Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu!

Upon flying into Kathmandu, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the valley, the Himalayas, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.

Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 2: Explore Kathmandu

Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. It’s a great time to walk and explore the streets or have a chai overlooking one of the local courtyards or durbar squares.

After breakfast, there are a number of ways you can spend your day given the myriad famous sights around the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day or utilize a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private jeep to take you around). In the evening, head out for dinner at one of the city’s great eateries, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Besishahar, Trek to Khudi

After breakfast in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred by private driver along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway towards Dumre and then follow a rough road near the Marsyangdi River until you get to Besisahar—a small town at the bank of the river (about a six-hour drive).

From Besisahar, you’ll have lunch and then begin an easy trek along the narrow trail to Pam Khola. Cross the stream and begin to trek along the Marsyangdi River towards the Gurung village of Khudi passing scenic ride paddies and subtropical forests.

Driving time: 6-7 hours

Trekking time: 2-3 hours

Trekking distance: 4.3 miles (7 km)

Overnight: Khudi (2,592 feet / 890 m)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Khudi

Day 4: Trek from Khudi to Bahundanda

After breakfast in Khudi, traverse more of the Marsyangdi Valley with breathtaking views of the Annapurna range. Trek across wooden and bamboo bridges, passing through Bhulbule village and enjoying a picturesque waterfall on the riverbank. Hike along rice terraces with stunning views of the Manaslu range.

Following a gentle incline, reach the village of Ngadi for lunch. The trail continues with a more challenging ascent toward Bahundanda, meaning ‘hill of the Brahmins.’ Situated atop a hill, Bahundanda is the most northerly Brahmin settlement in the Marsyangdi Valley. Explore the area before dinner.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Trekking distance: 6 miles (10 km)

Overnight: Bahundanda 4347 feet (1325 m)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Bahundanda

Day 5: Trek from Bahundanda to Jagat

Following breakfast in Bahundanda, embark on a steep descent through rice paddies, crossing a stream at the base of a waterfall. Climb up to Hani Gaon, winding through fields along the river and crossing a long suspension bridge before reaching Syange village.

Gradually ascend from the river, making a final steep climb and descent to Jagat. This village, with its iconic stone houses, offers a great view of the Marsyangdi Valley.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Trekking distance: 5 miles (8 km)

Overnight: Jagat (4,232 feet / 1,290 m)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Trek from Jagat to Dharapani

After breakfast in Jagat, descend along a rocky path until the trail nearly reaches the river before ascending through a tropical forest. Navigate up and down through the forest and follow a level track to the Gurung village of Chamje. Descend to the Marsyangdi River, cross a suspension bridge, and climb to Sattale on a steep path.

Continue climbing the zigzag path to Tal, catching glimpses of the Annapurna range.

The valley then narrows and the winding path becomes higher with more areas of strewn rocks. Continue past the small village of Karte and enjoy the cliff-side path before the path drops again to the river. You’ll cross yet another suspension bridge, and then climb upstream to the stone entrance marking the larger village of Dharapani.

Trekking time: 5 hours

Trekking distance: 9.3 miles (15 km)

Overnight: Dharapani (6,299 feet / 1,920 m)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Dharapani

Day 7: Trek from Dharapani to Chame

After breakfast in Dharapani, you’ll begin a series of uphills and downhills as you start to see different types of vegetation and landscapes, as well as key Himalayan peaks. In fact, early in the trek, you’ll notice that the Marsyangdi River veers to the left where Annapurna II becomes visible. Here begins a nice trail to get to Bagarchhap, a village known for traditional Tibetan architecture and plenty of prayer flags.

From here, the altitude gains and you’ll continue to climb through oak and pine forests as you pass through Dhanakyu near a heavy waterfall. Further on, you’ll enter an alpine area where the air gets cooler passing through farms and pine forests. The river soon enters a gorge where the path consists of steep stone steps. This is a good place to take a break and turn around for views of Manaslu—the 8th highest peak in the world.The steep ascent will then head into rhododendron trees to Ratamron and then continue on a gently rising path, crossing a stream before entering another pine forest. From here, the trail climbs through fir and pine trees to get to the larger village of Chame, the headquarters for the Manang district with plenty of shops, conveniences, and teahouses.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Trekking distance: 10 miles (16 km)

Overnight: Chame (8,629 feet / 2,630 m)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Chame

Day 8: Trek from Chame to Pisang (10,466 feet / 3,190 m)

Enjoy views of Lamjung Himal while having breakfast in Chame before you set off for Pisang. You’ll ascend the valley passing apple orchards, rolling hills, small villages, and fir and pine forests towards a high, rocky area called Dhukur Pokhari—a nice place to stop for lunch. From this point, the valley becomes extremely steep as you follow the trail to Bratang. Wander through this area that was once used as the military station for troops who fought against the Khampa tribal revolution.

A brief climb from the village brings you to a rock-strewn area where you’ll cross a wooden bridge and follow a high, winding path, before crossing again back again. Make your way through more pine forests until you’re greeted with expansive vistas of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak. From here, you’ll come to a long mani wall by a bridge and the lower windswept village of Pisang with views of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges. Once settled in Pisang, you can take an optional hour-long climb to Upper Pisang and explore the village’s ancient Tibetan-style Buddhist monastery (with even better views).

Trekking time: 5-6 hours (10 miles / 16.5 km)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Pisang

Day 9: Trek from Pisang to Manang (11,548 feet / 3,520 m)

After breakfast in Pisang, you’ll hit the trail to Manang. The path ascends a steep ridge through forests leading to views of the Manang Valley, Humde village, and Tilicho peak. From here you can take in the rolling hills and expansive plains of the Sabje Khola Valley where the Annapurna massif soon becomes visible. You’ll then cross a wooden bridge over the Marsyangdi River to get to the tiny village of Mungji, as well as the village of Bryaga, with its notable monastery including chortens and mani walls surrounded by more snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Continue trekking along rolling hillside until you reach the large village of Manang. Once settled, you’ll have opportunities to explore more of the area’s Tibetan culture, truly a standout in this remote mountainous region.

Trekking time: 5 hours (12 miles / 19.5 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Manang

Day 10: Acclimatization day in Manang (11,482 feet / 3,500 m)

Today is a rest day so take advantage of being able to sleep in before breakfast. This is an important opportunity to acclimatize to the higher altitude before tomorrow’s crossing of the Thorung La mountain pass.

You can choose to take it easy in Manang and explore the busy village’s streets or pick between several day-trips that come with amazing views.Some ideas include:

Hike up the hill behind Manang and visit the monastery for a 360-degree panorama of the Annapurna range and Manang Valley. You’ll then cross the river to see the magnificent icefall coming down from the Gangapurna.

Take a more challenging hike to Ice Lake, which takes about 5-6 hours and offers more views of the region.

Visit the Himalayan Rescue Association aid post in the village which makes an interesting and educational visit.

In the evening, have a leisurely dinner in Manang and watch the sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight:

Day 11: Trek from Manang to Khangsar Village (12,323 feet / 3,756 m)

After breakfast in Manang, you and your rested muscles will begin a half-day’s trek to Khangsar Village along the trail headed for Tilicho Lake. The path heads out of Manang through the western gates and then follows the path down to the river. You’ll walk along the bank and through the valley of weathered rocks with views of Annapurna II.

Once you get to the Khangsar Khola on the bridge, you’ll ascend to the nice Tibetan-style village of Khangsar, also known as the ‘last village of Nepal’.

Trekking time: 4 hours (6.5 miles / 10.5 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Khangsar Villag

Day 12: Trek from Khangsar Village to Tilicho Base Camp (16,138 feet / 4,919 m)

After breakfast in Khangsar Village, you’ll continue trekking along a wide new path until you get to a Buddhist monastery. From here, climb towards a high ridge where you’ll reach an intersection where the new trail and the old trail collide; take the new trail and ascend to another steep ridge before descending back down along switchbacks.

You’ll eventually reach a scenic valley and then cross a little stream putting you at Tilicho Base Camp, your spot for the next two nights.

Trekking time: 5 hours

Trekking distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Tilicho Base Camp

Day 13: Visit Tilicho Lake, Return to Base Camp (16,138 feet / 4,918 m)

Today, you’ll start with an early breakfast before a nice roundtrip loop to Tilicho Lake in the Manang district. It takes about 3 hours to get to this clear body of bright turquoise water, one of the highest lakes in the world. You’ll hike through high alpine landscapes with plenty of snow-covered rocks—a striking contrast against the vibrant hue of the lake.

Have lunch and take your time to enjoy the lakeside surroundings before returning to base camp for the night.

Trekking time: 6 hours

Trekking distance: 6 miles (10 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Tilicho Base Cam

Day 14: Trek from Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka (13,156 feet / 4,010 m)

After breakfast at base camp, you’ll follow a gently winding trail high above Khangsar village with more views of the Himalayan giants as you pass through juniper bushes and the ruins of old Khangsar. From here, follow an unmarked trail which leads you down to an old log bridge between Gumsang and Yak Kharka, an area where yak herders bring their animals to graze. This is where you’ll stop for the night.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Trekking distance: 8 miles (13 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Yak Khark

Day 15: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi (14,599 feet / 4,450 m)

Today’s scenic trek starts with breakfast in Yak Kharka before you take a slow, gradual climb towards your overnight location. You’ll hike up a ridge and notice that the high altitude landscapes become more extraordinary along the way. Then descend to the Marsyangdi where you’ll cross the river on a covered wooden bridge that leads to a small tea shop.

After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, you’ll follow a narrow trail and then trek down to Thorung Phedi (meaning: foot of the hill). Once settled, choose to spend your free afternoon either hiking up to the lodge at High Camp for some acclimatization or relaxing with a book and chatting with other trekkers staying the night.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Trekking distance: 3.7 miles (6 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Thorung Phedi

Day 16: Trek from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath (12,467 feet / 3,800 m) via Thorung La (5,400m)

Today begins at sunrise as this is the longest and hardest day of the trek! Start off with a four-hour walk to the top of the Thorung La at 17,717 feet (5400 m)—Annapurna Circuit’s highest point—where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over Mustang and Kaligandaki valleys, and the surrounding peaks. Take time for photos as the summit opens up to reveal a sweeping panorama of snow-capped mountains extending towards Tibet. The descent is almost as demanding as the ascent, so when you get to the bottom at Chabarbu, there is a teahouse where you can relax with a cup of chai and a snack.

Continue trekking on a long, grassy slope through a series of switchbacks towards the lower Mustang and head back to the serene village of Muktinath. This important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus is surrounded by rugged mountains with unparalleled views of Dhaulagiri—the world’s 7th highest peak.

Trekking time: 8-9 hours (10 miles / 16 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Muktinath

Day 17: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom

Today will be a much easier day! After breakfast in Muktinath, you’ll start a downhill trek to Jomsom village, passing through Lupra village with its own notable Bonpo monastery. This is a great alternative route that trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit Trek don’t normally use, so you will be further from the crowds and jeeps on the trail to Jharkot.

Before you get to Jomsom, ascend gradually to Kali Gandaki River and then walk through a sandy, windswept valley. Arrive at Jomsom village in the early afternoon with plenty of time to shower and relax before you celebrate the end of the trek.

Trekking time: 8-9 hours

Trekking distance: 11.8 miles (19 km)

Overnight: Jomsom (8,891 miles / 2,710 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Jomsom

Day 18: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara

After breakfast in Jomsom, you’ll catch a 30-minute morning flight to Pokhara. Snag a window seat as the scenic mountain views en route will be nothing short of spectacular.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, settle in your hotel and enjoy the afternoon and evening on your own. This relaxed lakeside town is the gateway to the Himalayas, so unwind in the cool local cafés, explore Phewa Lake by boat or by land, or stretch out after your trek in a yoga class.

Flight time: 30 minutes

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Pokhara

Day 19: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu

After breakfast, you may have time to do more sightseeing, relax, or check out one of Pokhara’s coffee shops. About 1.5 hours before your flight, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the domestic airport to catch your flight back to Kathmandu.

In Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and can enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu’s streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

In the evening, choose from a selection of Nepali, French, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern dishes in the city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 20: Depart Kathmandu

It’s time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It’s best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.

Meals included: Breakfast