On this incredible trekking adventure, spend 13 challenging days traversing rhododendron forests, isolated hamlets, and mountain villages. For six to seven hours a day, follow the trails of this challenging circuit on and around one of the world’s highest mountains while encountering temples, monasteries, and breathtaking landscapes. Led by expert guides and assisted by support staff throughout, you’ll be greeted by locals who offer a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life and majestic views few ever experience.
Travel Style
Active
Service Level
Basic
Physical Grading
5 - Challenging
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Narchyang Community Homestay, Narchyang. English-speaking local guide and full support team of porters and assistants for the Annapurna Circuit trek. Walk along the Marshyangdi River. Visit Bung chahara Water fall. Experience the unique architecture of Bagarchhap region. Explore Manang village and hike to the stupa. Relax in hot springs of Narchyang. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Enjoy stunning Himalayan views as you drive through the Kaligandaki Gorge - one of the deepest in the world, Cross the iconic Thorong La Pass for panoramic Annapurna views, Experience authentic local life with a 2-night stay at the Narchang Community Homestay, Trek via Shikha to Ghorepani with an early-morning sunrise at Poon Hill
How large will the group be?
Max 15, Avg 10
What meals are included in this trip?
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Bus, walking, 4WD Jeep.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels/guesthouses (3 nts), homestay (2 nt), tea house lodges (12 nts).
Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Attend the group welcome meeting today and enjoy a brief orientation walk around Thamel.
Kathmandu/Besisahar
Travel through scenic landscapes, picturesque countryside, and small towns along the way to Besi Sahar. The group will stop for lunch along the way. After lunch, the group will continue on to Besi Sahar. Join you CEO for an orientation walk in the town before a free evening.
Besisahar/Chame
Drive along winding, narrow roads to Chame. After some time for lunch, take a short walk to the Chame Monastery and after walking back, enjoy a free afternoon to rest up or explore before the trekking begins tomorrow.
Chame/Pisang
Begin 13 days of challenging trekking in one of the highest mountain ranges on Earth. Experience stunning Alpine pastures, forests of rhododendron, temples, rural villages and local people, waterfalls, glaciers, and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery known to man. Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m,10,827ft). Leave the village of Chame behind, walk out past the prayer wheels and cross wide rivers and pine forests on the way to Pisang. As you hike, enjoy stunning scenery, narrow canyons, and valleys with Annapurna Range as the backdrop. Have lunch in the small, beautiful village of Dhukur Pokhari. Arrive in Pisang. For almost 2 weeks, we immerse ourselves into the spectacular mountain wilderness of the Annapurna Range. At 8,091m (26,545ft) Annapurna 1 is one of the highest mountains in the world. Its surrounding sister mountains are equally imposing, creating magnificent panoramas from any view point. Throughout the trek we come across isolated mountain communities, each observing different ancestral customs and traditions, resulting in not only a visually superb expedition but also a culturally rich one. Amid the rugged mountain scenery, we meet warm and welcoming locals herding yaks and goats on grassy pastures, and visit their monasteries and temples. Along the way, we see waterfalls of melted snow, cross icy rivers, broad plains, and high mountain passes and reward ourselves with a soak in natural hot springs (you've earned this!). The trekking is challenging, averaging 6-7 hrs a day, often at high altitudes. The highest point we reach, occurring on Day 9, is the 5,416m (17,769ft) Thorung Pass.
Given the dangers of altitude sickness, it is imperative that we take at least 3 days to ascend to this height. A couple of days are also allowed for rest and acclimatisation.
Pisang/Ngawal
Trek from Pisang to Ngawal (3,680m, 12,073ft). Today, enjoy stunning views of Annapurna Range, pass through the village of Ghyaru, with its magnificent viewpoints. Then, continue towards Ngawal village.
Ngawal/Manang
Trek from Ngawal to Manang (3,540m, 11,614ft). Today, enjoy stunning views of Annapurna Range, pass through the village of Bhraka, with its ancient monastery from the 8th Century. Then, continue towards Manang village, passing through fields of barley and buckwheat and by Gangapurna Lake sitting at 3550m.
Manang
Enjoy an acclimatization day in Manang. Set off on a short excursion hike to Choser View Point at 3700m. Have lunch in Manang and explore the village before hiking to a Stupa located in the hills outside of Manang.
Manang/Yak Kharka
Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (4,018m, 13,182ft). Today, is a relatively short walking day with only 9kms in distance covered. Trek slowly and climb higher as the trail passes through a sparse forest of juniper and scrub. After lunch in Yak Kharka, complete an acclimatization hike in the surrounding area.
Yak Kharka/Thorong Phedi
Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,450m, 14,600ft). Enjoy a short, but challenging hike today from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi. Begin with a gradual ascent through the alpine landscape and pass through pastures of grazing yak, small chortens, and streams en route.
Thorong Phedi/Muktināth
Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,800m, 12,467ft). Today the group will reach the highest point of the trek. This is the toughest uphill walking day. Keep a slow steady pace and enjoy the views while hiking. After reaching the top of Thorong La Pass (5416m) the group will follow the trail as it descends steeply for several kilometers to Muktinath – an important pilgrimage site for both Hindu’s and Buddhists.
Muktināth/Narchyang
Trek for 500m, then take local transport from Muktinath to Narchyang, losing 2400m in elevation. Stop in Marpha Village to stretch your legs and an optional lunch before continuing to Narchyang, once used to be the gate for North Annapurna Base Camp Trekking route. But with the Annapurna Base Camp being shifted to south, the village has remained isolated and devoid of tourism for a long time. In order to boost the amount of visitors to the region, the community has recently been active through Narchyang Community Homestay and started welcoming trekkers to their homes. The community is mostly of Magar Culture and are known for their innocence, simplistic ways of life, and bravery. Upon arrival, trek to the Narchyang Waterfall and enjoy the rest of the day free.
Narchyang
Spend the day in Narchyang. Trek to Upper Narchyang (2,140m or 7,020 ft) and get a taste of their way of life on a village tour. After trekking back down, it's time for some rest and relaxation at the local hot spring.
Narchyang/Sikha
Today the group will ascend once again on the trek. Walk through the forests and terraced fields, and climb uphill admiring the stunning views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli along the route. Reach a mesmerizing view of ascending levels of teahouses and lodges with the mountains surrounding. Today's hike will be 4-5 hours.
Sikha/Ghorepani
Today trek from Sikha to Ghorepani (2,860m, 9,137ft). The route is seeped in history and the views of Machhupuchare and the Himalayas from Ghorepani are absolutely unmatched on a clear day. View local villages, teahouses, and settlements along the uphill route.
Ghorepani/Ramghai
Enjoy an early morning excursion to Poon Hill for sunrise. Then venture through Ghorepani to Ramghai, enjoying spectacular views of the Annapurna range along the way. Cross through forests, streams, and bridges to reach the final destination, Ramghai.
Ramghai/Pokhara
Take a short hike from Ramghai to Birethanti where our bus will be waiting to take us to Pokhara. Rest and take a well-deserved shower in this lakeside resort town.
Pokhara/Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu. We travel back to Kathmandu where the rest of the day is free for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxing in one of the many rooftop cafés.
Kathmandu
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
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