.....for the admirers of nature....
info@natureloverstrek.com
Annapurna Circuit Trekking is usually famous as the most classic trek, which will let you experience the unique and well-preserved trails and see the biodiversity of Nepal. Annapurna circuit trek offers an astonishing panorama of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machapuchare, Lumjung, Tukuche and more peaks. This trek mostly follows the old paths used as business route between Nepal and Tibet. Apart from the incredible landscapes of the northern and southern Himalayas, you will also see thick fir and rhododendron woods to the kind atmosphere of the Tibetan upland.
Trekking Annapurna round goes from 10 days to 3 weeks, depending on a visitor's time. If you want to enjoy entire trekking over the Annapurna circuit, you can do so, but with the time-tight schedule, you can take the vehicle ride to Manang first, then a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and then to Kathmandu. This route demands a bit of physical endurance though, since you have to cross a high pass, Thorang La pass.
As the day progress with the daily views of Annapurna, you pass through a lot of attractive villages and the people inhabiting the dry region of Nepal. The spectacular landscapes are the major attraction of the Annapurna circuit journey.
You might also want to check Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking OR easy, yet adventurous mountain biking tour Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking .
Day 01:Drive to Jagat (1290m) via Besisahar (800m) 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 02:Trek to Dharapani (1920m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 03:Trek to Chame (2670m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 04:Trek to Pisang (3230m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 05:Trek to Manang village (3519m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 06:Rest day at Manang for a local hike, BLD, Teahouse
Day 07:Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4150m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 08:Trek to Tilicho Lake (4920m) 3hrs and back to Shree Kharka 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 09:Trek to Yak Kharka (4110m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 10:Trek to Thorang High Camp (4600m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 11:CrossThorang La (5416m) and to Muktinath (3800m) 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 12:Trek to Marpha (2670m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 13:Trek to Lete (2480m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 14:Trek to Tatopani (1190m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 15: Drive to Pokhara & to Kathmandu, BL.
Kathmandu sightseeing: $80 per person (gets cheaper with bigger PAX)
Porter service: $20/day per porter
Day 01: Drive to Jagat (1290m) via Besisahar (800m) 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Lot of options to choose from today, since you can drive only to Besisahar and start trekking from there or continue driving further as far as Manang and start walking from the point you choose. But keeping AMS in mind and as per our perfect plan, we will drive only to Jagat and stay the night. From Kathmandu to Besisahar is about 6-7 hours of drive, and from Besisahar to Jagat is about 3-4 hours of drive.
Day 02: Trek to Dharapani (1920m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Our first day of trekking begins with normal walking. From Chyamje, a short walk will bring us to a suspension bridge over the raging Marsyangdi river. Crossing the bridge, we will go a couple of hours uphill climbing to get to Tal and continue to the big village Dharapani. You can enjoy the beautiful vistas, waterfalls, suspension bridges and lush greenery along the way.
Day 03: Trek to Chame (2670m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
As we continue our trek further, we can feel the changes already; most of all, the air starts getting cooler, and the landscape varies. By the time we arrive at the headquarter of Manang district, Chame village, the towering Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II will be accompanying us time and again. Some attractive villages Bagarchhap, Danaque, Timang and Koto on the way.
Day 04: Trek to Pisang (3230m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Another exciting day walk leads you through the pine woods and the small villages via the extensive apple gardens in Bhratang and takes you to Dhikur Pokhari at the top of the ridge. The view is charming as you can see 'Swargadwari Danda,' a big wall of rocks, and Annapurna II from your lunch place. When you come out of the tree lines, you will start seeing the Pisang and Chulu peaks on the north side. The windswept village of Pisang will be our overnight stop.
Day 05: Trek to Manang village (3519m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Bravo! You've done it well, so there are some surprising views for you on this amazing day. Go via Lower Pisang or Opt to go via Upper Pisang if you crave panoramic mountain views and see the traditional Tibetan style of houses and cultures. Ghyaru and Ngawal are both at around 3700m altitude offering gorgeous vistas of the valleys down below and the snow-capped mountains. Descend to the flatland and continue via old-Tibetan village Braga to get to the scenic Manang village, the last well-developed town in the district.
Day 06: Rest day at Manang for a local hike, BLD, Teahouse
Essential acclimatizing day is here. You have many choices which you can make today. Visit Gangapurna glacier and the lake, Ice lake, Milareppa Cave and more. Also, there are a couple of viewpoints, one above Manang village and another above Gangapurna lake. Enjoy your day exploring in and around the village. Later in the night, watch the movies about mountaineering or learn about the AMS.
Day 07:Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4150m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
After having a nice rest in Manang, continue your journey to Tilicho base camp. After crossing Shree Kharka with some uphills, we will also get through the landslide slopes and some narrow paths to go further. Don't forget to look out for falling stones. The Himalayan musk deer or the blue sheep may cause it. Enjoy the panoramic mountain vistas on the way.
Day 08: Trek to Tilicho Lake (4920m) 3hrs and back to Shree Kharka 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse
It's going to be a tough day. The highest lake situated at the top of the mountains is but worth visiting. Hike to Tilicho lake is challenging but highly rewarding. You will hike through alpine landscapes and snow-covered surfaces to arrive at the lake. This lake is frozen most of the time, but if you're lucky, you can see its natural beauty when it's in turquoise color. After returning to the camp, we will continue to Shree Kharka for the overnight stop.
Day 09: Trek to Yak Kharka (4110m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Seriously! It is going to the be an easy day for hardy trekkers. Gradual up first, then gradual down followed by a little bit up again to get to Yak Kharka. As you pass through the alpine pastures, you will see the grazing yaks and mountain goats along the trail. Even though the journey isn't very long, you will be compelled to stop in many places to soak in the breathtaking mountain and lower valley views.
Day 10: Trek to Thorang High Camp (4600m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Nearly approaching the day when we are crossing the highest pass in the world. It's mostly uphill but slightly, except the part when we arrive at the bottom of Thorang High Camp. If all is well, we will climb the steep ascent part of our journey, which will last only an hour. And yeah, we're at the staggering altitude of 4600m already. Kudos to you all.
Day 11: Cross Thorang La (5416m) and to Muktinath (3800m) 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse
We're pretty sure you didn't have proper sleep last night because of the altitude and thinking of the tough day the next day. Don't worry. You're not the only one. Just a matter of 2 hours, and we're done and at the pass. This means, after climbing uphill for 2 hours, we will get to the main highlight of our journey, the Thorang La Pass. After getting the sips of the tea/coffee and taking a whole lot of snaps, we will halt our celebration and start getting downhill towards Muktinath. The rest is the easy part, though it takes longer to get to our hotel. Time for the celebration in the lodge. Bottoms up at the end of the day.
Day 12: Trek to Marpha (2670m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Relaxing easy walk, it is to get to our destination today. After visiting the Muktinath temple early morning and getting the blessings, we will descend to Jomsom, passing through the wide Kali Gandaki river valley via Kagbeni. The windiest place in Nepal, Jomsom is the headquarter of Mustang region. Set your mind to face the wind. Further a couple of hours to get to Marpha village, the apple haven. Apple brandy, apple juice, fresh apple fruits and other apple delicacies you can choose to taste. The apple here is famous in the whole Nepal.
Day 13: Trek to Lete (2480m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
The enjoyable day walk will take us through Tukuche, Kobang and down to Lete today. You will come across the fine villages offering nice teahouses and lunch en route, and while enjoying the panoramas of Annapurna, Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri massifs, our journey will continue. You will pass through humid jungles, desert-like broad river valleys, streams and waterfalls, and a temperate zone along the vast Kali Gandaki river.
Day 14: Trek to Tatopani (1190m) 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
An easy and wonderful hiking day towards the lower part of the mountainous zone; we will come across beautiful villages on the way, including Ghasa, Dana and Githe. As we arrive at the natural hot spring place called Tatopani, the vegetation, landscapes and weather will change dramatically. We will pass through a beautiful Rupse waterfall and the deepest gorge in the world once again. A relaxing and bathing night in Tatopani.
Day 15: Drive to Pokhara & to Kathmandu, BL.
A long day drive from Tatopani towards Pokhara first, then continue driving to Kathmandu. It takes about 5-6 hours of drive from Tatopani to Pokhara and 6-7 hours of drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. End of the journey.
Customized Trips and Trip departure
Annapurna Circuit Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.
But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.
Accommodations in Pokhara and during trek
You will be staying in a hotel in Pokhara while in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.
If you wish to change the accommodation category to a better ones in Pokhara, please let us know and we can change it for you on added cost.
Route Map and Company T-shirt
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.
Safe Drinking Water during Annapurna Circuit Trekking
Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.
Your trekking guides and porters
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.
Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.
Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.
Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.
We have had many solo travelers in the past. Nepal is totally safe to travel even in the Himalayas, even though you are solo. No matter if you're a solo female or a male traveler, you can hike in the Himalayas doubtlessly, with our experienced guide.
Extra personal expenses during and after trek
The clients are responsible for their own personal expenses during or after the treks like, for buying beverages and snacks, WiFi, doing laundry, buying souvenirs & personal equipment, tips for the field staffs, etc. Therefore, we recommend you to bring some extra cash (in dollars or euro, etc.) of about $300-400, and change it into Nepali Rupees since only NPR are accepted in majority of the Nepali market.
Shower during the trek
It's an important matter to discuss about. After a day's end, you might feel like showering and get fresh. It's a good idea on the lower altitudes but if you're on the higher altitudes (more than 3500m), we recommend to shower on intervals. People seem to catch a cold easily after showering which can lead to altitude sickness. Teahouses in the lower elevation offers you hot shower, but in the upper elevation, a bucket of hot water is provided. They charge a little extra for the hot water bath ($3-5).
Laundry on the trail
There are some teahouses which offer laundry services and you can use their service during the acclimatizing days. However, most of the lodges don't have laundry service and you might have to either wash your clothes yourself or postpone until you arrive in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Please plan in advance about it.
Your safety
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
How much does the Annapurna Circuit Trekking cost?
The cost of the Annapurna Circuit Trekking varies from $800-$1800 depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.
How is the Accommodation during the Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
In Annapurna Circuit Trekking, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Many teahouses even have some attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Most of the teahouses provide the European toilets these days while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.
What are the permits that I need for Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
For Annapurna Circuit Trekking, you will need to make two permits: ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).
How does this tipping system in Nepal works and do I have to tip?
Tipping is not compulsory for Annapurna Circuit Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide and also a porter expects around $10 or more per day.
Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
You can easily charge your electronic devices during Annapurna Circuit Trekking but by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.
Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Annapurna Circuit Trekking route has good mobile network coverage these days {with few exception days}, thanks to the Nepalese telecommunication companies called Ncell and NTC. You can buy one of these Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek to avoid paying extra by buying WiFi on the trek.
WiFi is available on most of the teahouses in Annapurna Circuit Trekking route and cost some charges. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.
When is the best time to trek to Annapurna Circuit?
Annapurna Circuit Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek in Annapurna Circuit. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Annapurna Circuit Trekking. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time. Some of the villages in Annapurna circuit though is not affected by rain.
Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
The itinerary of our Annapurna Circuit Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Annapurna Circuit Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 5416 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.
Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Annapurna Circuit Trekking demands high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents including crossing of the highest pass in the world which means you need lots of practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests, high passes and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least 2 months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Annapurna Circuit.
What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Only breakfast is included in Pokhara while full board meals or full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are a varieties of choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.
The most common and the highly recommended food during the Annapurna Circuit Trekking is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.
Do I need a travel insurance for Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Annapurna Circuit. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 5000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.
In general, most of the places in Nepal don't accept the card payments as they are remote and of limited use to them. So, we recommend you to withdraw some cash before departing for the journey. ATMs will charge you minimal service fee for withdrawing money and you will also get good exchange rate from the banks.
How much weight of luggage can I take during the trek?
Our porter is allowed to carry maximum of 25 kg so, since 2 clients will share one porter, both of your combined weights shouldn't be more than 20kg. We care about our porters and he also has his personal belongings to carry as well.
For the important things and your personal items, you might have to carry your own backpack. But please, only carry the essentials and you will have to leave the rest of the unimportant items, either in the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
Is there any age limit for Annapurna circuit trek?
Not, at all. No matter if you're 5 years old or 85, you can trek as long as you can. In fact, the children seem to adapt to the high altitudes faster than an adult. So, as long as you're willing to hike the Himalayas, you can hike no matter what your age is.
How do you take the remaining balance on arrival in Kathmandu? Do I need to pay you by cash or I can use my card?
On arrival in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance either on cash or by card. We prefer to be paid in cash (doesn't matter which currency) rather than by card but however, you can also swipe your card which will incur you extra 3.5% charge from the bank.
How big should my backpack be?
It all depends on what you wish to carry on your day pack. We recommend a backpack between 20-40 liter or roughly the size of a school bag.
If I have to use a restroom during the hike or trek, where can I use the restroom?
You can easily access the restrooms of any teahouses on the trail. If in case it's urgent and you cannot find any teahouses around, you can always go off the trail to ease yourself.
Can I leave my luggage in Kathmandu?
Definitely, you can leave your excess stuffs in Kathmandu. Either you can leave them on the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
What about extra days and nights in Kathmandu?
For any extra days and nights in Kathmandu which is outside of your schedule, you can let us know beforehand and we can book the hotels for you and also other add-ons or activities as you may like. If under unforeseen circumstances you get extra days in Kathmandu after the trek, we shall work out the right solution for you.
What if I get sick or injured during the trek?
Like we said earlier, we, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. Our professional team is always with you and monitoring you to ensure your wellness and safety. Our experienced and well-trained guide will use his emergency skills in case of emergency; either if you get injured or if you get sick. If it's regarding a symptom of altitude sickness or AMS, you will have to go down to the lower altitudes as fast as possible in order to gain your energy back. You can always continue in the later days or retreat as per your choice. In case of necessity, he will arrange the rescue helicopter for you as well to get the quick medical attention in Kathmandu.
How cold is it during the Annapurna round trekking?
The places in the mountainous region are always cold no matter which season or what time. But the temperatures vary depending on the season and altitude.
What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Annapurna Circuit. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Annapurna Circuit. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.
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