Trek the Annapurna Circuit

Check into your guesthouse in Thamel – heart of the sensory overload that is Kathmandu. Join a pre-departure meeting with your guides to run through the plans for the Annapurna Circuit Trek and then finish the day with a group dinner alongside the rest of your team.

This morning you'll start the long journey to Besisahar, driving through lush river valleys, stunning Himalayan scenery and terraced farmland. Stop for lunch, then swap to a local jeep and continue on to the remote village of Tal, the starting point of your trek. Cross beautiful, rugged terrain with steep ravines, streams, waterfalls and a bunch of tea houses, then check into a local guesthouse and rest ahead of the epic adventure starting tomorrow.

Follow a rough track out of town and along the Marshyangdi River. Walk through the narrow valley, following the jeep track which passes through the village of Dharapani, where your permits will be checked. Continue hiking through the forest, gaining altitude gradually, then cross into the insanely beautiful Bagarchap Valley and spend the night in your first traditional Himalayan teahouse at 2160m.

Hike past a small waterfall and follow a steep uphill trail through a beautiful mixed forest of rhododendron and oak, gaining more than 400m elevation in a single stretch. On reaching Timang village, enjoy a well-deserved lunch and sip hot tea or coffee, while admiring the mesmerising views of Manaslu Peak from a panoramic terrace. Hit the trail again and ascend gently, passing the beautiful villages of Thanchok and Koto and finally reach Chame (2670m), your base for tonight.

Things get serious today, as you'll climb above 3000m. Cross the Marshyangdi River and walk past a chorten (shrine), then hike an undulating forest trail to Bhratang. A beautiful waterfall appears on the other side of the mountain as you change direction. Cross the river once again, and ascend to Dhikur Pokhari for lunch. To your right stands Swargadwari, a huge bare rock formation which is believed to be the path to Swarga (heaven). As you trek on, the valley becomes wide and vegetation sparse. End the day in the small village of Pisang at 3300m.

Set off hiking through a lush zone of yak pastures and crop fields, stopping for photos at a remote Tibetan monastery. Ascend on a winding path to the remote village of Ghyaru. From here onwards, the trail rolls through arid landscapes all the way to Ngawal. Stop for lunch, then continue on to Manang (3540m), one of the largest villages on the circuit. Be sure to listen out for the local Manangi language, unwritten and dangerously close to extinction.

Spend the day acclimatising to the altitude. Enjoy a cup of smoky chai in Manangi town and take a leisurely walk through the old alleys, exploring the traditional stone-thatched houses with intricate wooden windows and prayer flags flapping in the air. If you are feeling energetic, take an optional walk to Gangapurna Lake, or visit the Himalayan Rescue Association post to see how they're saving lives across some of the most challenging terrain in the world.

Today you'll hike along a rarely used and completely idyllic stretch of trail as you climb to Sri Kharka. Start off hiking through barley and buckwheat fields and across Thorang Khola River via a suspension bridge. Continue with a gentle ascent on a wide trail through juniper forest and meadows to Khangsar, the last village in the area. You will notice the effect of the low oxygen level in your body while climbing, but a slow gradual ascent will make the going manageable. Reach Sri Kharka (3880m), tuck into a well-deserved hot meal and enjoy the serenity of the mountains as you prepare to see one of the great wonders of the world tomorrow.

Follow trail alongside the stunning views of Annapurna II and Gangapurna, crossing a couple of streams en route using high suspension bridges that will pump up the adrenaline. Tackle an exposed rocky slope to reach Tilicho Base Camp at 4150m. Rest up for the afternoon, then enjoy a high-altitude night sky chock full of stars. Please note, it's possible that the trail to base camp may be closed or disrupted during winter (January to March), and sometimes even in the peak season. Your guide will decide whether to continue or skip this section, based on the local weather conditions.

Wake up early today and get your head torch on, to start hiking along a trail that gently climbs up the hillside. Tackle a steep ascent to reach the pass, from where the trail levels up all the way Tilicho Lake (4919m). Take time to explore one of the highest and most beautiful lakes in the world. Hike back to Base Camp for breakfast, and when you're ready, hike back down to Siri Kharka (3880m) to relax in your teahouse – you’ve earned it.

Ascend gently to Old Khangsar, overlooking the new Khangsar village. See the ruins of the abandoned settlement with a stunning backdrop of towering peaks and the Manang Valley. Climb up gently past pastures and herds, eyes peeled for mighty yaks. As the trail reaches the ridgeline, descend to the Thorang Khola River and join the Annapurna Circuit route again, following the trail as it winds through some truly awesome scenery on the way to tonight's destination, the village of Yak Kharka (4050m).

The trail to Thorang Phedi is similar to the one you've walked a few days back – however, due to the altitude, you may notice the pace is slower and the air much thinner. Ascend gently, passing by Ledar village along a narrow and dry path, then cross the Thorang Khola River to reach Thorang Phedi Base Camp (4450m) early afternoon. Rest up for a big day tomorrow – you’ll need it.

The big one! Start the day around 04:00 am and navigate a steep uphill stretch to Thorong High Camp, the last settlement before the highest point of this trek. Cross the Thorang Khola River one final time and continue with a gradual but steady ascent all the way to Thorong La (5416m), the highest navigable pass in the world. Take a moment to celebrate your epic achievement as you soak in some of the best views of the whole circuit, including the high desert mountains along the Kaligandaki Valley – a perfect opportunity for some amazing photos. Begin your descent to Muktinath (3750m) and experience the serene Vishnu temple, holy to both Hindus and Buddhists and the perfect place to enjoy the tranquillity of the mountains.

Set off on a downhill path to Kagbeni, and follow the banks of the Kali Gandaki River as it crosses through the deepest canyon on earth. Take in the magnificent views of Mount Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and then spend the night at a teahouse in Jomsom, gateway to an ancient trade route that once spanned the Himalayas.

Fly over the Himalayas to the lakeside town of Pokhara and check into your hotel near the lake. (Please note, flights from Jomsom don't operate over winter – so if you're travelling between mid-November and mid-February you'll drive instead, which takes approximately 7-8 hours). Time permitting, head out to explore the picturesque lakeside promenade. Celebrate the end of the epic Annapurna Circuit trek with your group in one of the cosy waterfront bars or restaurants – you've earned it!

Rise early and take a bus through the mountains and back to Kathmandu (approximately 7-8 hours, depending on traffic). Spend some free time exploring the city.

Enjoy a lie in, then explore the city some more. Visit a holy Hindu temple or one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, before heading for the airport and back to reality.