|
|
| Annapurna Circuit |
|
Length :
|
22 days |
|
Trip Level :
|
3+ [level
description] |
|
Accommodation Grade :
|
Tea house [grade
description] |
|
Special Feature :
|
circumnavigate the Annapurna range
|
|
Best Times :
|
late March-early June
late September-mid November |
| |
|
|
|
|
 This
is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal for good
reason. The trek starts amongst the green terraced fields
of the Gurung and Tamang people on the lush southern side
of the Himalayas. It climbs through the Marsyandi River Gorge,
between the >8000-meter Annapurna and Manaslu Massifs and
enters the fabled Manang Valley home to people of the Tibetan
Buddhist tradition. Even the Buddhist saint, Milerepa spent
time here, meditating in a cave that now bears his name. The
wide, glacially-carved Manang valley offers views of the Annapurna
Range from the north a stunning sight, only possible for people
willing to take the time to trek to this remote valley. After
acclimatizing in Manang village (3500 m), the trek winds up
and over the 5400-m high Thorung La Pass and down to the Kali
Gandaki River, at the southern end of the famous Mustang Kingdom.
The wide arid Kali Gandaki valley offers an entirely new set
of vistas compared to the Marsyandi Gorge and the trail continues
gradually downhill until reaching the road in the town of
Beni. Accommodation will be entirely in tea houses. Manang
and Jomsom are larger villages with additional resources such
as internet, Western medical doctors, and airports. |
Detailed Itinerary 
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu (1310 m).
Day 02 : Drive to Besisahar (785 m) along
the scenic Trisuli and Marsyangdi rivers. During driest season,
the road is open another 7 km to Khudi (790 m).
Day 03 : Hike up to Ngadi (880 m) from Besisahar,
mainly flat and gentle. Fantastic views of Manaslu, when it
is clear.
Day 04 : Ngadi to Jagat (1290 m). The climb
to lunch on the Bahundanda ridge (1310 m) is long, but the views
are great.
Day 05 : Jagat to Dharapani (1860 m), a beautiful
village at the confluence with the Dudh Khola (Milk River).
Again, a climb to lunch - this time to Tal (1680 m), a pretty
village along a wider stretch of the river. Gradual climb in
the afternoon to Dharapani.
Day 06 : Hike up Chame (2650 m), the headquarter
of Manang district. Possible views of Manaslu, Peak 29 , Annapurna
II, Lamjung Himal, Namung La and Kang Guru.
Day 07 : On to Pisang village (3000 m), where the
valley is wider and the culture is fully Tibetan Buddhist. Beautiful
views of Manaslu, Pisang Peak and Annapurna II are possible.
The final climb of the day passes through a lovely peaceful
pine forest, well above the sounds of the river.
Day 08 : Pisang to Manang village (3440 m) is a comparatively
gentle walk through both pine forest and open vistas that provides
spectacular view of the Annapurna from very close range.
Day 09 : Day hike or rest in the Manang area. Possibilities
include: exploring Manang village and Gangapurna glacier, hiking
to Milarepa's cave next to the Annapurna III glacier, or climbing
to the Kicho Tal - a picturesque glacial tarn 1000 m above the
main valley. Manang village is surrounded by the snowy mountains
of Manaslu, Pisang, Chullu, Thorang, Tilicho, Gangapurna, Annapurna
ranges. At least one day in Manang village is important for
acclimatization.
Day 10 : Manang to Yak Kharka (4020 m). More great
views as we gradually climb along the Thorung Khola. The distance
is shorter to insure that we do not gain altitude too quickly.
Day 11 : Hike to Thorang Phedi (4500 m) or High Camp
(4750 m). The distance is very short, but it is wise to walk
slowly in the higher part due to the altitude.
Day 12 : Early morning hike to Thorang La Pass (5416
m) and then down to Muktinath. Excellent views of the Manaslu
and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges, beautiful upper Manang and
Mustang valleys can be seen from the pass.
Day 13 : Downhill from Muktinath
to Jomsom (2710 m). We will stop for lunch in the green oasis
of Kagbeni (2830 m), home to a great than 400 year old Buddhist
monastery.
Day 14 : Hike down to Tukuche (2590
m). Marpha and Tukuche are the beautiful villages of the Thakali
people and popular for their apples and apple brandy.
Day 15 : Tukuche to Ghasa (2010 m).
The region gradually becomes more green as we descend from the
arid Mustang region.
Day 16 : Ghasa to Tatopani (1190
m). Hot springs at Tatopani (literally means "hot water")
offer solace to the aching muscles and dusty skin.
Day 17 : Hike down to Beni bazaar
(800 m)
Day 18-19 : Drive to Pokhara
and explore Pokhara valley.
Day 20 : Fly or drive back
to Kathmandu.
Day 21 : Sightseeing and
shopping in Kathmandu.
Day 22 : Fly back home. |
| Cost
per person (in Us dollars) : range $750 to $1500 [ Include
and Exclude ] |
|
|
|
