Round Annapurna Trek (18 Days)

We will be there to receive you at the Airport before your arrival and then We will introduce you to the whole Imperial Nepal Team. And then you will be taken to the Hotel for rest and preparation for the next day.

Starting our Round Annapurna Trek from Besishahar, we drive from Kathmandu via the local highway. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach Besishahar which is the district headquarters of Lamjung. After taking a short break here, we head toward Khudi where we will be staying overnight.

The way to Khudi is along the river trail of the big Marsyangdi River. As we move on, we pass by the local villages, green fields, and riverside walk. Once we reach Khudi, we will capture the first glimpse of the mountain range of Manasalu. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

From Khudi, we ascend along the Marsyangdi River and cross several suspension bridges on our way. The trail involves steady climb unless we cross a big hill, Bahundanda. The route lets you explore the farming lands as well as waterfalls here.  The walking becomes quite easier after crossing the hill as we descend for Ghermu. We stay at Ghermu for overnight; your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

Heading towards Tal, we climb up from Ghermu as we cross the Marsyangdi River at Syange. Tracing the river pathway via subtropical forests and along the fields of Marijuana, we reach Chyamche. We stop at Chyamche for lunch and after a while, we climb over the steep stone trail. Upon accomplishing the long hot climb, we enter in Tal. Tal appears to be a wonderful village residing at the riverbank. The valley is remarkable because of its landscape and the gorgeous views of the thatch house villages. We stay at Tal for overnight; your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

Noticing the Mani walls and landslide areas, we cross the Marsyangdi River at Chhaijo. Climbing up the trail, we arrive in a village called Thoche where we can observe a powerhouse. The pathway then ascends towards Danakyu where hot springs can be found. From Danakyu, we have two options to reach Chame, upper and the lower way. We pick the upper way as views along the way are astounding. The lower pathway is also an interesting one, not with mountain views but followed by Riverside and forests. Climbing uphill, we reach Chame which is the district headquarters of Manang that comprises of Manang Hospital and large white gate. We stay at Chame for overnight; your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

Ascending along the landslide possible areas, we pass by ruined buildings of old Bhratang, memorial of Japanese mountaineer Akira Ochiai and cross the Swargadwari Bridge. The pathway consists of dense forests and striking curved rock face rising 1500m from the river. You will find no vegetation as we reach the top of the hill where exist big river valleys. Upon arriving at Lowe Pisang, we will observe the dramatic views of Annapurna ranges surrounding us. We can walk towards Upper Pisang in the evening to witness this interesting village in riversides. We spend the night at Lower Pisang; your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

For Manang, we can either take the upper route or the lower one. We recommend the upper route as we pass through the Upper Pisang valley where you can see the Pisang Peak climbing route and Deuralidanda near Ghyaru. Once we arrive at Ghyaru, you will be able to witness the exceptional mountain sceneries of Pisang peak, Annapurna Ranges and many others that fascinate us. The landscapes seem different from here and the weather is also cold and dry. The environment appears to be quite harsh on us from here. After arriving at Mugje, our route ascends towards Baraka, also known as Braga where Braga Monastery exists. It is the largest Buddhist monastery in the whole district of Manang. A little further from here, we arrive at Manang, the religious place with monasteries where we will stay overnight. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

This is the important point of our Round Annapurna Trek i.e. acclimatization.  Our every trek is assured with proper planning considering the altitude sickness we are likely to suffer from. As this is the rest day, we will only go for short walks as we need to familiarize with the environment here as the trekking from here leads to higher altitude quickly. We will walk to Gangapurna Glacier Lake and go uphill for an hour for a teashop from where you can eye on the Manang village. We can also visit the Bojo Gompa on the hill. You can find the 100 rupees BABA who will bless you for your success on crossing the Thorang La Pass. The views of Annapurna and Tilicho Lake can be witnessed from here. We stay overnight at Manang; your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

From Manang, our Round Annapurna Trek leads to a higher altitude. Passing along the scrub of juniper trees and crossing the Ghyanchang Khola via a small village, Ghusang, our route gains elevation steadily. Ghusang appears to be a huddle of flat mud roofs and the trail goes through fields where yaks and horses graze. Passing Ghusanga village, we find the Mani walls around and we finally reach Yak Kharka. Yak Kharka offers dramatic views of Chulu South Face. We stay overnight at Yak Kharka; your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

Walking along the paths of Mani wall and landslide areas, we climb high to Ledar from where the Chulu Climbing Route starts. As we are heading towards the foot of the pass, you are likely to experience thin air. With steady climb over the landslide areas, we reach Thorung Phedi. It is a small settlement that is more like a base camp for the trekkers providing us with our needs to erase the tiredness. We overnight at Thorung Phedi in order to gain safe and sound sleep as the next day carries a good challenge for all of us. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

Our trek today is the ultimate highest point of Around Annapurna Trek as we will be at Thorung La Pass elevating at an altitude of 5416m. From Thorung Phedi, we start early and climb slowly towards Thorung La Pass, passing the High Camp here. The climbing involves icy high-altitude trail which is a tough one. However, the tempting exceptional beauty of Himalayas is sure to keep us motivated. Even though the climbing needs good effort, passing Thorung La, the world's biggest Pass would remain in your memory forever. As the altitude is high, a slow walk is recommended. Upon reaching Thorung La Pass, you are mesmerized by the beauty of what this height offers. The gigantic mountains and the view of Tilicho Lake are indescribable.

After accomplishing the tough trek to Thorung La, we descend towards Muktinath, an important pilgrimage destination for both Hindus and Buddhists. Muktinath dwells at an altitude of 3800m, we will love this height after a high altitude trek.  Muktinath comprises of Lord Vishnu and Jwala Mai Temple, Sarwa monastery, and Muktinath Temple. At Muktinath, an annual fair takes place on the day of Janai Purnima.  We stay overnight at Muktinath; your accommodation would be in a hotel/lodge where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

From Muktinath, our route descends towards Marpha. We pass by the villages like Jharkot (Shakya Gompa and Traditional Medicine Centre) and Ranipauwa (wide trail over barren hillside) and reach Kagbeni. Kagbeni consists of windswept villages; it used to be a Himalayan salt trading route to Tibet via Upper Mustang. Descending from Kagbeni, we reach Ekle Bhatti village. Walking towards Jomsom now along the stony sandy trail, watching ammonite fossils on the river beds, we enter Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang facilitated with Banks, ATMs, Sauna, the Internet, Hospital, and Telecom office.

A little downwards from Jomsom, the Mustang Eco Museum exists. We take a short visit there and cross a wooden bridge at Syang. Descending further from here, we finally arrive at Marpha. Marpha is a wonderful village with Apple Peach Farm and Rinjin & Solmi Gompa. We stay overnight at Marpha; your accommodation would be in a hotel/lodge where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

Descending towards Ghasa, we cross Tukuche Village, a Thakali village with Ekai Kawaguchi Residence Museum and Rani, Samba & Tukuche Gompa. Further, from here, we stop at Kobang to capture Mount Dhaulagiri view, Guru Rinpoche cave, Makilakhang Gompa and Mahalaxmi temple. Walking downwards, we reach Kalopani where a cultural Thakali Museum exists. Moving downhill and crossing the wooden bridges at Dhaiku and Chhyo, we reach Ghasa. For all the bird lovers, Ghasa would be that heavenly place for bird watching. We stay overnight here. Your accommodation would be in a hotel/lodge where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

The trek is easy as we descend all the way from Ghasa to Tatopani passing by the villages Kopchepani and Pairathapto. Continuing our trek, we cross Rupse Chahara (Waterfall, the biggest waterfall of this route where there is a possibility of landslide too. Crossing suspension bridge at Dana, we also pass through a small tunnel at Guithe. Following the Gandaki River flowing under 2200m deep gorge in between two of the 8000m peaks, we finally reach Tatopani.

Tatopani is a religious place meaning Hot Water in Nepali that is derived from the hot springs existing there. The place is popular for the significant belief that by taking a bath here, all the pain, as well as diseases, will be flushed from your body. By staying inside the hot springs here, your tired legs and muscles will be strengthened again. We stay overnight here. Your accommodation would be in a hotel/lodge where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

For Ghorepani, we descend from Ghar Khola and Ghara. The trail involves ups and downs till we reach Chitre. From Chitre, we move downhill via Ghorepani Deurali and finally arrive at Ghorepani, the trekker's stop that was previously an important campsite. It is the source of excellent views of entire Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri. Your accommodation would be in a hotel/lodge where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, and dinner).

We start our trek fresh morning with some breakfasts at Ghorepani and head down for Nayapul. As we reach Nayapul, we have our lunch and drive back to Pokhara in our private vehicle. We stay at Pokhara and stroll around the lakeside. Your accommodation would be in a tourist standard hotel as before where breakfast is included within our budget and other meals will be counted on your own expenses.

From Pokhara, we catch a tourist bus for Kathmandu early morning. Once we arrive at Kathmandu, you will be taken to the hotel you've stayed in before (unless changed). As this is the last day, we enjoy the farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with live music and rejoice the moments. 

The representatives from Imperial Nepal Treks will drop you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and assist you in your final departure from Kathmandu. We bid our last goodbyes and you will head towards your destination.