Annapurna Circuit Trek Leisurely – 23 Days

Since it opened to foreign trekkers in 1977, Annapurna Circuit Trek Leisurely is renowned as one of the most spectacular and varied walks in the world. Lush green valleys and fascinating villages offer impressive snow-capped views of the white Himalayas. Starting from less than 1000m, it gives us a chance to explore the Himalayas from bottom to top and from many different angles and perspectives.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Leisurely is an overall package that provided you with various natural and cultural mixtures. In this trek, you’ll not only be witnessing the wonders of nature but the authentic lifestyle of the people. Explore the ancient villages perched on rocky cliffs. Traverse through various altitudes and microclimates. Visit ancient gompas and chorthen along the trail. Be a part of this adventure with The Alpine Club of Himalaya and make your dream a reality.

Overview

Annapurna Circuit Trek takes you through the mysterious deep and rich wilderness, arid landscapes, high mountain pass, several deep Georges, ancient temples and monasteries, and medieval settlements where stories of every destination come to life. Where mighty rivers enter enormous Georges and take innumerable twists and turns while singing the song of harmony.

The Annapurna Circuit  Leisurely Trek starts with a guided tour of the Kathmandu Valley. The next day heads out towards Besi Sahar. Besi Sahar has long been the starting point for the Annapurna circuit trek. From Besi Sahar head towards Bahundanda and then cross the Marsyangdi River. Follow the banks of the river through dense forest to Chamje.

Views of Annapurna II

From Chamje head towards Bagarchhap at 2160 meters. A settlement influenced by Tibetan design along with the villages surrounded by apple Orchards and maize fields. Next head towards Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, and on the backdrop fine views of Annapurna II. From Chame, traverse through deep forest in steep and narrow valley passing by soaring Paungda Danda rock face towards Pisang.

Next, you’ll be heading towards Manang, trekking through a desert topography covered with naked mountains. The following day you’ll have an acclimatization excursion in Manang. Due to high altitude, your body needs to adapt to a thin level of oxygen. The area has various acclimatization points.

Thorung La

Today you’ll leave the Marsyangi Valley and head towards Jarsang Khola Valley. Once you reach Yak Kharka explore the high Himalayan pasture lands. Then follow the trail to Thorong Phedi. The base of the high Himalayan pass of Thorung La. The following day crosses the high Himalayan pass at an elevation of 5416 meters and heads towards the ancient temple of Muktinath.

Muktinath is one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindu and Buddhist followers. Taking dip in freezing waters of temple is regarded to cleanse your soul and help you on way to nirvana.

Next head towards the ancient settlement of Marpha rail descending through the Kali Gandaki Valley. Marpha is famous for its apple orchards. Try the various apple delicacies of the region. From Marpha head towards Ghasa traversing across the world’s deepest gorge at Kopchepan towards Tatopani.

Take a day off at Tatopani, a hot Himalayan hot spring. Soak in your aching muscles in the healing waters. From, here head towards Ghorepani, a renowned village in the Annapurna trail used as a water well and resting spot for caravans of mules and yaks. The following day heads towards Poon Hill.  At an elevation of 3210 meters, a vantage point provides views of the mountain panorama. Witness the majestic sunrise over the mountains.

Next head towards Nayapul and Pokhara. In the city of lakes explore the various attractions around and head back to Kathmandu.

Entry and Permits 

The following permits are required for trekking to the Upper Mustang region:

• Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit for all foreigners: US $500 per person for the first 10 days and the US $50 per person per day thereafter.
• ACAP entry permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR (Approx. US $30)
• ACAP entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR

Note: All the trekking permits are handled by the Alpine Club of Himalaya. 

Preparation for Annapurna Circuit with Upper Mustang trek

In brief, the trail to Annapurna Circuit with the Upper Mustang trek is dramatically harsh and brutal with lush, rich deep wilderness, high cliffs, and dry mountain terrains which is why trekkers need to be more prepared. Besides, from weather to accommodation and physical fitness, they must take care of everything in advance.

In fact, it has one of the toughest trek routes filled with dry arid, rocks and sand, and the trails to high sheer cliffs, high mountain passes and barren land with mountain climate which makes it tuff and exhausting to walk.

Thus, you must have strong physical and mental fitness, to withstand the difficulties in trekking. In addition, train your body hard enough so that it can resist the pressure and frequently changing terrains. Therefore, following an intense fitness regimen and strict diet to improve physical stamina.

Meals and drinking water:

Along the Annapurna Region Trek, you’ll be provided with various Nepali, and Tibetan ethnic cuisines and varieties of continental as well as western meals. The region has a number of tea-house along the trail and is run by local inhabitants providing basic and minimal facilities to luxury ones. You’ll have an opportunity to taste various cuisines which you’ll miss it most of the trekking trails of Nepal.

Annapurna Region is a plastic-free zone and has banned the use of bottled Mineral Water. However, drinking water taps are accessible with natural water supplies all along the trekking trail which are untreated. So, direct use of the water is not recommended, you may refill boiling water or cold filter water from any of the teahouses along the trail.

If you buy a water purification tablet, chlorine drops or utilize SODIS (sunlight assisted) filtration procedures for further assurance, saving money, and reducing plastic pollution.

Accommodation:

We will be staying at Alpine Hotel Nepal in Kathmandu, Hotel Splendid View in Pokhara, and teahouses during the Annapurna Circuit Trek Leisurely. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD150. Alpine Club of Himalaya will arrange rooms with attached washrooms. However, teahouses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also, note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevations but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

Tourist-friendly hotels, lodges, and local accommodations are available on trekking trails and, providing with basic accommodation to luxury and grandeur ones. Luxury hotels and teahouses are situated along the trail that suits your budgets providing comfortable beds with a pillow, electric blankets, hot and cold shower, free WIFI, and many more.

Teahouse along Annapurna region provides you with hot shower, western attached bathrooms and the rooms mostly include twin sharing beds as well as a single bed, with hygienic and clean atmosphere, good mattresses, a pillow, and blankets.

Campsites are also available along the trail providing a special opportunity for campers to sleep under the stars.

Best Time to Visit?

The best season for trekking to Annapurna Region is during the season of autumn and spring.   The months of September, October, November, March, April, and May are the best time to visit. These months are better in terms of visibility and climate conditions.

Autumn season, months of September, October, and November are one of the best times for trekking in this region. As the weather is clear bringing great visibility of the endless mountain ranges and lush green forest with warm temperatures, the nights are clear and is a perfect opportunity for stargazing.

The spring season of March, April, and May is also the best time to visit the Annapurna Region, the end of the winter season brings a  change in the region, varieties of colorful blooming trees of the sub-alpine forest, high green pasture lands covered with wildflowers, mild temperatures, and clear weather. In this season you’ll witness herds of sheep and yaks grazing in the green high lands.

Monsoon season is not favorable as the weather gets harsh and it’s hard to get around the country, with frequent rainstorms and landslides. So, monsoon season is mostly avoided by trekkers.

In the winter season, Annapurna Region receives high snowfall covering most of the trails and making it impossible to travel in this reason.

Important Note

Your safety is of paramount importance to us at the Alpine Club of Himalaya. We have the absolute authority to cancel or change the itinerary when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full co-operation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by the Alpine Club of Himalaya. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.