- 10 Days
- 5416m.
Annapurna Circuit Trek also known as Round Annapurna Trek or Annapurna Circle Trek is one of the most popular and classic trekking routes in the Annapurna Region.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek trail was opened to the foreigners in 1977 and since then it is among the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal. Our 12 days Annapurna Circuit Trek is perfect for people with limited time and budget.
Our itinerary is custom-made in such a way that you will be able to enjoy every aspect of trekking around the Annapurna Circuit without much hassle in only 12 days’ time.
The 12 days trek of the Annapurna Circuit begins from Chame after a scenic 7-8 hours’ drive from Kathmandu and ends at Jomsom, the capital of the Mustang district.
On this trek, you’ll experience some truly unique features of the Himalayas, such as stunning scenic beauty, majestic mountains, beautiful flora and fauna, and unique culture and traditions.
This trek offers a great view of all the Annapurna ranges. The Annapurna 1 (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,273m), the Glacier Dome, Gangapurna (7,454m) are all spectacular. And the unclimbed Fang (7,647m) and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhare (6,997m) are also attractions.
This trek will introduce you to various ethnicity and cultures. The lower regions of the trail are home to Brahmins and Chhetris and the upper regions are home to the Gurung people.
You will also be crossing the Thorong La Pass, which is one of the highest and challenging passes across the world. Overall, this is a perfect trek for people seeking to experience the Himalayas of Nepal in a limited time period.
It is essential to choose the right season to trek in Annapurna or hike the Annapurna Circuit. March to May and September to November are the best times to hike the Annapurna Circuit. Everything is fairly dry during these seasons, the skies are clear, and it isn’t too cold up high.
Winter is often clear and the scenery is spectacular, but heavy snow can close Thorong La Pass for several days at a time. The monsoon season runs from June through September, and it is often the least popular time on the circuit. Given the name “rainy season,” it doesn’t get as much rain as you might expect.Because much of the circuit is under a rain shadow, the northern sections of the route are actually generally dry, whereas the southern sections of the trail get quite wet.
Traveling at this time of year has advantages such as less people and more flowers, but clouds are more likely to obstruct your views of the region.
When it comes to accommodations, lodges and tea houses can be found all along the trek. Every guesthouse and hotel, in general, has a room with twin beds. The room is big enough for you to sit back and relax.
Don’t be surprised if you find a lodge with power, Wi-Fi, and hot showers. Almost the entire journey of the trek has a lodge with such facilities. You can charge your gadgets and connect with those around.
Preferably, you can start anywhere between Besisahar and Pisang. You can only reach as far as Jagat by bus; from there, you need trek or take a jeep. Jeeps can take you all the way to Pisang.
Many hikers take a bus to Syange/Jagat, where we reached at at the end of our first hiking day, and then start trekking from there.
These days, Jagat is a popular beginning for the Annapurna Circuit trek. We reached in Jagat at the beginning of the second day. You will only skip one walking day if you start there.
Starting the Annapurna Circuit in Chame is another popular option, depending on your preferences and holiday timeframe.
Have any questions or more information please contact us.
Welcome to Kathmandu, our representatives will be at the airport to pick you up. After arriving at the airport, our team willgreet and guide you to the hotel.
Since, it is the first day, you can take your time to take a stroll around Kathmandu city or get to know the people better there. You can enjoy your day either resting or wondering the place.
There are many places to enjoy or to shop at. In the evening, we will give you a brief detail about your trip to Annapurna Base Camp.
After breakfast, you will drive to Besisahar. On the way to Besisahar, you will pass through Trishuli and Marshyangdi valley. It is a scenic ride with amazing views of the landscapes, rivers and hills of Nepal.
From Beshisahar, you will drive to Chame in a local jeep. You will cross the Marshyangdi River on a suspension bridge. On the way, you will get beautiful views of mountains such as LamjungHimal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV.
Once you reach at Chame, have dinner and get an early sleep so that you can start your trek tomorrow with good energy. Overnight at Chame.
After breakfast, you will start on your very first day of actual trekking. Today your trail is going through steep and narrow valleys.
The trail will take you through dense pine forests and lead you to PaungdaDada, a dramatic curved rock face rising 1500meters from the river.
From here, you’ll get stunning views of the Annapurna II and Pisang peak. As the trail opens up, Himalayan peaks will surround you all the way to Pisang. Once you’re near the village of Pisang, you’ll get a view of the Manang Valley. Overnight at Pisang.
After breakfast, you will start your trek towards Manang. The first few hours of the trek are smooth and easy walk until you get close to Humde, where you’ll have to ascend a bit.
Besides that, it is pretty much hiking on flat land. On today’s trek, you’ll get stunning views of the snow-capped mountains of the Annapurna range, Pisang peak, Gangapurna, Tilicho, etc.
You will also experience the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture of Manang. Overnight at Manang.
Since acclimatization days are for getting used to the high altitudes, today you will be trekking to the Gangapurna Lake or the BhojoGumba.
After the short hike, you can discover Manang and learn a few things about the culture and lifestyle of the people living there. Overnight at Manang.
After breakfast, you will begin your trek towards Yak Kharka. The beginning part of today’s trek is a steady ascend through the Tenki Village.
Your trek will start by crossing a stream to the Tenki Village, and from here you will trek to the JarsangKhola Valley. From JarsangKhola, you will trek to Ghunsa, and on the way to Ghunsa, you will come across pasture lands of horses and yaks.
Finally, you will cross a small wooden bridge near the mani wall to reach Yak Kharka. On today’s trail, you’ll get beautiful views of the Gangapurna, the Glacier Dome, etc. Overnight at Yak Kharka.
Leaving Yak Kharka, you will gradually climb the mountain trails that run along the headwaters of the Marsyangdi and cross it at one point over an old wooden bridge. Then you follow a narrow mountain path that leads you to ThorongPhedi.
The High Camp, which is an hour away from Thorong Phedi.
Today’s trek begins at dawn around 3-4 a.m. as you cross Thorong La Pass today, one of the highest and most adventurous passes in the world.
And the weather is unfavorable to cross in the afternoon, because of the strong wind.
It’ll take about 4 hours to reach Thorong La Pass, but once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and many other mountains.
After spending a while at the top, taking pictures and enjoying the view, you’re heading down to Muktinath. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Hindus and Buddhists. Overnight at Muktinath.
After breakfast, you’ll start on the final day of your Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Your trek begins with a downhill walk through some beautiful old village of Jharkot, then down to Ekle Bhatti. Once at Ekle Bhatti, you cross the Kali Gandaki via the suspension bridge and follow the path to Jomsom.
Today’s trail offers spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Overnight at Jomsom, Mustang District Headquarters.
After breakfast today, you can take a bus or a jeep to drive along the plateau of the Kali Gandaki Gorge. You’ll also pass some beautiful waterfalls and forests along the way.
If you plan to fly, you may end up needing to go by road, if flights are canceled. The road between Beni and Muktinath was only constructed a few years ago, and it’s mostly off-road track, and (halfway) from Beni to Pokhara is paved. The journey takes about 6 to7 hours to reach Pokhara.
Optional, if your time permits, spend few nights in Pokhara and enjoy the delights of Pokhara, taking a trip to a spa massage or listening to live music. Or simply relax in a quiet café, restaurant overlooking the Fewa lake
Early in the morning, take another long but beautiful drive to return to Kathmandu today, which will take about 7 hours. You have the option to fly back at an extra cost. The flight is 25 minutes long.
In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant with culture show.
Today you can either stay back and enjoy a free day in Kathmandu or leave for your respective countries.
Our representatives will drop you off at the Airport according to your flight schedule.
We hope you had an amazing time Annapurna Circuit trek with us and we look forward to your next trip in the future.
I was born and raised in Nepal near the Everest region. I am a proud native Sherpa and have been a mountain guide for over a decade.
Following my passion, I started Magical Summits because I was ready to see a new kind of travel brand, one built on the simple idea of feeling good and doing good.
Since its start, Magical Summits has been super-powered by you, our community; when you “travel” it, we create it. We’re on a mission to make travel better with clean, award-winning adventures that are sustainable and conscious of the planet we share.
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey!