Annapurna Circuit Trek via Thorang la (5,416m)

Your Annapurna adventure begins the moment you arrive in Kathmandu (1,400m), Nepal’s vibrant gateway to the Himalayas. After landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Peak 15 Adventure will welcome you and arrange a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Once settled, you can relax, recover from your journey, or take a first glimpse of Kathmandu’s lively streets, ancient architecture, and unmistakable mountain culture.

In the evening, we will introduce you to the trek, provide a brief orientation, and review essential details such as the route, permits, equipment, altitude, and safety considerations. A warm welcome dinner offers the perfect beginning to the journey ahead as you prepare to leave the city and follow the trail toward Thorong La Pass (5,416m).

Today is dedicated to getting trek-ready before the Annapurna Circuit begins. After breakfast, you can check your trekking equipment with the Peak 15 Adventure team, purchase or rent any last-minute essentials, and explore Kathmandu’s trekking shops for items you may need for the high-altitude journey toward Thorong La Pass (5,416m).

Depending on your preference, the day can also be used to discover the cultural character of the Kathmandu Valley. Visit historic temples, courtyards, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, or simply enjoy a relaxed day in the city while preparing mentally and physically for the trail ahead. Your guide will also conduct a final trek briefing, covering the itinerary, altitude, weather, safety, and practical expectations for the journey.

Today marks the transition from Kathmandu’s urban energy to the foothills of the Annapurna region. After breakfast, you drive toward Besishahar (760m) in a private vehicle accompanied by your experienced guide and porter. The journey follows winding highways and river valleys, gradually revealing Nepal’s changing landscapes-from busy settlements and terraced hills to greener countryside and distant Himalayan horizons.

As you approach Besishahar, the atmosphere becomes distinctly more mountainous. This lively gateway town serves as an important starting point for the Annapurna Circuit, and arriving here signals that the real walking adventure is about to begin. After checking into your lodge, take time to rest, organize your trekking gear, and prepare for the first trail section tomorrow.

The road ends here; the trail begins next.

Today, the journey climbs deeper into the Annapurna Himalayas as you drive from Besishahar toward Chame (2,670m). The road follows the Marsyangdi River through increasingly dramatic mountain terrain, passing waterfalls, suspension bridges, terraced hillsides, pine forests, and traditional Himalayan settlements. With every turn, the landscape becomes wilder and the mountains feel closer.

As the elevation rises, you will notice a clear transformation in the environment-from warm, green valleys to cooler mountain forests and rugged slopes. Chame, the administrative center of Manang District, offers impressive views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II and provides your first true sense of being in the high Himalayas.

After arriving, settle into your lodge, explore the village, and rest for the night. The road journey has brought you significantly higher, so an easy evening and good hydration are important as your body begins adapting to the increasing altitude. The Himalayas are no longer on the horizon-they are around you.

Today, your feet finally take over from the road as the Annapurna Circuit Trek begins in earnest. Leaving Chame behind, the trail follows the Marsyangdi River through pine and fir forests, passing dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and increasingly expansive views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. The landscape gradually becomes drier and more alpine as you gain elevation.

Along the way, you pass through traditional mountain settlements and cross scenic sections of trail beneath towering peaks. As you approach Pisang (3,200m), the valley opens into a spectacular Himalayan amphitheater, with Annapurna II and Pisang Peak adding to the dramatic skyline.

Arriving at Lower Pisang, settle into your teahouse and allow your body to adapt to the increasing altitude. Enjoy the quieter mountain atmosphere, explore the village if energy permits, and prepare for the higher terrain ahead. Today, the Annapurna Circuit stops feeling like a road journey and starts becoming a mountain story.

Today takes you deeper into the high Himalayas as you trek from Lower Pisang to Manang (3,540m). The trail gradually leaves the dense forests behind and enters a drier, more open landscape shaped by altitude and the Himalayan rain shadow. Along the way, you pass through traditional villages, mani walls, prayer wheels, and striking viewpoints overlooking the Marsyangdi Valley and surrounding peaks.

The route offers two approaches between Pisang and Manang, and the higher scenic trail through Upper Pisang and Ngawal is often favored when conditions and the itinerary allow. This route provides remarkable mountain views and a closer encounter with the traditional architecture and culture of the Manang region.

After reaching Manang, take time to rest and absorb the atmosphere of this remarkable mountain settlement. With the altitude increasing steadily, today is an important stage of acclimatization before heading toward the higher elevations beyond Manang. The valley grows quieter, the air grows thinner, and the mountains begin to demand your full attention.

Today is an essential acclimatization day in Manang, allowing your body to adapt naturally to the increasing altitude before the trail climbs higher toward Thorong La. Rather than simply resting, you will spend the day exploring the fascinating mountain settlement and its surrounding landscapes at a comfortable pace.

Take a gentle walk through Manang Village, where stone-built houses, narrow lanes, prayer wheels, monasteries, and traditional mountain culture reveal the character of life at high altitude. Depending on conditions and energy levels, a short acclimatization hike to a nearby viewpoint can provide magnificent views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks before returning to Manang.

Your guide will monitor how you are adapting to the altitude and provide practical advice on hydration, pacing, nutrition, and the days ahead. This quieter day is a valuable part of the journey-resting with purpose so you can climb with confidence. Today, you don't chase distance; you give your body time to catch up with the mountains.

Today, the trail leaves Manang and enters a more remote and rugged corner of the Annapurna region as you trek toward Tilicho Base Camp (4,150m). The route gradually climbs through dry mountain terrain, crossing rocky trails and dramatic slopes while revealing increasingly impressive views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

As you gain altitude, the landscape becomes more austere and distinctly alpine. The trail winds through the spectacular Khangsar Valley, passing traditional settlements and steep mountain faces before reaching the base camp beneath the towering Tilicho mountain landscape. The remoteness and raw beauty of this section create a powerful contrast to the greener valleys experienced earlier in the trek.

After reaching Tilicho Base Camp, settle into the mountain lodge, enjoy a nourishing meal, and rest well. With the altitude now above 4,000m, your body needs time to adapt before the next day's demanding excursion toward Tilicho Lake. The higher you climb, the less the mountains need to be explained-they simply reveal themselves.

Today is one of the most spectacular stages of the journey as you rise early from Tilicho Base Camp and begin the demanding ascent toward Tilicho Lake (4,920m). The trail climbs through rugged, barren mountain terrain, with steep slopes and dramatic Himalayan surroundings gradually opening before you. The higher you climb, the more the landscape takes on a raw, otherworldly character.

Reaching Tilicho Lake, one of the world’s highest lakes, is a powerful moment. Nestled beneath towering Himalayan peaks, its striking blue waters create an unforgettable contrast against the surrounding rocky mountains. Take time to appreciate the scenery, capture photographs, and absorb the stillness of this remarkable high-altitude destination before beginning the descent.

From the lake, retrace the trail toward the lower elevations and continue to Shree Kharka (4,060m). The descent provides welcome relief after the high-altitude climb and allows your body to recover as you prepare for the next stages of the Annapurna Circuit.

Today, you climb toward the sky for a lake that seems to belong to another world-then descend with the memory of having seen it.

Today, the journey moves steadily toward the ultimate challenge of the Annapurna Circuit-Thorong La Pass (5,416m). Leaving Shree Kharka, the trail reconnects with the main Annapurna Circuit route and continues through increasingly rugged, high-altitude terrain toward Thorong La Phedi (4,400m), the final major resting point before the pass.

As you climb higher, vegetation becomes sparse and the surrounding landscape increasingly dominated by immense rock faces, barren slopes, and snow-covered Himalayan peaks. The thin mountain air makes the ascent more demanding, so maintaining a steady pace, staying hydrated, and following your guide's rhythm are essential.

Upon reaching Thorong La Phedi, settle into the basic mountain lodge and use the remaining afternoon to rest and prepare for tomorrow's early departure. Your guide will review the pass-crossing plan, weather conditions, equipment, and safety considerations so you are prepared for the demanding ascent ahead. Tonight, the destination is not the pass yet-it is being ready for it.

Today is the defining day of the Annapurna Circuit Trek-the day you rise before dawn to cross the legendary Thorong La Pass at 5,416m. After an early breakfast, you begin the demanding ascent through the cold, high-altitude landscape, following a steady pace as the trail climbs toward the pass. With every step, the anticipation grows as the surrounding mountains gradually unfold in the first light of day.

Standing at the summit of Thorong La, you have reached the highest point of the entire journey. The vast panorama of rugged Himalayan peaks and valleys makes the effort worthwhile, creating a moment of achievement that stays long after the trek is over. After celebrating this milestone and taking photographs, you begin the long descent toward Muktinath (3,800m).

The descent brings a dramatic change in both scenery and atmosphere. As you lose altitude, the landscape gradually becomes warmer and more accessible, eventually leading to Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage destination revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. After arriving, settle into your lodge, enjoy a well-earned meal, and rest after one of the most challenging and rewarding days of the circuit. 5,416 metres above sea level-and one unforgettable step beyond your limits.

After the achievement of crossing Thorong La Pass, today offers a shorter and more relaxed journey as you drive from Muktinath to Jomsom (2,720m). The route follows the dramatic Kali Gandaki Valley, passing through the stark, windswept landscapes of lower Mustang, where barren cliffs, ancient settlements, and snow-covered Himalayan peaks create a landscape unlike any other part of the Annapurna Circuit.

As you descend toward Jomsom, the lower altitude brings noticeably warmer air and a more comfortable atmosphere. Jomsom is the administrative center of Mustang and an important hub of the region, known for its distinctive mountain culture, apple orchards, and spectacular views of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri.

After checking into your accommodation, enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring Jomsom, walking through its streets, or simply resting after the demanding days in the high mountains. It is a chance to slow down, reflect on the achievement of crossing Thorong La, and enjoy the changing character of the Himalayas. The pass is behind you; the mountains still have stories left to tell.

Today, the journey leaves the high mountains behind as you drive from Jomsom to Pokhara via Beni, following the dramatic Kali Gandaki Valley toward Nepal’s beautiful lakeside city. The road gradually descends through changing landscapes, passing rugged Mustang terrain, traditional villages, waterfalls, terraced hills, lush forests, and river valleys as the high-altitude environment gives way to the greener foothills.

The journey through Beni marks another major transition, from the dry Himalayan landscapes of Mustang into the warmer and more fertile landscapes of central Nepal. As you approach Pokhara, the atmosphere becomes noticeably more relaxed, with the serene surroundings of Phewa Lake and distant Himalayan views offering a perfect contrast to the rugged terrain you have crossed.

After arriving in Pokhara, check into your hotel and enjoy a well-deserved evening at leisure. After days of demanding trekking and high-altitude adventure, tonight is about slowing down, reflecting on the journey, and enjoying the comfort of the city. From the high pass to the lakeside-today, the mountains slowly fade into the horizon.

Today, you leave the peaceful lakeside atmosphere of Pokhara and return to Kathmandu, bringing your Annapurna Circuit adventure toward its final chapter. Depending on your preference and prevailing conditions, you can take a short scenic flight or travel by private vehicle along the winding highway through Nepal’s picturesque hills, rivers, and countryside.

Once in Kathmandu, settle into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. You may explore the city, shop for souvenirs, relax at a café, or simply take time to reflect on the incredible journey-from the foothills of the Annapurna region to the summit of Thorong La Pass at 5,416m.

In the evening, join the Peak 15 Adventure team for a farewell dinner and celebrate the completion of your Himalayan adventure. The trail may be ending, but the memories of the mountains are just beginning.

Your final day in Nepal begins at your own pace. Enjoy a relaxed morning in Kathmandu, revisit your favorite corners of the city, shop for Himalayan souvenirs, or simply take time to reflect on the journey that carried you from the lower valleys to the summit of Thorong La Pass (5,416m).

According to your international flight schedule, the official Peak 15 Adventure team will arrange your private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. Our representative will ensure you reach the airport comfortably and on time, bringing your Annapurna Circuit adventure to a smooth close.

You leave Nepal with more than photographs-you leave with the memory of every trail, village, mountain sunrise, and step that brought you across the Himalayas. The journey ends at the airport, but the mountains stay with you.