Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking- 13 Days

Arrival will be at Tribhuvan International Airport where you will be greeted by the staff of Trekking Mart and taken to your hotel to rest up from your long flight. In the evening, we will have a welcome dinner featuring traditional Nepali food and a cultural program that will show you traditional Nepali dances from the various cultures of the Himalaya.

Today will be a day to become acquainted with the wonderful culture of Nepal as you visit several of the Kathmandu Valley's World Heritage Sites. Included today will be Kathmandu's Durbar Square, home to over 60 temples and the old Royal Palace. We will also visit Pashupatinath, the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, along with two sacred Buddhist shrines: Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. In the afternoon, there will be a briefing about the trek as you meet your guide and fellow trekkers. You can take time to do some exploring on your own or rest as you prepare for tomorrow’s journey.

This is a long day of drive by bus/jeep riding as we leave Kathmandu and head west toward Besisahar and continue drive to Dharapani for overnight stay. We leave early morning (7 am) and spend 8 – 10 hours traveling. The scenery will reflect the beauty of Nepal as we pass rivers, mountains and beautiful villages. You will marvel at the meticulously kept terraced farms and traditional villages along the way.

Today is our first day of trekking. The trail turns steeper as we move upward and toward the west. The trail will change directions and lead us north of the Annapurna Conservation Area. The dense forests will give way to outcroppings where we will first behold the amazing snowcapped peaks. The views will feature great views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna IV (elev. 7,525 m/24,688 ft). The region features a number of small hot springs along the way to our destination of Chame.

We will enter the U-shaped valley of Manang, a central home to the famous Gurung people who have called this land home for centuries. This valley is situated between two snow-covered peaks. We are following the Marsyangdi Nadi (river) through the Manang Valley. The trail rises 1500 meters above the river as we walk to Pisang. Sometimes we see eagles flying below us as they glide over the Manang Valley. We enjoy a night in the quaint little village of Pisang.

Today is a little longer as we make our way from Pisang. The landscape is becoming drier, much like the plateaus of Tibet. The trek will feature many panoramic views of the mountains as we stop for a short visit to Barge Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in the Manang District. We will spend the night in the Gurung cultural village of Manang. We will spend two nights in Manang, which will give you time to explore this amazing village.

This is a day to acclimatize as we are entering higher elevations. It is not a day of just resting, as we will take some short hikes in order to help us adjust to the higher elevations. Some optional places to visit are Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake, as well as a monastery at Braga. There are cultural museums in Manang as well as interesting shops.

The trail turns northward as we make our way toward Thorang La Pass. The elevation continues to rise as we pass through delightful villages and pasture lands in the high mountains. Our goal is the small village of Yak Kharka, trekking time 3 – 4 hours. A Kharka is a high, remote pasture where the local farmers take animals to graze during the warmer summer months. We are taking it a little more slowly because of the higher elevations.

This day takes us to the lower part of the pass. Thorang Phedi is a small but busy little village at the base of Thorang La Pass, where we will spend the night. We are above the tree line; vegetation is low bushes that do not impede our views of the high mountains.

As we circle the Annapurna Conservation Area, this day is the highlight of our trek as we finally make Thorang La Pass. This day is a challenge, but well worth the effort as you rise higher and higher for finer and finer mountain views. The day is cold as we pass at high elevations which will offer incredible views of the mountains on all sides. Dress warm as the wind usually blows up here with the freshness of the alpine region. This day will be breathtaking as you gaze at the high peaks of the Himalayas. The trail will begin a long descent to Muktinath, a sacred spot to both Hindus and Buddhists, where there are many important temples. Muktinath is a major pilgrimage site, and you will be honored by arriving here. We will spend the night in Muktinath.

After a wonderful and challenging trekking holiday, today we drive towards the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. You may travel by regular local bus or hire a private jeep for a more comfortable journey along the Kali Gandaki River. Regular local bus is not as comfortable, but offers you an opportunity to mix with the local people as they bring goods and animals aboard the bus. It actually can be a lot of fun as you get to know the local people who will smile at you and share stories and even their lunch from time to time. The distance is approximately 195 km (121 miles).

Pokhara offers a wide range of accommodation options, from basic to luxury hotels. After arrival, you may relax and enjoy spa services such as a foot massage or full body massage to refresh your body. Take in the local sites along Phewa Lake. You can also find a large selection of foods and cuisines and impressive night life if you are not too tired from this amazing journey.

Note: During the main trekking season, flights operate from Jomsom to Pokhara. These flights generally run only in the morning (6:30 AM–11:00 AM) due to mountain weather conditions.

After an early morning breakfast at the hotel, transfer according to your preferred mode of travel. If traveling by tourist bus, depart around 7:00 AM. If traveling by private car/van/jeep, depart around 8:00 AM. Flights operate almost every hour from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with a flight time of approximately 25 minutes.

The road distance is about 200 km (124) and takes around 7 hours by drive. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel. Tourist bus is not like local bus. These buses feature good seats and plenty of leg room and no goats or chickens in the aisles.

Today is the time to leave Nepal. The good news is that you can return (as many do) to enjoy additional sights, treks, and adventures. Let us, at Trekking Mart, help you to put together your next Nepal vacation. Trekking Mart is the gateway to the world, including India, Bhutan, Tibet, and even safaris in East Africa, where our tourism partners can offer you experiences of a lifetime.