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17-Nights Annapurna Circuit Trek - Active from $1,849
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1532703
Annapurna Circuit Trek
On this incredible trekking adventure, spend 13 challenging days traversing rhododendron forests, isolated hamlets, and mountain villages. For six to seven hours a day, follow the trails of this challenging circuit on and around one of the world’s highest mountains while encountering temples, monasteries, and breathtaking landscapes. Led by expert guides and assisted by support staff throughout, you’ll be greeted by locals who offer a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life and majestic views few ever experience.
Highlights
Take in stunning Himalayan views, Trek along the Kaligandaki Gorge; one of the deepest gorges of the world, Traverse Thorong La Pass and view the stunning Annapurna Ranges from the top, Stay the night in the Narchyang community Homestay, View a sunrise from Poon Hill.
Accommodation
Hotels/guesthouses (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), tea house lodges (13 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, trekking support staff.
Group Size Notes
Max 15, Avg 10
Meals Included
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Narchyang Community Homestay, Narchyang. English-speaking local guide and full support team of porters and assistants for the Annapurna Circuit trek. Walk along the Marshyangdi River. Visit Bung chahara Water fall. Experience the unique architecture of Bagarchhap region. Explore Manang village and hike to the stupa. Relax in hot springs of Narchyang. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
17 nights from $1,849 per person
G Adventures: Annapurna Circuit Trek
Day 1: Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Attend the group welcome meeting today and enjoy a brief orientation walk around Thamel.
Day 2: Kathmandu/Jagat
Travel through scenic landscapes, picturesque countryside, and small towns along the way to Besi Sahar. The group will arrive in time for lunch. After lunch, the group will take the local transportation to Jagat along a winding, narrow road. Spend the night at the teahouse.
Day 3: Jagat/Bagarchhap
Begin 13 days of challenging trekking in one of the highest mountain ranges on Earth. Experience stunning Alpine pastures, forests of rhododendron, temples, rural villages and local people, waterfalls, glaciers, and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery known to man. Today, the group will travel 14km on foot from Jagat to Bagarchhap. Ascend through forested areas of rhododendron (seasonal) and pine trees. Pass by waterfalls, traditional villages, and terraced fields of crops.
For almost 2 weeks, we immerse ourselves into the spectacular mountain wilderness of the Annapurna Range. At 8,091m (26,545ft) Annapurna 1 is one of the highest mountains in the world. Its surrounding sister mountains are equally imposing, creating magnificent panoramas from any view point. Throughout the trek we come across isolated mountain communities, each observing different ancestral customs and traditions, resulting in not only a visually superb expedition but also a culturally rich one. Amid the rugged mountain scenery, we meet warm and welcoming locals herding yaks and goats on grassy pastures, and visit their monasteries and temples. Along the way, we see waterfalls of melted snow, cross icy rivers, broad plains, and high mountain passes and reward ourselves with a soak in natural hot springs (you've earned this!). The trekking is challenging, averaging 6-7 hrs a day, often at high altitudes. The highest point we reach, occurring on Day 9, is the 5,416m (17,769ft) Thorung Pass.Given the dangers of altitude sickness, it is imperative that we take at least 3 days to ascend to this height. A couple of days are also allowed for rest and acclimatisation.
Day 4: Bagarchhap/Chame
Today, trek from Bagarchhap to Chame (2,670m, 8,760ft). Breathe in the fresh mountain air and climb up along the trail through dense pine and fir forests. Enjoy stunning views along the way of Manaslu and other peaks of the Annapurna range. Have lunch in Thanchok before continuing on to Chame, the district headquarters of Manang.
Day 5: Chame/Pisang
Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m,10,827ft). Leave the village of Chame behind, walk out past the prayer wheels and cross wide rivers and pine forests on the way to Pisang. As you hike, enjoy stunning scenery, narrow canyons, and valleys with Annapurna Range as the backdrop. Have lunch in the small, beautiful village of Dhukur Pokhari. Arrive in Pisang and visit the village monastery.
Day 6: Pisang/Manang
Trek from Pisang to Manang (3,540m, 11,614ft). Today, enjoy stunning views of Annapurna Range, pass through the village of Braga, with its ancient monastery from the 8th Century. Then, continue towards Manang village, passing through fields of barley and buckwheat.
Day 7: Manang
Enjoy an acclimatization day in Manang. Set off on a short excursion hike to Gangapurna Lake, sitting at 3700m. Have lunch in Manang and explore the village before hiking to a Stupa located in the hills outside of Manang.
Day 8: Manang/Yakkharka
Trek from Manang to Yak Kharta (4,018m, 13,182ft). Today, is a relatively short walking day with only 9kms in distance covered. Trek slowly and climb higher as the trail passes through a sparse forest of juniper and scrub. After lunch in Yak Kharka, complete an acclimatization hike in the surrounding area.
Day 9: Yakkharka/Phedi
Trek from Yak Kharka to Phedi (4,450m, 14,600ft). Enjoy a short, but challenging hike today from Yak Kharka to Phedi. Begin with a gradual ascent through the alpine landscape and pass through pastures of grazing yak, small chortens, and streams en route.
Day 10: Phedi/Muktinath
Trek from Phedi to Muktinath (3,800m, 12,467ft). Today the group will reach the highest point of the trek. This is the toughest uphill walking day. Keep a slow steady pace and enjoy the views while hiking. After reaching the top of Thorong La Pass (5416m) the group will follow the trail as it descends steeply for several kilometers to Muktinath – an important pilgrimage site for both Hindu’s and Buddhists.
Day 11: Muktinath/Ghasa
Take a 4WD jeep ride from Muktinath to Ghasa today and take a break from trekking. On the drive, view the contrasting yellow hills against green farmland of the valley floor. See the Kaligandaki, the deepest gorge in the world. Witness the dramatic changes in landscape of the Kaligandaki River and journey past several picturesque villages.
Day 12: Ghasa/Narchyang
Trek from Ghasa to Narchyang today. Travel on foot through the Kali Gandaki Valley and the lower Mustang region of Nepal. Walk along the Kali Gandaki River and through lush forests of rhododendron, oak, and bamboo. Upon arriving at Narchyang, our host community members will welcome the group. Narchyang once used to be the gate for North Annapurna Base Camp Trekking route. But with the Annapurna Base Camp being shifted to south, the village has remained isolated and devoid of tourism for a long time. In order to boost the amount of visitors to the region, the community has recently been active through Narchyang Community Homestay and started welcoming trekkers to their homes. The community is mostly of Magar Culture and are known for their innocence, simplistic ways of life, and bravery.
Day 13: Narchyang/Sikha
Today the group will ascend once again on the trek. Walk through the forests and terraced fields, and climb uphill admiring the stunning views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli along the route. Reach a mesmerizing view of ascending levels of teahouses and lodges with the mountains surrounding. Today's hike will be 4-5 hours.
Day 14: Sikha/Ghorepani
Today trek from Sikha to Ghorepani (2,785m, 9,137ft). The route is seeped in history and the views of Machhupuchare and the Himalayas from Ghorepani are absolutely unmatched on a clear day. View local villages, teahouses, and settlements along the uphill route.
Day 15: Ghorepani/Birethanti
Enjoy an early morning excursion to Poon Hill for sunrise. Then venture through Poonhill to Ramghai, enjoying spectacular views of the Annapurna range along the way. Cross through forests, streams, and bridges to reach the final destination, Birethanti.
Day 16: Birethanti/Pokhara
Take a short hike from Birethanti to Nayapul where our bus will be waiting to take us to Pokhara. Rest and take a well-deserved shower in this lakeside resort town.
Day 17: Pokhara/Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu.
We travel back to Kathmandu where the rest of the day is free for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxing in one of the many rooftop cafés.
Day 18: Kathmandu
Depart at any time.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.
Swain's Travel, Inc.
35 Old South Road
Nantucket, MA 02554
USA
(508) 228-3201