12-Day Annapurna Circuit Trek to Thorong La Pass and Marpha

• Drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar. At Dumre, divert and continue further to Besisahar, which will take about one and a half hours.

• Have lunch and continue the drive towards Syange (1,130 m) in the Marsyangdi Valley.

Overnight stay at a tea house or lodge with dinner.

• Take a fantastic hike towards Tal (1,700 m). Along the way, there will be many high and steep climbs as well as suspension bridges, all while passing through beautiful valleys with waterfalls.

• Continue and arrive at Manang village (3,519 m).

• Cross the Marsyangdi Valley. The trail then leads to a stone stairway (1,860 m) and proceeds until reaching Dharapani (1,890 m).

• Continue to Bagarchhap (2,160 m), a village development committee. Spot the flat-roofed stone houses of the local Tibetans throughout the village.

• Go on a bumpy and rocky trail as you proceed to Syangja.

• Reach Chame, the headquarters of Manang District in the Gandaki Zone of northern Nepal.

• Enjoy the majestic views of Annapurna II in the Annapurna mountain range.

• Journey through deep forests and rivers, including a long bridge at 2,910 metres.

• Walk at great heights and cross another bridge at 3,040 m with your Nepali tour guide.

• Enjoy the view of the soaring western rock face of Paungda Danda, which rises dramatically 1,500 m above the Marshyangdi River.

• Follow the trail and climb towards Pisang Peak, a trekking peak above Pisang village. Continue onwards to Upper Pisang.

• Continue through the upper regions of Manang District.

• Take alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River, meeting up at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip at 3,325 m, involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru.

• Pass the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3,475 m and continue to nearby Manang at 3,500 m.

• Spend the day on quiet walks and enjoy views of nearby village life. Many people also choose to go hiking at the nearby Ice Lake.

• End the day with rest at your accommodation.

• Depart from Manang. The trail will eventually take you towards Thorong La Pass (5,416 m). The climb passes through Tenki, leaving the Marshyangdi Valley and continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley.

• Enter Phedi High Camp. By now, the trail will descend a little and come across a river at 4,310 m before continuing towards Phedi at 4,420 m.

Overnight stay at guesthouses or lodges here.

• Begin the journey from the foot of the hill at Phedi and proceed towards Thorong La Pass. It is a steep climb here, but the trail is easy to follow.

• Go up to Thorong La Pass, marked by chortens and prayer flags, and enjoy the scenic views here.

• Spend a quiet day at Marpha with your Himalayan tour guide. Marpha is a village development committee with a small population of fewer than 1,000 people.

• Check out the Buddhist monasteries and apple gardens here.

• Drive back to Pokhara, which is a 10-12 hour journey.

Overnight stay in Pokhara.