The Annapurna Circuit

Early morning departure towards Dumre, following the road that leads to Pokhara. You then leave the main route to reach Besisahar, the next stage of your circuit in Népal.

In Besisahar, you change vehicles to continue your itinerary in a 4x4. You then take the track that leads to Jagat, the next stage of your trip to Népal.

Today, you begin your trek around the Annapurna massif. Although the road extends to the valley, its poor condition leads you to continue your itinerary on foot. You take an old hiking trail, away from the road, to reach the village of Tal, whose name means "lake" in Nepali. This village marks the entrance to the Manang region.

After Tal, you cross the river again and continue your hike for approximately 4 km to the village of Dharapani.

Your hike takes you through the Buddhist village of Bagarchap, whose name means "riverbank". The valley gradually orients towards the west, offering views of the Manaslu behind you, while Annapurna II appears intermittently to the south. You continue your trek in the Annapurnas by taking certain portions of the new road, then crossing pine forests until Chame, the administrative center of the Manang region. You will find several shops, a bank and a school there.

Today, you continue your trek in the Annapurna massif by crossing the Marsyangdi river several times, in the heart of steep gorges. In places, the path runs along the cliffs and rests on wooden pillars, offering passage close to the mountain terrain. After Buradhan, you begin a climb through a wooded ridge before emerging into a vast valley where the village of Pisang nestles, the next stage of your hiking in the Annapurnas.

Today, two routes are available to reach Manang, in the heart of the Annapurnas massif:

- Via Hongde and Braga: you follow the main trail along the river on its western bank to the village of Hongde, where there is a landing strip. You then cross the river to reach Braga, whose monastery overlooks the village from high cliffs. One final half hour of hiking takes you to Manang.

- Via Gyaru and Ngawal: more physically demanding, this alternative route crosses the villages of Gyaru and Ngawal before reaching Manang. Allow approximately 7 to 8 hours of hiking for this option.

You gradually gain altitude as you climb the northeast slope of the valley, above the river, to cross the villages of Ghyaru (3 720 m) and Ngawal (3 680 m). The trail then descends back toward the river before rejoining the main route at Braga. More physically demanding, this stage of your trek in the Annapurnas offers beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, a fine reward after the effort of the climb.

This day is dedicated to acclimatizing to the altitude, with a walk around Manang, a village surrounded by the mountainous landscapes of the Himalaya. You can reach on foot the Gangapurna Lake, located near your hotel, and enjoy its peaceful surroundings. For travelers wishing to extend the hike, a climb to the Chongkor viewpoint is also possible.

You continue your trek in the Annapurnas with a relatively short walking stage, favoring a gradual ascent and good acclimatization to altitude. Heading towards the Thorung La pass, you climb up the Marsyangdi valley, offering beautiful panoramas of the Manaslu, the Annapurnas massif and Tilicho Peak. Your route then turns northwest to reach Ledar, the next stage of your trekking in Népal.

Today, you continue your trek in the Annapurnas with a relatively easy stage to Thorong Phedi, whose name means "foot of the Thorong La pass". In the afternoon, you start climbing to Thorong High Camp (4,925 m) to continue your acclimatization to altitude. You then descend back to Thorong Phedi to rest before the next stage of your hike.

Early morning departure for a long ascent to the Thorong La pass, following a trail that crosses several moraine zones. Upon arrival at the pass, you take a short break to admire the mountainous landscapes of the Annapurnas and take some photos. You then resume your journey without lingering too long, as the wind generally strengthens from 9 am onwards.

You begin your descent towards Muktinath by taking a steeper path than the one used for the ascent. You reach this pilgrimage site in Népal, renowned for its collection of Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries. A site steeped in spirituality, bearing witness to the wealth of religious traditions in the region.

Today, you continue your trek in the Annapurnas by taking a trail off the beaten path, heading towards the village of Lupra. A short climb takes you to a pass at 4,000 m altitude, where you enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Dhaulagiri. You then descend towards Lupra, the only village with bön tradition on your itinerary. This ancestral Tibetan religion, which predates Buddhism, constitutes an important part of the region's cultural and spiritual heritage.

You continue your trek in Népal by descending along the Kali Gandaki river. The trail follows its course through the mountainous landscapes of the region, offering a new hiking stage in the heart of the Himalaya.

In the morning, transfer to Jomosom airport to board a small twin-engine plane heading to Pokhara. During the flight, you fly over the deep Kali Gandaki valley, offering beautiful views of Népal's mountainous landscapes. Upon arrival in Pokhara, you enjoy a free afternoon to relax at your own pace.

You take a flight to reach Katmandou, during a short flight offering one last opportunity to admire the panoramas of the Himalaya. Back in the Nepali capital, take advantage of the rest of the day to buy some souvenirs or participate in an experience offered by Bluesheep Journeys, according to your preferences.