The Annapurna region is the most popular trekking region in all Nepal, and justifiably so. The entire range is embraced by the Annapurna Conservation area. Encompassing a huge diversity of landscapes and habitat. The landscape rises from paddy fields, through terraced hillsides, to Alpine valleys and steep gorges, with their roaring rivers. Climbing through a dry arid Tibetan style landscape with its weathered columns of colored rock, through to the high snow capped peaks of the highest mountains in the world, and back down into the Kali Gandaki, the deepest valley in the world.
The Flora is similarly diverse, ranging from cultivated fields, through broad-leafed, and flowering forests of rhododendron and magnolia, stands of Pine and Juniper. In between are meadows of Alpine spring flowers and the ferns and orchids, residing in the cooler recesses and shadows.
Resident and migratory birds abound, and a high proportion of Nepal’s colorful butterfly’s can be seen along the trail.
Starting in sub-tropical paddy field at 500 meters, the trail travels in an anticlockwise direction, heading first North, and then North Westerly. Ascending over several days, to the Thorung La (pass) at 5415 meters, and onto Kagbeni before turning South West and South, to complete this challenging yet stunning circular trek.
Best done in mid Oct – Mid Dec, and again in March - mid April, the route passes through a rich cultural heritage of Magar, Brahman, and Thakali villages, and encompassing both Hindu and Buddhist religions, with their unique architecture and customs.
Included.
Experienced Big Canvas Adventures tour leader, trekking staff and porters, first-aid kit, transportation, twin-share accommodation and meals as indicated in the detailed Trip Notes. The following sightseeing trips are included: Kathmandu - guided tour to Bodhnath and Pashupatinath including transport and entrance fees.
Not Included.
International flights, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre or post tour accommodation, optional tours sightseeing or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, fully comprehensive travel insurance (obligatory on all trips and must include helicopter evacuation and repatriation), tips, items of a personal nature, laundry, cost of showers on trek (if available).
Local Payment.
Your tour leader will collect US$260 from each person on Day 1.
The local payment is the final part of your overall tour cost. It is to be paid in cash, in the currency indicated, to your tour leader at the start of your trip. Having a local payment helps us to pass cost savings on to you. Please note that the Local Payment is non-refundable.
Route / Itinery.
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Day
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Route
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Activity
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AM
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PM
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Day 01
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Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, and check-in. No organised activities.
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None
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Hotel
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Day 02
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Kathmandu, day experiencing the sights and sounds of this vibrant city, with some time left to sort out any of those last minute hitches, or key pieces of kit forgotten of left behind.
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sightseeing
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Optional excursion
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Day 03
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Departing Kathmandu, we drive and walk to Bandipur
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Drive
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Drive & Walk
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Day 04
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An early start from Bandipur, taking the bus to Besi Sahar (820m), you start your tour with a relatively easy days trek, passing through subtropical forest and rice terraces, to Khudi (830m) (3-4 hrs)
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Bus & Trek
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Trekking - Early Finish
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Day 05
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Khudi - Bahaudanda 'hill of the Brahmans' (1,320m) - passing through scattered villages and terraced rice fields, a 60m waterfall. Watch out for Langur monkeys playing in the trees as you pass along the trail. Soon after leaving the village we enter in to the Annapurna Conservation Area. (3-4 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking - Early Finish
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Day 06
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Bahaudanda (1,320m) passing through terraced rice fields and flocks of parakeets, past waterfalls, crossing the Marsyangdi Khola river by way of a rattling long suspension bridge, we follow the trail which in places is blasted out of the vertical rock face, onto our evening destination of Chamje (6 hrs).
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 07
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Chamje, passing through stands of Bamboo & rhododendron, to Bagarchap (2,160m) (7-8 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 08
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Bagarchap (2,160m), following the Syal Khola (or "River of Jackals") through virgin forest of Fir and Pine, to Chame (2,670m) (6-7 hrs). Look out for the bee hives under the eaves of houses in the settlement of Temang Besi, and the forest of walnut trees.
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 09
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Chame (2,670m), a pleasant start through mostly level forest paths. Passing mani-walls and the dramatic Paungda Danda rising 1,500 m vertically from the river below. - Pisang (3,300m) (5-6 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 10
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Pisang (3,300m), marks a change in the landscape, the area is much drier with little rainfall, because of the shelter afforded by the Annapurna range to the South during the monsoon. Passing fields of barley and buckwheat, the trail passes a particularly long mani wall, with its impressive array of brass prayer wheels. An arid area characterised by dramatic cliffs of yellow rock, eroded into unique pillars alongside the trail, before the final short climb up to the plateau of Manang village. (3,540m) (5 Hrs).
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 11
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Manang (3,540m) - Rest day for everyone to acclimatise, with the option of a lazy day, or a small local hike.
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Acclimatisation day - optional short Trek
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Day 12
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Manang (3,540m), A short day, staying at Yak Kharka (4,100m)(4 Hrs) in order to acclimatise as we climb towards the Thorung La pass. The trail climbs out of Manang, heading NW gaining elevation, the trees are left behind to be replaced by sparse scrub Juniper and Alpine grasses. passing grazing Yaks and Horses, and the ancient mani wall just below Yak Kharka.
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Trekking
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Early Finish & Visit to Yak Herders Camp.
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Day 13
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Leaving Yak Kharka (4,100m), the narrow trail climbs slowly through Letdar, and onto Thorung Pedi (4,420m), a rock strewn meadow, surrounded by vertical cliffs. (4 Hrs) Blue sheep reside on the mountains slopes, and their main hunter the Snow leopard, reclusive and rarely seen lives here to. The black crow like birds are Choughs, and Griffon Vultures and Lammergeiers circle overhead.
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Trekking
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Early Finish
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Day 14
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An early rise at daybreak, and a long day ahead, leaving Thorung Pedi, it is a tiring 5 hrs to the Thorung La pass with its accumulation of prayer flags, chorten and stone cairn at 5,416m. The pass is snowbound from mid December through to late February. With its numerous false summits, the climb to the pass can appear to go on forever, hence the presence of a small teashop at the top of the pass is like mana from heaven.
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Trekking
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Trekking
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The views from the Thorung La are just spectacular, stretching out over the Great Barrier ridge dividing the unique arid landscapes of Manang from the foothills of the Annapurnas. To the South is the heavily glaciated peak of Khatung Kang, the Annapurnas and Gangapurna. To the West lies the barren Kali Gandaki valley far below. The peak of Thorungtse lies to the North.
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The descent is similarly steep, dropping 1,600 m in 4 hrs to Muktinath (3800m) (8/9 hrs)
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Day 15
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Muktinath (3,800m), is an important pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindu's, with shrines to both religions it is well worth spending the morning in the village, before commencing the steady 3 Hr descent to Kagbeni (2,800m) (3 Hrs).
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AM Free
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Trekking
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Day 16
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Kagbeni (2,800m), is the most Northerly village in the region that foreigners may visit without a Nepalese government liaison officer. Heading South/South West the path follows the course of the river through Marpha (2,680m), our destination for the day, a clean and pleasant village, nestled behind a ridge for protection from the wind. (4-5 Hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 17
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Marpha (2,680m) after a brief photo opportunity at the impressive Tashi Lhakhang gompa, the trail heads South through a landscape of high snow peaks, moulded yellow and ochre cliffs, flat mud roofed houses amongst the verdant green irrigated fields. Moving on the landscape changes dramatically from the dry and desert like of the past days, to pine and conifer forest. Characterised by blustery winds from the South in the afternoons, before passing through the architecturally intriguing village of Khobang, with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, and reaching our destination for the day at Kalopani (2,530m) (6 Hrs).
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 18
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Leaving Kalopani (2,530m) with its 360 degree panorama of the white tipped peaks of Fang, Annapurna, Nilgiris, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche, the trail rises and descends across and down ridges, through stands of pine and birch. Crossing the Kali Gandaki river across the new 120mtr bridge, the path passes through the Kali Gandaki gorge, supposedly the deepest in the world, and onto Tatopani 'hot water' in Nepalese (1,160m) with its hot springs and renowned food and hospitality. (8 Hrs).
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 19
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Tatopani (1,160m), if it hasn't already happened expect to be joined by a dog along your route, they just tag along for some time before disappearing again, its supposed to be particularly auspicious to be joined by a black dog. You are now entering citrus fruit territory. The peak to the North is Nilgiri (6839m). Passing through the stoned paved main street Magar village of Shikha, and out to the stone staircase the other side. The area is dominated by extensive terracing, finally climbing through Rhododendron and Magnolia forest before reaching Ghorepani (2,750m) (6 Hrs).
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 20
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Ghorepani (2,750m) after the possible early rise for the excursion to Poon Hill, for its spectacular views of the High Himalayas. The trail out passes from forest of Oak and Rhododendron out into pastures and cultivated fields, finally descending over 1,300 meters on a series of steep stone staircases, said to have over 3,300 steps, finishing at Tikhedhunga (5 Hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 21
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Tikhedhunga trek to Naya Pul and drive to Pokhara, Having the afternoon free to relax.
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Trek & Drive
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Early Finish
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Day 22
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Take the spectacular flight to Kathmandu.
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Flying
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PM Free
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Day 23
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Kathmandu, a further days sightseeing, Durbar Sq and the monkey temple, or choose an optional scenic flight around Everest.
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sightseeing
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Optional excursion
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Day 24
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End of tour and return home.
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None
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Meals.
All Breakfasts are included in tour price. Other meals will need to be paid for. The choice of food in Kathmandu and Pokhara is quite varied, and by UK standards very affordable. Whilst in the mountains, the choice is more limited, however the ingenuity of your hosts, always means that you will enjoy a hot, nutritious and thoroughly enjoyable meal.
Fitness.
This is a strenuous trek, a good level of fitness is required for this trekking holiday and you should be in good health. On average you can expect to trek for up to six to seven hours per day whilst on trek. Some physical preparation, particularly walking on hills and stairs, before your trek will be a definite advantage.
Important Information.
A good quality sleeping bag and down jacket are required for this trip. These items are available for hire in Kathmandu.
Pre and post tour accommodation.
You may wish to extend your holiday by booking some pre or post tour accommodation - ask Big Canvas Adventures for details and prices when you book your trip.
Optional extras and sightseeing.
Kathmandu.
Bhaktapur entrance US$11
Half Day tour to Bhaktapur & Patan US$12
Mt Everest scenic flight - including transfers. approx US$135
Patan entrance US$4
Pokhara.
Single travellers.
Most of our travellers are single and like the thought of travelling with a few like-minded souls. As part of Big Canvas Adventures' core philosophy, we do not charge a single supplement. You'll probably be sharing your accommodation with a travelling companion of the same gender. You can choose to have your own room whilst in Kathmandu, however because of the limited facilities available in the mountains, separate rooms are generally not available whilst trekking. Because many of our travellers come on their own, your tour will probably have a strong social element and you'll almost certainly come home with some great new friends.