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Day 1: Drive from Pokhra to Chame. Drive Distance: 171km.

Day 2: Trek from Chame to Upper Pissang. Night stay at Upper Pissang. Trek distance: 13.7km. ; 6hr. Altitude gain: 8750ft. to 10600ft.

Day 3: Trek from Upper Pisang to Manang. Night stay at Manang. Trek distance: 15.5km. Altitude gain: 10600ft. to 11500ft.

Day 4: Trek from Manang to Tilicho Base Camp. Night stay. Trek distance: 14.4km. Altitude gain: 11500ft. to 16138ft.

Day 5: Visit Tilicho Lake. Night stay at Tilicho Base Camp or trek towards Sri Kharka.

Day 6: Trek from Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka. Night stay. Trek distance: 8km. Altitude Loss: 16138ft. to 13189ft.

Day 7: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong High Camp. Trek distance: 6.7km. Altitude gain: 13189ft. to 16010ft.

Day 8: Trek from Thorong High Camp to Muktinath via Thorong la. Drop off. Trek distance: 10km. Altitude Loss: 16010ft. to 12343ft.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Drive from Pokhra to Chame.

After breakfast, we will begin the drive from Pokhara to Chame, the district headquarters of Manang. The drive will take approximately 6-7 hours and pass through the stunning Annapurna region. Grab your lunch at Besisahar, after which the road becomes an off-road trail. Upon arrival in Chame, you will check into your teahouse and have the rest of the day to explore the town.

Day 2: Trek from Chame to Upper Pisang.

Our trek starts today. A slew of breathtaking scenery is on the cards today as the trail goes through a deep gorge, then past the great sweeping slope of Paungi Danda. On they way to Chame stop at a beautiful apple orchid for a tea/coffee break and perhaps try one of the fresh bakery treats on offer. Today is mostly an easy walk with few ascending stretches of trail dotted throughout the day.

Day 3: Trek from Upper Pisang to Manang.

Trek the northern trail via upper Pisang and Ghyaru – an area renowned for its spectacular views. It is now drier and you are sure to come across local farmers herding yaks. Here’s a hot tip – Tibetan yaks take a special interest in people wearing red, so choose your gear carefully today!

Day 4: Trek from Manang to Tilicho Base Camp.

An adrenaline filled day alongwith views that will spin your head! Leaving Manang we pass the village of Khangsar, an unusual village with its unique houses (stone) and culture. The trail follows the ridge before it reaches Khangsar (3734m). The village offers a rare view of the obscure Kang Guru Peak (6981m). Beware of the landslide zones, stick with the team and follow the trek leader’s guidelines.

Day 5: Visit Tilicho Lake. Night stay at Tilicho Base Camp or trek towards Sri Kharka.

Today we climb higher toward Tilicho Lake, around 5 to 6-hour trek, located at the base of Tilicho Peak (7134m). Along the trail, you may see yaks and deer grazing. The changing light causes the color of the lake to change through many shades of blue. After some time admiring the lake and surrounding peaks and snapping some photos we will return to Sri Kharka.

Day 6: Trek from Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka or Ledar

Today we begin our trek descending to Khangsar Village, passing through Tare Gumba (3870m) known for its monastery. We follow the Thorong Khola Valley until we reach the abandoned village of Old Khangsar before reaching our destination Yak Kharka.

Day 7: Trek from Yak Kharka or Ledar to Thorong High Camp.

Yak Kharka to Ledar is barely any distance and on flat, open land too. Although the route is not long, we start to feel the effects of altitude which is likely to slow us down. The 5 kms from Ledar to Thorang Phedi should take close to 2 to 2.5 hours. Encircling Thorang Phedi are ragged cliffs, crags and ridges. Phedi which is a Nepalese word, literally translates to ‘bottom of the pass’. High Camp is a 310m steep incline on crumbly but well-defined trail through the last boulder area for the day – it should take about an hour from Phedi. We’ll have dinner early in preparation for the next morning push to cross the mighty Thorong La

Day 8: Trek from Thorong High Camp to Muktinath via Thorong la.

It is the biggest day on the Annapurna Circuit, trekking from High Camp to Muktinath via Thorong La. This takes over 13 hours and a distance of 15 kilometers. It is a steep climb and descent resulting in a very physically challenging day. Having climbed most of the steeper section from Phedi to High Camp the previous day gives some respite. Look out for a mound of stones draped with numerous prayer flags. When you get to that and feel yourself being pushed in all directions by the deafening wind, know that you have reached the infamous Thorang La. Admire the magnificent landscape across the Kali Gandaki Valley as it changes form and colour. The trail snakes down the dry land on ridges and moraine. There are a lot of mountains to spot and name but the highlight is when the mighty Dhaulagiri makes an appearance. Remember at the end of the sharp and endless descends awaits Muktinath, aka hot shower and some mouth-watering food!

HOW TO REACH

Nearest waypoint is Pokhara. You can either fly to Kathmandu and take a cab from there to reach Pokhara. Or you can cross the international border at Sunauli or Raxaul or Kakravitta and take a bus/ car from there to reach Pokhara.

FITNESS REQUIRED

A good level of stamina and cardio is required. Also, prior exposure to high altitude is a must. You can start by jogging everyday. Start of slow with shorter distance & keep increasing it with each passing day. As it is a moderate/difficult level trek , we recommend a 45-60 day free hand workout schedule prior to this trek.

WHY THIS TREK

Annapurna Circuit has been voted the best long-distance trek in the world, as it combined, in its old full form, a wide variety of climate zones from the tropics at 600 m to the Arctic at 5416 m at the Thorong La and cultural variety from Hindu villages at the low foothills to the Tibetan culture of Manang Valley and lower Mustang. Continuing construction of a road has shortened the trail and changed the villages. The Beisahar-Manag road has been built which has made the trek shorter, but still very attractive nevertheless.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TREK

The route is richly varied, taking you through layers of scenery and culture, from the subtropical MARSYANGDI VALLEY where Hindu (Gurung and Thakali) settlements dominate, to the arid Tibetan Plateau, where prayer flags announce its Buddhist heritage. The DEEPEST GORGE in the world, KALI GANDAKI sits between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The trail follows this gorge for miles. At 4,918m TILICHO LAKE is one of the HIGHEST LAKES in the world, its deep teal glacial waters overshadowed by the thick ice of the Grand Barrier – a vast rocky ridge separating the lake from the Annapurna peaks. Conquering the THORONG LA is a high point (pun intended!) for most trekkers and after a steep ascent and several false summits you’re rewarded by a panorama of snow-capped peaks stretching into Tibet.

BEST TIME

Picking the right time of year to trek in Annapurna or hike the Annapurna Circuit is crucial. The best times to hike the Annapurna Circuit are October-November or April-May. During these seasons everything tends to be pretty dry, the skies are clear and it won’t be unfathomably cold up high.