Short Annapurna Circuit Trek – 12 Days

After having breakfast, we will drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani. The road passes through scenic villages, lush green forests, and beautiful landscapes. We will also cross the Trishuli River, which is a famous spot for white-water rafting in Nepal. After a long drive, we will reach Dharapani, a beautiful village located in the Manang district.

Overnight stay in Dharapani.

Today, we will trek to Chame, the district headquarters of the Manang district.

You also have the option of driving to Chame. The drive will take us through the narrow and winding roads along the Marsyangdi River. We will pass through picturesque villages like Bagarchhap, Danaque, and Timang before reaching Chame. Chame is a beautiful village that offers stunning views of the Annapurna and Lamjung Himal ranges.

Overnight stay in Chame.

From Chame, the trek proceeds through an open area and a narrow valley until you reach a massive rock called Paungda Danda Rock, which is considered sacred by the locals. The rock rises 1,500m from the Marshyandi river and offers stunning views of Annapurna II in the south and Pisang Peak in the northeast. Just before reaching Pisang, the path descends to the Manang Valley floor.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Pisang.

The trek starts on upper trails that pass through Upper Pisang and Geru before reaching Barge village, known for the Barge Monastery - the largest in Manang. You'll encounter several Buddhist shrines and monasteries en route to Manang, a tourist town that offers fantastic views of Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, and Tilicho.

After a couple of days of ascending to higher altitudes, it is important for us to take a break and acclimatize to the high altitude Manang is a perfect place for acclimatization as it offers a stunning view of the Annapurna range and is located at an altitude of 3,540 meters. We will spend the day exploring the beautiful town of Manang, visiting the local monastery, and experiencing the unique blend of Tibetan and Nepalese cultures.In the afternoon, we will take a short hike to Gangapurna Lake, which is located at an altitude of 3,800 meters. In the evening, we will return to our teahouse in Manang for a warm meal and a good night's sleep.

After acclimatizing, the trek continues toward Yak Kharka. You'll notice the tall trees along the path give way to alpine grass and junipers, and there's a chance you might see horses or yaks grazing on the meadows. The trail passes through a small village called Gunsan, known for its flat mud roofs. When you cross a small river on a wooden bridge, you'll know that Yak Kharka - a peaceful meadow - is nearby.

Overnight stay in Yak Kharka.

Today, you will leave the Marsyangdi Valley and make your way towards Thorong Phedi, which is located at an altitude of 4,525m. The trek follows the Jharsang Khola and you will leave the pine and fir forests behind to enter the high Himalayas, which look completely different from the lush lowlands you passed during the initial days of the trek. With some luck, you might catch views of blue sheep and snow leopards while trekking. Thorong Phedi is ideally located for travelers to spend the night before attempting to cross the Thorong La High Pass. You will spend the night at a hotel in Thorong.

Today will be the most challenging trekking day as you ascend the Thorong La High Pass, one of the highest passes in the world, before descending to Muktinath. To avoid the afternoon wind, you will start the trek early in the morning, battling icy air and high altitude but still enjoying the views. From the top of the pass, you will see fantastic views of the Khatungkang, Gangapurna, and Annapurna ranges. As you descend, you will be greeted with majestic views of Dhaulagiri. The descent continues until you reach Muktinath, a holy temple for both Hindus and Buddhists. This temple is known for its 108 water sprouts and an eternal flame that has been burning here for centuries. If time permits, you will drive to Jomsom for the night, or else, you will spend the night at Muktinath.

You will stay overnight at a hotel in Muktinath.

After visiting the holy temple of Muktinath, we will return to our lodge for breakfast before starting the trek down the Kali Gandaki Gorge. The initial part of the trek takes us through arid terrain that is similar in geography and climate to that of Tibet. As we continue our descent, we will pass through the villages of Jharkot and Khingar, which are known for their typical Tibetan architecture. From there, we will follow a steep path down to Kagbeni, a primitive village that is also famous for its Tibetan architecture. We will stop in Kagbeni for lunch before trekking on to Jomsom, where we will spend the night.

Today marks the last day for the Annapurna circuit 12-day trek package. After having an early morning breakfast at Jomsom, you will take an 8-hour drive from Jomsom to Pokhara. You will explore around Pokhara by yourself in the evening and prepare for tomorrow's drive to Kathmandu.

You also have the option to take a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara at an additional cost of $125.

On this day you will catch a morning tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu, upon reaching Kathmandu our trip ends. Later we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant summarizing the trek.

You can also take a 30-minute flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu with an additional $106,  and explore Kathmandu with the saved time.

If you require a Kathmandu Hotel Booked by Hiking Bees for the final day in Kathmandu then it's also possible although it is not included in the package.