~ ~ Circling Annapurna: the Annapurna Circuit ~ ~

The Annapurna Massif gets its name from Hinduism's Goddess of Plenty and this trek encircles the mountains.

Spectacular mountains. Extraordinary landscapes. Picturesque villages.

Happy, smiling people and an unchanged way of life. The wheel is not needed or known here but abiding values endure. More than just a trek this is a journey of discovery into a kinder, gentler time and a wondrous place.

This classic trek is one of the most famous walks in the world, with good reason. The most varied route in Nepal, this trek takes you from 1,500 feet/400 meters to 18,000 feet/5,400 meters and back. You’ll meet ten ethnic groups, pass through four climate zones, and wear both T-shirts and your heaviest clothing.

We walk this route counter-clockwise, for better acclimatization and safety. Most of the route is at moderate altitude, and there is a high pass, the Thorong La, required to complete this circuit. The challenge of the pass brings a real feeling of accomplishment, and we'll bring it to you. Occasionally snow blocks the pass or the altitude is too much for someone, but folks in their 20s and 60s and distinctly non-athletic types can do this trek. A positive mental attitude and desire to walk the greatest trail on earth are all that are required.

We top this off with four days in Kathmandu tailored to the Buddhist experience. You'll visit some of the greatest monuments on the planet and stay overnight in a monastery, joining the monks in morning worship.

This program includes a first-class expedition with porters, cooks and English speaking Sherpas, accommodations in good tourist hotels in Kathmandu, luxury tents on trek and private rooms in a monastery. Full meals on trek, breakfast in Kathmandu, all transportation in Nepal, permits, fees, and taxes included. And best of all we include wonderful unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu. We'll meet you at the airport, take you to the hotel and handle check-in.
• Day 2 In Kathmandu. We'll do your trekking permits while you see some sights. Meet your guide for a short briefing and an opportunity for questions about the program.
• Day 3 Morning flight to Pokhara. Take a taxi from the airport and start trekking, but only for a couple of hours. Walk to Pothana and camp for the night.
• Day 4 Climb to Landrung through forests and villages of Gurung people. Nice views of Macchapuchhare (whose name literally means fish-tail) as you reach local high spots along the walk.
• Day 5 Start the day going downhill to the Modi Khola and then back up the other side of the valley to Ghandrung. Out of Ghandrung the trail is more level. Stay at Tadapani.
• Day 6 An easier day, mostly contouring around the hills and on through rhododendron forest to Ghorapani.
• Day 7 Up before the sun to climb Pun Hill for spectacular views of Macchapuchhare, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and the Annapurnas. Then downhill, giving back all the elevation you gained yesterday. Overnight at Tatopani.
• Day 8 A spectacular day going north along the Kali Gandaki, much of it spent with open views high above the river, waterfalls, and forests. Stay in Ghasa, a lovely town of stone buildings and walls.
• Days 9 Walk to Jomson, only a half a day away. This is the district headquarters, and there's an airport here. Look for fossil snails ("Shaligram" to the Nepalese") in the riverbed north of town. Some of them are nearly a foot across.
• Day 10 Walk up the Kali Gandaki valley to Kagbeni. This dusty town is relatively unchanged by trekkers,and sits at the border of the Mustang region. This is another short day, but good for altitude adjustment as Kagbeni is at about 3,000 meters.
• Day 11 Hike up Muktinath (almost 4,000 meters), a very holy spot which has been the object of pilgrimages for 2,000 years. If you have significant altitude problems, we’re prepared to backtrack to Jomson. Otherwise spend the night here.
• Day 12 Walk uphill for a couple of hours and stay at the solitary teahouse under the pass at bout 14,000 feet. Leave your gear here and walk up another thousand feet or so, then return to the teahouse to help your altitude acclimatization.
• Day 13 Over the Thorong La, a difficult day but spectacularly beautiful. Start early (about 5:00) before the trail becomes muddy and slippery. Over the pass continue a couple of hours to Ledar.
• Day 14 An easy downhill day to Manang, a prosperous Thakali town on the north side of the Annapurna Massif, set above a glacial lake.
• Day 15 Follow the Marsyangdi Khola river east to Pisang, divided into an upper and lower town. The monastery in the upper village is interesting.
• Day 16 Continue along the river to Chame, district headquarters and a pleasant town. If you arrive on market day you’ll find the town full of hustle and bustle.
• Day 17 The river turns south, and you follow along to Bagarchap. You are losing altitude rapidly now, and the plant and animal life is much more varied.
• Day 18 A couple of smaller and one especially nice waterfall grace the day’s walk to Tal, a town built on the now dry bed of an old lake. This is the largest flat spot you’ve seen for quite some time now!
• Day 19 Continue south to Syange, where the agriculture returns to rice rather than the barley and wheat crops of higher altitudes.
• Day 20 A longish day to the roadhead at Besisahar completes the circuit.
• Day 21 Lurch down to the main road in a bus, and then back to Kathmandu on a decent road.
• Day 22 Free day in Kathmandu to relax. Afternoon visit to a monastery and stay
• Day 23 Morning activities at the monastery, then day activities and sightseeing. Overnight in Kathmandu.
• Day 24 Depart Kathmandu. We’ll take you to the airport and assist with baggage and check-in.

Program Summary:

• 24 days: Kathmandu and Annapurna Circuit Trek, 4 days Kathmandu at Hotel Everest or similar, 20 days trek, Monastery Stay.

Land Costs:

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