The Annapurna Circuit trek map traces a complete loop around the Annapurna massif — one of the most geographically varied trekking routes on the planet. The circuit starts at Besisahar in the east, climbs the Marsyangdi River valley northward through subtropical gorge and alpine forest, crosses Thorong La Pass at 5,416m into the Kali Gandaki rain shadow, and returns south through Mustang, Tatopani, and the rhododendron ridges above Pokhara. Furthermore, the circuit never repeats itself — every section of the map covers new terrain and a new climate zone. Consequently, understanding the route geography before departure makes every stage more meaningful on the ground, because the circuit’s power is cumulative — each day’s landscape exists because of what came before it.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Route Overview — Full Circuit Geography
- Section-by-Section Route Guide
- Unmissable Route Highlights
- Permit Checkpoints on the Route
- How Easy Is the Circuit to Navigate?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Annapurna Circuit Trek Map — Full Route Overview
The full circuit route runs: Kathmandu → Besisahar → Chame → Upper Pisang → Ngawal → Manang → Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi → Thorong La Pass (5,416m) → Muktinath → Kagbeni → Jomsom → Tatopani → Ghorepani → Poon Hill → Tadapani → Ghandruk → Pokhara.
| Zone | Altitude Range | Landscape Character | Key Stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Marsyangdi Valley | 760–2,670m | Subtropical gorge, waterfalls, forested cliffs | Besisahar, Jagat, Dharapani, Chame |
| Upper Marsyangdi Circuit | 2,670–3,660m | Pine forest, alpine meadow, dramatic rock formations | Upper Pisang, Ngawal, Manang |
| High Himalayan Approach | 3,540–4,850m | Alpine desert, rocky moraine, yak pastures | Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi |
| Thorong La Crossing | 4,450–5,416m | High pass — prayer flags, snow, panoramic Himalayan views | Thorong La summit (5,416m) |
| Muktinath and Kali Gandaki | 3,800–1,200m | Sacred pilgrimage, Tibetan plateau, world’s deepest gorge | Muktinath, Kagbeni, Jomsom, Tatopani |
| Ghorepani and Poon Hill Return | 1,200–3,210m | Rhododendron forest, ridge trails, sunrise viewpoint | Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Tadapani, Ghandruk |
Why the Annapurna Circuit trek map is unlike any other Nepal trek
The Annapurna Circuit trek map is a crossing, not a corridor. Most Nepal treks — EBC, ABC, Langtang — move along a single valley to a destination and return the same way. The circuit moves continuously forward across the mountain range, entering from the east, crossing the Himalayan divide at Thorong La, and exiting through the Kali Gandaki to the south. Furthermore, the route passes through four distinct geological and cultural zones — Hindu river valley, Tibetan-influenced high altitude, Mustang rain shadow, and Gurung highland — in a single continuous journey. Consequently, the circuit delivers more geographic and cultural variety per day than any other trekking route in Nepal.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Map — Section by Section
Besisahar to Chame (Days 1–2) — the approach by road
The circuit starts with two drive days — Kathmandu to Besisahar by tourist bus, then Besisahar to Chame by shared local jeep or bus. The road follows the Marsyangdi River through Syange, Jagat, and Dharapani — waterfalls, forested valley walls, and the river always below. The road surface deteriorates progressively into the Manang district. Furthermore, Chame at 2,670m is where the actual trekking begins — the first overnight at real mountain altitude. Consequently, both drive days are not wasted time — they cover terrain that would take 3 extra days on foot and position the legs fresh at the circuit’s real start point.
Chame to Manang (Days 3–5) — the Marsyangdi upper valley
The trekking route from Chame to Manang follows the Marsyangdi River northward through three distinct sub-sections. First: the Chame gorge section with the spectacular Paungda Danda rock wall at Bhratang — one of the most dramatic natural formations on any Nepal trekking route. Second: the ridge section via Upper Pisang and Ngawal — the high trail above the valley floor with Green Lake (Mring Tal) reflection and the Ghyaru panorama over Annapurna II and III. Third: the Manang Valley approach — the landscape opens, flattens, and delivers you to the most complete high-altitude village on the circuit at 3,540m. Furthermore, this section contains some of the most photographed viewpoints on the entire Annapurna Circuit trek map. Consequently, take the high trail from Pisang without exception — lower Pisang misses everything.
Manang to Thorong La (Days 6–9) — the high approach and pass crossing
Above Manang the route enters its most demanding section. The mandatory acclimatisation day at Manang — ideally spent hiking to Gangapurna Lake at 3,700m — is the physiological foundation for everything above. Yak Kharka at 4,050m and Thorong Phedi at 4,450m are the two final preparation stages before the 5,416m pass. The Thorong La crossing day starts at 4am in darkness, climbs steadily for 5–6 hours to the prayer-flag summit, then drops 1,616m to Muktinath in the afternoon. Furthermore, this section of the circuit crosses the main Himalayan divide — the landscape, culture, climate, and vegetation all change completely on the other side. Consequently, crossing Thorong La is not just the highest point of the circuit — it is the physical and emotional fulcrum around which the entire route is organised.
Muktinath to Jomsom (Day 10) — Mustang and the Kali Gandaki
The descent from Muktinath to Kagbeni enters a completely different Nepal. The rain shadow on the Mustang side of Thorong La produces an arid, wind-sculpted landscape of ochre cliffs, carved cave settlements, and the flat grey stone of the Kali Gandaki river bed. Kagbeni — a medieval walled village at 2,810m — marks the entrance to Upper Mustang. Jomsom at 2,720m is the administrative centre of Mustang and the key decision point on the circuit: continue walking the return leg or fly to Pokhara. Furthermore, the Kali Gandaki Valley between Kagbeni and Jomsom carries fierce afternoon winds — downvalley from noon onward every day. Consequently, plan the Jomsom section for morning walking and early arrival before the wind makes the open valley floor uncomfortable.
Tatopani to Pokhara (Days 12–15) — the rhododendron return
The final section of the circuit climbs from Tatopani’s hot springs back into the Annapurna foothills — through the rhododendron forests of the Ghorepani ridge, the pre-dawn Poon Hill sunrise, and the descent through Tadapani and Ghandruk before the jeep drive to Pokhara. Furthermore, this section feels entirely different from the upper circuit — lower altitude, warmer air, denser forest, and Gurung cultural villages. Consequently, the final days are not merely a walk back to transport — they deliver some of the finest lower-altitude scenery in Nepal and close the circuit with Poon Hill’s panoramic view over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range.
Unmissable Route Highlights on the Circuit Map
| Highlight | Location | Day | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paungda Danda (Swarga Dwar) | Bhratang gorge | Day 3 | Enormous curved rock wall rising directly above the trail — appears suddenly |
| Green Lake (Mring Tal) | Below Upper Pisang | Day 4 | Turquoise mirror reflection of Annapurna II and rock face — finest photography spot |
| Ghyaru village panorama | Ridge above Pisang | Day 4 | Annapurna II, III, and the full Manang Valley below — best viewpoint on upper circuit |
| Gangapurna Lake | Above Manang | Day 6 | Glacial lake with Gangapurna (7,455m) above — most popular acclimatisation hike |
| Thorong La Pass summit | 5,416m | Day 9 | Prayer flags, Himalayan panorama, Dhaulagiri visible — the defining circuit moment |
| Muktinath Temple | 3,800m | Day 9 | Sacred Hindu-Buddhist pilgrimage site — holy fire, 108 water spouts, ancient monastery |
| Kagbeni medieval village | 2,810m | Day 10 | Walled settlement at Upper Mustang entrance — narrow stone lanes, ancient monastery |
| Kali Gandaki Valley | 2,720–1,200m | Days 10–11 | World’s deepest gorge — Dhaulagiri and Annapurna on opposing sides |
| Tatopani hot springs | 1,200m | Day 11 | Natural thermal springs beside the river — most restorative stop on the circuit |
| Poon Hill sunrise | 3,210m | Day 13 | Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machapuchare lit at dawn — finest panoramic viewpoint in the Annapurna region |
Permit Checkpoints on the Route
| Checkpoint | Location | Day | Permit Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACAP main entry | Besisahar or Dharapani | Day 1–2 | ACAP permit + passport |
| Manang checkpoint | Manang village | Day 5–6 | ACAP verification |
| Thorong La approach | Thorong Phedi | Day 8 | ACAP spot check |
| Muktinath checkpoint | Muktinath | Day 9 | ACAP verification on descent |
| Jomsom checkpoint | Jomsom village | Day 10 | ACAP + Upper Mustang RAP if continuing north |
| Ghorepani checkpoint | Ghorepani | Day 12 | ACAP verification |
The ACAP permit covers the entire standard circuit route. Mountain Hike Nepal arranges it before departure and your guide presents it at every checkpoint. Furthermore, the TIMS card is currently suspended until further notice from TAAN — no TIMS purchase is required for the 2026 season. Consequently, permit requirements on the circuit are the simplest of any major Nepal trek: one permit, one organisation, no complications. For full permit details: Circuit Permits Guide 2026 →
Annapurna Circuit Trek Map — Navigation and Trail Marking
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the most-walked trekking routes in the Himalayas and one of the best-marked. Navigation is not a meaningful concern for trekkers with a licensed guide.
How easy is the route to follow?
The main circuit trail has clear signboards, stone cairns, painted markers, and teahouse owners at every junction who know the route in both directions. Furthermore, the volume of trekkers during October and April means the trail is never empty in peak season — if uncertain at any junction, passing trekkers or the nearest teahouse provide instant guidance. Consequently, getting genuinely lost on the main circuit trail is essentially impossible with a guide and very unlikely even without one.
Key junctions on the circuit map
Three junctions benefit from awareness before departure. First: Pisang — the junction between the lower valley trail and the upper ridge trail via Ghyaru. Always take the upper trail — the lower trail misses Ghyaru, Green Lake, and the best viewpoints on Days 3 and 4. Second: Kagbeni — the junction between the standard circuit continuing south to Jomsom and the Upper Mustang restricted area continuing north. Third: Tatopani — trails diverge here for the Ghorepani ascent and the direct road to Pokhara via Beni. Furthermore, all three have clear signage. Consequently, with a Mountain Hike Nepal guide, none require independent navigation decisions at any point on the route.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Annapurna Circuit trek map runs clockwise — starting from Besisahar in the east, climbing northward along the Marsyangdi River valley, crossing Thorong La Pass to Muktinath, then descending south through the Kali Gandaki Valley to Tatopani and finishing at Pokhara via Ghorepani and Poon Hill. Furthermore, the clockwise direction is standard because it allows the gradual altitude gain up the Marsyangdi side before the high-altitude pass crossing. Consequently, the descent after Thorong La is always on the steeper Muktinath side — trekking poles are essential for the 1,616m drop.
The standard circuit passes through Kagbeni — the entrance to Upper Mustang — but does not enter the restricted area. Upper Mustang requires a separate restricted area permit at USD 50 per person per day (new 2024 rule) and a registered trekking agency to apply. Furthermore, trekkers who want to extend the circuit into Upper Mustang add 3–5 days by continuing north from Kagbeni before returning to Jomsom and the main circuit. Consequently, Upper Mustang is an optional extension — not a standard part of the circuit map — but one of the most rewarding additions available on any Nepal trekking route.
Yes — in the Mountain Hike Nepal standard itinerary, Poon Hill is the final major highlight of the circuit before Pokhara. The route from Tatopani climbs through Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3,210m) for the pre-dawn sunrise panorama over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Machapuchare — then descends through Tadapani and Ghandruk to the jeep road. Furthermore, some operators end the circuit at Jomsom with a flight to Pokhara — this version misses Poon Hill entirely. Consequently, if your schedule allows the full 15-day circuit, complete the Poon Hill section — it is one of the finest sunrise viewpoints in Nepal and a worthy finale to the circuit journey.
Related Planning Guides
- Annapurna Circuit Package — Full 15-day expedition from USD 828 per person
- Day-by-Day Itinerary — Every stage with full trail and sightseeing detail
- Elevation and Altitude Guide — Altitude profile for every point on the route
- Permits Guide 2026 — ACAP checkpoint locations and Upper Mustang permit
- How Hard Is the Circuit? — Section-by-section difficulty with Thorong La detail
- Best Time to Trek — Season guide and Thorong La weather windows
- Circuit Cost 2026 — Full budget including variation costs
Know the Route. Walk the Circuit.
The Annapurna Circuit trek map covers a route that changes its geographic character six times across 160km — and understanding that geography before departure transforms the experience on the ground. The Paungda Danda rock wall on Day 3, the Green Lake reflection on Day 4, the Gangapurna Lake hike on Day 6, the prayer flag summit at 5,416m on Day 9, the sacred pilgrimage of Muktinath, the wind-scoured Kali Gandaki plateau, Tatopani’s hot springs, and finally Poon Hill at dawn. Every section of the map has a specific character and a specific reward. None of it repeats.
Mountain Hike Nepal has guided the Annapurna Circuit since 2018 as a licensed local operator in Kathmandu. When you contact us, you speak directly with the team that walks this route every season. Any question about specific trail sections, route variations, or what each geographic zone delivers gets a straight answer from people who were last on this trail recently.
The full package starts at USD 828 per person for groups of 8–10, USD 898 for 4–6, USD 998 for 2–3, and USD 1,198 for solo trekkers. All permits and transport included.
View the full Annapurna Circuit Trek package →
Questions about the route, specific sections, or the Upper Mustang extension? We respond within 12 hours and give straight answers.