Annapurna Circuit Trek was voted as one of the best trekking trail in the world. In this adventurous climb we walk through Marshyangdi River Valley and reach the highest altitude of Thorong-la pass, the highest pass in this trek – at 5416 meters and is the highlight of the whole Annapurna circuit trek and once you are on the top, it has the perfect 360-degree views. We also walk through the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki gorge.
On arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, a representative from Eve Holidays will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. You’ll have rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
Kathmandu Durbar Square: is one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley. This site was the royal residence until the 19th century where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch use to take place. The two-hectare palace complex is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum, dedicated to the monarch who opened up Nepal to the outside world. At the southern end of Durbar Square is the Kumari Chowk. The gilded cage has the Kumari, a young girl chosen through an ancient and mystical selection process to become the human incarnation of the Hindu mother goddess, Durga. Kashtamandap is the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree.
Swoyambhunath Temple: This Buddhist Stupa, said to be 2000 years old is a perfect architecture of gilded spire and white washed dome located under thousands of fluttering prayer flags. From the spire, four faces of Buddha stare out across the valley in the cardinal directions.
Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath, a pagoda style Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is considered to be the powerhouse of Hindu spiritual power in religious terms. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple is 6 km from Kathmandu city and just a few hundred meters from the end of the runway at Tribhuwan International Airport. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.
BoudhnathStupa: Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, this enormous stupa where thousands of pilgrims gather daily to make a ritual circumnavigation of the dome, beneath the watchful eyes of the Buddha, which gaze out from the gilded central tower. This is one of the few places in the world where Tibetan Buddhist culture is accessible.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast
We drive for six to seven hours to reach Besisahar, around 173 kilometers from Kathmandu. From Besisahar, the road gets quite rough for about 65 km, which takes roughly 4 hours. On the way, we will cross small villages like Khudi, Bulbule, Syange, Jagat, Tal, and Dharapani
Overnight: Lodge in Chame
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We now experience a dramatic change of scenery. Leaving the forests and vegetation of the alpine regions behind we enter the upper district of Manang, known as Nyeshang. At first our trail follows the river closely through a deep canyon before coming to Brathang at 2919m. The trail then follows the steep narrow valley through deep forest from which there are fine views of Annapurna II. We cross the river where the impressive curved rock face of Paungda Danda rises nearly 1500m from the riverbank, and climb to the village of Pisang at 3,185m.
Overnight: Lodge in Pisang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There are 2 options today. The energetic can take the high route to Manang via the villages of Gyaru and Ngawal. This is a wonderful walk with great views across to the Annapurnas. We drop down to the main trail just before Braga and continue on the main trail to Manang. The second option is to take the shorter main trail to Manang which climbs a low pass into the valley below Pisang Peak. As we continue up the valley, it becomes increasingly barren, and eventually we reach Braga, a picturesque village dominated by a large ancient gompa. Passing carved mani walls we arrive at the village of Manang at 3351m. The longer walk takes approximately 8-9 hours and the shorter walk 5-6 hours.
Overnight: Lodge in Manang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend this day around Manang acclimatising to the altitude. Most people climb the hill behind Manang to enjoy the magnificent views of the whole Annapurna range and the enormous icefall that crashes and rumbles down from Gangapurna. This is the part of the trek where we are closest to the mountains. Across the valley the huge bulk of Gangapurna and the Annapurnas tower way above us- the sunset and sunrise over this great amphitheatre is one of the most beautiful mountain views in the country.
Overnight: Lodge in Manang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Manang we head towards the base of the Thorong La. We climb out of the Marsyangdi valley and turn northwest up the valley of the Jarsang Khola. We are above the forests now and pass through dry, alpine country, with scrub juniper and occasional clumps of birch. We spend tonight at a lodge in Yak Kharka. We will reach the lodge by lunchtime and in the afternoon we will have an acclimatisation walk onto the surrounding hills. Look out for the Blue Sheep that inhabit this cold, windy spot.
Overnight: Lodge in Yak Kharka
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Another short day to aid acclimatisation. The scenery becomes more wild as we continue ascending the valley. At one point we descend to cross the Jarsang Khola, and traverse a scree slope to the lone teahouses at Phedi at the foot of the Thorong La (4,400m).Thorong Phedi can be very cold and windy.
Overnight: Lodge in Thorung Phedi
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A long day as we leave Phedi very early the next morning for the climb to the pass. The first part of the ascent is very steep, but it eases somewhat as we approach the top, although the altitude still makes the going tough. Eventually, after numerous false summits, we reach the pass itself at 5416m. Ahead there is a magnificent panorama of snow-capped peaks extending northwards into Tibet, and looking back we can see several of the main peaks of Annapurna. Directly in front of us is the great chasm of the Kali Gandaki, 2,500m. It’s a very long descent that begins gently and becomes steeper, as we follow a series of switch-backs down to the grassy slopes, before easing off to a gentle descent to Muktinath (3802m).
Overnight: Lodge in Muktinath
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Muktinath, we will board on a 4WD vehicle that will lead us to Tatopani after driving about 3 hours. On reaching Tatopani, we will relax in our lodge or go out to enjoy a soak in the hot spring baths.
Overnight: Lodge in Tatopani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The last stage of the trek take us over two ridges to the end of the trek. We begin with a long climb to Ghorepani (2855m), from where we will climb Poon Hill for superb sunrise views over the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare.
Overnight: Lodge in Ghorepani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning there is an optional ascent of Poon Hill (about an hour’s walk above Ghorepani) to see the spectacular sunrise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himals. As the sun pops out from behind the mountains the sky glows red and pink in the first rays of the sun and the panorama from the summit must be one of the world’s great mountain vistas. Best seen at dawn, it’s well worth the effort of the climb. The trail then descends through dense forests of fir, spruce, oak and rhododendron home to many birds and a few mammals. Passing through Banthanti at 2,620m, we climb back to 2,745m, where we reach another small pass at Tadapani where we have a superb view of Annapurna South and the peak of Machhapuchhare.
Overnight: Teahouse in Tadapani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An easier walk today through wonderful uninhabited forest with great mountain views. This forest is one of the highlights of the trek. Look out for monkeys and high forest birds including Tragopan, Juniper Finch and Rosefinches. We emerge from the forest just above Ghandruk, the largest Gurung village in the area. This area is mostly populated by subsistence farmers who tend the carefully laid out terraces. Stretching thousands of feet down steep hillsides they are a work of art and the Nepalis are experts at using every piece of land. Wheat, rice and vegetables are grown throughout the year on the well-tended terraces. Although there are now many new modern lodges in Ghandruk there are still older traditional houses with their neat slate roofs. In the afternoon your leader will take you on a village walk and in the evening we can relax in the teahouse and watch the sunset on Annapurna South.
Overnight: Teahouse in Ghandruk
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Descending on stone staircases towards the Modi Khola, and passing through Shyauli Bazaar we come to the pretty village of Birethanthi, where we have lunch overlooking the river. Another short walk brings us to NayaPul, where we will meet the road and drive back to Pokhara. There will be time this afternoon to explore the pretty lakeside Pokhara. You could go for a boat trip on the lake looking for water birds or just sit and relax in one of the many lakeside cafes.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Pokhara
Included Meals: Breakfast
We drive for 7 hours or fly for 25 minutes from Pokhara to Kathmandu. We spend our last evening in Kathmandu in a farewell dinner together sharing photos recalling the excitements of trip and exchanging emails enjoying the cultural dance program in one of the traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Today after breakfast you are in leisure on your own. You will be escorted to airport for your flight home at your flight time.
Included Meals: Breakfast
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you will stay in 4 Star Hotels with breakfast included. Along the trekking routes, Eve Holidays will arrange your stay in the best available lodges with attached washrooms where ever available. Accommodation are on a twin sharing basis. Single supplement will be provided on request and will cost an additional and depend upon availability. Although single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu/Pokhara and the trekking regions at lower elevation, it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations. Hotels in Kathmandu/Pokhara can be upgraded to 5 star in an additional cost.
In Kathmandu/Pokhara breakfast, welcome dinner and farewell dinner are provided. While on trekking, we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Usually, each day dinner and breakfast will be at teahouses/lodges where you will stay and lunch will be on the way. We make it sure that the food is hygienic and at the same time suits your palate. Foods cooked in lodges and guesthouses on the way are pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat (rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization. In many larger villages you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always find hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps.
The spring time from March to May and the Autumn months from September to November is considered the best months for Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Anyone who is fit and healthy and have a habit of walking for few of hours a day can do this trek. However walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your stamina. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lungs and blood diseases are required to consult their doctor before taking the trip. It is also advised that you inform Eve Holidays about the medical condition before booking the trek.
All of Eve Holidays trekking itineraries are planned keeping in mind the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Going up at higher altitude too fast causes a medical condition called AMS which is serious enough to kill if neglected. We are well aware that it is essential to allow you sufficient time for acclimatization to minimize the risk. However it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others. So we suggest to avoid alcohol and drink enough water and get good night sleep during the trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a moderate trek that goes up to an altitude of 5,416m/17,769ft at Thorung La Pass. Trek can be challenging at certain areas near the pass, so you have to get yourself prepared way ahead. The earlier, the better. We will provide you the trekking training guidelines.
Yes we give you the flexibility to change the travel date or amend the itinerary and that has to be in written and at least 25 days before departure date. The cost incurred due to the changes has to be borne by you.
Booking deposits are transferable to anyone you want for any time in future. For cancelling the trip, cancellation policy in our booking terms and conditions will apply.
March April May and Sept Oct Nov are the best time to trek.
We were a group of 4 trekking with Eve Holidays. My girlfriend fell a bit sick due to altitude, but the guide and porters were always attentive and helpful They never made us feel rushed or unwelcome The trip was most rewarding and the credit goes to our guide who was very knowledgeable, helpful, funny and entertaining
With my two colleagues i was travelling to Nepal and together we planned to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek. We stumbled upon this company and sent my first inquiry email. I was impressed that they responded in less than an hour and addressed our requirements very precisely. Finally 3 of us booked with them. I cannot stop myself appreciating the Eve Holidays team for making our trekking experience so lovely. Accomodation in Kathmandu was in Thamel and our rooms were ideally located away from noise. We had breakfast in the hotel which were perfect buffet breakfast. We had 2 complimentry dinners in Kathmandu with Maina. She is very friendly and nice lady. We did our trek with our guide Pasang who became our friend during the trekking. He was always attentive telling us all the time where to put our feet and what is ahead on the trail. He explained lot of things about lifestyle and people of mountains, and on top of all needless to say that the views were no less than a paradise. And at last I should not forget to thank Maina for keeping in touch with us most of the days during trekking.
