Total 20 days 5416m Trek days 15 Hard

Annapurna Magic Circuit Trek

Annapurna Conservation Area

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK

TREK HIGHLIGHTS

  • This Nepal trekking covers the north part of Annapurna Range and the west south part. We hike crossing the Thorong La Pass all the way to Poon Hill to contemplate from the South the Annapurna Range.
  • Spectacular variety of terrains and scenery where we can enjoy all Nepali types of landscapes in one sole trek. From the deep Pine and Oak forests, to big waterfalls, Rhododendron forests, open valleys, dry terrain similar to Mustang and Tibet regions, rocky sharp mountains, snow peaks…
  • We modify the classic popular route a bit to escape from the crowds for a while. We trek up the hill to Upper Pissang and Ghyaru. Where we enjoy the magical views of the Manang Valley from the hills, and get a great sunrise.
  • We visit Muktinath, one of the most sacred places on the trek that represents all natural elements: earth, fire, water and air. In here we obtain holy water too.
  • In Tatopani we reward ourselves with a bath at the Hot Springs.
  • The best views of the Annapurna Range from Poon Hill
  • Good level of fitness is required.

ABOUT ANNAPURNA MAGIC CIRCUIT TREK

This is the opportunity to get surrounded by numerous types of vegetation and geographical landscapes belonging to Nepal, from the thick pine, oak and rhododendron forests, to dry valleys comparable to Mustang. Crossing suspension bridges and passing by water falls, to terraced fields cultivating potatoes, buck wheat, maize or cabbage.

The way of Annapurna Circuit will also enchant you with a variety of animals along the way. Amongst them not only Yaks but also Bharals (blue sheep) and Dzokio´s (Yak and cow hybrid that are mostly used as porters to transport heavy materials and food to the villages). And if we are lucky we might even encounter a Snow Leopard!

The region abounds of religious symbology for Buddhism, Hinduism and Animism. Even though Buddhist is the main belief in the region; Animistic and Hindu practices are present in numerous places.

This is the moment to get immersed in the Gurung culture. Absolutely astonishing views of the Himalayan giants are a gift for our eyes and senses in this special trek. The spectacular pass of Thorong La will require a good level of fitness.

The trek will give us the opportunity to see the range of Annapurna from various points of view. A complete circuit that will pass through the classic and magic Poon Hill. One of the perfect spots to see the spectacular sunrise over the Annapurna Himalayan Range: Annapurna I (8091m), Dhaulaguiri (8172m), Ganggapurna (7454m), Annapurna South (7219m), Annapurna III (7555m), Machhapuchhre (Fish tail 6997m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna II (7937m), Gandharva Chuli (6248m), Fluted Peak (6,501m), Lamjung Himal (6983m), Bharha Chuli (Fang 7647m), Tent Peak (Tharpu Chuli 5695m), Tare Kang (Glacier Dome 7069m), Khangsar Kang (Roc Noir 7485m), Patal Hiun Chuli (6441m), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Nilgiri (7061m), Varaha Shikhar (7847m), and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks.

Check our Trip Schedule below this page for more details.

Did you know? Yak is the male and Nuk is the female of the species. That means that when we find in a shop Yak Cheese, it is actually Nuk cheese, but for commercial purpose they call it Yak.

“The wonderful things in life are the things you do, not the things you have”
Reinhold Messener (1944. Italian mountaineer. First ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen and first climber to ascend all fourteen peaks over 8000m).

What’s included:

  • Nepali Licenced Guide English fluent (from 4 persons an assistant guide will be added, from 10 persons 2 assistant guides will be added).
  • Porter (1 porter every 2 persons. Each porter will carry maximum 15Kg).
  • TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System): this is the trekking permit.
  • National Park Entrance fee.
  • All domestic flights.
  • All airport pickups and drop offs.
  • High comfort Hotels before and after the trek with Breakfast included (4 nights in total).
  • A welcome dinner on the arrival day.
  • Accommodation during the trek in lodges/tea house.
  • Food during the trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
  • Water* and cup of tea or coffee in every meal during the trek. (*Click here to know more)
  • Medical kit.
  • Staff insurance.
  • Taxes.

What’s not included

  • International flights.
  • Visa. Check our page About Nepal for Visa information.
  • Insurance with mountain rescue and repatriation compulsory. In case of doubt, do not hesitate to ask us when booking your trip and we will be happy to help you find the best option for you.
  • Meals before and after the trekking adventure (except breakfasts and 1 welcome dinner included)
  • Alcohol, soft drinks and snacks
  • Necessary trek equipment and personal material. See our list of things to bring to a trek to have an idea of what you need.
  • Personal medicines
  • Hot shower during the trek (often available in lodges under cost)
  • Electronic devices battery recharge (often available in lodges under cost). It is advisable to carry a portable charger if you have electronic devices to be charged during the trek.

Best time to trek: Spring and Autumn (April, May until mid-June / October, November until mid-December). Check our page “When to visit Nepal and When to Trek”.

*NOTE: Flights at the airport of Pokhara rarely get canceled or delayed in high seasons (Spring and Autumn) but can be delayed or canceled because of bad weather. Please, be prepared for potential delays. It is advisable that clients have insurance coverage for their international flight in case of delays in their return flight or allow extra days when booking the return international flight.

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK MAP

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK COST

01Day One: Arrival Kathmandu (1400m)

Airport pick up and transfer to Hotel. There will be a welcome dinner with your guide. First taste of the wonderful local food.

02Day Two: Kathmandu

Exploring day in the city. You will be able to explore the city as well as make the last preparation for the trek. We will provide you with all information you need to explore the most emblematic places in Kathmandu. If you wish to have a Guided City Tour, do not hesitate to request this service when booking with us.

03Day Three: Kathmandu to Besisahar (760m) and different transport to Syange (1100m)

We drive in the morning to Besisahar and once we arrive we will take another transport to Syange. Our trip will take around 8 hours in total.

04Day Four: Syange to Dharapani (1860m) / Time: 6 to 7 hours

Our trekking adventure starts in Syange. We walk towards Dharapani along the Marsyangdi Nadi river through some jungle and few ups and downs that will activate our legs for the next days.

05Day Five: Dharapani to Chame (2670m) / Time: 5 to 6 hours

The trek will take us through pine and oak forests and a beautiful waterfall just after we pass Danakyu. We will cross paths with Rhododendron forests too until our arrival to Chame.

06Day Six: Chame to Upper Pisang (3300m) / Time: 6 to 7 hours

The walk will take us through some terrace fields and some suspension bridges. We choose to stay overnight in Upper Pisang, a bit more away from the crowds.

07Day Seven: Upper Pisang to Gyaru and Ngawal (3660m) / Time: 3 to 4 hours

We can't wait to enjoy the day in Ghyaru and Ngawal with you. They are very ancient villages with constructions similar to traditional Tibetan houses. These villages are away from the main path, and offers privileged views. From here we get to see part of the Annapurna range with astonishing sunrise views and wonderful panorama to the Manang valley. This selected path in our trek will take you out of the crowds, and enjoy the Manang valley from a higher point of view. Many expeditions choose to continue further to Manang, but in our opinion, missing Ghyaru and Ngawal views is missing out big time!

08Day Eight: Ngawal to Manang (3540m) / Time: 5 to 6 hours

After having a blast with the sunrise and a delicious breakfast, we walk through the dazzling beauty of the Manang valley and Braga and it's Monastery. Today we will be able to see Tilicho Peak, Annapurna III and most of the Annapurna Range. The geography offers a big change, now we encounter desert landscapes surrounded by snow capped mountains. A contrast worth seeing. This is a really special area in the Himalayas, where the contrast of landscapes is outstanding and unique in the world. Our stop for today; Manang village.

09Day Nine: Manang Village acclimatisation day / Time: 5 to 6 hours depending on the activity

We will enjoy a day with excursions around the area that can include Chongur Hill, where you can see the glacier and lake Gangapurna. Or a visit to the Fragal Gompa Monastery. Or a bit more adventurous trek day to the Ice Lake (Kicho Tal). Once we arrive to Manang village, we can enjoy good selection of pastries with really good coffee, and a good documentary about the culture of Manang.

010Day Ten: Manang to Yak Kharka (4018m) / Time: 5 to 6 hours

We start finding a new scenery, a bit more dry, closer to the landscape that a place like Mustang has. We leave Marsyangdi Valley to get into Thorung Valley.

011Day Eleven: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4450m) / Time: 5 to 6 hours

Our journey take us along the Thorung river and we cross a ridge, to after follow the Kone river. Our stop to Thorong Phedi will give us the energy we need to cross next day the Thorong La Pass.

012Day Twelve: Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3760m) via Thorong La Pass (5416m) / Time: 8 to 9 hours

A long and tough trek day will take us to Muktinath. We will have an early start to cross Thorong La Pass. The day will start with a hard steep terrain, to a flat easier path for about 2 hours. When crossing the path we will encounter many prayer flags decorating it. Then we find a steep descend to Dhaulagiri. The terrain becomes easier at this point, and we find grassy slopes along the Jhong river to arrive to the shrines and the temple of Muktinath.

013Day Thirteen: Muktinath to Ghasa (2010m) by transport

From here we will take a transport to go to Ghasa.

014Day Fourteen: Ghasa to Tatopani (1190m, Hot Springs) by transport

We will take another transport to Tatopani, where we will have our deserved reward in the Hot Springs and relax our muscles to prepare ourselves for the next part of the trek.

015Day Fiveteen: Tatopani to Shikha (1935m) / Time: 5 to 6 hours

We restart the trek walking through paths of green Rhododendron forests.

016Day Sixteen: Shikha to Ghorepani (2860m) / Time: 5 to 6 hours

Stunning trek day through Rhododendron forests. We will ascend some steep terrains that will take us to Ghorepani.

017Day Seventeen: Ghorepani to Little Paradise Paradise (2344m) (Poon Hill 3193m) / Time: 6 to 7 hours

We will not regret the very early alarm when we see the spectacular sunrise at the top of Poon Hill. We walk up the hill for about an hour to contemplate the Annapurna Range and Dhaulaguiri from the very best point. After a great photo session, we will descend back to the lodge where we will have breakfast and we will continue the journey through alluring forests to arrive to Little Paradise. Situated on top of a hill, it is one of the most beautiful places in the area with astonishing views.

018Day Eightteen: Little Paradise to Syauli Bazar and Pokhara

We will start our day with a very steep descend and after we follow the river until Syauli Bazar. From here we will take a transport to Pokhara and after checking in at the Hotel, you have the rest of the evening for you to enjoy Pokhara and maybe have a fabulous dinner by the lake. Contemplating the lights reflected on the lake is a beautiful scenery.

019Day Nineteen: Pokhara to Kathmandu.

We catch a 25 minute flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. On our arrival, we will transfer you to the Hotel and after that, enjoy the fantastic city of Katmandu! We will be available for recomendations or if you wish a small Tour Guide, do not hesitate to ask us!

020Day Twenty: Transfer to the international Airport and end of our services unless arranged differently

We hope to see you again soon!

Date Spaces Status Prices
  • Contact Us or Check Departures 10 People max Open USD2350 / CAD2919/ €1886* Book Now
*Our rates are established in US Dollar. The exchange rate CAD and € is from 03/02/2018 and is likely to be revised if there is a strong fluctuation. · The price is for a minimum of 4 people. Individual, 2 people or 3 people bookings can have an additional charge. Please check with us. · All accommodations are based on twin room. It is possible to request single room in Kathmandu or Pokhara under supplement. During the trek single room can be requested only if available. · Please, contact us and we will accommodate your needs.

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