79 Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
A 10-day Trek from Tal to Manang (total trip 19 days) part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT) trail, in Nepal.
Background, Trek Summary, Pictures & Videos of the entire Trek:
The Annapurna range - as seen from about half-way up the trail (~3800M) . . .to Ice-Lake from Bragha Village on the ACT, in Nepal
Background
For the last one and half-years (i.e. since Dec-2022) I could not do any long-trek in Nepal due to a variety of personal and family reasons (not the least of which was a sudden attack of Dengue for me in Sept-2023). So I had been craving and waiting for an opportunity for a long trek. The question that was running in my mind, all the time for the last 15+ months was . . . which long Trek should I do next? I have already done most of the popular treks in Nepal.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT) kept cropping up in my mind often . . . for 2-3 reasons; one it was my first ever trek in Nepal (in Oct-2006) and two I had such wonderful memories of that classic trek (and now the long gap of 18 years had romanticized those memories so much more) and lastly it was the trek where a dirt-road has come up in recent years, all the way to Manang! . . . so there is a fast-escape route (in case of any emergency). This was important for me as at Age 76 and with after effects of Dengue given "body weakness " once in a way, I needed a quick exit, as a safety net. So this was indeed a perfect trek route for me. Planning helps. Good Weather was mostly "Lucky by Chance".
The Organic Villa GH at Syerku ... where we stayed one night
Trek Summary:
The trek turned out to be fine and quite easy! And surprisingly I got no rains on the way while walking. It was mostly sunny; though there were clouds drifting around the Snow peaks I did get fairly good views from everywhere I went. I had planned to start the trek from Chame; but Tilak, my porter-guide, suggested we add 2-3 days extra in the beginning itself by starting from a lower altitude of Tal Village for better acclimatization. We reached Manang as planned, after walking slowly in about 9 days. Then, Tilak was suggesting we go to either to Tilicho Lake or to Thorang-Phedi and cross the Thorang-La ; But I was reluctant to do that. I was already more than happy with I had done and seen so far and it didn't seem wise to me to push myself too much. So we returned from Manang by Share Jeep in two days - 1st Leg Manang to Chame and then 2nd Leg Chame to Besi Sahar.
Day-wise itinerary and walk times in the footer below.
Day-wise Trek Diaries: May add later. However, if you see the pictures in the Daily Albums (link below) and read the Captions (by hovering the cursor on the titles) you will get the story of the days' trek!
The dirt Trail-Road near Thanchowk on a misty morning
The huge, rock slopes of Swarga-Dwar near Dukur-Pokhari - Dhukur Pokhari in Nepali means "The Dove Pond" which is water pond a little to the west of Dhukur Pokari settement lodgeson teh ATC trail.
Annapurna Snow peaks seen from the trail to Ice Lake from Bragha
Ngawal village from my GH . . and Chulu Far-East snow peak
Recently, I downloaded "Ask-AI" App (a Chat GPT, AI-tool) and gave it my version of the Blog above and asked for a Rewrite. And I got the below piece. What do you think of this version? Looks "too good" to me . . Send your feedback by email: ks_bluechip@yahoo.com
Title: Rediscovering the Annapurna Circuit: A Journey of Reminiscence and Renewal
Background:
For the past one and a half years, life had kept me away from the mountains of Nepal, due to personal and family reasons, including a battle with Dengue fever in September 2023. The longing for a long trek grew stronger with each passing day, and the question of which trek to embark on next lingered in my mind. Having already explored many popular trails in Nepal, the Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT) emerged as a compelling choice. This trail held a special place in my heart as my first-ever trek in Nepal back in October 2006, and the memories of that classic adventure had only grown more enchanting over the 18-year gap. The presence of a dirt road leading all the way to Manang offered a sense of security, vital for me at the age of 76 and dealing with the lingering effects of Dengue. With meticulous planning and a stroke of good luck with the weather, I set out on a journey that promised both familiarity and new discoveries.
Trek Summary:
The Annapurna Circuit trek unfolded smoothly and surprisingly easily, with clear skies and sunshine accompanying me along the trail. I was fortunate to avoid any rainfall during my walk, allowing me to savor the stunning views of the snowcapped peaks that greeted me at every turn. Originally planning to start from Chame, my porter-guide, Tilak, wisely suggested adding a few extra days at the beginning of the trek for a more gradual acclimatization process.
Conclusion:
As I retraced my steps along the Annapurna Circuit, memories intertwined with the present, creating a tapestry of experiences that transcended time. The trek was not just a physical journey but a pilgrimage of the soul, reminding me of the enduring allure of the mountains and the resilience of the human spirit. With each step, I found renewal and a deeper connection to the land that had captivated me so many years ago.
I got a second AI-Tool "Meta-AI" ( that comes with WhatsApp) and gave it my original Blog + Itinerary, and got version as below:
A Trek to Remember: Annapurna Circuit Adventure
Day 1: Mumbai to Kathmandu On the 22nd of May 2024, your adventure began with a direct flight from Mumbai to Kathmandu on Indigo Airlines. The scenic journey offered glimpses of the majestic Himalayas as you made your way to Nepal’s capital city. Upon arrival, you checked in at Dolphin Lodge, located on Gaa Hiti Marg in the vibrant area of Thamel at 3:30 pm. The bustling streets and colorful markets of Thamel welcomed you to the heart of Kathmandu.
Day 2: Exploring Thamel The following day, on the 23rd of May, you spent your time in Thamel finalizing permits, arranging for a porter, and making travel arrangements with Suman from Asian Hiking. Thamel’s narrow alleys were filled with shops selling trekking gear, local handicrafts, and aromatic street food. Suman’s expertise and assistance ensured that all necessary preparations were made for your upcoming Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Day 3-5: Journey to Besisahar/Tal Embarking on your trek, you shared a jeep ride with fellow adventurers towards Besisahar, the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The rugged terrain and lush landscapes accompanied you as you made your way to Tal, a picturesque village along the Marsyangdi River. The trek offered stunning views of cascading waterfalls, terraced fields, and snow-capped peaks in the distance.
Day 6-10: Trekking from Tal to Manang As you continued your journey on foot, each day brought new challenges and breathtaking vistas. Trekking through quaint villages like Chame and Pisang, you gradually ascended towards Manang. The high-altitude desert landscape of Manang welcomed you with its unique culture and panoramic views of Annapurna II and Gangapurna peaks.
Day 11-14: Return Journey via Share-Jeep After immersing yourself in the beauty of Manang, it was time to bid farewell to the mountains and begin your return journey. Sharing a jeep ride back to Besisahar allowed you to reflect on the unforgettable experiences and encounters during your Annapurna Circuit Trek. The winding roads offered one last glimpse of the Himalayan scenery before reaching Kathmandu.
Reflections on an Epic Adventure Your Nepal trek was not just a physical journey but a soul-stirring experience that connected you with nature, culture, and fellow trekkers along the way. From the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the serene trails of the Annapurna Circuit, each moment etched memories that would last a lifetime.
Day-wise Trek Diaries are in the sub-pages (select from the Menu Column on the Left margin ... under unconstruction
Some YouTube Videos about this Trek:
Day-wise Itinerary (Actual):
Nepal - Annapurna Circuit Trek 2024 - Share Jeep to Besisahar/Tal, Trek from Tal to Manang . . . and return by Share-Jeep to Besisahar
22-May Day-01 Direct Flight Mumbai to Kathmandu, by Indigo. Checked in at Dolphin Lodge, Gaa Hiti Marg, Thamel at 3:30 pm
23-May Day-02 At Thamel, Kathmandu - Permits, Porter and Travel arrangements with Suman of Asian Hiking etc.
24-May Day-03 Tourist Micro-bus from KTM to Besisahar (Dep 7:30am Arr 2:00pm ). Stay in Thorang Peak GH, Besishar.
25-May Day-04 Share Jeep dep: 8:30 am . Arrive at APAC Check-post above Tal. Hike down toTal (30mins) and stay at Peaceland GH, Tal.
26-May Day-05 Trek from Tal (7:30am ) To Danaque (1pm) via Dharapani, Syanje, Bagachap. Stay at Manaslu GH in Danaque.
27-May Day-06 Trek from Danaque (7:30 am) to Serkyu (2:30 pm) via Temang. Stay at a nice Organic Villa Farm GH, at Serkyu
28-May Day-07 Trek from Serkyu (7:30 am) to Chame (12:30 Pm) via Koto. Stay at Marsyangdi Mandala Cottages at Chame.
29-May Day-08 Trek from Chame (dep 7:30 am) to Dhukur-Pokhari (arr 1:00 pm) via Bharatang. Stay at Hotel Kamala at Duhkur-Pokhari.
30-May Day-09 Trek from Dukure-Pokhari (7:45 am) to Upper Pisang (9:00 am). Stay at Hotel Royal Alpine teahouse
31-May Day-10 Trek from Upper Pisang (7:30 am) to Ngawal (2:00pm) via Ghyaru (12 Noon). Stay at the nice Ngawal Cottages.
01-June Day-11 Extra Acclimatization day at Ngawal. Day hike up steep 1200+ staircase steps to a High Ridge with views of Annapurna-3.
02-June Day-12 Trek from Ngawal (7:40 am) to Brakha (10:20 am). Stay at Zambala Hotel .
03-June Day-13 Day Trek from Bragha (7:00 am) to about half-way to Ice Lake (9:00 am) to about 3800M high ridge. Great view of Snow peaks.
04-June Day-14 Trek from Bragha (7:30 am) to Manang (9:00 am). Stay at Yeti Hotel at Manang,
05-June Day-15 Return trip by Share Jeep from Manang (9:00 am) to Chame (11:00 am). Stay at same Marsyangdi Mandal Cottages.
06-June Day-16 Return trip by share Jeep from Chame (7:30 pm) to Besisahar (12:30 pm). Stay at same Thorang Peak GH at Besisahar.
07-June Day-17 Return trip by Micro-Bus from Besisahar (7 am) to Kathmandu 2:00 pm) . Back in Hotel Dolphin, Thamel.
08-June Day-18 Rest Day at Thamel. Laundry etc. Preponed Indigo fight to Mumbai for 9th June.
09-June Day-19 Return Flight by Indigo direct non-stop from Kathmandu (3:30pm ) to Mumbai (6:30pm) . . . end of trip!