Nepal trekking holiday, Annapurna Circuit
| country: | Nepal |
| location: | Annapurna, Annapurna Circuit |
| trip type: | High altitude, strenuous trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 20 Nov, 11 Dec 2010: 26 Feb, 12 Mar, 26 Mar, 14 May, 24 Sep, 8 Oct, 22 Oct, 10 Dec 2011: 18 Feb, 11 Mar, 25 Mar, 8 Apr, 13 May, 23 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 9 Dec |
| price: | From £1349 - £1749 (24 days) including flights from the UK. From £739 - £979 excluding flights. Local payment 100 GBP. |
| late availability: | Late availability on 11th December departures |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Real adventure on Nepal’s finest trekking circuit - the Annapurna
The Annapurna Circuit
After exploring the alleyways, Buddhist stupas and temples of Kathmandu, you drive over twisting mountain roads to Bandipur, from where you begin your trek. The trail passes many remote villages as you follow the Marsyandi River and you’ll be treated to incredible views of high peaks like Manaslu (8156m) and Hiunchuli(7893m). You climb steadily to Chame for your first views of the whole Annapurna range.
Pisang to Pokhara
The gradual ascent via Pisang and Manang allows time for acclimatisation before the ascent to the highest point of the trek, the Thorung La Pass (5416m). Once over the pass you descend through Muktinath and Jomsom to pick up the trail alongside the holy Kali Gandaki River. Descending to Pokhara, you have free time to relax and reflect on an incredible trek.
One of the classics
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the world’s classic routes to trek, taking walkers from hot lowland foothills of paddy fields and bamboo forests, up through high-alpine scenery above the treeline and into a high altitude desert. The variety of local people along the Annapurna route provides a kalaidoscope of changing faces, from Gurungs to Tibetans, all adding to the enjoyment of this wonderful trek.
The Annapurna Circuit
After exploring the alleyways, Buddhist stupas and temples of Kathmandu, you drive over twisting mountain roads to Bandipur, from where you begin your trek. The trail passes many remote villages as you follow the Marsyandi River and you’ll be treated to incredible views of high peaks like Manaslu (8156m) and Hiunchuli(7893m). You climb steadily to Chame for your first views of the whole Annapurna range.
Pisang to Pokhara
The gradual ascent via Pisang and Manang allows time for acclimatisation before the ascent to the highest point of the trek, the Thorung La Pass (5416m). Once over the pass you descend through Muktinath and Jomsom to pick up the trail alongside the holy Kali Gandaki River. Descending to Pokhara, you have free time to relax and reflect on an incredible trek.
One of the classics
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the world’s classic routes to trek, taking walkers from hot lowland foothills of paddy fields and bamboo forests, up through high-alpine scenery above the treeline and into a high altitude desert. The variety of local people along the Annapurna route provides a kalaidoscope of changing faces, from Gurungs to Tibetans, all adding to the enjoyment of this wonderful trek.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Overnight flight to Kathmandu |
| Day 2: | Arrive Kathmandu After your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Today your Group Leader will brief you on relevant aspects of the trek. The evening is free to dine at one of Kathmandu’s many excellent restaurants. Hotel - 2 nights |
| Day 3: | Kathmandu After breakfast you take a guided city tour of Kathmandu. The city is a labyrinth of streets and markets, crowded with exotic produce and a bewildering mix of people. You're likely to see Gurkhas from the area east of Pokhara, Tibetan women in their striped aprons, traders from India, and sadhus - Hindu holy men, perhaps on pilgrimage to one of the many temples and shrines of the valley. (B) |
| Day 4: | Bandipur, A Forgotten Village Travelling west from Kathmandu following the course of the Trisuli River we drive to Bandipur, where the night is spent. Guesthouse (multi-share and shared facilities) - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 5-20: | Annapurna Circuit Trek Next day you return to the road and take the bus to the little village of Besisahar. This is the last time you will see a road until you return to Pokhara in 16 days time. Your team of friendly porters carries your main pack to each night stop, leaving you with just your daypack. After dividing the bags up you set off on the first leg of your trek. Now, as for the next few days, you will follow the Marsyangdi River, which has its source in the mountains above Manang. The trail initially drops down then climbs up a stone staircase to rise about 100m above the river. Here the fields are full of rice – the climate warm enough to get two or even three crops in a good year. Occasionally you pass through sub-tropical forest where bamboo grows in abundance. Crossing a suspension bridge you enter the small Gurung village of Khudi (792m) where you will spend your first night on the trail. To Bahudanda. Passing through the Ngadi on the east bank of the Marsyangdi, you enjoy excellent views of Himalchuli and Ngadi Chuli - both over 7800m - before you cross one of the many suspension bridges you will encounter. Most of these are precariously constructed of steel, bamboo and wood, with gaping holes between runners! This one takes you over the Ngadi Khola; you continue on uphill to Usta. At the small settlement of Lampata there are many bhattis - tea-houses, where locals and trekkers alike can break their journey for a hot or cold drink. A 200m climb brings you to Brahman’s Hill - Bahaudanda at 1314m. To Chamje. Arguably, no other trek in Nepal allows the walker to meet so many different peoples, and see such a diversity of topographical types. Until the trails opened up to trekkers, they were used and maintained by locals; the paths and stone staircases you walk upon are still the responsibility of each village. You will meet farmers, their wives and children, all carrying impossibly heavy loads up steep hillsides, whilst in the villages themselves people can be seen stringing corn cobs together, threshing rice or tending the family water buffalo. Villages at lower altitudes - effectively ‘closer’ to Kathmandu - tend to be predominately Hindu, but this changes as one ascends, with elements of Tibetan Buddhism becoming stronger, until Buddhism almost totally replaces Hinduism as the favoured religion. Today’s walk will see you pass through villages; you can stop and admire the sights. To Bagarchap. You set off up a steep stone staircase and through extensive bamboo forest before dropping to the isolated hamlet of Tal at 1680m. Then you cross the river and climb through two small hamlets. A stone kaani (decorative arch) indicates the entrance to Dharapani at 1920m. The rest of the walk to Bagarchap (2160m) takes around an hour. To Chame. The sub-tropical forest gives way to tracts of pine, oak and spruce, through which you glimpse the dramatic peaks of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and the Manaslu Himal. The trail passes through Dhanakyu (2300m) and then over a wooden bridge to arrive in Latarmarang at around the same altitude. You soon arrive in Chame (2670m), the region’s administrative centre. To Pisang. Until this point most villages have been Hindu, but as you climb higher on your 5-6 hour walk Buddhism plays a larger role. From Chame onwards most people are Tibetan; their dress, houses and farming techniques all reflecting their roots. From Chame you cross a small stream to reach the north bank and after a walk of 2 ½ hours enter the village of Bratang at 2900m. As you leave, the valley narrows and the huge, imposing rock face of Pauda Danda hangs over you, rising 1500m from the river. You climb a ridge marked with a cairn and prayer flags then descend to Lower Pisang at 3300m. To Manang. King Rana Bahadur Shah granted the Manangi people of the Nyesyang region trading rights in 1784. Where others were prevented from trading, Manangis travelled the world and brought back goods for sale in the bazaars of Kathmandu. They retain these rights today and many Manangis have a good command of English and can talk to you about their experiences in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong; remarkable considering that you are in one of the most isolated parts of Nepal! Though many people do travel overseas the majority live a subsistence existence, farming wheat, barley, potatoes and raising goats and yaks. Your route today takes you past a STOL (short take off and landing) airstrip at Ongre and then to Braga. Tibetan houses are almost entirely constructed of stone, the front courtyard of one forming the roof of the house below. Most villages have chortens and mani stones at their entrance and usually a village gompa. Braga is such a village and makes an ideal resting place. You continue to Manang, 3540m after a walk of some six hours in total. Acclimatisation day. To reduce the likelihood of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) you now have an important acclimatisation day in Manang which sees you free to explore the area. This potentially serious condition can be avoided by carefully adapting the body to high altitudes. See our special ‘Walking and Trekking’ leaflet for more information about walking at altitude. To Yak Kharka. Leaving Manang you embark upon the most challenging section of the trek - the 2000m climb over the Thorung La pass. You gradually ascend leaving the Marsyangdi behind around the village of Gunsang. This is a cold and inhospitable region with fallen boulders and, late in the season, frozen waterfalls, yet sparse vegetation still grows here. You stay overnight at Yak Kharka, (4018m). To Thorung Phedi. ‘Phedi’ is a common Nepali name meaning ‘foot of a hill’ and no other place in the area deserves it more. The walk to Phedi today is again only short, about four hours, but your breath is increasingly laboured. However, you have plenty of opportunity to rest. The accommodation at Phedi can be busy, as, at 4450m, it is the last place before the pass. Cross the Thorung La to Muktinath. This is your longest and most tiring day and the weather is an important factor. If weather is good, you start before dawn, leaving Phedi on a trail that rapidly becomes steep with many switchbacks. False summits sap the energy; however your trek crew are on hand to assist you. 4-6 hours of walking brings you to the summit (5416m), with its incomparable views of the Annapurna, Gangapurna and for the first, but not last time, Dhaulagiri. On the horizon you can see the mountains of Mustang. There is the ubiquitous cairn on the summit, topped with prayer flags, which release their mantras as they are shredded by the wind. You add your own rocks to the cairn before beginning the slow descent to Muktinath. You arrive in Muktinath, 3800m, tired but happy. To Kagbeni. After an arduous previous day, today is rather more relaxed. Those who are tired have the opportunity of a few extra hours sleep whilst you can also visit the holy Muktinath temple complex; highly revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Refreshed and spiritually invigorated, you descend out of Ranipauwa to Jharkot (3550m) through farmlands and clusters of poplar trees. Beyond Jharkot, the trail descends gradually to Khingar (3200m). Shortly, further ahead of Khingar, you get your first glimpse of the Kali Gandaki River as it is met by the Jhong Khola. As you continue on the trail, the path forks: the left hand trail leads to Eklaibhatti and the one on the right leads to your destination. The little village of Kagbeni (2800m) and its ochre-coloured gompa is your refuge overnight; this village guards the entrance to the once-forbidden kingdom of Mustang. Muktinath to Kagbeni takes approximately 3 ½ hours walking. To Marpha. Starting your 5 hour walk, the trail leaves Kagbeni down the left bank of the broadening river bed. Soon you reach Eklaibhatti, beyond which the trail drops down to the riverbed. You then begin to climb the slope of the riverbank, passing a suspension bridge and negotiating the undulating terrain. The trail once again drops to the riverbed as you get close to Jomsom, the administrative headquarters for the Mustang region with facilities of an airstrip, bank and hospital. It is best to pass the riverbed an hour or so before noon to avoid strong winds. After lunch at Jomsom, you continue along the more popular trekking trail, following the course of the holy Kali Gandaki River, famed for its 6500m chasm that has been carved over countless millennia between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. It is reputed to be the deepest gorge in the world. The night is spent at Marpha (2670m), a Tibetan refugee resettlement village with tidy flagstone paved streets that even have a drainage system. Marpha is renowned for its apple brandy and apple pie, surely an essential addition to your daypacks! To Kalopani. Leaving Marpha through its southern gateway, you walk along the west bank of the river as far as the Thakali village of Tukuche (2590m) which receives its name from the peak above. Crossing the river several times by way of suspension bridges the trail takes you past the villages of Kobang (2560m) and Larjung (2550m). Traversing the riverbed, the trail reaches the confluence of the Boxi Khola and Kali Gandaki rivers. Beyond forests of pine, cypress and juniper you reach Kalopani, at 2530m after a total of 6 hours trekking. To Tatopani. From Kalopani you enjoy exceptional views of the Dhaulagiris, Nilgiris and Annapurna I. You have a steep descent to a bridge at Lete then walk through sub-tropical forest to Ghasa. The going is easier now as, not only are you fitter, but you are descending - today all the way to Tatopani, ‘hot water’, at 1160m where you can relax in the spring-fed thermal pools on the river bank. To Ghorepani. You set off uphill once more, making today one of the toughest on the trek; a 1700m climb to the Magar village of Ghorepani. Although tough, the climb can be punctuated by numerous stops at the many tea-houses along the trail. At last you reach Ghorepani, 2785m, a staging post for mule trains that pass you on their way to the far north, and can relax at the tea-house. To Ghandruk. An early rise allows you to make the (optional) ascent of Poon Hill, 3210m, for some of the best views yet; especially so as you aim to be at the summit for sunrise! Descending and passing more of the inevitable mule and pony caravans on your way you soon reach Tadapani. This area is home to many people who have traditionally been recruited to form a large part of the British Army’s Gurkha Regiment. Machhapuchhare, 6993m, can be seen from many points along the trail today. The trail divides here; left leads to Chomrong and on to Machhapuchhare and Annapurna Base Camps; right takes you down to Ghandruk at 1140m. This has been your last full day of trekking; tomorrow you return to Pokhara. Tea-houses – 17 nights (Bx16) |
| Day 21: | Pokhara To Pokhara. A shorter walk this morning of around four hours sees you contour at around 1500m south to Kimche, from where you descend to the Mardi Khola and cross to the east bank. Inevitably there is one last climb as you come up the other side before finally and somewhat sadly arriving at Nayapul, 1340m, where you meet the bus for the short drive back to Pokhara. It is with a touch of regret that you return to the now unfamiliar hustle and bustle of the city. There’s free time to relax and look forward to this evening and a celebratory dinner. Hotel - 1 night (BD) |
| Day 22: | Return To Kathmandu This morning you return to Kathmandu by road. Please be prepared for a long and bumpy journey (7-8hrs). However, there should be time for some last minute souvenir shopping, but most will be happy to relax and meet one final time for the traditional ‘last supper’ when you can reflect on the things you have seen over the last three wonderful weeks. Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 23: | Depart Kathmandu The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those with our onward flights have most of today free so can explore further before you transfer to airport and fly on overnight flight to London. (B) |
| Day 24: | Arrive London |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: Our policy of staying in locally owned accommodation, having local guides and group leaders and using transport owned and operated by local people wherever possible is continued in Nepal. Our small groups (maximum of 16 people) have a minimal impact on the fragile environment as we explore. All tour guides are responsible for ensuring that the guests understand the nature of the environment that they are in and minimise the impact that they may have. We collect and dispose of all litter, purify all drinking water instead of using bottled water, and use responsible cooking fuels (kerosene) instead of wood. Our porters are equipped with suitable clothing and footwear for the type of trek they are about to work on, and this is recorded at the start of the trek. In addition the actual size and /or awkwardness (e.g. fluids, mattresses etc.) of the load to be carried, as well its weight is assessed prior to porters setting off on trek, ensuring that only comfortable loads are allocated.There is real local contact as we stay in teahouses on the 17-day trek across Thorung La Pass to Birethanti.
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |