Short Annapurna Circuit Trek 15 days

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu. 

The first view of Nepal from the window of your plane could be a lifetime memorable view as the clear wide and white range of Himalayas shine straight in-front of your eyes. The ecstatic beauty is so rare that you won’t be able to blink your eyes. Welcome to Nepal; large heaven within this small planet Earth. As you step out of the airport our representative and a driver will receive you with a pleasant smiling welcome. Then, you will be escorted to the hotel and take complete care in processing your check-in into the hotel. 

Day 02: Sightseeing | Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast the day will start with our guided trip to cultural world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley; the pilgrimage sites of Hindus temple Pashupatinath, the world biggest Bouddhanath stupa and visit Swyambhunath Stupa also known as monkey temple. After exploring the surrounding areas visit historical Kathmandu Durbar Square with a temple, unique architectures and Kumari (living goddess). Evening pre-trip discussion and introduce our fellow trekking staff for your adventure trip. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar Drive: 6/7 hrs | Meal: BLD

After having breakfast, our guide will meet you at the hotel to drive to Besisahar. Recheck your luggage and be ready for a drive. Following the River Marshyangdi, you will reach Besisahar. On the way, you can explore the Green Mountain, a scattered village, and refreshing landscape. Stay overnight at the local lodge.

Day 04: Jeep drive to Chame (Stopover for acclimatization) - Altitude: 2670 m/8810 ft. | Drive: 4/5 hrs | Meal: BLD

From Besisahar, catching a local bus, you will start to drive on a bumpy road towards Chame. It is a small village of the Annapurna Region at an elevation of 1430 m. You can enjoy the waterfall that attracts both the local and tourists. Stay overnight at the local lodge.

Day 05: Trek Chame to Pisang - Altitude: 3200 m/10524 ft. Trek: 5/6 hrs | Meal: BLD

Today, you will have a steep walk through dense forest into a narrowed valley. Crossing the raging Himalayan River at two points 2,910m & 3,040m are absolute highlights of the trek. Just crossing a suspension bridge at 3040m, the stunning view of Rocky Hill Paungda Danda feasts catch by the eyes. Beyond here, the course connects towards Pisang on a steep trail. Pisang nestles between 3,200m and 3,300meters. Stay overnight at the local lodge.

Day 06: Trek Pisang to Manang, Overnight at the local lodge - Altitude: 3400 m/11152 ft. | Trek: 5 to 6 hrs. | Meal: BLD

After breakfast, you will walk through the arid & higher region of Manang.  As you trek higher, the region affected is at the rain shadow of Annapurna comes into sight. Natives of this county flock yak most of the times of the year and cultivate crops for a very short period of the year. As you leave Pisang, you will tread along the northern via Ghyaru for the better views of the Himalayan peaks throughout the trail that chases along the northern bank of the river. Now, you will arrive at Munchi. Beyond Munchi, the trail passes the charming and the authentic village of Braga 3475m. The last push brings to Manang.

Day 07: Rest day at Manang for acclimatization - Altitude: 3400 m/11152 ft. | Meal: BLD

Starts a day with morning tea and explore the surrounding. Today, you will take a rest day. Hence, it is your time to use as you like. You can hike for a while to get familiarize with altitude. You can go nearby Gangapurna glacier or visit the Manang village, Gompas, and cave exploring native people and culture. Spend overnight at Lodge.

Day 08: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka - Altitude:4,050m/13,287ft | Trek: 4-5 hour | Meal: BLD

Today, you will trek to the higher altitude. After a day rest in Manang, you will not have acclimatization issue. However, gaining 500 m height trekking along the gradual uphill climb is quite an adventure. As the trek begins, you will cross a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki and continue to ascend the Marsyangdi Valley, turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. You will further pass the small village of Ghunsa and following the trail through the meadows. Here, you can see the horses and yaks grazing. Crossing a wooden suspension bridge, you will encounter a series of mani wall, eventually, you reach Yak Kharka at 4,000m. Yak Kharka is the yak graze the land and hence signs of yak herders and thin vegetation can be seen there. Overnight at Yak Kharka.

Day 09: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi - Altitude:4,833m/15,856ft | Trek: 5 hours | Meal: BLD

Today, you will walk uphill to the Thorang Phedi. Walking for a while in an easy trail, you will cross a suspension bridge leading you towards Ledar village. Then, slightly ascend and passing through towering cliffs, you will reach Thorang Phedi. It is the last village before Thorang-la Pass. During the trail, you can click the views of Mt. Gundang, Thorang Peak, Mt. Syangang and Mt. Khatungkan. Overnight in Thorang Phedi.

Day 10: Trek from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath - Altitude:3,760m/12,335ft via Thorung La Pass - Altitude: 5,416m | Trek: 8 hours. | Meal: BLD

Here comes the most exciting and adventurous time as you are going to cross the world’s largest pass- The Thorong-la pass. Hence, today’s trek will be lengthy, you will starts trek early. Five hours of steep strenuous walk from the camp at Thorung Phedi brings you to the top of Thorung La Pass 5416m. The regular course to Thorung La Pass seems easy. However, a number of difficulties might encounter due to the elevation and snow. Getting up to the pass may be tough but the acme of the pass marked by revered chortens and colorful prayer flags will reward you with the most eye-catching views of the Himalayas that include Annapurna at its best.

Day 11: Trek from Muktinath to Kagbeni - Altitude: 2,804 m/9,199 ft | 4-5 hour. | Meal: BLD

After breakfast, we'll first descend through a desert-like trans-Himalayan landscape to the dramatic village of Jharkot (3500m), with its large chörten, a gompa, and atmospheric animist totems. The trail continues to Khingar (3400m) and then follows the road down steeply to the medieval-looking village of Kagbeni (2840m), situated at the confluence of Kali Gandaki and Jhang River and stay there overnight.

Day 12: Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom - Altitude: 2810 m) 3-4 hour. | Meal: BLD

You will descent through the Kali Gandaki Valley to Jomsom, the windy city & the home to the apple orchard of Nepal. Coming downhill, you always have to be cautious and not be excited to reach the destination. Spend overnight at the local lodge.

Day 13: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara and transfer to hotel. | Meal: BLD

From the windy city, Jomsom and you will take a flight back to Pokhara. Leaving the tranquil isolation, as you land at Pokhara, you will be once again transferred to your hotel in the city. Rest of the time at your own.

Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu - Altitude: 1350/4428 ft. | Meal: B

While driving back to Kathmandu the 1st half of the trip is along the highway above Seti and Marsyandi Rivers and the latter half winds along Trisuli River. Green hills along the spiral roads, stopping in between for snacks (fish) are the trip highlights. Upon arriving at Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel in the city. 

Day 15: Departure transfer | Meal: Breakfast

Our tour officer will pick you up from your hotel three hours prior to your departure time. You will be escorted in a private vehicle to the airport for your final departure. Have a safe flight home.

Route Map

Useful Information

PASSPORT AND VISA: 

All the foreign nationals (except Indian nationals) are required to display Visa while entering Nepal. Nepalese Visa can be obtained either at the Nepalese Embassy of the respective country or can be obtained during your arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu or from Nepal’s border entry point in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border and Kodari on the Nepal-China border.
Certain nationals are requested to arrange Visa prior to arrival in Nepal. The listed countries are- Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Liberia and cannot secure Nepalese Visa on arrival.

VISA FACILITY    DURATION    FEES

Multiple Entry    15 Days    US$ 75 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple Entry    30 Days    US$ 90 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple Entry    90 Days    US$ 150 or equivalent convertible currency

You can also download the VISA form and fill it up. Please go through the link as below: http://www.online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa  

MONEY & CREDIT CARD INFO    

Most of the credit card, master and visa card is blocked from your card provider. It may be because of a security reason. It, sometimes, may bring you in a problematic situation that you can't get money from ATMs. To find yourself free from this problem, you can call your card provider before you travel to Nepal and inform there that you are traveling to Nepal. Ensure them to give the authorization for the payment. Be sure you have brought some small amount for your daily expenses as well as for those items which are not included in our cost. If you want to exchange money, we provide you with the facility to change your money. Or, you can take help from Money Changers in Thamel.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: 

While traveling to Nepal, you are requested to have travel insurance that should cover any comprehensive expenses possible to acquire due to medical issues or accidents. Especially, your travel insurance must protect air ambulance, treatment charges, rescue and evacuation, product cancellation and refundable charges, flight delay, and cancellations.

Insurance Policy:

Traveling in the Himalayas is full of adventurous; hence it is wise to choose a proper insurance policy. While choosing your insurance policy, make sure that it will protect all such unforeseen expenses. You must ensure that the policy you do take provides an adequate level of protection, well familiar with your itinerary and covers you for the activities involved. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday or send us a scanned copy and it must be issued from your homeland. 

RECOMMENDATION:

1.    World Nomads

https://www.worldnomads.com/ 

NOTE:

Please, kindly note, these given references of the insurance company above is only a recommendation, which based on the recommendation of our previous travelers. You could review their update insurance policy by contacting them directly.

VACCINATION FOR NEPAL    

Travelers should consult with their physician or update on vaccination requirements before travel. (Your doctor or the health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities). For traveling to Nepal, we recommend you to take vaccination of Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, etc. However, it is not mandatory but recommended.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS (ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS)

Altitude sickness, also known as AMS (acute mountain sickness), is caused by a lack of oxygen at high altitudes (normally above 3,000m). It occurs as the result of our bodies’ inability to adapt to a sudden increase in altitude. If given time, our bodies will adjust and a gradual ascent will decrease the possibility of altitude sickness. 

PREVENTION OF AMS: Go slowly, drink a lot of water, and pay attention to the sensations of your body. If symptoms occur you have climbed too far for the day. Rest at the same altitude will give you time to acclimatize and usually relieve mild symptoms. 

MILD SYMPTOMS: Headache, nausea, loss of appetite, and mild shortness of breath with minimal exertion, difficulty sleeping, dizziness or lightheadedness, mild weakness, fatigue, a general unwell feeling. 

SERIOUS SYMPTOMS: The inability to recover from shortness of breath with rest, severe persistent headache, low urine output, vomiting, confusion, delirium, loss of coordination. These require immediate descent as acclimatization will not take place at the same altitude. 

The key is to trek slowly, carry a light pack and just take it easy. Allow your body the time it needs to acclimatize.

ARRIVAL INSTRUCTION

Upon your arrival at TIA International Airport, our company's representatives are stationed to pick you up. They will be holding your name sign along with the company's name in it. Our office representative will escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu.