DAY 01:
Arrive Kathmandu / Nepali dinner with ethnic cultural program
Arrival in Kathmandu airport and transfer to the hotel and check in. Pre Trek Briefing about Route/facilities and other information will be given. Evening group dinner at Nepali traditional Restaurant
DAY 02:
Cultural tour to Boudhnath Stupa and Hindu Cremation site / Trek preparation
Morning half day city tour in World Heritage sites like Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath, Swoyambunath (a monkey temple). Distribution of your kit bag, down jacket, sleeping bag etc.
DAY 03:
Drive to Besishahar and trek to Bulbule to start the Annapurna circuit trek
Early Departure from Kathmandu to Bulbule trek starting point. Drive along the Trisuli and Marshyangdi River famous for white water rafting. Lunch at Besisharhar and first entry point of Annapurna conservation Area. Views of mountains Lamjung Himal (6931m) Himalchulee (7893m) Manaslu (8156m), Peak 29(7541m)
DAY 04-05:
Trekking along the Marsayandi River
Today we cross Musi Khola Hydro power and climb to the village of Bahundanda (1311m).
Descend down valley to lunch at Syange (1136m). Afternoon the track follows near-vertical cliffs high above the river camp at Jagat (1341m), a Tibetan village that served as a customs post on the long-standing trading route from Tibet. We follow classic route narrower and steeper. Walk passes several high waterfalls and suspension bridges. Lunch at beautiful village Tal by the Marchyangdi River with cool bridge of near by waterfall. Reentry permits at Police check post before the camp.
DAY 06-07:
Trek through the alpine terrain of Chame and Pisang, great views
Chame Town is administrative center of Manang District. Today, very refreshing day walk through forest and numerous tea-houses along the way. Come across excellent views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II (7937M), and Annapurna III (7555m) up the valley and to the west Manaslu and Peak 29 soar magnificently to the skies. Trekking permit be checked at police post at Koto, a short distance from before Chame (2685m).
Pisang (3475m) Walk approx. 5 hrs.
A trail now leads though fields of barley and buckwheat, to reach the apple orchards at Brathang (2840m), a formal Khampa (Tibetan rebels) settlement. After crossing the river into thick fir forest where you will have glimpse of Lamjung and Annapurna towering high above the trail. The forest ends and reach a clearing to reveal the huge rock slabs of Paungda Danda. We continue to follow the valley to reach the flat roofed with stone houses of Pisang village (3300m) and our lodge in full view of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak (6092m).
DAY 08-09:
Continue hiking to Manang, with stunning mountain panorama
Today, we walk through Pisang village and cross the River Marsyangdi to detour main road. Adorable views an indication of the arid trans-Himalayan terrain. We pass some terraced farmlands grow seasonal crops barley, wheat, buckwheat or potatoes can be grown. To supplement their living many locals run hotels and tea-houses as well as having herds of goats and yaks that graze on the hillsides high above the valley. Afternoon walking is fairly easy along the valley to Braga (3475m) where the houses are stacked on top of each other perched high on the valley cliffs. Monastery of Braga, the oldest and most interesting in the area, estimated to be above 500 years old. From the village of Braga it is only a short walk to the village of Manang.
On 9th Day, Manang (3535m) acclimatization and exploration. Off day is designed to aid acclimatization not to relax hike above and around village where you will be rewarded with great views of the Mountains and valley. Manang is a tight compact village of about 500 flat roofed houses set among spectacular scenery.
The huge icefall of Annapurna rears over the village. Annapurna II and IV (7525m) tower dramatically above the valley floor to the southeast, with Tilicho (7132m), Roc Noir (7485m) and the Grand Barrier to the west. Chulu West (6630m) and East (6200m) lay behind the village a hauntingly beautiful panorama.
DAY 10-11:
Trek to Phedi, amazing views, preparation to cross the Thorong la pass. Ledar (4200m) Walk approx. 5 hrs
Today is a relax walking day, taken at a slow pace to avoid for the effects of altitude.
We will leave in the morning and slowly ascend to village Tengi then away from Marsyangdi Valley. We pass Teashops and yak pastures before stopping at the pleasant meadow of Ledar (4200m). Trek to Thorong high camp (4700 m) 3 -4 hrs . The walk leads along a small glacial stream past the herders’ shades, towards yak pastures, which leads to a left side of River valley and good spot to establish the Thorong La Base Camp at 4100m/ after 3-4 hrs. We continue upwards after lunch to High Camp for night stay.
DAY 12:
Trek to Muktinath after the Cross over Thorong La Pass. Stunning Panoramic views
Thorong La pass (5416m) Muktinath (3700m) Walk approx. 7 – 9 hrs. The pass poses no technical problems though need to start early morning, lately by 5 AM, so you can proceed slowly and safely. The trail is not steep but long, gradual approach passes several false summits before reaching some stone cairns making the crest of the pass at 5416 m. in fine conditions the views from the pass are truly fantastic. Spread out entire Annapurna range to the south, the Mukut and Mustang himal to the west, and the incredibly Kali Gandaki valley below. Peaks of Chulu west and east lie to the north, and on either side of the pass are Thorungtse (6462m) to the north and snow dome of Thorung peak (6484m) to the south. The steep descend from the pass is guaranteed to make the knees wobble, but you are compensated with the view of mighty Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Tukche peak (6920m). You will arrive at the first village on the other side of the pass, Muktinath, in the late afternoon.
DAY 13-14:
Trek to Jomsom
Today we trek to Jomsom with historical visit to Kagbeni, the gate of Upper Mustang. Kagbeni is situated at the junction of the Jhong Khola and the Kali Gandaki, and gateway to Upper Mustang. It is a fascinating village with many Tibetan influences. We passes medieval village of Jharkot, Shakya Monastery, a traditional medicine center and incredibly photogenic whitewashed houses and streets. The scenery is truly wonderful – soft light, patchworks of fields, peaks overhead, villagers out plowing the fields, horses tethered next to the houses, apple trees providing texture to the landscape. Down the Kali Gandaki riverbed, looking for saligrams along the way, to Jomsom, the administrative center for the region.
DAY 15:
Fly to Pokhara to end the Annapurna circuit trekking /stay at hotel / free exploration day
We take an morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara – a fantastic way to round off the trek, flying right along the Kali Gandaki Gorge between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Almost a day to explore lake city Pokhara, Over night stay at Hotel.
DAY 16:
Drive to Kathmandu / PM free to explore
This morning, we have a drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. It is a thrilling/ exciting drive on High way through paddy fields and villages/towns with the Himalayas at the background. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
DAY 17:
Annapurna circuit trek ends / airport transfer
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport with exhilarating experiences of Nepal in your mind.