Ascend through pine, fir, and oak cloud forests, passing small streams and carved Buddhist Mani walls. The trail winds through Bagarchhap and Timang, opening up panoramic views of Mount Manaslu (8,163 m) and Peak 29. Continue through apple orchards to reach Chame, the administrative headquarters of Manang.

Follow the river trail through pine woodlands where the valley narrows sharply beneath the 1,500-meter curved rock face of Paungda Danda. Cross the Marsyangdi River on a wooden bridge and climb stone staircases into the ancient, stone-paved Tibetan-origin village of Upper Pisang.

Take the panoramic high northern trail, climbing switchbacks to the cliffside village of Ghyaru (3,670 m) for direct views of Annapurna II and IV. Walk along the high balcony ridge trail overlooking the wide Manang basin to settle into your lodge in the medieval stone village of Ngawal.

Descend gently through pine forests past the ancient 500-year-old cliffside monastery of Braga (Bhraka). Explore its historic prayer hall, ancient statues, and thangkas before continuing into the bustling cultural hub of Manang for lunch and acclimatization rest.

Spend a dedicated rest and acclimatization day in Manang. Take an easy morning hike to turquoise Gangapurna Lake and the Chongkor ridge viewpoint for views of the Gangapurna Glacier, Annapurna III, and Tilicho Peak before attending the high-altitude medical lecture in town.

Climb out of the Manang basin through alpine scrub, passing the settlement of Tengi. The trail leaves the main river and ascends the valley of the Jarsang Khola past Gunsang, climbing across open juniper pastures to reach the high lodge cluster of Ledar.

Branch north off the Annapurna Circuit trail, climbing into the secluded high alpine valley beneath the Chulu peaks. Traverse loose scree, rocky moraine ridges, and glacial streams to establish Chulu West Base Camp (4,900 m), pitching tents with views of the Annapurna massif.

Ascend across steep rocky slabs, moraine gullies, and loose scree to reach Chulu West High Camp (5,530 m) on a rocky shelf. In the afternoon, your climbing Sherpa conducts technical mountaineering instruction: fixed-line jumar ascents, crampon placement on hard snow, rope management, and figure-eight rappelling.

Wake at 12:30 AM under starlight for hot soup and gear up. Scramble across rock bands to Crampon Point. Put on crampons, rope up, and navigate crevassed snow slopes up the northwest ridge. Climb steep 45-to-50-degree glaciated headwalls using fixed ropes and jumars, traversing an exposed knife-edge snow crest to reach the summit of Chulu West (6,419 m). Savor a 360-degree panorama of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and Manaslu. Abseil down safely to High Camp for hot drinks, pack up, and descend to Base Camp.

A dedicated contingency day built into the schedule to safeguard against high winds, heavy summit snowfall, or individual acclimatization adjustments. If the summit was achieved on Day 10, this day is used as a relaxed celebration and recovery day.

Pack up base camp and descend through the side valley back onto the main circuit trail at Ledar. Continue climbing past tea shacks and cross the wooden suspension bridge over the Jarsang Khola. Traverse the scree slope beneath soaring cliffs to check into your lodge at Thorong Phedi.

Rise at 4:00 AM under starlight to begin the steady ascent up the switchbacks of Thorong La. Reach the prayer-flag crest of Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) to celebrate with panoramic views across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Make a steep 1,600-meter descent into the arid Mustang desert to the pilgrimage town of Muktinath.

Tour the sacred Muktinath Temple complex, revered by Hindus and Buddhists for its 108 holy water spouts and eternal flame at Jwala Mai. Descend through the desert villages of Jharkot and Kagbeni, walking along the wide, windy Kali Gandaki riverbed into the regional hub of Jomsom for a celebratory hot shower.

Board a morning flight from Jomsom down the Kali Gandaki gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to Pokhara. Transfer to your lakeside hotel for an afternoon of boating on Phewa Lake, massages, and relaxation.

A free recovery day in Pokhara. Explore the World Peace Pagoda, Davis Falls, and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, or relax at lakeside cafes overlooking the Annapurna range.

Transfer to Pokhara Airport for a 25-minute flight or take a private vehicle along the highway back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel in Thamel for an evening farewell dinner.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before our airport transfer vehicle takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international departure flight.