The Short Annapurna Circuit Trek is considered to be one of the most alluring and enticing trek one can experience in Nepal and perhaps even around the world. The trek covers a diversified culture and terrain which pleases the eyes of the trekkers. Along with trekking through the rural routes of Northern Nepal, the trek covers the beautiful ancient valley of Manang and Yak Kharka. Passing through the highest pass; Thorong La lies at an elevation of 5416m and provides an intriguing scenario all around. Crossing Thorong La we reach the valley of Mustang, the mystical Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal. Exploring the mysterious caves and exploring the sacred temple of Muktinath, we descend down to Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu or fly back to Kathmandu from Pokhara with extra cost. The trek is overall a great option for trekkers who want to travel around Annapurna with limited time in hand.
The Annapurna circuit usually takes 20 days and can be extended upto 30 days depending upon the route and weather condition. Desire Adventures has come up with a brief trek where you won’t miss out on the natural beauty of Nepal yet finish the trek in 11 days. Nevertheless if you want to extend your trip or plan your next trip you can check our other trek packages. We can also help you to customize your itinerary according to your suiting.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek requires a strong mental and physical determination as we will be exploring one of the most rural and forbidden areas of Nepal. Mustang district was not open to foreigners until recently whereas Thorong La pass if crossed during the off season can be dangerous due to the risk of Avalanche and frostbite. Thus, it is safe to plan out our trek in the right season (March to May and September to December) with precautions.
Detail Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal! Our team representative will be there to pick you up at the airport. We will drive to your hotel and check-in where you can freshen up and rest for a while. Later, we will meet at our office in Thamel where we can discuss further on the trek and you can ask further unclear questions. After the meeting, you could back to the hotel.
On the second day, we will have our breakfast and your guide will pick you up and together will take the bus to Besisahar. The local bus ride is 7-8 hours towards the west of Kathmandu where you can witness some rural settlements and beautiful landscape from the bus. overnight at Beshishar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights: Beautiful view on the ride to Besishar, along the way come across Trishuli River, jungles, waterfalls and different terrain and landscape, Excellent view of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal,
On the 3rd day, after having breakfast your guide will pick you up and together will take the jeep to Pisang. The local jeep ride is 6 hours towards the north of Beshishar where you can witness some beautiful waterfall, rural settlements and beautiful landscape from the jeep.we will continue our journey twards the northern region to Pisang . Upon reaching Besisahar, we will continue our journey towards the northern region to Pisang. Overnight at Pisang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights: Beautiful view on the jeep ride to Pisang. along the way come across waterfalls and different terrain and landscape, Excellent view of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II & IV)
In the l officially start our Annapurna Circuit trek. Today we will cover upto 17kms from Pisang trekking to Manang. The trail leads straight to the north and then towards further west to Nawal, Bhraka and finally to Manang. Nevertheless, the other option to reach Manang from Pisang is takimorning of our 3rd day, we will already have covered 3300m at Pisang. After breakfast at Pisang, we wilng the south route via Humde where the trail meets through a suspension bridge at Mugje. The southern route is easier compared to the northern route via Ghyaru. Overnight at Manang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights: Start of the trek; Change of terrain from vegetations to drier upper part of Manang District, old Tibetan villages, oak and maple trees
Although acclimatization stands for stepping back from the everyday ascend and adapting the altitude, it does not necessary mean taking rest. Being active is the right way to adapt to the higher altitude and thinning air. Therefore, to aid acclimatization, we will take a short hike to the ridge nearby Gangapurna Glacier or walk up to the cave above Manang village. The remaining time will be utilized exploring the villages, the native people and their culture. The night will be spent at a lodge in Manang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights: View of Gangapurna glacier, cave, and Manang village, explore local people, their culture, religion and dialect.
On the 5th day of our Tour, the circuit is continued leaving the Marshyangdi River behind, the trek continues towards Yak Kharka. Ascending the steep trail, we first reach Ghusang. From Ghusang (Gunsang) the mani walls will lead the trail along Thorung Khola where we will have to cross a suspension bridge and walk uphill until finally reaching yak Kharka. Overnight at Yak Kharka.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Highlights: Sparsely scattered juniper shrubs, drove of blue sheep, herds of yak. The view of Annapurna III, Gangapurna and Tilicho peak
After breakfast on the 6th day, we will continue ascending along the Kone Khola (River) we will first cross the suspension bridge from where the route separates to Chulu High Camp and the route to Thorong La Pass. We take the route to Thorong La and pass some tea shops along the way from where we walk past a steep slope and walk all the way up to Thorong Phedi. Overnight at high Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights: view of Annapurna peaks, Yakwakang and Chulu West. Thorong Phedi, Kone River, scree slope and a very beautiful panorama of Annapurna peaks, Chulu West and Yakwakang
Today will be one of the most strenuous but rewarding trek for us as we will be crossing the highest pass to reach Muktinath. Thorong La Pass lies between Manang and Mustang and was used by early traders and now by trekkers to cross from Manang to Mustang. Numerous prayer flags mark the top of the Thorong La Pass and you will be greeted by the grandeur view of summits rising above 6000meter; pleasant view of Kali Gandaki Valley to the west and Yakwakang to the north. Upon crossing the pass, we walk a little further along the Thorong Khola to reach Muktinath. Overnight at Muktinath.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights: Spotting of various mountain range from the pass, crossing the highest pass in the world, entering the forbidden kingdom of Mustang, walking through the mani walls, prayer flags and Himalayan vistas.
Today you will ride a public bus from Mukthinath after breakfast. Today will be quite long bus journey to Pokhara. From Muktinath, you will drive a on Jomsom-Beni road that mostly runs along the Kali Gandaki River. You will stop for lunch at Dana. It’s an off-road ride. From Dana, you will now ride to Pokhara, which takes about 3 hours.
Overnight in a hotel in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Today is the last day of your short Annapurana circuit trek. After your breakfast in Pokhara you will ride a tourist bus to Kathmandu. Pokhara to Kathmandu is about 210 kilometers bus ride on the Prithvi Highway that first runs mostly along the Marsyangdi River and later along the Trisuli River. After a couple of stops along the highway for lunch, snacks and toilet breaks, enjoying the beautiful landscape, you will ride back to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu you will check into the hotel rest for some time and later go for farewell dinner at one of the best restaurants in Kathmandu to celebrate your successful trip. After the dinner, you will come back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Today will be your last day in Nepal. You can stroll around the city and buy souvenirs if your flight is late in the afternoon or at night. We will drop you off at the airport. We wish you a safe travels.
What's included
- Airport pick up and drop off on private transportation
- 2 nights twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu at a tourist standard hotel
- 1 night twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Pokhara at a tourist standard hotel
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek
- Seasonal fruit after every dinner, during the trek
- All accommodation during trek (lodge/guest house) twin-sharing basis
- 4 nights attached rooms with hot shower during the trek
- Annapurna (ACAP) Conservation Area Permits
- Transportation to Beshishar from Kathmandu (Public bus) and sharing jeep to pisang)
- Transportation to Pokhara from Mukthinath (Public bus) flight can an option from Jomsom to Pokhara with extra charge
- Bus transportation (A/C tourist Coach) return from Pokhara to Kathmandu (Flight or Private Car an option with extra charge)
- Licensed and well trained English speaking guide and his entire expenses
- A porter (One porter for each 2 members) and his entire expenses
- Insurance of Guide and Porter
- All required local tax and Gov tax
- Sleeping bags (rental basis if required)
- Official duffel bag
- Trekking Map
- Basic First-Aid Kit with Oximeter
- Adventure certificate upon completion of the trek
- Farewell dinner
What's Excluded
- Nepal arrival visa
- Meals in the city expect breakfast and farewell dinner
- Wi-fi, extra hot showers and battery charging on the trek
- Your personal nature expenses. Mineral water, Beer, Coke, tea/coffee, and entire beverage etc.
- Travel insurance that covers trip cancelation and Helicopter evacuation over 5000m
- Accommodation and meals in city in case of early return from the trek
- Tips (As an appreciation) and any other extending trips and accommodation.
What should I bring?
Along with warm clothes you will also need other equipment for the sufficient protection of your body. Below is the list of necessary items that you need to pack before commencing your trek.
Head- Hat (with a wide brim), Sunglasses (with UV protection), Sunscreen lotion and Lip balm
Upper body- T-shirts (2), light and expedition weight thermal tops, Fleece jacket and pullover, Fleece wind-stopper jacket (Optional), waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket, down vest/jacket (included)
Hands - Lightweight gloves, heavy-weight gloves/mittens with a waterproof outer shell
Lower body - Underwear (4), hiking shorts (2), lightweight cotton long pants, light and expedition weight thermal bottoms, Fleece or wool pants, waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Feet - Thin, light-wear inner socks (4), thick, warm wool hiking socks (4), hiking boots with spare laces, camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals), gaiters.
Accessories - Headlamp with spare bulb and batteries, small padlock or combination lock, basic first aid kit, large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag), day pack, water bottles (2), hiking pole/walking sticks, small ear plugs, fanny bags for your valuables.
Toiletries – Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, small wash towel
Extras - Cameras with extra batteries and cards, binoculars, light balaclava or warm fleece hat, reading books, trip map/guide book, journal & pen, iPod, water purification tools or tablets.
Please leave your extra luggage in the hotel in Kathmandu (free storage is available) and pack as lightly as possible.
Best travel seasons: Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn (September, October, November) are the best seasons; however, Nepal can be travelled any time of the year.
Climate and Geography
The climate of Nepal varies according to the elevation. The humid, tropical Terai receives the most monsoonal rain and records the country’s highest temperature. The lower hills (900-2,700meters), including Kathmandu Valley are sub-tropical, with hot summer and moderate winters with only the occasional frost. The higher hills (2,700-4,000 meters) are temperate as the hills get plenty of rain, fog and frost. Above 4,000meters, the mountains have cooler, drier alpine climate and daily temperatures vary wildly depending on sunshine, wind and altitude.
Tipping during the trek
You can tip your service providers to show your gratitude and satisfaction. You can tip your service providers like guides, porters, drivers and waiters. The tip amount entirely depends upon your wish.
Annapurna Circuit Trekking
Altitude sickness is a physical condition that occurs in higher elevation due to change in air pressure causing nausea, diarrhea, fever and loss of appetite or even fatal death. Since this trek reaches upto the highest point of 5416m at Thorong La Pass, some might still anticipate problems of altitude sickness. In such cases, your team leader will make the arrangements for you to hike down, instead of continuing further. We request you to be flexible and follow the instruction of the team leader. It is also good to have physical and mental preparation before opting for the trek. Basic technical skill is required to plan Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal. However, prior hiking or camping experiences will definitely be considered as a plus point. Also, a few weeks of regular exercises like jogging, running, swimming, cycling, uphill climbing is highly recommended to build the required stamina, before the trip.
Trekking permits are required to any trekking in Nepal. Therefore, kindly coordinate us with so that we can get the permits ready for you. We require:
I) A scanned color passport copy
II) A scanned color copy of two passport sized photographs
What’s included in Annapurna Circuit Package?
The Annapurna Circuit Trek provided by Desire Adventures is perhaps the quickest trek one can achieve in the Annapurna Circuit. Bed and Breakfast is included in Kathmandu and Pokhara along with a farewell dinner on the day of departure. All meals are provided during the trek. There is a private transportation facility available for pickup and drop off.
When should I plan this trek?
Though Nepal can be visited any time of the year, the best season to plan the trek is Spring and Autumn.
Spring – Mid- March , April, and May , are the perfect months. These months support us with warm weather, clear skies, good temperature and the best visibility.
Autumn – Mid-September, October, November, are the perfect months to plan the Annapurna Circuit Trek. These months are also favorable in terms of better visibility, warm weather, clear blue skies and excellent trail.
Winter – December, January and February, are not good months to plan the Annapurna Trek since the area gets dense with snow and the trails also close due to extreme conditions.
Summer - Mid June, July and August are not the best months to trek as the monsoon rain affects the trail and the visibility; however, on request the trek can be arranged at this time of the year.
Laundry service during the trip
The hotels booked for you in Kathmandu and Pokhara will offer laundry service but at extra cost. However, if you want to do your own laundry, we request you bring biodegradable soap.
Extra Money for Personal Expenditure
We suggest you to bring some extra money for extra expenses like drinks, shopping and tipping, as the trip cost does not include the cost of extra expenses.
We also request you to set aside USD 150 (or an amount equivalent to USD 150) as an emergency fund. This fund is kept as security money during the trek and will be utilized in the case of any changes in the itinerary caused by unforeseen natural disaster.
Health, Medication and Medical Facilities during the trek
The treks demand excellent stamina, and the best health conditions as most of the days require 6-8 hours walk. Therefore, we suggest you get a physical examination at east 4-6 weeks prior to the trek and seek advice, medication as well as the permission from your doctor, before the trip. We also recommend you take expert guidance from your local General Practitioner with expertise in altitude illness and travel medicines. Please get screened for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anemia, ulcer disease, cardiovascular disease and lung related problems. Any person with a strong family history or over the age of 40 should make cardiovascular risk assessment. Getting a good dental checkup and identifying medicines that you are allergic to are a must. Make sure you are immunized and vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, varicella, Hemophilus influenza type b infection, Hepatitis A and B Typhoid, rabies, yellow fever, cholera, meningococcal disease and encephalitis. In the absence of GP, please seek advice from travel clinics.
Please carry your regular personal medicines along with a First Aid kit. Also add blister kit, sunscreen, bandages, insect repellent containing DEET, topical antibiotic cream, iodine tablets and /or water filter, Diamox or Acetazolamide, Acetaminophen or Tylenol for analgesia, Ibuprofen or Advil for analgesia and as an anti-inflammatory agent, Immodium or Lomotil for diarrhea, Afrin-a nasal decongestant, Pepcid or Zantac for heartburn, an antibiotic, especially a Quinolone such as Ciprofloxacin or Leavaquin, pain medicine such as Tylenol with codeine or Hydrocodone and if you are prone to exercise-induced Asthma or Asthma associated with bronchitis or upper respiratory infections, bring Asthma inhaler. Kindly inform us regarding your present health condition, medical situation, preceding illness and the medicines you are taking, so that we can get prepared for emergencies.
Most of the general hospitals and private clinics are available in Kathmandu, therefore, finding a good medical facility isn’t difficult in the capital. However, the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) operates aid posts in (Manang) managed by expatriate physicians, during the peak trekking seasons. With an aim to reduce the deaths among trekkers, it provides free advices to trekkers on altitude sickness, equipments and the condition of the trekking routes.
Safety and Security during the trek
Your safety is our priority. Therefore, the team leader is given a full authority to amend or cancel the itinerary in the case of unforeseen circumstances, like sudden weather changes, natural disaster, and bad health of a group member or any kind of violent protest or demonstrations.
For the security of your belongings, like passport, air tickets, traveler checks, cash, and other valuable items, it is highly recommended that you bring a neck wallet or a money belt to carry these items. Try not to bring any valuable belongings like jewelry. Even if you bring, we recommend you to safely store in the deposit boxes in the hotel in Kathmandu. Also bring a lock to secure your luggage.
Remember! Neither the team leader nor the company will be responsible for the security involved during any extra activities not included in the itinerary.
Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance is a must, if you are looking for the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Your travel insurance should cover all the additional expenses that might result due to various health issues, injuries or accidents (together with air ambulance, helicopter rescue or other treatment cost). Your insurance policy should also cover all extra activities that you are planning to during your stay in Nepal. Moreover, the policy should also cover death, misplaced luggage, theft and liability, cancellations, medical treatment (hospital charges, medicine charges and the doctor’s fee) as well as the repatriation cost. This trek takes you over the 4000m, therefore, make sure that you get an insurance policy that covers the treks that go over 5000m.
Visas to enter Nepal
All foreign nationals (except Indians and Chinese) require a visa to enter Nepal. Therefore, we request you arrange visas before you travel. Visas can either be obtained from the nearest Embassy/Consulate or Mission offices in your own country or upon your arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. To apply for a visa, you need 2 passport sized photographs, Visa fees in US dollars and your passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the trip. Transit visa for foreign nationalities is only provided for 3 days. For the convenience of foreign nationals, visas are also provided from the borders listed below:
Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu)
Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border of Nepal)
Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Western Nepal)
Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Mid Western Nepal)
Mohana, Dhangadhi (Far Western Nepal)
Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Far Western Nepal)
Tourist Visa Fees:
Transit visa (3 days) Free of cost
Multiple entry (15 days) 25 USD or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry (30 days) 40 USD or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry (90 days) 100 USD or equivalent convertible currency
(For more information, please contact the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu.
Tel: 00977-1-00977-1 422199 / 4433934 / 4429660 / 4438862 / 4438868.
We are able to depart Short Annapurna Circuit Trek every day at no extra cost. So kindly choose your own date as per your convenient. Contact us to schedule your own departure Date
* Cost Based on minimum 2 Pax
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We had a great time in Nepal with Nava and Desire Adventures. Hiking in the Annapurna region and completing the Thorong La Pass was amazing and we felt well supported and informed the whole time. Our trip also included a safari in Bardiya National Park, which was an exciting and beautiful addition. Would recommend exploring this Read More
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We have just finished a wonderful 4 week stay in Nepal which included a 9 day trek of the Annapurna Circuit and 5 days in the jungle at Bardia National Park. We were travelling as a group of 8 and Nava, from Desire Adventures, organised everything super well. We were so well looked after and always felt well informed and that ou Read More
Annapurna Circuit with Desire Adventures
My friend and I spent 12 days on the road with our guide Rana (Kishor). It was an amazing experience, not only because of the breathtaking views Nepal has to offer, but also because of our caring and considerate guide (and Sherpa). Rana made sure we were comfortable during the hike, bu Read More
wongmk
Hong Kong,
Sep 2022
Nava working quietly and efficiently behind the scenes to ensure personalised comfort in a challenging 12 day trek round the Annapurna circuit. Despite his experience, Nava remains as fit as the younger porters, running up and down to pull us through minor landslides safely. Up in the mountain Read More
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