DAY 01: Drive Kathmandu to Syange/ Jagat [1100m/3608 ft]: 8 - 10 hrs
At early morning, we begin our journey as we need to go a long drive to arrive at our trek starting point. After breakfast, we leave Kathmandu at around 7 am and nearly after 8-10 hours' drive we will be at Syange or Jagat (as per situation) via Besishahar. While en route we see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. However, the condition of road is not equally fine in all portion of our drive today. The road to Besishahar is coal-tarred, whereas after Besishahar the road is dusty and bumpy though we can easily overlook it as we watch the outstanding sceneries. Overnight stay at Syange or Jagat Guesthouse.
DAY 02: Trek Syange or Jagat to Dharapani [1,960m/6,430ft]: 7 - 8 hrs
After breakfast, we begin our journey today relaxing. We enter Manang district after crossing a large bridge near Tal. Our upcoming trail continuously traverses us through barley, rice, and potato fields, along with the village of Kodo till to Dharapani. Dharapani is one of the big villages in the Manang Valley. Overnight at Dharapani.
DAY 03: Dharapani-Chame [2,710m/8,891ft]: 5 - 6 hrs
Today we negotiate a few steep forested ridges along with several landslides on route on the west. We should not forget to look up though, as we will be treated to some of the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft). Overnight at Chame.
DAY 04: Chame- Pisang [3,300m/10824ft]: 5 - 6 hrs
A steep and narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. As the trail opens up we get surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks. We find ourselves in the U-shaped valley of Manang hanging between two giant snow peaks. Upon walking through these wonderful sites we reach Pisang. Overnight at Lower Pisang.
DAY 05: Upper Pisang-Manang [3,500m/11,482ft]: 6 - 7 hrs
Today, we will have a disjuncture of two routes that we follow. If take the upper route, the route through Upper Pisang via Geru, we will have outstanding sceneries. We feel like we are horizontally in front of the majestic peaks. The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang Peak, and several others will allure us. We experience a contrast with the landscape and vegetation from today. On the way, the cold and dry climate creates a much harsher environment. Our short visit to Barge Monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang will be memorable. Overnight at Manang.
DAY 06: Manang: Rest
Today is the scheduled acclimatization day. It is not recommended to stay idle but a short walk to a higher altitude is suggested to get acclimatized to the altitude. The upcoming next two days will be a very challenging and tiring trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. We should never be confident with the altitude and always be cautious. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from an acclimatization point of view. Further, we pay an easy excursion a little distance away to a village called Vraga, upon which we will be at a village's monastery. At this site, we also visit the Himalayan Rescue Association where we can get some ideas about Mountain Sickness. Overnight at Manang.
DAY 07: Manang-Yak Kharka [4,110m/13,484ft]: 3 - 4 hrs
From Manang village, the trail crosses a stream, climbs to the village of Tenki above Manang, and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail follows this valley northward, passing a few pastures, and a scrub of juniper trees, as it steadily gains elevation. The trail further passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. Now the trail goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village of Yak Kharka. Little but Gradual ascent is the key to avoiding altitude problems. Overnight at Yak Karka.
DAY 08: Yak Kharka - Thorong Phedi [4,600m/15,092ft]: 3 - 4 hrs
We make our way to the foot of the pass, Throng Phedi today. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. Trekkers like us use this point as a base camp. Some visitors also attempt a hike to the High Camp today so that the next day can be easier for them. But, we do not advise this. Although we will have a tough day tomorrow, we stop at Thorong Phedi so that we can sleep soundly rather than a risky sleep at a a higher altitude at High Camp. Overnight at Thorong Phedi.
DAY 09: Thorong Phedi to Thorong La (5416m/17764ft) to Muktinath [3,800/12,467ft]: 7 - 8 hrs
We reach the climax of our Annapurna Circle trek today. It will be a lifetime unforgettable experience- crossing the famous high pass, Thorong La (5416m/17764ft). An early start is important to complete the mission. Each moment we have to work hard today through the icy high-altitude trail. But the outstanding high Himalayan scenes are such tempting that our eyes love to watch more over the horizon than on our trail. Upon setting the sun we will be at Muktinath. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The area hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby. Muktinath itself demonstrates the religious harmony in Nepal. Overnight at Muktinath.
DAY 10: Drive Muktinath- Tatopani [1,200m/3937ft]: 6 - 8 hrs
Today, as there are vehicles available (bus or jeep), we take advantage of them to drive along a plateau above the Kali Gandaki - the world`s deepest gorge. We have to adjust ourselves in a public vehicle on sharing basis on this route. The drive would not be pleasant as the road is newly constructed. The road is still to be coal-tarred. So, it is rough and dusty. The barren landscape of this area resembles Tibetan Plateau. At some point, we have to change our vehicles too. Since today is going to be an uninteresting day. Upon arrival at Tatopani, we relax our weary muscles with a dip in one of the hot spring pools. Overnight at Tatopani.
DAY 11: Tatopani -Ghorepani [2,850m/9,350ft]: 7 - 8 hrs
While walking, we observe the lifestyle of the people in the midland villages of Nepal. Ghara and Sikha are villages with terraced and inclined farmlands. We gradually walk steeply up to ascent Ghorepani. Passing through the Phalate and Chitre, we walk through a non-habitat area, through rhododendron, birch, magnolia, and some meadows as well. As we reach the height, the peaks ahead look wonderful. We stay at Ghorepani as we have to climb to reach Poon Hill early tomorrow morning. Overnight at Ghorepani.
DAY 12: Ghorepani- Tadapani [2,710m/8,891ft]: 6 - 7 hrs
Early at dawn, we ascend to Poon Hill (3,210m. /10,531ft) to catch the moment of spectacular sunrise over the whole Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs and surrounding rice terraces. Nick's name Poon Hill is itself a photographer`s paradise. Upon breakfast, we continue the ups and downs trail trek to Tadapani overnight through the rhododendron forests. We like to keep inspecting the horizon as the sceneries are equally dazzling throughout the day at the trek.
DAY 13: Tadapani - Ghandruk -Pokhara [850m/2,789ft]: 6 - 7 hrs trek and 1 hr drive.
Through the Rhododendron forest, we trek down today to Ghandruk, the second-largest Gurung settlement in Nepal. Gurung is one of the popular and culturally rich ethnic groups in Nepal. After lunch, we continue to Nayapul where we finally conclude our trek followed by a short drive from Nayapul to Pokhara. Pokhara, a peaceful city of lakes with the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayas is worth spending a night for rest after a long trek. Overnight in Pokhara.