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Annapurna Circuit xx

This is our most popular trek to the highest trekking point of Thorung La at 5,416m.

We’ll start our trek from Ngadi and end at Pokhara. The weather will be moderate. We’ll see Manaslu range, Lamjung range, Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri range. We’ll come across many villages, schools, rivers, hills. We’ll get to see various types of culture from the ethnic group of Gurung, Magar, Chetri and Brahmin.

There’s a possibility to see different species of birds and animals while we walk through the National Park. We’ll also see people engaged in agriculture. While we trek, we can see lots of beautiful mountains, scenery and lots of green valleys.

Day 1 Kathmandu

Arrival in Kathmandu and check-in at the hotel.

Day 2 Kathmandu

Breakfast briefing and preparation for the trek. Enjoy a few hours touring Kathmandu. Welcome Nepali dinner.

Day 3 Ngadi 930m

The drive to Ngadi is long, 6-7 hours depending on road works and traffic. We will have regular stops for refreshments and lunch.

Day 4 Jagat 1,300m

A tableau of mountains and wild landscapes surround the village. The main ethnic groups in the area are the Gurung and Tamang people. Here you get the first sound of the Marshyangdi River which we will follow for some days.

Day 5 Dharapani 1,860m

Wonderous stone houses and intricate wood carvings greet you as you enter the village. The village is surrounded by lush green hills, terraced fields, and dense forests, creating a serene and picturesque environment. The views from Dharapani are breathtaking, with the towering peaks of the Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges dominating the horizon.

Day 6 Chame 2,680m

This is the headquarters of the Manang District with a population of around 1,100 people in 300 houses. It was badly damaged by the 2015 earthquake but has made a good recovery.

Day 7 Pisang 3,300m

There’s a good view of Annapurna II from Pisang. This village is a showcase for9 Nepal: scenery, mountains, culture, and generosity of spirit.

Day 8 Ngawal 3,660m

Ngawal is predominantly inhabited by the Manangi people, who have their unique cultural traditions and customs. The Manangi people are of Tibetan descent and have preserved their traditional way of life with warm hospitality and local culture. The views are extraordinary – Annapurna II, Annapurna III and Gangapurna. A visit to the Buddhist monastery is recommended. It will help you relax now that you’ll be feeling the height.

Day 9 Manang 4,100m

The weather will be colder now and we’ll spend two nights here to acclimatise. It’s a lovely village with a close glimpse into the local way of life – children run about, parents are in the fields, shops have quaint objects for sale, coffee and tea houses are a delight.

At this stage taking a half-tablet of Diomox this evening and over the next two days will alleviate altitude sickness.

Day 10 Manang – second day to acclimatize

If you are up for it, we’ll take a gentle stroll to a monastery nearby. Going to height and back down again helps with sleep and relaxes your body. We’ll visit the medical centre to learn about the effects of altitude.

Day 11 Ledar 4,200m

The tree line is behind us now as the stark height of rocky formations give the landscape a challenging feeling as we ascend and descend through valleys and over streams.

Day 12 High Camp 4,525m

Nearly there! You will have passed the green line, after which nothing grows. It will be cold, maybe snow, maybe clear blue skies. Whatever, this is why you came on his trek. You’ll have had the best views of Mount Gundang, Mount Syagang, Thorong Peak and Mount Khatungkan.

Day 13 Thorung La 5,416m and descent to Muktintath 3,760m

Are you ready? At 3am you’ll be woken up if you’re not already awake with excitement. Weather is unpredictable though your guide will have a forecast. It’s an early start to get to the summit at day-break but also because the wind changes in the afternoon beyond Thorung La and it’s better for the descent. No words can describe the excitement of reaching Thorung La, of seeing sunrise on Annapurna and Gangapurna, the prayer flags a sign of success and happiness. Enjoy tea at the windowless outpost there.

The descent can be tricky. If it has snowed, you will need crampons. It’s a good hike down to Muktintath, past the beautiful monastery there.

Day 14 Tatopani 1,190m

This is a long bus ride, 7-8 hours, on rough mountain roads. It is exciting with drops to the valley below and awesome scenery. We’ll stop for a break and refreshments, and then the wonderful village of Tatopani and, if you fancy, a dip in the hot spa.

Day 15 Shika 1,935m

A short walk on the mountain road leads to a bridge and suddenly the vista changes to green and beauty. Today’s trek is stunning with forest paths, along by farms and welcoming people. Shika itself is small and exciting with wonderful views back along the valleys. You’ll also have walked through Gurkha villages of Dana and Chitre on the way here.

Day 16 Ghorepani 2,860m

Ghorepani used to be a water stop for traders’ horses, thus pani is water and ghore means horse. The trade road by-passes Ghorepani now. It is recommended that you rise early and walk to Poon Hill, about an hour’s hike, for the sunrise. You should be able to identify a wide range of mountains from the viewing platform. It’s stunning.

Day 17 Hile 1,430m

We are back to forests and undulating treks as we descend to the lower villages and check out of the National Park.

Day 18 Pokhara

We walk for about 3 hours today. We’ll have a final lunch with the porters. Afterwards we’ll drive to Pokhara and drop the porters in town. Expect a fun, relaxing evening in an excellent hotel with a Nepali dance and music show later. You’ll have earned it.

Day 19 Pokhara sight-seeing

Pokhara is the capital of Gandaki Province, once an important staging post on the route between China and India. It is considered the tourism capital of Nepal. For all that, it is delightful with its beautiful Phewa Lake and quiet back streets. A walk around Phewa Lake is recommended if you haven’t done enough trekking by now!

Day 20 Kathmandu

We’ll fly from Pokhara’s modern airport to Kathmandu and enjoy a final view of the Annapurna circuit of mountains. We’ll relax in a high-quality hotel and enjoy our final Nepali dinner.

Day 21 Kathmandu

You may have time for final sightseeing and, if so, The Garden of Dreams is within walking distance of the hotel and the perfect quiet place to reflect. Today we transfer to Kathmandu airport and fly home.

Annapurna Circuit xx

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