Facts of the Trek

Grade: challenging

Average walking per day: 6 hrs

Maximum altitude: 5416m

Best seasons: February- May, June-October

Type of trek: Camping

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1-2: Beshishahar to Bahundanda (1310m.) takes about six hours. The first part of the trail passes through flat level ground along the bank of the Marshyangdi river. You can enjoy the sceneries and the local culture of Gurung community. After lunch at Ngadi, the trail goes steeply upwards to Bahundanda which takes about two hours. At this point, you can see the area surrounded by eye-catching sceneries with snow capped mountains. Stay overnight at camp in Bahundanda.

Day 03: Bahundanda to Chamje (1430m.) takes approximately six hours. A steep trail descends for early half an hour and then follows a flat path through rice terraces, before crossing a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall. It then climbs again and traverses the hillside high above the river before reaching the village of Lali Gaon. Ahead, the Marshyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape and you follow the winding mountain path down through Syange (1100m.) where there is a beautiful waterfall above and along the river for some distance. The trail then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. Eventually you descend to the stone village of Jagat (1330m.) situated on a shelf which juts into the precipitous Marshyangdi valley. Now, the trail begins to observe small ups and downs to Chamje through the forests. Stay overnight at camp in Chamje.

Day 04:  Chamje (1410m.) to Dharapani (1860m.) takes about six hours. The first part of the trail descends to the river and after crossing a suspension bridge, you begin a climb to Sattale (1550m.) on a path so steep that it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley. Climbing the zigzagged path to the top of the hill, you see the level, plain of Tal (1700m.) ahead of you. Tal is the border between Manang and Lamjung district. Though it is enclosed by cliffs, the level area looks reassuring after the harrowing mountain paths just traveled on. You descend to a grassy riverbank, which leads to Tal with its hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path becomes high and winding. Beyond the small village of Karte (1900m.), there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path reaches near the river. You cross a suspension bridge, and climb the short distance to the stone Kani marking the entrance to Dharapani (1960m.). Stay overnight at camp in Dharapani.

Day 05: Dharapani to Koto takes about five hours. You trek a gradually ascending path and cross a stream to reach Koto. The mountain views you can enjoy are of Annapurna II and Manaslu range along with beautiful views of forests on the way which add another dimension to your trek. Koto is a small village mainly inhabited by Gurung and other ethnic groups. Their lifestyle is mainly influenced by Buddhist Tibetans. Stay overnight at camp in Koto.

Day 06:  Koto to Dharmasala takes about six hours. This morning you head out early, as you have a long and somewhat difficult day before you. You cross the river leading to the Nar Phu valley and hike up through beautiful woods above the Phu Khola. The route takes you through some beautiful woods and past several small caves, and a pilgrims’ Dharmasala. After you emerge out of a narrow canyon, the trail actually passes under a wide waterfall just before the Dharmasala, from where the woods become thinner and the vistas wider. Stay overnight at camp in Dharmasala.

Day 07:  Dharmasala to Kayang takes about six and half hours. A steep climb up the valley along a small river brings you to high pastures on a 3,200m plateau. You pass by the scenic kharka of Meta, 3560m, a non permanent winter settlement of Nar, where you are likely to share the trail with a few yaks! This morning is one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. The landscape is combined with white rocks, low shrubs, juniper, scattered evergreens, delicate brick-red and orange leafy bushes, crumbling shelves of flat slate and white, sandy trails.The mountains around you are clearly visible and the Phu Koshi shadows the trail far below. An hour past Meta, Junam is the second semi-permanent settlement. Above the Kharka to the right looms a massive glacier which falls jaggedly down to the high pastures above you.The next settlement is Chako, formerly a Khampa settlement, where grass lies tied in bunches to dry on all the rooftops and prayer flags flutter in the breeze. Stay overnight at camp in Kayang.

Day 08:  Kayang to Phu village. Dropping steeply down to the river, you trek for a while along the river bank and past the “submarine” rock, passing some small possible campsites along the way. You start to see some of the unique, colorful chortens for which Nar and Phu are famous. You have to walk carefully across a small glacial stream before reaching a larger one with a bridge only half covered with large slabs of slate. Another hour and a half of trekking through scenic canyon lands and gorges, and the monolith guards the steep trail up to the Phu gate, called Pupigyal Kwe. This ancient gate provides you the first view of the three villages of Phu, as well as an old “dzong” and the remains of the two forts, which are all now in ruins, but impressively situated atop the flatlands before Phu.Just before the bridge to Phu, a line of wonderful chortens color the landscape and lead the way to the main village of Phu, perched high up on a hill. You will set up camp on the lower reaches of Phu, formerly called Gomdzong, and head up to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa on a neighboring hillside to pay your respect to Lama Karma Sonam. Stay overnight at camp at Phu Village.

Day 09: Excursion around Phu valley. You can have interaction with locals and explore up the wide valley systems above you. You might walk up the valley to the summer grazing settlement or Kharka at Ngoru, a three hours walk past the gompa. Phu itself is an incredibly interesting village and you can observe the villagers spinning their yak and sheep wool and chat. Stay overnight at camp in Phu Valley.

Day 10:  Phu valley to Junam. You get back through Phu gate, descend to the river and retrace your steps back to Junam Kharka which is a lovely spot for camping. Stay overnight at camp in Junam.

Day 11:  Junam to Nar. This day you trek down the old bridge spanning a deep, contoured and narrow gorge and all the way back up again. The scenery is stunning. Below you sits Gyalbu Kumbu, built in 1650, and Satte Gompa both empty. You finally reach the Nar gates at the top of the hill and pass by yet another line of wonderfully painted, bamboo topped chortens and a large tiered chorten. Stay overnight at camp at Nar.

Day 12: Explore Nar village. Nar is more lively than Phu. Each family at Nar seems to have at least one son or daughter in a gompa. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 13:  Nar village to Ngwal after crossing Kang La pass. The Kang La is not a difficult pass, but it could be a long day if there is snow on the pass or the altitude is taking its toll. The Kang La, at 5240m, is an absolutely spectacular pass looking over Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho peak, the peaks surrounding Tilicho and the airport at Hongde. The trail down is steep and then more gradual as you reach the end.Ngawal, on the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna circuit (off the main Annapurna circuit), can be reached in as little as two hours from the pass, but the walk down is very nice and easy with enchanting views. Just before Ngawal is an unusual grouping of chortens and prayer flags which marks a meditation cave far up in the hills. Ngawal is a wonderful, old village of cobbled streets, prayer wheels and beautiful architecture, obviously a hub of religious activity in previous times. Stay overnight at camp in Ngwal.

Day 14: Ngwal to Manang takes about three hours. This day you walk through leveled path along the bank of the Marshyangdi river to reach Manang. On the way you pass pine forests, villages such as Braga and farming terraces. You can enjoy the views of the Annapurna range, Tilicho Mountain and beautiful landscapes. Manang is a small town. Stay overnight at camp in Manang.

Day 15: Manang: Rest Today is the scheduled acclimatization day. It is not recommended to stay idle but a short walk to higher altitude is suggested to get acclimatized with the altitude. Manang is a good place to do that as the next two days will be very challenging and tiring trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. We should never be over-confident with the altitude and always be cautious. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatization point of view. An easy excursion to a little distance away to a village called Vraga, a small old village with a monastery is also possible. Also worth visiting is the Himalayan Rescue Association where we can get some ideas about Mountain Sickness. Overnight in Manang.

Day 16: Manang to Yak Kharka (4,110m)From Manang village, the trail crosses a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki above Manang, and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail follows this valley northward, passing a few pastures, a scrub of juniper trees, as it steadily gains elevation. The trail passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. Now the trail goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village of Yak Kharka. Little but Gradual ascent is the key to avoiding altitude problems. Overnight in Yak Kharka

Day 17: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m)We make our way to the foot of the pass, Thorong Phedi today. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. People use this point as a base camp. Some people also attempt a hike to the High Camp today so that the next day can be easier for them but we do not recommend attempting High Camp and overnight there because sleeping in higher altitude is not really advisable. Although we will have a tough day tomorrow, we stop at Thorong Phedi so that we can sleep sound rather than a risky sleep in higher altitude at High Camp. Overnight at Thorong Phedi.

Day 18: Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,800)We reach the climax of our Annapurna circuit trek today. It will be a lifetime unforgettable experience- crossing the famous high pass, Thorong La. An early start is important to complete the mission. Each moment we have to work hard today through the icy high-altitude trail but the outstanding high Himalayan scenes are such tempting that our eyes love to watch more over the horizon than on our trail. We reach Muktinath with the setting sun. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage place for both Hindus and Buddhist. The area hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby. Muktinath itself demonstrates the religions harmony in Nepal. Overnight at Muktinath.

Day 19: Muktinath to Jomsom (2,670m)Muktinath is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. In the morning, we visit Vishnu Temple and Gompa. Descending from Ranipauwa village down the steep and barren hillside, we tumble down toward Kagbeni and then to Jomsom  and Overnight at hotel.

Day 20: jomsom to Pokhara After having 25 minutes flight you will be in Pokhara.Overnight at Hotel

Note: Above Itinerary can be customized as per client’s interest and time frame