10 to 15 days long (now vehicles available upto Manamg, takes 5 hrs), Annapurna Circuit Trek takes us through breathtaking scenery of rivers, flora, fauna and above all - mountains. It passed through 4 regions Lamjung, Manang, Mustang and Myagdi. Lamjung and Myagdi of the lower elevations n Manang and Mustang are of the higher elevations . The Manang people are Gurung (not Tibetan descent) and are very proud of their unique cultural heritage and merging of lower land Gurung and Tibetan cultural influences. People of Mustang identify themselves a lot closer with Tibet and the Mustang region has actually been part of Tibet in history. Mustang also is one of the last places in the world to view the ancient Bonpo Religion in action. Villages to note for Bonpo are Thini and Lupra near Jomsom, and Nargon near Kobang.
The trek goes anti-clockwise from Besisahar to Nayapul (people also do the opposite) and reaches its summit in Thorung La (pass) at the height of 5416m, or 17,769 feet. The route offers the view of Manaslu (an 8,000-plus meter peak), Langtang Himal, Annapurna II and IV, Annapurna III and Gangapurna, and, of course, Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri - passing through the world's deepest gorge in between those two 8,000-plus meter peaks. The trek also goes through Buddhist villages and Hindu holy sites, most notably the village of Muktinath, a holy site for both Buddhists and Hindus, and Braga, one of the oldest monasteries in the region. The eastern portion of the trek follows the Marsyangdi River upstream, to its source near the village of Manang. This is a "teahouse trek," meaning there are villages with lodges and restaurants to eat and stay in along the entire route. Prices of rooms are seemingly inexpensive. All the lodges have electricity and WiFi, either from power supply or solar system. The road on both sides of Thorung La does create excellent possibilities for mountainbiking. Bathrooms and water may not be favourable always. So be prepared for that. Most guest houses along the circuit offer more or less the same menu, dal bhat (with refills!) , fried rice, chowmin, fried potatoes, momos, pizza, Indian dishes, sandwiches, omelettes, toast, burgers etc. Prices slightly increases with altitude. Hot water is available. Though not required, porters and/or guides can be easily hired in Pokhara or Kathmandu at many travel agencies, as well as the towns on the circuit. Often horses can be hired as well to carry you or your gear. Though we went by car up to Manang, then on foot. Here is a detail of trekking itinerary
Besisahar (820 m) to Khudi: 7 km, 2.00 hrs
Khudi (790 m) to Bhulbhule: 2 km, 0.30 hrs
Bhulbhule (840 m) to Ngadi: 4 km, 1.15 hrs (Ngadi has good views of the snow- capped mountains)
Ngadi (890 m) to Bahundanda: 4 km, 1.45 hrs
Bahundanda (1310 m) to Ghermu: 5 km, 1.30 hrs (Ghermu: open valley, pleasant place to spend the night)
Ghermu (1130 m) to Jagat: 3 km, 1.30 hrs
Jagat (1300 m) to Chyamche: 4 km, 1.00 hrs (Waterfall)
Chyamche (1385 m) to Tal: 5 km, 2.30 hrs (Nice place to stay, open valley n dammed section of the river)
Tal (1700 m) to Karte: 4 km, 1.30 hrs
Karte (1870 m) to Dharapani: 2 km, 1.00 hrs ( Dharapani is a good place to stay , good views up both canyons. Also an excellent side trek to Bimthang)
Dharapani (1900 m) to Bagarchap: 2 km, 1.00 hrs
Bagarchap (2160 m) to Danaqyu: 2 km, 0.45 hrs
Danaqyn(2200m) ( Upper trail)- 6 km, 2.15 hrs →Thanchowk(2570 m) 4 km, 1.00 hrs→ Koto OR Danaqyn(2200m) (Lower Trail)-1.5 km, 1.00 hrs→ Latamarang(2400 m) 5.5 km, 2.00 hr→Koto
Koto (2640 m) to Chame: 2 km, 0.45 hrs(Medicine shop, Hot spring, local restaurant for budget food)
Chame (2710 m) to Bhratang: 7 km, 2.00 hrs
Bhratang (2850 m) to Dhukur Pokhari: 6 km, 1.30 hrs
Dhukur Pokhari (3240 m) (Upper Trail)1.5 km, 1.30 hrs Upper Pisang (3310 m) 4.5 km, 1.45 hrs Ghyaru(3730 m) 5 km, 1.45 hrs Ngawal (3680 m) 2 km, 0.45 hrs Humde(Tough but beautiful) OR
Dhukur Pokhari (3240 m) (Lower Trail) 6 km, 1.00 hrs Lower Pisang(3250 m) 7 km, 2.00 hrs Humde (note: 1. There is a trail between Lower and Upper Pisang takes half an hour to walk. 2. There are two trails leaving Ngawal - one marked in blue and white, drops straight down to Humde, the other, marked in Red and White, stays high across a small plateau, then drops into a valley further on. The higher route is nicer but slighty longer.)
Humde (3330 m) to Bhraga: 6 km, 1.45 hrs
Bhraga (3450 m) to Manang: 2 km, 0.30 hrs
Manang (3540 m) to Gunsang: 4Km, 1.5hrs
Gunsang to Yak Kharka: 5 km, 1.5 hrs
Yak Kharka (4050 m) to Letdar: 1 km, 30 min
Letdar (4200 m) to Thorang Phedi: 5 km, 2.50 hrs
Thorang Phedi (4450 m) to High Camp: 1 km, 1.00 hrs (very steep up) (Over crowed in season time)
High Camp (4850 m) to Thorung La: 5 km, 3 hrs
Thorung La (5416 m) to Phedi: 6 km, 3 hrs
Phedi (4230 m) to Muktinath: 4 km, 1.5 hrs hrs