Annapurna Circuit Trek

We depart early along the winding Prithvi Highway, leaving the valley behind as we follow the rushing turquoise waters of the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers. The drive transitions from a smooth highway at Besisahar into an adventurous mountain dirt track, giving you front-row seats to cascading waterfalls and steep terraced farms. By evening, we arrive in the quiet gorge hamlet of Chamje, where the sound of the river lulls you into your first mountain sleep.

Today our boots hit the trail as we cross our first swaying suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River. We take a gentle, steady pace up stone staircases, reaching the cliffside village of Tal—where a massive, misty waterfall pours down right into the valley basin, making it the perfect spot for a tea break. Continuing through bamboo groves and past prayer-flagged bridges, we finish the day in Dharapani, the official junction where the Manang region begins.

The air turns crisp and fragrant today as we climb through deep pine, fir, and oak forests. We pause in Timang for a mid-morning cup of sea buckthorn tea beneath the glowing summit of Lamjung Himal, taking a comfortable rhythm that accommodates all ages and fitness levels. By afternoon, we walk into Chame—the district headquarters of Manang—where you can soothe your legs in the natural riverside hot springs before dinner. 

Waking up to the morning sun hitting Lamjung Himal (6,893 m), we trek through dense apple orchards and the steep rock bowl of Baratang. The dramatic Paungda Danda rock face towers almost 1,500 meters straight above the riverbed, marking our official transition into the dry, rain-shadow climate of Upper Manang. We settle into Lower Pisang for the night, surrounded by pine forests and sweeping valley views. 

As we trek deeper into the valley, the landscape opens into a dramatic alpine desert framed by Annapurna II, III, and IV. We keep a slow, steady pace as we cross the Marsyangdi River bed, passing ancient Buddhist mani walls and prayer wheels. Arriving in historic Manang village, you’ll feel the rich Tibetan-influenced culture immediately in its flat-roofed stone houses, horse paddocks, and bakery cafes. 

"Climb high, sleep low" is our golden rule today to help your body adapt naturally to the thinner air. After a relaxed morning, we take a short, rewarding walk up to Gangapurna Glacial Lake or the Chongkor Viewpoint for panoramic mountain views before returning to the village. The afternoon is yours to sip hot ginger tea, watch a mountain documentary at the local cinema lodge, or chat with fellow trekkers from around the globe.

Leaving the main valley behind, we cross the 4,000-meter threshold with a very measured, deliberate step to keep everyone comfortable. Trees give way to wide mountain pastures where grazing yaks, Himalayan blue sheep, and soaring eagles are common sights. We reach the peaceful settlement of Yak Kharka by lunchtime, giving your body plenty of time to rest, hydrate, and adjust to the altitude.

Today is an intentionally short trekking day designed to conserve energy for tomorrow's big pass. We walk along a high river terrace, cross a suspension bridge, and navigate a gentle scree slope to reach Thorong Phedi (Foot of the Pass). We spend the afternoon resting, enjoying hot garlic soup (a local favorite for high altitude), and going through a thorough safety brief for our sunrise crossing.

We wake at 3:30 AM, sipping warm tea before setting off under a blanket of stars with our headlamps lighting the trail. Slow, rhythmic breathing guides us up the winding snow trail to Thorong La Pass (5,416 m)—the highest point of our journey—where colourful prayer flags flutter against towering Himalayan peaks. After celebrating and capturing photos at the top, we make a long, gentle descent into the Mustang valley, reaching the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath by late afternoon.

The morning sun illuminates the Tibetan-style terrain of Lower Mustang as we visit the famous 108 water spouts of Muktinath Temple. We then travel down by private vehicle through the Kali Gandaki Gorge—the deepest canyon in the world—stopping to wander through the iconic whitewashed stone alleys and apple orchards of Marpha village. A short final leg brings us back north to the windy transit town of Jomsom, where we rest and celebrate our successful pass crossing with zero joint strain.

We board an early morning 20-minute flight that glides directly between the giant massifs of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, landing smoothly in tropical Pokhara. After checking into your lakeside hotel, the rest of the day is pure relaxation: rent a colorful wooden boat on Phewa Lake, stroll along the leafy promenade, or enjoy a meal at a waterfront cafe. 

After a relaxed breakfast, we board a comfortable, air-conditioned tourist coach for the scenic return drive along the Marsyangdi and Trishuli river valleys back to Kathmandu. Upon checking back into your Thamel hotel, you'll have a free afternoon to pick up handcrafted souvenirs and local pashminas before joining our team for a festive, complimentary farewell dinner featuring traditional Nepalese cultural dances to celebrate your journey.

Our private vehicle handles your final airport transfer to match your outbound international flight schedule, concluding your definitive 14-day Annapurna Circuit adventure. If your group is looking to extend their stay for a jungle safari or scenic flight, let us know, and we will handle the logistics seamlessly.