Luxury Annapurna Circuit Trek

The mission starts the second you clear customs. Forget the taxi-hailing hustle and chaos; we gotchu, Mr.Rajesh, the owner of Info Nepal, will be there himself waiting for you with a nameboard and taxi outside on stand, to get you out of the dilemma and chaos, driving you straight to the hotel Aloft.

If you had felt cramped in a plane nomatter what class, the cab, it’s all for you, we don’t mind even if you stretch your legs forward, cause we know how tiring long flights can get.

So once we reach the hotel, you can unwind.  

In the evening before night approaches, you’ll meet Mr.Rajesh once again, and this time with your guide for the trip, including other crew members.

So you had your time yesterday, and today, as per part of your schedule, after your breakfast, we’ll be there to pick you up.

It’s a sightseeing today.

Bhaktapur and Patan

This ain’t just “wow, look at that statue” stuff, it’s a complete immersion in the surroundings and culture.

The architecture, locality, when in these places, feels like not just back in the century, but a whole different civilization from the past.

Imagine pigeons flying, birds chirping, and the hustle, it’ll feel like you came into some place that froze in time itself, as in a time capsule.

While you may have seen structures of concrete and pillars here, you’ll see temples and stupas made out of a fusion of wood, caramel bricks, and limestone. 

These are some of the structures from the past that stood their ground despite multiple massive earthquakes and carried a proud history. 

Swayambhunath 

Meaning self-created, it is a must-see sight.

Full of chortens, prayer wheels on walls, and music of the Buddhist playing and calming the whole vicinity. You’ll feel like a similar experience in the vicinity of the trek in here before you’re on an actual trek.  

And the best part of this trip or this portion of the day is that you don’t need to be on a 300m tall tower to watch the city panorama. On top of the site, after climbing several hundred stone steps, when you stand on top, you’ll get a 360-degree view.

But be alert, alright. The monkeys in here are sneaky.

One of the reasons they call it “The Monkey Temple.”

And remember, this is the day before your trip officially begins on trail, and all we’ve gotta do is the gear check for one last time. 

We’ll huddle up at your Hotel to inspect your kit, handover the task to fix the gears if any aren’t working.

Tonight is your luxury anchor meal in the hotel.

So pack your bags, check your boots, and get your head right. Tomorrow, the off-road is waiting for your Luxury Annapurna Circuit Trek.

So when you have breakfast, we’ll be down waiting for you on your Luxury ride, all for you, mate. With your crew members in it, ready to serve you with the best support, you might be calm on the surface and might not talk much as it’s just the start, but inside you, there will strange mix of relief and euphoria, you know why?

Cause you escaped the long, cyclic, and monotonous corporate clockwork, from home-office-home and laptop on lap and on table in the office.

This might take almost half the day, but it’s worth it.

This is sth you’d always wished for, a sigh of relief even if it was for a day, and now you’re on it for almost 3 weeks.

On a foreign soil, different yet so warm, due to the hospitality.

And when I talk about the hospitality, it’s not exaggeration, it’s really warm.

As a former guide, talking about people whom I have guided myself before in these places have departed with teary eyes and hugs hard to separate due to the attachments they built even in a short span of a few weeks.

So, be ready, this place might provoke your thought, shock you culturally, yet will make you feel like home you never knew you needed or did exist. 

It’s trek time. The engine’s off, on your foot, soldier, the march begins.

It’s time for you to use your feet and let go of the horsepower. We’ll be using our grit as we navigate the trail. 

Tie your laces, buckle your belt, and put on your goggles. The wind’s a jerk, and let’s get moving.

We’ll be on foot for 5-6 hours, maybe depending on your grit to walk, we just accompany you, not force you to walk fast.

The trail is like nature’s art. Somewhere it’s a narrow gorge, somewhere it’s wide, the Marshyangdi river keeps giving off a white noise sound beautiful, but gives you chills up your feet and tickles in your belly when you look at it. We follow the trail and get to Pangri Danda, a massive, narrow 1,500m smooth rockface, aka “Gateway to Heaven”.

It’s nature’s way of humbling the so-called daredevils and letting them know how petty their ego is.

We keep going, and you’ll notice the air has bit thinned out. 

We’ll make the tactical call to bypass the lower flats and climb straight to Upper Pisang (3,300m).

 It feels like a bit of taxation by nature on your lungs and oxygen, but the payoff is great, trust me.

It’s a luxury lodge with a front-row seat to the Annapurna II, standing so closer yo’ll feel like you can reach out and touch the glacier from your window.

The branding might have been luxury, but we don’t take the easy valley floor for today; we take the high-altitude bypass. The luxury comes later, so hold on. 

My friend, let me tell you something. The trail looks like a drama queen, cause it’s dramatic. Somewhere it’s straight, and another hour it’s steep, somewhere it’s a narrow like an alley, and somewhere it’s a wide path. 

You’ll keep having switchbacks, and one of em being the switchback climb out of Pisang that will test your lungs and your resolve.

But once you crest the ridge, voila, the reward, a panorama most of tourist have never seen, even if seen, than it’s only on a laptop or mobile screen.

This, right here, is the “Balcony of the Annapurnas”. You’ll be walking onto a trail carved right outta mountain’s portion. 

The air is thin, and the silence is loud.

The sun gradually calls time off, and by then you’ll be in the Ngawal, it’s old, a constant hit of winds, seems like straight out of a movie, a fortress frozen in time.

You’re now officially in the “Thin Air Zone,” will stay in a lodge here, where even the very views are the high-end services.

Time to get down, buddy.

It’s a tactical “sleep low” move, remember?

It was 3,600m back there in Ngawal, and now we are off to 3,500m.

The descent will be steady, no rush. 

It isn’t just a regular walk, it’s a walk through the rain-shadow area of the Himalayas. Greenery is just in our memory now.

It’s rocky, dusty, and prayer flags flutter around.

The Braga village at 3,450m, we get to go through. But not just a thorough walk, it’ll be an exploration, might not be a whole expedition, but rather just a sight, it’s a must-see. And why would it not be a must-see when it’s 900 years old village, isn’t it? 

So eyes on watch, we keep moving to get to Manang, the heartbeat of the circuit.

It’s perfect, in everyway imaginable here. It’s good for acclimatization, the views of the Gangapurna Glacier and  Annapurna III,  just wow.

 And when I say “perfect, in everyway imaginable here,” it means your body gets to have rest in Luxury lodge, catch enough oxygen, before the “Oxygen war” begins.

We talked about spending a few days in Manang, remember?

Yeah, so we came in yesterday, had the time, and we’re staying today too. Just look at the elevation, will you?

Despite descending 100m, we’re still at 3,500m, that’s no joke 

Our body asks for adaptation, so we’ll do it cause our body demands to survive. And we also have an option for an optional hike to the ice lake. 

We’ll be going for it, it’s better, it’s like more than 1000m gain and back to Manang, really helps the body to stay on track, rather than staying in place.

Time to move on. We peel away the main circuit and head into the “Blue Frontier”.

The day before it was a hike and back, we feel fit today and well-adapted. The trail forward is west, jagged and wild. 

Khangsar (3,475m), time to get there, 4-5 hours. Something special in there is the stone-clad village.

It’s the last outpost of traditional life in the valley.

Keep moving, the trails sheds it’s greenery gradually, the landscape feels like lunar soil, wherethe disrespectful wind beings ot play for keeps.

We are on our feet, so feels like an army drill than a luxury, right? Thoughts like such are common to pop up inside the head.

But wait a minute, it’s a luxury trek, not a luxury journey, you see the title? Yeah, there’s Trek in it, innit? Which means?

We gotta walk. The luxury in here is the personalized service you paid for, the guide, all time there to answer you, the porter to carry the majority of your baggage, you’re light on your shoulders. 

In these places, getting a bottle of water from somebody when you feel like you’re gonna blackout, that is the luxury.

Having someone check your oxygen level when you are gassed out, yeah buddy, that’s the luxury. It’s not about getting an internet update on Kardashain Shit.

Tired and can’t go no more and miss out? The guide is there, and the porter is there to carry you if needed; that is the luxury.

If you had any out of worldly picture painted in brain in regard to the context, my friend, you’re delulu.

If you have been thinking so, splash a bottle of water on your face and snap back to reality. 

If I wanted to lure you, I would use that fancy half a pound weighing grammar words, but what I want is for you to take in and get back alive.

Cause getting to stay alive in here is the luxury.

Well, felt like some fourth wall was broken on day 8, but I don’t give a shit. 

I’m here to convey the raw, harsh truth so you can make it alive, so you don’t lose your toe or don’t have to cut fingers to save yourself upon descent.

It’s day 9, and as per our schedule, we’ll be moving to Tilicho Base Camp.

Let me make you clear again, this trip ain’t for yappers.

So no yapping today. We’re moving to the Tilicho Base Camp  (4,150 m/ 13,615 ft), and while the distances aren’t that long, the stakes are high. Cause it’s the infamous landslide zone, yo. 

We‘re talkin bout the 45-degree slope of scree, loose rocks, where the mountain is trynna claim the path.

It’s a 3-4 hour heart-pounding exercise in pure focus.

The scenery? Disrespectfully beautiful. Right or left, no matter where you look. The path is a graveyard of giant rocks that look like from another planet. We don’t rush here; we use tactics.

By the time we hit the basecamp, our sight gets to have glances of a cluster of lodges. 

It’s raw, windy, thin air, the spirits are high, and the mission is almost at its peak.

Ever played a video game? Cause today it’s gonna feel like an actual boss fight.

It’s freezing dark, the altitude has an attitude that doesn’t negotiate.

Stakes are high, got no trees in sight, no shade, and no distractions; silence so loud you can hear your heart beating in your ear. 

You’re at the highest elevation lake in the world. 

But time goes, steps move, and light emerges gradually, and when it finally does, the earth, like a stage, reveals a massive, turquoise water body, looking like ice in a bowl.

You’ll feel a surge of blood in your veins that confirms your Ironman status. 

After capturing the shot, execute a tactical retreat to base camp and fuel up before making way to Shree Kharka.

By dinner, legs are gonna be heavy, but your soul will feel transcended, and the pass is the only thing left in your way.

The detour to the “Blue Frontier” is done.

New day, new layer of the trip. From Shree Kharka to Yak Kharka. It’ll be a 4–5 hour walk. If we can maintain the pace, we’ll join the main vein of the Annapurna Circuit. 

Slicing through the ruins of Shree Kharka, trading the balde like rough surfaced Tilicho peaks for the wide and the pasture, of course, who can forget, through the Thorong Khola valley.

It’s a rugged, dusty mission. 

By now, the lungs are like a well-lubricated engine. 

We pull into the Yak Kharka (4,050m/13,827 ft), the ancestral territory of the Himalayas’ heavy armor, the Yaks.

We drop stuff into our lodges, the luxury lodges, to refuel and recover. 

You’re at the mark of 4,000m, but it feels like a walk in the park now.

It’s not the end of the trip, but near the closure, as more than 50% of the trip.

 We’ll be moving from Yak Kharka to Thorang Phedi (4,450m/14,599 ft), a 3-4 hour tactical push that brings us to the foot of the Grand Pass. The trail is short but deceptive, winding along the edge of the Marsyangdi River as it thins into a glacial stream. 

You’ll cross a final suspension bridge and navigate a narrow, scree-heavy section where the mountain seems close to you. 

The air feels more taxed, heavy on lungs like pressure on the chest. 

Every breath feels more taxed, demands more effort. 

Even if phedi means “foot of the hill,” don’t let the name fool you; this is the base of the giant, and oxygen is still thin.

We’ll check into the early to maximize recovery; this is not for the time of heroism; it’s time for hydration, high-carb fuel, and mental lockdown.

It’s a mix of nerves and adrenaline shared by everyone preparing for the 4:00 am ultimate battle.

Rest your legs, check your gear one last time, and get some sleep. Tomorrow, we finish what we started.  

By now, every step at this altitude is between your lungs and the thin, frozen air. There’s no easy climb, which is for sure, but luxury is, you remember?, what we give?. And to feel it, you need grit, the steady rhythm of your boots, the raw willpower to keep moving. 

As the first light of dawn hits the peaks of Chulu West and the Annapurna, you’ll reach the summit webbed by the prayer flags. But wait, the mission isn’t over yet. What goes up must come down. We’ll capture pictures for our memories and moment once we reach the top.

And following that, we’ll descend Via Thorong La Pass, the world’s highest pass, to get to Muktinath.  

It’s the second week today, the “Ironman” phase is complete, and today we transition into the recovery phase, meaning our boots are now to be wrapped up. 

We’ll be in the Luxury Jeep.

This isn’t just a drive; it’s a high-speed descent through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. 

Just lean on your left, and there you’ll see Annapurna I, and to your right, Dhaulagiri, both the peaks above 8,000m, and you’re driving right between them, which feels like a trip through a green road.

And in the middle of the trip, is Marpha, is th apple capital, famous for it’s apple nationwide and around the globe, it’s a bustling trading hub on its own. Since it’s the apple capital, you’ll get to taste the local apple brandy of the region along with other varieties of apples, including bakery items.

But the target is Tatopani (1,190m/3,904 ft), a place of a natural hot spring, and this is the sweet spot of the trip.

We’ll take a bath in the natural hot spring, it has healing properties, and when you dip in the water,r you’ll start to feel every cell of your body recovering, like a biological reset.

Soaking in the Mineral-rich volcanic water will put the lactic acid out of your quads and fatigue out of your bones. 

Tonight, we celebrate the victory feast.

So yeah, gently the comfort is returning. The hot soak just got your body recharged, and it’s time for the final extraction.

We’ll load back into the luxury 4WD for the 4-5 hour burn toward civilization. 

The rugged dusty trail of the Kali Gandaki gives way to smooth asphalt as we wind through lush terraced hills and vibrant Nepali foothills. 

The air is thick, the oxygen is plentiful, and your lungs, now conditioned by the “Oxygen War”, will sure as hell feel like a superpower. 

Oh yeah, and the destination today, Pokhara (822m/2,697ft), the lakeside jewel of the Himalayas. 

But we aren’t dropping you at the bus stop. You’re checking into a 5- star hotel- the ultimate reward for an Ironman.

Tonight you’ll stand on the balcony with a cold drink, reflecting on the trip and the moment you lived 

Mission completed. You did it. Somewhere up and somewhere down, hills and ridges and highs and lows, greens and barren land. No matter what, no matter how hard it was, despite the tag of luxury, it was all a real strain on the legs. 

The ascents and descents, moments when it felt like giving up, when oxygen felt like it was running out, and you wouldn’t make it, but the companions, the guide, and porters acted like your life support, and you and your steady mindset got you through. 

So in honor of those times, today we relax, we unwind here in Pokhara. 

Like a gift of nature, better to call it a piece of heaven.

On this day, we’ll go sightseeing, cause it’s a must-do. If you’re in Pokhara and don’t see around than that’s an insult to the city, my friend. 

We’ll go boating, paragliding, to view David’s fall, and Gupteswor cave, and have dinner by the Fewa Lake. 

As the sun begins to dip down, we’ll head for the final Aerial Extraction. 

It’s Luxury Annapurna Circuit Trek, remember? We’ll head for the 25-min flight to Kathmandu.

And don’t forget to grab a window seat, cause the views are gonna be out of words. 

And tonight you’ll be treated to your farewell dinner. 

So officially, your trip has come to an end. Have your breakfast in the morning at your hotel. Your private ride will be waiting for you for your transfer to the Airport.