Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal, offering an incredible journey around the Annapurna massif, through diverse landscapes, vigorous culture and the stunning views of the peaks in the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri Range. Our Short Annapuran Circuit Trek is the condensed version of the full Annapuran Circuit Trek, but provides equally mesmerizing experience, making it a perfect trek for trekkers with limited time but a desire to witness the grandeur of the Himalayas.
The maximum elevation you will gain on this trek is 5,416 meters at Thorung La Pass, which is also one of the highest trekking passes in the world. Enjoying the panoramic views of the peaks in the Annapuran and the Dhaulagiri range, as you descend from the pass you will reach one of the holiest places in Nepal and a sacred site for both Hindu and Buddhist people, “Muktinath”. Additionally, this itinerary also includes a quick visit to Lubra Village which is believed to have been founded in the 12th century and is one of the very few fully Bon villages in Nepal that still follow Bonism (a Tibetan-born, ancient, animistic indigenous religion that incorporates both Buddhism and Shamanism).
This 15 days Annapurna Circuit Trek is an all-inclusive Kathmandu to Kathmandu package. You will spend one day exploring the attractions in Kathmandu and one day in Pokhara - a perfect place to relax after the trek. The trek starts with a drive to Chame, and takes typically 8 days before driving back to Pokhara from Jomsom. Jomsom is the ending point of the trek. During the trekking period, your overnight stops will be in Chame, Pisang, Ngawal, Manang, Ledar, Thorung Phedi/the High Camp, Muktinath and Jomsom. The trail winding through picturesque villages, terraced fields, rhododendron forest and high altitude deserts, will also make you pass through several ethnic settlements such as Gurung, Tamang and Thakali communities to allow you to immerse yourself in the rich vibrant culture and hospitality of the inhabitants.
Thus, this 15 days Short Annapurna Circuit Trek, combining an exhilarating physical challenge with breathtaking scenery, makes it one of the perfect adventures for those looking for short but equally rewarding Himalayan experiences.
March to May and late September to early December make the perfect time to do this trek in Nepal. Those looking for a challenge can also plan this trek in winter mid-December to February. It’s fun to cross the pass while it’s snowing with your crampons or micro spikes on. It’s a moderately challenging trek, perfect for trekkers with few other prior low-altitude trekking experience.
However, if you have time and are looking to add more section of the Annapurna region to the trek, we highly recommend our 19 days Full Annapurna Circuit Trek. But, if you are bound by time and are looking for short and easy treks in the Annapurna region, the options that will perfectly match your requirements are our Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with Ghandruk Trek, or even Mardi Himal Trek.
Trip Includes
- Airport transfer service upon arrival and departure (private car/jeep)
- 3 Nights twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu (3 Star Standard Hotel)
- 2 Nights twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast Pokhara (3 Star Standard Hotel)
- One full day guided city tour by private vehicle (car/jeep)
- Private jeep transportation from Kathmandu to Chame. (For solo trekkers private transportation from Kathmandu to Besisahar and shared jeep from Besisahar to Chame)
- Private jeep transportation from Lubra to Jomsom
- Private jeep transportation from Jomsom to Pokhara (Flight can be arranged at extra cost)
- Private vehicle (car/jeep/minivan) from Pokhara to Kathmandu (Flight can be arranged at extra cost), (Luxury bus transportation from Pokhara to Kathmandu for solo trekkers)
- Private transportation (car/jeep/minivan) to explore attractions in Pokhara
- All accommodations (normal standard lodges) on twin-sharing basis (except at Thorung Phedi/High Camp) during the trek.
- Attached bathroom with hot shower facility in Chame, Pisang, Manang, Muktinath and Jomsom.
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), during the trek
- Seasonal fruits after dinner, every day during the trek
- 3 cups tea/coffee (served in cups only), every day during the trek
- Unlimited purified drinking water (medicated)
- All required trekking permits
- One government licensed, English speaking, knowledgeable and experienced trekking guide and his entire expenses
- One porter (for each two trekkers) and his entire expenses
- Insurance of guide and porter
- All required local and government taxes
- Duffle bag and down jacket (if required on rental basis)
- Basic First Aid Kit with pulse oximeter
- Adventure certificate upon completion of the trek
- Farewell dinner
Trip Excludes
- Nepal arrival visa
- Personal expenses like mineral water, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, chocolates, hot water for drinking or any other purpose, laundry service etc.
- WiFi and Battery Charging services and extra hot shower service.
- Flight (Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu) with airport transfer (can be arranged at extra cost)
- All required monument entrance fees in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Any extended trips or accommodations
- Cost of adventure activities (like paragliding, bungy, zip lining, ultralight flight, rafting etc.) in Pokhara
- Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early return from the trek
- Travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation over 5000 meters, trip cancellation and the cost of treatment caused by unforeseen disease/illness
- Tips (as an appreciation) to the service providers
Useful Information
Travel Insurance
If you are planning your next trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, then it is highly recommended that you get a travel insurance that covers all the additional and unforeseen expenses that might occur as a result of different injuries or accidents (together with ambulance, helicopter, rescue and other treatment cost) and various other health related issues. Moreover, the policy should also fund the entire activities that you are planning to take on throughout your stay in Nepal. In addition, the policy should also finance misplaced luggage, theft and liability, cancellations, medical treatment (including hospital charges, cost of the medicine and doctor’s fees), death and repatriation cost as well. This trek requires walking above the altitude of 4,000m, therefore, it is kindly requested to ensure that your insurance policy covers trek that goes over 4000m. In short, all unforeseen expenses during the entire trek are trekkers’ sole responsibility.
Health, fitness and experience requirements:
Trekking along the trail of Annapurna region is identified as one of the long distance trekking in the world. Therefore, the trek demands good stamina, excellent health condition and the highest level of mental determination. Some sections of the trek take you to the altitude of over 4000m and some days require 7-8 hours of walking. Therefore, it is well recommended to plan your trek when you are at your best health condition.
The trek is considerably moderate and attainable. Yet, it is highly recommended that you seek advice, medication, and permission from your doctor before scheduling your trek. You can also take the help of the local General Practitioner in order to consult the necessary guide walks, before planning the trek. (Running, cycling, or a few hours of uphill walking are considered as some of the best ways to practice for your next trek. This also helps in minimizing the potential effect of Altitude Mountain Sickness.) In the absence of GP, various travel clinics can also assist you with the needed guidance. However, this trek can be easily attained even without any technical knowledge, but prior hiking, trekking and camping experience will definitely make the walk easier.
Note:
We kindly request you to submit your medical fitness certificate (which must include your present health condition, medical situation, preceding illness, and the medications you are taking) before booking the packages. We also request you to be honest so that we can get prepared and take quick action in case of any emergencies.
Meals and Accommodation:
In order to ensure a comfortable stay and relaxed ambiance, we do the booking in one of the best tourist standard hotels before and after your trek. The rooms offered by these hotels are normally twin-share, which requires you to share your room with another member of your group. However, this totally depends upon the size of your group and the availability of rooms in the hotel. Triple share is also available on request and a single supplement room is also available at an additional cost.
During the trek, your stay is arranged in local guesthouses or lodges (with shared amenities) en route. You can enjoy a hot shower in most of these lodges, however, in the absence of hot shower few buckets of hot water will also be arranged by the lodge itself. A full board meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and tea & coffee) will be served from the teahouse menu. For breakfast usually western food like porridge, oatmeal, local bread, and toast are offered. The food served for lunch and dinner can be chosen from the teahouse menu.
Our attempt while you are on a trek:
Our guides will make every possible attempt to make your trip successful and for this purpose they strictly follow the itinerary provided to you (except for any formidable situation). Trekking in the Annapurna region of Nepal takes you to those remote areas of Nepal, where communication facilities are very rare. Hence, to maintain regular contact our guides are also provided with cell phones. This can also be used by trekkers to send any message that you want us to deliver to your family, friends or relatives. We can also help you reschedule your international flight (extra charge applicable) if you are looking to extend the days to complete your trek.
Why trek with us?
AME Treks and Expedition offers fully customized packages that are specifically designed to meet each individual trekker’s needs, requirements and budget. Partnering with AME directly allows you to deal with someone who has an in-depth practice of walking and knowledge regarding the track we follow. This in turn will definitely benefit you as you can get information based on their personal experience. We also team up with the local residents of Annapurna region who can take you to those remote areas of Annapurna region that have never been explored before. It is simply a bonus trip for you.
We only hire professional, experienced and knowledgeable guides and team leaders that are dedicated to offering their trekking experience to make your trip successful. Moreover, the most important thing during the entire trek is trekkers’ safety. Therefore, we provide those trek leaders that possess the highest level of qualification in Advanced Wilderness First Aid so that they can take every possible safety measures required to respond rapidly to changing situations during the trek. We also try our best to communicate with you, to help you with your additional requirements during the trek.
To provide a top level of food and accommodation experience, we partner with some of the best lodges and teahouses en route that can produce culinary delights both locally grown and western varieties. We also make sure that the food provided to you is hygienic and balanced and the living space clean and cozy.
Moreover, all the formalities required during the trek will be taken care of by the team leader assigned to your group. Therefore, partnering with gives you the opportunity enjoy a hassle-free trek.
Our legal documents:
AME Treks and Expedition is a certified company and is registered under the government of Nepal. We have special authority of the government of Nepal to operate treks, tours, expedition and other tourism related programs in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. Besides, we are also a very active member of other professional organizations like;
Ministry of Finance, Department of Taxation
Company Registration Office, Pvt. Ltd.
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism Industry
Central Bank of Nepal, Nepal Rastra Bank Foreign Exchange Department
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)
Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN)
Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP)
What are the best seasons to plan this trek?
Though Nepal can be visited any time of the year, the best season to plan your trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal is spring and autumn.
Spring - March, April and May are considered the best month to pay your visit to the Annapurna region because during these months you can experience the warm weather, clear skies, good temperature and the best visibility.
Autumn – Mid September, October and November is also considered the best month to visit the Annapurna region because of the best visibility, clear blue skies and excellent trail.
Winter – December, January and February are good, if you can prepare yourself to experience the extreme cold weather.
Summer – Mid June, July and August are not considered as the right time to visit the Annapurna range as the monsoon rain affects everything that is, trail, weather, temperature as well as the visibility.
What should I bring?
Along with warm clothes you will also need other equipment for the sufficient protection of your body. Below is the list of necessary items that you need to pack before commencing your trek.
Head- Hat (with a wide brim), Sunglasses (with UV protection), Sunscreen lotion and Lip balm
Upper body- T-shirts (2), light and expedition weight thermal tops, Fleece jacket and pullover, Fleece wind-stopper jacket (Optional), waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket, down vest/jacket (included)
Hands - Lightweight gloves, heavy-weight gloves/mittens with a waterproof outer shell
Lower body - Underwear (4), hiking shorts (2), lightweight cotton long pants, light and expedition weight thermal bottoms, Fleece or wool pants, waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Feet - Thin, light-wear inner socks (4), thick, warm wool hiking socks (4), hiking boots with spare laces, camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals), gaiters (only for winter)
Accessories - Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F (included), headlamp with spare bulb and batteries, small padlock or combination lock, basic first aid kit, large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag), day pack, water bottles (2), hiking pole/walking sticks, small ear plugs
Toiletries – Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, small wash towel
Extras - Cameras with extra batteries and cards, binoculars, light balaclava or warm fleece hat, reading books, trip map/guide book, journal & pen, iPod & travel games (like cards, chess, and backgammon)
Passport and Visa Information:
It is very easy to obtain Nepal’s visa. You may either apply for a visa at your nearest Nepalese Embassy/Consulate or Mission offices in your own country or you can buy this upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. To apply for a visa, you need 2 passport size photographs, Visa fees in US dollars and your passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the trip. However, nationals of SAARC countries (India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan) and China do not require any visa to visit Nepal. Transit visa for foreign nationalities is only provided for 3 days. Therefore, visa is required for longer stays. However, for the convenience or foreign nationals, a visa is also provided from the borders listed below:
Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu)
Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border of Nepal)
Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Western Nepal)
Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Mid Western Nepal)
Mohana, Dhangadhi (Far Western Nepal)
Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Far Western Nepal)
Tourist Visa Fees:
Transit visa (3 days) – Free of cost
Multiple entry (15 days) – 30 USD or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry (30 days) – 50 USD or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry (90 days) – 125 USD or equivalent convertible currency
(For more information, please contact the Department of Immigration, Maitighar, Kathmandu.
Tel: 00977-1 4221996/4223590/4222453. You can also download visa form from – www.immi.gov.np)
