The Annapurna Circuit is a classic trek that follows ancient trade routes and is considered by many to be one of the best trekking trails in the world.

Since it opened to foreign trekkers in 1977, the Annapurna Circuit Trek has become renowned as one of the most spectacular and varied walks in the world. Starting in the lush green valleys, dotted with fascinating villages that offer impressive snow-capped views of the white Himalayas, the Annapurna Circuit follows a counter-clockwise circle up into the semi-arid environs of Lower Mustang. At the trail’s highest point, you will trek over the famous Thorung Pass at 17,767 feet before dropping back down to the lush green valleys.

Along the way you will witness incredible views of the surrounding Annapurna range, including several of the highest mountains in the world. You will also trek through the world’s deepest river gorge, carved by the mighty Kali Gandaki River as it slices between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Your trek will end with a rewarding swim in the hot springs at Tatopani and an ascent of the famous Poon Hill for one last sunrise viewing over the Annapurnas.

This trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal is a Himalayan classic that just can’t be missed!

Note: this trek can be shortened to 18 total days by flying from Jomsom to Pokhara instead of trekking. Please contact us for details.

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner

Day 1:
Arrive Kathmandu (4,200 feet)

Arrive at the Kathmandu airport where you will be met by one of our representatives. You will be transferred in a private vehicle to one of the best known hotels for climbers and trekkers located in the heart of the exotic and energetic neighborhood of Thamel. Alternatively you can take a cab to the assigned hotel where our representative will meet you. After you settle in our representative will meet up with you to discuss the itinerary and to answer any last minute questions. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the gardens of the hotel or take a walk through the vibrant streets of Thamel.


Day 2:
Kathmandu (4,200 feet)

Today you will take a guided tour of Kathmandu in a private car. Your English speaking guide will introduce you to the magic of this amazing city and its peaceful Buddhist culture. The tour will include many interesting attractions including the old Royal Palaces in Durbar Square, the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath.

The afternoon is a great time to pick up any last minute personal equipment you may need. Kathmandu is a great place to buy supplies for your trek, such as extremely inexpensive, yet quality warm weather clothing, sleeping bags, snacks, etc. Get a good night of sleep tonight, as tomorrow starts your trek of the Annapurna Circuit!


Day 3:
Drive Kathmandu to Trail Head and Trek to Besisahar (2,494 feet - 6 hours) (L, D)

Getting an early start, you and your Sherpa guide will take a picturesque drive via private car from Kathmandu to the Annapurna Circuit trail head located in the village of Besisahar. Here you will spend the night in a traditional Nepalese tea house and prepare for the start of your trek in the morning.


Day 4:
Besisahar to Bahundanda (4,298 feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

Getting an early start, you will begin your trek up the Annapurna Circuit trail. During the first day of the trek you will pass through numerous villages that are only accessible via the circuit trail. Along the way, you will share the trail with mule caravans that transport supplies to the remote villages.

The trail makes its way through subtropical forests and the rice terraces of Sera and will pass through the village of Khudi. After you pass the village of Bhulbhule you will see a majestic 180 foot high waterfall and along the way you will have great views of Manaslu. After crossing a long suspension bridge, the trail moves gently upwards to Bahundanda, an attractive village where you will spend the night.


Day 5:
Bahundanda to Tal (5,578 feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

In the morning, the trail will pass beautiful amphitheatre-shaped rice terraces and as you follow along the river you will also see several picturesque waterfalls and hot springs. As you near the village of Jagat you will have a steep 600 foot climb up a trail that has been blasted out of the rock face. 15 minutes below this village you can visit another small hot spring. From Jagat the trail takes you up through the village of Chamje, through bamboo and rhododendron forests and finally to the village of Tal which lies at the foot of a large waterfall.


Day 6:
Tal to Bagarchhap (7,086 feet - 5 hours) (B, L, D)

From Tal, the trail crosses a wide, flat valley that was once a lake (Tal means lake) after which you will cross an exciting 180 foot long suspension bridge. The trail then climbs up from a second suspension bridge to a stone kani (an arch over the trail) which marks the entrance to Dharapani at 1,960 meters. All old villages from here to Kagbeni have these arches and they become more elaborate and picturesque as the Tibetan influence becomes stronger. The trail slowly climbs from here through a forest of blue pine, spruce, hemlock, maple and oak to Bagarchhap. This is the first village on the trek with typical Tibetan architecture: closely spaced stone houses, with flat roofs piled high with firewood.


Day 7:
Bagarchhap to Chame (8,759 feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

Leaving Bagarchhap, the trail follows a river as you climb to the village of Syal Khola. The trail continues through an apple and walnut tree forest, finally arriving in Chame. Throughout the day you will have awesome views of the surrounding mountains, including Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and Annapurna IV.


Day 8:
Chame to Pisang (10,498 feet - 5 hours) (B, L, D)

From Chame, you will follow the trail up to Telekhu and then continue with a long, pleasant and mostly level walk through the forest to Brathang. After Brathang, the trail rounds a bend and you will get your first glimpse of the dramatic Paungda Danda rock face, a tremendous curved slab of rock rising more then 4,500 feet from the river. After crossing a suspension bridge you will make a long gentle climb over a ridge through blue pine forests. From here, the trail will be reasonably level as it heads to the upper part of the Manang valley to Pisang. The village of Pisang marks the beginning of the upper Manang district.


Day 9:
Pisang to Manang (11,613 feet - 4 hours) (B, L, D)

As the trail continues up, the trees start to give way to the dry and arid conditions of high altitude. Approaching the village of Manang, the landscape alongside the trail is dominated by strange and interesting cliffs of yellow rock that have eroded into dramatic pillars. In the village of Manang, the shops are surprisingly well stocked, so this is a great place to purchase any last minute supplies you may need.


Day 10:
Acclimation Day in Manang (B, L, D)

Today you will spend the day in Manang in order to acclimate to the higher altitudes. This is an important day so that you are prepared for the ascent over the Thorung La Pass in 3 days. It's also a great place to have any clothes washed that might need to be.


Day 11:
Manang to Ledar (13,779 feet - 5 hours) (B, L, D)

Trekking completely above the tree line now, you will leave Manang and head out to the village of Ledar. Along the way you will pass alpine meadows with grazing yaks and blue sheep. You will trek slowly to help with your acclimation.


Day 12:
Ledar to Thorung Phedi (14,598 feet - 3 hours) (B, L, D)

Again trekking at a slow pace, today will be a relatively easy hike up to the village of Thorung Phedi. Nevertheless, the views just keep getting better.


Day 13:
Thorung Phedi over Thorung La Pass (17,767 feet) to Muktinath (12,334 - 7 hours) (B, L, D)

Beginning your day well before sunrise, today will be a long and strenuous, yet very exciting trek over the famous Thorung La Pass. At 17,767 feet, this is one of the highest trekking passes in the world and offers incredible views of the Annapurnas, Gangapurna and Khatung, a heavily glaciated peak.

The pass has been used for hundreds of years by the local herders to bring their sheep in and out of Manang so the trails are well defined, but the high altitude also means that, although unlikely, unseasonable storms can sometimes block the pass and delay your crossing anywhere from a couple of hours to a day or two.

After crossing the Thorung Pass, your descent will be accompanied by outstanding views of the surrounding peaks. After the trail becomes less steep and the breathing becomes easier, you will pass by grassy fields and meadows as you enter the village of Muktinath, which means place of Nirvana and is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. Many people believe that all of the sorrows you feel are relieved when visiting the local Temple, which has made it a scared pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The main pilgrimage normally takes place in September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it from which Holy water pours. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple, which contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural underground gas.


Day 14:
Muktinath to Jomsom (8,923 feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

Continuing your descent, the next day will find you in the village of Jomsom. You’ll notice an increase in your step as the air becomes heavier and far easier to breath.


Day 15:
Jomsom to Larjung (8,366 feet - 4 hours) (B, L, D)

Leaving Jomsom, the trail passes through Marpha before finally arriving in Larjung, your base for the night. Marpha is home to a variety of fruit tree orchards, including apple trees that are used to make apple brandy, a local specialty that should definitely be tried.

Note: this trek can be shortened to 18 total days by flying from Jomsom to Pokhara instead of trekking. Please contact us for details.


Day 16:
Larjung to Ghasa (6,824 feet - 4 hours) (B, L, D)

Continuing to follow the Kali Gandaki River, the area again becomes filled with fir, juniper and cypress trees, but the views of the surrounding mountains remain spectacular. All around you, the peaks of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna South and Annapurna 1 dominate the sky as you descend down the trail.


Day 17:
Ghasa to Tatopani (8,268 feet - 4 hours) (B, L, D)

Today the trail passes through the narrowest and steepest part of the Kali Gandaki River valley and the steepest gorge in the world. After passing a few waterfalls, you will arrive in Tatopani where you can relax in the refreshing hot springs. This will be a very welcome and deserved treat after your long, but very exciting trek.


Day 18:
Tatopani to Ghorepani (9,382 feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

After a wonderful rest in the hot springs, you will trek through rhododendron and magnolia forests and to the village of Ghorepani at the base of Poon Hill.


Day 19:
Ghorepani to Poon Hill (10,500 feet) to Ghandrung (6,365 feet - 7 hours) (B, L, D)

A quick pre-dawn ascent brings you to the top of the famous Poon Hill where you will witness a stunning sunrise over the Annapurna Mountains. After taking in the breathtaking sunrise, you will return to the lodge for breakfast, then begin your decent with a beautiful walk along and over a ridge and through an intriguing rainforest of moss covered rhododendron, maples, and coniferous trees and back to Tatopani. From Tatopani, continue your descent to Ghandrung, a beautiful maze-like village where you will spend the night.


Day 20:
Ghandrung to Tolka (5,576 feet - 4 hours) (B, L, D)

With only one full day of trekking left, you will descend from Ghandrung to the village of Tolka.


Day 21:
Tolka to Dhampus (5,412 feet) to Pokhara (2,691feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

The final day of your trek takes you to the beautiful village of Dhampus. In Dhampus you will be picked up and transferred to Pokhara where you will spend the evening. Be sure to get out and enjoy the many restaurants and bars that dot Pokhara. You’ve earned a celebratory toast or two.


Day 22:
Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu (B)

In the morning, transfer to the airport and take a 25 minute flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The evening is free to once again explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu.


Day 23:
Trip Ends

The trip ends and we transport you back to the airport for your flight home. OR, stay on for one of our other incredible Nepal, Tibet or Bhutan trips.