Annapurna Circuit Trek-17 Days with IFMGA Mountain Guide

Arrive in Kathmandu (1330m) / trek preparation
Today you have time to explore Kathmandu-valley, which has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. This capital city has an amazing range of traditional fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. In our morning exploration of the cultural sights and sounds in Kathmandu, we will visit the Bhaudanath stupa, a biggest Buddhist shrine in Nepal and Pashupatinath, most important Hindu temple, where you have chance to witness the cremation done in public way. After the guided tour afternoon is free to pack, purchase last minutes items for your trek or simply relax.
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Cultural tour in Kathmandu / trek preparation
Today you have time to explore Kathmandu-valley, which has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. This capital city has an amazing range of traditional fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. In our morning exploration of the cultural sights and sounds in Kathmandu, we will visit the Bhaudanath stupa, a biggest Buddhist shrine in Nepal and Pashupatinath, most important Hindu temple, where you have chance to witness the cremation done in public way. After the guided tour afternoon is free to pack, purchase last minutes items for your trek or simply relax.
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Drive to Besishahar (860m) and Bulbule and trek to Nyadi
Departing Kathmandu early in the morning, for the drive to Besishahar and then Bulbule where you commence the trek. Along the way you will enjoy fine views of tumbling Whitewater Rivers, amazing terraced hillsides, and superb mountain panoramas. A packed lunch is provided for the journey. On arrival, you will be introduced to your trekking crew and you have the opportunity to explore this road-head village. From the lodge the views of the mountains are spectacular with Lamjung Himal (6931m) dominating the skyline. The views from Bhulbule are tremendous, with the snowy peak of Himalchulee (7893m) dominating the skyline. In the afternoon you cross the Marsyandi to the east bank and after a short distance, views of Manaslu (8156m), Peak 29(7541m) and Lamjung (6986M) open out on the horizon. The afternoon's walking is easy and you stay in the small village of Nyadi.

Jagat (1341m) Walk approx. 6 hrs
From Nyadi you cross a small suspension bridge over the Musi Khola to start a gradual climb to the village of Bahundanda (1311m) located on a ridge top. After a short descent you again follow the river valley to lunch at Syange (1136m). In the afternoon the track follows a cut in the near vertical cliffs high above the river, although at no time does it become difficult. You will spend the night at Jagat (1341m), a Tibetan village that served as a customs post on the old trading route from Tibet.

Dharapani (1890m) Walk approx. 6-7 hrs
Today the vegetation changes to rhodendron and pine forest and the valley becomes narrower and steeper. You leave the village and soon cross the river on a large suspension bridge. From here the trail steepness and consequently the angle of the river does the same, sending the water tumbling through a maze of large boulders. After reaching the top of a zigzag climb, amazingly the valley widens out to reveal the village of Tal, which nestles amongst the fields of barley, wheat and potatoes. You have now entered the district of Manang and you will take lunch in one of the many fine hotels here. The afternoon's walk follows river valley crossing back to the west bank before gradually ascending to Dharapani (1890m) where you will end the trekking day.

Chame (2685m) Walk approx. 5 hrs
The valley now extends westward through dramatic fir and pine forests. After half an hour, you reach Bagarchhap (2160m), the first village on the trek with typical Tibetan architecture. Here you may observe firewood stacked on the roofs in preparation for the long, hard winters. The village marks the transition between the lower, wet valleys and the higher, dry, arid area of the Manang Valley. From here there are excellent views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II (7937M), and Annapurna III (7555m) up the valley. Down the valley to the west Manaslu and Peak 29 soar magnificently to the skies. Leaving Bagarchhap, you cross a small wooden bridge beside a beautiful waterfall, and ascend to Latamarang (2360m) where you may wish to relax over a cold drink. Your permit may be checked at police post at Koto, a short distance from before Chame (2685m) that boast among other things, a wireless station, bank, health post and well run hotels.
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Pisang (3475m) Walk approx. 5 hrs
A trail now leads though fields of barley and buckwheat, to reach the apple orchards at Brathang (2840m), a formal Khampa (Tibetan rebels) settlement. Here you will stop for lunch, before crossing the river into thick fir forest where you will have glimpse of Lamjung and Annapurna towering high above the trail. After spending some time in the forest we will suddenly reach a clearing to reveal the huge rock slabs of Paungda Danda. From here you continue to follow the valley to reach the flat roofed with stone houses of Pisang village (3300m) and our lodge in full view of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak (6092m).

Manang (3535m) Walk approx. 5 hrs
You follow wooden irrigation cannels through Pisang village, an indication of the arid trans-Himalayan terrain. Here the soils are poor and only one crop per year of barley, wheat, buckwheat or potatoes can be grown. To supplement their living many locals run hotels and teahouses as well as having herds of goats and yaks that graze on the hillsides high above the valley. The walking is fairly easy but there is one steep climb to a saddle that leads down to the airstrip at Hongde where you will take lunch. In the afternoon you have an easy walk along the valley to Braga (3475m) where the houses are stacked on top of each other perched high on the valley cliffs. Above the houses is a Monastery, the oldest and most interesting in the area, estimated to be above 500 years old. From the village of Braga it is only a short walk to the village of Manang.

Manang (3535m) Rest, acclimatization and exploration
Manang is a tight compact village of about 500 flat roofed houses set among spectacular scenery. The huge icefall of Annapurna rears over the village. Annapurna II and IV (7525m) tower dramatically above the valley floor to the southeast, with Tilicho (7132m), Roc Noir (7485m) and the Grand Barrier to the west. Chulu West (6630m) and East (6200m) lay behind the village a hauntingly beautiful panorama. The rest here is designed to aid to acclimatization and you can choose to relax or trek above the village where you will be rewarded with great views of the Annapurnas. You may even see elusive mountain goats (Himalayan Thar) and blue sheep on the craggy higher slopes.

Ledar (4200m) Walk approx. 5 hrs
You will leave early in the morning and slowly ascend to Tengi. Here you branch away from Marsyangdi Valley and follow the Jarsang Khola. Scrub juniper and grasses replace sparse fir and pine. You pass small yak herders (shelters) before stopping at the pleasant meadow of Ledar (4200m). A relax walking day, taken at a slow pace to allow for the affects of altitude.
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Phedi (4400m) Walk approx. 4 hrs
Today is another short day to ensure we arrive at the base of the Thorong pass felling well acclimatized. You will cross the Jarsang Khola on a covered bridge and then follow the left bank of the river over loose screes on the steep sided valley. You arrive at Phedi (4420 meter) in time for lunch, and you will have the afternoon free to relax and prepare for the crossing of the pass.

Muktinath (3800m) Walk approx. 7-9 hrs
Though the pass poses no technical problems you need to start very early, around 3 am, so you can proceed slowly and safely. The trail is not steep and long, gradual approach passes several false summits before reaching some stone cairns making the crest of the pass at 5416 m. in fine conditions the views from the pass are truly fantastic. Spread out before you is the entire Annapurna range to the south, the Mukut and Mustang himal to the west, and the incredibly deep Kali Gandaki valley below. Peaks of Chulu west and east lie to the north, and on either side of the pass are Thorungtse (6482m) to the north and snow dome of Thorung peak (6484m) to the south. The steep descend from the pass is guaranteed to make the knees wobble, but you are compensated with the view of mighty Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Tukche peak (6920m). You will arrive at the first village on the other side of the pass, Muktinath, in the early afternoon. This will be tiring day so we have allocated the following day for rest and relaxation.
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Kagbeni (2800m)
Kagbeni is situated at the junction of the Jhong Khola and the Kali Gandaki, and gateway to upper Mustang. It is a fascinating village with many Tibetan influences. We passes medieval village of Jharkot, Shakya Monastery, a traditional medicine center and incredibly photogenic whitewashed houses and streets.

Jomsom (2740m)
The scenery is truly wonderful – soft light, patchworks of fields, peaks overhead, villagers out plowing the fields, horses tethered next to the houses, apple trees providing texture to the landscape. Down the Kali Gandaki riverbed, looking for saligrams along the way, to Jomsom, the administrative center for the region.

Fly to Pokhara (1400m)
We take an morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara – a fantastic way to round off the trek, flying right along the Kali Gandaki Gorge between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Almost a day to explore lake city Pokhara, Over night stay at Hotel.

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
This morning, we have a drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. It is a thrilling/ exciting drive on High way through paddy fields and villages/towns with the Himalayas at the background. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Departure
It is time to fly back to home keeping all the exhilarating experiences of Nepal in mind. Please make sure that you have collected all valuables from hotel with you. Those people traveling by aircraft to further destination will be transferred to the airport and assisted with check in procedures.