Short Annapurna Circuit Trek - 10 days

Today is the first day of your Short Annapurna Circuit Trek. To begin your trek, you will start in Kathmandu and drive towards Besisahar via bus. It takes 6-7 hours to get there. Besisahar is a small but beautiful city in the Annapurna region that has long become a tourist hub.

The scenic view while driving from Kathmandu to Besisahar is majestic. You will encounter beautiful waterfalls, rivers, barren landscapes, and lush jungles along your way. Some beautiful mountain peaks also accompany you from the distance. After seven hours of bus driving, you will reach your destination. You can introduce yourself to the locals by meeting people in local restaurants and cafes. Overnight stay in the lodges.

The second day of the trek begins with breakfast in Besisahar. You can also go to a vantage point to see a sunrise, but there are plenty of other places to see beautiful sunrises on this trek. After breakfast, you will board a jeep and head towards the beautiful hill station Chame, which is famous for its hospitality and mountain views.

For the next three hours, you will travel along the beautiful Marshyangdi River. You will pass through small villages and settlements belonging to different Magar and Gurung cultures. The journey will take you through stunning rhododendrons and pine forests until you reach Chame. You will stay overnight at a local teahouse.

The third day of our Short Annapurna base Camp Trek starts with breakfast from Chame. After having breakfast, we will leave the valley and continue ascending through apple orchards and forests of rhododendrons and conifers. In this trek, we can see beautiful rhododendron flowers in full bloom during springtime. Reaching Pisang, a small town, after hiking for about four to five hours is one of the trek’s highlights.

On our way, we will cross suspension bridges adorned with colorful prayer flags and enjoy breathtaking views of the Paungda Danda mountain. Once we reach Pisang, we will stay at the best trekking lodge available. We can chat with the locals, enjoy delicious tea, and enjoy stunning mountain views.

Our Short Annapurna Circuit Trek continues from Upper Pisang as we make our way towards Manang, which is at an altitude of over 3540m. Today, you will mostly be climbing steep hills and ascending your trek as the trek’s difficulty increases.

You will trek for seven hours going through snow-capped hills, pine trees, and barren settlements surrounding the route. Moreover, you will arrive in Manang after several hours of walking. In the evening you can either rest or explore the town. You can either visit local restaurants and drink shops or even visit monasteries.

The fifth day of the trek is important for all of us as we will not gain any altitude today. We will acclimatize in Manang, where we will start sightseeing around the area but return to the same place. Acclimatization is necessary to get used to air pressure and climate and prevent altitude sickness.

Manang is a popular spot for tourists and trekkers. Here, you can find supplies, medicine, gear, and food. If you are bored, you can quickly hike towards Gangapurna Lake to get a breathtaking view of the lake and stunning views of mountains like Tilicho Peak and Gangapurna. You have two options for your day in Manang: relax in your lodge or go sightseeing. After returning, you will spend your overnight in Manang.

The sixth day of your Short Annapurna Circuit Trek begins with leaving Manang behind. Today you will head towards Ledar, where you will climb over 4000m altitude for the first time. After trekking for a few hours, you will ascend to another Magar settlement in Tengi from Manang. As you continue to ascend, you will pass through Marshyangdi valley and then turn towards Jarsang Khola valley.

The route continues through juniper scrubs, pine trees, and grassland meadows until you reach another small settlement, Ghusang. Finally, you will be close to the destination once you see Yak Kharka, where yaks and other local cattle are bought for grazing. As you pass through the meadow, you will come across a wooden bridge that leads to a village, Ledar.

Today, you will trek for about four hours from Ledar to High Camp. High Camp, or Thorong High Camp, is at an altitude of over 4925m. After trekking for an hour, you will reach Thorong Phedi, where you can have a local delicacy called Apple pie and Marpha, a kind of local wine.

This part of the route is very crowded, as many other trekkers trekking will also visit the high camp for a little relaxation. Many trekkers often compare the environment to being a party at this junction. After having a bit snack, you will continue to ascend a steep trail until you reach a Highcamp. Overnight stay at Highcamp.

The eighth day of your Short Annapurna Circuit Trek is very special. It is because today, you will reach Thorong La Pass, the highest elevation of your trek at 5416m. To reach there, you will wake up early, drink tea or coffee, or eat a light breakfast before moving early in the morning. It takes two to three hours from High Camp to Thorong La Pass, so you will reach the pass before the afternoon.

You can take a break in the said Pass and drink a tasty tea in the local teahouse near the place. Now it’s time to move on as you descend the trails from the other side of the pass. You will reach Muktinath in about 2-3 hours. Muktinath is a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. After worshiping the temple, you will descend the trail and stay in the local lodge.

On this ninth day, you will have breakfast in Muktinath’s cold morning. As your trek is coming to an end, you will cherish your time at the mountain. Now, you will head towards Pokhara by either a tourist or local bus, depending on your arrangement.

You will reach Pokhara after 8-9 hours of driving, passing through lush forests, grassy midlands, barren meadows, and blooming flowering trails. After reaching Pokhara, you can spend time across the beautiful lakeside and even consider boating there. There are many places to go shopping and buy the local stuff. Return to your hotel and stay overnight.

Today is the official last day of your Short Annapurna Circuit Trek. You will have breakfast early in the morning and board a tourist bus. It takes about 7-8 hours to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara by bus.

As you’re traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu one last time, it is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beautiful rural scenery of Nepal. Once you arrive in the capital, you’ll be taken to your hotel, where you can relax and freshen up before heading to the airport for your flight home.

If your flight is tomorrow, you can stay in your hotel or head towards Kathmandu for a lovely sightseeing. You can visit different UNESCO World Heritage sites and conclude your trek in a significant way.