The Annapurna Circuit is a long trek - known for its diversity, panoramic views and soaring peaks - its route takes you from sub-tropical zones right up to the very edge of the arid Tibetan plateau. Expect to travel on an exciting new trekking route that takes advantage of trekking through the Tibetan influenced Nar and Phu Valleys, while still including the highlight of the original route across the high Thorung La Pass to Muktinath and avoiding walking on the roads themselves - a rewarding trek that encircles the entire Annapurna Himal mountain range. Your tour begins in Kathmandu with an informal walk through the bustling cities narrow streets - walking past markets, temples, stupas, and palaces of Durbar Square. From Kathmandu you travel by road to Besi Sahar, and then on up to Kotor where your trek begins, leaving the road and the busy main Annapurna Circuit route behind. You'll find that the route through the Nar and Phu Valleys is rather challenging but rewardingly beautiful, especially while crossing the 5100m Kang La Pass. After returning to the main Annapurna Circuit trail the next challenge is the 5416m Thorung La pass which sits at the very edge of the Tibetan plateaux and affords fantastic panoramic views. Once across the pass, you'll visit the pilgrimage temple at Muktinath before descending to the Upper Mustang village of Kagbeni - here we'll leave the main route a few of days hiking via Dhagarjung village to Jomsom or Marpha from where we take a shared jeep down through the Kali Gandaki valley, between the massive peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, to Tatopani. The tour ends with a drive back to Kathmandu - where you'll spend a night at the Newari hilltop village of Bandipur which is well worth a visit, and has several good half-day hikes around it if you'd like to stretch your legs again.