Trip Overview
One of the pinnacles of trekking in Nepal, the 18 days Classic Annapurna Circuit Trek extending up to the Tibetan plateaus, is indeed an experience at its finest. Categorized as one of Nepal’s longer-distance and strenuous treks, the trek takes from Jagat to Chame, Manang, Muktinath, and Ghorepani. The trek includes traveling to off-the-beaten paths in certain places and barren terrains, alpine landscapes, and terraced farms as you make your way through the foothills of the Himalayas. The Circuit trail that crosses the two great river valleys makes way across the Thorong La Pass, the highest pass of the journey. The beauty of the region, topped with the views of the mountain peaks amidst the lush forests and diverse landscapes, is likely to make the Annapurna experience a brilliant one.
The classic trip starting at Kathmandu takes us to the local settlements of the region as we follow the river course of oak and maple trees. Our trail now takes us to a narrow river valley through the deep woodlands. We enjoy the supreme views of the Pisang peak and Annapurna II as we head to the homeland of the traders in Manang. The vistas of the majestic views of Lamjung, Himalchuli, Manaslu, and Annapurna’s other massifs accompany us as we traverse further into the region. Crossing the rocky terrains, we arrive at the trek’s highest pass, the Thorong La pass (5416 meters), and enter the Kali Gandaki valley as we descend to Muktinath. One of the highlights of this trek is our trip to an important heritage site of Muktinath, a popular pilgrimage site to both Hindus and ethnic Buddhists.
Our trek further takes us to Marpha (2670 meters), Ghasa, and the hot springs “Tato Pani.” You can choose to relax and unwind in this place for a much-needed break as we have an extra day at the hot springs. After relaxing at the hot springs, we ascend to Ghorepani (2810 meters), known for its brilliant panoramic sunrise and sunset. The hike to Ghorepani-Poonhill (3210 meters) can get tiring as you pass through many steep courses. However, the journey is rewarding as you walk into villages breathing in the fresh air and experience a typical local lifestyle of the ethnic Gurung people. The Classic Annapurna Circuit Trek is often classified as a moderately challenging trek that encompasses the region’s wealth and rich heritage.
The classic trek is nothing short of a magical journey. You meander through the rivers, encompassing beautiful sceneries, pine, spruce, oak, maple, and rhododendron forests, spiritual and cultural sites of Nepal. The region serves as a good journey for people who like traveling in diverse climatic conditions, tropics, and the Arctic. As it is one of the challenging treks of the Annapurna region, we recommend people to stay fit and train regularly before they make a trip. The trip ends at Pokhara, as we stay the night and leave for Kathmandu the next day.