Dharapani is a junction village at about 1,860 m on the Annapurna Circuit. The Manaslu Circuit comes in here from the east, so the village is a meeting point for trekkers finishing one route and continuing on another, and a common night stop for Annapurna walkers.
Altitude: about 1,860 m. Heights quoted for villages and camps vary by source, so treat this as a guide.
Where Dharapani is and why trekkers stop
Dharapani sits in the Marsyangdi valley beyond Tal. It is a junction, where a trail from Larkya La and the Manaslu side meets the Annapurna route, and where a road leads on toward Besisahar behind you. Trekkers arrive after a stage from Jagat that gains roughly 560 m, and many sleep here before heading on to Chame, Upper Pisang or Yak Kharka the next day. Locals and returning trekkers are usually the best source of fresh trail news.
What to expect at Dharapani
Expect a busy, practical village with lodges, tea houses and small shops, and a mixed crowd of trekkers from both circuits. Conversations about passes and weather are common over dinner. The valley here is wooded and steeper again, and the mountains begin to feel closer. Mornings start with the clatter of porters and mules loading up. It is more a working junction than a scenic highlight, but a good place to swap route information.
Altitude and how you may feel
About 1,860 m is low enough that most trekkers feel nothing unusual. As the circuit climbs toward Chame and Manang, the nights get colder and altitude starts to matter. Altitude illness can strike at any fitness level, and if symptoms such as a worsening headache or unsteadiness develop higher up, the correct response is to descend. Dharapani is a good place to turn a hard day into an early night. Everyone adapts at a different rate, so judge yourself by how you feel, not by the schedule.
Lodging, food and practical tips
Lodges are plentiful and simple, with meals of dal bhat, noodles, soup and eggs. Rooms may be cold at night, so carry a warm layer. Keep cash for lodging and drinks, and have your permits ready for checkpoints. If you are linking from the Manaslu side, remember that restricted areas need permits and a guide arranged through a registered agency, which does not apply to the Annapurna Circuit itself. Ask your lodge about breakfast time the evening before, so you can leave early.
Stage guides that pass through Dharapani
These day-by-day guides start or end at Dharapani, with walking times, ascent and where to sleep.
- Besisahar to Dharapani trek: stages, altitude and time
- Dharamsala to Dharapani trek: stages, altitude and time
- Bimthang to Dharapani trek: altitude, time and route
- Dharapani to Yak Kharka trek: stages, altitude and time
- Samdo to Dharapani trek: stages, altitude and time
- Larkya La Pass to Dharapani trek: stages, altitude and time
- Dharapani to Manang trek: stages, altitude and time
- Dharapani to Upper Pisang trek: stages, altitude and time
Common questions
Why is Dharapani called a junction village?
The Manaslu Circuit trail joins the Annapurna Circuit here, and a road leads back toward Besisahar. That makes it a meeting point for trekkers on both routes.
How high is Dharapani?
Dharapani is at about 1,860 m, roughly 560 m higher than Jagat, so the stage between them is a moderate net gain. The altitude is low enough that most people feel comfortable.
Where do I go from Dharapani?
Most Annapurna trekkers continue to Chame, or on to Upper Pisang or Manang, while others head to Yak Kharka. Route pages show stages, altitude and time for each option.
