Highlights
- Thorung La Pass (5,416 meters)
- Diverse Landscapes
- Cultural Diversity
- Close views of Annapurna, Dhualagiri, Manaslu, Tilicho peak and Fishtail
- Charming Villages
- Muktinath Temple
- Gurung and Thakali Cuisine
- Wildlife and Flora
- Buddhist Monasteries
Annapurna Circuit Trek is an adventurous 180 kilometers hike around the majestic Annapurna range that includes Annapurna I (8091m)- the tenth highest mountain on earth.
The trek follows the Marsyangdi River up to the Manang Valley and then descends into the dramatic Kali Gandaki valley in the lower Mustang. The most challenging part of this journey is crossing the Thorung La Pass at an altitude of 5416 meters, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking, up-close views of the Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri (8167m), Manaslu (8163m), Tilicho (7134m), Machapuchare (Fishtail) (6993m), Chulu East (6584m), Pisang (6091m), and more.
The Mustang Valley is home to the world's deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge and the sacred shrine of Chumi Gyatsa or Muktinath, featuring a mud statue of Avalokitesvara and an eternal flame. Along the way, you'll also explore the cultural town of Jomsom (originally Dzong Sak) on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, the ancestral home of the Thakali people with their unique culture and cuisine.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek offers various route options, including a visit to Tilicho Lake (5119m), the highest-altitude lake in Nepal, or the trail leading to the forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang.
The entire Annapurna trekking trail is situated within the Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest conservation area in Nepal. The landscape and vegetation here vary from tropical to alpine, featuring rhododendron and juniper forests, Himalayan peaks, high-altitude pastures, trans-Himalayan valleys, forests, lakes, and glaciers. The area is a sanctuary for endangered species such as Snow Leopards, Tibetan Argali, Musk Deer, Tibetan Wolf, and six species of Himalayan pheasants.