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Annapurna circuit trek - 22 Days |
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This circuit of Annapurna - rightly
known as Nepal's classic trek - offers
more variety than any other walks of
equivalent length, and takes you through
virtually every type of scenery that
Nepal has to offer.
There are superb views of Annapurna and
Dhaulagiri, and the constant variety of
landscapes ranges from sub-tropical
through alpine to an arid semi-desert
akin to Tibet; at the climax of the trek
there's a formidable 5416m. pass, the
Thorong La, to cross. Though it is
certainly demanding enough for the
seasoned trekker, the Annapurna Circuit
is still an excellent introduction to
walking in Nepal for those who are
confident of their fitness.
This is a lodge-based trek, so you spend
time in villages inhabited by many of
Nepal's different tribes, both Buddhist
and Hindu. Every day brings
opportunities to gain an insight into
the local culture and interact with the
local communities whose land you are
walking through, whether by bartering
for souvenirs, talking to the
inquisitive children or relaxing at a
tea house during a well earned break.
Though it is certainly demanding enough
for the seasoned trekker, the Annapurna
Circuit is still an excellent
introduction to walking in Nepal for
those who are confident of their
fitness. |
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Facts
OF
TREK |
Duration :
22 Days
Trek Type :
Tea House
Max. Altitude : 4350m
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Minimum Pax :
1+
Mode Of Travel :
Land
Grade : Moderate
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Itinerary
In
Details |
Day
01 :
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You drive along
the
Kathmandu-Pokhara
Highway to Dumre
and then follow
the narrow and
paved road by
the Marsyangdi
River to Besi
Sahar (823m.).
It takes almost
six hours.
Beshishahar is
the district
headquarters of
Lamjung
district. All
the local
government
offices are
situated here.
From here, you
can see some of
mountain peaks,
natural
sceneries
surrounding the
valley and the
daily activities
of local people.
This headquarter
is the centre
from where the
daily usable
commodities are
supplied to the
different
villages and
numerous towns.
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Day
02 :
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Trek from
Beshishahar to
Bahundanda
(1305m.) and it
takes about six
hours. The first
part of the
trail passes
thorough flat
level along the
bank of the
Marshyangdi
river. You can
enjoy the
sceneries and
the local
culture of
Gurung
community. After
lunch, the trail
goes steeply
upwards to
Bahundanda which
takes about 2
hours. At this
point, you can
see the area
surrounded by
eye-catching
scenarios with
snow capped
mountains.
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Day
03 :
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Trek from
Bahundanda to
Chamje (1410m.)
which takes
about six hours.
A steep trail
descends for
early half an
hour and then
follows flat
path through
rice terraces,
before crossing
a stream at the
bottom of a
small waterfall.
It then climbs
again and
traverses the
hillside high
above the river
before reaching
the village of
Lali Gaon.
Ahead, the
Marsyangdi
valley forms a
steep V-shape,
and you follow
the winding
mountain path
down through
Syange (1100m.)
where there is a
beautiful
waterfall above
it and along the
river for some
distance. The
trail then
climbs steeply
and the path is
cut into the
sheer cliff-face
some 200-300m
above the
riverbed.
Eventually you
descend to the
stone village of
Jagat (1330m.)
situated on a
shelf which juts
into the
precipitous
Marsyangdi
valley. Now the
trail begins to
observe small
ups and down to
Chamje through
the forests.
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Day
04 :
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Trek from Chamje
(1410m. ) to
Dharapani
(1960m.) and it
takes about six
hours. The first
part of the
trail descends
to the river and
after crossing a
suspension
bridge, you
begin a climb to
Sattale (1550m.)
on a path so
steep that it
seems one slip
would send you
hurtling down
into the valley.
You continue on
an undulating
path above the
river, and at
one point, where
a tributary
flows in from
the opposite
bank, the main
river becomes
covered with
huge boulders
that hide the
water. Climbing
the zigzag path
to the top of
the hill, we see
the level, plain
of Tal (1700m.)
before us.
Though it is
enclosed by
cliffs, the
level area looks
reassuring after
the harrowing
mountain paths
just traveled
on. You descend
to a grassy
riverbank which
leads to Tal
with its hotels
and teahouses.
Here you can
enjoy the
exhilarating
water
fall.Beyond Tal,
the valley
narrows and the
path becomes
high and
winding, and in
several areas
hewn from the
rock itself.
Beyond the small
village of Karte
(1900m.), there
is a bit more
cliff-walking
before the path
drops again to
the river. You
cross a
suspension
bridge, and
climb the short
distance to the
stone kani
marking the
entrance to
Dharapani
(1960m.), and
our camp for the
night.
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Day
05 :
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Trek from
Dharapani to
Chame (2675m.)
which takes
about five and
half hours. As
you cut through
a narrow field
from the
village, the
Dudh Khola,
which originates
from the south
face of Manaslu,
enters on the
opposite bank.
The Marsyangdi
then veers to
the left, and as
Annapurna II
becomes visible
ahead, you
arrive at
Bagarchhap, a
Bhote village
with prayer
flags fluttering
in the breeze
around Buddhist
monastery.
Continuing to
climb through
forests of pine
and oak, you
pass through
Danaque
(2210m.). There
comes a small
wooden bridge
which takes you
to follow steep
ascent path upto
Timang. It lies
at the bottom of
Lamajung Himal.
The trail goes
through flat
level until you
reach Chame
where there are
government
offices, shops,
and hotels.
Chame is the
administrative
headquarters for
the Manang
district.
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Day
06:
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Trek from Chame
to Pisang
(3100m.) which
takes about five
hours. With
Lamjung Himal
[6893m]
sparkling in the
morning sun, you
set off for
Pisang. The
mountain
disappears as
you climb the
path up the
valley, passing
a huge apple
orchard. You
continue through
a fir and pine
forest, climbing
to a high, rocky
area as the
opposite bank
becomes an
impassable
cliff. From this
point the valley
becomes
extremely
steep-sided as
you follow the
path to Bhratang
(2950m.).In the
past this was
the military
station for
troops who
fought against
the Khampa
tribal
revolution, but
the dilapidated
buildings are
all that remain
of that era. A
short climb from
the village
brings you to a
rock-strewn area
where you cross
a wooden bridge
and follow a
high, winding
path, before
crossing back to
the right bank
again. You now
walk through a
pine forest and
as the forest
ends, the valley
changes from a
V-shape to a
gentle U-shape,
opening up a
wonderful vista
before us. You
can see the east
peak of
Annapurna II as
well as Pisang
Peak (6091m.) to
the north-east.
Continuing on,
you come to a
long mani wall
by a bridge and
the lower
village of
Pisang.
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Day
07 :
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Trek from Pisang
to Manang
(3440m.) and it
takes about five
and half hours.
Beyond Pisang,
the trail climbs
a steep ridge
which affords
good views of
the Manang
valley and
Tilicho peak
(7145m.).
Descending past
Manang's
airstrip at
Hongde (3320m.),
you come to a
level area from
where the
north-east face
of Annapurna III
rises
majestically
above you. From
the wide plains
of the Sabje
Khola Valley,
Annapurna IV
[7525m] also
becomes visible.
Just beyond this
point you cross
the considerably
reduced flow of
the Marsyangdi
Khola via a
wooden bridge to
the tiny village
of Mungji.
Cultivated
fields appear on
both sides of
the path and off
to the right,
below a craggy
mountain, you
can see the
village of
Bryaga with its
splendid
monastery. Large
chortens and
mani walls
abound and the
tall peaks of
the Himalaya
spread out
before us -
Annapurna II,
Annapurna III,
Annapurna IV,
Gangapurna
[7455m] and, to
the rear,
Tilicho Peak
[7145m].
After a short
steep climb you
reach Manang
which is a
surprisingly
large village
for this remote
mountain region.
You camp here
for the night,
amidst the
fluttering
prayer flags,
which adorn the
houses.
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Day
08 :
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Rest day
at Manang and
hang in and
around town.
This is an
important rest
and
acclimatization
day today before
crossing the
Thorung La.
There are
optional day
walks such as
crossing the
river to see the
tremendous
icefall coming
down from the
Annapurnas, or
climbing high
above the
village for a
full panorama of
the Annapurna
range and the
Manang Valley.
There is also a
Himalayan Rescue
Association [HRA]
aid post in the
village which
makes an
interesting and
educational
visit. Moreover
you can visit
Ganagapurna
Glacier Lake to
make your rest
day a memorable
one.
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Day
09 :
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Trek from Manang
to Yak Kharka
(4350m.) and it
takes about
three and half
hours. Now the
trail ascends
gently all the
way to Yak
Kharka passing
through the
Gunsang (3960m.)
village. En
route, you can
see panoramic
views all the
day.
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Day 10 :
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Trek from
Yak Kharka to
Thorong Phedi
(4420m.) which
takes about 3
and half hours.
Leaving Yak
Kharka, you
climb gradually
to a ridge
before
descending to
the headwaters
of the
Marsyangdi and
crossing via a
covered wooden
bridge. After a
short ascent up
the mountain
path on the
right bank, you
follow a narrow
trail across an
unstable spree
slope and then
descend to
Thorung Phedi.
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Day
11 :
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Trek from
Thorong Phedi to
Muktinath
(3850m.) via
Thorong La
(5416m.) Pass
and it takes
about seven
hours. You start
early today for
your crossing of
Thorung La
[5416m]. The
trail becomes
steep
immediately on
leaving camp but
as this trail
has been used by
local people for
hundreds of
years the path
is well defined.
The gradient
then eases and
after around 4
hours of steady
climbing you
reaches the
chorten and
prayer flags of
the pass. The
views are
dramatic to say
the least, from
the snow-covered
mountains above,
to the head of
the Kali Gandaki
valley below and
the brown and
purple hills of
Mustang which
are spread out
before us. The
descent to
Muktinath is a
knee pounding
1600m but it's
compensated for
with excellent
views of
Dhaulagiri.
Eventually the
moraines give
way to grassy
slopes before a
pleasant walk
along the Jhong
Khola Valley to
Muktinath and
its shrines and
temple.
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Day
12 :
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Trek from Muktinath to
Kagbeni (2895
m.) and it takes
about three and
half hours. You
now begin the
trek descent
down the
dramatic Kali
Gandaki Gorge,
initially
through arid
country in the
same
geographical and
climatic zone as
Tibet. After
passing through
Jharkot and
Khingar villages
with typical
Tibetan
architecture,
you follow path
steeply down to
Kagbeni, a
primitive
village famous
for Tibetan
architectures.
People living
there follow the
Tibetan life
style and
culture. There
is situated a
monastery said
to belong to
15th Century.
Kagbeni is the
border for Upper
Mustang.
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Day
13 :
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Trek from
Kagbeni to
Marpha (2650m.)
and it takes
about five and
half hours. You
now begin the
flat path along
the bank of
dramatic Kali
Gandaki Gorge,
initially
through arid
country in the
same
geographical and
climatic zone as
Tibet upto
Marpha. Marpha
is a big village
enriched with a
Buddhist
Monastery in
between the
village which
has its own
cultural
importance. It
is rich in
cultivating
apples. The
apple brandy
available there
is famous among
the local people
and travelers.
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Day
14 :
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Trek from Marpha
to Kalopani
(2530m.) which
takes about six
hours. Your
trail stretches
at almost flat
level through
forests to
Kalopani, a
Thakali village
and the
southern-most
limit of Tibetan
Buddhism . En
route, you find
Larjung which is
situated near
Dhaulagiri
Glacier. The
first part of
the trek passes
through the
windy area
covered with
pine forests,
rhododendron
forests and
birches are
seen. At
Kalopani, you
are quite amazed
at the panoramic
view of
Annapurna I
(8091m.),
Dhaulagiri I
(8167m.) and
Tukuche peak
(6920m.).
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Day
15 :
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Early morning
trip to Poon
Hill (3232m.)to
Ghandruk
(1950m.) You
will enjoy the
sunrise view
over Mt.
Dhaulagiri
(8167m.),
Tukuche Peak
(6920m.),
Nilgiri
(6940m.), Varaha
Shikhar
(7847m.), Mt.
Annapurna I
(8091m.),
Annapurna South
(7219m.),
Annapurna III
(7855m.),
Machhapuchhare
(6993m.),
Annapurna IV
(7525m.),
Annapurna II
(7937m.),
Lamjung Himal
(6931m.) and
other numerous
snowcapped
mountain peaks.
It is very easy
trek by
descending
gently all the
way through
rhododendron,
oak and other
kinds of dense
forests. You
could hear
different kinds
of birds
chirping on the
way. This is one
of the popular
destinations for
the birds'
lovers. Ghandruk
is a big Gurung
village. There
is a handicraft
centre and
Gurung museum
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Day
16 :
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Trek from
Ghandruk to
Chhomrong (2040
m.) which takes
approximately
four and half
hours. At the
beginning of the
day, you could
ascend gently
for an hour up
to Ghandruk kot
(2100m.) and
descend steeply
to the Kimron
Khola (1700m.).
Immediately,
ascend steeply
and walk at a
level for an
hour and still
ascend gently to
the final camp.
Chhomrong is a
gateway to
Annapurna
Sanctuary trek
and inhabited by
Gurung, one of
the major Ethnic
group of Nepal.
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Day 17 :
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Trek from
Chhomrong to
Dovan (2030m.)
and it takes
about five
hours. Leaving
Chhomrong, the
trail descends
on a stone
staircase and
crosses the
Chhomrong Khola
on a swaying
suspension
bridge, then
climbs out of
the side valley.
High above the
Modi Khola on
its west bank,
the trail passes
through the tiny
settlement of
Tilicho in
forests of
bamboo,
rhododendron and
oak. Climbing
further on a
rocky trail
(beware of the
stinging
nettles) you
reach three
hotels at Sinuwa,
at 2350m. Climb
in rhododendron
forests to Kuldi,
at 2520m. This
was once a
British sheep
breeding
project; now the
stone houses are
an ACAP visitor
centre and check
post. In winter,
it's common to
find snow
anywhere from
this point on.
Descend a long,
steep stone
staircase into
deep bamboo and
rhododendron
forests. It is
then a short
distance on a
muddy trail to
Bamboo Lodge
(2340m.).
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Day
18 :
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Trek from Dovan
to Annapurna
Base Camp (4170
m.) via
Machhapuchhare
Base Camp
(3820m.) which
takes about
seven hours. You
trek gently
ascend through
bamboo forests
with varieties
of rhododendron
and oak trees.
The first town
you reach is
Dovan (2630m.)
where there are
few lodges and
camp sites. Now
you pass through
muddy trail
which traverses
high above the
river. There are
debris of
avalanches
except during
winter season.
After short
trek, you reach
at Himalayan
Hotel (2900m.),
the town named
after the
Himalayan Hotel.
Beyond it , the
trail is steeply
ascent up to
Hinko Cave
(3160m.), this
named as a huge
overhanging rock
provides some
protection
against rain and
avalanches. It
takes
approximately
twenty minutes
through normally
ascent path to
reach Deorali
(3230m.). From
here, the valley
widens and
becomes less
steep and you
can see the
gates to the
sanctuary. The
trail is less
steep. As the
trail continues
into the
sanctuary, it
crosses two
avalanche tracks
on a narrow
trail that
hurdles up
against the
cliffs. After
short trek you
will be at Bagar
(3310m.), a
meadow and some
abandoned
hotels. The
normal trail
follows the left
side of the
valley. Now the
trail appears
gently ascent
until you reach
Machhapuchhare
Base Camp
(3820m.). Here
you find almost
6 to 7 lodges.
This is one of
the places,
where you can
enjoy the view
of Mount
Hiunchuli
(6441m.),
Annapurna South
(7229m.),
Annapurna I
(8091m.),
Annapurna III
(7555m.),
Gangapurna
(7454m.) and
Machhapuchhare
or Fish Tail
(6997m.). The
path follows
through alpine
meadow and after
some distance
your trails go
gently up. After
a short trek,
you begin to
approach
Annapurna Base
Camp (4170m.).
From here, you
can see the
views of several
peaks at 360
degree.
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Day
19 :
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Trek from
Annapurna Base
Camp to
Chhomrong (2040
m.) which takes
about seven
hours. It's much
easier going
down. You should
have no problem
reaching Sinuwa
in a single day
from Annapurna
Base Camp. The
trail descends
through the
local tree
forest through
which you will
see some
mountain peaks.
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Day 20 :
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Trek from
Chhomrong to
Pothana (1900m.)
and it takes
approximately
six hours. The
trail steeply
descends through
human
settlements upto
Himal Pani. It
is a small
village with few
lodges and tea
houses. Now
after crossing
Modi river you
follow gradually
ascent path
until you reach
Landruk. It is
also a village
occupied by
people of mixed
community. You
leave for
Bherikharka
following flat
level path
through terrace
fields. From
here you go
steeply upwards
to Deorali, a
small village
with few lodges
and tea houses.
The path is
fully descent
upto Pothana.
Here you can
stay overnight
as there are
lodges and tea
houses. You can
have splendid
view of
Annapurna South,
Hiunchuli,
Fishtail,
Annapurna II,
Lamjung, Manaslu
and others
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Day 21 :
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Trek from
Pothana to
Dhampus Phedi
and it takes
approximately
three hours and
drive from
Dhampus Phedi to
Pokhara by car.
The trail is
gently descent
up to Dhampus, a
village mainly
inhabited by
Gurung. Now you
trek through
flat land for
some distance
and steeply
descend to
Dhampus Phedi.
Now you take
vehicle to drive
from Dhampus
Phedi to Pokhara.
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Day 22 :
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Drive from
Pokhara to
Kathmandu by
tourist mini bus
that takes about
seven hours.
While driving
from Pokhara to
Kathmandu, you
head up to
Damauli,, Dumre,
Muglin and
Kurintar where
the Nepal's
first Cable car
is operated to
reach to
Manakamana
Temple. En
route, you could
enjoy the
mountain views,
green sceneries,
rice terrace
fields,
vegetable fields
and people being
engaged in their
daily life
activities. From
Naubishe you
climb up to
Thankot, the
gateway to
capital city.
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Services
Included
National Park
entry permit,
Trekking permit,
Land
transportation
to and fro,
Accommodation in
lodges during
the trek, Food:
three meals a
day, A guide &
required number
of porter (s),
Essential
equipment.
Services
Excluded
Personal
expenses,
Insurance, Tips,
Emergency
evacuation by
Helicopter,
Alternative
transportation
in case of heavy
rain, landslide,
strike, road
blockade etc.
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