Annapurna Circuit Short Trek

Detailed Itinerary

• DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft) and transfer to the hotel.

  As you arrive in Kathmandu airport, our team will greet you a warm welcome and take you to your hotel.

  Altitude: 1300m

  Accommodation: hotel

• DAY 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Syange (1100m/3608 ft) 8 - 10 hours.

  The jeep ride from Kathmandu to Syange is the first leg of your Annapurna Short Circuit adventure — and it's an experience of its own. Covering approximately 8 to 10 hours, this overland journey gradually shifts you from the chaotic buzz of the city into the remote mountain valleys where the real trek begins.

  Altitude: 1100m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 03: Trek from Syange to Dharapani (1,960m/6,430ft) 7 - 8 hours.

  The journey from Syange (1,100m) to Dharapani (1,960m) marks your first real day on foot in the Annapurna region — and it’s a beautiful but moderately challenging trek that sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

  This stretch usually takes 5 to 7 hours of trekking, depending on your pace. The trail climbs steadily through subtropical forests, waterfalls, suspension bridges, and terraced hillsides, offering scenic views of the Marsyangdi River below. It’s not overly steep, but the ascent is consistent, and the terrain alternates between stone steps, dirt paths, and rocky trails.

  Altitude: 1960m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 04: Dharapani to Chame (2,650m): 5 - 6 hours.

  The trek from Dharapani to Chame is a beautiful and moderate section of the Annapurna Circuit, offering trekkers a deeper immersion into the rugged landscapes and rich cultures of the Manang region.

  Starting in Dharapani (1,960m), the trail steadily climbs through pine and fir forests, crossing rushing streams and passing traditional stone-built villages. The path often alternates between dusty jeep roads and quiet, forested shortcuts. You’ll pass through quaint villages like Bagarchhap and Danaque, where Tibetan influence is visible in the architecture, prayer wheels, and fluttering prayer flags. As you approach Timang, a steep climb rewards you with your first clear views of snow-capped peaks, including Manaslu and Lamjung Himal.

  Finally, you reach Chame (2,650m), the district headquarters of Manang. Nestled beneath towering cliffs and surrounded by dense forest, Chame is a peaceful mountain town with basic lodges, a few shops, and hot springs nearby — perfect for relaxing tired legs.

  This stretch of the trail is not just a physical journey but also a cultural one, with Tibetan Buddhist traditions, mountain life, and natural beauty unfolding at every turn.

  Altitude: 2650m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 05: Chame to Pisang (3,200m): 5 - 6 hours.

  The journey from Chame (2,650m) to Pisang (3,200m) is where the Annapurna Circuit truly begins to feel like high mountain trekking. The air grows thinner, the forest gives way to open alpine slopes, and the towering white peaks begin to dominate the horizon.

  Leaving Chame, the trail follows the Marsyangdi River, winding through deep pine forests and along a dramatic valley flanked by steep rock faces. One of the most striking landmarks along the way is the massive, smooth cliff of Paungda Danda, a natural monolith rising 1,500 meters above the river. As you walk, the trail gently climbs and passes through small hamlets like Bhratang, where you might see apple orchards and traditional wooden homes. Beyond Bhratang, the trail cuts through a forested area before making a steady ascent along a newly carved trail on the cliffside. The giant peaks of Annapurna II (7,937m) and Pisanga Peak loom in the distance.

  Eventually, you reach Lower Pisang, a picturesque village surrounded by fields of barley and buckwheat, prayer wheels spinning gently in the wind. Higher up is Upper Pisang, a traditional Tibetan-style village perched on a ridge, offering sweeping panoramic views of the Annapurna range.

  Altitude: 3200m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 06: Pisang to Manang (3,540m): 6 - 7 hours.

  The trail from Pisang (3,200m) to Manang (3,540m) is where the Annapurna Circuit truly begins to feel otherworldly. With snow-capped giants looming in every direction and the dry, high-altitude terrain opening up ahead, this stretch offers not only stunning views but a deeper connection to the raw, spiritual heart of the Himalayas.

  Altitude: 3540m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 07: Manang- Acclimatization day.

  The landscape around Manang is surreal — wide, windswept plains ringed by glaciers, turquoise lakes, and white peaks. It feels both harsh and peaceful. Most trekkers stay here to acclimatize, often exploring Gangapurna Lake, Ice Lake, or the Hundred Lamas Cave above town.

  Altitude: 3540m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 08: Manang to Yak Kharka (4,050m): 3 - 4 hours.

  The trek from Manang (3,540m) to Yak Kharka (4,050m) is a relatively short day in terms of distance, but it marks a significant shift in the landscape, climate, and rhythm of the journey. You're now entering true alpine territory, where the air is thinner, the trees give way to scrubby pastures, and every step takes you closer to the high pass of Thorong La.

  This day is not about rushing. It’s a day to walk slowly, breathe deeply, and let the vastness of the high Himalaya sink in — a world where yaks roam, the sky feels closer, and the silence is almost sacred.

  Altitude: 4050m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 09: Yak kharka to Thorang Phedi: (4530m): 3-4 hours.

  The trek from Yak Kharka (4,050m) to Thorong Phedi (4,530m) is rich in tension, anticipation, and stark beauty. You’re now deep into the high Himalaya, surrounded by rock, ice, and wind — every step a deliberate preparation for the massive day ahead: the crossing of Thorong La Pass.

  Altitude: 4530m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 10: Trek to Thorong La (5416m) to Muktinath (3,800/12,467ft) then drive to Jomsom: 7 - 8 hours trek, 1 hour drive.

  The trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath is one of the most dramatic and rewarding days on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. It involves crossing the Thorong La Pass, one of the highest trekking passes in the world.

   

  Altitude: 2700m

  Meals: B/L/D

  Accommodation: Tea house accommodation

• DAY 11: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara-25 minutes.

  Fly to Pokhara from Jomsom. Stay at Pokhara.

  Altitude: 820m

  Meals: breakfast

  Accommodation: hotel

• DAY 12: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

  Driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu is scenic and flexible but depends heavily on season and traffic.

  Altitude: 1300m

  Meals: breakfast

  Accommodation: hotel

• DAY 13: Final departure.

  We thank you for letting us help you discover the genuine beauty of diverse landscapes and immersive cultural experiences. We bid a good-bye for this time. Until we meet again!

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