Annapurna Circuit in fourteen days — Thorong La and the Kali Gandakiअन्नपूर्ण सर्किट चौध दिन

Highlights

Besisahar to Jomsom in two weeks: Manang for the lungs, Thorong La at 5,416 m on a morning that starts at 04:00, then the sudden dry of Mustang and a jeep down the Kali Gandaki. This is the honest Circuit — no helicopter shortcut, spare weather day built in, and a guide who will turn you around if the pass is wrong.

• Thorong La at 5,416 m on a 04:00 start, not a helicopter
• Manang rest day so the pass is possible
• Spare weather day already in the fourteen — not sold as extra
• Teahouse half-board, ACAP, TIMS, 2:1 porter

Mid-Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr. Snow can close Thorong La; the spare day is not optional.

In / exclusion

1. Day 1

   Pokhara to Bhulbhule

   Jeep to Besisahar, then the first trail hours along the Marsyangdi. Easy legs, early night.

   Meals B+DOvernight Bhulbhule

2. Day 2

   Bhulbhule to Jagat

   Stone villages, the river louder. Pace is conversational. Blisters get taped today, not later.

   Meals B+DOvernight Jagat

3. Day 3

   Jagat to Dharapani

   Into the trees, first real climb. Tal's lake-flat is the lunch stop if the group is kind.

   Meals B+DOvernight Dharapani

4. Day 4

   Dharapani to Chame

   Apple country starting. Chame has a bakery and a hot-spring option — not a requirement.

   Meals B+DOvernight Chame

5. Day 5

   Chame to Upper Pisang

   The wall arrives. Upper Pisang for the light; Lower if knees argue.

   Meals B+DOvernight Upper Pisang

6. Day 6

   Pisang to Manang

   High trail if weather is clean. Manang at 3,500 m — this is where the Circuit becomes serious.

   Meals B+DOvernight Manang

7. Day 7

   Manang rest

   Ice Lake or Gangapurna lake, not both. Oximeter, garlic soup, an afternoon that is not a museum.

   Meals B+DOvernight Manang

8. Day 8

   Manang to Yak Kharka

   Short day on purpose. The pass is two mornings away; do not steal from it.

   Meals B+DOvernight Yak Kharka

9. Day 9

   Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi

   Or High Camp if the group is strong and the sky is boring. Early dinner, 04:00 call.

   Meals B+DOvernight Thorong Phedi

10. Day 10

    Thorong La to Muktinath

    Pass at 5,416 m. Prayer flags, then a long, grinding descent into Mustang's dry.

    Meals B+DOvernight Muktinath

11. Day 11

    Muktinath to Jomsom

    Jeep or walk via Kagbeni. Wind in the Kali Gandaki by noon — start early.

    Meals B+DOvernight Jomsom

12. Day 12

    Jomsom spare / Marpha

    Weather day. If the pass was clean, walk Marpha's apple lanes. If not, this is the hold.

    Meals B+DOvernight Jomsom or Marpha

13. Day 13

    Kalopani to Tatopani

    Down-valley, hot springs in the evening if the legs still want water.

    Meals B+DOvernight Tatopani

14. Day 14

    Tatopani to Pokhara

    Jeep or the Ghorepani variant if you still have a day in you. Debrief in Lakeside.

    Meals BOvernight Pokhara