Annapurna Circuit Trek
A 23 day adventure in Nepal on the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Walking with a company proud of their responsible tourism initiatives, rest assured that your trip will be low impact and highly supportive of local people and communities.
Following 300km of paths that were initially used as trade routes between Tibet and Nepal, your 23 day adventure will take you on a trek of the Annapurna Circuit in the Himalayas. You will see the most breath-taking scenery trekking through lush sub-tropical forests and barren mountain landscape. Watch yaks and blue sheep grazing whilst sipping tea in a local tea house and visit Buddhist monasteries adorned with colourful prayer flags. How could you not come back a changed person?
Your adventure begins in Kathmandu, where you will spend the first day exploring the atmospheric capital, including a walking tour of the colourful Ason bazaar. The next day you will be driven to Besi Sahar which is where your trek will start from. After 5 hours in the bus, you will be raring to go and will enjoy the 2 hour walk to Khudi, crossing the mighty Marshyangdi river on a suspension bridge to enter the village. You will leave the following morning and your trekking will begin in earnest. From now onwards, you can expect to be walking on average 5 – 7 hours per day. Hiking through terraced rice fields and local villages, you will have a steep climb to arrive at Bahundanda, where you will spend the night.
In the morning, trek alongside donkey trains on the undulating path to Syange. Enjoy your lunch whilst being awe-inspired by the huge waterfall on the other side of the valley. Admiring the steep walls of the gorge, you will cross the Marshyangdi river again and will continue to the village of Jagat to Chyami, where you will stop for the night. The next day will see you trekking along a rocky path, past impressive hanging rock formations. You will pass several tea houses as you walk uphill towards Tal with views across a vast plain which used to be a lake. You will start to see the Tibetan influence here, with villages full of houses with flat stoned roofs.
After a well earned nights sleep in Bagarchhap, you will be rewarded for your hard work so far with magnificent views of the Annapurna mountain range. Climbing through lush forests accompanied by the Langur monkeys, there will be opportunities at every corner to be awe-struck by the spectacular mountains. The next day is a five hour trek, but it will probably take you much longer as you will keep needing to stop to take photos. You will be amazed by the mani walls that you see and you can decide whether they are huge rocks formed by glacial erosion, or the final ascent for Buddhist spirits towards their resting place in Tibet. Passing through apple orchards draped with prayer flags and climbing through pine and juniper forests, you will end your day at Pisang.
Depending on how much energy you now have, you can spend the next day on a high or a low route towards the village of Manang. The lower route, the less strenuous of the two, takes you along dusty paths through the increasingly arid valley. The higher route is hard work (but you haven’t come all this way to take the easy option have you?) Passing further impressive rock formations, you can enjoy a rest from your tough climb, taking in the stunning views of Mt Annapurna II from a local tea house. Take the time to visit the Gompa, a Buddhist fortification at the top of the village. Breathing in the mountain air whilst taking in the serenity of the prayer wheels and buildings adorned with prayer flags, you will feel well and truly out of this world.
After a tough week of trekking and climbing, you will spend the next day resting and acclimatising in Marang. Climb to the top of the village and admire views of the Gangaupurra glacier and the emerald coloured lake whilst drinking tea and eating yak’s cheese. On the next day, you will have more time to acclimatise, with just a half day’s walk. On your trek to the village of Yak Kharka, pass through the increasingly barren and rugged landscape filled with yaks grazing on the pastures.
On day 12 (only just half way through your holiday and already you have seen so much) you will climb to Thorung Pedhi. Possibly the most beautiful place on earth, enjoy yet more stunning views and look out for the Himalayan blue sheep with their majestic curvy horns.
You will notice that it’s starting to get colder and you will definitely be feeling the altitude as you start your climb the next day. Trekking to the highest point of the circuit, Thoroung La, you will see views that are quite simply spectacular and all of the physical exertion is reaching this point will have been worth it. On your descent towards the famous temple complex of Muktinath and the village of Ranipauwa, take in more beautiful mountain scenery.
See the landscape starting to change again as you start the next day’s trek to Marpha. Enjoy a tea stop in Jhong and see an ancient fort and monastery dating back to the 7th Century. Away now from the rugged terrain, you will descend through the pine and juniper forests to the sacred Dhumba Lake. You will end your day of trekking in the beautiful village of Marpha, where you can enjoy some locally made apple brandy and explore the impressive Buddhist monastery.
The following days see you trekking through fruit orchards, crossing rivers on suspension bridges visiting settlements which have developed along this vital salt trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Enjoying the diverse species of birds and pine and rhododendron forests, you will continue your trek from Larjung toGhasa. Still admiring the fantastic views of the peaks, you will walk through bustling villages and arriving at Tatopani where you can soak your aching muscles in the hot springs.
On the last two days of your trek, you will share the trail with donkey trains as you climb to the settlement of Ghorepani. Admire the mountain views early in the morning, as you climb Poon Hill to watch the sunrise in the Himalayas for the last time.
This is a strenuous trek and while you don’t have to be bionic man to participate, you will need to be moderately fit. Your group size will be a maximum of 12 people and within that group some people will be fitter than others. Everyone is able to walk at their own pace (often there is an hours gap between the first and last person arriving) allowing you to dictate your speed and also giving you ample opportunity to take photos and take in the amazing views.
You don’t need to worry about carrying heavy bags, the porters will transport your belongings you just need to take a day pack with you.
Price includes all accommodation, transfers, meals whilst trekking, guides, porters, good clothing for porters and crew, food for porters & crew members, insurance for crew and porters that includes helicopter evacuation when necessary and medical treatment, all permits.
25 Sep 2010 - 07 Oct 2010
09 Oct 2010 - 31 Oct 2010
23 Oct 2010 - 14 Nov 2010
06 Nov 2010 - 28 Nov 2010
13 Nov 2010 - 05 Dec 2010
27 Nov 2010 - 19 Dec 2010
04 Dec 2010 - 26 Dec 2010
11 Dec 2010 - 02 Jan 2011
19 Feb 2011 - 13 Mar 2011
14 Feb 2011 - 20 Mar 2011
11 Mar 2011 - 02 Apr 2011
25 Mar 2011 - 16 Apr 2011
09 Apr 2011 - 01 May 2011
23 Apr 2011 - 15 May 2011
23 days
Reasonably comfortable (Inns, B&Bs, luxury camping etc.)
A reasonable level of fitness and interest is all that is needed
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+44 (0)207 1930 850
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