This trek becomes a legend amongst those that walk it. It leads through lowland fields along the Marsyangdi Khola to reach the high altitude desert Manang area and on up to and across the high Thorung La pass at an amazing 5,416m. Enjoying great views of Dhaulagiri as you descend to holy Mukhtinath and, still in a desert landscape, descend to Jomson to follow the Kali Gandaki River south to Beni.

This is a moderately hard trek and the crossing of the Thorung La should not be underestimated – altitude acclimatisation is critical is you are to avoid retracing your steps to where you started. Given its popularity the trails can be busy, especially in October and November, the Kali Gandaki side more so than the Marsyangdi side; trek in mar or April for a quieter experience, though snow may be a problem on the pass
The trek usually takes 16 days from Besisahar now a road leads from Dumre. The trekking season is October and November and March and April. Snow is likely to cover the pass between late November and the beginning of March making it a treacherous undertaking.

The walk is usually offered as a teahouse trek and given the wonderfully diverse villages and ethnic mixes you’ll encounter along the way and the improving facilities it is recommended that you use teahouses rather than camping.

As you are walking completely around the Annapurna massif the views are amazing, especially from places such as Upper Pisang just before Manang where the full splendour of the mountains is evident, but equally so it’s the mix of different mountain people you meet from Gurungs, Chhetris and Brahmans to Tibetans.