Tailor-made Annapurna Circuit

This trek, with an ideal pace, offers superb views on the entire range of the Annapurna massif. You'll get around the vast expanses of ice and progress through the mountains in just 16 days! Gradually, you climb from the lowlands of Beshisahar to the highlands of Manang through the Marsyangdi Valley, passing from sub-tropical to arid, higher altitude regions. Along the trail that takes you to the lofty mountains, you cross villages of Brahmans, Gurungs and Tibetans. The prayer flags flutter against the mighty wind. The Himalayan summits appear to be infinitly high: Manaslu, Annapurnas II, III, IV, Gangapurna ... It is via the Thorong Pass, at 5400 m, that you switch to the lower valley of Mustang. Sumptuous villages such as Jarkot and Kagbeni punctuate your descent. You finish your trek in Jomsom, but you continue your trip to Pokhara, a small town at the foot of the Annapurna and on the bank of the Phewa lake. 

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Welcome to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel

    Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Depending on your arrival, you can stroll through the old streets of Kathmandu and have the first glimpse of Nepalese life.

    Accommodation: Hotel
    Free lunch

  • Day 2 Route: Kathmandu - Jagat (1120m)

    Departure early in minibus for the village of Besishahar (850 m) where you find your porters. Then you continue by car to Jagat, the starting point of your trek. This long day's journey is rewarded on arrival by the magnificent setting of the Annapurnas massif.

    Route: 7 hours
    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 3 Jagat - Dharapani (1,975m)

    You follow the Marsyangdi River; Ascent to Chamje, then climb 300 m to the village of Tal, in an old lake dominated by a large waterfall. Afternoon you walk along a gently sloping down to Dharapani, beautiful village at the confluence of two rivers.

    Trek: 7 hours
    Ascent/descent: +1000/-450
    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 4 Dharapani - Chame (2,715m)

    Steep climb to reach Timang the High. You cross a beautiful pine forest. From Koto, you have a remarkable view of the Annapurna II and the Manaslu. At Chame, you enter the Buddhist country: the chortens, the walls of manis and the flags of prayer decorate our way.

    Trek: 6 hours
    Ascent/descent: +980m/-240m
    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 5 Chame - Pisang (3,314m)

    You cross several villages Gurungs. Very nice view of the Himalayan chain from Manaslu to Annapurna II. The landscapes are becoming more arid, some crops still persist. In the afternoon, you visit the village and the monastery of Upper Pisang.

    Trek: 6 hours
    Ascent: +750m
    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 6 Pisang - Manang (3,550m)

    Continue your journey to Manang, with a number of mythical Himalayan summits: Annapurnas IV, II, III, Gangapurna ... You walk in an exceptional setting! Depending on the form and the motivation of the group, it is possible to go through the old villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal on a beautiful balcony trail! (Count 1h of additional trek for this alternative).

    Trek: 6 hours
    Ascent/descent: +400/-100
    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 7 Manang: Rest Day

    Day of acclimatization in Manang, ideal to envisage the success of the passage of the Thorong La. Several possibilities of excursions to the day or half-days to the tour of the village.

    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 8 Manang - Yak Kharka (4220m)

    This short and easy stage allows for regular acclimatization to altitude. You leave the banks of the river Marsyangdi and begin the easy climb to the pasture of Yak Kharkha. Free afternoon to rest or walk.

    Trek: 4 hours
    Ascent/descent: +730m/-50m
    Accommodation : Lodge

  • Day 9 Yak Kharka - Thorong Phedi (4,624m)

    Short walk to Thorong Phedi. The path runs through many yak pastures, alternating climbs and descents. You are slowly advancing towards the bottom of the valley to save our breath. In the afternoon, you can go on a return trip to the base camp of the Thorong (+ 400m and 400m).

    Trek: 4 hours
    Ascent/descent: +1030m/-550m
    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 10 Thorong Phedi - Thorong La (5416m) - Muktinath (3,802m)

    Departure very early in the morning for the Thorong Pass, the highest point of our trek. The climb is quite rough but the fantastic panorama rewards your effort. After a tea and photo break at the pass, the descent is a bit steep until Muktinath, the first village of the Mustang and religious sanctuary of the Buddhists and Hindus. Visit the small temple of Muktinath.

    Trek: 7 - 8 hours
    Ascent/descent: +940m/-1620m
    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 11 Muktinath - Lupra - Jomsom (2700m)

    You leave Muktinath and traverse an easy pass on the way, and continue our trek through beautiful alpine ans arid landscapes. On the way, if you are little bit lucky, you may see the himalayan bharal or « blue sheep ». A relatively steep descent leads us to Lupra, Bon village hidden behind the gorges of the Lupra Khola. Far from the frequented trekking trails, Lupra has managed to preserve its charm intact. After a soothing stop in this calm village, you head towards the windy Kali Gandaki valley to reach Jomsom.

    Trek: 5 to 6 hours
    Ascent/descent: 100m/-1200m
    Accommodation: Lodge

  • Day 12 Flight Jomsom – Pokhara

    Early in the morning, you take an exciting flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, flying above the Kali Gandaki Valley, the deepest in the world, flanked by Annapurnas (8091m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m). Free time in Pokhara after lunch.

    Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 13 Drive: Pokhara – Kathmandu

    After Pokhara, we drive to Kathmandu, through a vast stretch of Nepalese countryside. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, visit Swayambhunath, a huge Buddhist stupa atop a hill Kathmandu that overlooks the sprawling valley of Kathmandu.

    Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 14 End of our services

    End of our services

Travel Notes:
The program has been drawn up according to the latest information available during its drafting. Imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control can modify the process. Depending on the meteorological and operational conditions, your management team reserves the right to modify this itinerary in order to ensure the best version of the stay and your safety. Always,  for security reasons, the management and the organization reserve the right to interrupt your participation if your technical level and / or your physical form do not correspond to those required. In no case shall this interruption give rise to any reimbursement or payment of compensation. 

Period & budget

When to travel?

The best period for travelling is during the following months:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Price

From 1070 US$ per person (based on 2 participants)

The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.

Included

- Transport by local vehicle according to itinerary
- Accommodation in 3 * hotel on BB in Kathmandu (Hotel Tibet, Manaslu or similar)
- Accommodation in a 2 * hotel in Pokhara (Hotel Lake View or similar)
- Trek on breakfast and accommodation basis in lodge
- English speaking Altaï Guide
- Visits as per itinerary: with a cultural guide and a private vehicle
- Porterage of luggage: up to 12kg maximum per person during the trek
- Trekking support team: assistants and porters
- Trekking permits: ACAP and TIMS
- Staff Insurance

Not included

- Entrance to historical sites & monuments
- Meals (lunches and dinners) in Kathmandu & during
- Nepalese visa: US $ 25
- International flights
- Insurance: Repatriation, Medical & Helicopter Services
- Gratuities, all personal expenses & equipments, drinks, sleeping bag and all that is not in "THE PRICE INCLUDES"

Terms and conditions

Booking conditions

By registering for one of our travel, the customer bindingly accepts the General Terms and Conditions of Sale. Each customer must complete a registration form. The booking is definitively recorded when the customer has settled the payment of a deposit of 30 % of the total travel price (subject to availability at the time of registration). In case of short-term bookings – within 30 days prior to the travel departure – the full travel price is due immediately. Payments can be settled via bank transfer (SWIFT code/IBAN number) or online, directly from our website (soon available). You will receive an email with a booking confirmation as quickly as possible.

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is registered, we send you an email with the invoice. Full payment is required at least 30 days before your arrival. If the customer does not settle the payment of the travel price within the period agreed upon, Altai Nepal reserves the right to cancel the booking free of charge.

Cancellation policy

If for any reason, you decide to withdraw from a journey, the amount already paid will be refunded subject to the following exceptions:
  • Cancellation up to 30 days prior to the agreed beginning of the journey: No cancellation fees. Unless you have given a written agreement to pay for additional tailor-made services (hotel, internal flights, activities…). In that case, you shall be charged the corresponding amount
  • Cancellation between the 30th and 21st day prior to the agreed beginning of the journey: You will be charged 30 % of the travel price, in addition with every non-refundable expense for additional services booked on request (internal flights, site entrance tickets, activities…)
  • Cancellation less than 20 days to the agreed beginning of the journey: You will be charged 70 % of the travel price, in addition with every non-refundable expense for additional services booked on request (internal flights, site entrance tickets, activities…)

Any cancellation shall be notified in writing (email, letter or fax). Notice of cancellation will be effective upon receipt by us of your written communication. All the cancellation conditions will be specified on your booking confirmation. 

If it comes apparent at an earlier point in time that the minimum number of participants cannot be reached for a travel, Altaï Nepal is to exercise his right of withdrawal immediately. In such a situation, you will be informed of the cancellation of your travel no later than 21 days prior to the agreed beginning of the journey. Altaï Nepal can also cancel a travel in case of circumstances amounting to "force majeure": volcanic eruption, civil disturbances, strikes, weather and climate conditions, and travellers’ security… In such cases, you are immediately refunded any payments on the travel price; however, you shall not be entitled to any compensation.

Changes to travel contract

If a change to travel contract is made at the customer’s request, the customer shall pay any fee that might arise from this change. In any cases, every request for changes shall be notified in writing. In case of external events that could not be foreseen, Altaï Nepal might change some aspects of the travel contract. We will endeavor to advise you of any changes as quickly as possible.

Prices and price revision

All group travel prices on our website have been calculated for the indicated number of participants for each trip. The price list is confirmed after the booking. If the number of participants is lower than expected, an additional payment charge might be applied. For each travel and program, we mention the price per person – valid for the minimum number of participants – and we provide you with detailed explanations about the services included or not. Any change in the exchange rates or in the price of travel services in particular regarding the cost of the fuel, might entail price revision.

Contract transfer

In case of assignment of the contract by the customer to an assignee, modification and cancellation conditions apply.

Insurance

We recommend that you take out personal insurance for your travel with Altaï Nepal, as soon as your booking is confirmed. We kindly request you to send us the information related to your insurance contract (name of the company, name of the contract, insurance policy number, telephone number) and to bring it along with you during the journey.

Practical info

Staff

This trip is led by a professional Nepali English-speaking team, who is part of the Altai Nepal Team.

Food

Meals in lodge during treks
The international success of treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions influences their economy; tariffs for food and lodging in lodges are now set by National Parks and have increased sharply in recent years, but quantities and quality of food have paradoxically decreased. To offset this decline in quality and quantity of food in lodges treks in these frequented areas and in order to focus on the local economy, we plan a daily Dal Bhat in our menus. The dhal bhat (literally lentil-rice) is the basis of all meals, this national dish is often enriched with vegetables and sometimes meat. It is a balanced dish in energy and nutritive intake, not fat and above all very digestible (digestion is more difficult at altitude). For all trekkings requiring intense efforts, we provide energy snacks (type dried fruits). Meals in Kathmandu and in the valley are not included. You will have plenty of time to discover Indian, Bhutanese, Chinese, Thai and other cuisines. All drinks are at your expense.

Accommodation

In Kathmandu and in the cities in general, you are accommodated in 3 * hotels. In trek, depending on the regions and itineraries, you sleep in lodge or homestay. A "Nepali lodge", an evolution of homestay, is a Nepalese house arranged to receive hikers. Comfort varying, they are certainly not hotels but they allow to make a trekking in appreciable conditions, and this even in high altitude: bed, mattresses, tables and chairs, toilets, etc. In addition, the use of lodges considerably reduces the number of porters and cut down the infrastructure of trekking.

Transportation

Transport/transfer by bus & plane

Budget & exchange

In Nepal, the national currency is the Nepalese Rupee: 1 US$  ~ 100  / 1 € 115 Nepalese Rupees. The easiest currencies to trade are the Euro and the US dollar (cash or traveler's checks). Credit cards are accepted in the shops of major hotels. You can withdraw currencies with your visa card in Kathmandu.

Tips

Tipping is still very present in Asia, in general, and in Nepal in particular. Linked to the customer's satisfaction, it is an integral part of the “tourism” culture of the country: independent of the salary level, the tip is taken by the Nepalese as a sign of appreciation. Its amount depends on your appreciation of the services rendered and your generosity. Your guide can help you on this subject by making a collective envelope to ensure a just share for the staff. Like money, if you have clothes to give, do not hesitate to seek the guide’s help who will make a fair distribution. In addition, we ask you specifically not to give sweets and / or bars energy / chocolate to children: there is virtually no dentist in mountainous areas. The same rule applies for medicines: they are not necessarily adapted to Nepalese who have, moreover, a lot of trouble to follow the correct dosage.

Vital equipment

Clothes, from head to toe:

- Trekking shoes. They must combine three qualities: strength, good grip of the foot and ankle (high stems) and impermeability. Choose shoes with non-slip soles, crampons and relatively rigid, they must have a grip on the ground. The "Vibram" type soles have a good reputation, pick them if you have a choice.
- Light shoes (tennis) or sandals for cities, villages or for evening after the day's walk
- Few pairs of walking & mountain socks
- 2 trekking trousers
- Underwear. This is the first insulation you will have, take care of it. Fine technical fibers, such as Carline or Polartec are very effective, warm, flexible, comfortable and lightweight. They dry very quickly
- 1 or 2 breathable T-shirts
- 1 fleece jacket. It has the advantage of being resistant, warm, light, and dries quickly, with a soft touch. The most adapted, well known among the mountain people, are the Polartec, Carline and Ulfrotté fibers
- 1 mountain jacket. The most efficient jackets against wind and rain are made of Goretex, or Micropore, a "breathable" material that allows the rapid evacuation of perspiration.
- 1 down jacket is recommended (you find in Kathmandu for 40 to 50 € or US$)
- 1 rain coat
- Gloves or mittens and hat
- Hat
- Good Sunglasses
- Warm Sleeping Bag
- Water purifiers (micropur, aguatabs ...) Nepal is in the northern hemisphere. Temperatures increase from January to May and decrease from September to December. From April until the end of October, provide lighter clothing.

Material

- A sleeping bag (essential for all trekking trips). Warm, comfortable, tailored to your size, shaped sarcophagus (closer to the body and has a closing hood), with side zipper closure for an opening at your convenience. To sleep in all seasons, it is necessary that your bag is powerful enough to fight temperatures of -5 ° C to -15 ° C (according to trips, altitude and periods, the coldest months December to February). Feel free to take a comfortable sleeping bag, indeed, " He who can do the most, can do the least!”
- A toiletry bag and bath towel
- Sunblock cream (face and lips)
- Headlamp, with batteries and spare bulbs
- Waterbottle of 2 liter minimum, light and isothermal
- Pocket knife, multi-purpose preferably
- Toilet paper + lighter



Helpful equipment

- Walking sticks
- Waterproof bags to protect your belongings
- Notebook or travel diary

Luggage

All of your luggage must be divided into 2 bags: - Provide a flexible travel bag with side zipper giving easier access to its contents, bag type marine 80 L and about 13 Kg maximum (16 kilos for camp/tent trekking). No suitcase or trolley because it is untransportable by the porters. We use the porters’ service during the treks. You have the possibility to leave part of your belongings, that you will not use during the trek, at the hotel in Kathmandu. - A small backpack (capacity about 40l) for your belongings each day of trekking: sweater, spare t-shirt, water bottle, picnic-lunch, sunglasses, small things ... To protect your travel bags, we will provide Altaï Bags too. They are solid and waterproof.

Passport

The information mentioned is only indicative. They may be subject to change without notice by the Nepalese authorities. It is therefore prudent to check with embassies and consulates in your country the month before you leave.
Passport valid for 6 months after the return date. Children must have an individual passport. They can no longer be registered on their parents' passports. ID card is not accepted

Visa

This is an individual visa. Obtaining your visa is under your responsibility. It is obtained on the spot as soon as you arrive in Kathmandu. Rates are as follows:
- 15 days Visa : 25 US$ (or equivalent in euros) + 1 picture
- 30 days Visa : 40 US$ (or equivalent in euros) + 1 picture
- 90 days Visa : 100 US$ (or equivalent in euros) + 1 picture
To obtain Trekking permits, you must provide your passport and 1 photo ID. You must provide us with the good quality scans of the double page containing all the information of your passport and 2 photos of identity.

Mandatory vaccines

Although no vaccine is required, be sure that vaccines commonly used in western countries (tetanus, diphtheria, polio, typhoid) are still valid. Hepatitis A and B vaccines also recommended.

Health information & recommendations

Your Tour-leader has a pharmacy of first urgency. It is recommended to bring your personal medication (in sufficient number): aspirin, elastoplast, iodized alcohol, intestinal antiseptic, small scissors, tricosteril, face and lip sunscreen ... Also think about visiting your dentist, if you have some untreated caries, they have the annoying habit of waking up with altitude.
- Recommendations: Even if no vaccine is required for Nepal, you will ensure that vaccines currently practiced in Western countries (tetanus, diphtheria, polio, typhoid) are still valid. Hepatitis A and B vaccine also recommended. The risk of malaria is small, because we usually move more than 1500/1800 m, above the altitude of life of mosquitoes. The other areas crossed are hardly infested.
- Hygiene: water is not drinkable in Nepal. On the tourist grounds, it is always possible to buy bottled water. However, in order to limit pollution and preserve natural areas, we strongly recommend that you drink purified water. For that, think to bring a water bottle of minimum 1.5 liters and purifying tablets of water (micropur, agua tabs ...). Some hygiene rules: wash your hands frequently, and before each meal (there are pharmacy antimicrobial solutions to use without rinsing, useful in case of excursions); ensure the maintenance of perfect body hygiene and careful care (disinfect) of skin wounds; do not consume tap water, not drinkable, drink only boiled water for 30 minutes then filtered, or preferably bottled water capsulated (avoid drinking natural drinks like pressed fruit juice); do not consume ice cream or "lassi" (milk-based beverage) bought on the street; meat and fish / shellfish should be cooked well before consumption.

Weather

From the eternal snows of high peaks to the tropical lowlands, Nepal has a wide variety of climates.
- In autumn (October to mid-December): the days are very beautiful but can be fresh in altitude. At 3000 m altitude, temperatures can drop to -10 ° C at night.
- In winter (m-december to mid-february): The nights are generally cold, the climate is dry. If nighttime temperatures drop easily below 0 ° C to 3000 m, the days are often sunny. Treks below 4000 m are very pleasant. Few tourists at this time.
- In spring (March to end of May): at this season, Kathmandu is in full bloom and the rhododendrons are magnificent. The weather is nice and it's getting hot with some night storms. Temperatures vary between 10 ° C and 28 ° C, but can rise to over 30 ° C. Between 2000 and 3000 m, temperatures rarely drop below 0 ° C. On the other hand, a few rare frosts or snowfalls are possible in March from 4000 m.
- In summer: it's the monsoon season. It interrupts the majority of trekking from June to the end of September. Certain regions of the "Trans-Himalayan" zone, Mustang and Dolpo, however, remain sheltered from the monsoon regime that prevails in the rest of the country. These are the only circuits accessible in Nepal in summer.

Electricity

In recent years, due to a lack of hydropower facilities, electricity and water outages are becoming more frequent in Nepal, especially in Kathmandu (mainly in winter and spring). The hotels have generator but the electricity is limited. It is the same for the consumption of water.

Sustainable tourism

In a concern of respect for the environment, Altai engages for a minimum impact on the environment. Altai has always worked for a more responsible tourism and is part of a journey organization that respects equitable and sustainable principles. Harmonization of practices ensures a fair distribution of economic benefits and improved working conditions of local teams and their awareness of the protection of the environment Adopt, you too, simple actions during your travels and act in favor responsible tourism.

- Avoid leaving garbage behind: drop them in garbage cans or bring them back with you
- Use drinking water sparingly (prefer showers to baths and report leaks) and avoid wasting it (prefer biodegradable soaps for washing etc.)
- Avoid degrading cultural sites: do not touch the statues, do not move stones and objects etc.
- Prefer exchanges to donations (gifts too important given the standard of living of the country can destabilize the local economic balance)
- Take a walk, especially in some fragile ecosystems, observe the wildlife from a distance, do not leave the trails, limit trampling and do not bring back "memories": give up picking rare flowers, collecting fossils, etc.
- In some hotels, you will have individual air conditioning. It is strongly recommended to avoid excessive energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to cut it systematically when you are not present in the room.
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Anurodh

My local agent
Anurodh

  • From Kathmandu
  • More than 20 years of experience in tourism
  • Himalayan Travel Logistics Specialist
  • Languages: English and French
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Region
Annapurnas, Manaslu & Dhaulagiri
Activity
Trekking
Duration
14 days
Code
NEPANEXFIT
Price
From €965
Level
4/5
Comfort
3/5

Strengths

- The trek around the Annapurna massif.
- Kali Gandaki valley between Annapurna (8091m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m)
- The cross-over of Thorong Pass at 5416m
- The flight between Jomsom and Pokara

Required level

This type of trip requires being in very good physical condition, having good clothing and shoes adapted to the mountains. Regular and serious training in running, swimming or brisk walking during the 2 or 3 months prior to your trip is recommended. This trek includes walking days of 5 to 6 hours per day on average with average daily elevations 1000m (positive and negative).

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