Around Annapurna Trek

Duration: 20 Days

Max.Elevation:5416m.

Style of Trek: Tea house /Camping

Trek Grade: Medium / Hard

Start: Beshi Sahar Finish: Nayapool  

Day 01: Kathmandu to Besi-Sahar:
We reach Besi-Sahar from Kathmandu via a 173km bus ride (6hrs drive) with local vehicles along road dominated by wild hairpin bends, to commence the trek. To start with most of the trail is fairly flat until just after Besi-sahar when the track narrows and the valley becomes a deep river gorge.

Day 02: Besi-Sahar to Bahundanda: (1,250 m.)
From Besi-Sahar the trail offers fine views of Hiunchuli and peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) as it climbs to Bulbule at 825 m. It then continues to Ngadi before reaching Bahundanda at 1250 m. Overnight stop at Bahundanda.

Day 03: Bahundanda to Chamje:
From Bahundanda the trail drops steeply to Syange at 1,070 m. The trail crosses the Marsyangdi River on a suspension bridge and then follows the river to the stone village of Jagat. After 45 minutes you will be in Chamje. Overnight stop at Chamje.

Day 04: Chamje to Dharapani: (1,890 m.)
From Chamje the trail follows the Marsyangdi River steadily uphill to Tal (1,675 m.), a small village at the foot of a large waterfall. Now the trek enters the Manang district. The trail crosses a wide, flat valley before climbing a stone stairway to 1,860 m. The trail continues with several ups and down before halting at Dharapani.

Day 05: Dharapani to Chame:
This section of the trail offers rough and rocky climbing up to Tyanja at 2360 m and then continues through pine and fir forest up to Chame (2685m.). Here is the headquarters of the Manang district. There are fine views of Annapurna II from Chame.

Day 06: Chame to Pisang:
The trail runs through deep forest in a steep and narrow valley, crossing a river on a long bridge at 3040m. Nearing the village of Pisang one has a view of the whole of the Manang valley, a wide U-shaped valley between two huge snow peaks.

Day 07: Pisang to Manang:
The trail climbs a steep ridge that extends into the valley. At the top of this spur are excellent views of the Manang valley, with Tilicho peak (7132 m.) at its head and a view backing to Pisang peak; one of the trekking peaks. The trail crosses the Marsyangdi on a large wooden bridge near Mungji at 3360 m then traverses to Bryaga, a Tibetan style village consisting of about 200 houses stacked one atop another, each with an open veranda.

Day 08: Manang (Acclimatization Day in Manang):
One should spend a day in Manang village to acclimatize and explore Manang. From the village of about 500 flat roofed houses one has excellent views of the Annapurna II, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna Lake.

 Day 09: Manang to Yak Kharka:
The trek now begins an ascent of almost 2000 m to Thorung La. From Manang village the trail crosses a stream before climbing to Tengi. We then continue to climb the Marsyangdi valley, passing the small village of Gunsang. After crossing a large stream that flows from Chulu west and Gundang, the trail passes an ancient Mani wall in a pleasant meadow at 4000 m. Beyond here is Yak Kharka, also known as Koche.

Day 10: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi:
After an hour we reach Letdar (4250m). From Letdar the trail continues to climb along the east bank of the Jorsang Khola, then descends and crosses the stream on a wooden bridge at 4310 metres. After making a short ascent on a good trail to a teashop, the route then follows a narrow path across a high, unstable scree slope before descending to Thorong Phedi.

Day 11: Thorong Phedi/High Camp to Muktinath:
Phedi, which means 'foot of the hill', is a common Nepali name for any settlement at the bottom of a long climb. The trail becomes steepest immediately after leaving Thorong Phedi, and takes four to six hours from Thorong Phedi to the pass. Thorong-La pass with its traditional Chorten prayer flags is at an elevation of 5,416 m. The views from the trail and from the pass itself are of outstanding high Himalayan scenery. One can see to the South the entire Annapurna range, a heavily glaciated peak, the barren Kaligandaki valley far below to the West and the peak of Thorungtse (6,482 m.) to the north. The trail descends to Muktinath from here.

Day 12: Muktinath to Kagbeni:
The trail descends very quickly to the valley floor. The descent is through a dramatic, arid landscape all the way to Kagbeni. To reach Kagbeni one must travel on either side of the Kaligandaki river. The left fork continues up the river to Kagbeni.

Day 13: Kagbeni to Marpha:
After six hours walking from Kagbeni one reaches Jomsom, a major village on the Kaligandaki trading route.

Day 14: Marpha to Ghasha:
The east-bank route crosses the bridge and heads north, staying above the gravel riverbanks to Dhumpu. The trail climbs over a forested ridge, then heads down again and makes a long but easy traverse along gravel bars beside the riverbed. It then crosses the river back to the west side via a series of temporary bridges just before Kalopani (a small Thakali village) at 2,590 m.

Day 15: Ghasa to Tatopani:
Here we witness a dramatic change in the vegetation, from dry arid desert to pine and conifer forests while passing through and between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. At Kalopani the view of Annapurna is magnificent. Camping and bathing in the hot spring at Tatopani. Tato is 'hot' and pani is 'water' in Nepali. Walking distance is approximately five hours.

Day 16: Tatopani (Rest day):


Day 17: Tatopani to Shikha:
Cross the Kaligandaki and climb steeply up to the Magar village of Sikha for lunch, after which the trail ascends to Shikha. Walking duration is approximately four hours.

Day 18: Shikha to Ghorepani/Poon Hill:
The guide will wake you up early for the 2 hour walk up to Poonhill, where one may witness the sunrise for a lifetime memory. Over 30 snow-capped peaks of the whole Annapurna range can be seen from here.

Day 19: Ghorepani to Ghandruk:
This area is one of the finest and most famous trekking areas of Nepal. The Annapurna ranges and Machhapuchre (Fishtail) dominate the mountain views through glimpses farther east of Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu range. The trail descends through huge boulders into the maze of tracks around Ghandruk at 1940 m.

Day 20: Ghandruk to Pokhara via Nayapool:
During the descent to Pokhara, via Birethanti, one can see mules loaded with goods in transit. Walking duration is 5 hrs. Walk up to Naya pool (New-bridge) and drive to Pokhara.