Are you finding the Annapurna Circuit trek route map and wondering how to get a rough idea of the trek? Well, you will not need to worry about that, as in this blog, we will be discussing the route map of the Annapurna circuit trek along with Google Maps, the guidebooks, and the ways to find the directions that can take you to your destinations.
As you know, the Annapurna Circuit trek is the moderate trek in Nepal, which takes you to an altitude of 5416 meters, and the trail taking you to this altitude is the lush green forests, barren lands, and high-altitude deserts, due to which you need to have a route map that can give you the rough ideas of the place after every place. It’s important for you to download Google Maps, as it will guide you throughout the place.
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Why do you need a route map for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
It’s important for you to get a route map for the Annapurna circuit, as it will help you understand daily trekking distances. The route map will help you in identifying villages for food, water, and overnight stays. You can do planned acclimatization stops to avoid any kind of AMS. When you have the map, you know where to avoid wrong turns in remote sections. You can also have a customized trek based on time and fitness levels.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Route Map
Annapurna Circuit Trek Route Map Highlights and Itinerary
Every trekker plans their own itinerary for trekking in the Annapurna Circuit trek according to their physical fitness and acclimatization days. The general trek itinerary can vary from 12 days to 18 days. Here is the most common itinerary that is followed by the trekkers.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
You will arrive in Kathmandu according to your flight schedule, and then you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel. In the evening, you will be greeted with a warm welcome dinner in the nice cuisine restaurant of Thamel. In the evening, you can explore the vibrant streets of Thamel.
Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar to Chame (2,720 m)
Early morning, you will be driving to Besisahar and then to Chame from Kathmandu. The distance between Kathmandu and Chame is 238 kilometers. On the way, you will explore the Trishuli River, which originates from the Langtang Valley.
Day 3: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,190 m)
Early in the morning, you will trek to Pisang, a beautiful village that offers beautiful views of the Pisang peaks and the Annapurna peaks. You will trek through the riverbank of the Marshyandgi River. On the way, you will pass through the pine and oak forests, with dramatic views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II.
Day 4: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3,540 m)
On day 4, you will trek to Manang from Pisang. You will walk through the traditional villages like Ngawal and Braga, which are home to ancient monasteries. When you reach Manang, you might feel like you have arrived in Tibet due to its landscape and environment, as the Manang village is highly influenced by the Tibetan customs and traditions.
Day 5: Acclimatization Day at Manang (3,540 m)
Today will be acclimatization day for you, as the pass you will be crossing, which is Thorong La Pass, requires a good level of acclimatization as well, due to its altitude, which is even higher than the Everest base camp or any other treks like the Tilicho Lake trek or the Manaslu circuit trek. You will explore the local villages and witness the beautiful views of the mountains. You can also hike to the Gangapurna Lake, which is just an hour’s hike from Manang.
Day 6: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (4,210 m)
Early in the morning, you will trek to Yak Kharka from Manang. You will trek through alpine landscapes with sparse vegetation. You will cross water streams and pass yak pastures along the way. When you trek higher, the altitude becomes noticeable, so pace yourself to avoid altitude sickness.
Day 7: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,550 m)
Early in the morning, after enjoying your breakfast, you will trek to Thorong Phedi. Your trek will be a short but steep trek to Thorong Phedi, the base camp before crossing the high pass. Some trekkers continue to High Camp (4,800 m), but staying in Phedi allows better acclimatization.
Day 8: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath, Crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416 m)
Today will be the toughest day for you, as you will be crossing the Thorong La Pass at an altitude of 5416, which is difficult but worthy. You will need to start your trek at 2 to 3 AM, as during the daytime, the weather is unpredictable, making it difficult for you to cross the pass. Upon reaching the Thorong La pass, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. You will feel the once-in-a-lifetime moment there and then trek to the Muktinath temple, which is a sacred temple in Nepal for Buddhists and Hindus.
Day 9: Drive from Muktinath to Kagbeni, Jomsom, Marpha, and Tatopani (1,940 m)
You can visit the Muktinath temple and pray to God, have lunch, and then drive to Kagbeni, which is a sacred place for performing the ancestors’ rituals. After that, you will drive to Jomsom, a beautiful village and the headquarters of the Mustang region. After that, you will drive to Marpha village, the gateway to the Dhaulagiri circuit trek. After that, you will drive to the Ttaopani, where the hot water comes from the Kali Gandaki River, and it is believed that taking a bath here cleanses all your skin problems, and it will help you to remove your trek pains and fatigue as well.
Day 10: Drive from Tatopani to Pokhara (860 m)
Early in the morning, you will drive to Pokhara from Tatopani. The distance between Tatopani and Pokhara is around 90 km, which can be reached in 4 to 5 hours. After reaching Pokhara, you can visit beautiful places like the Mahendra cave, Gupteshwor cave, Davis Fall, Phewa Lake, and many more.
Day 11: Early Morning Scenic Drive to Kathmandu (1,360 m)
Early in the morning, you can visit Sarangkot, Pumdikot, or the World Peace Pagoda to witness the sunrise over the Machapuchare, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri ranges, along with the Manaslu peaks, which lie in the Manaslu region in clear weather. After that, you can have breakfast and then drive to Kathmandu. The distance between Pokhara and Kathmandu is 200 kilometers, which can be reached in 6 to 8 hours.
Day 12: Departure
According to your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport, and you can head towards your next destination. If you would like, you can explore other places in Nepal as well, like the Manaslu circuit trek, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, the river rafting, and many more.
Tips for Using the Annapurna Circuit Route Map
Download Offline Maps
Apps like Maps.me or Gaia GPS work well in remote areas.
Carry a Printed Map
The network is unreliable; a paper map is always handy.
Hire a Guide/Porter
Hire a guide and porter as they not only know the trail but also ensure cultural insights and safety.
Know Alternative Routes
Detours like Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) or Nar Phu Valley can be added.
Read Related Blogs
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Top 8 things to know before trekking in Annapurna Circuit
Tags: annapurna circuit trek, annapurna regions, circuit trekking, thorong la pass trek, tilicho lake, Trekking in Nepal