Annapurna Circuit is popular adventurous trekking trail of Nepal that allows to hike world’s highest Himalayan pass called Thorong La (5,416m) and fly over world’s deepest River gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range. The trek is also known as Round Annapurna Trek or Thorong La Pass Trek. This trekking trail offers beautiful landscape of white Annapurna Himalaya, classical Tibetan villages of Manang, Pisang, and Jharkot, glacial moraine, historical Buddhist pilgrimage, breathtaking waterfalls with diverse geographical landscape.
During adventure trekking trail to Annapurna circuit, we can have amazing Himalayan Peaks such as Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Tilicho Peak (7,134m), Gangapurna (7,455m), Lamjung Himal (6,983m), Mt. Manaslu (8,163m), Pisang Peak (6091m), Chulu East (6,584m), Chulu West (6,419m), Machhapuchre (6,993m), Nilgiri (7,041m) with massive range of 7th and 10th highest Mountain of the world called Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna I (8,091m).
Annapurna Circuit Trek begins from Beshisahar, but we can recommend to start your trek from Jagat due to more vehicle drive in lower part of Annapurna region. People also can have direct drive to Manang village by private Jeep from Besisahar but need acclimatize to hike in lower part to make successful Himalayan cross. The trail goes along with Marshyangdi River, terrace Rice field, sub-tropical forest, beautiful waterfalls, local villages having great chance to explore local ethnic culture and lifestyle of Himalayan people such as Gurung, Magar and Thakali. There is Tibetan influence in higher region, so we can encounter Tibetan Buddhism including old monastery, Chortens, Mani wall, prayer flags, and their typical houses.
After crossing amazing pass of Thorong La, we trek down to Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage Muktinath, with an elevaton of 3800 meter. Muktinath is famous Vishnu Temple which means “Lord of Salvation”. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit this place to get moksha (salvation) from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Knowingly or unknowingly, if Hindu people did sin in their life, can get salvation after visiting this temple. According to Buddhist tradition, Guru Rimpochen founded the Tibetan faith, stopped in this place to pray the sky dancing goddesses, when he was on the way to Tibet in 8th century. We can also visit the Tibetan monastery having naturel fire (gas from soil) inside and meet with female nuns. We end our trek in Jomsom and fly to Pokhara having scenic view of sliver Himalayan peaks.
