The Trek

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

The classic route along the Marshyangdi River, over the Thorong La (5416m) and descent of the Kali Gandaki Valley-21 days

INTRODUCTION

This is a magnificent trek which follows the Marshyangdi Khola from the subtropical lowlands to the Manang basin, and then crosses the Thorong La before descending to the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki. The circuit of the Annapurna range is rich in variety and vistas, from the lush green rice paddies of the Marshyangdi to the arid high-altitude Himalayan interior, and it's ecological and cultural diversity provides the complete trekking experience. Along the way, the beautiful mountain scenery and fascinating village life will keep you enthralled, day after day.

Day by day Itinerary

• Day 01: Drive to Beshisahar & Trek to Khudi
• Day 02: Trek to Bahundanda
• Day 03: Trek to Chyamche
• Day 04: Trek to Dharapani
• Day 05: Trek to Chame
• Day 06: Trek to Pisang
• Day 07: Trek to Manang
• Day 08: Rest Day Manang
• Day 09: Trek to Ledar
• Day 10: Trek to Thorong Phedi
• Day 11: Trek to Muktinath
• Day 12: Trek to Jomsom
• Day 13: Trek to Kalopani
• Day 14: Trek to Tatopani
• Day 15: Trek to Ghorepani
• Day 16: Rest Day Ghorepani
• Day 17: Trek to Tadapani
• Day 18: Trek to Landrung
• Day 19: Trek to Dhampus
• Day 20: Trek/Drive to Pokhara
• Day 21: Drive/Flight back to Kathmandu

Detailed Itinerary

31 March 2007. Saturday: Kathmandu. Arrival Day.

01 April 2007. Sunday: Kathmandu. Full Day Rest. Visit Around by self.

02 April 2007: Monday: Kathmandu. Meet Dr. Siddhartha and Damini.

03 April 2007. Tuesday: Kathmandu. Sightseeing tour of Patan Durbar Square and Bungmati.

04 April 2007. Wednesday: Sightseeing of Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath and Swayambhunath.

05 April, 2007. Thursday. DRIVE TO BESI SAHAR & Trek to KHUDI [790m]
We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the rough road by the Marshyangdi River to Beshisahar [760m] approximately 6 hours drive.

We start our first day's short trek from Beshisahar, turning right at the canal on the outskirts of the village and descending the narrow path to the Pam Khola. We then cross the stream and climb to the village of Denauti with its striking red-walled houses. From here we descend to the banks of the Marshyangdi Khola and then follow the trail through rice paddies and subtropical forests to the Gurungs village of Khudi, our first night stop.

06 April, 2007. Friday: TREK TO BAHUNDANDA [1310m]
Leaving Khudi we pass a school and a forest nursery as the trail continues northwards up the Marshyangdi Valley. After crossing a suspension bridge at Bhulbule, the trail passes a cascading waterfall and as we traverse the rice terraces the views of Manaslu are magnificent. Following a gentle incline we come to the village of Ngadi with its shops and teahouses. From here, the trail continues to ascend towards Bahundanda. Bahundanda literally means "hill of the Brahmins" and it is the most northerly Brahmin settlement in the Marshyangdi Valley. It is situated on a long ridge and we camp in terraced fields near the village.

07 April, 2007. Saturday: TREK TO CHYAMCHE via JAGAT [1290m]
A steep trail descends from Bahundanda, through rice terraces, before crossing a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall. It then climbs again and traverses the hillside high above the river before reaching the village of Hani Gaon. Ahead, the Marshyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape, and we follow the winding mountain path down through Syange and along the river for some distance. The trail then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. Eventually we descend to the stone village of Jagat, situated on a shelf which juts into the precipitous Marshyangdi valley. We continue our descends until it almost reaches the river and then begins to climb again through a forest. The sheer cliff on the opposite bank plunges downward but this side is also steep. When the climb ends, we follow a level track to Chyamje, which is marked by a magnificent waterfall on the opposite bank

08 April, 2007: Sunday TREK TO DHARPANI [1920m]
From the Chyamche, after descending to the river and crossing a suspension bridge, we begin a climb to Sattale on a path so steep that it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley. We continue on an undulating path above the river, and at one point, where a tributary flows in from the opposite bank, the main river becomes covered with huge boulders that hide the water. Climbing the zigzag path to the top of the hill, we see the level, plain of Tal before us. Though it is enclosed by cliffs, the level area looks reassuring after the harrowing mountain paths just traveled on. We descend to a grassy riverbank which leads to Tal with its hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path becomes high and winding, and in several areas hewn from the rock itself. Beyond the small village of Karte, there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path drops again to the river. We cross a suspension bridge, and climb the short distance to the stone kani marking the entrance to Dharapani.

09 April, 2007. Monday: TREK TO CHAME [2630m]
As we cut through a narrow field from the village, the Dudh Khola, which originates from the south face of Manaslu, enters on the opposite bank. The Marshyangdi then veers to the left, and as Annapurna II becomes visible ahead, we arrive at Bagarchhap, a Bhote village with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, we pass through Danakyu before coming to a thundering waterfall. Further on, the Marshyangdi Khola enters a gorge and the path consists of steep stone steps. Pausing for breath, we can look back for views of Manaslu. When the steep incline ends we follow a path amid magnificent rhododendrons to Ratamron and then continue on a gently rising path, crossing a stream before entering a pine forest. We then cut across a loose hillside to the hamlet of Kotho from where we can look straight up at nearby Annapurna II - a sight convincing us that we are deep in the Himalayan Mountains! From here the trail climbs through a fir and pine forest to Chame where there are government offices, shops, and hotels. Chame is the administrative headquarters for the Manang district.

10 April, 2007. Tuesday: TREK TO PISANG [3190m]
With Lamjung Himal [6893m] sparkling in the morning sun, we set off for Pisang. The mountain disappears as we climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. We continue through a fir and pine forest, climbing to a high, rocky area as the opposite bank becomes an impassable cliff. From this point the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as we follow the path to Bratang. In the past this was the military station for troops who fought against the Khampa tribal revolution, but the dilapidated buildings are all that remain of that era. A short climb from the village brings us to a rock-strewn area where we cross a wooden bridge and follow a high, winding path, before crossing back to the right bank again. We now walk through a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up a wonderful vista before us. We can see the east peak of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak to the north-east. Continuing on, we come to a long Mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang.

11 April, 2007. Wednesday: TREK TO MANANG [3520m]
Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge which affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak. Descending past Manang's airstrip at Hongde, we come to a level area from where the north-east face of Annapurna III rises majestically above us. From the wide plains of the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna IV [7525m] also becomes visible. Just beyond this point we cross the considerably reduced flow of the Marshyangdi Khola via a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji. Cultivated fields appear on both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy mountain, we can see the village of Bryaga with its splendid monastery. Large chortens and Mani walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us - Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna [7455m] and, to the rear, Tilicho Peak [7134m] After a short steep climb we reach Manang which is a surprisingly large village for this remote mountain region. We camp here for the night, amidst the fluttering prayer flags which adorn the houses.

12 April, 2007. Thursday: REST DAY IN MANANG [3520m]
An important rest and acclimatization day today before crossing the Thorong La. There are optional day walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous ice-fall coming down from the Annapurnas, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley. There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association [HRA] aid post in the village which makes an interesting and educational visit. This day we may visit around Tilicho Gaon too.

13 April, 2007. Friday: TREK TO LETDAR [4250m]
From Manang, we climb to the next village of Tengi, with the magnificent Annapurna Himal in view all the way, while behind us we can see Peak 29 and Himalchuli in the distance. We are now past the tree line and the vegetation consists of alpine grasses and scrub juniper. Climbing the path past the summer village of Gunsang, we cross the Gundon Khola via a wooden bridge. From here we can see ahead the mountains surrounding the Thorong La which we will cross tomorrow. The trail is up and down as the elevation gradually increases and we soon enter an alluvial delta where there are yak pastures. An hour beyond this, we come to the small settlement of Ledar.

14 April, 2007. Saturday: TREK TO THORUNG PHEDI [4500m]
Leaving Ledar, we climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marshyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge. After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, we follow a narrow trail across an unstable screen slope and then descend to Thorong Phedi.

15 April, 2007. Sunday: TREK TO MUKTINATH [3800m]
An early start today for our crossing of Thorong La [5416m]. The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path is well defined. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing we reach the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. The views are dramatic to say the least, from the snow covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which are spread out before us. The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding 1600m but it's compensated for with excellent views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple.

16 April, 2007. Monday: TREK TO JOMSOM [2713m]
Descend gradually through fields and poplar groves, then into the Kali Gandaki river valley. Follow the valley southwards to Jomsom. The Kali Gandaki valley here is called the Thak Khola, from the ethnic group the Thakalis, the main inhabitants of this area.

17 April, 2007. Tuesday: TREK TO KALOPANI [2530m]
Descend to Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and fertile fields. Continue down the Kali Gandaki reaching the old Thakali trading centre 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.

18 April, 2007. Wednesday: TREK TO TATOPANI [1160m]
Our trail descends steeply through forests to Ghasa, the last Thakali village and the southern-most limit of Tibetan Buddhism. We enter the steepest and narrowest part of the gorge shortly after Ghasa and at the hamlet of Rupse a magnificent waterfall tumbles down beside the trail. Continuing on we come to Dana, a Magar village from where the large peak of Annapurna South can be seen across the valley. The trail then descends to Tatopani where apple pie awaits and we can bathe in hot springs at the side of the river.

19 April, 2007. Thursday: TREK TO GHOREPANI [2775m]
A short distance downstream from Tatopani, we cross the river on a large suspension bridge and leave the Kali Gandaki behind. After passing through the villages of Shikha and Chitre, we begin to climb through the forest to Deurali, a 2834m pass from which there are excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. Just 10 minutes beyond the pass is the village of Ghorepani. Ghorepani literally means "horse water" and is a welcome watering spot for the teams of mules which ply the route between Pokhara and Jomsom.

20 April, 2007. Friday: GHOREPANI REST [2775m]
This day we hike up to Poon Hill [3210m] and look very nice view of mountains the whole Annapurna Range. And back to Ghorepani for Rest.

21 April, 2007. Saturday: TREK TO TADAPANI [2590m]
The day from Ghorepani to Tadapani is really fantastic. We have to walk by Forest. And there you have to cross Deurali and Banthanti. Your trekking would be around 6 hours.

22 April, 2007. Sunday: TREK TO LANDRUNG [1640m]
From Landrung, you can trek to Ghandrung a really nice Gurungs Village. Most of houses are Ex Gurkhas. From Ghandrung you can trek down to Modi Khola and from the Khola trek to Landrung.

23 April, 2007. Monday: TREK TO DHAMPUS [1770m]
After breakfast begin your trek to Dhampus. You will cross many villages Tolka, Bichok, Bhedikharka, Deurali, and Pothana on the way.

24 April, 2007. Tuesday: TREK/DRIVE TO POKHARA [820m]
After breakfast we begin out ending trek to Phedi. It will take us less than an hour and then drive to Pokhara. **

25 April, 2007. Wednesday: DRIVE/FLIHT BACK TO KATHMANDU [1310m]
The short but spectacular flight or drive takes us back to Kathmandu for a well earned rest