20 Days Annapurna Circuit Trek:

This is one of the classic & most popular treks in Nepal. It passes through country inhabited by a wide diversity of peoples. It offers Spectacular Mountain scenery & it goes to the north of main Himalayan range on to the high & Tibetan plateau. The southern slopes of Manaslu & Annapurna ranges are heavily settled & formed, except higher region which support thick forest of rhododendron & fir.
Most of the tribes inhabiting this area are Gurungs, Magars, Chhetris & Newars.
As one turn westwards into the Manang valley & into the rain shadow of the Annapurna ranges dramatic changes occur. Though there are small fields supporting some crops of millet & wheat & small flocks of sheep & goats, the Manang tribes are traditionally a trading race. They are also Tibetan by origin & Buddhist by religion. As a matter of fact, their life style is quite different to those tribes on the southern slopes. Thakali & Mustang tribes control the busy trading pilgrimage trail along the Kaligandaki until more through the gap between Dhaulagiri & Annapurna into the wetter zones where one can meet Gurungs & Magars again.
The Circuit is usually started from Dumre, on the Kathmandu to Pokhara road.
Day 01: Kathmandu to Beshisahar:
Drive from Kathmandu to Dumre (137 km.) by bus following wild hairpan bends & drive by local vehicles about 3 hrs. Approximately to reach Beshisahar & rest.
Day 02 : Beshishar to khudi ( 2592 ft.)
Most of the trail is fairy flat until after Besisahar, when the track narrows & the valley Becomes a deep river gorge; then cross a long suspension bridge & enter the large trading Village of Khudi ( 790 mt.) inhabited by Gurungs. It is approximately 6 hrs. walking
distance.
Day 03: Khudi to Bahundada: (4,000 ft.)
From Khudi the trail offers fine views of Hiunchuli & peak 29 ( Ngadi chuli) as it climbs to Bulbule at 825 mtrs. It then goes to Ngadi before reaching Bahundanda at 1310 climbs mtrs.
Day 04: Bahundanda to Chamje:-
From Bahundanda the trail drops steeply to Syange at 1070 mtrs. The trail crosses the Marsyandgi River on a Suspension bridge & then follows the river to the stone village of Jagat, after 45 minutes you will be in Chamje.
Day 05: Chamje to Dharapani (1890 mtrs.)
From Chamje the trail follows the Marsyangdi river steadily uphill to Tal (1675 mtrs.) a small village at the foot of a large waterfall. Now the trek enters the Manang district. The trail crosses a wide, flat valley then climbs a stone stairway to 1860 mtrs. Before dropping down to another stairway. The trial continues up & down & ends at Dharapani at 1890 mtrs.
Day 06: Dharapani to Chame:
The trail, offers rough & rocky climbs to Tyanja at 2360 mtrs.& then continues through
Pine & fir forest up to Chame 2685 mtrs.) It is the headquarters of the Manang district.
There are fine views of Annapurna II from Chame.
Day 07: Chame to Pisang:
The trail runs through deep forest in steep & narrow valley, crosses a river on a long Bridge at 3040 mtrs. Nearing the village of Pisang one can have a full view of the Manang Valley, a wide U-shaped Valley between two huge snow peaks.
Day 08: Pisang to Manang:
The trail climbs a steep ridge that extends across the valley. At the top of this spur is an excellent view of Manang valley, with Tilicho peak (7132 mtrs.) at its head & a view back to Pisang peak, one of the trekking peaks. The trial crosses the Marsyangdi on a big wooden
bridge near Mungji at 3360 mtrs.then traverses to Bryaga,a Tibetan style village of about 200 houses stacked one top another, each with an open veranda. Walking distance of about 5 hrs.
Day 09: Manang (Acclimatization day in Manang)
One should spend a day in Manang village to acclimatize & explore Manang. The village, of about 500 flat roofed houses, gives excellent view of Annapurna II , Annapurna III, Gangapurna.
Day 10: Manang to Thorong phedi (14,436 ft.)
From Manang village; the trail crosses a stream, climb out of the Marsyandghi valley, turning Northwest up the valley of the Jorsang Khola. Here, one can see the vegetation consists of
scurf Juniper & alpine grasses. The trial continues to climb among the east bank of the Jarsang Khola, then descends & crosses the stream on a wooden bridge. After making a short ascent on a good trial, to a teashop, the route then follows a narrow trial across a high
unstable, scare slope, then descends to Thorong Phidi. Walking distance approximately 5 hrs.
Day 11: Thronng Phedi to Muktinath:
Phedi, which means ‘foot of the hill’ is a common Nepali name for any settlement at the bottom of a long climb. The trial becomes steep immediately after leaving Thorong Phedi, following 4 to 6 hrs. from Thorong Phedi to the pass. Thorong-La pass with its traditional chorten, prayer flags is at an elevation of 5416 mtrs.
The view from the trial & from the pass itself are outstanding high Himalayan scenes. One can see the south, the entire Annapurna ranges, a heavily glaciated peak, the barren
Kaligandaki valley far below to the west & the peak of Thourungtse (6482 mtrs.) to the north. The decent to Muktinath.
Day 12: Muktinath to Kagbeni:
The trail descends very quickly to the valley floor more than 5,000 ft. below. The descends is through a dramatic arid landscape & continues to Kagbeni. To continue on to Kagbeni, one must travel on either side of the Kaligandaki River. The left fork continues up the river Kagebeni.
Day 13: Kagbeni to Jomsom:
After 6 hrs.walk from Kagbeni, one will reach Jomsom, a major village on the Kaligandaki trading route.
Day 14: Jomsom to Tukuche:
The east- bank route crosses the bridge & heads north, staying above the gravel riverbanks to Dhumpu. The trail climbs over a forested ridge, then heads down again & makes a long but easy traverse along the gravel bars alongside the riverbed, then crosses the river back to
the west side on a series of temporary bridges just before Tukuche (a small Thakali village) at 2590 mtrs.
Day 15: Tukuche to Ghasa: The Thakalis are the dominant tribe of the valley, interestingly relates to Gurung & Magars
of the southern slopes. Then, pass through Marpha, Tukuche & stay at Ghasa.
Day 16: Ghasa to Tatopani:
A dramatic changes in the vegetation, from dry arid desert to pine & conifer forest occur passing through & between Dhaulagiri & Annapurna. Passing through Kalapani the view of Annapurna is magnificent. Camp at Tatopani (Hot-Spring). Tato is ‘hot’- & pani is ‘water’ in Nepali & is possible to bath on the spring. Walking distance is approximately 5 hrs.
Day 17: Tatopani to Ghorepani:
Tatopani to Ghorepani (Poon Hill) cross the Kaligandaki & climb steeply up to Magar village of Sikha for lunch. Then the trial ascends to Ghorepani (Poon Hill ).Walking distance is approximately 6 hrs.
Day 18: Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Ghorepani:
Rest and excursion to Poon Hill.The guide will wake up early for one hour walk up to Poonhill where one may witness the surprise for life time memory. From Poon Hill one can view over 30 white capped peaks, the whole Annapurna range many people talk about
having a life changing experience after watching the sun-rise over this awesome panorama of the Himalayas. Then, walk through many forests, filled with flowers ( in the spring).
Day 19: Ghorepani to Ulleri:
Returning, one will here to backtrack via Ghandruk (2012 mtrs.) One of Nepal’s largest Gurung villages, several hundred slate roofed houses perched on a hillside. From Ghandruk,a new route leads through lush green forest to Ghorepani.Then comes Uleri a small village
for overnight rest.
Day 20: From Ulleri one can continue south a few hours to Birethani that connects to Pokhara- Baglung road & reach Pokhara by vehicle.