People Interested
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Location
Annapurna
Durations
12 Days
Trip Grade
Challenging
Max group size
12
Best Time
Spring and Autumn
The Short Annapurna Circuit 12-day package offers a modified trek that takes you through the remote trans-Himalayan region, allowing you to witness stunning snow peaks like Annapurna, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre.
This trek covers the main highlights of the Annapurna Circuit and is less intense. You will start your trek from Bhulbhule (845m), hike through the Thorong La Pass (5,416m), and reach Jomsom (2,720m), where you will take a flight back to Pokhara. The trek offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna I, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Annapurna II, Mt. Annapurna III, Mt. Annapurna IV, Mt. Annapurna South, Mt. Nilgiri, and Tilicho peak. You will also get to experience the traditional ethnic Nepali settlements and Tibetan-style villages and might even spot rare wildlife like blue sheep and snow leopards.
The trek starts with a drive along the Prithvi Highway and progresses to Dumre, Besishar, and then to Bhulbhule. You will spend a night at Jagat, Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, and Manang, where you will acclimatize for a day.
After acclimatization, you will head to Yak Kharka and then Thorong Phedi, where you will stay for a night. From there, you will cross Thorang La Pass early in the morning, witness the stunning views of Khatungkang, Gangapurna, and Annapurna ranges, and descend to Muktinath. The next morning, you will take a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and explore the tourist capital of Nepal for one day. Your trip ends with a tourist bus ride back to Kathmandu.
Before heading on a trekking journey you must be aware of the ideal time for Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking. Hiking Bees advises you to reserve this excursion for the spring and autumn seasons.
Through splitting these seasons further, spring lasts from March to May. These are pleasant hiking months because of the milder weather. During this season, the flowers are in full bloom, and the pathway is lined with petals and leaves. Autumn, which lasts from September to November, is the second-optimal season. These months are characterized by vibrant clouds and a refreshing atmosphere.
Normally, we advise avoiding trekking to Annapurna Circuit in the summer. However, Hiking Bees would be pleased to plan a suitable Himalayan trip to the Annapurna region if your timetable for visiting Nepal is scheduled during the summer.
To undertake the Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking, you should have a good level of physical fitness and stamina. You should start preparing for the trek at least 1-2 months before the trek. Some of the suggested preparations include:
Short Annapurna Circuit Trek is a physically demanding trek that requires a good level of fitness and stamina. You should start preparing for the trek at least 1-2 months in advance. You will be walking 10-15 km on average every day so you need to be in good shape. Some of the physical preparation you can do include:
Regular exercise: Start doing cardio exercises such as running, cycling, or swimming to improve your endurance and stamina.
Strength training: Incorporate strength training exercises such as squats, lunges, and leg presses to build leg muscles and increase your overall strength.
Altitude training: You can train your body for high altitude by doing stair climbing, hiking, or trekking on nearby hills or mountains.
Mental preparation is equally important as physical preparation. You should be mentally prepared for the challenges of the trek and be positive and determined throughout the journey.
Research: Research about the trek, its challenges, and the culture and customs of the region. This will help you to have realistic expectations and avoid culture shock.
Meditation: Meditation helps to calm your mind and improve your mental strength. You can start with short meditation sessions and gradually increase the duration and frequency.
Positive Attitude: Having a positive attitude helps you to overcome challenges and enjoy the journey. You should focus on the beautiful scenery and the experience rather than the difficulties.
The Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking is a popular and demanding hiking destination as you will be passing through the highest pass (Thorong La, 5416m). Experienced trekkers won't struggle on this walk, but newcomers may encounter some challenges. This is a high-altitude trek with unpaved roads, so normal people can have difficulty breaking and walking.
Along with the high altitude and risky trail, you also reach a higher altitude in a short interval, which doesn't allow you to get time for acclimatization and may result in altitude sickness.
However, there is always a workaround. Beginners may get ready for this hike by adding these practices to their daily routine: Remaining hydrated, Meditation and Yoga, Remaining hydrated, Nutritional diets, Jogging, Going to the Gym, and so on.
You should plan your trip with warm clothes and comfortable boots for a pleasant hike along with raincoats or umbrellas as the weather in the Himalayan region is mostly drizzly. When on the journey, we are here to ease your hike with the availability of guides, who will give you directions and porters, who will carry your luggage and oxygen cylinders.
So if you are an enthusiast and an adventure-loving person, now is the chance to explore the Short Annapurna Circuit Trek-12 days with Hiking Bees.
Hiking Bees is a registered Nepalese trekking company with a team of professional guides, who efficiently run a variety of treks and vacations. Locals from the region where you will be hiking serve as our guides and carriers. They are knowledgeable in hike routes and schedules and have received extensive training.
Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking is unquestionably a fantastic, ideal location for trekkers who want to complete the Annapurna Circuit in 12 Days.
We also suggest other lengthy alternatives such as the short Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, Annapurna Circuit with Tillicho Lake, or the Annapurna Circuit with Thorong Peak Climbing, you can also check out our 20- days Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary if you're searching for longer variations of the Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
Day 2 : Drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani (1,860m/6,102ft)
After having breakfast, we will drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani. The road passes through scenic villages, lush green forests, and beautiful landscapes. We will also cross the Trishuli River, which is a famous spot for white-water rafting in Nepal. After a long drive, we will reach Dharapani, a beautiful village located in the Manang district.
Overnight stay in Dharapani.
Day 3 : Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2,670m/8,760ft)
Today, we will drive to Chame, the district headquarters of the Manang district. The drive will take us through the narrow and winding roads along the Marsyangdi River. We will pass through picturesque villages like Bagarchhap, Danaque, and Timang before reaching Chame. Chame is a beautiful village that offers stunning views of the Annapurna and Lamjung Himal ranges.
Overnight stay in Chame.
Day 4 : Trek from Chame (2,610m / 8,890ft) to Pisang (3,115m / 10,200ft)
From Chame, the trek proceeds through an open area and a narrow valley until you reach a massive rock called Paungda Danda Rock, which is considered sacred by the locals. The rock rises 1,500m from the Marshyandi river and offers stunning views of Annapurna II in the south and Pisang Peak in the northeast. Just before reaching Pisang, the path descends to the Manang Valley floor.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Pisang.
Day 5 : Trek from Pisang (3,115m / 10,200ft) to Manang (3,540m / 11,300ft)
The trek starts on upper trails that pass through Upper Pisang and Geru before reaching Barge village, known for the Barge Monastery - the largest in Manang. You'll encounter several Buddhist shrines and monasteries en route to Manang, a tourist town that offers fantastic views of Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, and Tilicho.
Day 6 : Acclimatization Day at Manang
After a couple of days of ascending to higher altitudes, it is important for us to take a break and acclimatize to the high altitude Manang is a perfect place for acclimatization as it offers a stunning view of the Annapurna range and is located at an altitude of 3,540 meters. We will spend the day exploring the beautiful town of Manang, visiting the local monastery, and experiencing the unique blend of Tibetan and Nepalese cultures.In the afternoon, we will take a short hike to Gangapurna Lake, which is located at an altitude of 3,800 meters. In the evening, we will return to our teahouse in Manang for a warm meal and a good night's sleep.
Day 7 : Trek from Manang (3,540m / 11,300ft) to Yak Kharka (4,050m / 14,275ft)
After acclimatizing, the trek continues toward Yak Kharka. You'll notice the tall trees along the path give way to alpine grass and junipers, and there's a chance you might see horses or yaks grazing on the meadows. The trail passes through a small village called Gunsan, known for its flat mud roofs. When you cross a small river on a wooden bridge, you'll know that Yak Kharka - a peaceful meadow - is nearby.
Overnight stay in Yak Kharka.
Day 8 : Trek from Yak Kharka (4,050m / 14,275ft) to Thorong Phedi (4,525m / 14,525ft)
Today, you will leave the Marsyangdi Valley and make your way towards Thorong Phedi, which is located at an altitude of 4,525m. The trek follows the Jharsang Khola and you will leave the pine and fir forests behind to enter the high Himalayas, which look completely different from the lush lowlands you passed during the initial days of the trek. With some luck, you might catch views of blue sheep and snow leopards while trekking. Thorong Phedi is ideally located for travelers to spend the night before attempting to cross the Thorong La High Pass. You will spend the night at a hotel in Thorong.
Day 9 : Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath Temple (3,760m) via Thorong La High Pass (5,416m )
Today will be the most challenging trekking day as you ascend the Thorong La High Pass, one of the highest passes in the world, before descending to Muktinath. To avoid the afternoon wind, you will start the trek early in the morning, battling icy air and high altitude but still enjoying the views. From the top of the pass, you will see fantastic views of the Khatungkang, Gangapurna, and Annapurna ranges. As you descend, you will be greeted with majestic views of Dhaulagiri. The descent continues until you reach Muktinath, a holy temple for both Hindus and Buddhists. This temple is known for its 108 water sprouts and an eternal flame that has been burning here for centuries. If time permits, you will drive to Jomsom for the night, or else, you will spend the night at Muktinath.
You will stay overnight at a hotel in Muktinath.
Day 10 : Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (3,760m / 12,623ft)
After visiting the holy temple of Muktinath, we will return to our lodge for breakfast before starting the trek down the Kali Gandaki Gorge. The initial part of the trek takes us through arid terrain that is similar in geography and climate to that of Tibet. As we continue our descent, we will pass through the villages of Jharkot and Khingar, which are known for their typical Tibetan architecture. From there, we will follow a steep path down to Kagbeni, a primitive village that is also famous for its Tibetan architecture. We will stop in Kagbeni for lunch before trekking on to Jomsom, where we will spend the night.
Day 11 : Drive from Jomsom to Pokhara (820m / 2,690ft)
Today marks the last day for the Annapurna circuit 12-day trek package. After having an early morning breakfast at Jomsom, you will take an 8-hour drive from Jomsom to Pokhara. You will explore around Pokhara by yourself in the evening and prepare for tomorrow's drive to Kathmandu.
You also have the option to take a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara at an additional cost of $125.
Day 12 : Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
On this day you will catch a morning tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu, upon reaching Kathmandu our trip ends. Later we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant summarizing the trek.
You can also take a 30-minute flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu with an additional $106, and explore Kathmandu with the saved time.
If you require a Kathmandu Hotel Booked by Hiking Bees for the final day in Kathmandu then it's also possible although it is not included in the package.
What is the starting point of the short Annapurna Circuit Trek?
The short Annapurna Circuit Trek starts from Chame where you can reach by a jeep and ends in Jomsom from where you'll catch a flight to Pokhara.
What is the Shortest Time to Complete the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
The shortest time to complete the Annapurna Circuit Trek is 6 days however, we don't recommend this to everybody because of the hectic itinerary and the high chance of altitude sickness.
What is the easiest trek in the Annapurna region?
The easiest trek in the Annapurna Region is the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek an typically takes 4-6 days to complete.
Can a beginner do Annapurna Circuit?
The Annapurna circuit trek is not typically recommended for absolute beginners as it is considered a moderately hard trek. However, if you have a good level of fitness and determination it's not entirely impossible.
Can you do the Annapurna Circuit in 7 Days?
Yes, it's technically possible to complete the Annapurna Circuit in 7 days, but it's not recommended to most people due to the risk of altitude sickness and its physically demanding nature.
Due to the expanded roads in the Annapurna Circuit Trail, the trek can be completed within a period as short as 6 days. If you have a time of about a week and really want to complete the Annapurna Circuit as quickly as possible then This is the itinerary you should consider.
This short itinerary starts from Kathmandu and ends in Kathmandu or Pokhara depending upon the traveller's interest. Here's the shortest Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary that can be completed in 6 days.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Chame
Day 2: Chame to Pisang
Day 3: Pisang to Manang
Day 4: Manang to Thorong Phedi
Day 5: Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong La Pass and head to Jomsom
Day 6: Jomsom to Kathmandu/Pokhara
Although the trek can be completed in a short interval of time, this may be a hectic schedule for beginners along with having a high chance of AMS(Acute Mountain Sickness) and Hiking Bees don't recommend this 6-day itinerary unless you really have a limited time and want to complete the Annapurna Circuit.
Thank you for the amazing experience! Me and my friends did a 10-day tour around Nepal with the best tour guide Prem. We started from Kathmandu and we ended up doing the Annapurna circuit trek. He also helped us find the most original souvenirs to bring home and gave us the opportunity to try the best local food!
We had a fantastic trek around the Annapurna Circuit with Hiking Bees. Our guide, Resham, was incredibly accommodating and flexible, which made the journey enjoyable for everyone. The company's ability to cater to our needs added a great deal of comfort to the experience. I highly recommend them for a well-organized trek with excellent guides.