Annapurna Circuit Trek - 7 Days

Your adventure begins in the scenic Kathmandu Valley, home to Nepal’s busy capital city. We’ll travel west across the country’s most beautiful rural landscapes from here. Our route traces the winding course of the Trishuli River, passing traditionally built homes and terraced farms of rice and millet. Soon, the layered green hills of the Nepali countryside will rise to meet the mighty Himalayan mountains. After approximately five or six hours on the highway, we’ll reach the town of Besi Shahar. This is a great place to stop and stretch our legs, and there are plenty of restaurants where we can enjoy some local fare. Next, we’ll board a private Jeep to make the final stretch of today’s journey into the Himalayas, which should take another four or five hours. Our road follows the Marsyangdi River, passing the checkpoint at Dharapani and arriving at Chame after traveling through a scenic stretch of evergreen forest. When we arrive, we’ll get checked in at our trekking lodge and get some hard-earned rest.

Lace up your hiking boots: the Annapurna Circuit begins here in Chame, where we’ll sit down to an early morning breakfast before setting off into the wilds of the Himalayas. Our trek begins along the steep slopes of thickly forested hillsides high above the watercourse of the Marsyangdi River. We’ll proceed carefully, earning stupendous views of the 5,000-meter mountain known as Paungda Danda as our narrow path widens into a majestic valley. After about four or five hours on the trail, we’ll find ourselves marching into Lower Pisang. We can pick out the best available guesthouse here to spend the night, or we can push on to Upper Pisang, which lies just 20 minutes further down the trail. Either way, you’ll enjoy clean and comfortable accommodations, home-cooked meals, and a soft bed with warm blankets—all the hallmarks of the best treks in Nepal.

Our short Annapurna Circuit Trek continues as the sun breaks across the mighty edifice of Annapurna II, which rises over the mountainside villages of Upper and Lower Pisang like a broken encircling wall. Our route today will bring us from here to the villages of Geru and Manang, which should require about five or six hours of trekking. The views along this stretch of the path are nothing short of remarkable, thanks to the presence of colossal Himalayan summits like Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, and the Annapurna massif itself. As we gain elevation throughout the day, the forest will begin to thin out, leaving us to traverse a rocky landscape where only the toughest low-lying scrub persists in the rarefied atmosphere. If you’re interested in Buddhist culture, we’ll make sure to visit the village of Braga during today’s hike; there’s a splendid little monastery here that’s worth spending some time exploring. As the day winds to a close, we’ll get checked in at our trekking lodge in Manang to spend another night in Nepal’s loveliest mountains.

Spending another day here in Manang will allow our bodies the time they need to acclimate to the high altitude before we plunge further into the heart of the Annapurnas. This is a great place to explore: the town is packed with scenic viewpoints and timeless monasteries—and there’s even a cultural museum! If you find yourself getting restless, we can also embark on one of several available day hikes leading to fantastic glacial lakes set against a backdrop of skyscraping Himalayan summits, including Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak. Later tonight, we’ll return to our lodge for a filling meal and a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, our adventure on the Annapurna Circuit Trek continues.

After a leisurely breakfast in Manang, we’ll set out for the high pastures of Yak Kharka. Winding mountain paths leading to stunning Himalayan views are the order of the day on this fine section of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Leaving behind the stone-built homes of Manang, we’ll follow narrow dirt paths, sharing the way with local caravans of yaks and little horses. We’ll pass through the Jarsang Khola river valley before arriving at our approximate halfway point: the small town of Ghunsa, or Gunsang. This is a great place to stop and take in the splendid alpine scenery before tackling a series of beautiful suspension bridges on the way to Yak Kharka. We’ll arrive after about four hours on the trail, discovering a small community of sturdy guesthouses sheltered beneath snowbound Himalayan giants where blue sheep roam freely in the wilderness. After getting checked into our rooms, we can look forward to a hot meal and another good night’s sleep on the Annapurna Circuit.

Leaving behind the pastures of Yak Kharka, we’ll strike out on an uphill journey, setting a leisurely pace and trekking for approximately four or five hours. Today’s destination is Thorong Phedi, a small collection of guesthouses clustered against the base of a mighty Himalayan mountain. Along the way, we’ll pass through the tiny village of Ledar, where we’ll enjoy wonderful alpine views and the opportunity to chat with friendly locals. We’ll also cross a dramatic suspension bridge that affords sweeping views of the rocky alpine landscape so characteristic of the Annapurnas. While we won’t necessarily be trekking long enough to require a lunch break, no trek in Nepal would be complete without plenty of tea. We’ll stop at a trailside shop for a warming cup prepared according to traditional recipes. The final stretch of today’s hike may be subject to landslides, so we’ll carefully assess the condition of the trail before proceeding. When we arrive in Thorong Phedi at last, we’ll be ready to enjoy a hot lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

When you trek in Nepal, you can count on seeing amazing views of the colossal Himalayan mountains. But the vantage point that you’ll reach today will eclipse anything you’ve seen on the Annapurna Circuit Trek so far. We’ll make an early start, ascending endless switchbacks as we rise above Thorong Phedi and make for the high-altitude mountain pass of Thorong La. The pass is situated at 5,416 meters above sea level: the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit. From here, we’ll discover stupendous views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, the Annapurnas, Thorong Ri, and many more of the Himalaya’s most impressive peaks. When it’s time to descend from the other side of the pass, we’ll traverse steep, rocky terrain for several hours. Our destination is the sacred town of Muktinath, where we’ll catch a ride to nearby Jomsom. It’s here that we’ll spend the night, choosing the best available lodge and celebrating our accomplishments: we’ve finished the Annapurna Circuit!

With the mountain trails of the Annapurna Circuit now behind us, there’s still one major leg of our journey to complete: the winding mountain roads between Jomsom and Pokhara. While the two cities are separated only by about 160 kilometers, this is a narrow road that’s subject to variable mountain weather, and it’s best to proceed carefully and slowly. When we arrive in Pokhara, you’ll be more than ready for a hot meal and a good night’s sleep! While it’s also possible to return to Kathmandu directly, this will make for an exceptionally long day on bumpy roads—instead, we recommend spending an additional night or two in Pokhara. The city is positively brimming with exciting adventure activities, and even more easygoing travelers are sure to enjoy the many monasteries, temples, restaurants, and mountain vistas that you’ll discover around every corner. Wherever you go from here, Alpine Ramble Treks will be happy to assist you with any necessary arrangements. Thank you for choosing us to plan your short Annapurna Circuit Trek!