Annapurna Circuit Trek and Muktinath Darshan with Helicopter Flight – 10 Days

After landing at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by Extollo’s guide, who will escort you to your hotel. Take a rest and freshen up. Late afternoon or evening, you will meet your trek guide, who will brief you about your Annapurna Circuit Trek and Muktinath Darshan.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Early in the morning, you make your way to the domestic airport. You charter a private helicopter and fly towards Lower Pisang in the Annapurna Region. During the flight, you can savor aerial views of Kathmandu valley and the Himalayan range.

The chopper lands at a helipad in Lower Pisang. With a light daypack on your back, you start your trek and head towards Upper Pisang. You spend the night at a local lodge where rooms have been booked for you.

It is a short hike of about twenty minutes on a dirt trail. Upper Pisang is an old traditional village sitting opposite the mighty Annapurna II. The village has an ancient gompa that is more than two centuries old.

Overnight in Upper Pisang.

You start your trek after breakfast. Follow an easy track out of the village. Enjoying the majestic views of the mountains, you walk on a zigzag trail carved on the side of a mountain. After crossing a swinging bridge and mani walls, you reach the picturesque village of Ghyaru.

The village is dotted with traditional flat-roofed stone cottages, prayer flags, and mani walls. Take a brief rest and savor stunning views of Annapurna II, III, and IV before continuing towards Ngawal.

You make a steep climb and later descend to the village, which is at a lower elevation than Ghyaru. Ngawal is a large village with lots of teahouses and newly built lodges.

Overnight in Ngawal.

Today's destination is Manang, a beautiful village where you will spend an extra day acclimatizing.

You head out of Ngawal and take a steep descent to a green valley. After walking in a barren landscape, the patches of green trees, grasses and barley fields feel soothing. You walk past Humde and Braga or Braka, an ancient village with an important monastery. From Braga, you walk on the rough jeep track leading to Manang. The walk is easy but dusty.

Manang is one of the liveliest and busiest towns on the Annapurna Circuit. There are shops and bakeries where you can stock up on your supplies (of snacks) and enjoy treats. The frozen peaks of Gangapurna and Annapurna III rear up proudly right above the town. You spend a warm and comfortable night at a local lodge.

Overnight in Manang.

Before your trek up to Thorong La Pass at 5416 meters, you need to prepare your body for that altitude. Therefore, you spend an additional day in Manang, letting your body adapt to thin air.

Your guide will take you on a hike to Ice Lake or Kicho Tal, located about eight kilometers from Manang. To reach the lake, you retrace your steps to Braga and take the route leading to the Ice Lake. The views of the Annapurnas and Gangapurna are amazing. It is a steep hike with a lot of switchbacks.

There are two lakes – Upper Lake and Lower Lake. You can visit both the lakes or only the lower lake. The upper lake lies a couple of hundred meters from the lower lake. The lakes are covered with a sheath of ice and look stunning, surrounded by snow-covered mountains. After taking pictures, you hike back to Manang.

Overnight in Manang.

Wake up early, pack your bags, and hit the trail. You make your way to Upper Manang, a charming village where most of the old inhabitants live. You make your way past alleyways and old stone houses with flat roofs.

The hike is steep till Gunsang, a sleepy village. Somewhere on the route, you will reach a point where the road ends, and you enter a vehicle-free zone. It will only be you, the mountains, and an occasional mule or yak train on the trail.

From Gunsang it's an easy walk with gentle ups and downs to Yak Kharka, a popular stop on the Annapurna Circuit.

Overnight in Yak Kharka.

From Yak Kharka, you make your way to Thorong Phedi or the Base Camp of Thorong La via Ledar. Though the distance between Throng Phedi and Yak Kharka is only about 6.5 kilometers, the walk is strenuous because of the high altitude and low oxygen levels. En route, you cross a bridge and a landslide area. Once you reach Thorong Phedi, you can rest at the teahouse or take an acclimatization hike to High Camp.

Overnight In Thorong Phedi.

You wake up before dawn and, with your head torch lighting the way, proceed to High Camp. There will be ice and snow on the path, so you must tread carefully. It's a tough and steep ascent from High Camp to Thorong La.

Walk at your own pace, taking in deep and steady breaths. You are at 5000 meters, and racing to the top and straining yourself might prove harmful. Pause to take in the beautiful sunlit views of the mountains en route.

Walking through a vast field of snow, you finally arrive at Thorong La Pass, one of the highest mountains passes in the world. Decorated with prayer flags and surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world, the view from the mountain pass looks incredible.

After taking pictures and celebrating with your team, you walk down to Muktinath. The trail zigzags down to a barren valley. As you go down, you find it easier to breathe.

On reaching Muktinath, head to a lodge and enjoy a good rest.

Overnight in Muktinath.

You wind up your memorable Annapurna Circuit trek with a darshan of Lord Vishnu at Muktinath Temple. One of the holiest pilgrimage sites for both Hindus and Buddhists, the shrine of Muktinath is the place to attain 'moksha' or salvation according to sacred texts.

Near the temple flows the Kali Gandaki, where one can find plenty of 'saligrams' (ammonite fossils said to represent Lord Vishnu).

The past few days had been an incredible test of strength and endurance. You offer prayers at the temple and thank the gods for keeping you safe during your trip. Later you charter a helicopter and fly back to Kathmandu. At the airport, our staff will receive you and drive you to your hotel.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Bid goodbye to Kathmandu and head to the international airport. Our staff will ensure you reach the airport on time to catch your flight.

If you want to extend your holiday in Nepal, please do let us know. Our travel consultant can help you plan another fantastic adventure.