The 7 Passes Trek

Early in the morning, your driver takes you to Besisahar, the starting point for many treks in the Annapurna region. This stage marks the beginning of your itinerary in the heart of the Nepalese mountains.

After permit checks, you board a jeep heading to Taal, a Gurung village. Following the river, you gradually gain altitude as the mountains begin to take shape before you.

This first day of trek begins heading towards Khotro village, following the Marshyangdi river. The trail then climbs in altitude to reach Naache, a Gurung village. You then descend towards a suspension bridge, located 200 meters lower in the river gorges, with a view of the Annapurna peaks. You continue your walk through a pine forest until the village of Tilche, your stop for the night.

After breakfast, you start your walk through the corn and potato fields. After about an hour, a small detour leads you to the discovery of a cave with numerous stalactites, formerly used as a meditation site.

You then return to the trail through the pine forest to reach the village of Tachai. If you wish, you can extend the day with a walk of about 20 minutes to the hot springs.

A long day of trekking awaits you today. As you progress, you may encounter mountain goats, langur monkeys and colorful birds. The trail follows the Chong River and crosses rhododendron forests, while gradually gaining altitude. During this stage, you will cross the 3,000 meters altitude mark.

This short day of trek brings you closer to the first pass on the route. You continue your ascent and cross the 4,000 meter altitude mark. To the west, the view opens up to the Annapurna, which accompany your arrival at your campsite.

A long day of trekking awaits you with the crossing of two passes. During the first ascent, the trail offers views of Manaslu, Lamjung and the Annapurna. You reach the Kuchumro pass (5 490 m) before beginning a short descent to the foot of the second ascent of the day. You then join the Yarcha pass (4 860 m), from where you can see Kanguru Himal and Annapurna II. You then descend to return to your campsite.

This new day of trek begins with sunrise over the Lamjung, Annapurna II and Gangapurna.

You then begin the ascent of the pass, without major difficulty. After lunch, you start the descent towards the Meta village, where you spend the night.

A long day of trekking, without major difficulty, takes you today into the trans-Himalayan region, drier and marked by desert landscapes. Steeped in history, this region housed Tibetan rebels in the 1960s fighting against the Chinese government and still bears the traces. Through progressive climbs, you cross several bridges before reaching Phu. The village seems built into the rock itself and blends into the landscape. Despite the presence of a few modern houses, most dwellings are still constructed in stone, wood and mud.

You start the day by discovering the Tash Lakhang monastery, one of the oldest in the region. You then continue your trek towards the Phu Pass (5,200 m), with the Himlung Himal and Kanguru Himal as a backdrop. After crossing the pass, you begin your descent to the yak pastures, where you set up camp for the night.

The day begins with the ascent of the Naar Pass (5,400 m). More difficult to cross than the previous passes, it offers once at the summit a 360-degree panorama of the Annapurna. You then begin a long descent towards Chekchu, where you set up your camp for the night.

The day begins with a descent on the trail. After approximately one hour of walking, you start climbing back up through a valley dotted with natural caves. The ascent then becomes more demanding as you approach the village of Naar, your stop for the night.

This morning, you take the time to discover the village of Naar. After lunch, you resume your trek through the Pisang valley to reach Kangla Phedi, located at the foot of the pass.

After approximately 3 hours of climbing, you reach the summit of the pass, from which you enjoy a clear view of the surrounding peaks. This passage constitutes a highlight of your trek. You then begin the descent towards the Marshyangdi valley to reach the village of Ngawal and rejoin the classic Annapurna Circuit.

After your rest day, you resume the trek for a short stage towards Manang, capital of the district. The climb to Pisang is steep, but it allows you to enjoy beautiful views as you progress. The climate becomes progressively cooler and drier before your arrival in Manang, where you find a bit of civilization again.

This short day of trek brings you back above 4,000 meters altitude. You continue your progression as the final stage of your adventure approaches.

You are following today a narrow trail that leads you to Thorong Phedi. This deliberately short stage allows you to prepare for tomorrow's climb, which is scheduled to depart before dawn.

The final challenge of your journey awaits you today. At 3 a.m., you begin a steep climb of nearly 1,000 meters to the Thorong La Pass. Upon arriving at the pass, prayer flags mark the culmination of this ascent. Take the opportunity to warm up with a hot tea or coffee before beginning your descent. The landscape then gradually changes: snow gives way to arid lands as you enter the Tibetan plateaus.

You continue your way to Muktinath, a famous Hindu pilgrimage site, where you discover its temple.

After crossing seven passes at more than 4,000 meters altitude, your trek is gradually coming to an end. Today, you begin your descent through the landscapes of Lower Mustang to reach the town of Jomsom.

After a good night's sleep and a hot shower, you take a flight for a short flight over the Annapurna towards Pokhara. Upon arrival, take advantage of the rest of the day to relax by the lake and rest after your trek.