Annapurna Circuit Trek (5,416m)

Everest three high passes trek is one of the beautiful trekking routes in Nepal. This trek allows you to discover the best of Everest Region. If you love to be around the high mountains during a trek, then this trek should be in your trekking list.

Highlights of Everest Three High Passes Trek:

– The crossing of three beautiful high passes above 5000m- Renjo La Pass (5340m), Cho La Pass (5420m) and Kongma La Pass (5535m)
– Visiting the famous Gokyo Lake
– Possibilities of different side trips during the trek
– Hike up to Sumdur Peak (4960m) for acclimatization from Thame.
– The side trip to Gokyo Ri (5360m) and the possibility to go the fifth lake of Gokyo & Cho Oyu Base Camp
– Hike up to the viewpoint of Kalapathar (5550m)
– The side trip to Chhukung Ri for wonderful panoramic views over 8,000m massifs.

Everest Three High Passes Trek or Everest Base Camp trek?
If it is your first trek in Nepal and you have any never trekked before above 4000m, then it is recommended to do the Everest Base camp trek.

If you are physically fit, have already trekked in high altitude and are capable to walk 6-7 hours a day, I recommend you to do Everest three high passes trek rather than just a classic Everest base camp. This trek will allow you to know about the main and beautiful trekking routes in the Everest region.

How difficult is Everest high passes trek?
This is a bit difficult than Everest Base camp trek. But nothing to worry, if you have an earlier high altitude trekking experience and are physically fit, this trek can be attempted. The trails aren’t rough. You might need to use crampons during the descent from Cho La Pass.

During this trek, you will cross three passes above 5000m (Renjo La, Cho La and Khongma La Pass) and will be walking around 6-7 hours on average.

Acclimatisation
It is obvious that you might have doubts about altitude for Everest three high passes trek. Our program and with possibilities of different side trips allow you to perfectly acclimatise before crossing the passes over 5000m.

– In Namche Bazaar, we will visit the Khumjung village in the afternoon for the acclimatisation.
– Similarly, we have chosen to stay one more day in Thame instead of Namche, because there are many possibilities of doing a perfect side trip around Thame and of course, its a beautiful small village. Sumdur Peak or hike around Thame will help you a lot to acclimatise.
– We do have a couple of days in the program, where we will walk for 3-4 hours. This allows your body to rest and slowly acclimatise to the altitude.
– Our side trip to Gokyo Ri (5360m) or Cho Oyu Base Camp (5200m) will be a great advantage during our Everest three high passes trek.

“ STOP WORRYING ABOUT
THE POTHOLES IN THE ROAD
AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY”.
– HOFFMAN

Destination:	Nepal
Maximum Altitude:	5,416 meters
Best Season:	Spring, Autumn & Winter
Trip Grade:	Challenging
Group Size:	1 – 15 people
Duration:	14 Days

Included

Kathmandu to Bhulbhule (trek start) by local bus
Birethanti (Trek ends) to Pokhara by private transport
Muktinath to Tatopani by local transport
Pokara to Kathmandu on a tourist bus
Two night accommodations in Pokhara
Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner during the entire 14 days treks
Government licensed, experienced trekking (guide), assistant trekking guide (for a group of 6 or more trekkers, and luggage (1 porter for 2 trekkers, combined porter weight limit-18kg.)
Guides and porter’s expenses-meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit fee.
Trekkers information management system car fee
Snacks (cookies) and seasonal fresh fruits every day
All government local taxes, and official expenses
Farewell dinner at the end of the trek in Kathmandu

Excluded

International flight costs
Excess baggage charges (limit is 10 kg per person)
Nepal entry visa fees required on arrival at Tribhuvan international Airport.
All accommodation and meals in Kathmandu, before and after the journey
Lunch and dinner in Pokhara
Extra night accommodations, meals in Kathmandu and pokhara due to early arrival or late departure or early return from the trek.
Personal expenses-shopping, snacks, hot (tea, coffee) and cold drinks, bar bills, bottle or boiled water, shower, WI-FI, laundry, telephone call, battery recharge costs, extra porters.

Itenary

Itenary to Annapurna Circuit Trek as follows:

Day 1 : Driving from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule (845m) west of the Kathmandu

Our first day of the trek starts early in the morning. After breakfast, we take a bus from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule. The route takes us out of the Kathmandu valley along the picturesque Trishuli river to Besisahar, and finally to Bhulbhule. Throughout the ride, you will get to see the terraced farms, traditional villages, and Ganesh & Manaslu snow peaks.

Day 2 : Trek from Bhulbhule (845m)

After a nourishing breakfast, we will set foot on the trails this day. The route follows a pleasant path through the fertile jungle and terraced fields upriver, along the flowing Marsyangdi river. We take a leisurely lunch break and pass through several rural settlements and more farmlands to gradually reach the peaceful village of Jagat.

Day 3 : Trek from Jagat (1,300m)

We begin our 3rd day of the trek following the Marsyangdi River, and after a steep climb, we enter the vicinity of the Manang region at Tal village. Here we can see several waterfalls forming a river by the sandy beaches. We will hike through the barely, rice, and potato fields in Manang Valley. Moving forward, we cross a suspension bridge, and after a short climb of the stone Kani, we reach Dharapani- the destination for this day.

Day 4 : Trek from Dharapani (1,860m) to Chame (2,610m)

We leave Dharapani and follow the trails through the forests with pine, fir, oak, and maple trees along the Marsayngdi river to reach Chame-the district headquarter of Manang district. You will find yourself surrounded by the green forests around and over you, and as you look up, you will see remarkable views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m).

Day 5 : Trek From Chame (2,620m) to Upper Pisang (3,300m)

This day, after breakfast, we walk through a steep and narrow valley to have our first view of a massive rock wall- The Paungda Danda Rock, considered very sacred by the local people. The paungda Danda Rock is a curved rock face rising 1500m from the marshyandi river. From the trails, we also see clear views of Annapurna II in the south and Pisang Peak in the northeast.

Day 6 : Trek from Pisang (3,15m) to Manang (3540m)

On our sixth day, we will be trekking on the upper trails through Upper Pisang via Geru, from where we can catch outstanding views of the north face of Annapurna II, II, IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho, and Pisang Peak. As the path ascends, you will fell the air turn cold, dry, and harsher. This trail goes through the Tibetan settlements, and we get a chance to explore Buddhist culture. You will find that the path is dotted with Buddhist shrines as we pass more monasteries and finally reach Manag bazaar-an area that caters to tourists.

Day 7 : Rest and Acclaimatization day at Manag (3,519m)

We will be acclimatizing on this day. However, we will remain busy throughout the day exploring Manag village. In the morning, we will visit Gangapurna & Ice Lakes, and spend the rest of the day soaking in the magnificent views of Annapurna III, Tilicho, Pisang, and Chulu Peaks.

Day 8 : Trek from Manag (3,540m) to Yak Kharka (4,050m)

After a day in and around Manag, acclimatizing to the high elevation and allowing our bodies’ time to rest and get used to the environment, we move Yak Kharka. First, we cross a stream and climb to Tenki village, then head out of Marshyangdi valley northwest to Jar Sang Khola valley. The trail ascends slowly, as we head northwards.

Day 9 : Trek from Yak Kharka (4,050m) to Thorong Phedi (4,525m)

Today we head to the foot of Thorong La pass, Thorong Phedi. From Yak Kharka, we will climb up to a ridge, and then head down and cross the Marsyandi river on a wooden bridge. After climbing up the mountain, we follow a narrow trail across a slope and descend to Thorung Phedi.

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Day 10 : Trek from Thorong Phedi (4,525) to Muktinath Temple (3,760m) via Thorong la high pass (5416m)

This day will be remarkable as we will trek from Throng Phedi to Muktinath Temple via Throrung la high Pass. It is also one of the most challenging parts of the trek as Throng la Pass is one of the highest passes in the world, and it is the highest point of the trek.
We start early in the morning and push ourselves through the icy air and high altitude, but the views from the pass are totally worth it. Northwards, towards Tibet, we will see a panorama of majestic Himalayan peaks, and if you look back, you will see the Annapurna range.

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Day 11 : Drive from Muktinath (3,760m) to Jomsom and Tatopani (1,200m)

In the morning, we visit Muktinath Temple and then continue our journey on a local bus ride to Tatopani. It will be a rough drive as the road passes through some of the deepest gorges in the world. We will be moving from the arid highlands to lush green forests. Tatopani is famous for natural hot springs, and it is a place where we can immerse ourselves in the hot springs and relax. The waters of Tatopani are sad to have curative properties against skin diseases.

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Day 12 : Trek from Tatopani (1,200m) to Ghorepani (2,860m)

We leave the hot springs behind and cross to the east side of the Kali Gandaki River and ascend to GHorepani through the ethnic Thakali villages of Sikha and Chitre/ Our trek takes us through terraced farmlands with mountains all around and passes through lush forests filled with rhododendron, birch, and magnolia. We will stop at Ghorepani, a beautiful village located at a ridge top, to spend our night.

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Day 13 : Early Morning hike to Poon Hill (3,210m) – then trek to Birethanti (1,039m)-Drive to Nayapul, Pokhara.

This will be our final day on the trail. We ascend to Poon Hill (3,210m) in the early morning to view sunrise over the whole Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif-including Mt Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). Poon Hill is one of the favored spots for photography because of the incredible views it offers. We will also be taking pictures to our heart’s content and then return to our Ghorepani lodeg for breakfast. After breakfast, we will trek to Birethanti and then take a bus to Pokhara.

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Day 14 : Drive from Pokhara (820m) to Kathmandu (1,350)

Your Annapurna circuit Package ends today. We wake up in Pokhara this day, and after breakfast, we drive back to Kathmandu on a tourist bus. It’s a 200 km route that initially follows the Marshaydin River and Trishuli River later. You may also choose to return by a 25-minute flight (not included in the package) from Pokhara. Our trek package completes at Kathmandu.