Itinerary

Day 1

Dumre to Besi Shahar Today you will be picked up by your guide and transferred to the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit. On the way you'll pass through several small villages where you can stop to take some pictures of the local children playing in the street and you'll catch your first glimpse of the snowy peaks in the distance. After about 7 hours you'll arrive in Besi Shahar. You'll have time to buy some supplies for the trek at the local market but first you'll need to visit the ACAP checkpoint with your guide to register. It's little more than a formality; with your name logged in a big book and an official stamp on your permit you're ready to start the trek in the morning. Tonight you can grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants. Make sure you try the local dish, steamed momo's, a type of steamed filled roll. You'll be staying in a basic traditional lodge and we recommend hitting the sack early; you'll need all the rest you can get for the real work tomorrow....

Day 2

Marsyangdi Valley

The first days of the trek you will hike through the green Marsyangdi Valley. The trail follows the river bed, past green rice terraces. Twice a year the trees are full of apples and you can see local families harvesting the fruit.

Day 3

Marsyangdi Valley Following the narrow trails you often meet members of the local Taman Gurung mountain tribe, traditionally the traders of the Himalayas who for centuries have been trading rice, chicken and spices in the local villages.

Day 4

Marsyangdi Valley The deeper you head into the Annapurnas you'll notice more and more snow-capped peaks rising up around you while you cross wild rivers along wobbly hanging bridges. On the way you can stop off for a rest at one of the tea houses where you'll be greeted with a welcoming smile and a hot cup of tea.

Day 5

Marsyangdi Valley Towards the end of the week the green valleys make way for dry barren plains of the Manang district.

Day 6

Marsyangdi Valley During the trek you will be staying in traditional trekking lodges in small mountain villages. They're a good place to meet other trekkers and share your stories. Rooms are simple with shared bathroom and toilets. The lodges offer local dishes such as dahl curry rice (lentils with rice), buffalo or yak meat and occasionally more familiar dishes like pizza or pancakes. A complete meal shouldn't set you back more than a couple of euros.

Day 7

Marsyangdi Valley Your guide will remain with you for the entire duration of the trek. He knows the area like the back of his hand and can tell you plenty about the culture and wildlife of the Annapurna Range. You'll also be accompanied by a local porter who will carry your backpack for you. It's not just convenient for you; it also provides a good form of income for the local population. You will only need to carry a small daypack with water, a warm jumper and a camera, your porter will take care of the rest of your gear.

Day 8

Muktinath Valley and Thorung La Pass In your second week you will pass through the vast barren valleys of the Manan District. You'll start with a rest day in order to prepare for the next leg; the ascent to the Thorung La Pass.

Day 9

Muktinath Valley and Thorung La Pass You are now at 4000m-5000m altitude and you'll notice the air is a lot thinner and the nights are a lot colder. Be aware of possible symptoms of altitude sickness such as headache and nausea

Day 10

Muktinath Valley and Thorung La Pass It's a strenuous ascent to the Thorung La Pass, climbing the winding paths step by step up the mountain. It's best to walk very slowly because the lack of oxygen in the air makes you feel out of breath a lot quicker.

Day 11

Muktinath Valley and Thorung La Pass When you finally reach the summit at 5416m you are rewarded with a fantastic view of the snow-capped Himalayan giants. The villages with the colourful prayer flags down in the valley are like a spec in the distance.

Day 12

Kali Gandaki Valley In this third and final week you will cross the Kali Gandaki Valley on the other side of the mountain, following part of the popular Jomson Trail.

Day 13

Kali Gandaki Valley The valley is completely different to the other side of the mountain. The vast cornfields and the desertification of the area have coloured the valley a pale yellow.

Day 14

Kali Gandaki Valley The daily trek leads up and down stony paths, stopping off at the small cosy tea houses where tea is poured from enormous teapots.

Day 15

Kali Gandaki Valley Towards the end of the week you'll face one final challenge, the climb to the top of Poon Hill. It's a fairly easy climb compared to the Thorung La plus there's a spectacular reward: the rising sun that paints the mountains deep red and orange. Just breathtaking...

Day 16

Kali Gandaki Valley The last part of the Annapurna Circuit is one of the most well-trodden trails in Nepal, the Jomson Trek. A number of our shorter trek pass through this area so you're likely to see more people here, although most trekkers walk the trail in the other direction. The lodges here offer a little more luxury and there's even a chance of some hot running water.

Day 17

Kali Gandaki Valley
After three weeks your trekking comes to an end and you'll make your way back to Pokhara by minibus. Pokhara also offers plenty in terms of western food so you can finally enjoy those burgers, pizzas and fresh fruit juices again. On a clear day you can see the snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance. During the day, you can rent a boat and row out onto the lake or visit the golden Varahi temple. From Pokhara you can head back to Kathmandu.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

16 nights, National Park permit, English-speaking guide, 1 porter for every 2 people.

Exclusions -

Transport, breakfast, lunch, dinner (total for 3 weeks approx £200), tips.