You begin with a bus or jeep journey from Kathmandu to Besisahar. The road winds through picturesque Nepalese countryside, rivers and green hills. In Besisahar, you prepare your gear for the trek, which begins the next day.

The trek begins at Besisahar, with a gradual ascent through villages and terraced fields. You follow the Marsyangdi River and cross several suspension bridges. You will pass through Bhulbhule, Ngadi, and Jagat before reaching Chamje.

You start with a steep climb to Tal, a beautiful village on the banks of the Marsyangdi River. The trail then continues through pine and bamboo forests to Dharapani, an important junction on the Annapurna circuit.

The trail climbs steadily through pine and rhododendron forests. You will pass through villages such as Bagarchhap and Timang, offering views of Manaslu and Lamjung Himal. The day ends in Chame, the administrative centre of the Manang district.

Today’s trail passes through dense forests and follows the Marsyangdi River. You will pass impressive rock formations and natural hot springs at Chame. Continuing on, you will see the majestic Annapurnas II and IV. The trek continues to Upper Pisang, a picturesque village with breathtaking views of Annapurna and other peaks.

Today you take the higher trail for better acclimatisation and panoramic views. You climb steeply to Ghyaru, where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Annapurnas. You then continue through traditional villages and varied landscapes to Ngawal, before descending gently to Manang. Manang is a lively village with many lodges and shops, and is a good place to rest.

To acclimatise, you can take short walks around Manang, such as an excursion to Gangapurna Lake or a visit to Milarepa Cave. These treks offer magnificent views and help to acclimatise you to the altitude.

You leave Manang and begin a gradual climb through alpine scenery. The trail crosses yak pastures and meadows, with continuous views of the mountains. Yak Kharka is a small village where you will spend the night to acclimatise further.

Today, you continue to climb gently towards Thorong Phedi, the base camp for the Thorong Pass. Some trekkers choose to continue to High Camp to shorten the following day. The landscape becomes more arid and rocky, with a higher sense of altitude.

This day starts very early to cross the Thorong La pass, one of the highest trekking passes in the world. The climb is steep and difficult, but the views at the top are breathtaking. After crossing the pass, you descend quickly to Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. You can visit the temple and sacred springs at Muktinath.

Today’s trek is mainly downhill. You will pass through arid desert landscapes typical of the Mustang region. Kagbeni is a picturesque village with a strong Tibetan influence, situated at the mouth of the Kali Gandaki valley.

The trail follows the valley of the Kali Gandaki, known as the deepest gorge in the world. You will pass through villages such as Ekle Bhatti and Jomsom before reaching Marpha. Marpha is famous for its apple orchards and apple-based products such as cider and brandy.

The descent continues through picturesque villages and changing landscapes. You’ll pass through Tukuche and Larjung, and see impressive views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Ghasa is a charming village with lush vegetation.

Today you descend to Tatopani, famous for its hot springs. The trail passes through rhododendron forests and traditional villages. At Tatopani, you can relax in the natural hot springs, a well-deserved reward after several days’ trekking.

Today’s trek is a steep climb through rhododendron forests and picturesque villages. You will cross suspension bridges and pass through terraced fields before reaching Ghorepani. Ghorepani is famous for its spectacular views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri.

An early start to climb Poon Hill, offering panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri at sunrise. After enjoying the views, you’ll return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then continue your trek through rhododendron forests to Tadapani.

Today the trek descends through rhododendron and oak forests to Ghandruk, a large Gurung village. Ghandruk offers magnificent views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare. You can explore the village and learn more about the Gurung culture.

The last day of trekking is an easy descent through villages and terraced fields to Nayapul. From Nayapul, you take a vehicle back to Pokhara, where you can rest and celebrate the completion of your trek.

Time to return with a day’s drive to Kathmandu

This Annapurna Circuit trek offers a diverse experience of landscapes, cultures and altitude challenges. You will pass through traditional villages, varied landscapes and reach high altitudes, while enjoying spectacular views of some of the world’s highest peaks.