Annapurna Circuit Trek

Your Annapurna Circuit Trek adventure begins the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A representative from Nepal Adventure Holidays will be waiting to greet you and transfer you comfortably in a private air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel — the 4-star Mulberry Hotel or similar. After checking in and freshening up, your guide will conduct a thorough trek briefing, covering the full itinerary, permits, packing essentials, and safety guidelines. The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore the vibrant streets around Thamel, or visit a nearby monastery. A good night's sleep in Kathmandu helps you prepare for the adventure ahead.

Today, an experienced English-speaking city guide takes you on a curated tour of Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage Sites — a perfect cultural introduction before you enter the mountains. The day typically includes visits to Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple set along the banks of the Bagmati River; Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world; Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), perched on a hilltop offering sweeping valley views; and Kathmandu Durbar Square, a historic complex of royal palaces, courtyards, and intricate Newari architecture. The cultural richness of Kathmandu gives valuable context to the communities you will encounter along the trekking trail. The evening is free for last-minute gear shopping in Thamel.

Departing early from Kathmandu, you embark on a scenic jeep drive that takes you westward along the Prithvi Highway, following the Trishuli and Marsyangdi river valleys toward Besisahar — the official starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The drive takes approximately 6 to 7 hours and passes through rolling green hills, terraced farmland, and traditional Gurung and Magar villages. Besisahar, the headquarters of Lamjung District, is a bustling town where you will check your trekking permits and make any final preparations. Arriving in the late afternoon, you settle into your tea house accommodation for the night, with the excitement of the trail beginning tomorrow.

From Besisahar, your private jeep carries you further up the Marsyangdi Valley through a series of increasingly dramatic landscapes. The road winds past roaring rivers, hanging bridges, terraced fields, and small ethnic villages as you gain altitude steadily. The drive passes through Bhulbhule, Ngadi, Bahundanda, Syange, Jagat, Dharapani, and Chame — the administrative headquarters of Manang District. As you ascend, the scenery shifts noticeably, with pine forests and rocky mountain walls beginning to dominate the horizon. Chame sits at 2,710m and offers the first truly alpine feel of the journey. After checking into your tea house, take a gentle evening stroll through the village.

Today the trekking truly begins in earnest. The trail from Chame climbs steadily through dense pine and apple orchid forests along the banks of the Marsyangdi River, with the towering walls of Paungda Danda — a massive curved rock face — making for a striking natural spectacle. As you approach Pisang, the landscape opens dramatically and you are greeted with your first commanding view of Annapurna II (7,937m) rising in magnificent clarity ahead of you. Upper Pisang sits on a ridge above the main trail and rewards trekkers with superior mountain views and a traditional atmosphere, with ancient mani walls and a hilltop monastery that is well worth the short climb. The air is noticeably thinner here — a gentle reminder to keep your pace steady.

Choosing the high trail from Upper Pisang, today's route takes you through some of the most visually spectacular terrain on the entire Annapurna Circuit Trek. The path traverses the upper ridgeline of the Marsyangdi Valley, passing through the traditional village of Ghyaru before continuing to Ngawal — both perched on high ridges with jaw-dropping panoramas of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna, and the Pisang Peak (6,091m). The villages here are inhabited by the Manangi people and retain a distinctly Tibetan character, with whitewashed stone houses, prayer flags, and gompas (monasteries) dotting the landscape. The walk is long and exposed in places but the views more than compensate for the effort.

Descending gently from Ngawal, the trail passes through the picturesque village of Braga — one of the oldest and most atmospheric settlements on the Annapurna Circuit. Braga's ancient monastery, believed to be over 500 years old and housing dozens of clay statues, is a cultural highlight not to be missed. From Braga, it is a short and scenic walk to Manang, the largest and most important village in the upper Marsyangdi Valley. Sitting at 3,540m, Manang serves as the primary acclimatization hub on the Annapurna Circuit Trek. It offers a surprisingly wide range of tea houses, bakeries, gear shops, and even a small Himalayan Rescue Association clinic. The afternoon is free to explore the village, visit the monastery, and prepare for the challenging days ahead.

A rest day in Manang is not just recommended — it is essential for safe altitude acclimatization before ascending to the high-altitude terrain of Tilicho Lake and Thorong La Pass. The golden rule of altitude trekking is "climb high, sleep low," so today you will take a short acclimatization hike to a higher elevation — typically to Ice Lake (4,600m) or the viewpoint above Manang — before returning to sleep at the same altitude. This helps your body produce more red blood cells and adapt to the reduced oxygen levels. The Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) runs free daily altitude sickness lectures in Manang that are highly recommended for all trekkers. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing, reading, enjoying local bakeries, or chatting with fellow trekkers from around the world.

Leaving Manang behind, today's trail branches off from the main Annapurna Circuit route toward the side valley leading to Tilicho Lake. The path climbs steadily through rocky alpine terrain and open yak pastures, passing through Khangsar village before ascending to Shreekharka. This section of the trek is less travelled than the main circuit, giving it a more remote and wild character. Views of Tilicho Peak (7,134m) and Nilgiri North (7,061m) begin to reveal themselves as you gain altitude. Shreekharka (also called Siri Kharka) is a small settlement offering basic but comfortable tea house accommodation, serving as the base camp staging point for the visit to Tilicho Lake.

Today is one of the most demanding days on the entire Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake, but also one of the most rewarding. The trail ascends steeply and relentlessly through high-altitude alpine terrain, crossing exposed ridgelines and narrow traverses with significant drop-offs to one side. The landscape becomes increasingly barren and lunar as you approach Tilicho Base Camp at 4,920m. Along the way, you pass beneath the immense south face of Tilicho Peak, with glaciers and snowfields visible at close range. The effort required today is considerable, and the thin air at this altitude makes every step count. Tilicho Base Camp's tea house is one of the highest in Nepal and offers basic accommodation — warm beds and hot meals are a welcome relief after this epic day.

Rising before dawn, you make the final ascent to Tilicho Lake (4,919m / 16,138ft) — one of the highest lakes in the world and an unforgettable highlight of the Annapurna Circuit. Arriving at sunrise, the lake's deep turquoise waters shimmer in the early light, surrounded by a breathtaking amphitheatre of snowcapped peaks, glaciers, and moraine walls. Tilicho is considered sacred in Hindu mythology, and the atmosphere at the lakeside is one of profound stillness and awe. After spending time soaking in this extraordinary scene, you begin the long descent back to Shreekharka, retracing yesterday's route through changing landscapes. The descent, while long, offers ample time to reflect on one of the most spectacular natural sights in the Himalayas.

Rejoining the main Annapurna Circuit trail today, the route heads northeast from Shreekharka back through Manang and then continues beyond toward Yak Kharka. The trail climbs gradually through open, windswept terrain where yak herders graze their animals on sparse highland grasses. The views become increasingly dramatic as the high Himalayan peaks close in around you. Yak Kharka — which literally translates to "Yak Pasture" — is a small cluster of basic tea houses at 4,100m, offering little more than shelter, hot food, and magnificent mountain scenery. The night here is cold, and the stars at this altitude on a clear night are spectacular. Rest well — the most challenging day of the trek lies just two days ahead.

Today is a shorter but important day, designed to allow further acclimatization before the big Thorong La Pass crossing tomorrow. The trail climbs steadily from Yak Kharka through rocky highland terrain to Thorongphedi — a name meaning "foot of Thorong" — which sits directly at the base of the pass. The surrounding mountain scenery is awe-inspiring, with massive glaciated walls hemming you in on all sides. Arriving early at Thorongphedi gives you time to rest, hydrate, and prepare your gear for the pre-dawn start required for tomorrow's pass crossing. An early dinner and a good night's sleep are essential here — most trekkers rise between 3:00am and 4:00am to begin the ascent.

This is the defining day of the Annapurna Circuit Trek — the crossing of Thorung La Pass at 5,416m (17,769ft), one of the highest trekking passes in the world. Starting in darkness at around 4:00am, you begin the steep climb in the icy pre-dawn air, headlamps lighting the trail as you zigzag upward through a seemingly endless series of switchbacks. The final push to the pass is physically demanding, but as you crest the summit and are greeted by a sea of colourful prayer flags fluttering against an impossibly blue sky, every ounce of effort feels worthwhile. The panoramic views from the pass — encompassing Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Khatung Kang, and beyond — are truly among the greatest mountain vistas on earth. After celebrating at the top, the long descent on the western side leads through increasingly barren Mustang-style terrain to the sacred town of Muktinath (3,760m), home to an ancient temple revered by both Hindus and Buddhists as a place of moksha (salvation). The day ends with an immense sense of personal achievement.

The trek officially concludes today as you board a private jeep from Muktinath for the long drive down through the arid Mustang landscape to Jomsom, then onward through Tatopani and the winding Kali Gandaki Gorge road to Pokhara. The journey takes approximately 8 to 9 hours and passes through dramatically changing landscapes — from the high-altitude desert of Mustang to lush subtropical valleys. Arriving in Pokhara in the evening, you check in to the 4-star Temple Bell Boutique Hotel & Spa or similar property for two nights of well-deserved rest. A hot shower, a comfortable bed, and a lakeside meal await you in this beautiful mountain city.

After the physical demands of the past two weeks, a full rest day in Pokhara is both earned and necessary. Pokhara is one of Nepal's most beautiful cities — a lush lakeside town set against the dramatic backdrop of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhare mountain ranges. Spend the morning sleeping in, enjoying a leisurely breakfast, or treating yourself to a massage at the hotel spa. During the day, you might explore the vibrant Lakeside area, visit the International Mountain Museum, or simply relax by the pool. In the evening, take a gentle rowing boat out onto the serene waters of Phewa Lake, watching the sun set behind the Annapurna range as the sky turns golden — a peaceful and perfect conclusion to your trekking adventure.

After breakfast, your private air-conditioned vehicle transfers you from Pokhara to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway, a scenic drive of approximately 6 to 7 hours through the hills and valleys of central Nepal. Arriving in Kathmandu by early evening, you check back into your hotel for a final night in Nepal's capital. The evening is free for last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel, a farewell dinner at one of Kathmandu's many excellent restaurants, or simply a quiet evening reflecting on your extraordinary Himalayan adventure.

On your final day, a Nepal Adventure Holidays representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in a private air-conditioned vehicle, timed according to your departure flight. As you leave Nepal behind, you carry with you memories of soaring mountain vistas, warm local hospitality, the triumph of Thorong La Pass, and the magical stillness of Tilicho Lake — an adventure that will inspire and sustain you for years to come. We hope to welcome you back to Nepal's mountains again soon.