On this incredible trekking adventure, spend 13 challenging days traversing rhododendron forests, isolated hamlets, and mountain villages. For six to seven hours a day, follow the trails of this challenging circuit on and around one of the world’s highest mountains while encountering temples, monasteries, and breathtaking landscapes. Led by expert guides and assisted by support staff throughout, you’ll be greeted by locals who offer a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life and majestic views few ever experience.
Day 1: KathmanduArrive in Kathmandu at any time. Attend the group welcome meeting today and enjoy a brief orientation walk around Thamel.
Day 2: Kathmandu/JagatTravel through scenic landscapes, picturesque countryside, and small towns along the way to Besi Sahar. The group will arrive in time for lunch. After lunch, the group will take the local transportation to Jagat along a winding, narrow road. Spend the night at the teahouse.
Day 3: Jagat/BagarchhāpBegin 13 days of challenging trekking in one of the highest mountain ranges on Earth. Experience stunning Alpine pastures, forests of rhododendron, temples, rural villages and local people, waterfalls, glaciers, and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery known to man. Today, the group will travel 14km on foot from Jagat to Bagarchhap. Ascend through forested areas of rhododendron (seasonal) and pine trees. Pass by waterfalls, traditional villages, and terraced fields of crops.
Day 4: Bagarchhāp/ChameToday, trek from Bagarchhap to Chame (2,670m, 8,760ft). Breathe in the fresh mountain air and climb up along the trail through dense pine and fir forests. Enjoy stunning views along the way of Manaslu and other peaks of the Annapurna range. Have lunch in Thanchok before continuing on to Chame, the district headquarters of Manang.
Day 5: Chame/PisangTrek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m,10,827ft). Leave the village of Chame behind, walk out past the prayer wheels and cross wide rivers and pine forests on the way to Pisang. As you hike, enjoy stunning scenery, narrow canyons, and valleys with Annapurna Range as the backdrop. Have lunch in the small, beautiful village of Dhukur Pokhari. Arrive in Pisang and visit the village monastery.
Day 6: Pisang/ManangTrek from Pisang to Manang (3,540m, 11,614ft). Today, enjoy stunning views of Annapurna Range, pass through the village of Braga, with its ancient monastery from the 8th Century. Then, continue towards Manang village, passing through fields of barley and buckwheat.
Day 7: ManangEnjoy an acclimatization day in Manang. Set off on a short excursion hike to Gangapurna Lake, sitting at 3700m. Have lunch in Manang and explore the village before hiking to a Stupa located in the hills outside of Manang.
Day 8: Manang/YakkharkaTrek from Manang to Yak Kharta (4,018m, 13,182ft). Today, is a relatively short walking day with only 9kms in distance covered. Trek slowly and climb higher as the trail passes through a sparse forest of juniper and scrub. After lunch in Yak Kharka, complete an acclimatization hike in the surrounding area.
Day 9: Yakkharka/PhediTrek from Yak Kharka to Phedi (4,450m, 14,600ft). Enjoy a short, but challenging hike today from Yak Kharka to Phedi. Begin with a gradual ascent through the alpine landscape and pass through pastures of grazing yak, small chortens, and streams en route.
Day 10: Phedi/MuktināthTrek from Phedi to Muktinath (3,800m, 12,467ft). Today the group will reach the highest point of the trek. This is the toughest uphill walking day. Keep a slow steady pace and enjoy the views while hiking. After reaching the top of Thorong La Pass (5416m) the group will follow the trail as it descends steeply for several kilometers to Muktinath – an important pilgrimage site for both Hindu’s and Buddhists.
Day 11: Muktināth/GhasaTake a 4WD jeep ride from Muktinath to Ghasa today and take a break from trekking. On the drive, view the contrasting yellow hills against green farmland of the valley floor. See the Kaligandaki, the deepest gorge in the world. Witness the dramatic changes in landscape of the Kaligandaki River and journey past several picturesque villages.
Day 12: Ghasa/NarchyangTrek from Ghasa to Narchyang today. Travel on foot through the Kali Gandaki Valley and the lower Mustang region of Nepal. Walk along the Kali Gandaki River and through lush forests of rhododendron, oak, and bamboo. Upon arriving at Narchyang, our host community members will welcome the group. Narchyang once used to be the gate for North Annapurna Base Camp Trekking route. But with the Annapurna Base Camp being shifted to south, the village has remained isolated and devoid of tourism for a long time. In order to boost the amount of visitors to the region, the community has recently been active through Narchyang Community Homestay and started welcoming trekkers to their homes. The community is mostly of Magar Culture and are known for their innocence, simplistic ways of life, and bravery.
Day 13: Narchyang/SikhaToday the group will ascend once again on the trek. Walk through the forests and terraced fields, and climb uphill admiring the stunning views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli along the route. Reach a mesmerizing view of ascending levels of teahouses and lodges with the mountains surrounding. Today's hike will be 4-5 hours.
Day 14: Sikha/GhorepaniToday trek from Sikha to Ghorepani (2,785m, 9,137ft). The route is seeped in history and the views of Machhupuchare and the Himalayas from Ghorepani are absolutely unmatched on a clear day. View local villages, teahouses, and settlements along the uphill route.
Day 15: Ghorepani/BirethantiEnjoy an early morning excursion to Poon Hill for sunrise. Then venture through Poonhill to Ramghai, enjoying spectacular views of the Annapurna range along the way. Cross through forests, streams, and bridges to reach the final destination, Birethanti.
Day 16: Birethanti/PokharaTake a short hike from Birethanti to Nayapul where our bus will be waiting to take us to Pokhara. Rest and take a well-deserved shower in this lakeside resort town.
Day 17: Pokhara/KathmanduReturn to Kathmandu.
Day 18: KathmanduDepart at any time.
