The most beautiful stages of the Annapuren trek
The most beautiful hikes in the Annapurna region
The trek around Annapuren is considered one of the most beautiful in Nepal, or in the whole of Asia. It is also due to the fact that tourists get to know a whole range of different types of landscapes and cultures here. The trek itself is considered challenging due to its length (which is no longer true as it is shortened due to the construction of a road in the valleys around the mountain). Let's see which stages of the Annapuren trek are the most beautiful (including side trips)
Ascent to the Tilicho lake
Journey to the mysterious lake
One of the nicest mountain experiences during the trek around Annapurnas is the wander to the stunning Tilicho lake. This two-day detour from the main circuit will take you to places, where the Himalayan giants are almost at touch. The lake seems to lay on the boundary of two worlds. On one hand side there is bare and weathered landscape and on the other impossibly steep sides of Himalayan peaks, towering two kilometers above the lake and directly from it. Unfortunately, there is usually the worst weather of the Manang, so there may not be always clear cloudless views of the mountains and lake. continue reading
Hike across Thorong la pass
Long trek from Manang to Mustang
The most challenging stage of the entire trek around Annapurnas leads across one of the highest „tourist“ passes in the world – Thorong la (5 416m asl) (sometimes written also as Thorung la) in between nepalese regions of Manang and Lower Mustang. High difficulty of this crossing is determined mainly by its high altitude and long and tiring ascent and descent than by technical difficulty. However there has always been a trade route, along which trudged caravans laden with goods from Tibet, so the path itself is quite comfortable in nice weather. The pass usually becomes impassable for a few days just after big storm, when it is covered with snow. continue reading
Hike Khangsar - Tilicho BC
Walk under Great Barrier
The walk from the nice village of Khangsar (3760 m asl) in the direction to mysterious lake Tilicho leads through an interesting or occasionally even surrealistic landscape of weathered slopes and rocks. Along the way there is a beautiful view of many interesting mountains. Especially black rock Khangsar Kang (7485 m asl) towering over Great Barrier is often admired. continue reading
Hike Kalopani - Tatopani
Descent to lowlands through the canyon
Twenty-two kilometers long stage of the trek around Annapurnas from Kalopani (2 500 m asl) to Tatopani (1 250 m asl) leads practically all the time over the deep and wild canyon of Kali Gandaki. The river has here completely different character than you were used to in the earlier days of the trek. Along the way, you can enjoy not only several waterfalls, but also the views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgri. Due to significant drop in altitude you get back into hot and humid area. continue reading
Ascent to Chorten of Ghyar
Private view not only of Annapurna
Who wants to have a nicer view of the Annapurnas and Marsyangdi river valley, before offering terraces of small restaurants in Ghyaru, should be prepared for about 350 vertical meters to the chorten high above the village. The reward for the hike, most of them in the midday heat, is really a wonderful panoramic view of the south Lamjungu Himal (6983 m asl) over Annapurnas to the Tilicho Peak (7134 m asl). The north is dominated by ice spike near Pisang Peak (6091 m asl). In addition, there is a high probability that you meet anyone there and enjoy views in complete privacy. continue reading
Hike Nadi Bazar - Bahundanda
Kingdom of rice terraces
On the way from Nadi Bazar to the village of Bahundanda (1310 m asl) you encounter the first real ascent on the trek around Annapurnas. The path rises from the Marsyangdi river through the long ascent to the village / 17.2 trek km / enthroned on a small pass between an incredible number of rice fields. Views of almost the entire path are really worth the effort done. continue reading
Hike Muktinath - Kagbeni
To the gateway of Upper Mustang
After a long crossing of Thorong la pass it is time for another „descent“ phase of the ever-expanding town of Ranipauwa (3680 m asl) (121 trek km) under the temples in Muktinah to the beautiful Tibetan village of Kagbeni (2850 m asl) (131 km trek), which is the last one in Lower Mustang. You can continue farther north to the Upper Mustang only with a special permit. Although the road is very dusty due to the passing jeeps mainly with indian pilgrims and tourists that finished the trek around Annapurnas already in Muktinah, there are many interesting views of a completely different landscape than you could see before the pass in Manang. continue reading
Ascent to Ridge over Ngawal
Amazing view of Annapurna III.
Most tourists walking along the „upper" trek path around the Annapurnas only pass Ngawal ( 3660 m asl). However, it is very good acclimatization place with great views and possibility of several trips to even better outlook points. One of the best local views are from the way up the ridge directly above the trekking trail leading to the pass of Kangla Bhanjyang. It's up to you how high you get, but the view is better and better with every altitude meter. continue reading
Hike Jomsom - Tukuche
Journey to the most beautiful village in
After leaving dusty Jomsom, the capital town in the Lower Mustang, the journey continues through interesting landscape with nice views mainly of the massif Nilgri. Snow-white spike of Dhaulagiri begins to peep out as the time passes. After six kilometers you reach the village of Marpha, which lies in the middle of this stage. From here you will follow Kali Gandaki valley to the beautiful and clean village Tukuche. continue reading
Hike Pisang - Ghyaru
Ascent to upper path
One of the crucial decisions on the trek around Annapurnas waits for you in Pisang. You need to decide whether you will go on the faster and shorter lower path, or on so-called „higher“ via Upper Pisang, Ghyaru and Ngawal with beautiful views. As you started the trek mainly with the aim to see something, so it is definitely worth going through the higher path, from where it is also possible to take a few side acclimatization trips. continue reading
Hike through Upper Khangsar
Beautiful view of the Marsyangdi valley
For tourists returning from a trip to Lake Tilicho is much more practical and moreover even nicer not to go the same way back to Manang, but to go along the top route through the village of spirits – Upper Khangsar and then go down directly to Yak Kharka through the beautiful small outlook cliff high above the river valley. In addition, this path is the least often walked by the tourists trekking around Annapurnas. continue reading
Hike Tukuche - Kalopani
Walk between Dhaulagiri and Nilgri
You will not meet many hikers during the hike from Tukuche to Kalopani. Most of them just zip around you in a bus or jeep, but they do a mistake. It is certainly worth to complete the trek around Annapurna despite the fact that there is already a road since the views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgri are awesome. continue reading
Hike Manang - Khangsar
A short walk along Marsyangdi
For someone just a short acclimatization walk from Manang to picturesque village of Khangsar (3 760m asl.) and back. For others starting point to lake Tilicho. Anyway, it is a nice walk along river Marsyangdi through valley of weathered rocks and view of Annapurna II. continue reading
Hike Timang - Koto - Chame
The first view of Annapurna
From Timang ( 2630 m asl ) renowned by parade sunsets over massif Manaslu you continue through woods to Thanchok and behind it the path already connects to the main route leading from the bottom via Danakyu. This approximately three-hour lasting trip from Timang via Koto to Chame is the most interesting for tourists mainly because they will finally, after several days of walking, see Annapurna for the first time. Even the village Chame at the end of this stage is worth seeing. continue reading
Hike Bahundanda - Syange
Hike across the deathroad
The journey from Bahundanda (17,2km of trek) to Syange (22.5 km of trek) changes its intensity mainly according to the time of day. Mornings and evenings are pleasant here. Wandering here around the noon in long passages without shadow is very tiring. After a steep descent from the pass with beautiful views of the rice amphitheater you walk more or less on the contour line along the hillside slope. Interesting views are mostly on the other side of the valley on the road situated in a slope, along which occasionally jeeps or even buses “swing”. It clearly meets the characteristic of „deathroad“ – at least according to appearance. continue reading
Hike Dharapani - Timang
The outlook of Manaslu
Dharapani (1930 m asl ) is located just a short way from the confluence of Marsyangdi and Dudh Khola – so in places where is the conjunction of treks around Annapurnas and Manaslu. From there you shall continue further into Bagarchhap (2100 m asl) and Danakyu, behind which you have to decide not only based on your physical health, but also according to the actual caving conditions, whether you go through the bottom path along the river or ascend more than 400 vertical meters to Timang and walk along the upper path. continue reading
Hike Chame - Pisang
Walk under Lamjung Himal
Nearly six-hour lasting walk from Chame (2 700m asl.) to Pisang is livened with occasional views of the massive mountain peaks Lamjung Himal ( 6983 m asl) and Ngadi Chuli ( 7871 m asl) in the remote Manaslu group. Another attraction is completely smoothed vertical wall of Pangri Danda and routes passages fired into the rock. Just before Pisang begins picturesque part of the stage finished with the ascent to Upper Pisang with a nice view of Annapurna II. continue reading
Hike Kagbeni - Jomsom
Through valley of Kali Gandaki
Ten-kilometer journey from Kagbeni (131 trek km) to Jomsom (141 trek km) leads in a wide, sometimes up to half a kilometer, valley of river Kali Gandaki. In the afternoon, the walk is particularly annoying because of strong headwinds. The most beautiful is the view back to the oasis of Kagbeni and to the massive top of Nilgri (7 061 m asl). Around in the middle of the walk there is a small village Ekle Bhatti ideal for a break with tea or lunch. continue reading
Hike Chamje - Tal
Sharp ascent to the former lake
Stage of the trek around Annapurnas from Chamje to Tal (34 trek km) has two very different faces – at first steep ascent with views of the opposite shore, where is new road explicitly built into the rocks, up to completely flat upland plain, a former lake floor, near the village of Tal. Buddhist region of Manang begins in Tal. Good bye Lamjung! continue reading
Hike in surroundings of Jomsom
To the village of Marpha and surrounding
Not many people stay in Jomsom longer than necessary. But if you have to stay here (for example because your flight was postponed), you can explore the surrounding countryside. One option is the hike to the village of Marpha (along the route of Annapurna trek) and return to Jomsom through northern foothills of Nilgiri. continue reading
Hike Ghyaru - Ngawal
The outlook of Pisang Peak
After the lunch in Ghyaru or a trip to the chorten above it follows a short stage lasting approximately two hours between villages Ghyaru and Ngawal leading almost along the contour-line at about 3700 meters above sea level with a parade view of Pisang Peak and Annapurnas towering behind the valley. continue reading
Ascent over Thorong High Camp
Beautiful view of mountain giants
Only seventy altitude meters above Thorong High Camp is located amazing outlook to six thousand Damodar Himalaya mountains and Annapurna III. with Gangapurna on the horizon. Deep in the ravine glisten roofs of Thorung Phedi and in the west winds a way through the moraine in the direction Thorong la pass. continue reading
The ascent to gompa Bojo
Perfect view of Manang
The most favorite acclimatization trip from Manang is to gompa Bojo hidden in a rock wall high above Manang. Interesting are here not only beautiful views of the ridge of Annapurnas, but also the ceremony, which is supposed to bring you luck during crossing of the pass Thorong la. continue reading
Hike Ngawal - Manang
Walk between eroded rocks
The path from Ngawal drops for more than 200 altitude meters back to Marsyangdi valley along bizarre rocks sculpted by wind and stunted pines. Along the way there are magnificent views of Annapurna ridges and it is possible to visit a very nice village Bhraka before arriving to the downtown area – to Manang. continue reading
Hike Gangapurna tal and Chongkor
Acclimatization trip under Gangapurna
One of the two most popular acclimatization trips from Mangang is the walk to a nice Chongkor viewpoint. It is the ascent around a nice lake Gangapurna Tal, which remained as the last vestige of the old glacier falling here from the hillside of Gangapurna. continue reading
Visit of Bhraka
The most beautiful village in Manang
Less than two kilometers before Manang is situated a beautiful village Bhraka built in Tibetan style and stuck on weathered rock massif. It is definitely worth to go a few dozen meters down from the main path and go through this interesting little hamlet with a gompa. continue reading
Hike under Syagang
Along the moraine to the impressive rock
In Thorong High Camp you does not have to just be bored and lie in the tent with the expectation of tomorrow's Thorong la pass crossing or hike to a nice little outlook hill above the camp. You can have a slow acclimatization walk along moraine above the last remnants of glaciers, now for good covered under debris, toward the rock tooth Syagang (6026 m asl). This walk is quite interesting, but it is not frequently walked by people. continue reading
Hike Bhulbhule - Nadi Bazar
Start of the Annapurnas trek
Official starting point of the trek around Annapurnas is Besi Shahar (790m asl), the capital of Lamjung. But most tourists nowadays want to avoid walking along the dusty road and take the bus from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule (9.3 trek km) (820m asl), from where they mostly set out the same day to Nadi Bazar (13 trek km) (930m asl) through the comfortable trekking path along the Marsyangdi river. continue reading
Hike Syange - Chamje
Dusty stage
The way from Syange to Cham (29 kilometer on the trek around Annapurnas) is probably the least interesting part in the whole trek. Mainly due several kilometers you go along the built road. Even so, there is still something to watch – on the slopes of the hills there are rice fields among which you can occasionally see a waterfall. continue reading
Hike Thorong Phedi - High Camp
Compulsory hike with nice views
Flashing headlamps suggests that it is only a few hours after midnight and most of the tourists here start the longest day trek around Annapurnas – the crossing of the pass Thorong la (sometimes written as Thorung la)) . They thus pass the steepest section to the High Camp in the deep darkness or at dawn. But those who plan to accommodate at High Camp, or just go there for better acclimatization and in the afternoon go back to Thorong Phedi, can enjoy the beautiful views of not only Annapurna III., but also of Gangapurna. continue reading
Hike Tal - Dharapani
Beautiful way through Marsyangdi canyon
Very nice stage of the trek around Annapurnas leads from Tal though the wild canyon over suspension bridges around lots of nice waterfalls up to Dharapani, where trekking routes around Annapurnas and Manaslu connect. It is one of the most beautiful river passages in the whole trek. Unfortunately, the numbers of passages are disturbed by building new road here. continue reading
