Annapurna Circle Trekking

Upon arrival in the Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed and greeted by our representative and then transfer to the hotel. After check in, you can either take rest; hang around in the city as it all depends upon your interests. In the evening, we will organize a Welcome Dinner at an excellent traditional Nepalese restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal.
Hotel Encounter Nepal

Dinner 

After breakfast, break the day with guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions of Kathmandu. The first visit is made in Swayambhunath Stupa- oldest stupa situated on the hillock. Enjoy the bird eyes view of Kahtmandu Valley and mountains. After then visit Kahtmandu Durbar Square – Palace of Malla and then Shah King of Nepal. Visit Kumari Ghar (living goddes), Kasthamandap (made up of single tree), Hanuman Dhoka (Gate to enter the palace) and many more temples. Finally visit in Patan Durbar Square- city of fine art and architecture. Visit Krishna Temple, Palace square, Mahabauddha, Mahabihar and many more temples and master piece monuments. Late afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Black Diamond briefs us regarding the trip as well as provides us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu; Hotel Encounter Nepal.

Breakfast

We have to begin very early today as we need to go a long drive to arrive at our trek starting point. After breakfast, we leave Kathmandu at around 7 am and nearly after 8-10 hours drive we reach Syange or Jagat (as per the situation) via Besishahar. En route, we see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. However, condition of the road is not equally fine in all portion of our drive today. The road up to Besishahar is coal-tarred road, whereas after Besishahar the road is dusty and coarse though we can easily overlook it as we watch the outstanding sceneries through the windowpane. Overnight stay at Syange/Jagat Teathouse/Lodge.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start relaxed after breakfast today. We enter Manang district after crossing a large bridge near Tal. The trail continues through barley, rice, potato fields and pine forests past the village of Kodo taking us to Dharapani, which is one of the big villages in the Manang valley. Overnight in Dharapani.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we negotiate a few steep forested ridges along with several landslides on route on the west. We should not forget to look up though, as we will be treated to some of the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft). Small hot springs add relief on our long day hard trek. Overnight in Chame.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A steep and narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. As the trail opens up we get surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks. We find ourselves in U-shaped valley of Manang hanging between two giant snow peaks and after walking through these wonderful sites we reach Pisang. Overnight in Lower Pisang.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There are two routes that we can follow today. If taken upper route (we recommend), i.e., the route through Upper Pisang via Geru, the sceneries are outstanding. We feel like we are horizontally in front of the majestic peaks. The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others will definitely allure us. We notice a contrast with the landscape and vegetation from today afterward. The cold, dry climate creates a much harsher environment. A visit to Barge monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang will be memorable. Overnight in Manang.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the scheduled acclimatization day. It is not recommended to stay idle but a short walk to higher altitude is suggested to get acclimatized the altitude. Manang is a good place to do rest. The next two days will be very challenging and tiring trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. We should never be misconceived the risk of altitude and always be cautious. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatization point of view. An easy excursion to a little distance away to a village called Vraga, a small old village with a monastery is also possible. Also worth visiting is the Himalayan Rescue Association where we can get some ideas about Mountain Sickness. Overnight in Manang.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Manang village, the trail crosses a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki above Manang, and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail follows this valley northward, passing a few pastures, a scrub of juniper trees, as it steadily gains elevation. The trail passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. Now the trail goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village of Yak Kharka. Little but Gradual ascent is the key to avoiding altitude problems. Overnight in Yak Karka.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We make our way to the foot of the pass, Throng Phedi today. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. People use this point as a base camp. Some people also attempt a hike to the High Camp today so that the next day can be easier for them but we do not recommend attempting High Camp and overnight there because sleeping in higher altitude is not really advisable. Although we will have a tough day tomorrow, we stop at Thorong Phedi so that we can sleep sound rather than a risky sleep in higher altitude at High Camp. Overnight at Thorong Phedi.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We reach the climax of our Annapurna circle trek today. It will be a lifetime unforgettable experience- crossing the famous high pass, Thorong La. An early start is important to complete the mission. Each moment we have to work hard today through the icy high-altitude trail but the outstanding high Himalayan scenes are such tempting that our eyes love to watch more over the horizon than on our trail. We reach Muktinath with the setting sun. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage place for both Hindus and Buddhist. The area hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby. Muktinath itself demonstrates the religions harmony in Nepal. Overnight in Muktinath.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, as there are vehicles available (bus/jeep), we take advantage of it to drive along a plateau above the Kali Gandaki – world`s deepest gorge. We have to adjust ourselves in a public vehicle on sharing basis for the day today. The drive would not be pleasant as the road is newly constructed, still to be coal-tarred, so is rough and dusty. The barren landscape of this area resembles Tibetan Plateau. At some point, we have to change our vehicles too, so today is going to be an uninteresting day. Arriving Tatopani, we relax our weary muscles with a dip in one of the hot spring pools. Overnight at Tatopani.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

While we walk we observe the lifestyle of the people in the midland villages of Nepal. Ghara and Sikha are the villages with terraced and inclined farmlands. We gradually walk steep up to ascent Ghorepani. Passing through the Phalate and Chitre, we walking through a non-habitat area through rhododendron, brich, magnolia and some meadows. As we reach the height the peaks ahead look wonderful. We stay at Ghorepani as we have to climb to reach Poon Hill early tomorrow morning. Overnight in Ghorepani.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early at dawn we ascend to Poon Hill (3,210m. /10,531ft) to catch the moment of spectacular sunrise over the whole Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs and surrounding rice terraces. Nick name of Poon Hill is itself a photographer`s paradise. After breakfast, we continue ups and downs trail trek to Tadapani for overnight through the rhododendron forests. We like to keep inspecting at the horizon as sceneries are equally dazzling throughout the day today.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Through the Rhododendron forest we trek down today to Ghandruk, second-largest Gurung settlement in Nepal. Gurung is one of the popular and culturally rich ethnic groups in Nepal. After lunch, we continue to Nayapul where we finally conclude our trek followed by a short drive from Nayapul to Pokhara. Pokhara, a peaceful city of lakes with the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayas is worth spending a night for rest and relaxation after a long trek. Overnight in Pokhara.

Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we start our drive back to Kathmandu. Better to hold on the left pane of the vehicle to enjoy the sceneries through the route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we get transferred to our hotel; and we spend the afternoon leisurely, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping and in the evening celebrate dinner together with Black Diamond staffs. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Breakfast, Dinner

You are saying good bye to the mountains as your journey in Nepal comes to an end today! We take you to the airport for your flight time. We hope you enjoyed the trek, and are sure you’ll be back trekking somewhere in the Himalaya again. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Black Diamond  will take you to the airport. On your way home you’ll have plenty of time to plan for your next adventerous trip in the wonderful country of world i.e Nepal.

Breakfast