Aptly nicknamed the ‘CLASSIC TREK’, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is a superb Adventure that covers the entire Annapurna range as we get to view a whole chain of peaks from 6000m to 8000m plus as we plod through the solid Thorung La pass at 5416m which introduces us to almost every natural scenery that this Himalayan nation of nepal has on offer. The variety of landscapes with its flora & fauna surpasses more than any other trek of the same number of days & can be rightly termed to be one of the top 10 treks on the universe. Our route clings to the Marsyangdi River right to its source of the glacial lake in Manang; hiking through colorful villages with whitewashed thatched huts, cultivated terraced farmlands in sub-tropic climates where lush rain forests & alpine woodlands invokes in us the true spirit of adventure; where mother nature bluntly displays her stunning beauty through an assortment of picturesque settings that makes the heart flutter with emotional wonder rarely experienced anywhere else. The mesmerising views of the 8 thousand feet peaks of Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri & Mt. Manaslu leave you ecstatic to the bone.

Take a little time & read on to understand why this trek is so important for you:

The Southern slopes of the Annapurna ranges are populated and cultivated by a mixed group of communities that include the Gurungs, Magars, Chettris & Newars who embrace both Buddhism & Hinduism, however, the higher regions consist of thick forests of rhododendron and fir & is an ideal home to the different birds & animals found in the region. As we go up north we bump into the Manang people who are mostly of Tibetan origin.  Our trek takes us into Yak territory and culminates at the formidable Thorung-la Pass at 5,416m where the tremendous vistas of the surrounding landscapes and magnificent peaks are literally jaw dropping. This is a lodge based trek so we get numerous opportunities to interact with the local folks & learn about their culture & traditions as they survive on these mountains. Our sojourn takes us from the sub-tropical to an arid semi barren desert that’s akin to neighboring Tibet.After spending time at Thorung La our trail descends most of the way to the lovely lake city of Pokhara passing through the pilgrimage site of Muktinath. Muktinath is one of the sources of the Kali Gandaki River. We leisurely hike by the deepest gorge of the Kali Gandaki River valley passing through the charismatic villages of Jomsom, Marpha-Tukuche and Tatopani (hot spring) where our adventure ends at Pokhara, a wonderful place to chill out after doing one of the best treks on earth.

This trek can be taxing enough for the seasoned trekker; but even green horn hikers with good walking habits can do this trek because it’s an ideal introduction to high & wild walking in the Himalaya. ENCOUNTERS NEPAL takes you to some fantastic spots where most others don’t venture into on this trek; check us out for more details.

Aaanpurna Circuit trekking …Nature’s delights envisaged in eco-realities…

The Annapurna region is geographically based towards the north of Central Nepal. This area is known to be the most popular and a major trekking destination in Nepal. According to a recent survey by the Trekkers Paradise Group (TPG-USA) Annapurna region has been recognized as one of the world’s best trekking trails to hike on. More than 40,000 tourists annually visit this area. The Annapurna trekking region consists of peaks Annapurna I, II, III, IV, those of Annapurna South peaks, Mt. Dhaulagiri and several other peaks. The major highlights when trekking in this region are the ancient mid-western salt route settlements of Manang, Thorong La pass between Nepal and Tibet, Muktinath Temple and the deepest gorge of world Kali Gandaki. The Gateway to the Annapurna trekking region is the famous city of Pokhara.

Mustang, or Lo Manthang, the desert plateau located in the upper valley of the River Kali Gandaki, and to the north of the main Himalayan range also falls in this region. Tourist access to Mustang is controlled to help retain its exclusiveness. The highlights of the trek include the visit to the Mustang Palace, the visit to Lo Manthang and pony rides up to the Nepal-Tibet border.

The region is said to have seven ethnic groups living and working in this area, from Hindu farmers to Tibetan Lamas. The most prominent ethnic groups of Annapurna region are Gurungs, Thakali and Manangba. Due to the extremes of elevation the region contains a remarkable diversity of flora; from sub-tropical lowland forests of oak, bamboo and rhododendron in the south to the high alpine meadows and windswept desert plateaus in the north, most bordering Tibet. The Animals found here are pika, blue sheep and Himalayan Tahr.

The well known trekking routes of this region are Jomsom, Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp, Sikles, Lamjung, Dhaulagiri, Upper Mustang and within the Pokhara area. The best time to visit is in spring and autumn. Unlike other parts of Nepal, even the monsoon months are ideal to visit Upper Mustang that falls in the rain shadow area. Most trekking routes in the Annapurna region are well serviced by teahouses or better known as tea house lodges.

Whatever the areas of the trek chosen, it is most likely that Pokhara would be either the starting or ending point of your trek in the Annapurna region. Encounters Nepal is highly familiar & experienced on almost every trail in this area. We’ll escort you into paths hardly tread before…trek the Annapurna with us & experience unique adventure…