There are many classic treks in Nepal, leading you through the best parts of the Himalayas. Among these fantastic sites, Annapurna Circuit Trek is a favorite of many.
The classic Annapurna Circuit Trek 14 Days Itinerary takes you around the Annapurna Massif and offers experiences worth a lifetime. You’ll see and explore a wide variety of landscapes, cultures and Himalayan terrains all in this single trek.
Wait, there’s more!
You cross one of the highest mountain passes in the world– Thorong La Pass. This pass is at a staggering altitude of 5,416 meters above sea level and offers some of the best Himalayan views.
You come across views of peaks like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and many others.
The changing terrains from subtropical that converge into a desert-like landscape in Manang are genuinely amazing. Getting to see all these in a single trek is a ‘dream come true’ for many adventure seekers.
So, if you wanna know more about the Annapurna Circuit trek, read along.
Highlights of the Annapurna Circuit Trek 14 Days Itinerary
- Special one among the best trekking destinations of the world
- Diverse landscapes and changing terrains along the trail
- Gorgeous forests that are full of rhododendrons and pinewood trees
- Panoramic views of famous peaks like Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna Range.
- Wide variety of wildlife including rare animals like the snow leopard.
- Communities of various castes like Thakali. Magar, Gurung and Tibetan people.
- One of the highest mountain passes- Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters from sea-level.
- Get a glance of the world’s deepest gorge– Kali Gandaki Gorge
- Visit the religious Hindu temple– Muktinath
- Breathtaking sunrise from Poon Hill.
- Take a break and relax in the natural hot springs at Tatopani
Outline Itinerary of Annapurna Circuit Trek in 14 Days
Day 01: Drive to Besisahar and trek to Bulbule
Day 02: Trek to Chamje
Day 03: Trek to Bagarchhap
Day 04: Trek to Chame
Day 05: Trek to Pisang
Day 06: Trek to Manang
Day 07: Acclimatization day at Manang
Day 08: Trek to Yak Kharka
Day 09: Trek to Thorung Phedi
Day 10: Over Thorong La to Muktinath
Day 11: Trek to Jomsom via Kagbeni
Day 12: Drive to Tatopani Natural Hot Spring
Day 13: Trek to Ghorepani
Day 14: Early morning trek up to Poon Hill and trek down to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara.
Annapurna Circuit Trek 14 Days Itinerary in Detail
Day 01: Drive to Besisahar and trek to Bulbule
The first day of this journey consists of a scenic ride to Besisahar. You will experience the beautiful countryside of Nepal.
Once you reach Besisahar, you start a short trek towards Bulbule. This trek helps you freshen up after the long road journey. You stay at Bulbule for the night.
Day 02: Trek to Chamje
After a warm breakfast at Bulbule, you begin your trek towards Chamje. As you walk along, you cross various long suspension bridges, a fantastic experience for first-timers.
You pass through various small streams, waterfalls, and villages along your trail. After a tiring yet scenic trek, you reach Chamje.
You stay at Chamje for the night.
Day 03: Trek to Bagarchhap
The third day is the trek towards Bagarchhap. You get to see beautiful rhododendron, pinewood and bamboo forests along the trail. As you trek, you will see stunning views of the landscape around the trail.
Continuing along the trail leads you through some crop farms. The trail takes you to your next stop– Dharapani. You spend some time resting here.
From here, you head along the trail through some pine forests, and finally, conclude the day at Bagarchhap.
Day 04: Trek to Chame
On this day, you will trek towards Chame. The highlight of this trek is that you witness marvelous views of many mountain peaks like Manaslu and Annapurna. Also, you visit some beautiful Tibetan cultured villages.
Following the trail, you reach Chame. You will stay at Chame for the night.
Day 05: Trek to Pisang
Trekking to Pisang is also a joyful walk for adventure lovers. You walk through some pinewood forests along the trail. Additionally, the majestic Himalayan peaks at the horizon add the beauty of the views even select.
The whole trek is magnificently beautiful, and you go across a suspension bridge that offers stunning views of the surrounding. Continuing on your journey, you come across many chortens, Mani walls, and small Gompas.
On your way, you get to the famous village- Bhratang. From there, you carry on trekking through a steep path like a canyon. Continuing on this amazing trek, you finally reach Lower Pisang.
You can stay right there at Lower Pisang, or you can trek for additional hours and reach Upper Pisang and stay there for the night.
Day 06: Trek to Manang
After you wake up, you have your breakfast in Pisang and head towards Manang. The beautiful Manang valley is a famous destination among trekkers. The region portrays a dry, barren landscape amidst the Himalayas.
While walking along this trail, you get stunning images of peaks like Pisang and Annapurna. The path takes you to Buddhist settlements in villages like Ngawal and Braga.
You can either plan your stay at Braga or trek for another 30 minutes to reach Manang itself.
Day 07: Acclimatization day at Manang
Trekking up to Manang is not a small feat. The valley is over an altitude of 3,500 meters from the sea level. So, you need a day to rest and acclimatize here.
You can spend some time exploring the place. Visiting the Gangapurna lake or even Khangsar is an excellent decision.
Or, you can spend time, observing the unique Himalayan lifestyle of the locals. It’s all up to you.
Day 08: Trek to Yak Kharka
A day of resting at Manang re-energizes your body for the journey ahead. Now, you slowly head towards Yak Kharka. This trek is short, yet a challenging one. The high altitude takes a toll on your fitness level.
So, you continue to stroll and make sure you breathe properly. As you stay on the trail, you see some meadows full of yaks and horses grazing around. These meadows are the first sight of Yak Kharka.
Once you reach there, you take proper meals and have enough rest for the next day.
Day 09: Trek to Thorong Phedi
Trekking to Thorong Phedi is not tricky, walking slowly and steadily along a river. In a few hours, you reach a bridge that takes you to different mountain terrain.
From there, you cross the river to another bank that leads you to the Thorong Phedi.
Day 10: Over Thorong La to Muktinath
It is the most challenging day, thrilling part of the whole trek, getting over the Thorong La Pass.
You climb a steep trail, taking you through the famous high pass. After about 3-4 hours of trekking, you finally reach Thorong La Pass. From here, you witness the best views of the whole trek.
You see panoramic vistas of different peaks in the Annapurna region. They include mountains like Annapurna, Gangapurna and other peaks. After spending some quality time, observing and taking pictures at Thorong La, you descend towards Muktinath.
Yes, this trek is quite long. But every part of the trek is surreal. Trekking down, you reach Muktinath, the famous temple of the Hindu and Buddhist communities. Devotees believe that the Muktinath temple is the holy shrine where people experience pure bliss and enlightenment.
You stay overnight at Muktinath.
Day 11: Trek to Jomsom via Kagbeni
On the eleventh day, you begin to return from another side of the trek. From Muktinath, you start descending towards Jomsom.
You pass through different meadows and small forests to reach Kagbeni. From there, you trek down to Jomsom and stay here for the night.
Day 12: Drive to Tatopani Natural Hot Spring
From Jomsom, you drive towards Tatopani. This place is quite famous for the hot-water springs. So, you get a chance to relax your tired muscles after the long trek around the Annapurna Circuit.
You stay a night at Tatopani.
Day 13: Trek to Ghorepani
On this day, you trek towards Ghorepani. Walking beside the green fields through dense forests full of rhododendron, you finally reach Ghorepani.
This trek is not very difficult, yet offers some of the best Himalayan views. Staying at Ghorepani makes it easier for the Poon Hill trek the next day.
Day 14: Morning at Poon Hill, trek down to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara
It is the final day of the trek. You start an early morning trek towards Poon Hill to see the magnificent sunrise views. You also get vistas of peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Poon Hill is a significant vantage point for such stunning views, and you can expect a lot of people there with you.
After spending some time on top of the hill, you trek down to Nayapul and then drive back to Pokhara.
Weather during Annapurna Circuit Trek
Trekking the Annapurna Circuit is best during peak seasons. The peak seasons like Autumn and Spring offer the best experiences. The weather, temperature, and climatic conditions; all favor you during the peak seasons.
One thing that you must consider is that peak season means many trekkers. So, booking rooms early and making reservations is the best idea.
Trekking in the off-season during Winter and Monsoon is not the best idea. You can face flight delays, unpredictable weather changes or worse, no proper accommodation facilities. If you only have time during the off-season, you should develop a suitable itinerary. Being well-prepared and carrying all the necessary stuff, off-season trek in the Annapurna Circuit is also possible.
Altitude Sickness
Any altitude above 3,000 meters can cause altitude sickness problems. So, staying hydrated and keeping your pace slow and steady is the best idea to prevent altitude sickness. There are places even above 5,000 meters, so you must take proper precautions in this trek.
If you face this difficulty while trekking here, it will be wise to descend back. Taking medicines like Diamox help ease your body.
Trekking Permits for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
You require two permits–the TIMS card and the ACAP for this adventurous trek.
1. TIMS Card
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card is mandatory because it focuses on trekkers’ safety and reduction of immoral activities. It costs around USD 20 per person, and you can get it from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.
2. ACAP
ACAP stands for the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. The Annapurna Region consists of different parts of the conservation project. So, you require this permit to enter the region. It costs around USD 20-23 per person, and you can get it from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.
Tips for Annapurna Circuit Trek 14 Days Itinerary
- Wear proper trekking boots. Worn-in boots ease the pressure on your legs but make sure they’re strong enough for the whole trek.
- Carry all the necessary trekking gear and packing list to make sure you prevent any problems during the trek.
- Altitude sickness can become a problem if you don’t hydrate yourself properly. Also, trekking slow is the way to go.
- Drinking water from the local taps or streams directly might cause some problems. So, carry reusable water bottles and water purifying tablets.
- You must opt for small breaks and catch your breath. Walking continuously is a lot of pressure on your feet.
- Always hire a well-experienced guide with all the proper certifications.
- Hiring an experienced and certified guide is necessary as they make trekking a lot easier and helpful.
- Take care of all your documents and spend your money wisely.
Conclusion
So, people from all around the world travel to Nepal and try the classic Annapurna Circuit Trek 14-Day Itinerary. The stunning landscapes, glorious mountains, and the unique Himalayan cultures make this trek more than once in Nepal.
Annapurna Circuit is the best for adventure seekers and the curious ones, who want an extra punch of adventure and thrill in their journeys.
Trekkers love such adventures. Although trekking the Annapurna Circuit is not easy, but only avid trekkers how beautiful of a journey it truly is.
