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Annapurna Circuit Trek |
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Trek Cote : NEPAL/PTT/TK 09 ( 17 Night 18 Days) or ( 15 Night/16 Days)
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The classic trek in the
Annapurna region is the Annapurna Circuit. The complete circuit has
only been possible since the mid 1980’s when the Manang area was
officially opened up to non-Nepali visitors. For an all round
experience of the scenery and cultures of Nepal this trek has a lot
to offer. Starting in the lush Marshyangdi valley, that separates
the Annapurna range from that of Manashlu,the scenery is composed of
luch cultivated fields with dense forests on either side. In the
winter season, orange trees are laden with fruit and fragment
frangipani blossoms cast their scent along the trails. As you travel
higher the valley becomes more rugged until the villages and forests
finally give way to the arid hills of Manang. The thorong La pass,
at 5416 meters, marks the high point of the trek after which the
trail joins the Kali Gandaki river that flows through the deepest
gorge on earth.
This is a challenging trek that is not without some risks. The
crossing of Thorong La can be dangerous at times, especially during
unexpected snowfall so potential trekkers must make sure that they
are well prepared and equipped for all eventualities. The trek can
be completed in a minimum of 16 days, starting in Kathmandu and
finishing in Pokhara. If a few extra days are allowed for it is then
possible to enjoy several of the possible side trips and add
immeasurably to the experience.
Most trekkers start the trek by taking the bus from Kathmandu to
Besisahar. These days the journey is accomplished in around five or
6 hours which allows a few hours trekking on the first day. The
trail from Besisahar follows the partly constructed road as far as
the small market town of Kuldi. This road can be avoided by crossing
the river below Besisahar and trekking along the east bank of the
river rejoining the main trail at Bulbule.
The first few days of the trek follow the Marshyangdi through
scattered farming communities inhabited by a mixture predominantly
composed of Gurungs but with a sizable number of Brahmin
communities. The crops range from rice and wheat at the lower
elevations to corn, millet and barely as the altitude increases.
Above the valley floor the hills are cloaked in forest with the
occasional clearing indicating human settlements. Higher still, the
snowy peaks of the Annapurna and Manashlu ranges dominate the
skyline. A feature of this section of the trek is the number of high
water falls that cascade down into the main river. The valley rises
slowly so altitude sickness is rarely a problem at this stage.
After four days on the trail the river, which has been flowing from
the north changes its course and flows from the west. At this point
the landscape changes with steep rocky gorges on each side and large
stands of pine making up the forest cover. By the time the district
headquarter of Chame has been passed the hills are becoming more and
more barren and the people predominantly Manangba. Look for a number
of ancient temples, some of which represent the pre- Buddhist,Bon
religion.
The tree line is reached a few hours before arriving at Manang where
a compulsory rest day should be taken for acclimatization to the
increasing altitude. There are a number of possible side trips from
Manang that can be taken on the acclimatization day. Perhaps the
most spectacular is to the west, across the river and up to the
Gangapurna glacier with its deep blue lake formed by the melting
glacial ice. The Himalayan Rescue Association clinic is located in
Manang village and holds afternoon awareness lectures for trekkers
warning of the dangers of AMS. These lectures are well worth
attending.
From Manang, the trail passes through high alpine pastures until the
small cluster of teahouses at Thorong Phedi is reached. An early
morning start from here will allow you to reach Thorong La bby mid
morning and then start the descent across the scree slope
To Muktinath before the afternoon cloud sweeps in. This whole
section has no permanent settlements and shelter is hard to find.
For safety , trekkers should never travel alone this section.
Muktinath , a famed pilgrims site for both Buddhists and Hindus, is
a first major settlement reached after the crossing of Thorong La.
Be sure to visit the temples here and especially look for the
eternal flame, fuelled by natural gas, which can be found in the
small Buddhist temple below the main shrine.
From Muktinath the views to the west are now of the Dhaulagiri range
while to the north can be seen the arid hills of upper Mustang. The
trail leads down through villages inhabited by people of Tibetan
stock until it reaches the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, the home
of the Thakali people, A further four days trekking down through
this , the deepest valley on earth , brings you to the road head at
Beni fro where busses to Pokhara can be found. Settlements of
particulars interest below Muktinath are Jomsom with its Airport, a
possible exit point to Pokhara, Marpha with its fascinating medieval
architecture designed to ward off the fierce winds that blow daily
up the gorge and Tatopani with its hot springs.
There are the numbers of possible side trips that can be combined
with the Annapurna Circuit. Either from the Manang side or from
below Jomsom it is possible to trek up to the high-altitude lake at
Tilicho. You must allow at least four days for this trek and be
fully sufficient. Also on the eastern side of Kali Gandaki there is
a trail that leads to the original North Annapurna Base Camp that
was used by French expedition that first scaled the peak. On the
western side of the valley treks to hidden valley via Dhampus pass
and to the Dhaulagiri icefall are also possible options. All of
these side trips are suitable only for fit and experienced parties
who are fully self – sufficient. |
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| Trek Itinerary |
| Day 1:
Welcome at Kathmandu International Airport, transfer to Hotel &
rest. |
| Day 2:
Drive Kathmandu to Besisahar. |
| Day 3:
Besisahar to Bahundanda Trek |
| Day 4:
Bahun danda to Chamje Trek |
| Day 5:
Chamje to Bagarchhap Trek |
| Day 6:
Bagarchhap to Chame Trek |
| Day 7:
Chame to Pisang Trek |
| Day 8:
Pisang to manang Trek |
| Day 9:
Acclimatisation day in Manang |
| Day 10:
Manang to Letdar Trek |
| Day 11:
Letdar to Thorung Phedi Trek , pass 5416 m. |
| Day 12:
Thorung Phedi to Muktinath Trek |
| Day 13:
Muktinath to Kagbeni Trek |
| Day 14:
Kagbeni to Marpha Trek |
| Day 15:
Marpha to Kalopani Trek
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| Day
16:
Kalopani to Tatopani Trek |
| Day
17:
Tatopani to Ghorepani Trek |
| Day
18:
Ghorepani to Tikledhunga Trek |
| Day 19:
Tikledhunga to Nayapul trek then drive to Pokhara, overnight at
Hotel |
| Day
20
Pokhara Kathmandu by bus or air, Overnight at Hotel. |
| Day
21:
Breakfast then final departure transfer |
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OR |
| Day 14:
Kagbeni to Jomsom Trek |
| Day 15:
Fly from Jomsom to Kathmandu via Pokhara |
| Day
16:
Breakfast then final departure transfer
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Nepal
