Annapurna Circuit Trek and Volunteering – 4 Weeks

Volunteer World Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit Trek and volunteering work in Nepal is a very gratifying and well-known trek in the Annapurna Region. It offers a variety of scenery of both the northern and southern Himalayas and valley sights along the trails. These days roads are connected by mountains. In many of the sections of the circuit, the trek follows the roadway but we will try not to follow the road tracks so we will be using trekking old trails if possible.

Annapurna Circuit Trek will take you to places where you can view the spectacular mountain ranges such as Mt. Annapurna, Annapurna II, along with Manaslu and Dhawalagiri which is above the height of 8000 meters. The places such as Manang, Mustang, and Jomsom are along the way, you can see a wide diversity of people with different ethnic groups.

The fantastic Annapurna Circuit Trek takes us around the entire Annapurna massif reaching the zenith at Thorong La Pass (5,416m/17,769ft). We will walk on the Annapurna trail through the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki gorge with Mt. Annapurna I rising to 8,091m (26,545ft) to the east and Mt. Dhaulagiri hovering at 8,167m (26,795ft) to the west! We savour the fabulous mountain views from Poon Hill and discover the diverse Annapurna region. Furthermore, Annapurna Circuit Trek also takes us to Manang, Jomsom and the Muktinath regions allowing us to get acquainted with the diverse Nepalese landscape and culture.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlights:

  • Connects Manang and Muktinath and explores Tibetan Buddhist culture
  • Reach the zenith of the trail at Thorong La Pass
  • Traverse through the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge
  • The pilgrimage site- Muktinath and Kaligandaki Valley
  • Enjoy the various Nepalese landscapes and culture

The sample program itinerary provided is subject to change or extension based on the availability of the volunteers and their preferred duration for volunteering, internship, tour, or trekking.

Program day to day detail itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu:

You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Volunteer World Nepal staff and driven to your Kathmandu host family or a hotel. Here you will be welcomed into the family, be given your own room and be provided with all your meals while in Kathmandu. This will be your home during your orientation and volunteering in Nepal. With easy bus routes into town and the surrounding countryside, this quiet and safe suburb is the perfect base for your time in Nepal.

Day 02: Orientation and Nepali lessons:

Volunteer World Nepal offers comprehensive Nepali language and cultural training tailored for expatriates, volunteers, and research students eager to delve into Nepali culture. Our team of seasoned instructors will skillfully lead you through language acquisition while fostering a genuine understanding of Nepali communities. At Tour and Trekking Nepal, we furnish cutting-edge learning resources designed to provide profound insights into Nepal’s culture and way of life. Throughout your orientation and language sessions, you will be fully immersed in the local culture and language, creating a rich and authentic experience. This program is ideally suited for individuals seeking to maximize their time in Nepal and to engage with the country on a deeper, more meaningful level.

Day 03: Local amenities and cultural sightseeing:

Kathmandu stands as the vibrant cultural nucleus of Nepal, an alluring haven for travellers since Nepal first welcomed outsiders within its borders. The city beautifully amalgamates elements of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Western influences within the encompassing Valley. Adjacent to this hub is Patan and Bhaktapur, two significant cities brimming with cultural and religious importance in Nepal’s tapestry.

An immersive guided excursion awaits, offering a complete day to explore the historical Durbar Square adorned with distinctive architecture and home to the revered Kumari, the living goddess. The journey continues to the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, followed by visits to the renowned ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and the Buddhists’ shrine of Buddhhanath. As dusk settles, an enriching pre-trip discussion is scheduled, where you will meet your trek leader and fellow adventurers, setting the stage for your forthcoming expedition.

Day 04: Drive to Besishahar – Syange:

After an early breakfast, you are driven along the main Prithvi Highway to Besishahar (185km) which takes about 6 hours. Along the journey, you see some spectacular scenery of river valley and high mountains. Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 05: Syange – Tal – Bagarchhap – Chame Trek:

The path heads north of the village on an exposed trail past pastures to a ridge, before descending into a green valley and a suspension bridge over the Kimrong Khola. After lunch, the trail climbs out of the valley through stands of rhododendron and oak forest, winding around the hillsides to Chhomrong with closer views of the giant peaks above. Overnight at Lodge in Chhomrong. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 06: Chame – Pisang Trek:

After breakfast, we trek to Pisang. we pass through Chame you trek up to Telekhu (2840m) to then continue with a pleasant and mostly level walk through a forest to Brathang (2950m). After the trail turns a corner here, you see your first dramatic view of the Paungda Danda rock face. This is an enormous curved slab of rock that rises over 1500m from the river. You cross back again to the south bank of the Marsyangdi on a suspension bridge at 3080 meters and then start up the long gentle climb over a ridge through blue pine forests. The trek from here is fairly level as it heads to the upper part of Manang valley to Pisang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 07: Pisang – Manang Trek:

Trekking up to the Tibetan-style village of Bryaga (3500m), you follow the valley floor. Here you see houses stacked one on top of the other, each with an open veranda that is formed the neighbour’s rooftop. The gompa, perched on a high crag overlooking the village, is the largest in the district and has an outstanding display of statues. You continue through a very arid landscape that is dominated by curious cliffs of yellow rock that have been eroded into dramatic pillars alongside the trail. In the afternoon you have increasingly imposing views of Annapurna II, III and IV. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 08: Rest day at Manang:

Today is the day for familiarisation. There are plenty of things to do in this attractive village. In the centre of the village, don’t miss the little cultural museum. There are lots of walks that you can do, exploring the glacial lake, walking down to visit a monastery, or exploring the old part of the village. You might like to hike slightly higher to Khangsar, a 200-meter ascend. However, it is important to have a relatively restful day to allow your body to acclimatize to the higher altitudes and thinning air. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 09: Manang – Yak Kharka – Letdar Trek:

As we know more we go higher, our days become shorter. We start our day by walking through fields of barley and apple orchards, you follow the river through a steep, narrow gorge to enter the upper Manang district. In this cold, arid climate, wheat, barley, buckwheat and potato crops are limited to one crop per year and villagers depend on their herds of yaks, goats, cows and horses. Trekking slowly upwards to Thorung La, we will leave the large trees behind and see vegetation consisting mainly of scrub juniper and alpine grass. You pass some high meadows where horses and yaks graze. After we reach Yak Kharka (kharka means meadow or pasture), we might see herds of blue sheep, a kind of deer) grazing on the steep slopes. After passing Yak Kharka it takes about an hour to reach Letdar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 10: Letdar – Thorong Phedi – High Camp Trek:

It is another short and relatively easy day to get used to the high altitude before we have to cross the highest point in the trek, and possibly the highest point you have been on in your life. From Letdar you continue climbing along the east bank of the Jarang Khola to Thorung Phedi. This is a rock-strewn meadow that is surrounded by vertical cliffs. Blue sheep and even snow leopards can be sometimes seen in this valley. Hovering high in the skies you may see lammergeyers and Himalayan griffons circling around above you. As you cross the high yak pastures, you see snow-capped mountains all around you. The scenery is completely different up here. You leave behind the rivers as you climb up into the quiet alpine areas. Again the mountain views are stunning. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 11: High Camp – Muktinath Trek:

As you make the long descent of about 1600m, you are accompanied by outstanding views of Dhaulagiri in the distance across the valley. Eventually, the trail becomes less steep and you enter pastures and cross meadows to Muktinath a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and from here spring water flows from a rock face from 108 spouts (108 is a sacred number to Buddhists). Below Vishnu’s statue runs a trickle of water with pale flames caused by natural gas. There are shrines to Shiva and his consort and Padmasambhava as well as numerous chortens and the surrounding poplar grove that supposedly sprang from the staffs of the 84 Siddhas. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 12: Muktinath – Jomsom Trek:

The walk to Jomsom is mostly downhill with dramatic landscapes along the way. You walk down in the morning, to avoid the strong winds that blow up through the river gorge in the afternoons. The Kali Gandaki is home to Thakalis, Gurungs and Magars.

Day 13: Drive from Jomsom – Pokhara:

The descent to Tatopani follows the increasingly narrow valley, though one of the world’s deepest river gorges, past the beautiful Rupse Chaharo waterfall, with fantastic views along the way and the lure of hot springs at the end. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 14: Drive back to Pokhara – Kathmandu:

After breakfast, we say goodbye to the beautiful northern skyline of Pokhara and drive towards Kathmandu. This will be a journey along river banks with wonderful views of hills and the rural Nepalese lifestyle. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. You can spend the evening leisurely, perhaps catch up on some last-minute shopping and celebrate dinner together with the Volunteer Society Nepal staff. Overnight at Kathmandu. Meals: Dinner.

Day 15 – 27: Volunteering work could be started through any of the volunteering programs:

  • Women Empowerment
  • Teaching in Schools
  • Center for Disabilities/Special Education
  • Construction and Manual Work Volunteer
  • Sports/ Physical Education Internship
  • Teaching English to Buddhist Monks
  • Teacher Training
  • Child Care / Orphanage

Day 28: Farewell Friend and Departure/Fly back to Home:

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today. A Volunteer World Nepal representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way to home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Key Information:

Price:
1225 USD
Country:
Nepal
Arrival City:
Kathmandu
Duration:
28 Days
Accommodation:
Tea House
Meals:
All meals included during trekking
Departure:
Kathmandu
Transportation:
Tourist Bus
Style:
Trekking
Maximum Altitude:
5416 Meters
Difficulty:
Moderate
Group Size:
1 - 10 Persons
Attractions
Pokhara, Thorong la Pass, Muktinath, Jomsom
Volunteer's Choice
Program fee: 1225 USD
  • Most Affordable Program Fee
  • Best Price Gurantee
  • No booking or Credit Card Fee
  • Free Cancellation

What's included:

  • All airport transfer by private Car/Van/Bus
  • All transportation till to End
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara 2-3 star
  • Farewell Dinner.
  • Basic Tea-house accommodation
  • Licensed English-speaking guide, Experience knows about First Aid
  • Necessary Porters
  • Meals during the trek basic
  • Special permits for Trekking.
  • Down jacket, sleeping bag and all necessary trekking gears are available on a hire
  • Staff insurance, medication and equipment
  • All Govt. and Local Taxes
  • First Aid Kit
  • Trekking Map

What's Excluded:

  • International airfares/ airport taxes
  • Travel/trekking insurance
  • Nepal entry visa fees
  • Mountain rescue charges or insurance
  • Drinks hot and cold.
  • Bottled drinks on trek (cold and alcoholic)
  • Lunches and dinners when not trekking
  • Additional food or drink on trek in addition to three standard meals
  • Personal expenses, Emergency Expenses, road blocked, snakes, desert etc.
  • Special region permits and liaison officer fees (where applicable)
  • Tips (Tipping are expected)

Read reviews of our optimistic volunteers.

"Anika and I went to Kathmandu, Nepal. We worked as volunteers for two weeks in a local school in Kathmandu, with Volunteer World Nepal. Umesh and Sanu Shrestha, together with their adorable baby Bidusha, made our stay unforgettable. They made as many dinners as we did and greeted us with such warmth. Our room was modest but cosy, with a balcony that offered breathtaking views..."

Hannah and Anika, Australia

Volunteer Teacher in Nepal