- 9 Days
- 5416m
Annapurna Circuit Short Trek provides a combination of mountain scenery, the Himalayan landscape in a short period of time. Experience the culture of mountaineer people and scale those altitudes all under 10 days.
The journey starts from Chame after the scenic drive from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Besisahar and finally Chame. The road from Kathmandu to Besisahar is 173 kilometers, Besisahar to Chame is 65 Kilometer and Chame to Khangsar is 56 kilometers.
The trail goes through the bank of Marsyangdi River crossing high Himalaya villages with beautiful mountain scenery. Before reaching Thorung La Pass you will pass through Dhukur Pokhari, Pisang, Ghyaru, Ngwal, Braga, Manang, Yak Kharka, and finally on the top.
Visit Manang, a beautiful village with traditional houses, farmland, and animal husbandry. Enjoy the marvelous beauty of snow-capped mountains such as Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Gandarbha Chuli (6,250m), Gangapurna (7,544m), Glacier Dome (7,193m), Khangsar Kang (7,485m), and Tilicho Peak (7,134m).
These 10 days Annapurna Circuit Short trek is a perfect trip to reach High Mountain in a short period of time. This trek is organized by the expert local Guide and Porters.
The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal is considered one of the world’s classic treks. Winding through the Annapurna mountain range, the route usually takes between 14-21 days to complete. The best time to trek depends on your preferences.
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the most popular seasons. In spring, temperatures are warm during the day and cold at higher altitudes. Views are very clear, but it can be quite crowded on the trail, with over 30,000 trekkers per year. Autumn has warm days, cool nights, and even clearer skies after the monsoon, though lodges start to shut down.
For solitude, trek in the monsoon season between June and August. Rains bring landslides, causing trail blockages, but the mountains are lush green.
Winter (December-February) brings bitterly cold nights, yet days still warm up. Fewer people trek in these months, but teahouses and lodges are mostly closed above 3400m. With proper gear, winter trekking can be enjoyable, though trail conditions are difficult.
The Annapurna Circuit Short Trek is typically ranked moderate in difficulty. Compared to the longer 3-week Annapurna Circuit trek, the shorter 10-day route involves less walking days and altitude gain.
However, proper physical conditioning is still required since 4-6 hours will be spent hiking each day while carrying a 5-8 kg daypack. The highest point reached is the 5416m Thorong La pass, which requires careful acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness.
While no technical mountaineering skills are needed, the trail has steep, sandy, and rocky inclined sections alternating with flatter valley paths. As the route enters the world’s deepest gorge at one point, dizziness issues must be managed, too. Trekking poles aid with knee impact.
Weather conditions also determine difficulty as winter brings snow, and monsoons have slippery trails. An adventurous spirit and moderate fitness are recommended to complete the trek, although the payoff of witnessing breathtaking scenery through changing landscapes makes all the effort extremely rewarding.
The Annapurna Short Circuit is considered a moderately challenging trek suitable for beginner and experienced trekkers. There are about 4-6 hours of hiking per day, with the highest point being Thorong La Pass at 5416m. Proper acclimatization to the high altitudes is key.