Our representative from the Himalayan Windows Team will meet you at the Kathmandu International airport and transfer you to the hotel. You will meet your trekking guide at the hotel or at our office to have a brief discussion about the Annapurna Circuit Trek (12 Days) and we will take you for some last-hour shopping or any equipment needed for the trek and we will process for the trekking permit. If you are arriving late at night, we will discuss the trek and prepare the permit next day.
Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
You will drive to Chame via private or tourist bus to Beshi Shahar via Prithivi Highway. You will reach to Beshi Shahar in about 6 hours drive and then we will take you to another local transport (Jeep) for Chame which takes about four hours. Our drive passes through the village of Sange, Bhulbhule, Nagdi, Chamche, Tal, Tima, Koto and etc with the breathtaking view of Mount Annapurna and Manaslu. You will have the most beautiful views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, Manaslu. You will reach Chame which is the headquarters of Manag district.
Overnight at a tea house in Chame
There is a long, pleasant and mostly level walk in the forest. The pine-scented trail rounds a bend to reveal the first views of dramatic Paungda Danda rock face, a large curve slab of rock. The trail follows through the river valley with an excellent view along the way of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak at Pisang. Pisang recognizes the beginning of the region’s upper portion of the Manang District.
Overnight at the tea house in Pisang
The trail is about 20 KM and takes about 6-7 hours. From upper Pisang, the high trail enters pine grooves to reveal views of the small turquoise lake. The path does a dogleg through the charming village, passing with views of painted Mandalas and Dragon mouth spouts and hiking through the fields of grazing Yak and the wide variety of crops. This large Tibetan settlement provides excellent views of Annapurna II, III and IV, Tarkekang, Gangapurna.
Overnight at the tea house in Manang
This day is your second night in Manag to acclimatize to the higher elevation as you will proceed towards the Thgorong La. You can observe the spectacular views of the Himalaya nearby taking some advice from Himalayan Rescue Association. There are excellent views of the milky blue glacier lake at the foot of dramatic Gangapurna icefall and traditional stone buildings.
Overnight at the tea house in Manang
The trail continues to climb out of the Marsyangdi Valley. The trail follows this valley to the north, passing a Goths as it steadily gains elevation. The total walking distance is 10 KM and takes about four to five hours to reach Chure Letdar.
Overnight at the tea house in Churi Letdar
The trail from Letdar climbs along the east bank of the Jarkang Khola, then descends and crosses the stream on a wooden bridge at 4310m. Blue sheep and snow-capped leopard sometimes magically appear. The crow-like bird choughs, large lammergeyers, and Himalayan griffons circles you overhead.
Overnight at the tea house in Phedi
The trail becomes steep immediately after leaving Thorung Phedi, switchbacking up moraines and following rocky ridges as it ascends to the Thorung La Pass (5416m). You will see the long great Barrier ridge, Tibet like region of Manang as well as the Annapurnas, Gangapurna, and the heavily glaciated peak of Khatung Khang (6484m). The trail descends, crossing meadows steeply down to Muktinath. One of the most sacred sites for both Hindus and Buddhists.
Overnight at guest house Muktinath
After visiting Temple and religious shrines of Muktinath, you will head down the steep, barren hillside to Kagbeni. Kagbeni still feels like a medieval village, with its tightly packed mud houses and dark tunnels. Situated at an auspicious river confluence, it is also the gateway to Upper Mustang. We will pass some ancient caves and view the impressive white mountains. We transit at the significant Kagbedi town then we will reach to Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang.
Overnight at guest house Jomsom
Early morning, you will fly to Pokhara, it is a very short flight for about 15 minutes and we will take you to the hotel. You will have a free day today to relax and stroll around Lakeside in Pokhara.
We keep one free day in Pokhara because the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara is unpredictable and most of the flights have to be operated in the morning time. If the flight gets canceled due to weather; another alternative would be the drive to Pokhara. It takes 6-7 hours to reach Pokhara from Jomsom.
In order to return to Kathmandu; you can either take 25 minutes flight or take a tourist bus drive to Kathmandu which takes about six to seven hours. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
If you have a short time; you may take option taking a flight back to Kathmandu; so that you can explore the Kathmandu Temples and some Durbar Squares.
Now, your 12 day Annapurna Circuit Trek ends here. Our team will transfer you to the international airport for your final flight back home with sweet Himalayan memories.