Short Annapurna Circuit Trek this shorter 17-day option of the Annapurna Circuit trek enables those who don’t have time to complete the full Circuit to trek with the group up the Marshyangdi Valley to Manang, across the Thorung La Pass to Muktinath and down into Jomsom in the Kali Gandaki Valley. Here you will say your goodbyes to the group and fly back to Kathmandu.
You need a reasonable level of fitness, especially as the last trek up the Thorung La Pass can be quite hard (5,416m).
Travelling as a small group (maximum 12), this trek will appeal to anyone who relishes a challenge, but at the same time, is not technical in any way and as long as you have a basic level of good fitness, it should not be beyond the abilities of most reasonably fit people. You stay in comfortable lodges throughout and boutique hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
The operator is very conscious of using local guides and has a very good relationship with many of the local lodge-owners, whom he has been working with for years. Keen to provide good working conditions for the staff, the operator ensures that porters and guides are well looked after and the safety and health of the guests is accorded top priority. The operator ensures good clothing for porters and crew, covers food for staff members and their insurance that includes medical treatment and helicopter evacuation when necessary.
Short Program:
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Day 3: Drive to Besi Sahar and trek to Khudi (810m)
Day 4: Khudi – Bahundanda (1,310m; 5-5 1/2 hours)
Day 5: Bahundanda – Chyamje (1,430m; 6-61/2 hours)
Day 6: Chyamje – Bagarchhap (2,160m; 6-7 hours)
Day 7: Bagarchhap – Chame (2,630m; 5 hours)
Day 8: Chame – Pisang (3,190m; 5 hours)
Day 9: Pisang – Manang (3,500m; 5 hours – Low Route, 7-8 hours – High Route)
Day 10: Rest day for acclimatisation
Day 11: Trek to Yak Kharka (4,090m; 4 hours)
Day 12: Trek to Thorung Phedi (4,420m; 4 hours)
Day 13: Thorung Phedi – Thorung La (5,415m – Muktinath (3,800m; approximately 8-10 hours)
Day 14: Trek to Jomsom (2,800m)
Day 15: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara, and transfer to hotel
Day 16: Morning relaxing in Pokhara, fly back to Kathmandu
Day 17: Departure
The operator focuses on responsibility towards its staff, making sure that the guides and porters that work on the treks are well paid and have good working conditions. Committed to ensuring that the benefits of tourism are spread out, the operator hires locals, with porters and guides coming from the areas where the trek goes.
The tour company practices tourism that fosters understanding, appreciation and conservation of the cultures and environments it visits. It operates in a socially and environmentally responsible manner and is committed to working with the clients and the people of the host destinations to ensure direct economic benefits at a community level, as well as looking at contributing to conservation of culture and the environment. With continual monitoring of its operations, the tour operator aims to operate beyond best practice guidelines, trying to set the worldwide industry benchmark for responsible tourism.
Trip highs!
- Fabulous views of the Annapurnas
- Friendly Gurung lodges along the way
- Beautiful scenery and great trekking country
- Manang and the old village
- Muktinath and the temples
Trip watch-outs!
- Altitude – the Thorung La Pass at 5,416m makes this quite a challenging pass to cross. Taken steadily, altitude should not be too much of a problem, but does affect those who do not acclimatise well.
Growing up in Singapore, Raj Tamang has had long experience in trekking and running a responsible tour operation in Nepal and other countries. Preferring to be out there with his guests, Raj gives a highly personalised service, usually leading the treks himself. Committed to responsible tourism, he is keen to first ensure his own staff is treated well, as well as helping to share some of the benefits of the income that tourism brings with the local communities. He uses local staff and encourages his guests to ‘think local’.
Ideal For Whom
This trek is ideal for those who are fit enough to do the full Annapurna Circuit trekbut who don’t have enough time for the full trek. It is quite a challenging trek, climbing to over 5,400m and staying in lodges high altitudes on quite a few nights. For anyone who has problems trekking at high altitude, this might not be a good trek to go on, however, if done slowly and with proper acclimatisation, it should not present too many problems.
When To Visit
The best times of the year to visit this area is in the spring and autumn, when the weather is warm, dry and fairly settled. There may be the odd showers in spring and the skies tend to be clearer in the autumn.
Winter is cold, but this can be rewarded by crisp, clear days and during the day time it gets quite warm.
The summer is not the best time of year to come, as this is when the monsoon falls and it can rain for a few hours each day. The leeches can be a bit of a nuisance too.
Things To Bring
Comfortable walking boots
Waterproof jacket – if not for rain or snow, it is useful as a windbreaker
Warm layers – ideally layers of thin fleeces that can be adjusted as required
Thermal underwear – other than during the late spring to early autumn (when it is just cold), it can be very cold at higher altitudes.
Gloves, warm hat, sun hat for lower down, sun glasses, sun cream
Trekking clothes – cottons are best. Shorts are not really seen as appropriate by locals, even if some days might be warm enough further down.
Water purification tablets – not essential as the lodges will boil water for you along the way, but having your own iodine tablets to purify water whenever you need it can be useful. It also saves fuel to heat up your drinking water.
By Air – Most people arrive by air to Tribhuvan International Airport.
By Land – It is possible to travel overland from India by bus, arriving at the New Bus Park, Kathmandu.
Normal Payment Policy: At time of booking a non-refundable deposit of 10% is charged to your credit card in Euro equivalent by Travel To Care on behalf of the tour operator. Additionally, a deposit of USD 500 per person is required at time of booking – cash or bank transfer.
Balance payment of the tour cost is due 60 days before departure. If booking less than 60 days before departure, the full amount is to be paid at the time of booking.
If you fail to pay by the due date, the operator reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain your deposit.
Prices are dependent on airfares, exchange rates, fuel costs and other unforeseen circumstances. The operator reserves the right to amend the itinerary and trip costs without notice up to the day of departure.
Any additional change to the original booking will incur a fee of USD 50.
Normal Cancellation Policy: For all cancellations, the initial deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellation by you
Contact the operator immediately if cancelling services. Upon receipt of your written advice, cancellation will take effect. A fee applies for a cancellation of your tour and flight. A fee is determined by the date when the tour operator receives written notification of the cancellation and the charges are as follows.
• The deposit is forfeited if cancellations are made more than 60 days before departure.
• Between 60-30 days before departure, 50% of booking cost is charged.
• Between 30 days and departure date, 100% of booking cost is charged.
The operator will not be responsible/compensate if you leave the tour midway, be it on your own will, due to ill health or medical emergency. The operator will give you a covering letter to help your claim through your insurance company.
A condition of the operator accepting your booking is that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you receive confirmation. Your policy must cover overseas medical treatment and aircraft evacuation from remote areas. The operator can arrange a comprehensive cover for you.
Cancellation by the operator
If the minimum number of guests to operate is not reached, the tour operator reserves the right to cancel the tour and advise you of this no later than 28 days before departure. All payments made to the tour operator will be refunded, but the tour operator will not be liable for any claims made by you or for additional costs incurred by you.
Payment Options: Bank draft
Period(s) tour is not operational: N/A