Annapurna Circuit Short Trek

You may arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, at any time. Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by one of Nepal Hiking Team’s representatives. He will help you get transferred to your hotel. You will also be given further details about the plans and programs of the trip. Since there are no further planned activities for today, you may relax at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Kathmandu, you will have a scenic but very long drive to Dharapani. The road is laden with beautiful natural sceneries and you will get to experience the quintessence of Nepal’s countryside. Crossing forests and clearings, you will reach Dharapani after passing several rural villages on the way. It is a great way to get a quick glimpse of the local people who reside on natural villages away from the bustling capital. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Dharapani. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The trekking trail continues on from Dharapani to the village of Chame. The trail is essentially a mule track that ascends through fir forests and continues alongside a beautiful river. Higher grounds will be covered today as you follow the trail through oak and maple trees accompanied by the majestic views of the Annapurna Himals. The Himalayan peaks form a dazzling horizon against the green beauty of the land. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Chame. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The trail continues on to the beautiful village of Pisang, our final destination for the day. The trails branch out further from Chame into winding woodlands decorated with natural treasures. Views of the amazing Pisang Peak and the Annapurna range along the trail are spectacular to look at! Combined with the gorgeous landscape, the trek is full of pleasant natural opulence! Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Pisang. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Taking the upper route to Manang via the Ghyaru-Ngawal-Mungji trail, we will continue on our adventure to the beautiful valley of Manang. Breath-taking natural scenery awaits you on the road, as the valley of Manang is a cornucopia of natural riches and faunal diversity. Towering mountain peaks accompany your journey as thy make the skyline more awe-inspiring with their presence. Panoramic views of mountain peaks like the Annapurna range, the Gangapurna and the Pisang Peak among many makes the journey a more pleasant experience. You can also notice a significant change in the fauna of the terrain as you move further. The cold dry environment leads to a harsh environment, with shrubbery scattered among the land like blobs of green against the brown of the land. Following the trail onwards, you will finally reach Manang. You will also pay a visit to the Barge Monastery in Manang- a century old monastery that has a peaceful Buddhist ambiance. It is also the largest monastery in the entire Manang district. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Manang. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.       

Today is set aside for acclimatization. You will stay at Manang and spend time visiting the local monasteries and religious Gumbas. You can also spend the day observing the local life of the village people and visiting the marketplace. You can also take a trip to the serene Gangapurna Lake and visit the Himalayan Rescue Association Clinic. Overnight stay at the guesthouse in Manang. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

From the village of Manang, you will continue on to the village of Yak Kharka. The trail is quite pretty with streams and brooks intersecting at regular intervals. As you cross streams, you will ascend to the village of Tenki. It lies above Manang and is a dainty village of ethnic Limbu people. Further on out, you will climb to the Marshyangdi valley and trek northwest up to the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail is full of amazing natural biodiversity and is very peaceful. The feeling of being close to nature grows stronger with the wilderness surrounding us at all sides. We will then follow the valley northwards and pass lush pastures to trek through scrubs of juniper hamlets. The trail gradually climbs upwards and eventually, we will reach the village of Ghunsa- a small settlement of flat mud roofs located just below the trailhead. Continuing further, the trail goes through meadows filled with contently grazing yaks and horses. Passing ancient Mani stone walls and wooden bridges, we will finally reach Yak Kharka. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Yak Kharka. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.     

Making our way past Yak Kharka, we will move towards the foot of Thorong Phedi. This is a small yet a bustling settlement that caters to the needs of the trekkers and climbers. We will use this point as our base camp and stop for the day. Some members of the group might want to hike to the High Camp today to make next day easier for them –although Nepal Hiking Team have reservations about this. There is a tough day planned for tomorrow and we will stop at Thorong Phedi in order to sleep soundly (rather than risk a less peaceful night in the higher altitude at High Camp). Overnight stay at a guesthouse at Thorong Phedi. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We will make an early start on our climb to the pass. We need to be fresh for the initial stage of ascent as it is very steep. As we approach the peak, the trail becomes slushy from melted snow. Making our way through rocky ridges, we will arrive at the top of the pass (5416m). The top offers an indescribably magnificent 360 degree panorama of the snow-capped peaks that extend northwards into Tibet. We can also see several peaks of the Annapurna and the beautiful gorge of Kali Gandaki. Our trail then descends steeply down to Muktinath (3800m) – an important pilgrimage site for the Hindu and Buddhist people. It is a special place and home to many ethnic Tibetans and devout Buddhists. It is a religiously significant site where hoards of devotees make their way for prayer and resolution on festivals and special occasions. Overnight stay at a Guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Today, we will drive to the beautiful lake-side city of Pokhara, also known as the “Tourism Capital of Nepal”. It is a gorgeous city that is located on the periphery of the Annapurna foothill beside the tranquil Phewa Lake. Upon your arrival at Pokhara, you can spend the rest of your time sightseeing around the city or enjoy the peaceful lake-side boating or enjoying the scenery. Overnight stay at a Hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We will have a scenic drive back to Kathmandu today. The journey is filled with amazing natural scenery and the drive is made pleasant with the presence of Nepal’s countryside filled with quick glimpses of the villages and natural beauty. Overnight stay at the Hotel. Breakfast included.

Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a representative from Nepal Hiking Team will take you to the airport for your departure.