Classic Annapurna Circuit Trekking: The Classic Annapurna Circuit trek is one of the great trekking routes in the world, making a complete circuit of the huge Annapurna Massif in central Nepal; this trek provides dramatic mountain scenery and a fascinating look at the lives and culture of local people. The trek starts from Besisahar; we head north up the Marshyangdi Valley, through lush green foothills and terraced rice fields. Climbing higher, we progress through alpine forests to a desert region and the Tibetan Buddhist village of Manang. The mountain views are fantastic: Lamjung, Himalchuli, Manaslu, and the Annapurna range tower spectacularly over the valley. The highlight of this trek is crossing the famous Thorung La Pass (5416m) to enter the Kali Gandaki Valley and the long descent to the Hindu temple at Muktinath. We continue down to Jomsom, from where we take a spectacular flight to known as city of Natural beauty.
Upon your arrival, a representative from WG will be waiting outside the airport gates to take you to the hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, plans will be made for a briefing meeting once you have settled in. Please let us know if there is anything special you would like to do while in Kathmandu, and we can help you arrange that.
Overnight stay at Hotel Manang / Kathmandu Guest House or Similar. (Better to arrive in the morning).
On this day, we will enter the Annapurna Conservation Area and begin our Himalayan Journey. The day is filled with adventure as we drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani. The drive will take approximately 10 to 12 hrs. The first section of the drive until Besisahar will be on a paved concrete road, followed by off-road up to Dharapani. Passing through several local settlements with stunning views of Mount Annapurna II and III, Manaslu, and Mount Lamjung in the background, our drivers will ensure you have the smoothest ride possible.
Overnight stay at a tea house.
We will start our trek today and head further north following the Marshyangdi River. The trail after Dharapani gradually ascends through dense forests, with amazing views of waterfalls and charming villages. Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal will accompany us with glorious scenery, which will motivate us today to walk for around 5 to 6 hrs.
Overnight stay at a tea house.
After breakfast at Chame, we set off for Pisang. We continue making a long and pleasant walk in the forests, crossing a short landslide, to a huge apple orchard surrounded by a stone wall. From this point the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as we follow the path to Bratang. There is also a bridge leading us to the old part of Bhratang, which used to be a Khampa settlement. We without crossing the bridge, staying on the northern side of the river follow a new trail that has been blasted out of the side of the cliff. We cross to the south bank of Marsyangdi on a suspension bridge. Further ups and downs from here will lead us to Pisang.
Overnight stay at Tea House.
Continue being at the Southern side of Marshyangdi, we cross a stream and make a long climb over a forested ridge that extends across the valley. A short descent will lead us to the broad valley floor. We follow along the valley floor to Manang’s airstrip at Hongde. We further pass a long mani wall and then the airport; thirty minutes beyond the airport, there is Sabje Valley, with Annapurna III and IV just above. We cross to the north bank of the Marshyangdi on a wooden bridge near Mungji and then climb past fields of barley and buckwheat over a low ridge at Bryaga. A short walk past chorten and mani walls will lead us to the Plateau of Manang.
Overnight stay at a tea house.
We spend one whole day at Manang taking rest which is very important for us before crossing the Thorung La. We can spend the rest day by making visits to various places. We can climb 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. We can also walk to visit the Bhojo Gompa.
Overnight stay at Tea House.
From Manang, we cross a stream and climb to Tengi, which has the magnificent Annapurna Himal views to offer all the way. From here the trail climbs to a small village of Gunsang at 3960m. We pass through sparse forests of Juniper, rose and barberry and cross a large stream, then pass an ancient mani wall in a meadow at 3990m. Beyond is Yak Kharka , also known as Koche. An hour walk further from Yak Kharka is Letdar.
Overnight stay at Tea House.
After an early breakfast at yak kharka we continue with our trek for the day. From Yak kharka gradual climib to Letdar then the trail continues to climb along the east bank of the Jarsang Khola, then descends and crosses a stream on a wooden bridge at 4,310m. We make a short ascent on a good trail to a tea shop, then we follow a narrow trail across a high, unstable scree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi.
Overnight stay at Tea House.
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 Thorung Phedi to reach to the pass. The views from the trail and from the pass itself, are outstanding high Himalayan scenes. We then start descending down the barren Kali Gandaki Valley, which is far below theto the west. The descent is steep and rough. Eventually the moraines yields to grassy slopes and the final descent walk to Muktinath is a pleasant walk along the upper part of the jhong Valley. We crossing the meadows, drop into a deep ravine the starting of the Jhong Khola , we climb out and follow a wide trail into Muktinath.
Overnight stay at Tea House.
We now begin the descent down the Kali Gandaki Gorge. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, we follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom. As the trail continues towards Jomsom, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and impressive with its mixture of browns, yellows and greys, contrasting with the white snowcaps of Tilicho and Nilgiri. By afternoon, the stiff winds begin to blow, hastening our way to Jomsom. The wind generally picks up after about midday, but will at least be blowing at our backs as we head up to Jomsom.
Overnight stay at a tea house.
After an early breakfast at your Tea House in Jomsom. We fly to Pokhara. It is a 22 Minute exciting flight. Upon your arrival at Pokhara Airport, we will transfer you to the Hotel. The rest of the day is Leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
We take a thrilling mountain flight to Kathmandu. Arriving in Kathmandu, we will transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in a Hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel Manang / Kathmandu Guest House or Similar.
The team will drop you off at the airport. Return back home with the memories of that last lifetime.
The scenery in this trip is full of lush green rolling hills, traditional Nepali villages and farms, rivers flowing down from the mountains, valleys opening on the ever standing Himalayan mountains of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and the most iconic Machhapuchhre Fishtail.
March to May is when spring starts, and the temperatures start to rise to 30 c, with clear skies and blossoming flowers. April is the main climbing season for mountaineers who are attempting higher mountains in the region, especially Annapurna or Dhaulagiri.
In the city, you will be staying in the center of the tourist area in Kathmandu, where one step outside your hotel, you’ll find the hustle and bustle of Thamel. You will be hiking from one village to the next and spending your nights in tea houses, which are family-owned guest houses for trekkers passing along the way. Rooms are set up as doubles or triples with beds and blankets to keep you warm. All tea houses have a main room where all hikers gather for meals, briefings, playing card games, or just to chill. They are all heated with a huge fireplace in the center, so you will definitely be warm. All of them have wifi available for purchase, as well as electricity (at an extra cost) for those who want to charge their cameras, phones, etc. Most of them also sell snacks, energy bars, juice, and water.
During the hike, you will have 3 meals, all energy-based to help give you the required nutrients to hike for around 7 hours a day. Breakfast and dinner are prepared at the tea houses, and lunch is taken at other guest houses along the hike. Nepali mountain food is very delicious and has its own flavor; we recommend you go for the Dal Bhat, which is a typical Nepalese dish and very high in energy. Try to stay away from any meat during the hike.
To complete this hike, you need to be fit enough to hike for 6-7 hours daily and even 9 hours on the hardest day, sometimes going up stairs, sometimes up slopes, and sometimes just crossing bridges. It is not a super difficult hike, but it’s not easy either so it’s better to be well prepared to be able to enjoy the hike more.
The maximum altitude we’ll reach 4,500M meters, and averaging through the days around 3,000M which is an altitude that requires intermediate fitness preparation to be able to enjoy the days.
