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Best of the Annapurna Circuit Trek
All meals on trek included
Duration
Grade
Max Altitude
Walking Days
Accommodation
Trip Overview
This short Annapurna Circuit Trek is an abridged version of the classic Full Annapurna Circuit Trek but still includes the high-altitude crossing of the Thorung La.
This remains a challenging and worthwhile trek. Commencing in the lower reaches of the Marsyangdi Valley, the trek heads deeper and higher into the valley, and the transition from Hindu to Buddhist villages is noticeable. Not to mention the views of the peaks that form the Annapurna Massif. After crossing the Thorung La, it's a descent into the very different, arid landscape of the upper Kali Gandaki Valley floor, stopping off at sacred Muktinath en route. It is, however, impossible to avoid having to walk on the Jeep road at times. For more on this see: The Problem with the Annapurna Circuit Trek. After the spectacular flight out of the Himalayas, there's time for an afternoon of 'r&r' in lakeside Pokhara before returning to Kathmandu. Don't forget, our trekking holidays are tailor-made, and whilst this itinerary includes acclimatisation, you can always have more rest, acclimatisation, and even contingency days added. The itinerary is merely a suggested itinerary and is not entirely 'set in stone'. Sleeping bags (4-season) will be required for nights spent in trekking lodges. We can arrange sleeping bag rentals if required.
You can extend this trek by combining it with our Tilicho Lake Trek.
This short Annapurna Circuit Trek is an abridged version of the classic Full Annapurna Circuit Trek but still includes the high-altitude crossing of the Thorung La.
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This remains a challenging and worthwhile trek. Commencing in the lower reaches of the Marsyangdi Valley, the trek heads deeper and higher into the valley, and the transition from Hindu to Buddhist villages is noticeable. Not to mention the views of the peaks that form the Annapurna Massif. After crossing the Thorung La, it's a descent into the very different, arid landscape of the upper Kali Gandaki Valley floor, stopping off at sacred Muktinath en route. It is, however, impossible to avoid having to walk on the Jeep road at times. For more on this see: The Problem with the Annapurna Circuit Trek. After the spectacular flight out of the Himalayas, there's time for an afternoon of 'r&r' in lakeside Pokhara before returning to Kathmandu. Don't forget, our trekking holidays are tailor-made, and whilst this itinerary includes acclimatisation, you can always have more rest, acclimatisation, and even contingency days added. The itinerary is merely a suggested itinerary and is not entirely 'set in stone'. Sleeping bags (4-season) will be required for nights spent in trekking lodges. We can arrange sleeping bag rentals if required.
You can extend this trek by combining it with our Tilicho Lake Trek.
Example Itinerary
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Day 1Arrive Kathmandu
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Day 2Drive to Dharapani
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Day 3Trek to Chame
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Day 4To Upper Pisang
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Day 5Trek to Ngawal
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Day 6To Manang
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Day 7Acclimatisation Day in Manang
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Day 8Trek to Letdar
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Day 9To High Camp
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Day 10Across the Thorung La to Muktinath
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Day 11Muktinath to Jomsom
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Day 12Fly to Kathmandu via Pokhara
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Day 13Depart Nepal
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DAY
1Arrive Kathmandu
Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere.
DAY 1
Arrive Kathmandu
Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere.
DAY
2Drive to Dharapani
A private vehicle will take you overland to the village of Dharapani (1860 m), with a stop for lunch along the way. The journey is the best part of the whole day. From Besisahar, the transfer will be in a locally chartered Jeep.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Dharapani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerFind out more about Trekking Lodges
DAY 2
Drive to Dharapani
A private vehicle will take you overland to the village of Dharapani (1860 m), with a stop for lunch along the way. The journey is the best part of the whole day. From Besisahar, the transfer will be in a locally chartered Jeep.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Dharapani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerFind out more about Trekking Lodges
DAY
3Trek to Chame
It is impossible to avoid trekking on the 'road' that has been pushed through the Marsyangdi Valley. However, as much as possible, it is avoided throughout the trek. Today, you walk to Chame (2713m). It should take around 5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Chame
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 3
Trek to Chame
It is impossible to avoid trekking on the 'road' that has been pushed through the Marsyangdi Valley. However, as much as possible, it is avoided throughout the trek. Today, you walk to Chame (2713m). It should take around 5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Chame
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
4To Upper Pisang
Your climb further up into the Marsyangdi Valley continues and involves several crossings of the river (via suspension bridges) to emerge above forests and to a more open grazing landscape affording particularly good views of Annapurna 2 and onto Upper Pisang (3300m). Walking time is around 5 hours with an overall height gain of around 590m and a distance of just over 17km with around 1300 m of ascent and 650 m of descent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Upper Pisang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 4
To Upper Pisang
Your climb further up into the Marsyangdi Valley continues and involves several crossings of the river (via suspension bridges) to emerge above forests and to a more open grazing landscape affording particularly good views of Annapurna 2 and onto Upper Pisang (3300m). Walking time is around 5 hours with an overall height gain of around 590m and a distance of just over 17km with around 1300 m of ascent and 650 m of descent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Upper Pisang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
5Trek to Ngawal
Today's walk continues to climb higher up from the valley floor and along the upper slopes. The Tibetan influence becomes more apparent in terms of the villages you pass through with their Buddhist monuments. Passing through Gyaru (3680 m), you walk as far as Ngawal. Overall, this takes around 4 hours of walking and a height gain of 300m. The distance is just over 10 km, with 650 m of ascent and 300 m of descent overall.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Ngawal
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 5
Trek to Ngawal
Today's walk continues to climb higher up from the valley floor and along the upper slopes. The Tibetan influence becomes more apparent in terms of the villages you pass through with their Buddhist monuments. Passing through Gyaru (3680 m), you walk as far as Ngawal. Overall, this takes around 4 hours of walking and a height gain of 300m. The distance is just over 10 km, with 650 m of ascent and 300 m of descent overall.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Ngawal
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
6To Manang
The walk starts by dropping down towards the lower part of the valley and back onto the principle Annapurna Circuit trail as you head steadily up to the very Tibetan village of Manang (3540m). Walking time is around 4-5 hours. The distance is almost 12km and involves 350 m of ascent and 465m of descent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Manang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 6
To Manang
The walk starts by dropping down towards the lower part of the valley and back onto the principle Annapurna Circuit trail as you head steadily up to the very Tibetan village of Manang (3540m). Walking time is around 4-5 hours. The distance is almost 12km and involves 350 m of ascent and 465m of descent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Manang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
7Acclimatisation Day in Manang
Today's acclimatisation walk aims to get close to around 4000m and, of course, back down to Manang. There are various possibilities to achieve this, which takes up to 4-5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Manang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 7
Acclimatisation Day in Manang
Today's acclimatisation walk aims to get close to around 4000m and, of course, back down to Manang. There are various possibilities to achieve this, which takes up to 4-5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Manang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
8Trek to Letdar
Today's walk only takes around 3–4 hours, and as you're now going to be overnighting above 4000 m, the gradual climb up to Letdar (4250m) should be taken slowly. Height gain today is about 715m. The distance is just over 12 km, and there's just about 830m of ascent and 80 m of descent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Letdar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 8
Trek to Letdar
Today's walk only takes around 3–4 hours, and as you're now going to be overnighting above 4000 m, the gradual climb up to Letdar (4250m) should be taken slowly. Height gain today is about 715m. The distance is just over 12 km, and there's just about 830m of ascent and 80 m of descent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Letdar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
9To High Camp
Another short walking day that can usually be completed by lunch time, meaning the remainder of the day can be wisely spent resting and aiding the acclimatisation process at High Camp (4750m). Height gain: 500m. It's under 7km to High Camp, and overall there's 700m of ascent and 420 m of descent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, High Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 9
To High Camp
Another short walking day that can usually be completed by lunch time, meaning the remainder of the day can be wisely spent resting and aiding the acclimatisation process at High Camp (4750m). Height gain: 500m. It's under 7km to High Camp, and overall there's 700m of ascent and 420 m of descent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, High Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
10Across the Thorung La to Muktinath
The 'crux' of the trek and, for most, the toughest day (as well as the highest too). The walking is made all the more challenging by the high altitude. A reasonably early start is required. It's a steep climb up to Thorung La (5416 m), but it does ease off a bit towards the top. Snow and ice are always possibilities. Usually it takes around 3 hours of walking to reach the pass, from where there are some fantastic views. It is then downhill virtually all the way to reach sacred Muktinath, which you'll be more than glad to have reached. Today you'll be walking for around 6-7 hours, ascending around 700m and descending almost 1800m. The distance is under 14.5 kilometres, but it will feel much longer.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Muktinath
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 10
Across the Thorung La to Muktinath
The 'crux' of the trek and, for most, the toughest day (as well as the highest too). The walking is made all the more challenging by the high altitude. A reasonably early start is required. It's a steep climb up to Thorung La (5416 m), but it does ease off a bit towards the top. Snow and ice are always possibilities. Usually it takes around 3 hours of walking to reach the pass, from where there are some fantastic views. It is then downhill virtually all the way to reach sacred Muktinath, which you'll be more than glad to have reached. Today you'll be walking for around 6-7 hours, ascending around 700m and descending almost 1800m. The distance is under 14.5 kilometres, but it will feel much longer.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Muktinath
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
11Muktinath to Jomsom
There is now a jeep road from Jomsom all the way up to Muktinath. This has recently been metalled. Indeed this jeep road is an extension of the 'road' that now has been forced all the way up the Kali Gandaki Valley from Beni. On the walk down to Jomsom, most of this road can't be avoided. From Muktinath it takes around 3hrs of descending to reach the Kali Gandaki Valley floor, and there are great views of Dhaulagiri as well as tantalising glimpses of the arid landscapes of Mustang too. A further 2 hours of relatively level walking along the valley floor is required to reach Jomsom. Overall, the distance walked today is just over 20 km, and there's around 1400m of descent and about 450m of ascent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Jomsom
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY 11
Muktinath to Jomsom
There is now a jeep road from Jomsom all the way up to Muktinath. This has recently been metalled. Indeed this jeep road is an extension of the 'road' that now has been forced all the way up the Kali Gandaki Valley from Beni. On the walk down to Jomsom, most of this road can't be avoided. From Muktinath it takes around 3hrs of descending to reach the Kali Gandaki Valley floor, and there are great views of Dhaulagiri as well as tantalising glimpses of the arid landscapes of Mustang too. A further 2 hours of relatively level walking along the valley floor is required to reach Jomsom. Overall, the distance walked today is just over 20 km, and there's around 1400m of descent and about 450m of ascent.
Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Jomsom
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDAY
12Fly to Kathmandu via Pokhara
The flight from Jomsom down to Pokhara only lasts around 18 minutes, but it will stay in your memory forever as the tiny plane flies between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Effectively you're in transit until it's time for the late afternoon, short flight back to Kathmandu. A private transfer will take you from the airport back to the KGH Hotel. You can always add in some extra nights in Pokhara if you wish and enjoy some chill-out time in the balmy sub-tropical climate by the lake. However, you may wish to consider some additional contingency for this trek, whether it be for any delays/cancellations that can and do occur for internal flights or any difficulties that may arise on the trek.
Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
Included Meals: BreakfastDAY 12
Fly to Kathmandu via Pokhara
The flight from Jomsom down to Pokhara only lasts around 18 minutes, but it will stay in your memory forever as the tiny plane flies between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Effectively you're in transit until it's time for the late afternoon, short flight back to Kathmandu. A private transfer will take you from the airport back to the KGH Hotel. You can always add in some extra nights in Pokhara if you wish and enjoy some chill-out time in the balmy sub-tropical climate by the lake. However, you may wish to consider some additional contingency for this trek, whether it be for any delays/cancellations that can and do occur for internal flights or any difficulties that may arise on the trek.
Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
Included Meals: BreakfastDAY
13Depart Nepal
A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Of course, there's no reason to depart today; your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made.
DAY 13
Depart Nepal
A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Of course, there's no reason to depart today; your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made.
IMPORTANT
This is an EXAMPLE ITINERARY and can be customised for you accordingly.
Please consider whether you want your customisable, private trip itinerary to also include CONTINGENCY.
See our ABOUT CONTINGENCY Information
Please CONTACT US to discuss CONTINGENCY and ADDITIONAL ACCLIMATISATION, as well as other CUSTOMISATION POSSIBILITES for your PRIVATE CUSTOM TREK
Price Guide
- $ US 1565
What's included
The price shown is for guideline purposes only. The price is inclusive of all accommodation described in the detailed itinerary, all airport and land transfers, private overland travel, internal flights as indicated in the itinerary, meals as indicated in the itinerary (all meals on trek), porterage on trek, permits and National Park fees, and a Snow Cat Travel Trekking Guide. All guides are English-speaking, professionals and fully licenced.
Don't Forget
We can customise
all our trips.
extend. shorten. upgrade
Read our Nepal Travel Guide
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