Annapurna Circuit with Khopra Danda

Detailed itinerary

• Day 1: Itinerary

  Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m) – introduction to the trip, equipment check and welcome dinner
  Arrival in Kathmandu. You will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. In the afternoon we will discuss the course of the trip with you, and in the evening you are invited to a welcome dinner with your mountain guide. Overnight at the Hotel Kathmandu Guest House or an accommodation of similar category (D).

• Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation for the trek (1,400 m)

  Today we explore Kathmandu with a local guide. This day can be arranged flexibly according to your wishes. Among the most popular places and most impressive sights are Pashupatinath — a Hindu temple with cremation grounds — Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, and the Boudhanath Stupa. You should return to the hotel in the late afternoon to pack for the trekking tour the next morning. You can also leave a bag of items at the hotel that you will not need on the tour. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Guest House or an accommodation of similar category (B).

• Day 3: Kathmandu – Besi Sahar (760 m) – Syange (1,136 m) – approx. 8 hours of driving

  Early drive by private car/bus to Besi Sahar; from there we take another vehicle and drive for about 2 hours over bumpy roads to Syange. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 4: Syange (1,136 m) – Tal (1,100 m) – 7 hours of hiking – approx. 12 km / +300 m / –250 m

  After breakfast we hike along the Marsyangdi Valley. Today’s destination is the Gurung village of “Tal” with several beautiful waterfalls. The charming village in the Manang Valley, with its colourful houses and smiling people, lies on the bank of the Marsyangdi River and has a special atmosphere. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 5: Tal (1,100 m) – Tanchowk (2,400 m) – 6 to 7 hours of hiking – approx. 14 km / +1,350 m

  Today, on the way to Tanchowk, we pass some steep forested ridges and several rockslides. We should not forget to lift our eyes so that we can enjoy the impressive views of Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m) and Annapurna IV (7,525 m). Small hot springs lie along our path, where we can relax. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 6: Tanchowk (2,400 m) – Upper Pisang (3,300 m) – approx. 6 hours of hiking – approx. 13 km / +950 m

  We begin our day by crossing a deep forest in a steep, narrow valley and cross a river on a long bridge at an altitude of 2,910 m. We then cross another bridge at 3,040 m, where we catch our first glimpse of the Paungda Danda rock face, rising steeply upward. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 7: Upper Pisang (3,300 m) – Manang (3,540 m) – 6 to 7 hours of hiking – approx. 15 km / +400 m / –200 m

  Today we hike through the upper, drier part of the Manang district, which is almost completely shielded from the effects of the monsoon by the Annapurna mountain range. The people of this region herd yaks and grow grain. To this day they still enjoy special trading rights that were granted to them in 1784. After we leave Pisang, there are routes to the north and south of the Marsyangdi River, which join up again at Mungji. From Mungji, the trail passes the picturesque but partly hidden village of Bryanga (3,475 m) to nearby Manang (3,540 m). Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 8: Rest day in Manang (3,540 m) – acclimatisation hike approx. 3–4 hours / 5–6 km

  Today we spend a day of acclimatisation in Manang. During the day we undertake some beautiful walks, enjoying the wonderful views around the village and witnessing the everyday life of the villagers. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 9: Manang (3,540 m) – Ledar (4,200 m) – approx. 6 hours / 10 km / +650 m

  From Manang the trail leads across a stream, climbs up to the village of Tenki above Manang, and continues to ascend out of the Marshyangdi Valley to reach the village of Ledar in the valley of the Jarsang Kola. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 10: Ledar (4,200 m) – Thorong High Camp (4,925 m) – 6 to 7 hours / 11 km / +725 m / –100 m

  After a two-hour ascent the path leads downhill and crosses the river at an altitude of 4,310 m. We then hike up to Thorong Phedi (4,450 m). Just before Thorong Phedi caution is required, as there is a risk of landslides and falling rocks. After about 6 hours we arrive at Thorong High Camp. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 11: Thorong High Camp (4,925 m) – Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) – Muktinath (3,800 m) – 8 to 9 hours of hiking / 16 km / +600 m / –1,600 m

  The crossing of the high-mountain pass Thorong La, one of the highest passes on earth, is the final goal of today. We will cross the pass from east (Manang) to west (Muktinath), as this is the easier and safer direction. We rise at around 3:00 a.m. and climb up to the pass. Once on the Thorong La, we can take a little time for a few photos. We enjoy the views of the entire Annapurna range, the Mukut and Mustang Himal chain to the south, the incredibly deep Kali Gandaki Valley to the west and the peaks of Thorungste and Chulu to the north. From here we have a steep and strenuous descent on rough terrain to Muktinath, but we are rewarded along the way with an excellent view of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m). Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 12: Muktinath (3,800 m) – Tatopani (1,190 m) – 7 hours of driving

  This once popular hiking route we now cover by jeep/bus due to the advanced state of road construction. Passing Marpha, Tukche and other beautiful Thakali villages, we reach Tatopani in the afternoon, where we can relax in the hot springs. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 13: Tatopani (1,190 m) – Paudwar Village (2,000 m) – 4 to 5 hours of hiking / approx. 8 km / +900 m

  Today’s path leads uphill over countless steps along several terraced fields with dreamlike views of the mountains all around, until we reach the idyllic mountain village of Paudwar. The accommodations here are very basic. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 14: Paudwar (2,000 m) – Khopra Danda (3,600 m) – approx. 5 hours of hiking / 9 km / +1,600 m

  We hike for most of the stretch uphill through a rhododendron forest with views of the Dhaulagiri massif (8,167 m). This route is little frequented, and we will hardly meet any other trekkers. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 15: Khopra Danda (3,600 m) – Swanta village (2,200 m) – approx. 5 hours of hiking / 10 km / –1,400 m

  We rise at around 5:00 a.m. to enjoy the spectacular sunrise. The view of the 8,000-metre giants Annapurna South (7,219 m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) is of breathtaking beauty. After breakfast we descend toward Chistibung. After a break we continue on to the village of Swanta with its terraced fields and traditional houses. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 16: Swanta (2,200 m) – Ulleri (2,050 m) – 5 to 6 hours of hiking / 12 km / –800 m – drive to Pokhara (827 m) approx. 2 hours

  About an hour after leaving the village of Swanta we meet the main trail to Ghorepani. After a short rest we walk down through a rhododendron forest to Ulleri. By jeep we then continue to Pokhara, a popular holiday resort on Phewa Lake. Overnight at a hotel in Pokhara (B|L).

• Day 17: Pokhara (827 m) – flight back to Kathmandu (1,400 m)

  After arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. A good last opportunity for souvenirs in Thamel. Overnight at the Hotel Kathmandu Guest House or an accommodation of similar category (B).

• Day 18: End of the trip – flight back home

  Free time until departure. Farewell and transfer to Kathmandu airport for the flight back home. End of the trip (B).

  We reserve the right to make changes to the programme due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

  B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner