ANNAPURNA GRAND TOUR

The legendary trek, challenging

               
 

This is probably the most famous and iconic trek in Nepal, leading you through a wondrous landscape that varies dramatically from day to day. You’ll explore the Marsyandi valley and its beautiful peaks — Manaslu, Annapurna and Gangapurna — before crossing the Thorong Pass en route to the Kali Gandaki valley. Here, you’ll witness one of the world’s deepest gorges, nestled between giant mountains, with the Annapurnas and Nilgiris towering on one side and the Dhaulagiri peaks rising majestically on the other. This a magical route featuring off-the-beaten-track side trips, including an acclimatization day by the magnificent blue lake of Tilicho.
Maximum altitude : 5416 m

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Guided tour of the Kathmandu Valley.
Day 3: Kathmandu (1300m)--Bulbhule (800m)  8
We depart early today for the drive to Khudi. It is a day spent travelling along the evocative green fields of Nepal with mountain views of the Ganesh and Manaslu ranges. From the drop-ff point it is a short walk to the village of Bulbhule 0h30. If time permits, we may push another hour to the village of Ngadi (930m) which is a very nice place to stay.
Day 4: Bulbhule (800m)--Jagat (1350m)  4
We’ll follow the Marsyandi river today with the snowy peak of Himalchuli (7893m) opening up on the horizon. We’ll experience a breathtaking view of Manaslu, one of the fourteen 8,000m peaks and of Peak 29 and Lamjung.
Day 5: Jagat (1350m)—Dharepani (2000m) 5.30
Today we’ll change scenery with valley becoming narrower. The trail ascends and at the top of a zigzag climb, the valley widens out to reveal the village of Tal.
Day 6: Dharepani (2000m)—Koto (2600m)   5
Today, the Annapurna range will accompany us along our trail. In the forest, we’ll explore hidden villages like Bagarchap  and Temang that have more of a Tibetan flavour.
Day 7: Koto (2600m)—Pisang (3180m) 5
Today, we’ll follow a charming trail through the pine forest. On arrival in Pisang, we can visit the old village and its brand new monastery facing the Annapurna range. We’ll also view the Pisang Peak and the Chulu’s.
Day  8: Pisang (3180m)—Braga (3500m)  5.30
Acclimatization day. We’ll slowly ascend the high route via the traditional villages of Ngawal and Gyaru. We’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Annapurnas and Tilicho peak. From Munje, we have an easy walk to the village of Braga, where the houses are stacked on top of each other.
Day 9: Braga (3500m)—Khangsar (3700m) 4
We’ll visit the 500 year old monastery of Braga and take the route to the Manangi village of Khangsar. We leave the main Annapurna circuit trail.
Day 10: Khangsar (3700m)--Tilicho BC (4200m) 4-5
Today, Annapurna III and Gangapurna will accompany us on our travels. We will stop on the way at the Thare Monastery.
Day 11: Tilicho BC (4200m)--Lake (4900m)--Tilicho BC  5
We’ll climb up to Tilicho lake (4,800m), a high altitude lake with clear blue water, following a well-defined path. We enjoy beautiful views of the ice-fluted peak of Khangsar and Tarke Kang.
Day 12: Tilicho BC(4200 m)--Manang (3600m) 7
Today we descend towards Manang, a village set amongst spectacular scenery. From there, you will have breathtaking views of the icefall of Annapurna,  Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Annapurna IV, Tilicho peak and the grand barrier.
Day 13: Manang (3600m)—Yak Kharka (3950m) 3.30
We’ll take a half-day rest to explore Manang village. In the afternoon, we slowly move to Yak Kharka.
Day 14: Yak Kharka (3950m)—Phedi high camp (4600m)  5
An easy and slow ascent as we remain at the foot of the Thorong Pass.
Day 15: Phedi (4,600m)—Thorong (5,400m)—Muktinath (3,800m) 8
You’ll leave behind the Annapurna range and cross the pass into the Mustang region, where you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the Thorong Peak, the Nilgiris and the imposing Dhaulagiri, one of the region’s 8000m peaks.
Day 16: Muktinath (3800m)—Kagbeni (2900m)   4.30
We’ll visit the holy temples, then we’ll take an alternative lesser-known trail, via a small pass, featuring great views of the Dhaulagiri, the small village of Lupra and its 11th century Bon monastery (one of our exclusive trails)
Day 17: Kagbeni (2900m)—Marpha (2600m)  5.30
We’re now in Thakali country. Marpha is famous for its apple orchards, brandy and shaded paved streets.
Day 18: Marpha (2600m)—Ghasa (2010m) 6
Today, we might be lucky enough to see Annapurna I from Kalopani. We’ll pass by Tukuche, Maurice Herzog’s base camp (the first mountaineer to climb an 8000m peak in 1952). We’ll also view the Dhaulagiri ice fall.
Day 19: Ghasa (2010m)—Tatopani (1180m)  5
Today, we’ll get back to a tropical climate and enjoy some well-earned relaxation at the hot springs.
Day 20: Tatopani (1180m)—Chitre (2320m)   5
Today we’ll be in Magar territory. We’ll ascend all day to get to our strop for the day. From the Magar village of Chitre, we can admire great views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri.
Day 21: Chitre (2320m)—Ghandrung (1960m)   5
We’ll go up to Ghorepani to reach the Deorali Pass, where we’ll experience the most spectacular panoramas of the Himalayas. Then, we’ll trek through the forest to reach the beautiful Gurung village of Gandrung.
Day 22: Gandrung (1960m)—Birethanti (1100m)—Pokhara (900m) 6.30
We’ll catch a bus to Pokhara, then take a walk by the Fewa lake.
Overnight stay in a local hotel.
Day 23: flight for Kathmandu. Free afternoon to do your souvenir shopping.
Day 24: Departure from Kathmandu. Transfer to airport with memories of a wonderful trip.

Best seasons: October-November and March-April

*** We can arrange longer stays in Kathmandu, including hotel bookings and trips around the Kathmandu Valley, Bandipur and Nepal. We can also upgrade your hotels.

*** We can put together a shorter trek (17 days), if you prefer. We can alter our hikes or you can opt to fly out of Jomosom (12 days). Contact us for more details.

 
Number of
participants
Price
per person
  2  to   3
1020 €
  4  to    6
940 €
  7  to   10
880 €
 

Included:
* Hotel (3 ***): 3 nights in Kathmandu, 1 night in Pokhara with breakfast
* Entrance fees and transportation to visited sites in Kathmandu Valley
* Airport transfers and transportation mentioned in this program
* Full board in Lodge throughout the trek (19 days)
* Permits and entrance fees for national parks
* Guide, Sherpas and porters. Tour leader (for 7 or more)
* Insurance, transportation, food and lodging for our local staff
* One flight (Pokhara-Kathmandu)

Not included:
* International flights
* Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
* Drinks
* Personal equipment (e.g. sleeping bag and hiking shoes)
* Nepali visa
* Airport taxes from Kathmandu
* Tips (if satisfied, we recommend € 3 per day per person)
* Personal insurance         

 

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