Overview of
12 days Annapurna Circuit Trekking
We’ll begin the Trek at Dharapani. After the construction of the hilly road, the lengths of the Annapurna Circuit Trek have shortened. Therefore, the classical trailhead is no longer needed. The jeep can also go up to Manang.
If we start the Trek from Manang, there is a high risk of altitude sickness. We will walk through Chame and Pisang villages to reach Manang Village for two days. Similarly, the Gurung community mainly lives along the Circuit Trek village in Annapurna.
Trekkers must stay two nights in the Manang as one day is stipulated for acclimatization during the Trekking packages of the Annapurna circuit.
On the seventh day of the Trek, trekkers will head to Yak Kharka. The place has pleasant grassy meadows and a fantastic landscape.
Get great pictures. If you want to go to Tilicho Lake, this is the place from where the trekkers take a different route. Check out our Tilicho Lake trek package for more information about this trekking section.
The Trek continues to Thorong Phedi or High Camp before crossing Thorong La Pass. Depending on your physical condition, the trekking guide or leader will decide whether to stay at High Camp or Phedi.
Thorong Phedi is 4500 meters from Sea level, but the high command is 4800 meters high. If your situation is perfect, we suggest you stay overnight at High Camp. It allows you to cross the Thorong La Pass more comfortably than traveling from Phedi.
Thorong La Pass (5416 Meters)
The ninth day of the Trekking is the most daunting. Trekkers will be crossing the longest pass in the world. Early in the morning, the walking starts. From the top of the key, you can see the striking mountain scenery as far as Manaslu Circuit Trekking.
The Annapurna Mountain range looks splendid from the top of the pass. However, almost every trekking trail in the Annapurna region offers superb views. Beholding the snowy mountains from the top of Thorong La Pass is exemplary.
The trail to the top of the pass is through the narrow valleys from the High Camp. On the right side of the course, you can get the best view of Thorong Peak (6144 m) from sea level.
The hardships endured during the ascent will vanish. The cool breeze of fresh mountain air kisses us. A sense of achievement overpowers us. It is indeed the most iconic moment of this Trekking.
Best Season for the Annapurna circuit trekking trip to Nepal.
Nepal experiences spring, summer/Monsoon, autumn, and winter seasons. Excessive rainfall during the monsoon season makes the trail muddy and slippery. Moreover, the view is also not clear.
Similarly, the winter season is frigid, and snowfall makes walking harder. The visibility is significantly less, and the Annapurna Circuit Trek is worse during these two seasons. Therefore, we recommend you avoid trekking.
Plan your Trekking for the best experiences in spring and autumn. The clear sky, no rainfall, and no snowfall make it easier for the trekkers to traverse the trail. However, some people love challenges.
We can also operate trips during the Monsoon. All you need to have is willpower. Boundless Adventure Treks & Expeditions will handle planning and ground management.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Attraction
Monasteries in Manang
The monasteries in the Manang are a vital attraction of the Annapurna Circuit trek. You’ll have a day to visit the areas, and during the day, you can explore the region’s culturally and historically significant monasteries. Manang has several vital monasteries which visitors can visit.
On your acclimatization day, you’ll first hike to the Bojo Gompa, a historical gompa of Manang. The Gompa is famous for its historic site and provides a 360-degree view of the Manang district and the glacial lake of Gangapurna. Another major monastery of Manang is Braga Gompa, which lies 45 minutes from Mananag village. The Braga monastery is the oldest in Braga village. The monastery’s major attractions are its artifacts and views of Mount Annapurna and Gangapurna.
Kundi Gumba, Thorte Chegi Lemba Gumba, Pisang Urgen Chhyoling Gumba, Thalilama Gumba, Orgen Thekchok Lingi Gumba, Manang Gumba, Tare Gumba, Tasi Lakang Gumba, Mocho Boko Gumba, and Manme gumba are the other historical charm of the Manang valley, adding attraction to the Annapurna circuit trek.
Local Culture
The foremost attraction of the Annapurna Circuit trek is the local culture. The Trek passes through different valleys with its own culture and history. The Annapurna Circuit takes you through the diverse culture of the region.
As you begin your journey from Besisahar, you’ll experience the culture and hospitality of the Brahmin and Chetteri ethics of the group until you reach Manang. As you get to Manang, you’ll be pleased to learn and experience the Gurung culture, their traditions, and warm hospitality. Until you reach Mustang from Manang, you’ll encounter Gurung, and as you get to Mustang, you’ll observe Thakali culture. On descending from Muktinath, you’ll experience the Chettri and Brahmin cultures again.
On one Annapurna circuit, you can experience the region’s four cultures, showing Nepal’s cultural diversity. Cultural immersion throughout the Trek adds to the allure of trekking in the Annapurna Circuit.
GangaPurna Lake
Gangapurna Lake is another noteworthy attraction along the Annapurna Circuit trek. It is a small lake near the base of Mount Gangapurna and the village of Manang. The lake is 3,540 m(11,614 ft) and near your accommodation point, about 500m from your tea house.
The glacier of Mount Gangapurna makes the lake, so it is named Gangapurna Lake. The stunning scenery of the mountain Gangapurna made the lake’s surroundings more attractive. To get to Gangapurna Lake, trekkers need to cross the Marsyangdi River, and the lake is also on the way to Tilicho Lake. Since the source of the Gangapurna Lake is Mount Gangapurna, the lake’s shape changes every year due to the melting glacier of Gangapurna Peak.
Tilicho Peak
The highest lake on the Annapurna Circuit trek, Tilicho Lake, stands at 4,919 m (16,138 ft). It is generally a side trip from the Annapurna Circuit trek to Mesokanto la Pass. Tilicho Lake has two Base Camps: Tilicho Khola Base Camp and Tilicho Lake Southern Base Camp. One base camp is always open, and another is closed due to the high elevation and frigid climate.
Tilicho Lake’s major attraction is the majestic mountain peaks surrounding it. You can see the mesmerizing view of Annapurna, Tilicho Peak, and Gangapurna from Tilicho Lake. After exploring Tilicho Lake, you’ll return to Yak Kharka via Khangsar and continue to Thorung La pass.
Himalayas Views along the trail to Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit trek is well known for the spectacular views of some of the world’s highest mountains. From the beginning of your journey to the end, you’ll be amazed by the snow-capped mountain peaks in each trek step.
Your starting trekking point to Annapurna Circuit is Besidhsar; you’ll start getting the mountain views from there. As you reach Besisahar, Mount Lamjung 6,983 m(22,910 ft), welcome you. When you go to Pisang village, Chulu West stands at 6419m or 21059ft tall. From Pisang village, you have two routes to get to Manang village: Upper Pisand and Lower Pisang.
We suggest you choose a route through Upper Pisang, as the trail to Upper Pisang provides the best view of the Annapurna II (8,091 m/26,545 ft), Gangapurna (7,455 m/24,459 ft), Annapurna III (7,555 m/24,787 ft), Tilicho peak (7134m/23405ft) and Chulu west (6419m/21059ft).
All the views you can see along the way from Pisang can be seen from Manang village, but from a closer view. Likewise, the same views, including Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna (7,455 m/24,459 ft), Tilicho Peak (7134m/23405ft), and Chulu West (6419m/21059ft), are seen along the way to Yak Kharka. However, between Yak Kharka and Thorung Phedi, you’ll see arid landscapes and hiking over the clip.
While walking through the trail from Thorung Phedi to Thorong La Pass, you’ll get the best view of Thorong Peak ( 6,144 m/20157ft) and other mountain ranges. As you get to the top of Thorong La, views of Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m /26,795 ft), Tukuche Peak, and different faces of the mountain range seen earlier are magnificent. Descending through Thorong La Pass, you’ll get to Muktinath.
Along the way to Muktinath, Annapurna I (8,091 m/26,545 ft) and Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m /26,795 ft) accompany you. From Muktinath, saying goodbye to all the magnificent views from Annapurna Circuit, you’ll descend and drive to Pokhara via a gravel road.
Some Other Trekking Routes for Annapurna Circuit
Annapurna Anticlockwise Trekking
The classical route of the Annapurna Circuit Trek is from the Besisahar sector. However, some people also prefer to cross the Thorong La Pass from the Muktinath region. The biggest hurdle or challenge in anticlockwise Trekking is altitude sickness. Trekkers get enough time for acclimatization while trekking from Lamjung.
From the Muktinath trailhead, trekkers might not get enough time to adjust to the altitude. Trekkers start the journey from Pokhara either by flight or by road. They reach the Muktinath area. The change in altitude is substantial. Pokhara’s altitude is 900 m, and Muktinath’s is about 3800 m from sea level.
Don’t forget to grasp as much memory as possible. On the other side of the pass is the sacred place for Hindus, the Muktinath Temple.
Combined Annapurna Circuit with Nar Phu Trek
The Annapurna Circuit Trek route can be extended further by adding various destinations. Trekkers can choose to explore hidden villages like Nar and Phu. However, you will have to get permits for particular restricted areas.
Tilicho Lake is another iconic destination. You can trek to the lake from Manang and rejoin the circuit trek route at Yak Kharka. Relish the chance to be at the shores of the world’s highest-situated lake. You can choose to avoid crossing Thorong La Pass as well. Instead of the pass, cross the Meso Kanta La Pass. Trekkers reach the Jomsom.
You can head to Upper Mustang as well. Like Nar Phu Trekking, the Upper Mustang trip requires a special permit. The Upper Mustang Trekking starts from either Muktinath or Kagbeni. Contact Boundless Adventure now to explore the Upper Mustang. You must complete some formalities before heading to the forbidden kingdom of Nepal.
Please note: Soprohibited has prohibited destinations with single permits in Nepal.
Muktinath Temple & Eternal Flame
The temple is of Lord Vishnu and has 108 holy taps and two bathing ponds. Bathing in those taps and dipping into the ponds will wash away all your sins. The monastery is next to the temple and has an eternal flame. It is so fascinating to observe these heavenly creations. No wonder some people believe that gods and goddesses live in these places—it indeed feels like it.
Hinduism has gods and goddesses in different forms. People believe that god resides in every particle of this earth. Moreover, according to the Hindu Scriptures, Lord Vishnu resides in the form of fossils (Shaligram).
Many Indian Travelers gather fossils back home as replicas of Lord Vishnu. Regardless of their religious belief, Trekkers can collect these sacred fossils from the surroundings of the Muktinath Temple.
The trekking scenery slightly changes from Muktinath to Tatopani (Naturally Hot spring). Instead, we took Viagra to Tatopani village via Jomsom and Marpha. There, we dipped into the natural hot water springs and washed away all the pain we endured while walking.
Also, gear up for the uphill Trekking to Ghorepani the next day. The scent of the rhododendron and magnolia trees motivates trekkers to climb to Ghorepani. Enticing sunrise view from Poon Hill the following day enthralls. Bask in the warmth of the first ray of sun coming out of the lofty Himalayas.
Bask because you have completed Nepal’s diverse and alluring trekking detour. The final day’s walking is mostly downhill and flats up to Nayapul via Birethanti.
The itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit Trek is customizable. Therefore, contact our travel planners if you want to change your plans. Boundless Adventure is always open to creating a trip of the trekker’s choice.
