Annapurna Circuit Trek

You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) staff and driven to your Kathmandu host family or a hotel. Here you will be welcomed into the family, be given your own room and be provided with all your meals while in Kathmandu. This will be your home during your orientation and volunteering in Nepal. With easy bus routes into town and the surrounding countryside, this quiet and safe suburb is the perfect base for your time in Nepal. Meals: Dinner.

We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. The Durbar Square sheds light on the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Baudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, we are introduced to our fellow participants and discuss our trip at the Volunteer Society Nepal office. Overnight in Kathmandu.

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Drive to Besisahar: Besisahar is a town in the Lamjung district and serves as the gateway to the Annapurna region. The drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar takes approximately 5-7 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic.

Besisahar (760m): Besisahar is located at an elevation of 760 meters above sea level. It's a common place for trekkers to obtain necessary permits and supplies before starting the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Continue to Bulbule: From Besisahar, you can continue your journey to Bulbule, which is another 15-20 kilometers away. The drive to Bulbule typically takes around 30-45 minutes.

Please note that road conditions and travel times can vary, so it's a good idea to check the latest information and consider local conditions before starting your journey. Also, be prepared for some rough and mountainous terrain as you approach the Annapurna region.

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Start in Bulbule (elevation: around 760 meters): You'll begin your trek from Bulbule.

Trekking through the Marshyangdi River Valley: The trail follows the Marshyangdi River Valley, providing beautiful views of the surrounding hills and forests. The path may include ascents and descents, as is common in the Annapurna Circuit.

Passing through charming villages: Along the way, you'll pass through several traditional Nepali villages, each with its own unique character. You'll have the opportunity to interact with locals and experience their culture.

Cross suspension bridges: You'll likely cross several suspension bridges over the Marshyangdi River. These bridges are essential for getting from one side of the valley to the other.

After a full day of trekking, you'll reach the beautiful village of Tal. Tal is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters and is known for its serene environment and terraced fields

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Embark on an exhilarating day of trekking from the charming village of Tal to the picturesque town of Chame. The trail winds through lush forests, and alongside the Marsyangdi River, offering captivating views of the Himalayan landscape. You'll pass through quaint villages, interact with locals, and savor delicious Nepali cuisine during lunch. As you ascend to Chame at 2,630 meters, you'll notice the change in the environment. The town welcomes you with its serene atmosphere and stunning mountain vistas. After a rewarding trek of about 14-17 kilometers, relax, refresh, and explore Chame's local culture and amenities.

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Today the trail continues up and down, passing several rivers and sparsely populated settlements. We walk through a steep and narrow valley to have our first view of Paungda Danda rock face, a dramatic curved rock face rising 1500 m from the river. From here, we also gain excellent views of Annapurna 2 to the south and Pisang Peak to the north east. We descend to the Manang Valley floor enjoying the captivating landscape. Overnight in Pisang

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It is important to have an extra day in Manang for acclimatization as we start the climb towards the higher altitude, Thorong La. There are spectacular views of the majestic Himalayas peaks around the Manang Valley, it’s not a good idea to stay idle but a short walk to higher altitude is recommended to get acclimatized with the altitude. Manang is the right place to do that as the next two days will be considered a challenging trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. There are lots of options for day walks around Manang. One possibility is to walk to Khangsar village on the way to Tilicho Lake or a longer walk to Ice Lake above Braga. Also worth visiting is the Himalayan Rescue Association to get some ideas about rapid mountain sickness.

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It is important to have an extra day in Manang for acclimatization as we start the climb towards the higher altitude, Thorong La. There are spectacular views of the majestic Himalayas peaks around the Manang Valley, it’s not a good idea to stay idle but a short walk to higher altitude is recommended to get acclimatized with the altitude. Manang is the right place to do that as the next two days will be considered a challenging trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. There are lots of options for day walks around Manang. One possibility is to walk to Khangsar village on the way to Tilicho Lake or a longer walk to Ice Lake above Braga. Also worth visiting is the Himalayan Rescue Association to get some ideas about rapid mountain sickness.

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When returning from the Tilicho Base Camp, the trail leads out of the Marsyangdi valley and the abrupt change in surroundings can be noticed as the trees are left behind and replaced with more alpine vegetation. Our trail continues through the ruins of the old Khangsar village until we cross a log bridge over the river between Gumsang and Yak Kharka. The typical Himalayan village of Yak Kharka is an accolade to its name, as lots of yaks can be seen grazing and standing around. From here we also get breathtaking views of Annapurna III. Overnight in Yak Kharka.

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It is an uphill walk to Thorang Phedi. After walking for some time, we cross a suspension bridge and reach Ledar village. We ascend further and pass through towering cliffs before reaching Thorang Phedi, the last village before Thorong La pass. On this trip, we are rewarded with one of the best views of Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, Thorung Peak and Mt. Khatungkan. The word Phedi in Nepalese is referred to as the foot of a mountain. Overnight in Thorang Phedi.

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Crossing Thorong La pass, one of the highest passes in the world will be our ultimate objective today. We will be crossing the pass from east to west (Manang to Muktinath) which is the easiest and safest direction. We get up around three in the morning and walk up the mountain. When we finally make it to the top, we realize that our journey was worth it. We can take a few photos before heading to Muktinath Valley at the foot of the Thorong La pass. Overnight in Muktinath.

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Muktinath, an ultimate destination for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, is a beautiful place. We visit the Muktinath Temple before embarking on the trek ahead. There are water spouts where fresh water pours out channelled from the streams above the temple. As the trail extends we can enjoy the magnificent views of Mt. Dhaulagiri. You can even buy a fossilized mollusk, called ‘Shaligram’ as a memento. We move ahead among meadows, cross streams and hills over to Kagbeni, a village laden with chortens (memorial stupas) and a small monastery. Continue the trek after a lunch break at Kagbeni and over to Jomsom on the Kali Gandaki Valley as the trail cuts through windy areas. Overnight in Jomsom.

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We take a drive while looking at views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges and over the deepest gorge in the world. The warmer climate in Pokhara will definitely make us feel better. We can take a boat ride in the serene waters of the lake with the reflection of Fishtail Mountain on its waters. In the evening, we can stroll around the lakeside area and buy souvenirs for loved ones. Overnight in Pokhara.

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After breakfast, transfer to the Tourist bus station and 06: 30 am drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. This scenic drive offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery along the famous rafting Trishuli River originated from Tibet northeast of Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! A Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way to home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal. Meal: Breakfast