Short Annapurna Circuit Trek

Short Annapurna circuit trek is the shorter form of the Annapurna circuit trek of Nepal. It is an ideal choice for adventure hikers who are short on time but still willing to explore the most popular trekking trail of the Annapurna region. As the Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the toughest treks, making it shorter makes it even tougher and it is not recommended for beginners. This trek is for those who want to explore the beauty of the ruthless Himalayas along with their own limits.

Situated in the Kaski district of Nepal, Throrong la pass is the highest point of the Annapurna circuit trek. You can reach the Muktinath temple of the Mustang district after crossing the Thorong la pass. Besides that, you can also explore some of the vintage monasteries and pass through rural villages on trekking trails. The lifestyle of the natives here will amaze you and somehow inspire you with their century-old history and simplicity. Soak in the beauty and witness the rustic beauty  that dwells among the people around the villages and small local settlements.

Also known as the mini Annapurna circuit trek, this trekking package to the top of the Larkya la pass is getting a lot of popularity in recent days because of its short duration. The beautiful icefalls, glacier lakes, and the warm hospitality of the locals are also the main highlights of the short Annapurna circuit trek. The trek starting point is Chame village, whereas the trek ending point is the Jomsom of Mustang. Meanwhile, The total trekking days is 6 days including an acclimatization and rest day to avoid altitude sickness. The warm welcome will melt your heart and fill it with gratitude toward the sweet people. 

The total walking distance from Manang to Jomsom is about 80 kilometers. During the 6th day of walking, you will cover all the distance. Besides the trail, you will pass through some of the most popular villages and experience the new concept of hospitality from the locals. Besides that, you can also witness the marvelous views of the mountain ranges from different parts of the trekking trails. You will be accompanied by the glorious mountain vistas throughout the trial and if you are lucky enough you might as well get to see some of the wild animals and birds.

As mentioned above this trek is physically and mentally demanding as you will finish the 21 days long trek in just 8 days. Besides the hardship, the view and experience are worth your time, money and energy. This trek is the quickest and best  way to explore the vast Annapurna region along with the majestic snow capped view of mountains like the savage Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre and other incredible peaks. Your eyes will feast on the green vegetation throughout the trek along with attractive and unique landscapes. Passing the most difficult part of the trek Thorong La Pass (5416m/17769 ft) is also an accomplishment. The accommodation that you get during the trek is local lodges and cozy tea houses with accessible views of snow appended peaks through rhododendron forests.

Short Annapurna Circuit Trek Facts

Annapurna Region

The Annapurna region of Nepal is one of the most popular trekking destinations around the globe. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Nilgiri are some of the most popular mountain ranges that can be seen during the Annapurna circuit trek in Nepal. Similarly, it was established in 1985 and with an area of 7,629 square kilometers, it is the largest conservation area in Nepal. Spread in Manang, Mustang, Kasi and Lamjung districts of Nepal, it is also the second most visited area after the Everest region of Nepal.

Thorong La Pass

Situated at an elevation of 5,416 meters above sea level, Thorong La Pass is the highest point of the Annapurna circuit trek. A minimum of 2 days of walking is required to reach Muktinath temple from Manang village through Thorong La Pass. Meanwhile, Khatung Kang and Yakawa Kang are the mountain ranges that form the Thorong La Pass. From the top, marvelous views of the mountain ranges can be seen.

Muktinath Temple

Muktinath temple is one of the most popular religious sites in Nepal. Similarly, Not only Hindus but also Buddhist devotees visit this holy temple that lies at an elevation of 3,800 meters above sea level. Besides that, Muktinath temple is also the starting point of the Kali Gandaki river, which is considered one of the major rivers of Nepal. It is believed that after bathing at the 108 stone taps before praying at the holy Muktinath temple, all of your wishes are fulfilled.

Manang- the land beyond the mountains

Manang is the most popular village of the whole Annapurna circuit trek. Situated at an elevation of 3,519 meters above sea level, Manang is the ideal destination for acclimatization as well as for the rest day. Besides that, during your stay at Manang, you can also take a side visit to the Ice lake, Birendra Tal, or the popular Tilicho Lake. Meanwhile, motorable roads reach Manang village and also the nearest airport is located in Humde village which lies about 2.5 kilometers away from Manang.

Ice Lake

Ice lake or also known by the name Kicho Tal is one of the highest frozen lakes that lies at an elevation of 4,620 meters above sea level. Besides that, there are two frozen lakes at a short distance of 10 minutes only. From Manang, the trail is zigzag and will take you to the main trail. Meanwhile, the total distance of the trek from Manang to Ice Lake and back is about 17 kilometers. Besides that, it will take about 7-10 hours to complete the hike. Because of that, it is recommended to start early morning hiking from Manang if you are planning a side trip to Ice lake.

Permits

You will need to pay a certain amount to the protected area before exploring the site. The Annapurna circuit trek completely lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. Because of that, the trekkers will need to pay for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Besides that, you will also need to pay for the TIMS card. The main purpose of the TIMS card is to get rough information about the hikers and the destinations they are planning to visit. It is to provide them with the necessary facilities or services during times of emergencies or natural calamities.

The cost of the ACAP permit for foreigners is Nrs 3,000. Similarly, the cost of the ACAP permit for the SAARC nationals is Nrs 1,500. Besides that, all the hikers moving towards the Annapurna circuit trek also need to get a TIMS card. Meanwhile, there are two types of TIMS cards. One is for free individual trekkers while the other is for the organized trek. The cost of the TIMS card for individual trekkers is Nrs 2,000 and for organized trekkers is Nrs 1,000. Similarly, the cost of the TIMS card for the SAARC nationals is Nrs 6,00 and 3,00 for the individual trekkers and organized trekkers respectively.

Difficulty level of the Short Annapurna Circuit Trek

The short Annapurna circuit trek is among the most difficult treks in Nepal. The distance of the trek is the same as the Annapurna Circuit Trek. But you will cover this duration in a shorter period. Because of that, the trekkers must be physically fit and should have previous hiking experiences. The beginners can try the 10-day Annapurna circuit trek instead of the short Annapurna circuit trek.

So, how difficult is the Annapurna Circuit trek? The Annapurna Circuit trek is one of the toughest treks in Nepal due to the high altitude and unpredictable weather of the savage Annapurna range. Also, The trail to Thorong la pass from Manang village is one of the most difficult parts of the trek. Meanwhile, during other days of the trek, the trail is an easy walk but you will need to walk more than 15 kilometers on average to complete the trek in time.

Best time to visit the Short Annapurna Circuit Trek

Normally, the Autumn and Spring seasons of the year are seen as the best time for a short Annapurna circuit trek. March, April, and May are seen as the spring season in Nepal. During these months of the year, you can also witness the marvelous views of the mountain ranges and the blowing rhododendron flower in the lower parts of the trekking trails. Besides that, you can also stop by the centuries-old vintage monasteries.

Another best time for the short Annapurna circuit trek is during September, October, and November. Due to the clear visibility, you can witness the high mountain ranges from the starting day of the trek. Similarly, it is also the ideal choice as the chances of rainfall as well as snowfall are very low during these months of the year. 

What to expect from the short Annapurna Circuit trek?

Nepal is the country of the Himalayas and is the sanctuary of the tallest Mt. Everest along with mountains above 8000m. If the Annapurna region is a must-visit on your travel bucket list then this trek is the one for you. On this trek, you will enjoy the serene natural view located in mesmerizing places that provide 360 views of the ruthless yet most spectacular mountains. This trek gives you one of a kind experience and the opportunity to observe the wilderness of pristine nature followed by the rich culture and tradition preserved by the locals. The Annapurna trek is a diverse trekking trail in Nepal and offers the best trekking experience.

Though the trek is physically and mentally demanding the trails will take you on a journey where you see the deep dramatic gorges, breathtaking high mountain passes, stunning viewpoints, relaxing natural hot springs, religious Buddhist and Hindu Temples, warm local hamlets, and best of all the magnificent view of Annapurna summit. This trek will test your limits and strength through rough and rugged roads that lead to the celestial viewpoint where you forget your fatigue and pain. Staying at the cozy traditional teahouses and lodges with just enough facilities will warm your heart and hand with a cup of tea. On the way you will meet fellow trekkers pursuing their dream and a quest to see the outstanding mountain summit from a distance.

You will come across not only ambitious people with a similar passion but quite a few popular villages and hamlets full of surprises and peace. En route, you will come across places such as Manang, the land beyond the mountains, Thorong La Pass, the toughest part of the trek, and other small traditional villages where you will experience the true meaning of simplicity and the way of life of the locals. After you complete the breathtaking trek it is no less than a lifetime accomplishment to cherish the moments and capture them as much as you can in the photos and memory. You will get the 360-degree view once at the viewpoint. The ending point of this trek is Jomsom from where you will take a flight which is also an opportunity to view the place from above. The aerial view of the place is even better as you get a birds-eye view of the entire place. The flight duration from Jomsom to Pokhara is around 20 mins, it is the most comfortable and fascinating flight as you see the mountains along with the deep valleys of the Annapurna region. After you land in Pokhara your road transportation will pick you up and drive you to the heart of the nation Kathmandu.

You will have free time to get refreshed, relax and even explore the slim lane of Kathmandu,  the nightlife of zestful Thamel and surrounding locations. Treat yourself to delicious foods such as Mo: Mos, cozy cafes, and beauty with a hint of chaos on the busy roads of the city. Celebrate completing your trek successfully with friends and in the evening join us for a cultural dinner as a farewell from us. This concludes your trek thrilling short Annapurna Circuit trek. If you are planning to extend your stay feel free to ask for suggestions to make the most out of it and if you are returning home happy, return and have a safe journey. Hope you enjoyed the trek with us. (Altitude Himalaya)