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Annapurna Circuit
Local Payment: USD 300
Tour Code: GIAC
Tour Duration: 22 days
Countries Visited: Nepal
Today is an arrival day and no activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. If you are arriving early in Kathmandu you may wish to wander down to Durbar Square, which is the spiritual heart of the city located only 10 minutes walk from our hotel. Please ask at the hotel reception for suggestions of things to see and do in Kathmandu. A pre-departure meeting for the first (Nepal) part of your tour takes place this evening at the hotel. Please also check the noticeboard for details of this meeting and for any other messages from your tour leader. Please also bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the meeting, where your tour leader will also collect your local payment. Afterwards we have the opportunity to go out for an optional group dinner.
Day 2: KathmanduWe have a free day to enjoy Kathmandu. Our tour leader can take us for a wander down to Durbar Square, which is the spiritual heart of the city located only 10 minutes walk from our hotel. There is much to do in this city ranging from sightseeing to scouring the shops in Thamel or just relaxing in the hotel gardens. Alternatively you may wish to arrange for a taxi to take you out to Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, and Bhaktapur, probably the most fascinating of the medieval towns in the Kathmandu Valley.
Day 3: Bhulbule
(Walking time: approx 1 hour)
This morning we drive out over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and then descend to follow the Trisuli River Valley. On a clear morning views of the Ganesh, Manaslu and Annapurna ranges can be seen as we head west to the town of Besisahar and on to Khudi. We arrive in the early afternoon and trek a short distance to our lodge at Bhulbule. The views from Bhulbule are tremendous, with the snowy peak of Himalchuli (7893m) dominating the skyline.
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
From Bhulbule we follow the east bank of the Marsyandi River past Ngadi with views of Manaslu (8156m), Peak 29 (7541m) and Lamjung (6986m) opening out on the horizon. From Ngadi we cross a small suspension bridge over the Musi Khola to start a gradual climb to the village of Bahundanda (1311m) located on a ridge top, where we take lunch. In the afternoon we enjoy a short trek to the village of Syanje for our overnight stay close to the river.
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
In the morning we cross the Marsyangdi River and begin the ascent through a forest before following a trail cut in the near-vertical cliffs high above the river to reach Jagat (1341m), a Tibetan village that served as a customs post on the old trading route from Tibet. Here we take lunch and then trek in the afternoon to the quiet village of Tal - our overnight stay.
(Walking time: approx 4 hours)
We enter the district of Manang and the morning's walk see us ascending again, following the river valley to Dharapani (1890m) where we rest for lunch. In the afternoon we take an easy walk from the village and bear westward through dramatic fir and pine forests. In less than an hour we reach Bagarchap (2160m), the first village on the trek with typical Tibetan architecture. From here there are excellent views up the valley of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II (7937m), and Annapurna III (7555m). Down valley to the east, Manaslu and Peak 29 reach magnificently towards the sky.
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
Leaving Bagarchap, we cross a small wooden bridge beside a beautiful waterfall where we climb to high above the valley floor. The trail then continues to contour before descending to Koto, at the turn-off for remote treks to the Na and Phu region. We take lunch here before enjoying a short walk in the afternoon to Chame, where we spent the night. Chame (2685m) boasts among other things a wireless station, bank, health post and well-run hotels. It is also popular for the nearby hot springs that will ease the pain of trekkers' sore feet!
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
Our morning walk passes through fields of barley and buckwheat to reach the apple orchards at Brathang (2840m), a former Tibetan settlement. We take lunch here and in the afternoon cross the river into a fir forest, enjoying views of Lamjung and Annapurna towering high above the trail. We emerge from the forest and see the huge rock slabs of Paungda Danda, some 1500 metres high, before dropping further into the valley to reach the flat-roofed stone houses of Pisang village (3300m) and our lodge, in full view of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak (6091m).
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
We pass through Pisang village, enjoying the wilds of the trans-Himalayan terrain. The walking is fairly easy today but there is one steep climb to a saddle that leads down to the airstrip at Hongde, where we take lunch. In the afternoon we have an easy walk along the valley to Braga (3475m), where the houses are stacked on top of each other and perched high on the valley cliffs. Above the houses is a monastery that is the oldest and most interesting in the area, estimated to be over 500 years old. From the village of Braga it is only a short walk to the village of Manang.
(Acclimatization day)
We have been trekking a number of days now and Manang is the perfect place to recharge the batteries and enjoy the benefits of our acclimatization day. The village is a tight compact place with around 500 flat-roofed houses, set amongst spectacular scenery. The huge icefall of Annapurna rears over the village. Annapurna II and Annapurna IV (7525m) tower dramatically above the valley floor to the south-east, with Tilicho (7132m), RocNoir (7485m) and the Grand Barrier to the west. Chulu West (6630m) and Chulu East (6200m) lie behind the village, creating a hauntingly beautiful panorama. The rest day here is designed to aid acclimatization and we can choose to relax or trek above the village where there are great views of the Annapurna peaks.
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
We now build up for our crossing of the Thorong Pass. The day begins early and we climb gradually to the small settlement of Tengi, where we branch away from the Marsyandi Valley and follow the Jarsang Khola. Sparse fir and pine is replaced by scrub juniper and grasses, as we pass a few small yak herders' shelters before stopping at the pleasant meadow of Ledar. This is a relaxed walking day, taken at a slow pace to allow for the affects of altitude.
(Walking time: approx 4 hours)
Today is another short day to ensure we arrive at the base of the Thorong Pass feeling well acclimatized. We cross the Jarsang Khola on a covered bridge and then follow the left bank of the river over loose scree on the steep-sided valley. We arrive at Phedi (4420m) in time for lunch and have the afternoon free to relax and prepare for the crossing of the pass.
(Walking time: approx 7-9 hours)
Though the pass poses no technical problems we need to start very early (around 3:00am), so we can proceed slowly and safely. The trail is not steep and the long, gradual approach crosses several false summits before reaching some stone cairns marking the true crest of the pass at 5,416 metres. In fine conditions the views from the pass are truly fantastic - an amazing panorama of the Annapurna, Mukut and Mustang ranges with the Kali Gandaki Valley seen far below. The descent from the pass is fairly steep, but we are compensated with views of Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Tukche Peak (6920m). This is a long walk and we should arrive at the village of Muktinath around early afternoon.
(Rest and Contingency Day)
We have scheduled a rest day after the pass crossing. Mukhtinath is one of Nepal’s most sacred pilgrimage sites for both Hindus and Buddhists, and it is well worthwhile visiting the monastery and the pagoda-style temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu, with 108 waterspouts in the form of cows' heads from which pour underground spring water. The most interesting temple is the one containing burning natural gas and a small spring emerging from the rock in the same vicinity. This is an auspicious religious combination.
(Walking time: approx 7 hours)
Downhill today! From Muktinath the trail descends towards the Kali Gandaki Valley, passing through the village of Jharkot with sensational views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri (7061m). Jharkot is one of the prettiest villages on the trek with small canals cutting across the fields, irrigating the crops and fruit trees. From here a short steep descent leads to our lunch stop at Eklaibhati on the floor of the Kali Gandaki Valley. In the afternoon we follow the river, heading south through the wide, windswept and barren valley to Jomosom. We pass the airstrip and follow the river to Marpha, a beautiful village in full view of Nilgiri Himal. The village is noted for apples and locally produced brandy, which is worth sampling – in moderation!
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
We leave Marpha through the narrow main street and cross the sophisticated underground drainage system en route to Tukche. This Thakali village was once the centre of the salt trade with Tibet, but now is reliant on the tourist trade for business. We continue on and stop for lunch at Larjung, where the flat-roofed houses join together over the trail to form a tunnel giving protection from the high winds that blast the Kali Ghandaki Valley. In the afternoon we leave the dry arid rain shadow area to meet the fertile southern aspect of the peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. The valley narrows at this point and we arrive at Kalopani, our overnight stop and a charming village surrounded by pine and fir forest, with the towering peaks of Dhaulagiri, Tukche Peak and Annapurna in the background.
(Walking time: approx 7 hours)
In the morning we leave Kalopani and follow the valley, descending through alpine forest to Ghasa, the last major Thakali settlement of the region. We have now descended over 4000 metres since the Thorong Pass and we now walk through the warmer sub-tropical surroundings of the lower valley. Lunch can be taken by the spectacular Rupse Chaara Waterfall. In the afternoon we descend through the Magar village of Dana to our lodge in Tatopani, where we have a chance to bathe in the hot springs and to eat oranges and pumpkin pie in beautiful surroundings. Tatopani was once a large and thriving village; sadly in the last 15 years two major floods during the monsoon season have washed a major part of the old village away.
(Walking time: approx 7 hours)
After the previous days' descents, this is a long day - and all uphill! Leaving Kali Gandaki Valley we ascend steeply to the Magar village of Ghara, passing porters and mule trains ferrying supplies to the villages in the valley. It is a steady ascent to reach the village of Sikha for lunch where we take a well-earned rest, but are also rewarded with fine views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. In the afternoon we continue to ascend through rhododendron forest and open terraced fields to Chitre (2390m) and on to the village of Ghorepani. Spectacularly situated this busy village supplies food and provides shelter for the drivers of the many mule trains on the caravan route. Our lodge is located in the heart of the village.
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
In the morning we rise early and walk by torchlight up to Poon Hill, one of Nepal’s best viewpoints. We arrive just before sunrise to enjoy fabulous mountain views. In fine conditions, three of the world’s fourteen 8,000-metre peaks can be seen including Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Annapurna I (8019m) and Manalsu (8156m), along with hundreds of other smaller Himalayan mountains spanning the horizon. To the north we can see the Tibetan border and our route down the Kali Ghandaki Valley, and to the south the rolling hills leading to the border with India. We head back to our lodge for breakfast and then begin the day’s walk downhill through beautiful forests to the village of Ulleri, where we take lunch. In the afternoon the descent is very steep on a stone staircase to the Bhurungdi Khola River where we cross a small suspension bridge to reach the village of Tirkedunga for our overnight stop.
(Walking time: approx 3 hours)
We make an early start to make the most of the day and from the lodge at Tirkedunga we follow the Bhurungdi River to the village of Birethanti, on the banks of the Modi Khola. Here we take lunch and in the afternoon cross the new bridge to the east bank and follow the river to the road head at Naya Phul. Here we meet our bus and transfer for 1½ hours to our hotel, which is located close to the lakeside. After a welcomed shower the rest of the day is free. The lakeside area has good shopping opportunities, internet cafés and it is well worthwhile taking a boat out on to the lake. In the evening we dine out at one of the many lakeside restaurants (optional).
After breakfast we drive back to Kathmandu by bus. The travelling time is about seven hours. Lunch is not provided on the return journey to Kathmandu but we will stop at River Springs Resort, where a choice of meals and drinks is available.
Day 22: KathmanduWe have completed one of the great walks of the world and sadly our adventure ends this morning in Kathmandu.
Trip Itinerary VariationDRIVING/WALKING TIMES: This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the program and can affect the availability of views and panoramas described. Be aware that all times stated are approximate and may vary with individual and group fitness, weather and track conditions.
Tour Grade: Challenging
These trips focus on a challenging trek, so physical preparation is essential. You may be hiking over six hours a day through steep terrain at altitude and conditions may be basic. You’ll need determination, a sound level of physical fitness and an adventurous spirit!
Valid from 29 September 2007
| Start Date | End Date | Local_Payment | Price |
| 18 Oct 2008 | 08 Nov 2008 | USD 300 | $835 |
| 28 Mar 2009 | 18 Apr 2009 | USD 300 | $835 |
| 11 Apr 2009 | 02 May 2009 | USD 300 | $835 |
Local Payment: USD 300
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