Annapurna Round Trek

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The Annapurna Round trek is highly sought after by trekkers craving diversity within a single journey. Its highlights include the revered Muktinath temple, immersion into the rich culture and lifestyles of the Thakali people, traversing the formidable Thorang La Pass (5416m), and being treated to breathtaking vistas of the majestic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. — Elevation 1400 After early morning breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. During the drive you will follow Trisuli and Marshyangdi Rivers passing through several villages and you will enjoy views of green hills and snowcapped mountains. From Kathmandu to Besisahar is paved road and from there to Bhulbule is graveled. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 2: Trek from Bhulbhule to Chamje (1410m.) takes about seven hours. — Elevation 1410 Ahead the Marshyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape. Follow the winding mountain path down to Syange (1100m) and then climb steeply through sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. From here it is a few ups and downs before you reach Chamje. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 3: Trek from Chamje (1410m) to Dharapani (1960m) takes about six hours. — Elevation 1960 The first part of the trail descends to the Marshyangdi river at which point cross a suspension bridge and make a steep climb to Sattale (1550m). From here descend to a grassy riverbank that leads to the village of Tal (1700m) where you will find hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path follows winding cliffs. You will pass through the small village of Karte (1900m.) and cross a suspension bridge as you approach the Mani entrance to Dharapani (1960m.). Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 4: Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2675m) takes about five and half hours. — Elevation 2675 Trek along the Dudh Khola that originates from the south face of Mt. Manaslu. With Annapurna II as your backdrop, you will arrive at the village of Bagarchhap, distinct with its prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and Buddhist monastery. Continue to climb through forests of pine and oak, before passing by Danaque (2210m.). The trail goes through flat path until you reach Chame where there are government offices, shops and hotels. Chame is the administrative headquarters of the Manang district. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 5: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3100m.) takes about five hours. — Elevation 3100 With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling in the morning sun, you climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. The trail then enters fir and pine forest, and emerges out to a high, rocky cliff which is extremely steep that leads to Bhratang (2950m.). You now walk through a short stretch of pine forest as the path opens up to a wonderful vista of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak (6091m). Afterwards follow a long section of Mani wall to lower village of Pisang. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 6: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3440m) takes about five and half hours. — Elevation 3440 Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge that affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak (7145m). Descending to Hungde (3320m), you come to wide plain of the Sabje Khola Valley from where the north-east face of Annapurna III and Annapurna IV (7525m) rises majestically. Further to this point you cross Marshyangdi Khola over a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji. Mungji has large Chortens and mani walls and is surrounded by tall peaks of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna (7455m.) and Tilicho Peak (7145m.). A short steep climb from here reaches Manang. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 7: Rest day at Manang. — Today is an important rest day for acclimatization before crossing the Thorung La Pass. There are optional walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurna, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 8: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (4350m) takes about three and half hours. — Elevation 4350 This morning the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through Gunsang village (3960m). En route, you can see panoramic mountain views all day long. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 9: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4420m) takes about 3 and half hours. — Elevation 4420 Leaving Yak Kharka, you climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of Marshyangdi. After a short ascend along the mountain path on the right bank, you follow a narrow trail across an unstable spree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 10: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3850m.) via Thorong La (5416m.) Pass takes about seven hours. — Elevation 5416 Today will be a long day of walking so you will leave early morning. The trail becomes steep immediately and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, you see chorten and prayer flags fluttering from the Thorong La pass. Thorong La pass is one of the highest passes in the Annapurna region. Once you are at the pass, you will start your descent along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath as the moraines eventually give way to grassy slopes. Muktinath is one of the most sacred places in the Himalaya for both Hindus and Buddhists. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 11: Drive from Muktinath to Tatopani (1190m) takes about five hours. — Elevation 1190 You will drive on gravel road. Considering road condition, 4-WD ride is recommendable. However, local bus is also available. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 12: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2860m) takes about seven hours. — Elevation 2860 The trail ascends all the way to Ghorepani via Ghara and Sikha, two beautiful villages with mix of Gurung and Magar ethnic groups. The trail makes its way through terraced fields, forests and meadows while offering constant views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. Ghorepani is a beautiful village and the most popular point for tourists in Annapurna region. Stay overnight in lodge. Day Day 13: Early morning hike up to Poon Hill (3232 m.) takes about one hour. — Elevation 3232 Poon Hill is a popular viewpoint to see sunrise/sunset and majestic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhare (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), and Lamjung Himal (6931m.). After spending sometime in Poon Hill, hike back to Ghorepani for breakfast and then continue trekking towards Tadapani (2630m) which takes about five hours. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 14: Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk (2950m) takes about 3 hours. — Elevation 2950 It is a very easy trek descending gently all the way through rhododendron and oak forests. This is one of the popular destinations for the bird lovers. Ghandruk is a big Gurung village offering good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m.), Annapurna III (7755m.) and Fishtail. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 15: Drive from Ghandruk to Pokhara takes about 4 hours. — Elevation 914 Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara. Day Day 16: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu that takes about seven hours. — Elevation 1400 After breakfast early morning, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu that takes about seven hours. En route, you will enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. If you choose to fly back to Kathmandu, it takes about 25 minutes. There are several flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara from morning to afternoon.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE