The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of Nepal’s most iconic long-distance treks, offering a remarkable journey around the Annapurna mountain range. This classic Himalayan route combines changing landscapes, traditional mountain culture, and the unforgettable experience of crossing a high Himalayan pass.
The adventure begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, the gateway to the Annapurna region. From here, the trail follows the Marsyangdi River valley, gradually climbing through villages such as Chame, Upper Pisang, Ngawal, and Manang. Along the way, lush forests and terraced hills slowly give way to a drier alpine landscape shaped by wind, glaciers, and Tibetan-influenced culture.
After an important acclimatization stop in Manang (3,540 m), the trek continues through Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi, preparing for the journey’s highlight — crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), one of the highest trekking passes in the Himalayas.
Beyond the pass, the trail descends to the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath, then follows the dramatic Kali Gandaki Valley through Kagbeni and Jomsom before reaching Tatopani. The final days lead through rhododendron forests to Ghorepani and Poon Hill, before finishing in Ghandruk and driving to Pokhara.
The itinerary can be customized by adding Tilicho Lake, flying from Jomsom to Pokhara, or traveling by road to suit time and budget.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Trip Name | Annapurna Circuit Trek |
| Duration | 14 Nights / 15 Days |
| Maximum Altitude | 5,416 m – Thorong La Pass |
| Trek Difficulty | Moderate to Challenging (High-Altitude Trek) |
| Trek Start Point | Besisahar (Lamjung) |
| Trek End Point | Nayapul / Pokhara |
| Best Season | Spring (March–May) & Autumn (September–November) |
| Low Season | Winter – cold temperatures, quieter trails |
| Not Recommended | Peak Monsoon (July–August) |
| Accommodation | Tea House Lodges |
| Meals Included | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (during trek) |
| Trek Style | Guided Long-Distance Himalayan Trek |
| Region | Annapurna & Mustang |
Kathmandu → Besisahar → Chame → Upper Pisang → Ngawal → Manang → Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi → Thorong La Pass → Muktinath → Kagbeni → Jomsom → Tatopani → Ghorepani → Poon Hill → Tadapani → Ghandruk → Pokhara
Most Nepal treks follow a valley to a destination and return the same way. The circuit does something different — it crosses the Himalayan range entirely, entering from the east and exiting through the Kali Gandaki to the south. Furthermore, the landscape, culture, climate, and vegetation change completely on either side of Thorong La Pass. You walk from subtropical river gorge to Tibetan rain-shadow plateau to rhododendron ridge in a single continuous journey. Consequently, no day repeats and no section returns to where it started.
The circuit also rewards preparation and patience in a way that shorter treks do not. Specifically, the acclimatisation day in Manang — with the Gangapurna Lake hike and the HRA altitude lecture — is a full strategic day that makes Thorong La possible. Furthermore, the pre-dawn Poon Hill sunrise on Day 13 is the emotional peak of the final section. Tatopani’s hot springs on Day 11 are the most restorative overnight on any Nepal trek. These are not incidental moments — they are the circuit’s architecture, and they only work at this scale and in this sequence.
The circuit suits trekkers who want the most complete Himalayan journey available on a standard Nepal route — not the highest altitude point, but the most continuous and varied experience across 15 days. Specifically, it suits:
The circuit is moderate to challenging — no technical climbing anywhere, but 160km across 13 trekking days with a 5,416m pass and a demanding return leg demands specific preparation. If you have 2 weeks and want a shorter version, the 10–11 day Jomsom-flight variation covers all the main highlights including the full Thorong La crossing.
Mountain Hike Nepal has guided the Annapurna Circuit since 2018 as a licensed Kathmandu-based operator (Govt. Regd. No: 189775/74/075). When you book with us, you speak directly with the team that walks this route every season — not an overseas agent.
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✅ All ground Transportation: Kathmandu → Besisahar tourist bus / Besisahar → Chame local jeep/bus / Muktinath/Jomsom → Tatopani shared local jeep/bus
✅ All trekking accommodation in local teahouse lodges (shared basis)
✅ All meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner), including tea or coffee in the early morning
✅ Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide
✅ One strong, experienced local porter (1 porter for 2 trekkers, maximum load 18 kg)
✅ All required trekking permits for the Annapurna region (ACAP)
✅ Guide and porter wages, meals, accommodation, insurance, and local transport
✅ Necessary staff equipment and logistical support
✅ All applicable government taxes and service charges
❌ International airfare to and from Nepal
❌ Nepal entry visa fee
❌ Travel and medical insurance (must cover high-altitude trekking and emergency helicopter evacuation)
❌ Personal trekking gear and equipment, including personal medications
❌ Hotel and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (before and after the trek)
❌ Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging of electronic devices during the trek
❌ Alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses
❌ Tips for guide and porter
❌ Additional accommodation or meals due to early arrival, late departure, or itinerary changes
❌ Any additional expenses caused by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters, bad weather, landslides, road blockages, or itinerary changes beyond our control & any services not mentioned in the “Includes” section.
Altitude: 760m | Drive: 6–7 hours (local bus) | Accommodation: Teahouse, Besisahar | Meals: Lunch, Dinner
The journey begins with a scenic drive west from Kathmandu, following the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers through terraced hillsides, rural villages, and small market towns. Besisahar is the traditional gateway to the Annapurna Circuit — last night of flat ground before the mountains take over.
Altitude: 2,670m | Drive: 5–6 hours (shared local jeep or bus) | Accommodation: Teahouse, Chame | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The mountain road climbs through Syange, Jagat, and Dharapani along the Marsyangdi River — waterfalls, forested valley walls, and the river always below. Chame at 2,670m delivers the first clear mountain view as the valley opens properly. The real trekking starts tomorrow.
Altitude: 3,300m | Trek: 5–6 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Upper Pisang | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail leaves Chame through pine forest and rocky cliffs. As it curves through the Bhratang gorge, Paungda Danda — the Gateway to Heaven rock wall — rises suddenly above you across the river, hundreds of metres high and entirely unexpected. Annapurna II (7,937m) appears above the valley as the trail reaches Upper Pisang on a hillside with expansive mountain views.
Altitude: 3,660m | Trek: 4–5 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Ngawal | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
As the trail drops toward the valley plain below Upper Pisang, Green Lake (Mring Tal) sits in the basin — turquoise water creating a perfect mirror reflection of the Paungda Danda rock face and Annapurna II. One of the finest photography stops on the circuit. The trail then climbs steeply through Ghyaru village with panoramic views of Annapurna II, III, and the full Manang Valley before reaching Ngawal at 3,660m.
Altitude: 3,540m | Trek: 4–5 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Manang | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail descends gradually through Braga and Humde — Tibetan-influenced villages with ancient monasteries — before the Manang Valley opens wide. Gangapurna (7,455m), Annapurna III, and the Chulu peaks surround the village on arrival. Withdraw cash at the Manang ATM tonight — the next one is in Jomsom, three days and a 5,416m pass away.
Altitude: 3,540m | Hike: 3–4 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Manang | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: hike to Gangapurna Lake at 3,700m — a glacial lake directly beneath Gangapurna’s south face with the glacier reflected in the water. The most popular and most effective acclimatisation hike on the circuit. Afternoon: free HRA altitude medicine lecture in Manang — essential before Thorong La. Full dinner and early bed. Tomorrow the high circuit begins.
Altitude: 4,050m | Trek: 4–5 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Yak Kharka | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Above Manang the landscape changes completely — vegetation thins, the trail crosses alpine meadows and rocky terrain, and the mountain scale above becomes overwhelming. First overnight above 4,000m. Appetite drops and sleep quality starts to deteriorate. Eat a full dinner anyway and drink 3–4 litres. What you consume tonight determines tomorrow’s performance above 5,000m.
Altitude: 4,450m | Trek: 3–4 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Thorong Phedi | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short but demanding climb to Thorong Phedi — the last camp before the pass. The afternoon is for resting, eating, and preparing for the 4am departure. Eat the full dinner even when appetite has largely disappeared. Sleep by 7pm. The alarm is 3:30am.
Altitude: 5,416m pass / 3,800m overnight | Trek: 6–7 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Muktinath | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departure at 4:00–4:30am in darkness and cold. The ascent gains 966m from Thorong Phedi to the summit at 5,416m — steady, deliberate, conversational pace the entire way. Prayer flags at the top. Panoramic Himalayan views including Dhaulagiri across the Kali Gandaki. Then 1,616m of descent on steep rocky terrain to Muktinath — the most sacred Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal. This is the day the circuit is built around.
Altitude: 2,720m | Trek/drive: 4–5 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Jomsom | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After visiting the sacred Muktinath Temple — holy fire, 108 water spouts, ancient monastery — the route descends through Kagbeni, the medieval walled village at the entrance to Upper Mustang. The Kali Gandaki Valley opens: arid, wind-sculpted, flanked by towering canyon walls. Jomsom is the key decision point — continue the full circuit return or fly to Pokhara.
Altitude: 1,200m | Drive: 4–5 hours (shared local jeep or bus) | Accommodation: Teahouse, Tatopani | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The shared vehicle follows the Kali Gandaki Valley south through Marpha’s apple orchards, Tukuche, and deep river gorges before reaching Tatopani at 1,200m. Natural hot springs beside the river. The temperature jumps from alpine cold to subtropical warmth in a single afternoon. This is the most restorative overnight on the circuit — Thorong La is behind you and the hot springs are right outside the door.
Altitude: 2,860m | Trek: 5–6 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Ghorepani | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The hardest day of the return leg. The trail climbs 1,660m through dense rhododendron and oak forest on legs that have carried 11 days of trekking. Arrive before dark, eat a good dinner, and set the 3:30am alarm. Poon Hill is the reward for everything Day 12 asks.
Altitude: 2,700m overnight | Trek: 5–6 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Tadapani | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The 45-minute pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill delivers the finest panoramic sunrise in the Annapurna region — Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machapuchare, and Hiunchuli lit in sequence at dawn. After breakfast the trail continues along forested ridges toward Tadapani with Annapurna South visible throughout.
Altitude: 1,940m | Trek: 3–4 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse, Ghandruk | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A gentle descent through forest trails to Ghandruk — one of Nepal’s finest traditional Gurung villages. Stone-paved lanes, slate-roofed houses, and the full Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre panorama from the upper village. The best final overnight on any Nepal circuit trek.
Altitude: 822m | Drive: 2.5–3 hours (shared local jeep) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
A scenic jeep drive descends through rural hillsides toward Pokhara — the Annapurna range visible behind you on clear mornings. The circuit ends on arrival in Pokhara. Phewa Lake. A warm shower. Fifteen days. One complete mountain crossing. Done.
For the full day-by-day trail notes with sightseeing highlights and pacing guide: Complete Annapurna Circuit Itinerary →
The Annapurna Circuit is a complete mountain crossing — not an out-and-back route. The trail moves continuously forward through multiple climate zones, landscapes, and cultures, from subtropical river valleys to Tibetan rain-shadow desert, crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416m along the way. Unlike EBC or ABC which approach a single destination, the circuit delivers a different experience every day for 15 days. It is widely considered the most geographically and culturally complete trekking route in Nepal.
The trek is rated moderate to challenging — no technical climbing anywhere on the route, but the combination of 15 days, 160km, and the Thorong La Pass crossing at 5,416m makes it the most demanding standard Nepal trek in terms of overall endurance. The hardest single day is the Thorong La crossing — a 4am start, 1,000m of climbing, and 1,600m of descent in one day. Eight to ten weeks of specific outdoor preparation is strongly recommended. For the full guide: Annapurna Circuit Difficulty →
Thorong La Pass at 5,416m — one of the highest trekking passes in the Himalayas. The pass sits between the Manang valley and Muktinath and marks the pivotal point of the circuit. Crossing it requires proper acclimatisation in Manang (Day 6), a 4am departure, and full cold-weather gear including a down jacket, warm gloves, balaclava, and trekking poles. The reward is a panoramic Himalayan view and the satisfaction of completing one of Nepal’s most celebrated mountain crossings.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000 (~USD 23) covers the entire standard circuit route. The TIMS card is currently suspended until further notice from TAAN — no TIMS purchase is required in 2026. Mountain Hike Nepal arranges the ACAP before departure and your guide handles all checkpoint presentations. If you add Upper Mustang to the itinerary, a separate Restricted Area Permit is required at USD 50 per person per day — Mountain Hike Nepal handles this application since it cannot be obtained independently. For full details: Circuit Permits Guide 2026 →
Yes — by flying from Jomsom to Pokhara instead of walking the return leg through Tatopani, Ghorepani, and Poon Hill. Flying from Jomsom to Pokhara saves 4 days — contact Mountain Hike Nepal for current pricing, giving a 10–11 day circuit that covers the full Thorong La crossing. Furthermore, you can drive directly from Kathmandu to Chame (skipping the Besisahar section) to save another 1–2 days. Consequently, a 10-day version covering the full circuit highlights is achievable — speak to Mountain Hike Nepal to build the right itinerary for your available time.
Yes — and for trekkers with budget, flying from Muktinath directly to Kathmandu by helicopter is one of the most rewarding ways to end the circuit. After crossing Thorong La, a helicopter from Muktinath (3,800m) lands you in Kathmandu in approximately 45–60 minutes — skipping the entire return leg entirely. Furthermore, helicopter pickups are available from Jomsom, Manang, or any point on the route. Emergency medical evacuation by helicopter is also available from anywhere on the circuit — your travel insurance covers the cost when the policy includes trekking above 5,000m and helicopter evacuation. Contact us to add a helicopter return to your itinerary. Chat with us on WhatsApp for helicopter options →
October and November are the finest months — post-monsoon clarity, stable Thorong La weather, and the most reliable pass crossing conditions of the year. March and April are the best spring months — rhododendron forests in full bloom on the Ghorepani and Poon Hill section and generally stable weather before the pre-monsoon cloud builds. Avoid December through February unless you have significant cold-weather experience — Thorong La in winter involves deep snow, very cold temperatures, and a higher risk of pass closure. For the full season guide: Best Time for Circuit Trek →
Yes — and if your schedule allows it, add it. Tilicho Lake at 4,919m is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world and sits just off the main circuit near Manang. The detour adds 2–3 days via a high camp at 4,150m and rejoins the main circuit above Manang. No additional permit is required — the ACAP covers the Tilicho route. Furthermore, the lake setting with Tilicho Peak and Nilgiri above it is extraordinary. Contact Mountain Hike Nepal to build the Tilicho extension into your booking from the start.
Yes — Upper Mustang is accessible from Kagbeni, just north of Jomsom on the circuit. It is a restricted area with a separate permit at USD 50 per person per day under the new 2024 rules — you pay only for the days you actually spend there. A 3-day Upper Mustang visit adds USD 150 per person in permit fees. Furthermore, this permit requires a registered agency to apply — Mountain Hike Nepal handles the application. Upper Mustang delivers a completely different landscape to the circuit — a high-altitude Tibetan plateau with ancient cave monasteries and walled villages. Contact us before booking to confirm availability and build the extension into your itinerary.
The Mountain Hike Nepal package starts from USD 828 per person for groups of 8–10 and USD 1,198 for solo trekkers — guide, porter, all permits, all meals on the trail, teahouse accommodation, and all ground transport included. No domestic flight is included in the standard package — the Jomsom to Pokhara flight is an optional add-on — contact us for current pricing. For the full budget breakdown: Circuit Cost Guide 2026 →
Plan every aspect of your circuit with these detailed guides:
