Annapurna Circuit Trekking

Overview

The Annapurna Circuit Trek, also known as the Annapurna Round Trek, is an exhilarating high-altitude adventure that beckons trekkers to conquer the world's highest mountain pass, Thorong La, at 5,416 meters. This trail offers rugged mountain paths with breathtaking Himalayan panoramas, making it a must-visit for trekking enthusiasts.

In the Annapurna circuit, you can experience the warm hospitality of the Gurung community and explore picturesque mountain villages with unique cultures. The trek follows the remarkable Marshyangdi River basin valley, offering stunning views of the Annapurna range. Each has its unique culture, adding different experiences.

Ascending to Manang, you'll witness the transformation from lush forests to barren alpine terrain. The thrilling ascent to Thorong La Pass is the highlight, rewarding unmatched panoramic views.

Enjoy delicious local hygiene meals on the trek, rest in comfortable accommodations in Kathmandu, and cozy tea houses on the trail. The memories of Gurung hospitality and the Himalayan landscapes will captivate your heart.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a ten-top trekking destination recognized by Lonely Planet. It unfolds in the Annapurna region, featuring mesmerizing views and rich biodiversity within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. The region has lush valleys, terraced fields, ancient villages, and hidden gems like caves and temples.

The journey showcases the grandeur of the Himalayas, deep blue lakes, an alluring cascade, and the renowned Thorong La Pass. The trek typically starts from Besisahar and covers iconic destinations like Chame, Pisang, and Manang, culminating at Thorong La Pass.

You'll pass through the largest Rhododendron forest on the way back via Ghorepani, home to diverse flora and fauna, and witness breathtaking mountain peaks, including Mt. Annapurna, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak and more. The route also leads to the sacred site of Muktinath, the God of salvation, making the Annapurna Circuit a versatile trail for various interests.

Advantage book with Asiana Treks and tours:

We provide the best experienced local guide for you on your Trek. Our booking process is hassle-free. We guarantee your happiness and offer the best price for your Trek. Group discounts are available based on the number of participants, so you can save more when trekking with friends or family.

Currency Exchange:

The Nepalese rupee is Nepali currency, and 1 USD is approximately 130 NPR. Only NPR is accepted in Nepal, so it's best to bring cash to facilitate transactions. Banks and ATMs in Kathmandu provide currency exchange services, but note that most banks prefer new, crisp notes.

Luggage and extra storage:

We cover the cost of porters for your luggage, but the maximum weight limit is 12 kg per person. Each porter carries luggage for two trekkers; please share a duffle bag with another. Our porters will carry only up to 25 kg each. If you need a porter for yourself, we can arrange that. We also recommend carrying a small backpack for your valuables and important documents. You can leave extra luggage at our office for free and at a hotel in Pokhara, Namche, etc.

Weather Conditions:

Each season offers unique experiences during the ABC Trek. Spring brings mild weather and blooming rhododendrons, while summer provides lush vegetation despite the monsoon. Autumn features clear skies and vibrant festivals, and winter offers snowy peaks with fewer crowds.

Trek Difficulty:

The Annapurna base camp Trek is moderately complex, requiring 5-7 hours of daily hiking. While no technical skills are necessary, being reasonably fit for trekking at higher altitudes is essential. Trekkers with pre-existing medical conditions should inform us before booking their trip.

Group & Private Treks:

We organize many group and private treks simultaneously, with discounts available for larger groups. Every group will have a trekking guide and porters; an assistant guide may be provided for larger groups. Our team ensures a safe and enjoyable trekking experience for all participants.

Responsible Travel:

We prioritize responsible travel to minimize environmental impact and support local communities. We collaborate with organizations like the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to promote eco-friendly practices in trekking regions.

Notes

Please be aware that the itinerary may change due to weather or other factors, and we'll adjust it accordingly for the group's safety and enjoyment. We look forward to guiding you through the stunning landscapes of the Annapurna region and ensuring a memorable trekking experience.

About solo traveler:

If you're a solo traveler, please contact us to confirm departure dates before booking. You can tell us via call, WhatsApp, or email. We have listed upcoming departure dates for your convenience. Feel free to share the trip details with friends and family.

Accommodation :

You'll stay in different places along the way during the Annapurna Trek. You'll spend eight nights in lodges in the trekking regions and two nights in a hotel in Pokhara. At some stops, you will have rooms with bathrooms, but most places you'll stay in are standard rooms shared with other People.

If you're traveling alone, we'll arrange for you to have a private room with a bathroom in Kathmandu and Pokhara; most places do not have private bathrooms. In Kathmandu or Pokhara, your hotel room will have a bathroom, TV, hot water 24/7, electricity, and laundry service.

Meals during the trip:

Eating well is essential since the ABC Trek takes you through the high Himalayas. You'll have plenty of nutritious meals in the trekking regions, although the options won't be as varied as in the cities. You'll get ten breakfasts, nine lunches, and nine dinners during the Trek. The menu includes local, Asian, and Western dishes, but it gets more straightforward as you climb higher. Try popular Nepali foods like lentils, rice, curry, dumplings, noodles, Spagaties, and many more.

We highly recommend eating fresh vegetables and drinking liquids like green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup, especially at high altitudes. While non-vegetarian options are available during the Trek, we suggest avoiding them for hygiene reasons. It's also best to steer clear of dairy, cheese, alcohol, caffeine, and hot chocolate. Personal expenses like alcoholic drinks and extra beverages at lodges or cafes aren't included in the package.

Extra Personal Expenses:

While most expenses during the Trek are covered, you'll need to spend money on accommodations and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara, souvenirs, and additional beverages. We estimate about USD 10-20 per trekking day for miscellaneous expenses.

Electricity voltage and plugs:

However, 95 % of Nepali people have access to electricity as of May 29, 2023. almost popular trekking routes, teahouses, and lodges have electricity. However, some isolated and solo trekking tea houses in the jungle don't have electricity;

Most of these tea houses let travelers charge their devices for a small fee. The average electrical voltage in Nepal is 230 volts, with plug types like Type C, Type D, and Type M. Travellers should bring a suitable adapter and, if needed, a voltage converter for their electronic devices."

Drinking water:

Nepal is the second country in the world regarding water sources after Brazil. According to the Nepal government, only 27% of people here have clean drinking water. You can buy mineral water in teahouses, but it is expensive; people prefer plastic bottles in some trekking areas. So, there are some safe drinking water stations where you can refill your bottle. However, we recommend carrying Steripen, iodine drops, water purification tablets for safe drinking, and refillable water bottles for boiled or filtered water. We strongly advise not to drink from taps, wells, and rivers in trekking areas. However, in all the city areas, Mineral water is available at a reasonable cost everywhere.

Communication:

The guest houses in the trekking regions have internet access. You could buy a SIM card at Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, the signal may need to be more assertive at high altitudes. Our office keeps in touch with all trekking teams via the trek guide at least once daily to ensure everything goes as planned.

Our Team:

Our team includes qualified guides, Sherpas, porters, and assistant guides for larger groups. They're local Himalayan people with high endurance and experience at high altitudes. We ensure their well-being by covering their expenses and providing necessary training.

Trip Extension:

Suppose you have extra days in Nepal after the Trek. In that case, we can arrange a tour, overnight stay at Nagarkot Balthali or any other place around Kathmandu and Chitwan, jungle safari, paragliding, rafting, canyoning, or other treks. Do not hesitate to Inform us. We will create the best for you.

Tipping:

Tipping is appreciated in Nepali culture and reflects the quality of service provided. You decide how much to tip, but we recommend tipping as a group at the end of the trip.

End of Trek:

On the eleventh day, you'll take a bus from Pokhara back to Kathmandu, which takes about seven hours. Alternatively, you can fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu for an extra fee. In the evening, we'll host a farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

Departure:

On the day of your departure flight, we'll come to pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope you enjoyed the Nepal trek and will consider returning for more adventures in Nepal.

Feedback:

After you complete the ABC Trek, we'll organize a farewell dinner in Kathmandu and present you with a trekking achievement certificate. After the dinner, you can provide feedback about the Trek on travel portals.

Useful Info:

Please remember that sometimes unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather or unavailable lodging, may cause the schedule to be altered. Your trip guide will design a fresh schedule based on the group's interests in such circumstances.

Typical Day:

Each day of the Trek brings new experiences as you explore different places, enjoy breathtaking landscapes, and converse with locals to learn more about their customs and culture. Our guides will provide information about the places you visit.

Trekking usually starts around 7-8 am, depending on the distance to cover and the terrain. We'll stop for lunch after about three hours of Trekking, usually on the way to our destination for the day. After lunch, you'll have an hour to rest before continuing the Trek. The afternoon trek is shorter, and once we reach our destination, you'll have time to explore until it gets dark. Dinner is served around 6-7 pm, followed by a briefing from your trek leader about the next day's plan. Afterward, you can relax and entertain yourself with games or learn Nepali words from our crew.

Last-Minute Booking:

If you can't book in advance, we offer last-minute bookings. Full payment is required 24 hours before departure. While we do our best to accommodate last-minute bookings, delays may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.

About the risky zone in Annapurna base camp Trekking:

There are some risky areas to watch out for during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. This Trek is also known as the Annapurna Sanctuary trek. Certain parts of the trail, such as the steep descent from Ghorepani Deurali to Banthati, Kuldi Ghar to Bamboo, Near Hotel Himalaya to after Himalaya, Hinko Cave to Deurali, and Deurali to Bagar, can be hazardous, especially during snowfall or heavy rains in winter and March. Our guides are familiar with these risky spots and can help navigate them safely. Travelers sometimes run into difficulties, and sadly, some have even lost their lives while trekking to Annapurna Base Camp without a guide and proper information.

Drinking more than three liters of water daily is essential when trekking in higher terrain to prevent dehydration. Staying hydrated while trekking in Nepal's Himalayan region is crucial for your safety. You can find water taps in some areas, but you must ensure safe drinking. While mineral water is available in guest houses along popular routes, it can be costly. However, in the Annapurna region, safe water stations allow you to refill your water bottle safely. Your guide can assist you in purchasing boiled water from guest houses, which is cheaper than mineral water. A good suggestion is to bring a water filter, iodine drops, water purification tablets, and a Steri pen to treat water from streams or other natural sources along the trail. You must ensure that your water is safe to drink.

It would help if you had permits to travel to the Annapurna region or visit the Annapurna Base Camp. These permits include the TIMS card and the Annapurna Conservation Area permit. You can get these permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara from registered trekking companies. The cost is NPR 2000 (USD 17) per person for the TIMS card and NPR 33930(USD 26) per person for the Annapurna Conservation Area permit.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu

Your trip day starts today when you arrive to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Upon your arrival, you will be received by our representative at the airport. He will be carrying a signboard with our company’s name on it. Then you will be transferred to the tour hotel and checked in. A trip briefing will follow later today and the time will be notified to you by the representative who picks you up from the airport. We will come to meet and brief you about the trip at the fixed time. Until then just relax or explore a bit of surrounding.

Day 2 : Heritage Tour of Kathmandu

Day 3 : Kathmandu – Bahundanda

Kathmandu – Bahundanda 1310 meter. Take your breakfast early in the morning and check out the hotel to go to Bahundanda today. A beautiful scenic drive of about seven hours by tourist bus takes you to the starting point of Annapurna Circuit Trekking, Bulbule via Besi Shahar. Take a local bus ride to Bahundanda from Bulbule. Although a long and bumpy drive, the highway brings to you some of the amazing countryside scenario so that you will have a little bit of understanding of how rural Nepal looks like. Check into a simple guest house and rest.

Day 4 : Bahundanda – Chamje

Start the trek for the day after your breakfast in the guest house. After trekking for about five hours, you reach a beautiful village of Chamje to stay overnight. The trek in between these two places is a beautiful cultural experience. Once in Chamje, check into a simple tea house.

Day 5 : Chamje – Bagarchhap

About six hours of trek today will take you to Bagarchhap. After you take breakfast at the tea house, start the trek. Hike towards Bagarchhap on your pace taking in all the beautiful things that you come across the trekking of the day. Check into a tea house and relax.

Day 6 : Bagarchhap – Chame

You are slowly gaining elevation every day you walk to the new destination. Your walk to Chame will start after breakfast today. Five hours of walk today take you the elevation of 2650 meters to the town of Chame, the headquarters of Manang district. Enjoy some spectacular views of the mountain peaks in the Himalayas.

Day 7 : Chame – Pisang

Trek to Pisang for about six hours after breakfast. You are gaining some elevation today as well. Every next overnight staying place will be at a higher elevation gaining height towards Thorong La. Once in Pisang, check into a tea house and enjoy the view of the mountains.

Day 8 : Pisang – Manang

Walk to Manang today enjoying great views of the Himalayas. A beautiful town of Manang waits you at the other end while you start the trek of the day from Pisang. An approximately five hours in between Pisang and Manang brings you to some of the spectacular places that make you trip for the day. Stay in a tea at Manang.

Day 9 : Acclimatize at Manang

Spend a day hiking and exploring around Manang so that you acclimatize with the high altitude environment and your further trekking days become easier.

Day 10 : Manang – Yak Kharka

High elevation trek today takes you to Yak Kharka at the height of 4000 meters above sea level. After the acclimatization in Manang, your body adapts to the trekking at this elevation. Despite the high level difficulty in the trek, the incredible view around the Himalayas gives you strength to move ahead towards the destination today.

Day 11 : Yak Kharka – Thorong Phedi

Today’s walk is about five hours after the breakfast to Thorong Phedi from where the ascension to Thorong La very early morning tomorrow will start. Take enough time to get a good rest so that you get all set for tomorrow.

Day 12 : Thorong Phedi – Thorong La Pass 5416 meter

Start the adventure today very early morning. You are going to achieve the culmination of the trek, Thorong La, today. Crossing the pass over 5400 meters above sea level is certainly an exciting adventure. Ascend the mountain on the trail on slow pace to only to find the breathtaking Thorong La on the top waiting you there. After crossing the pass, trek down to Muktinath, a beautiful village in the mountains.

Day 13 : Muktinath – Jomsom

Trek from Muktinath to the charming mountain town of Jomsom. Spend leisurely time exploring the beautiful Jomsom. Your trekking adventure comes to end here so give your legs some rest after these many days of walking in the Himalayas. Enjoy an easy day.

Day 14 : Jomsom – Pokhara

Take an early morning flight to Pokhara. A short flight of about twenty minutes brings you the beautiful lake city, Pokhara. Check into hotel. After spending some quiet days in the mountains, you might be craving for some city civilization. Lakeside town in Pokhara will bring your craving to reality. Enjoy you free day today in Pokhara strolling around lakeside.

Day 15 : Pokhara – Kathmandu

Drive back to Kathmandu after breakfast. Or you have an option to fly back to Kathmandu paying an additional cost for the ticket. Check into hotel once you arrive to Kathmandu and freshen up. We will go for dinner later in the evening.

Day 16 : Departure

You will be transferred to the airport as per your flight schedule. We will pick you up from the hotel three hours prior to your flight time. If you continuous trek all the way down via Beni, via Ghorepani to state right Pokhara. via Tadapani Ghandruk or via Annapurna sanctuary (ABC) tells us, we creat itinerary according to your interest and time.

Trip code
Package name	Annapurna Circuit Trekking
Duration	16
Max. elevation	5416 m
Level	MODERATE
Transportation	<p> Local Bus/4 wheel drive </p>
Accomodation	Simple Guest House.
Starts at	kathmandu
Ends at	kathmandu
Trip route	Kathmandu- Bahaundanda-Chame- Pisang - Manang- Throngla Pass- Muktinath- Kagbeni-Jomsom -Pokhara-Kathmandu
Cost	USD 0 per person