Annapurna Circuit trek (Thorong La Pass trek)

This trek takes you full circle around the Annapurna Massif, from the Marsyangdi Valley up over the Thorong La Pass and down into the arid Kali Gandaki Valley on the other side. Over 15 days you walk through a genuine range of landscapes, from sub-tropical lower valleys to high desert-like terrain near Muktinath, with constant views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri along the way.

It's as much about the villages and people as the mountains. You pass through Gurung, Manangi and Thakali settlements, each with their own architecture, food and way of life, plus monasteries, mani walls and chortens strung with prayer flags.

This is a proper high-altitude trek with a demanding pass crossing, so you need a reasonable level of fitness and some trekking experience helps, though the trail is well established and fully guided throughout.

What you'll do

• Cross the Thorong La Pass at 5,416m
• Walk the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki river valleys
• Visit Muktinath Temple, a shared Hindu-Buddhist pilgrimage site
• Pass through Gurung, Manangi and Thakali villages
• Spot wildlife and forest along the Annapurna Conservation Area trails
• Fly or drive back via Pokhara, Nepal's lake city