Annapurna Circuit: 14 Days Between the Himalayas and Gurung Villages
Fourteen days of trekking on the classic Annapurna Circuit: crossing the Thorong La pass at 17,769 ft, Tibetan villages, hot springs and the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Description
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the planet's great treks, a 14-day journey that rings the Annapurna massif crossing the highest pass in the world reachable without mountaineering gear: Thorong La at 17,769 ft. The route starts at Besi Sahar and climbs gradually up the Marsyangdi valley, passing from subtropical rice paddies to rhododendron forests and high-mountain moonscape. It crosses villages of the Gurung people, Manang with its Tibetan monastery, and Muktinath with its temple sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. After cresting Thorong La, the descent leads to the Kali Gandaki valley, the deepest in the world, and to the natural hot springs of Tatopani. The route ends in Pokhara, the city of lakes, with views of Machapuchare. Each night is spent in lodges (teahouses). No alpine experience is required, but good physical fitness and rigorous acclimatization are. Altitude sickness is a real risk. The landscapes, the sunrises over the eight-thousanders and Nepalese hospitality make every step worth it.
Health & safety
- Altitude sickness is dangerous above 11,480 ft: descend if symptoms appear
- Helicopter evacuation insurance is mandatory
- Drink only treated water
Day-by-day itinerary
Besi Sahar to Jagat
Besi Sahar
Besi Sahar to Jagat
Jeep from Besi Sahar to Jagat (4,265 ft). First steps among rice paddies and waterfalls.
Jeep crossing to Jagat
Sports3hFirst trek: Jagat to Chamje
Sports2hJagat to Dharapani
Dharapani
Jagat to Dharapani
Ascent from Jagat (4,265 ft) to Dharapani (6,100 ft). Entering the Manang district.
Trek Jagat-Dharapani
Sports6hCheck-in at the ACAP checkpost
Culture1hDharapani to Chame
Chame
Dharapani to Chame
Ascent to Chame (8,890 ft), the district capital. Pine forests and views of Annapurna II.
Trek Dharapani-Chame
Sports5hChame to Pisang
Pisang
Chame to Pisang
Ascent to Pisang (10,825 ft). Alpine terrain. Monastery of Upper Pisang.
Trek Chame-Pisang
Sports6hVisit to the Upper Pisang monastery
Culture1hPisang to Manang
Manang
Pisang to Manang
Upper route via Ghyaru and Ngawal. Arrival in Manang (11,615 ft). Acclimatization day.
Trek on the high route
Sports7hAcclimatization talk in Manang
Culture1hAcclimatization in Manang
Manang
Acclimatization in Manang
Acclimatization day. Ascent to Ice Lake or Gangapurna Glacier.
Ascent to Ice Lake
Sports4hExploring Manang
Culture2hManang to Yak Kharka
Yak Kharka
Manang to Yak Kharka
Gradual climb to Yak Kharka (13,290 ft). Yak-grazing meadows.
Trek Manang-Yak Kharka
Sports4hYak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
Thorong Phedi
Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
Short climb to Thorong Phedi (14,895 ft), the base of the pass. Prep for the big day.
Trek to Thorong Phedi
Sports3hRest and preparation
Rest2hThorong La pass
Thorong La
Thorong La pass
Key day: ascent of the Thorong La (17,769 ft) at daybreak and descent to Muktinath (12,465 ft).
Ascent to the Thorong La
Sports5hDescent to Muktinath
Sports4hMuktinath to Jomsom
Jomsom
Muktinath to Jomsom
Visit to the Muktinath temple. Descent through the Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom.
Muktinath Temple
Culture1hTrek Muktinath-Jomsom
Sports5hJeep to Tatopani
Tatopani
Jeep to Tatopani
Jeep along the Kali Gandaki valley road. Hot springs of Tatopani.
Jeep crossing to Tatopani
Sports4hBathing in Tatopani's hot springs
Rest2hPoon Hill
Ghorepani
Poon Hill
Ascent to Ghorepani (9,430 ft). Sunrise at Poon Hill, the Himalaya's most famous viewpoint.
Ascent to Ghorepani
Sports4hSunrise at Poon Hill
Nature2hGhorepani to Nayapul and Pokhara
Pokhara
Ghorepani to Nayapul and Pokhara
Final descent to Nayapul. Taxi to Pokhara, the city of lakes.
Descent Ghorepani-Nayapul
Sports5hEvening at Pokhara's Lakeside
Rest1hPokhara and return
Pokhara
Pokhara and return
Rest day in Pokhara. Flight or bus back to Kathmandu.
World Peace Stupa
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