Annapurna Circuit

A classic adventure in Nepal
22 Days trip
TripCode: ANC
Country: Nepal

Highlights

• Ancient trade routes and Classic trek
• Crossing the Himalayan pass (Throng La pass-5416m)
• Wonderful landscape and Himalayan cultures
• Staggering mountain views
• Sacred rivers valleys
• Rhododendrons
• Himalayan flora and fauna

We start this trek with a delightful drive to Bhulbule via Besi Sahar, the starting point, traversing pretty farmland. Throughout our walk, there are ever-changing panoramas of some of the world's greatest peaks, including Manaslu and the Annapurnas. Beyond the Tibetan Buddhist village of Manang, we cross the stamina-sapping Thorung La (5416m.) to enter the deep valley of the Kali Gandaki. Here, a wealth of new experiences awaits us, including the colourful temples at Muktinath and the glorious dawn view of Dhaulagiri from Poon Hill above Ghorepani. Trekking out to Pokhara, you can choose to spend a night before traveling back to Kathmandu.
Due to the construction of road from Pokhara to Muktinath via Tatopani, this trek will avoid two places Marpha and Kalopani which fall in the middle and hence we drive straight to Tatopani. Tatopani is a very nice place to rest with hot spring. One full day stay will be good to recover from the strenuous pass hike before we take a steep ascend up to another highlight - Ghorepani Poon Hill.

Trip Fact sheet
Trip name:	Annapurna Round
Trip Code:	ANC21
Trip Duration:	22 days
Trek days:	17 days
Area:	Annapurna Conservation area, Nepal
Activities:	Trekking/hiking
Trip grade:	Strenuous adventure
Highest point:	5416m (Thorong La - pass)
Mountains:	Annapurna (II, III, IV and V or south) Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare, Lamjung, Gangapurna, Throng and Pisang peak
Accommodation:	Local Lodges on the trail, standard hotel - Kathmandu and Pokhara
Meals on trek:	Included (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Transportation:	Tourist Coach and private van or bus
Minimum pax:	2 pax
Maximum pax:	16 pax
Season:	September to November and March to May

Trip itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to the Hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Drive to Besi Sahar/Bhulbule, overnight lodge at Syange.
Day 04: Commence the trek to Chamje.
Day 05: Trek to Chamje (1433 m).
Day 06: Trek to Dharapani (1943 m).
Day 07: Trek to Chame (2713 m).
Day 08: Trek to Pisang (3292 m).
Day 09: Trek to Manang (3500 m).
Day 10: Acclimatization day in Manang.
Day 11: Trek to Ledar (4250 m).
Day 12: Trek to Phedi (4450 m).
Day 13: Trek to Muktinath (3800 m) via La Pass (5416 m).
Day 14: Drive to Tatopani with lunch enroute
Day 15: Rest day at Tatopani /hot spring
Day 16: Trek to Ghorepani
Day 17: Visit Poon Hill (3200m) in the morning and trek to Ghandruk.
Day 18: Trek to Dhampus.
Day 19: Trek to Phedi and drive to Pokhara, transfer to hotel in Pokhara.
Day 20: Drive back to Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel.
Day 21: Free day Kathmandu.
Day 22: Transfer to the international airport for the connecting flight.

Tour extension: After this trip, if you have time, can join the short adventure activities that we offer such as 2-3 days Seti or Kali Gandaki river rafting and Kayaking trips or take a adventure wildlife safari tours at Chitwan national park

Best season/time for this trip

It entirely depends on what you are looking for! Nepal is ever pleasant through out the year. Spring and summer are great months (March and April, May) with lots of flowers in bloom, especially rhododendrons in the mountain and hills looks wonderful, even though the sky might not be crystal clear as during the autumn months. For tourist as seems traditionally this is the second busiest season to visit mountain for trekking and mountaineering, which is a little down side of this season.
June, July and August are wet but the mountains and hills are covered with lush and lively green forest or vegetation. Though this season might be not so good for the mountain views but studying and exploring of plants are great this time. Very few people travel during this time, which is perfect time for a person who has interest in exploring the quieter path and nature in its best.
October and Novembers are the best months in terms of settled weather and crystal clear sky which provides clear views of mountains. This means the popular trails are almost saturated with the trekkers, which some times creates problem to find a place to stay and eat especially if one is traveling with a small group.
Winter months December to February are also good for low altitude treks and mountain views and less people treks during this time. The weather starts getting bit hazy but mountains are usually visible from most of our trekking trails and even from Kathmandu valley.

Level of grade

This is a long trek to the remote and high pass (5416m), which can be moderate to strenuous depending on the level of fitness of any individual. The walking duration some time exceeds 6 hours to 8-9 hours. Most people can manage but doing some practice in regular walking and hiking before the trek can help. People with any chronic or heart disease should not consider to take this trek.

Safety/Acclimatization

Everything we do have some code of conduct, that we care or not. Understanding the nature of time, situation and place will always be beneficial in some way. Safety is our foremost priorities. Our staffs will truly look into the logistic and assess the situation to make sure that you are very safe and enjoy the trip.
Altitude problem or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) can be life threatening if you ignore it. The altitude can be felt going over 4000m for most of people but some people might feel at lower elevation too. Our trip itinerary has been designed in a way that allows you to have more time to help acclimatizes in high altitude. Our guides are experienced to act according to the gravity of the mountain sickness people might fall victim. But remember that the best medicine for the AMS is to go down, though whatever drugs we use will be helpful to buy time only. So never ignore the symptoms and please talk to your guide or tour leader in that situation.

Our Responsible approach

During our treks, we use the designated routes and campsite to avoid negative impact on our degrading environments. The local culture and tradition are respected. During these trips we use the comfortable lodges that are environmentally friendly and use the solar heating wherever it is possible. And we encourage using the simple tea houses or lodges though sometime due to the unavailable of service, we might be using the ones that caters all for the comfort of our clients. To avoid littering we educate and aware our clients, staffs and porters to use the right place to dispose the garbage and bring back the non-bio-degradable ones. Our clients and staffs are told not go for toilet t near the water sources or any other places that is culturally or locally important or sacred. We also try to use the service of local porters and guides if possible. We understand that the conservation is a big issue and should be supported in whatever way we can.

There is always a way out!

Trip Cost US$ 1655 per person on twin sharing Minimum 2 person

Cost inclusion

• Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu tourist coach
• 2night Pokhara hotel accommodation w/breakfast
• An English-speaking guide/trek leader’s service from Kathmandu/Kathmandu
• Service of one porter for two clients
• Three meals and accommodation along the trekking trail in local Inns/Lodges
• Cost of conservation and TIMS
• Staffs insurance
• Staffs' wages and foods

Fall and winter 2009
17 Sept – 05 Oct 24 Sept – 12 Oct 02 Oct – 20 Oct 05 Oct – 12 Oct	12 Oct – 30 Oct 27 Oct – 14 Nov 03 Nov – 21 Nov 10 Oct – 28 Oct	17 Oct – 05 Nov 02 Nov – 09 Nov
Spring and Summer 2010
27 Feb- 17 March 12 March – 30 March 16 March – 23 March 23 March – 11 April 27 March – 03 April	02 April – 20 April 09 April – 27 April 20 April – 27 April 23 April – 11 May, 30 April – 18 May	02 May – 20 May 07 May – 25 May 14 May – 02 June

Our Responsible approach

During our treks, we use designated routes and campsites to avoid negative impact on our fragile environment while respecting the local culture and tradition. During these trips we use Home-stay as much as possible to support the local economy. Instead of using firewood, we use gasoline or gas for cooking and encourage solar heating to avoid further deforestation. To avoid littering, we educate and aware our clients, staffs and porters to use the right place to dispose garbage and to bring back the non-bio-degradable ones. We do not put mobile toilets near the water or near any other places that are culturally or locally important or sacred. We also try to use the service of local porters and guides if possible. We understand that nature conservation is a big issue and we should support it in whatever way we can.

Take nothing but Photographs and Leave nothing but Footprints!

For further information please mail us at:

info@nature-treks.com