On arrival at Kathmandu Airport received by our guide and staff with transportation to your respective hotels in the hub of Kathmandu at Thamel, an exciting place in Kathmandu, after checking in your rooms join with the group for Annapurna Circuit Trekking briefing provided by our guides or leaders.
Evening includes group welcome dinner in a pleasant authentic Nepalese Restaurant with culture programs with your dinner.
Morning taking a tourist coach or smaller vehicle as per group size for overland drive that leads you away and beyond Kathmandu valley heading low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains. As drive continues on busy main highway past farm villages and town then heading Nepal Mid-West to reach at Lamjung area in Besisar town.
From here drive continues on rough jeep road heading higher up past farm villages and well. Crops terraced as our drive ends at Jagat village for overnight stop, in this nice village.
From here onward air gets cooler as walk gets closer into mountains through beautiful forest of rhododendron and pine trees, following Masrsyangdi River upstream to Bhratang village.
As walk leads uphill into pine trees to Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few lodge and views of Chulu and Pisang peak, after a lunch stop walk downhill to Pisang village for overnight stop.
Pisang village located within Manang valley with stunning mountains views as altitude gains for here onwards.
Walking into forest with short uphill with views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu and Pisang peak, then reaching Hongde village with a small air strip, from here tree lines fades to barren, arid landscapes.
On route Manang village visit old Braga monastery with Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting, frescos and super panorama of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk to Manang village.
The houses here are of traditional Tibetan style with culture and traditions.
Ngawal (3680m) to Humde (3330m): 2 km hike which takes 1 and a half hoursHumde (3330m) to Braka (3450m): 6 km hike which takes 3 hoursBraka (3450m) to Manang (3540m): 2 km hike which takes half an hours
From Ngawal it is a steep descent back onto the valley floor. This is where the high trail meets back up with the lower trail and the Annapurna Circuit hikers merge back again in Humde. It is a short hike, though best to take it easy as it can be tough on the knees.
From Hongde to Braga, it is a relatively easy walk over 3 hours. We keep to the road and dodge the occasional jeeps and motorbikes which whizz past every so often. The same is which Braka to Manang. It is a simple hike following the road alongside the river.
Manang is a popular town where you should have a rest day with the other trekkers. There are plenty of teahouses, ranging in quality, bakeries, movie cinemas, and shops.
You should spend your one day once you reach Manag in the Annapurna Circuit Itinerary as a rest day. You should spend a couple of nights here to adjust to the altitude, ultimately assisting your body to adjust to the higher altitudes to come.
If you have plenty of energy you can do the side trek to the Ice Lake which is a steep full-day trek.An important rest day for acclimatization before reaching high altitude and up to Thorang –la, here with short hike exploring Manang village beneath towering Annapurna and Gangapurna peaks, a nice short hike up for views of Gangapurna Glacier and the Manang glacial Lake
After a good rest at Manang, walk towards Yak Kharka, an interesting high altitude walk with views of mountains, crossing small streams to reach at Yak Kharka, a small settlement with incredible views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Chulu Peaks.
Manang (3540m) to Gunsang (3900m): 3 km hike which takes 2 hours
Gunsang (3900m) to Yak Kharka (4050m): 7 km hike which takes 3 hours
It may only be a short 3-kilometer hike to Gunsang, but with an elevation increase of over 300 meters, it is not easy. The road ends and now we are on a small path. Prepare for traffic jams of horses and yaks.
Turning a corner the village of Gunsang can be seen in the distance. A large valley provides amazing panoramic views across on our left to the nearby mountain ranges.
Heading out of Gunsang the hike to Yak Kharka is a lot easier than the first portion of today. It may be longer, but it has a steady, barely noticeable incline of 150 meters over 7 kilometers.
There are plenty of swing bridges to cross over and the terrain has now turned completely barren. Just small shrubs cover the ground at this altitude.
Yak Kharka (4050m) to Churi Ledar (4200m): 1 km hike which takes half an hour .Churi Ledar (4200m) to Thorong Phedi (4450m): 5 km hike which takes 3 and a half hours.From Yak kharka,the trail starts with gradual uphill and horizontal path until getting to Thorong phedi.
This portion of the trail is an extremely easy gradual uphill. The 150-meter climb over half an hour into Churi Ledar is barely noticeable. Heading Out of Churi Ledar, there is a large suspension bridge taking us over the river to the other side of the valley then up a steep ascent. The climb is treacherous and the small rocks prevent getting a decent grip.For each step forwards,it feels you like taking two steps back as you begin to slide back down the mountain. The difficult trails carved into the side of a mountain are not the easiest to navigate, though it is just a quick 15-minute walk to the next portion of the path.
Thorong Phedi (4450m) to High Camp (4850m): 1 km hike which takes 2 hours High Camp (4850m) to Thorong La Pass (5416m): 5 km hike which takes 4 hoursThorong La Pass (5416m) to Charabu (4230m): 6 km hike which takes 6 hoursCharabu (4230m) to Muktinath (3800m): 4 km hike which takes 3 hours
Walking up out of Thorong Phedi to High Camp is obvious to see how steep of a climb this is just going to be. Ascending about 400 meters in a kilometer is not going to make for an easy climb at all. The ascent is steep as we zig-zag back and forth on the extremely thin path covered in rocks.
The trail ascends gently behind our lodges until they are completely out of view, blocked by the endless rocky mountains.
We zigzag endlessly follow the trail while dealing with the overwhelming feeling of momentary excitement due to the numerous false passes. This goes on for what feels like hours while mountain sickness slowly starts to come over.
At 5416 meters the oxygen levels here are less than half of what they are at sea level
Highest point of the adventure certainly requires high spirit and strong mind to reach this high point.
The top offers superb vista landscapes and snowcapped peaks, from here a long descend to Muktinath at 3,800 m.Muktinath a holy place for both Hindu and Buddhist the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation.’We zigzag endlessly follow the trail while dealing with the overwhelming feeling of momentary excitement due to the numerous false passes. This goes on for what feels like hours while mountain sickness slowly starts to come over.
At 5416 meters the oxygen levels here are less than half of what they are at sea level.
After ending our challenging Annapurna circuit(Thorang-la pass) here at Muktinaath,upon hearty breakfast,since there is motorable road ,we will have a bus ride all way down to Pokhara via Jomsom and Beni kusma.
From Pokhara, we can either take a flight or bus ride to kathmandu.
If you are interested in having full or half day sightseeing around world heritage site like Kathmandu Durbar square,Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanaath,we can provide you a guided tour with a certified tour guide in private vehicle.Other wise, you can stroll around Thamel bazar and do souvinier shopping for your friends and families.
Today,we will transfer you to international airport as per your ticket for your homebound departure.
