| Trip code | |
| Package name | Short Annapurna Circuit Trek |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Max. elevation | 5416 m |
| Level | ADVANCE |
| Transportation |
by local jeep or bus |
| Accomodation |
local Tea house During the trek |
| Starts at | Chame |
| Ends at | Jomsom |
| Trip route | Kathmandu, Manang, Tilicho Lake, Throng-la pass. |
| Cost | USD 0 per person |
Annapurna circuit trek is presumably one of the very famous and admired or spoken about treks in the world, offers breath holding mountain views, opens a windows of opportunity to experience the typical Nepali village, local people and their way of living traditional life in Himalayan of Nepal. The Annapurna circuit trek route goes passing through eye-catching and pleasant terrain, charming villages of Magar and Gurung, dense green rhododendrons, alpine and bamboos forests to the trip last and final destination Thorung La pass (5416 m).
The Annapurna circuit trek covers an area of 230 km. It takes us to the highest point at Thorung La pass touching the Tibetan Plateau for the amazing views of Annapurna (8091 m), Dhaulagiri (8167 m), and Manaslu (8153 m) Himalayas. This is just a 4-5 days hike into the highest Annapurna region, starting from chame and ending in jomsom.
Best time to visit
All seasons are equally suitable for Annapurna circuit trekking, but the spring season of March to May when days are longer with much sunlight hours from early 6am to till ate 6pm which helps to cover much more distance each day to designated overnight stops. Annapurna circuit trekking offers you to explore incredible wild flowers in season especially rhododendron plants (known as Azalea), the view of colorful hills, fresh and pleasant environment.
People and Culture
Nepal is a multi cultural country where people with different culture and traditions lived mutually. So in this region mostly magar and gurung people live, famous for Gurkha regiment. Additionally you can also observe chhetris in the lower elevations and mongoloid Himalayan people in Himalayan. If you want to experience more cultural diversity heritages in Himalayan then Nepal Holiday Treks and Tours Pvt. Ltd. recommends you to Lantang, Manaslu, and Everest region. But no doubt that Annapurna circuit trek is the best scenery as numerous people trek there every year.
Permits required for Annapurna circuit trek
Simply, every Himalayas in Nepal is a protected area, with the popular name of the Himalayas and Annapurna circuit trek also comes under Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). All the trekkers trekking to Annapurna need two different permits.
1. Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permits.
2. Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) permits.
Altitude Sickness
Normally altitude sickness occurs when you travel to a high altitude too quickly. Headache, nausea, tiredness etc are the symptoms occur when your body tries to adjust to the lower air pressure and lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from getting altitude sickness.
Stop and rest where you are
Do not go any higher for at least 24 to 48 hours
Make sure you are drinking enough water
Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or exercise
Eating foods and drinking fluids that contain carbs such as bread, pasta, fruits, milk, rice, and so on.
Travel Insurance
Any trek in Nepal, including the Annapurna circuit trekking, demands travel insurance. When buying travel insurance, ensure that it covers high- altitude trekking and other unexpected emergency. Additionally, you may also obtain the coverage of other activities like hiking, mountaineering, and adventure sports. It can offer you with peace of mind and financial protection in the event of an unforeseen accident.
Guide and Porter
All the trekkers are required to obtain services of licensed trekking guide and to obtain TIMS card through authorized trekking agencies registered with the Government of Nepal. Importantly, Nepal Holiday Treks and Tours Pvt. Ltd. is a reliable and reputable company that can provide you with a safe and technically competent guide and porter. They always carry essential safety equipment, gear, and first aid kids.
Foods and Accommodations
Nepali Dal Bhat is a chief dish with organic and healthy fresh green vegetable curry. Tea shops and lodges provide meals, which are often a mix of Nepalese and western cursine. There are also vegetarian choices. You will enjoy the Variety of delicious foods during the trek.
The accommodation is modest, generally with twin beds in a shared room. There may be common rooms at some tea houses where you may rest and socialize with other trekkers.
The first day of the trek begins with 10-11 hours drive of jeep from Kathmandu to Chame. Then, you will save 2-3 days for the trek. The drive passes through scenic view of the landscapes, forests and local small villages. The next day we ascend to Pisang.
On this day we are crossing the Marshyangdi River and continue our trek through beautiful pine and spruce forest and finally, the trek will end at Pisang a village at 3185 meters of height. We will stay overnight at a tea house in Pisang after a 4 to 5 hours of walk. We will be observing the views of Mt. Annapurna all the way on our trekking.
Actually, there are two routes from Pisang to Manang (3480m) but you can choose anyone of them because both are similar in providing you the best views. We will be moving from the lower route as other route is called upper route; which will take us to Hume and Braga village where there is a 600 years old monastery, as well as Tibetan styled houses, can be seen here. We will be reaching the Beautiful village of Manang after our 4 to 5 hours walk from Pisang where we will have our overnight stay at a tea house.
We will be spending one more day strolling around the village of Manang and interacting with the local peoples. Staying one more day will help us adjust our body to the altitude. The excellent views seen from here of Annapurna Mountains as well as Gangapurna Lake will certainly make you excited. We will stay overnight at a tea house in Manang.
A wonderful trek to the Tilicho base camp passes through the grassland exploring yaks grazing. Enjoy the trek walking slowly maintaining the pace and sightseeing the valley from the top. Finally, reach the Tilicho base camp passing the edge above the Kangsar Khola.
The next day, in the early morning we will hike to the Tilicho Lake. Here we will enjoy the glimpse of the lake and trek back to the hotel, take breakfast and trek down to Yak Kharka. It takes at least 7-8 hours walk.
After breakfast in the teahouse, the trek starts with few slowly up and downs until crosses the stream on a wooden bridge at 4310 m. After making a short ascent on a good trail to a teashop, the route then follows a narrow path across a high, unstable slope before heading to Thorong Phedi (foot of the hill). If you feel fine today you can make all the way to Thorang High Camp, if you do it today it will be easier for tomorrow. Stay overnight at the tea house.
Crossing the arduous Thorong La Pass at a dizzying height of 5,416m/17,764ft is another highlight of this trek. An early start is important to go through the icy high-altitude trail. But the picturesque mountain vistas are more than compensates the strenuous walk through the grueling trail. We reach Muktinath by sunset which is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhist. We can stroll around the area which hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby.
It is an easy walk to the routes of Jomsom, although it becomes tedious if there is a strong wind. The trail descends very fast to the Eklai Bhatti than along the Kali Gandaki to the Jomsom. Jomsom is the administrative headquarters of Mustang district. After afternoon you will have the chance to visit Mustang Eco Museum. Stay overnight at the tea house.
Today an early morning breakfast guide will take you to the Pokhara by bus. This is also second biggest city after Kathmandu for tourism. After refreshment, you will have guided sightseeing tours in the valley. Stay overnight at the hotel.