Short Annapurna Circuit Trek

Our short Annapurna circuit trek starts from Chame. This 10-day trek offers views of the Annapurna and Manaslu mountains and crosses the Thorong La Pass. After the construction of the motor road from Besi Sahar to Chame. This makes it possible to trek the Annapurna Circuit in less than 10 days without the Kathmandu section, but requires 13 days with Kathmandu. This is the best option for those looking for a short trek to the Annapurna Circuit, but they must be prepared for a four-wheel drive from Besi Sahar to Chame (not possible in the monsoon). The special feature of this trek is the Himalayan landscape, the cultural diversity and the crossing of Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), one of the most beautiful high passes in the region. The Annapurna Circuit has long been considered one of the best treks in Nepal and has been ranked as one of the top 10 trails in the world for a classic trekking holiday.
The shortest version of the Annapurna Circuit Trek starts with a drive from Besi Sahar to Chame, which takes about 4 to 5 hours, while the drive from Kathmandu to Besi Sahar by bus or private vehicle takes about 6 to 7 hours. If you plan to travel from Kathmandu to Chame in a single day, it is recommended to take a private jeep that goes directly to Chame, which is more convenient than changing vehicles in Besi Sahar. Chame village is the headquarters of Manang district in the Gandaki region of northern Nepal.
From Chame we enter the Manang Valley, a beautiful valley that offers spectacular views (at every turn you have a different view of the Annapurna and Manaslu mountains), an amazing variety of landscapes, from subtropical to alpine peaks to arid semi-deserts similar to those of Tibet, picturesque farming villages, river basins, glacial lakes, a great cultural diversity and Buddhist monasteries, as well as the Thorong La Pass (the highest point of the trek at an altitude of 5. 416 meters).
The trek follows the Marsyangdi valley to the north of the main Himalayan range and cross the Thorong La Pass (5,416 meters) to descend into the dramatic desert like Tibetan-style scenery of the Upper Kali Gandaki Valley.
The trek offers breathtaking mountain views of the numerous above 7000 meters Annapurna Peaks, some other beautiful mountains including mount Manaslu. After crossing the Thorong La Pass you will reach at Muktinath and visit the Muktinath temple, a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists.
After Muktinath, you descend to Kali Gandaki River and follow the trail to Jomsom, on this day see an eyeful landscape view of the Mustang Valley and immense views of Nilgiri Himal, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peak. Jomsom has daily flights and motorway connections with Pokhara. From Jomsom you will take a bus/jeep (about 8 to 9 hours) or flight (about 25 minutes) to Pokhara and the next day, you will drive about 6 to 7 hours) or fly (about 25 minutes) from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
The construction of the motor roads from Besi Sahar to Chame and from Muktinath to Beni naturally affected those who wanted to hike the entire classic Annapurna circuit, although it also offered the possibility of completing the trek in a shorter time.
Most trekkers are concerned about suffering altitude sickness when going overland for a long time straight to Chame at 2670 meters in a single day. If you're feeling the same way, we recommend that you drive by jeep to Syange (1,100 meters), Jagat (1,330 meters), or Dharapani (1,960 meters) and start your trek from there, but for trekking need a few extra days.
From Jomsom, if you have the time and interest, it is also possible to extend the trek to a spectacular viewpoint called Poon Hill, situated at an altitude of 3210 meters. For this option, you can drive from Jomsom to Tatopani (Hot Springs) and from here you start the trek to Poon Hill which has multiple ending points.
Short Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek Preparation
Day 03: Drive to Besi Sahar (820 m) and Chame (2,670 m) – Not in Monsoon
Day 04: Trek to Pisang (3,200 m)
Day 05: Trek to Manang (3,540 m)
Day 06: Acclimatization in Manang (3,540 m)
Day 07: Trek to Yak Kharka (4,110 m)
Day 08: Trek to Thorung Phedi (4,420 m)
Day 09: Trek to Muktinath (3,800 m) Over the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m)
Day 10: Trek to Jomsom (2,713 m) via Lupra or Kagbeni
Day 11: Flight to Pokhara (850m) and sightseeing around Pokhara
Day 12: Pokhara drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus
Day 13: Depart Kathmandu