If you are looking to trek in the Annapurna Region and explore all that this conservation area has to offer, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is an adventure for you. Including Poon Hill, a fantastic vantage point for morning sunshine over the Annapurna range, this journey takes you to the small settlements of local villages, allowing you to understand their culture and way of life. You will pass through a sub-tropical forest filled with distinct trees and herbs, marvel at a cascading waterfall, and enjoy sparkling rivers teeming with wildlife along the trail.
Your journey starts at Chame, the trailhead. To get there, we take a local bus to Lamjung, Besisahar, and then a shared jeep to Chame, where we will rest. The following day, we will begin the actual hike. The start of the trail leads you through a beautiful pine and rhododendron forest, which blooms in spring—the best time to trek in Nepal. You will also cross a suspension bridge adorned with Buddhist prayer flags over natural streams. The distant view of the Annapurna range, including Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and Gangapurna, enhances the surreal scenery along the hike and from your resting points in the beautiful settlements of Pisang and Manang.
Manang Acclimatization
As acclimatization is key to succeeding in the high-altitude trek, we will acclimatize in Manang at 3,500 meters. Manang is a noble settlement of the Manange people, featuring well-constructed houses and a rich Tibetan culture, with small chortens throughout the area. Along the settlement runs the Marshyangdi River, and you can also visit the beautiful Danau Gangapurna Lake during your acclimatization. Depending on your physical condition, you may choose to hike to Ice Lake on this day.
We will then continue the adventure towards Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi, passing by numerous landslide-prone areas on a dry and rocky trail. If it is snowing, it is better to use crampons and hiking poles, which will help you a lot.
Crossing Thorong La Pass
Thorong La is the biggest pass in the world that joins Manang Valley with Mustang Valley. At 5416 meters, Thorong La Pass is the maximum altitude and major destination of the journey formed by the Khatung Kang and Yakawa Kang mountains; it is an adrenaline experience. From Thorong Phedi or High Camp in the early dawn, at around 4:00 in the morning, we will pack up the gear and start our hike. As we will start at dark, a headlight is a must for this day.
We will slowly and gradually climb toward Thorong La Pass, if we look back, the beautiful serenity as the bursts of sunshine welcome us with aurora. We will reach Thorong La around 9:00 in the morning and spend some time admiring the view of both Manang and Mustang Valley with snowcapped Annapurna, Manaslu, Nilgiri, Hiuchuli, Tilicho Peak, and Gangapurna.
Capture your moment and walk downhill to Muktinath Temple, devoted by Hindus and Buddhists. We will then continue towards Jomsom.
Towards Poon Hill
From Jomsom, we will drive to Tatopani, a natural hot spring; you can relax here, which will also help you to recover from the ache of the harsh trail. We will then continue to Ghorepani through the rhododendron forest with a small settlement of Gurung and Magar village. Next day we will hike early morning to Poon Hill, so we can catch the early sunrise view over Annapurna to the right and Dhaulagiri to the left.
We will hike down to Ghandruk, a typical Ghale Village preserving its culture and traditional housing, understand its culture and customs, take part in its rituals, and return to the city.
