TREK AROUND THE ANNAPURNAS

Difficulty:

Hiking days: 23 jours

Season: Autumn and Spring

Highlights of the trek

The trek around the Annapurnas explores Nepal’s central mountain range, with its iconic peaks such as Annapurna I (8,091 m) and Machhapuchre (6,998 m). From Khudi, the route crosses lush valleys, rhododendron forests and reaches Gurung and Thakali villages. It crosses the Thorung La pass (5,416 m) and descends through the Kali Gandaki Valley.

This comprehensive 23-day trek, which is demanding but does not involve mountaineering. It offers spectacular views, discovering Himalayan wildlife and experiencing cultural immersion. The best seasons are October-December and March-April. Accommodation is in lodges along the trail, which also serve meals. Camping is also possible for those who prefer it. Hotel accommodation is provided in Kathmandu.

On request, it is possible to combine a trek in the Annapurna region with other activities, such as exploring Royal Chitwan National Park or rafting on the Trisuli River.

Trekking itinerary around the Annapurnas

Details of the circuit

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 m)

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, a representative from Rêve d’Himalaya Trekking will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to rest after your long flight. You will spend the night in Kathmandu.

Day 2: Kathmandu: city tour and trek preparation

After breakfast, we offer a guided tour of two sites of your choice from among Kathmandu’s historical and spiritual attractions, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can choose between the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and the Buddhist sanctuary (Bouddhanath), which is also home to one of the largest stupas in the world.

In the afternoon, a trek preparation meeting will allow you to meet your trek leader and other team members. Rêve d’Himalaya Trekking will inform you of the details of your trek and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about our upcoming adventure. You will spend the night in Kathmandu.

Day 3: Drive to Chyamche (800m): 7 hours

You begin your journey early in the morning by bus on a winding road along the Trishuli River. Along the way, you can admire terraced farms and beautiful huts. After reaching a major crossroads at Mugling, you continue straight towards Pokhara, but at Dumre, you leave the main road and head towards Besisahar. Another bus takes you on a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Besisahar to Chyamche, the starting point of your trek. You spend the night in Chyamche.

Day 4: Chyamche to Dharapani (1,960 m): 7-8 hours of walking

After breakfast, it is recommended to start slowly as your trek will involve a climb of more than 700m during the day. Starting from Chyamche, the trail first descends until it reaches the river and then continues through a lush forest.

You then climb towards a sharp cliff facing the riverbank. Overlooking the Chame region to the west, you will discover a magnificent panorama featuring the imposing Annapurna mountain range. After crossing a suspension bridge, you will climb a steep slope along a slippery and physically challenging trail over rocky terrain to Sattale, then descend to a grassy riverbank that leads to Tal.

Leaving the village, the trail becomes rough and winding. You approach the village of Karte, surrounded by forests. Passing waterfalls and cliffs, you finally reach Dharapani after crossing a suspension bridge. You spend the night in Dharapani.

Day 5: Dharapani to K0to (2,710m): 5-6 hours walking

To reach Chame, your final destination for the day, you will cross several wooded ridges. Throughout the trek, you will enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas, including Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and Annapurna IV (7,525m). You will spend the night in Koto.

Day 6: Koto to Meta (3,560m): 7 hours of walking

You start the day early as there is a long distance to cover. At Koto, you cross the river and enter the Naar Phu Valley. You enter an area where the villages are less developed than those on the standard trail you left behind. You walk through beautiful woods and discover small underground shelters and resting places for pilgrims-

At the end of a narrow canyon, the trail passes under a large waterfall. From there, the woods become less dense, allowing for wider views. The last stretch to Meta involves climbing a steep hill, from where you can admire some of the region’s giant snow-capped peaks. Meta is located on a large open plain and consists of a few lodges, which are simple but clean and offer good meals. You spend the night in Meta.

Day 7: Meta to Phu (4,080 m): 7 hours of walking

Leaving Meta, some of the unique and colourful Tibetan Buddhist chortens signal that the famous settlements of Naar and Phu lie upstream. The trail winds along a ridge offering a good view of the magnificent Nar Phedi monastery, where you will stay a few days later.

After hiking through picturesque canyons and gorges, you will reach a monolith that guards the steep trail to Phu. From there, you will have your first view of the three villages in the area, as well as the ancient ‘Dzong’ (Tibetan-style fortress) and the remains of two ruined forts, impressively located at the top of the plains before the village.

Just before crossing the Phu bridge, you will pass a line of beautiful chortens that add colour to the landscape. After a rest and refreshments, take a short walk to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa to pay homage to Lama Karma Sonam Rimpoche, who came to Nepal with the Dalai Lama in 1959. You will spend the night in Phu.

Day 8: Acclimatisation day – exploring Phu and its surroundings

Due to the high altitude, it is a good idea to allow for a day of acclimatisation in Phu. There are several options for activities during the day. You can explore the tiny streets of the town and join the villagers as they spin their yak and sheep wool, pound mustard seeds into a paste to make oil, or go about their other daily tasks.

If you prefer lighter activities, you can visit a viewpoint that can be reached in about an hour from the village of Phu. Finally, if you feel up to an extra challenge, the hike to the base camp of Himlung Himal (4,920 m) will take you through a glacial valley. The summit of Himal (7,126 m) has only recently been opened for climbing. On the way up to base camp, you will see herds of blue sheep nimbly climbing the steep cliffs. The round trip to base camp takes four to five hours. You will spend the night in Phu.

Day 9: From Phu to Naar Phedi (3,500 m): 7 hours of walking

Returning along the same trail towards Meta, you will leave it at one point and head west to reach the monastery of Naar Phedi, where you will spend the night. In fact, the monastery is the only building in Naar Phedi ! The rooms are clean and tidy, and the nuns are extremely welcoming.

Join them in the kitchen and watch them prepare dinner on a modest stove. At 5pm, they usually perform a puja (blessing ceremony), which you are welcome to attend. There is a small donation box in the monastery where you can leave a contribution towards the upkeep of this beautiful and welcoming place.

Day 10: From Naar Phedi to the village of Naar (4,200 m): 3.5 hours of walking

Today, a very light programme is planned. You leave Naar Phedi and follow a winding path that climbs a hill towards Naar. You pass a line of beautifully painted chortens covered with bamboo decorations before entering the old village, where you arrive at lunchtime. Although Naar is not far from the main Annapurna Circuit trail, the village is rarely visited by trekkers and offers an unspoilt, picturesque setting.

Naar is a little livelier than Phu, and during the day you can explore the village “square” with women at their belt looms, chatting as they weave wool fabrics for rugs and blankets. Several new lodges built on the outskirts of Naar offer comfortable accommodation with a full menu. You spend the night in Naar.

Day 11: From Naar village to Ngwal (3,660m) via Kang La Pass (5,320m): 8 hours of walking

A long day awaits you. You will rise before sunrise and head towards the Kang La Pass, the return route to the standard Annapurna circuit. It is not a difficult pass, but it requires a long hike and the effects of altitude will be felt. Once at the top of the pass, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna and Tilicho peaks.

The descent starts steeply, but if you like running on large rocks, you can have fun! You stop for lunch on a plateau overlooking the peak, then continue towards Ngawal on the upper Pisang road of the Annapurna circuit. The village is certainly very different from the ancient villages you have just visited. The lodges are large and the menus much more varied. There will be Wi-Fi and mobile coverage in most lodges. You spend the night in Ngwal.

Day 12: Ngawal to Manang (3,540 m): 4 hours of trekking

Walking along a flat path beside the Marshyangdi River, you will reach Manang. Along the way, you will pass through lush pine forests and small villages, as well as terraced farms. A visit to the beautiful traditional village of Braka is highly recommended.

Along the way, you will enjoy views of the Annapurna range, Tilicho Peak and magnificent landscapes. You will arrive in Manang around noon. After lunch, you can hike to Gangapurna Lake and its surroundings. Your guide will suggest various activities. You will spend the night in Manang.

Day 13: From Manang to Kangsar village (3,740m) - 3 hours' walk

After enjoying your visit to Manang, you will set off for Khangsar, following a path that runs alongside the Khangsar River. After crossing the river, you will reach the ancient village of Khangsar, a typical Tibetan village in Nepal. You will spend the night in the village of Khangsar.

Day 14: From Khangsar village to Tilicho base camp (4,150 m) – 5 hours of trekking

From Kangsar village, you will climb up to Siri Kharka, passing a monastery along the way. The climb is tiring, but as a reward, you will have Gungang Himal and Mt Chulu to keep you company. Although the path from Siri Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp is not very steep, it is physically demanding as you will have to walk on narrow paths with loose stones in a landslide area that the trail crosses and where you can see impressive rock formations. You will spend the night at Tilicho Base Camp.

Day 15: Visit of Lake Tilicho (4,949 m) return to Siri Kharka: 5-6 hours of trekking

After a difficult and steep initial climb, your trail continues along the mountainside on a gradually steep slope before reaching the watershed. Along the way, you will see yaks and deer grazing above and below your trail.

You will reach Lake Tilicho, a large body of water spectacularly integrated into the natural surroundings and nestled at the foot of the north face of Tilicho Peak. The lake was named ‘The Great Ice Lake’ by the leader of a French expedition team. It is also a place revered by Hindus as it is mentioned in one of the most sacred Hindu texts, the Ramayana. We retrace our steps and return to Siri Kharka. You spend the night in Siri Kharka.

Day 16: Siri Kharka to Yak Kharka (4,040 m): 4-5 hours of trekking

You leave Siri Kharka and descend to the village of Khangsar. On the way, you pass Tare Gumba, a thousand-year-old monastery that is a very important religious centre for the local inhabitants. When you arrive in the village of Khangsar, you discover that it is only inhabited by occasional shepherds during festive periods. You follow a rock face to leave Khangsar.

You continue walking until you reach a seasonal bridge in the Thorang Khola valley. After crossing the river, you find yourself back on the standard trail of the Anapurna Circuit and climb for a while towards a plateau. Then you continue walking to Yak Kharka. You spend the night in Yak Kharka.

Day 17: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m): 3-4 hours walking

Today’s section is relatively short in distance, but you need to pace your effort to reach an altitude of 4,600 m via an ascent to Thorong Phedi. On the way, you cross a suspension bridge and reach the village of Ledar. You will climb higher and cross imposing cliffs before reaching Thorong Phedi, the last village before the Thorong La pass. The word Phedi in Nepali refers to the foot of a mountain. Here, you will be rewarded with one of the best views of the Gundang, Syagang, Thorung Peak and Khatungkan mountains. You will spend the night in Thorong Phedi.

Day 18: From Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,800 m) via Thorong La Pass (5,416 m): 7-8 hours of walking

Crossing Thorong La Pass, one of the highest passes in the world, will be our main objective for the day. It will be a long day: You will get up around 3 a.m. and climb very slowly to the pass. From Thorung Phedi, you will still have to climb 800 m to reach Thorong La Pass, which you will cross from east to west – the easiest and safest direction. It is located at the edge of the eternal snowfields, but the pass itself is usually free of snow.

When you finally reach the summit, you will be rewarded with a breath-taking panorama and realise that your effort was worth it. You will not stay too long on the pass and, after taking a few photos, you will begin your 1,600-metre descent through the Muktinath Valley. You will spend the night in Muktinath.

Day 19: Muktinath to Marpha (2,670m): 4-5 hours walking

Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. In the morning, you will visit a Vishnu temple and a Gompa. You will then leave Muktinath and descend to the village of Ranipauwa below the steep, desert-like hill. You will quickly reach Kagbeni, the entry point to Mustang in the east. However, you will turn west and walk along a dusty, windy road to Jomsom, which you will cross.

(Note: You can choose to end your trek in Jomsom and take a plane back to Pokhara).

You continue to Marpha, the final destination of the day. The trail and the landscape you see today are quite surreal as we walk along a plateau above the Kali Gandaki River, through the deepest gorge in the world. The arid landscape of this region resembles that of Tibet. Our destination, Marpha, is also famous for its apple orchards and various apple products, including a local apple brandy famous throughout Nepal. Marpha is therefore nicknamed the apple capital of Nepal. You will spend the night in Marpha.

Day 20: Departure from Marpha to Pokhara (850m): 6 hours by road

After breakfast, you will take the bus from Marpha to Pokhara. You will follow the Kalagandagi River. This road is fairly new and allows 4x4s and local buses to pass. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see magnificent apple orchards. You will enjoy panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri, Tukuhe Peak, Nilgiri, Fang and Annapurna I mountains. You will spend the night in Pokhara.

Day 21: Departure from Pokhara to Kathmandu: 5-6 hours by road (alternatively, 25 minutes by plane)

After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the beautiful city of Pokhara and its lake and return by bus to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will have the rest of the day to rest or do some last-minute souvenir shopping. To celebrate the success of your trek, we will organise a farewell dinner in the evening. You will spend the night in Kathmandu.

Day 22: Cultural tour day

After breakfast, we offer a guided tour of several historical and cultural sites in Bhaktapur or Patan. This will be an opportunity to purchase Nepalese handicrafts, beautiful souvenirs of your trip to Nepal.

Day 23: Departure day

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! After breakfast and your last day in Kathmandu, a representative from Rêve d’Himalaya Trekking will be on hand to take you to the international airport, where you will need to check in three hours before your flight departure time.

Have a safe journey! We hope to see you again one day.

Useful information:

Difficulty: Difficult

Hiking days: 23 days