) and Sikha (2080m) before the day warms up.

At Phalate (2255m) we have most of the ascent behind us and magnificent views of the huge south facing Dhaulagiri, which have been getting better as we go up.We can stop here for lunch or up at Chitre (2330m), if we started early enough. By now we should be high enough to enjoy some cool breezes, and it is really not far to our lodge stop at Ghorepani.

This will be the last night with our trekking crew except trekking Guide, this is best time to tip the staff (not compulsory but it’s customary), an impromptus little ceremony and a little party time with their gorgeous smiles. Try local drink called “Rakshi”, please be aware it may not be to your liking the taste is very strong.

In the morning we rise before dawn put on our head-torches and, even before breakfast, make our way up to Poon Hill (3195m) standing just south of Ghorepani. Best time to be there as the sun rises over the valley of Pokhara and lights the whole panorama of peaks from Dhaulagiri through Annapurna and Machhapuchhare to Lamjung all the way out to the east. It is truly one of the most magical moments in the trek, a wonderful finale to the trek.

We descend for breakfast (pre-ordered), and from here it is all downhill on our last day leaving behind all the height gained yesterday. We do the majority in the morning aiming for Tikhedunga (1605m) for lunch, before continuing down to the main roads just beyond Birethanti village (1100m), where we pick up our transport for the short drive back to Pokhara.

Today after breakfast we will drive to the airport for our flight back to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu we will be transferred to our hotel.  You have free time for the rest of the day.  O/N at Hotel in Kathmandu (BB)

Trek to Birethanti, then drive to Pokhara (820m/2,690ft), Distance: approx. 12-13 km (7.5-8 miles), Duration: 3 hrs (walking) and 3 hrs drive