TREK FACT FILE - Besisahar to Jomsom, 140km, height gain 5,000m, 16 days - 10 days on trek.
TREK PROFILE: The Annapurna Circuit is rightly known as one of the world's classic treks and for a very good reason. The views you get of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri offer some of the most superb mountain vistas you can come across anywhere. This trek has even more to offer though as you pass through a variety of terrain ranging from sub tropical rice fields, high alpine passes too arid semi dessert plains. You will also hike through typical Nepali villages, over gorge defying suspension bridges and pass by ancient religious monuments, stupas and monasteries. To add to this will be the experience of staying in lodges and having the opportunity to interact with the wonderful Nepalese people. The highlight of the trip will be the crossing of the Thorung La pass at 5,416m. All in all a challenging but ultimately rewarding trek for the mind and body.
THE TRAIL: You will start the trek at around a 1,000m and hit a high point of 5,416m. You will be hiking in the main on well established trails wearing just a day sack. We will say however to expect the unexpected. Depending on the time of year you may encounter snow, landslides and excess water and thus have to cross small streams and negotiate new trails born from landslides blocking established routes.
Your itinerary will include a brief description of our trip and an outline of your stays and meals provided. We normally only provide a breakfast at all of our city stop over locations as it gives you the opportunity to vary your cuisine by not being tied to hotel menu for your lunchtime or evening meal. We can provide full board trips on requests in particular if any person has any special dietary needs.
H=Hotel, R=Refuge, Lo=Lodge, Ha=Hacienda, T=Tents, B/L/D=Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.
Day 1: KATHMANDU - ARRIVAL DAY. (H/D)
You will be met at Tribhuwan international airport, Kathmandu and conveyed your hotel. You will have an evening briefing about your trip and enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 2: KATHMANDU - CITY TOUR, ACCLIMATISATION AND EQUIPMENT CHECK. (H/B)
After breakfast we will have a full day of sightseeing in Kathmandu valley. This will involve a visit to Boudhanath, one of the largest Stupa's in the world and the historic and beautiful city of nearby Bhaktapur.
Day 3: KATHMANDU TO BESISAHAR (BY BUS) HIKE TO BHULBHULE. 800m to 850m (Lo/B/L/D).
After breakfast we will be picked up by our trekking team for the bus ride to Besisahar and shortly after we will have a short walk from Khudi to your over night stay at Bhulbhule at 825m.
Day 4: BHULBHULE TO JAGAT. 850m to 1,290m. 7-8 hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
Your first full day of hiking will be a long but steady day where you will be introduced into the mountain culture and topography of Nepal. You will start your trek hiking through beautiful terraced rice fields, Nepali villages, and cross over jaw dropping suspension bridges as you pass through the villages of Ngadi, Lampata and Bahundanda. All the time you will marvel at the raging power of the Marsyangdi river. A great first day!
Day 5: JAGAT TO DHARAPANI. 1,290m to 1,860m. 6-7 hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
Today you will walk the splendid trail that takes you through the forest to the village of Chyamje (1,400m). The path then starts to hug the cliffs as you ascend the rocky path alongside the Marsyangdi river that leads steeply upwards to the serene village of Tal (1,675m), the first town in Manang district. The going gets easier out of Tal and we continue on an undulating trail that takes us to the village of Dharapani, your overnight stop.
Day 6: DHARAPANI TO CHAME. 1,860m to 2,620m. 6-7 hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
After breakfast we head out and hike up to Bagarchap village (2,160m) where the houses now change to the more traditional flat roofed Tibetan style. We continue upwards to Tyanja (2,360m), Kopar (2,590m) and then Chame at 2,620m. As we reach Chame, the headquarters of Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna 2.
Day 7: CHAME TO PISANG. 2,620m to 3,200m. 5-6 hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
We hike today through a densely forested valley running alongside the Marsyangdi river, which we cross at 2,910m on a long suspension bridge. We cross yet another suspension bridge at 3,040m and from here we gain sight of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face. After about five hours hiking we then get to the sprawling village of Pisang.
Day 8: PISANG TO MANANG. 3,200m to 3,440m 5-6 hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
On our trek today we start to hike through the drier upper section of Manang district. There are two trails on leaving Pisang, we will hike the lower easier route or if you are fit enough we will take the more scenic high route. The lower route takes an undulating route through Hongde (3,325m), which has an airstrip and then onwards through Mungji village to finish at the rather large village of Manang perched on its lofty Eire. Here Mani wheels and prayer flags abound and you are surrounded by the incredible mountain vista of the Annapurnas.
Day 9 MANANG – ACCLIMATISATION/REST DAY. (Lo/B/L/D).
Today is all about acclimatising and resting. You can have a day hike around one of the many scenic trails around Manang, rest or visit one of the many sights around the area. Should you feel energetic you can take a hike up to Ice Lake (3,900m) or visit the beautiful monastery in nearby Bragga.
Day 10: MANANG TO YAK KHARKA. 3,440m to 4,020m. 4-5 hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
Leaving Manang is a bit of a watershed as you now feel like you are really ascending into the high altitude mountain hinterland as you make your way towards the Thorung La pass. On your way out of Manang you will climb steadily all the way to Yak Kharka with fine views all of the way.
Day 11: YAK KHARKA TO THORONG PHEDI. 3,440m to 4,450m. 4-5 hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
Leaving Yak Kharka you will climb gradually along mountain trails running along the headwaters of the Marsyangdi crossing it at one point over an old wooden bridge. You then follow a narrow mountain path that leads you up to your overnight stay at Thorong Phedi.
Day 12. THORONG PHEDI TO MUKTINATH. 4,450m to 5,416m to 3,800m. 7-8 hrs hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
Today is a long day and you will leave at 4am. As soon as you leave Thorong Phedi the trails becomes steep for the two hours or so it takes you to get to High Camp (4,800m). From here the terrain gets easier but the hiking is no less tough as the altitude starts its wearing effects on you. After another two hours or so you finally get to to the pass with its plethora of prayer flags and excellent views. After a quick cup of tea and some food at the café at the pass (honest!) you will start to make the rocky decent to the remote but sizable town of Muktinath for your well earned overnight stay. Don´t be surprised if you take longer today than anticipated as you will need to feel in tune with the altitude and hope that the weather is favourable. The pass is also often covered in snow too and if so this will make the going harder.
Day 13. MUKTINATH TO JOMSOM. 3,800m to 2,700m. 6-7 hrs (Lo/B/L/D).
Today you descend from Muktinath into the district of Mustang where the scenery changes dramatically as you descend the Kali Gandaki valley into a landscape of stark rocky desolate beauty. You will go through the green oasis that is Kagbeni (2,800m), which stands out in stark contrast to the surrounding moonscape. Coming out of Kagbeni you follow the broad rugged course of the Kali Gandaki river where thankfully the terrain is now quite flat. After a few more hours you arrive at the end of your journey in the town of Jomsom, the headquarters of Mustang district.
Day 14. JOMSOM TO PHOKHARA – FLIGHT (H/B).
After an early breakfast you will catch what is an amazing flight to Pokhara where you will be put into a comfortable hotel. The day will be yours then and you can enjoy the city´s ample cafés and shops. If you are still feeling energetic you can even go for a boat ride on beautiful Phewa lake. You will be free to dine where you wish in the evening before you fly back to Kathmandu the following morning.
Day 15. PHOKHARA TO KATHMANDU– FLIGHT (H/B/D).
Today you will take another early morning flight, this time from Phokhara to Kathmandu. On arrival you will be taken to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to partake in some last minute shopping or sight seeing. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner with our trek team before your departure for home.
Day 16: KATHMANDU - DEPARTURE DAY (B).
You will be taken to the airport for your flight home.
Optional: Morning Everest scenic flight for £125 for one hour or a river rafting trip of one day at a cost of £30 or £40 with private transport.
Flight* If clients want to use a bus to and from Kathmandu and their trek area then this is an option but not from any flight from Jomsom to Pokhara due to time constraints. There will be an approximate £60 saving for each flight and this money will be refunded less the cost of any bus fare (see our dates and prices section). Should any flight not take place due to weather then this will necessitate a bus journey and again your flight monies will be refunded less the cost of any bus fare.
On our trips we include transport to and from the airport on arrival and departure, all transportation or travel in country including any internal domestic flights, all hotel and trekking lodge accommodation, a dedicated AB leader and all in country guides and porters, any park, mountain fees or permits and any sightseeing/tourist entry fees, Breakfasts at all hotel stays will be provided but lunches and dinners will only be provided where indicated. All meals will be provided during the duration of any trek or climb.
All booked activities and the use of any group equipment such as tents, cooking equipment are included but any additional activities booked with our in country providers will be subject to an additional surcharge.
NB: See our essential information page for a complete breakdown of what is and what is not included in your trip
Food and accommodation breakdown
Hotel = 4 nights, Trekking lodge = 11 nights, (15 nights total).
Breakfasts = 15, Lunches = 11, Dinners = 13 (39 meals out of a possible 44).