13 days Annapurna circuit trek

Day 1: Drive to Dharapani (1,900m/6,232ft) via Besisahar

7-8 hrs. drive to Dharapani on a private Jeep.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Walk from Dharapani to Chame (2,600m/8,528ft)

The first trek day is today. We immediately begin a challenging section that involves 17 kilometers of walking and more than 700 meters of ascent! The journey from Danaqyu to Temang is particularly challenging. The ascent via staircases begins shortly after crossing a river and seems to go on forever.

The path follows a number of rivers. Long walkways with flags are used to cross it. It takes some getting used to crossing the shaky bridge at first, but after that it becomes enjoyable.

We walk without a porter and carry 12 and 14 kilos on our backs, so today is the first day we have our large packs on, so it is quite difficult. You must truly adjust to walking with such a weight.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Continue walking from Chame to Lower Pisang (3,200m/10,496ft)

We depart Chame for Lower Pisang at 7:00. The largest apple orchard in this region of the Annapurna Circuit is one we pass on the way. We purchase some delectable apple muffins from the shop next door—highly recommended. The walk to Lower Pisang takes about 4 hours and involves a 500-meter ascent. We pass a large-looking abyss on the way there.

Day 4: Trek from Lower Pisang to Manang (3,519m/11,542ft)

Since we have a distance to travel today, we set out before the sun rises at 6:00 a.m. The initial hour is chilly. However, due to our significant ascent, we rapidly become hot.

The high route and the low route are the two ways to get from Lower Pisang to Manang. Although speedier, the low path is less appealing. The high route is more difficult but more beautiful, and because it ascends higher, it allows you to acclimate more effectively.

Day 5: Rest Day at Manang

In Manang, today is a rest day. It is best to avoid sleeping higher tonight to properly acclimate, so we remain in Manang. We perform an almost summit-level acclimatization walk to the Praken Gompa. By doing this, we can make sure that we ascend again and then walk uphill for around 200 meters before descending again.

Day 6: Trek from Manang to Shreekharka (4,000m/13,120ft)

From Manang to Shree Kharka, we walk today. This is a deviation from the Annapurna Circuit's primary path. We walk to Shree Kharka since we are debating visiting Tilicho Lake, a lake at 5000 meters above sea level. The journey to Shree Kharka is already difficult, though. Tilicho Basecamp appears to be overcrowded, filthy, and lacking adequate overnight accommodations. The road is treacherous as well, with numerous chasms and the possibility of landslides. Finally, we decide against moving on and to stop using Shree Kharka for additional acclimatization.

Day 7: Trek from Shreekharka to Yak Kharka (4,050m/13,284ft)

Since we don't proceed on to Tilicho Lake, we instead travel to Yak Kharka, which is once more along the Annapurna Circuit. Since we just need to walk for five hours, we go at half past eight. The scenery is breathtaking, and the route is lined with snow-capped mountain peaks. We just gain 10 meters in elevation, Neto, but the route constantly rises and dips. This makes it quite difficult. The route follows the sunny side of the mountain, which is really wonderful, so we walk continuously in the sun.

Day 8: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorang Phedi (4,400m/14,432ft)

Since the alarm is set for quite early in the morning, we are already strolling in the dark at half past five. Even though we don't have very far to go today, we leave so early out of concern that the tea shops in Thorong Pedi Basecamp won't have any more room if we don't. There are only three teahouses at Basecamp, the final halt before the Thorong La Pass.

Day 9: Trek from Thorang Phedi to Muktinath via Thorang La Pass (5,416m/17,764ft)

The hardest day is today since we have to climb 1000 meters and then descend 1600 meters. We set the alarm at four am so we could leave on time. Because it will still be dark when you begin, remember your headlamp. It is not too awful because we had walked the first section of the journey yesterday (all the way to High Camp). Without a doubt, it is difficult, but I anticipated this! After High Camp, the sun begins to rise gradually. Now that we are traversing bare mountain summits, there are snow and ice mounds all over the path.

Day 10: Trek from Muktinath to Kagbeni  (2,800m/9,161ft)

It's a calm day today. It's fortunately not too tough to travel to cute Kagbeni even with a tight back and sore legs. Even now, you still descend significantly—more than 1000 meters—but very gradually. From Muktinath to Kagbeni, there are various tracks. We travel via the village of Jhong on the northern road (or Dzong). Compared to the southern road, which has far more traffic, this is much nicer (jeeps).

Day 11: Drive from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2,743m/8,997ft)

Today, we travel to Jomsom by bus from Kagbeni with the hopes of reserving a jeep to travel to Pokhara from there. The bus ride is pretty thrilling and goes through a lot of ravines. It's unfortunate that we haven't walked this route because it doesn't appear to be really picturesque. In Jomsom, there isn't much to do. It is a somewhat pricey community, and due to its location, it frequently experiences strong winds.

Day 12: Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara

35min flight to Pokhara. Balance free day.

Day 13: Trip ends at Pokhara

25min flight to Kathmandu. Balance Day at Kathmandu