Short Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Circuit Trek, nestled in the heart of the Nepalese Himalayas, is a crown jewel for seasoned adventurers and aspiring mountain wanderers alike. It's more than just a trail - it's an odyssey that unveils breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, and a profound sense of personal achievement.

This Annapurna Circuit Trek takes you to the Annapurna range in the quickest possible time frame of 13 days. You are traversing alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, then encountering towering snow-capped peaks like Annapurna I(8,091m/26,545ft). You'll traverse lush valleys, cross high-altitude passes like Thorong La (5,416m/17,769ft). The trek isn't just about the scenery; it's about immersion. You'll encounter the warm hospitality of the Manang people, witness the unique customs of the Tibetan-influenced Mustang region, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the elusive Yak caravans

This Annapurna Circuit is a physical and mental challenge. It demands endurance, perseverance, and a healthy respect for the power of the mountains. Yet, with each step, you'll feel your strength grow, your confidence soar, and a deep sense of connection with nature blossom.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is an experience that will etch itself onto your soul. It's a journey of personal growth, cultural discovery, and awe-inspiring beauty. So, if you're seeking an adventure that pushes your limits and rewards you with breathtaking memories, step onto the trail and let the Himalayas embrace you.

This is the short itinerary for Annapurna Circuit Trek. We have few more itinerary for this Annapurna Circuit. 

Annapurna Circuit Trek - 21 Days
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek - 16 Days
Narphu Valley & Annapurna Circuit Trek - 18 Days

Feel free to ask any specific questions you may have about the trek, and I'll be happy to help you plan your epic Himalayan adventure!

Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu 
Altitude: 1350m/4428 ft
Meals: Welcome Dinner

On arrival to Kathmandu; Advance Adventures representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to our trip hotel. Later we meet and take you to our head office, brief your upcoming Annapurna Circuit Adventure with us and introduce our trekking guide. Evening, we host welcome dinner at one of the finest local restaurant with music and ethnic dance. Overnight Kathmandu.

Day 02 Kathmandu- Besisahar, 
Altitude: 800m/2624 ft 
Distance of driving: 6-7 hrs 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive to Besisahar via local highway, it is 175 KM, takes about 6 hours to reach this mountain town, from where our real adventure to Annapurna begins! Beshishahar is a big town and district headquarters of the Lamjung District, explore the surrounding area and overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 Drive to Chame
Altitude: 2,710m/8,892ft
Distance of driving: 5 hrs 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We start our journey into the hills on a winding road. On the way, we admire terraced farms and beautiful sceneries. From Besisahar, the road gets quite rough for about 65 km, which takes roughly 5 hours. Today, we will cross small villages like Khudi, Bulbule, Syange, Jagat, Tal, and Dharapani. We are staying overnight in Chame.

Day 04 Chame – Pisang 
Altitude: 3,200m/10498 ft
Distance of walking: 5-6 hrs walks
Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Walking to Pisang, for the first half an hour, we walk easy and local areas, after Bhratang, walking involves with a steep and narrow path through a very dense forest, bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river, pretty interesting walking here along with pine forest. Upon on reaching to the hilltop, vegetation is ended, walking is a straight and wide range of river valley starts. From here, the entire views of the Annapurna Range are majestic, entirely surrounded. Pisang is a really interesting village with riverside. Evening you can take a half an hour walk to Upper Mustang if you want. Overnight at Pisang.

Day 05 Pisang-Manang 
Altitude: 3540m/ 11,614 ft
Distance of walking: 4-5 hrs walks
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

From Pisang, there are two routes to Manang, Upper Route & Lower Route. If you want to go through upper route (we recommend), the route through Upper Pisang via Geru, the sceneries are outstanding. It feels like we are horizontally in front of the majestic peaks. The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others will definitely allure us. We notice the contrast in the landscape and vegetation from today. The cold, dry climate creates a much harsher environment. We will retrace back to Braga village for the lunch, take a short look to Barge monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery of Manang village. Another half an hour brings us to the Manang for overnight.

Day 06 Manang: Rest & Acclimatize 
Altitude: 3540m/ 11,614 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

A day, mainly for acclimatize, we have some recommended hikes for today as an acclimatization hike. Walk to Gangapurna Glacier Lake, and take an hour uphill to the tea stop at the lap of Gangapurna, you would have a great overlook of Manang, and it’s surrounding villages. Either walk uphill above Manang onward to the cliff where there are 100 rupees, BABA, he blesses you for the success of Thorong-la. Very interesting cliff gumpa here, views of entire Annapurna’s and Tilicho is on horizontal. Pretty Windy. Overnight at Manang.

Day 07 Manang – Yak Kharka 
Altitude: 4,050m/13,284 ft
Distance of walking: 3-4 hrs walks
Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we leave Manang; trail crosses a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki above Manang then continue through meadows where horses and yaks graze to reach yak Kharka. Overnight at Yak Kharka.

Day 08 Yak Kharka - Thorong Phedi 
Altitude: 4450m/14,599 ft
Distance of walking: 3-4 hrs walks
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we are walking on the foot of the world highest pass, Thorong-la Phedi, it is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of trekkers who must have to overnight here before heading to the pass. It is like a base camp overnight before heading to the pass of 5416m. Peoples who are fit and want to shorten the hike of the nest day, they can hike up to high camp for another hour and half for overnight. However, we overnight at Thorong Phedi for the safe and sound sleep.

Day 09 Thorong Phedi – Thorong- La Top- Muktinath 
Altitude: 3,800/12,467ft &Thorong-La 5,416m/17,765 ft
Distance of walking: 7-8 hrs walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The Ultimate destination of our Annapurna Circuit Trek! Cross to Thorong-la, 5416m- the highest passes of the world. An early start is essential thus we would start our walking in the morning approx of 4 to 4.30 depending on seasons and weather conditions. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to attempt the top, the initial first hour is pretty tough as it is straight uphill till to high camp, then gradual walk onward, however, each minute is hard and memorable. Altitude can be a problem, so slow and continuous walking is required.

Reaching the top is an achievement. The dramatic views of entire mountains are just amazing. Enjoy your time here then prepare for the long descent all the way down to Muktinath at an altitude of 3800m, you would love to be back to this altitude as you doing a lot of ups and downs. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage place for both Hindus and Buddhist. The area hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby. Muktinath itself demonstrates the religions harmony in Nepal. Overnight at Muktinath.

Day 10 Muktinath-Jomsom
Altitude: 2743m/8997ft
Distance of walking: 5-6 hrs walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We believed that you would have a late morning sleep, no problem! Breakfast in the morning then slowly started the day walking. All the way down, deserted hills, takes 2 hours around to reach Kaligandaki River Valley then walking mostly through the river valley, cross Jomsom- the headquarter of Mustang. Overnight at Jomsom.

Day 11 Jomson - Pokhara by flight
Flight: 25 minutes flight to Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning. We fly to Pokhara takes approx of 25 minutes. Remaining time, relax at Pokhara. Today you can visit some interesting sites of Pokhara- Davis Fall, Guptashor Cave, Barahi Temple and boating at Fewa Lake. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

Day 12 Pokhara- Kathmandu 
Distance of driving: 5-6 hrs drives
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we drive to back to Kathmandu by tourist bus and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. Refreshed up; evening we meet again, take feedback of your trip. We host a Farewell Dinner at one of the finest Nepalese restaurants. Overnight at Kathmandu

Day 13 Departure from Kathmandu 
Altitude: 1350m/4428 ft
Meals: Breakfast

Our adventure in Nepal comes to an end today. We will escort you to the Kathmandu airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. If we wish to extend your holidays in Nepal, then we may request us to organize other activities, or head back to your home country with plenty of memories.    
End of our Services!

Cost Includes:

All airport pick ups and drops as per itinerary
02 Nights three stars standard accommodation in Kathmandu on twin sharing basis
Welcome & farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese restaurant 
Annapurna Conservation Areas Project (ACAP) Permits & Fees 
Kathmandu to Besisahar and Besisahar to Chame by local transportation
Pokhara to Kathmandu transfer by tourist bus
Jomsom to Pokhara by flight
01 Night twin share 3-star accommodation in Pokhara on twin sharing basis    
Trek on full board of meals (B, L, D, tea /coffee in cups only), seasonal fruits etc. 
Trek accommodation in comfortable Mt. Lodges & Guest Houses on twin share
One Advanced Adventures Trek Leader (Gov. Licensed, first aid, altitude trained/experienced and eco trained), their entire expenses, equipment and insurance 
One trek porter to carry trek luggage’s for every two trekkers in a group
Sleeping Bags and Down Jacket for Trek use (Need to return after trek), Trek Duffle Bag and Trekking Maps & Adventure Certificate 
First aid group Medicine Kit Box 
All Gov. and local taxes as applicable 

Cost not Includes:

Nepal Visa, International flights in/out Nepal 
Lunch & evening meals in Kathmandu & Pokhara (If any) 
Cost of beverages such as mineral water, coca cola, Beer etc., cost of battery charge, laundry etc. on trek 
Travel insurance (Must include Helicopter evacuation, Medical Exp. and trip cancellation) 
Personal trekking gears 
Personal nature expenses & Tips 
Any extending trips

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is mandatory for booking this trip. Having good travel insurance will not only guarantee you peace of mind while you travel but also provide you with complete cover for anything things that may go wrong. So, if you have insurance it helps you for the risks management. While you are in High Altitude region might face lots of difficulties. You may suffer from various health problems; injuries, illness and even High-altitude sickness can tear up your trip. Travel insurance is a safety net if things go wrong. At times, even a helicopter may be needed along with a rescue team, for ground evacuation and rescuing. So, every traveler MUST have the insurance covered against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency air ambulance/helicopter rescue services and personal liability. Start your trip with all the necessary health & traveling insurances for your safety. For more information please visit this link: https://www.advadventures.com/page/travel-insurance.html

Meal Plan 
Eating is a big part of traveling. We will provide three time meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) that crews require on the trail. On this trip, you can enjoy both traditional Nepalese cuisines serves the Dal Bhat (rice and lentils), as well as a variety of different food items, such as vegetables, noodles, potatoes and soup along with some have Nepali versions of western food such as pizza, pasta and French fries.

When an individual is allergic to some food products, requires a special diet, or has specific religious food needs; we will arrange it as per your requirements on request. Also, the crew will carry fresh fruits supplies at a time along the trail. Our guides have been carefully checked for quality and quantity of the food in every teahouse. Explicit cooking directions are indicated on each food for your convenience.

Accommodation plan
During this trip, we will spend nights in Kathmandu at three-star standard hotels and during our trek we will use mountain teahouses and tented camps. A Tea House is the combination of guesthouse, restaurant, and social hang out. Private rooms are available in Tea Houses. The lodges are fairly basic. The rooms are spare with twin beds and very little additional furniture. Blankets are generally provided. Most bathrooms are shared and toilets are the western version. Most of the Tea Houses have running water facility. Many of them have hot water available for bathing at additional cost. It is advisable to carry wet wipes as an alternative.

There is a large dining room-cum-lounge, warmed by an iron cylinder, fitted with a chimney duct, in which a log fire is lighted. Most teahouses now also have electricity for charging small appliances - mobile phones and cameras - and there may be a small charge for this.

Best time to visit Nepal
Nepal is for all season! But because of the huge range in altitude and landscape, climate of Nepal differs significantly throughout the country. Most recommended seasons for trekking and climbing are autumn (Sept, Oct, Nov) and spring (March, April, May). In these seasons, you will be rewarded by good weather, sunny and warm with clear sky and outstanding views. During monsoon (June, July, Aug) although there will be no problem for trekking, the issue could be less visibility and rain. For the student of botanical, monsoon is blessing as the higher valleys, mountains and meadows blossom with flowers and abundant vegetation. You can do trek in winter (Dec, Jan, and Feb) also; only the issue is cold weather with snowfall at higher elevations. The trekking routes are filled with trekkers during spring and autumn but during monsoon and winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature. However, because of effects of global warming the climate is changing worldwide and there could always be possibility of exception in these weather patterns. In best seasons, also there could be hoax of bad weather and sometimes even in adverse months; weather tends to be excellent for trekkers.