Annapurna Circuit

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  France - Kathmandu

  

  Flight to Kathmandu. Accommodation: plane. Meals included: on board.

• day 2

  Kathmandu (1,340 m)

  

  Arrival at Kathmandu airport, welcome by our team and then transfer to the hotel. Briefing by your guide on the trek itinerary and final preparations. Rest of the day free for a first immersion in the capital of the famous pagoda-roofed temples. Meals not included. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour. Accommodation: hotel***. Note: For some time now, "baggage porters" have been putting pressure at the exit of Kathmandu airport; they are becoming more and more insistent, even with our guides. The "normal" tip for this "service" is 100 Rps (1 €) per person.

• day 3

  Kathmandu - Besi Sahar (760 m) - Ngadi (950 m) or Jagat (1300 m)

  

  Early in the morning, departure from Kathmandu by private vehicle towards Bhulbule, the end of the road; we then take another type of vehicle, adapted to the track, to reach the village of Ngadi, along the Marsyangdi river, crossing rice fields and the first Nepalese villages... Beautiful views of traditional houses and terraced fields of corn and millet. Arrival at the village of Ngadi or Jagat for our first night in a lodge. Transfer: private vehicle and jeep, about 6 to 7 hours of driving. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 4

  Jagat - Chame (2670 m)

  

  Still among the terraced rice fields and forests, sometimes going uphill, sometimes downhill, and always along the Marsyangdi river, we continue our journey by vehicle to reach the village of Chame. Transfer: jeep, about 4 to 5 hours. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 5

  Chame - Pisang (3200 m)

  After crossing a beautiful forest and orchards, the valley opens up onto the Manang region, a vast plateau where small Tibetan villages with flat roofs nestle; the trail allows you to admire the Annapurnas, Pisang Peak, and the Chulus. Along the prayer walls, arrival at the typical village of Pisang (3,200 m) with its terraced-roof houses; visit its monastery. Walking time: about 5 to 6 hours. Positive elevation gain: +480 m. Negative elevation loss: -350 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 6

  Pisang - Ghyaru - Ngawal

  

  Facing the enormous glacial barrier of the northern slopes of Annapurnas IV, II and III, Gangapurna and Tarke Gyang, we climb up to the village of Ghyaru, in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world! Ghyaru is a small village where nothing has changed for centuries. All the houses face the local goddess: the Annapurna II mountain (7,937 m). This mass is more than 10 km as the crow flies and yet, it seems so close… Along a balcony path, we continue our journey and arrive at the village of Ngawal (3,600 m), one of the most beautiful villages on the route. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: +650 m. Negative elevation loss: -250 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 7

  Ngawal - Manang (3540 m)

  Along a balcony path, we cross the villages of Julu, Munji, and Braga with its small monastery... We arrive early in Manang so we can visit the village at our own pace. Walking time: about 4 hours. Ascent: + 270 m. Descent: - 390 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 8

  Manang - Acclimatization Day

  

  Rest day in Manang to promote acclimatization... Discovery of the village of Manang, a village built at the foot of the Annapurnas. Surrounded by glaciers and high peaks, Manang opens its doors to us for a discovery where traditions and ancestral customs endure in this village at the end of the world. It is then possible to climb up to the village of Khangsar (3,770 m), located on the trail leading to Tilicho Lake. Walking time: about 4 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: + 500 m. Negative elevation gain: - 200 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 9

  Manang - Yak Kharka (also called the hamlet of Ledar) (4018 m)

  

  Ascent to the village of Yack Kharka; it is called Yack Kharka because this region is the territory of the yak, raised for its ability to carry heavy loads, but also for its meat and milk. The village of Yack Kharka is also called Ledar. Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 630 m. Negative elevation gain: - 130 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 10

  Yack Kharka - Thorong Phedi (4,450 m)

  

  Slow progression towards Thorong Phedi (4450 m); the altitude gradually increases and becomes noticeable. "Phedi" means "at the bottom" and is located right at the foot of the famous Thorong La pass. The stage may seem short, but it is necessary to perfect acclimatization in preparation for crossing the Thorong La pass the next day. Walking time: about 4 to 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: +470 m. Negative elevation loss: -150 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 11

  Thorong Phedi - Thorong La (5416 m) - Muktinath (3750 m)

  

  One of the highlights of the journey: waking up early in the night and arriving shortly after sunrise at the Thorong La pass (5416 m). The toughest climb of the trip, mainly due to the altitude. This high pass gives access to the Kali Gandaki valley and the mysterious slopes of Mustang. Descent along the arid slopes of the western side and first glimpse of another giant of the Himalayan range: Dhaulagiri (8167 m). Arrival at Muktinah (3750 m) in the late afternoon, at the gateway to the famous Mustang. Muktinah is also known for its pilgrimage, but also for its natural gas spring that feeds the sacred flame. Stunning views of the summits of Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and Nilgiri (7061 m). Walking time: about 8 to 9 hours. Ascent: + 970 m. Descent: - 1660 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 12

  Muktinah - Lupra (2790 m) - Jomosom (2720 m)

  

  With magnificent landscapes opening onto the high Tibetan plateaus in the north and the high snow-capped mountains of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri in the south, we cross a final pass at 4000 m, offering exceptional views of the Himalayan ranges. Then, it's the descent towards Lupra, the only "Bön" village on our route. The "Bön" religion is the Tibetan religion that predated Buddhism. Arrival then at Jomosom. Walking time: about 6 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 500 m. Negative elevation loss: - 1100 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 13

  Jomosom - Pokhara - Kathmandu (1,340 m)

  

  Early departure for Jomosom airport to reach Pokhara aboard a small twin-engine plane, flying over the entire Kali Gandaki valley; upon arrival in Pokhara, we continue with a second flight to Kathmandu. Free lunch in Kathmandu, traditional dinner in a typical restaurant for the last evening in Kathmandu. Flight time: about 1 hour. Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: morning - evening. Meals not included: lunch.

• day 14

  Kathmandu - France

  If the flight times allow, free day in Kathmandu where we can do some last shopping or buy souvenirs, or even visit some monuments. Then transfer to the airport for the flight to France. Meals not included. Arrival in France, usually the next day. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour. Meals included: morning. Meals not included: lunch, dinner.

• day 15

  France

  Arrival in France.