Country(ies): Nepal
Tour type: Small Group
Group size: Min: 2 | Max: 12
Accommodation: 3-star hotels & trekking lodges
Meals:
Transport: A/C minibus
Highlights: Kathmandu, trekking in the Annapurnas, remote Nar & Phu Valleys, Tibetan mountain culture, cross 2 high passes (Kang La & Thorung La), majestic high mountain views
Considered by many as one of the world’s classic treks, the Annapurna Circuit is a long trek of incredible diversity, panoramic views and soaring peaks. The route takes you from sub-tropical zones right up to the very edge of the arid Tibetan plateau.
Over recent years roads have been extended up both sides of the circuit through the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki Valleys. Our new trekking route takes advantage these roads to allow time for a remote trek through the Tibetan influenced Nar and Phu Valleys, while still including the highlight of the original route across the high Thorung La Pass to Muktinath and avoiding walking on the roads themselves. This is a hugely rewarding trek that encircles the entire Annapurna Himal mountain range.
You begin your tour in Kathmandu where you'll have a free day to explore the sights and sounds of the capital at your leisure. On this day we'll take your passport to obtain your permits to enter the Nar and Phu Valleys.
From Kathmandu you travel by road to Besi Sahar, and then on up to Kotor where your trek begins, leaving the road and the busy main Annapurna Circuit route behind. Your route through the beautiful Nar and Phu Valleys is challenging at times, especially while crossing the 5100m Kang La Pass. You spend the nights staying in trekking lodges and a monastery at Nar Phedi, where you will meet other trekkers and guides, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere after the exertions of the day's walking.
After returning to the main Annapurna Circuit trail the next challenge is the 5416m Thorung La pass which sits at the very edge of the Tibetan plateaux and affords fantastic panoramic views. Once across the pass, you visit the pilgrimage temple at Muktinath, before descending to the Upper Mustang village of Kagbeni. We leave the main route again here for a couple of days hiking via Dhagarjung village to Jomsom or Marpha from where we take a shared jeep down through the Kali Gandaki valley, between the massive peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, to Tatopani. A night's break here allows a chance to relax in the hot springs before you drive back to Pokhara.
The tour ends with a drive back to Kathmandu where your adventure will come to an end. Extensions are available to visit Chitwan or Bardia National Parks, try some white-water rafting or perhaps even a home stay in a nearby Newari village.
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This tour is also available for booking privately for travel anytime through the year, and we can also customise the itinerary to fit your personal requirements. Please contact us for details and prices.
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination youre visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.
Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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