ANNAPURNA
CIRCUIT TREK
Few places in the worlds have such a splendid variety
of natural beauty as the Annapurna region. It is
a rare combination of long arrays of snow capped
peaks, crystal clear lakes, turbulent rivers with
deep gorges, Tibetan monasteries, hot - springs,
and picturesque villages inhabited by simple and
friendly local people. This three - week trek takes
you far away form the road, into the heart of the
high mountains.
Day 1 Kathmandu - Besi Sahar
Drive to Besi Sahar. Overnight here.
Day 2 Beshishar - Bahundanda
We walk through the deep river gorge, rice fields,
sub - tropical forest and small hamlets to the Gurung
village of Khudi. From here, the trial continues
along the riverside past a majestic waterfall to
Bahundanda, watched over by the towering peaks of
Himal Chuli and Manaslu.
Day 3 Bahundanda - Chamje
Steep and slippery trails run up and down along
the valley side through paddy fields, dips to cross
the river and then snakes steeply up the cliffs
on the other side. Passing through tiny Tibetan
villages, the trial ascends through the rhododendron
forest to Chamje, a small settlement at 1430m.
Day 4 Chamje - Bagarchhap
The path climbs beside the river through bamboo
groves, before a dramatic waterfall heralds our
arrival at Tal, a large village on a suddenly -
emerging open plateau. We cross barley and potato
fields to reach Dharapani and begin to climb to
Bagarchhap (2160m) site of our first Tibetan Monastery
and with views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.
Day 5 Bagarchhap - Chame
The trail climbs along the mule track through pine
and fir forest and then follows the river for a
time amongst the higher oak and maple trees. We
pass through scattered small villages before arriving
at Chame (2630m)
Day 6 Chame - Pisang
The trial undulates through the river valley, ascending
through deep forest to Pisang (3190m) with good
views along the way of Pisang peak and the high
Annapurna II
Day 7 Pisang - Manang
Tibetan culture begins in earnest as we start to
climb towards Manang (3535m) through fields of grazing
yak and a wide variety of crops. This large Tibetan
settlement commands good views of Annapurna II,
IV and Tarke Kang. It is no problem to trek here
in the summer, as rainfall is low.
Day 8 Manang
This is a rest day to acclimatize to the higher
altitude. Time to visit Monasteries, take advice
from the Himalayan Rescue Association and observe
the spectacular views of the Himalaya.
Day 9 Manang - Latdar
The trial climbs to Latdar along the riverside and
as the altitude increases, we move through alpine
pastures to scrubby forest of juniper and rose.
We camp at an elevation of 4250m.
Day 10 Latdar - Thorung Phedi
The trial undulates near the river, before climbing
a steep slope north west of the tributary valley
of the Jargeng Khola. It is sometimes possible to
see herds of blue mountain sheep along the dramatic
cliffs that surround the camping meadow at Thorung
Phedi (4420m).
Day 11 Thorung Phedi - Muktinath
We ascend steeply to a 4590m, then along an undulating
trail to the flat top of Thorung La (5416m). From
here there are views of the Annapurna range to the
range to the south and Mukut Himal bordering Dolpo
to the West. The trail descends steeply over glacial
morain, which gives way to grassy meadows before
we reach Muktinath.
This is one of the most important pilgrimage sights
for Hindus. Holy water flows from the 108 carved
spouts surroundings the Vishnu temple in a grove
of poplars. Muktinath is also home to many ethnic
Tibetans and holy Buddhists, who come here for the
temple in which fire miraculously burns in a stream
of water inside a small but holy temple.
Day 12 Muktinath - Jomsom
Descend gradually through fields and popular groves,
then into the Kali Gandaki river valley. Follow
the valley southwards to Jomsom. The Kali valley
here is called the Thak Khola, from the ethnic group
the Thakalis, the main inhabitants of this area.
Day 13 Jomsom - Kalopani
Descend to Marpa, a lovely village of whitewashed
houses and fertile fields. Continue down the Kali
Gandaki reaching the old Thakali trading center
of Tukuche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan
rainshadow end and open spaces make way for coniferous
forest and Kalopani (2560m). From here there are
spectacular 360-degree views of Dhaulagiri and the
Annapurnas high above.
Day 14 Kalopani - Tatopani
A beautiful walk, with another transition into sub
- tropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo,
banyan trees and poinsettias. The trial follows
the river through a narrow gorge, and descends to
cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall, before
winding through the valley to Tatopani. The hot
water springs that give the village its name provide
the prefect opportunity for a good ‘scrub’.
Day 15 Tatopani - Ghorepani
Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind
the terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron
forest to the village of Ghorepani. We camp at the
pass for the best views of the sunset over the spectacular,
snow - capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range.
Day 16 Ghorepani - Ghandrung
Today the trial undulates through giant rhododendron
forest and orchid colonies to the pretty Gurung
town of Ghandrung, where Annapurna range and Machhapuchhare
(Fishtail) dominate the mountain views, with glimpses
of Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu range can also
be seen further east.
Day 17 Ghandrung - Dhampus
The path descends for about 2 hours, before climbing
steeply to another Gurung village, Landrung. We
then follow the hillside south to the Dhampus. The
mountain views are superb and far away to the south
lay Fewa Tal (Lake). We continue down the ridge
to the village of Dhampus, from where the distant
mountains are still visible.
Day 18 Dhampus - Phedi - Pokhara
Steep descent through the river valley to Phedi,
and then drive to Pokhara.
Day 19 Pokhara - Kathmandu
Drive or fly to Kathmandu
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