Annapurna Circuit Trek is a 24-day trek through some of the best trekking terrains you will ever encounter. This voyage introduces you to the best part of the Annapurna Region. Ammonite Adventures takes you to Poon Hill, Jomsom, Muktinath, Thorang La Pass, and many other places, all of which make this trek an outstanding experience.
The Annapurna Round usually takes 20 days and introduces you to the best part of the Annapurna Region and can be quite challenging in places and is noted for making a number of crossings over rivers using suspension bridges – hazardous looking these bridges may be but safe they most certainly are.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost
The cost of the Annapurna circuit depends on the number of days you’re spending. for 23 days trek, it costs you around $2000 which is negotiable. and of course, the price will be decided on how long are you going to spend? Please check on the cost section below for what does the cost includes and excludes.
Trek Difficulty
Annapurna Round Trek is considered Strenuous. A good level of cardiovascular fitness and some trekking experience is strongly advised. While trekking you must be able to walk for 4-6 hours daily. The difficulty also depends on the days you are planning to spend on the trek. if your trek is short then the trek would be difficult for you and if you are thinking for spending more time it would somehow be easy for you.
Altitude Sickness
The term Altitude Sickness is used often but there are intact 3 types of Altitude Sickness. The most common is actually Acute Mountain Sickness – or AMS for short. AMS becomes a real threat when ascending at altitudes of roughly over 3,000m / 9,000 ft.
AMS comes into effect usually because a trekker or climber ascends too quickly. As the air becomes thinner, there is less oxygen available. Your lungs need time to adjust in order to carry much-needed oxygen to the different parts of your body. It may cause a severe is Annapurna Round Hike.
All Ammonite Adventure treks over 3,000m / 9,000 ft include rest days – known as acclimatization days.
Accommodation
While on the trek, all accommodation is included in the price. You will stay in either a guesthouse or a teahouse. Which one depends on the time of year you are visiting.
A Guesthouse is more like a low budget hotel room. You will likely have a shower and a western toilet (they will be shared with other trekkers). You may also have WiFi. A Teahouse is basically an extension of a family home (usually very basic, most likely no shower and a drop toilet.) In either case, the hospitality is always outstanding.
When a package includes nights in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan etc, the price includes a 3-star Hotel. 3 Stars in Nepal equates to 4 stars. You can, if you like, upgrade your accommodation to 5 Star (Nepali 5 star that is) which is a solid 4 star in most western countries.
Food
While on the trek, all food is included in the price. The food is basic but extremely nutritious to keep you going. When a package includes nights in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan etc, the price includes breakfast as long as you have it at the Hotel.
Considerations
Adventure travel, very nature, involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries such as Nepal, do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered.
To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for Annapurna Circuit Trek we recommend that you speak with one of Ammonite Adventures Team Members.
In how many days does the Annapurna circuit can be completed?
This trek can be completed in 12 days in minimum and for maximum, it would take you around 23 days. While completing in 12 days you need to take vehicles on some parts rather than trekking. Moreover, you will miss some beautiful views. If you’re planning to visit Lake Tilicho you must spend more days. You can choose any of the following packages on the basis of the number of days on trekking.
The length of the Annapurna circuit varies from 100-145 miles (160-230km). This variation depends on the use of motor transportation and the starting and ending point of the trek.
Today you will leave Marsyangdi River behind and continue on to witness Annapurna 2, Pisang Peak, beautiful landscapes and old villages that time seems to have forgotten. Danakyu (2,190m / 7,185 ft) is sometimes known as Danaque, but Danakyu is more widely used.
5 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
You continue walking while enjoying the view of mountains and waterfalls along the way. You will pass through the villages of Thanchwok and Koto during the 4-hour trek before reaching Chame (2,670m / 8,759 ft), the headquarters of Manang District in the Gandaki Zone. It’s a beautiful town with a population of around 1,129 and more facilities than previous stops.
4 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
Today is a bigger day and after breakfast, you continue your trek to Upper Pisang (3,300m / 10,826 ft). Along the way, you walk through the dense forest and cross the Marsyangdi River at the Swargadwari Bridge. Shortly after, you will see the first view of gigantic Paungda Danda rock face which is curved like a bowl shape.
6 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
Today if you wake up early you can watch the beautiful sunrise and first ray of sun on Annapurna 2. After breakfast, you continue the trek towards Ngawal (3,660m / 12,007 ft). The trail to Ngawal is about 400m / 1,312 ft higher than the lower trail but you will have great opportunities to witness high altitude flora and fauna, beautiful gorges, Annapurna 2 and 3 as well as Pisang Peak.
5 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
Today’s trek continues through the big hills, jungle and wetlands of the Manang Region. On the way, you will pass Lophelling Monastery and Sher Gompa. Depending on your progress, there should be time to explore one or the other. You will reach Manang (3,540m / 13,287 ft) late in the afternoon in time for dinner.
5 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
Nicely rested, you continue the trek towards Yak Kharka (4,050m / 13,287 ft) which ascends by 500m / 1,640 ft. You make the climb steadily through Tenki Manang, leaving the Marsyangdi Valley. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, you reach Yak Kharka. Herds of yaks and vegetations appear to thin out.
5 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
Today is a long day starting before sunrise at 4 am to reach Thorung La Pass by 9 or 10 am. If you arrive at Thorung La Pass (5,416m / 17,769 ft) any later, there is a high risk of strong winds developing. This would be both uncomfortable and would slow down progress significantly. Some problems may arise due to altitude and snow. After 4 hours of climbing to the pass marked by the chortens and prayer flags, you will be rewarded with stunning views from the top of the pass. A further 4 hours will see you arrive at the holy town of Muktinath (3,760m / 12,335 ft).
Muktinath means place of Nirvana and is home to the Muktinath Temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows we feel are relieved when visiting the Temple. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The prime pilgrimage month is September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple which has a gorgeous natural spring and an eternal flame fueled by natural gas.
8 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
Having passed Thorung la Pass and continuing on from Muktinath, you will see a stark contrast in scenery. The land looks more like a dessert since you are now in the rain shadow of the Annapurnas. Getting to Marpha means crossing the Lupra Pass (3,772m / 12,375 ft). It’s not a big deal as Lupra Pass is basically at the same altitude as Muktinath
Shortly after, you will reach the village of Lupra and shortly after that you will reach a junction. At this point, you will head south towards Marpha. Heading north would take you into the Upper Mustang
Getting to Marpha (2,670m / 8,759 ft) on this track means you will bypass Jomsom which is just to the West. Marpha translates to “Hard Working People” is the home to the legendary apple orchards. You will taste the apples and the myriad apple products like pies and wine. Apple Brandy is another local speciality that we may be lucky enough to taste en route.
8 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
You continue to descend through Kali Gandaki River Valley. On the way, you will encounter the world’s deepest gorge, Kopchepani. Tatopani (1,190m / 3,904 ft) is famous for its hot springs. This is the best place to relax our body after a long trek. We will spend a day relaxing at this spot.
6 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
Today is another big day. It will take about 7 hours to walk from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,880m / 9,448 ft). You climb about 1,620m / 5,314 ft up. From Ghorepani, you will be able to see Annapurna South, Himchuli and Tukuche Himal. You will pass a couple of Magar and Gurung villages on the trail.
6 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
Very early in the morning, you start an hour hiking to Poon Hill (3,193m / 5,052 ft) a brilliant spectacle. This vantage point provides unobstructed views of the early morning sunrise over the high Himalayas, weather permitting. There, you will spend about an hour. You return to Ghorepani where you can have a hot breakfast at the hotel. You then trek down towards Tikhedhunga (1,540m / 5,052 ft), walking down along the ridges and through rhododendron forests.
5 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in a Guesthouse
After breakfast, a full day sightseeing tour of the Pokhara area begins. There will be a professional city guide and a private tourist vehicle at your disposal. You will visit the following sites:
Bindhabasini Temple
The temple lies in the centre of the religious old bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, another manifestation of Shakti. The park grounds offer a fine picnic and relaxing area.
Davis Fall
Locally known as Patale Chhango and located in the southern flank of the Pokhara valley, it is where the stream flowing from Fewa Lake collapses and surges down the rock into a deep gorge, leaping through several potholes. This is hugely popular with tourists and locals alike.
Gupteshwor Cave
The revered Gupteshwor Cave has situated 2 km from the Pokhara airport. The entrance is right across from Davis fall and the cave is almost 3 km long. It has some big hall-sized rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all four. This cave holds special value to Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered.
Seti River Gorge
Carved by the Seti Gandaki River, it is one of the natural wonders of Pokhara. K.I. Singh bridge at Bagar, Mahendrapool and Prithvi Highway Bridge near bus park provide a perfect view of the river’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by the turbulent flow of white water.
Tibetan Refugee Camps
The Tibetan village Tashiling in the south and the Tashi Palkhel village in the north of Pokhara are renowned for the production and trade of woollen carpets and other handicrafts. The original Tibetan settlers in this region migrated to Nepal in the ‘50s.
World Peace Pagoda
World Peace Pagoda, also known as Pokhara Shanti Stupa, is a Buddhist pagoda-style monument. It is the shrine built as a symbol of peace. The spot is situated at the height of 2,100 meters on the Ananda Hill. Nepal has two of the eighty peace pagodas in the world i.e. Shanti Stupa in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and Shanti Stupa in Pokhara. It also provides a panoramic view of the Annapurna range, Pokhara city and Fewa Lake.
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