Annapurna Circuit Trek: Classical Route

Discover the Annapurna Circuit Trek in just 10 days. Perfect for time-crunched adventurers seeking breathtaking views without the altitude risk.

Duration: 12 days
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to hotel.

Kathmandu - Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be greeted by our guides and staff and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, join a group briefing about the trek and other essential information and gear.

Day 02: Drive to Besisahar 760 m – 08 hrs.

Day 03: Drive from Besisahar to Chame by local sharing jeep 2670 m – 05 hours.

Chame - After breakfast, we will drive to Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district. The road is unpaved, but you will witness stunning scenery, including authentic villages, diverse landscapes, pine forests, hills, and a delightful view of Mount Manaslu. The road follows the Marshyangdi River, making the drive to Chame quite challenging. From Jagat, the trek begins on a winding path to Chamje. Chame is a small mountain town located at 2670 m above sea level, where you can enjoy a beautiful stay.

Day 04: Trek from Chame to Pisang 3, 230 m – 7/8 hrs.

Manang - From this point, the trek brings you closer to the mountains, passing through a beautiful alpine forest and following the Masrsyangdi River upstream to Bhratang village. The trail then ascends through pine trees to Dhukure Pokhari, a small place with a few lodges and views of Chulu and Pisang Peak. After a lunch break, descend to Pisang village for an overnight stay.

Day 05: Trek from Pisang to Manang Village 3,450 m – 6/7 hrs.

Manang - Pisang village is located within Manang Valley, offering stunning mountain views. The altitude gradually increases from here, with the trail leading uphill to views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu, and Pisang peak, eventually reaching Hongde village. From here, the tree line fades into barren, arid landscapes as you approach Manang village. En route, visit the old Braga monastery, rich with Buddhist relics, ancient wall paintings, frescoes, and a superb panorama of the Annapurna Himalaya. From here, it’s an hour’s walk to Manang village.

Day 06: Rest Day at Manang for local hikes and Acclimatization.

Manang - Take a rest day for acclimatization before heading to higher altitudes and crossing the Thorang La Pass. We highly recommend hiking to Gangapurna Lake, a stunning lake in Manang Valley. Additionally, explore Manang village beneath the towering Annapurna and Gangapurna peaks, and take a short hike for views of Gangapurna Glacier and the Manang glacial lake.

Day 07: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka 4,110 m – 4/5 hours.

Manang - After resting in Manang, trek to Yak Kharka, an interesting high-altitude walk with mountain views, crossing small streams to reach Yak Kharka, a small settlement with incredible views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Chulu Peaks.

Day 08: Trek to Thorang High Camp 4,600 m – 4/5 hours

Thorong La Pass - The morning trek brings you closer to Thorang-la, crossing a bridge and then climbing along the Jarjung River to Thorung Phedi for a short rest, followed by a final hour-long climb to Thorang High Camp for an overnight stay.

Day 09: Cross Thorang-La 5,416 m and to Muktinath 3,800 m – 7/8 hours

Muktinath Temple - Start early to reach the highest point of the adventure. After breakfast, climb to Thorang-la at 5,416 m, marked with Buddhist prayer flags, offering superb vistas of landscapes and snowcapped peaks. From here, descend to Muktinath at 3,800 m. Muktinath is a holy site for both Hindus and Buddhists; the name Muktinath means ‘the place for Nirvana or liberation.’

Day 10: Drive to Pokhara by local deluxe bus – 10 hrs (810m)

Pokhara - Today, drive to Pokhara, a challenging yet scenic journey. After Muktinath, the drive becomes easier, descending 1,200 m to the Kaligandaki river valley. The route passes Jomsom, the headquarters of the Mustang area, with a small airstrip above the Kaligandaki River, and continues through Marpha village, descending past Lete. The journey travels between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, forming the world’s deepest gorge of the Kali-Gandaki River.

Day 11: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu afternoon free at leisure.

Kathmandu - In the morning, embark on an exciting overland journey back to Kathmandu, passing farm villages and towns. Arrive in Kathmandu by the afternoon, with the rest of the day free for individual activities and souvenir shopping.

Day 12: Final departure from Kathmandu homeward bound or to respective destinations.

TIA - On your last day in the land of the Himalayan Wonders, depart from the hotel to the airport for your international flight back home or to your next destination.

What's Included
  • Three cups tea per day during the trek
  • All ground transportation (Airport pick up & drop off, bus and jeep drives)
  • Seasonal fruits during the trek
  • Trekking Gears: Sleeping bag, down jacket and duffle bag
  • One night hotel in Pokhara with breakfast
  • Three meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
  • Two nights hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • Government license holder guide from Kathmandu
  • Private Local tea house basis (Twin sharing beds)
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Conservation Permit
What's Not Included
  • Travel insurance
  • Other expenses like mineral water, Beer, Coke, laundry and dessert.
  • Tips for trekking crews
Additional Information

Annapurna Circuit Trek is the classical trekking route of Nepal. Normally, the trip is the detour route of Nepal Trekking, which requires 10–17 days. However, if you are short on time, you can do the trek in much fewer days as well. After lots of field research, travel planners at Nepal High Trek have knitted the Annapurna Circuit Trek 10-day itinerary. The itinerary is perfect for travelers without much risk of altitude sickness or hours of walking. Moreover, the construction of a hilly road from Besisahar to Manang has helped in knitting the short itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Can I use a Jeep to Manang to further shorten the number of trekking days?
No, it is not appropriate to take a Jeep beyond Chame. However, it is possible to use the four-wheel jeep to reach Manang. The risk of altitude sickness is very high if we take a jeep ride to Manang.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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up to 15 guests
1
Adult
October 2024
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