Trekking · Manang
Chame to Manang Stage
Through Pisang and Braga into the upper Marsyangdi — route options, timing and altitude on the way to Manang.
The Chame to Manang stage is the upper-Marsyangdi heart of the Annapurna Circuit: two to three days from Chame (2,670m) through Pisang and Braga to Manang (3,540m), as the trail breaks out of the forest into dry, Tibetan-style high country. It is the approach that gets you to the acclimatization hub, and the first chapter of the Manang on the Annapurna Circuit cluster once you are above the jeep road.
The route
From Chame the trail climbs gradually, passing the sweeping Paungda Danda rock face before reaching Pisang, where most trekkers spend the night. From Pisang you choose your line to Manang:
- Upper Pisang route (via Ghyaru and Ngawal): Higher, more scenic and better for acclimatization, with grandstand views of Annapurna II. The preferred choice for those with the legs and time.
- Lower route: Faster and easier along the valley floor, but with fewer views and less altitude benefit.
Both converge near Braga, whose ancient cliff-set Braga monastery is well worth a stop, before the short final walk into Manang village.
A common plan is Chame to Pisang on day one, then Pisang to Manang on day two via the upper villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal, arriving with the afternoon free. Stronger walkers occasionally push from Chame to Upper Pisang in a single day, but the gentler split is wiser for acclimatization. Whichever you choose, the trail steadily reveals the north faces of Annapurna II, III and IV, with Gangapurna and the Annapurna massif filling the skyline as you near Manang.
Altitude and pacing
You are entering serious altitude on this stage, so the gentle two-to-three-day split matters. Taking the higher Upper Pisang line helps you "climb high, sleep low" before you even reach Manang, setting you up for the Manang acclimatization day hikes. Keep the national altitude sickness in Nepal guide in mind as the air thins.
Good to know
- Scenery shift: This is where the circuit turns from green hills to arid high desert — one of its great transitions.
- Road vs. trail: A rough jeep road reaches this far; walking the upper sections is strongly preferred for acclimatization.
- Plan the whole walk: Pair this stage with the national Annapurna Circuit trek overview for the full route from Besisahar.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the Chame to Manang stage?+
Most trekkers take two to three days from Chame (2,670m) to Manang (3,540m), commonly overnighting in Pisang and then walking on to Manang via Braga. Splitting it this way keeps the daily ascent gentle, which helps acclimatization before the high days toward the Thorong La.
Should you take the upper or lower Pisang route?+
Both reach Manang, but the higher Upper Pisang route via Ghyaru and Ngawal is more scenic and better for acclimatization, with sweeping views of Annapurna II and a higher sleeping option. The lower route is faster and easier. Many trekkers choose the upper route precisely for the altitude benefit.
What is the landscape like from Chame to Manang?+
The trail breaks out of the pine forests above Chame into the drier, more open upper Marsyangdi valley, passing the dramatic Paungda Danda rock face near Pisang before reaching the Tibetan-style country around Braga and Manang. The change from green hills to arid high desert is one of the circuit's highlights.
How high do you go on the Chame to Manang stage?+
You climb from Chame at about 2,670m to Manang at 3,540m, with the Upper Pisang route topping out higher around Ghyaru and Ngawal before descending to Manang. The net gain is modest but you are entering serious altitude, so pace it gently and watch for early symptoms.
