Annapurna circuit trek
The classic trek in the Annapurna region is the Annapurna circuit. The complete circuit has only been possible since mid 1980's when the Manang area was officially opened up to non-Nepali visitors. For and all-round experience of the scenery and culture of Nepal this trek has a lot to offer. Starting in the lush Marsyandi valley, that separates the Annapurna range from that of Manaslu, the scenery is composed of lush cultivated fields with dense forests on either side. In the winter season, orange tree are laden with fruits and fragrant frangipani blossoms cast their scent along the trails. As you travel higher the valley becomes more rugged until the villages and forests finally give way to the arid hills of Manang. The Thorong La pass, at 5416 meters, marks the highpoint of the treks after which the trail joins the kali Gandaki river that flows through the deepest gorge on earth.
This is a challenging trek that is not without some risks. The crossing of Thorong La can be dangerous at times, especially during unexpected snowfall so potential trekkers must make sure that they are well prepared and equipped for all eventualities. The trek can be completed in a minimum of fifteen days, starting in Kathmandu and finishing in Pokhara. If a few extra days are allowed for it is then possible to enjoy several of the possible side trips and add immeasurably to the experience. And entry permit for the Annapurna conservation area project (ACAP) is needed for this trek.
Most trekkers start the trek by taking the bus from Kathmandu to Besishahar. These days the journey accomplished in around six or seven hours which allows a few hours trekking on the first day. The trail from Besishahar follows the partly constructed road as far as the small market town of Kuldi. This road can be avoided by crossing the river below Besishahar and trekking along the east bank of the river rejoining the main trail at Bhul Bhule.
The first few days of the trek follow the Marshyangdi through scattered farming communities by a mixer predominantly composed of Gurungs but with a sizeable numbers of Brahmin communities. The crop range from rice and wheat at the lower elevations to corn, millet and barley as the altitude increases. Above the valley floor the hills are cloaked in forest with the occasional clearing indicating human settlements. Higher still, the snowy peak of the Annapurna and the Manaslu ranges dominate the skyline. A feature of this section of the trek is the number of high waterfalls that cascade down into the main river. The valley rises slowly slow altitude sickness is rarely a problem at this stage.
After a four days on the trail the river, which has been flowing from the north changes its course and flows from the west. At this point the landscape changes with steep rocky gorges on its side and large stands of pine making up the forest cover. By the time the district headquarters of Chame has been passed the hills are becoming more and more barren and the people predominantly Manangba. Look for a number of ancient temples, some of which represent the pre-Buddhist, Bon religion.
The tree line is reached a few hours before pass higher altitude it is compulsory rest day should be taken for acclimatization to the increasing altitude. There are a number of possible side trips from Manang that can be taken on the acclimatization day. Perhaps the most spectacular is to the west, across the river and up to the Gangapurna glacier with its deep blue lake formed by the melting glacial ice. The Himalayan rescue association clinic is located in Manang village and holds afternoon awareness lectures for trekkers warning of the dangers of AMS. These lectures are well worth attending.
From Manang, the trial passes through high alpine pastures until the small cluster of teahouses at Thorong Phedi id reached. An early morning start from here will allow you to reach Thorong La by mid morning and then start the long descent across the scree slopes to Muktinath before the afternoon cloud sweeps in. the whole section have no permanent settlements and shelter is hard to find. For safety, trekkers should never travel alone this section.
Muktinath, a famed pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus, is the first major settlement reached after the crossing of Thorong La. Be sure to visit the temples here and especially look for the eternal flame, fuelled by natural gas, which can be found in the small Buddhist temple below the main shrine.
From Muktinath the views of the west are now of the Dhaulagiri range while to the north can be seen the arid hills of upper mustang. The trial Leeds down through villages inhabited by people of Tibetan stock until it reaches the banks of the kali Gandaki River, the home of Thakali people. A further four days trekking down through this, the deepest valley on earth, brings you to the road head at Beni from where buses to Pokhara can be found. Settlements of particular interest below Muktinath are Jomsom with its airport, a possible exit point to Pokhara, Marpha with its fascinating medieval architecture designed to ward off the fierce winds that blow daily up the gorge and Tatopani with its hot springs.
There are a number of possible side trip that can be combined with the Annapurna circuit. Either from the Manang side or from below Jomsom it is possible to trek up to the high-altitude lake at Tilicho. You must allow at least four days for this trek and be fully self-sufficient. Also on the eastern side of the kali Gandaki there is a trial that leads to the original north Annapurna base camp that was used by the French expedition that first scaled the peak. On the western side of the valley treks to Hidden valley via Dhampus pass and to the Dhaulagiri icefall are also possible option. All of these site trips are suitable only for fit and experienced parties who are fully self-sufficient.
TRIP ITINERARY:
Annapurna Circuit Trekking (Start from Besi Sahar end Trek in Nayapul drive to Pokhara)
Day 01 Arrival and transfer to hotel
Day 02 Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley
Day 03 Katmandu drive bus to Besi sahar (750m)
Day 04 Besi Sahar trekking to Ngadi (860m)
Day 05 Ngadi trekking to Jagat (1400m)
Day 06 Jagat trekking to Dharapani (1943m)
Day 07 Dharapani trekking to Chame (2713m)
Day 08 Chame trekking to Pisang (3185m)
Day 09 Pisang trekking to Manang (3530m)
Day 10 Manang acclimatization Day
Day 11 Manang trekking to Letdar (4250m)
Day 12 Letdar trekking to Thorong Phedi (4700m)/Highcamp
Day 13 Phedi/Highcamp cross Thorong la (5416m) to Muktinath
Day 14 Muktinath trekking to Marpha (2670m)
Day 15 Marpha trekking to Ghasa (2012m)
Day 16 Ghasa trekking to Tatopani (1189m)
Day 17 Tatopani trekking to Ghorepani (2775m)
Day 18 Morning Visit poon Hill (3193m) and trekking Hille (1510m)
Day 19 Hille trekking to Nayapul drive to Pokhara
Day 20 Pokhara drive toursit bus to Kathmandu
Day 21 Free Day in Kathmandu
Day 22 Drive to Airport for Return flight
Annapurna Circuit Trekking (End Trekking in Jomsom fly to Pokhara )
Day 14 Muktinath trek to Jomsom (2710m)
Day 15 Jomsom Flight to Pokhara(820m)
Day 16 Pokhara drive Tourist bus / Flight to Kathmandu
Day 17 Free Day in Kathmandu
Day 18 Drive to Airport for Return flight
Annapurna Circuit Trekking (End Trekking in Beni drive to Pokhara )
Day 17 Tatopani trek to Galeswor (1170m)
Day 18 Galeswor trek to Beni drive bus to Pokhara (820m)
Day 19 Pokhara drive Tourist bus / Flight to Kathmandu
Day 20 Free Day in Kathmandu
Day 21 Drive to Airport for Return flight
Annapurna Circuit Trekking ( Trekking End Dhampus Phedi drive to Pokhara)
Day 18 Morning Visit poon Hill (3193m) and Tadapani (2590m)
Day 19 Tadapani trek to Ghandruk (1940m)
Day 20 Ghandruk trek to Tolkha ( 1700m)
Day 21 Tolkha trek to Dhampus Phedi drive to Pokhara
Day 22 Pokhara drive Tourist bus / Flight to Kathmandu
Day 23 Free Day in Kathmandu
Day 24 Drive to Airport for Return flight
Annapurna Circuit Trekking ( Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp )
Day 18 Morning Visit poon Hill (3193m) and Tadapani (2590m)
Day 19 Tadapani trek to Chomrong(2170m)
Day 20 Chomrong trek to Doban ( 2505)
Day 21 Doban trek to Machhapuchhre base camp (3700m)
Day 22 Go to Annapurna base camp (4130m) Return Doban
Day 23 Doban trek to Jhinu Danda ( 1780m)
Day 24 Jhinu Danda trek to Pothana (1900m)
Day 25 Pothana trek to Dhampus Phedi drive to Pokhara
Day 26 Pokhara drive Tourist bus / Flight to Kathmandu
Day 27 Free Day in Kathmandu
Day 28 Drive to Airport for Return flight
