- Destination
- Nepal
- Trip Grade
- Easy, Strenous
- Max Elevation
- 17,771 ft
- Total Duration
- 17 Days
- Best Time
- Oct-Nov
- Region
- Annapurna
The Annapurna Circuit is the most popular trekking route in the great Himalayas.
The circuit consists of various attractions – the highest pass, sacred shrines for both the Hindu and Buddhist followers, high glacial basin, Tilicho, world’s highest glacial lake and Annapurna sanctuary that homes some of the rarest species on earth. It has several different routes within the area that offer varieties of starting points and final destinations as per your liking.
Highlights
- Conquer the mighty Thorong La Pass (17,771 ft) for breathtaking panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.
- Immerse yourself in the unique culture of Manang, a high-altitude trading hub with Tibetan-style architecture and surprising cosmopolitan amenities.
- Visit the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath, a spiritual destination revered by both Hindus and Buddhists for its eternal flame and natural springs.
- Experience stunning ecological diversity, trekking from subtropical lowlands and deep river gorges into a dramatic high-altitude desert landscape.
- Relax your muscles in the natural hot springs of Tatopani and witness a spectacular Himalayan sunrise from the famous viewpoint of Poon Hill.
Outline Itinerary
- Day-01: Drive west to Bensisahar 9 hours by bus.
- Day-02: Bensisahar – Ngadi/Bahundanda (1311m) - 6½ hours.
- Day-03: Ngadi/Bahundanda – Jagat/Chamje (1433m) - 6½ hours.
- Day-04: Jagat/Chamje - Dharapani (1943m) - 6 hours.
- Day-05: Dharapani - Chame (2713m) - 6½ hours.
- Day-06: Chame - Pisang (3292m)- 5 hours.
- Day-07: Pisang - Manang (3351m) - 4 hours.
- Day-08: Rest in Manang, visit Monastery, Khangsar village & acclimatization for high altitude.
- Day-09: Manang - Yak Kharka/ Lather (4000m) - 5 hours.
- Day-10: Lather - Thorongphedi (4510m) - 3 hours, spend whole day for the rest.
- Day-11: Thorong Phedi - Thorong-La pass (5,416m) - Muktinath (3800m)- 9 hours.
- Day-12: Muktinath - Kagbeni (2800m) 4 hours down and spend night.
- Day-13: Kagbeni - Jomsom (2726m) - 4 hours.
- Day-14: Jomsom – Tatopani Local Bus/Jeep drive.
- Day-15: Tatopani – Ghorepani takes 6 hours hike.
- Day-16: Early in the Morning hike up to Poon Hill (3200.) to see wonderful Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and West parts of Himalayan ranges with wonderful sunrise.
- Day-17: Crews leave to their destination and say good bye.
Cost Includes
- Regular Bus transports will be included from and to destinations
- 2 nights deluxe Hotels Rooms
- 3 times full board meals
- Elephant rights/Jeep Drives
- Jungle walk and Tours
- Birds watching and canoeing
- Culture exchanging programs with dance and music
- Local Tharu village walks with Museum visit
- Entrances fee and permits
Best Time: October to November (Post-Monsoon/Autumn)
This is the prime and most popular season for the Annapurna Circuit.
Weather: Days are typically clear, sunny, and stable with excellent visibility. Skies are incredibly blue, offering breathtaking, unobstructed mountain views.
Temperatures: Daytime temperatures at lower elevations are very pleasant for trekking. Nights are cold, especially at high altitudes, but manageable with proper gear.
Pros: The air is fresh after the monsoon, the trails are dry, and the risk of flight or road cancellations is low. This is also the time for major Nepalese festivals like Dashain and Tihar, adding a cultural bonus.
Cons: This is the peak season, so the trails, teahouses, and airports (Lukla, for flights) can be quite busy.
Second-Best Time: March to May (Pre-Monsoon/Spring)
This is another excellent choice, known for beautiful flora.
Weather: Generally stable with warm days. Visibility is good, though there can be more haze building up towards May as the monsoon approaches.
Temperatures: Warmer than in autumn, making it very comfortable for trekking at all altitudes.
Pros: The rhododendron forests throughout the region burst into magnificent bloom, painting the hillsides in shades of red, pink, and white. The days are longer.
Cons: It can be hazier than autumn, and there is a higher chance of afternoon showers as you move into May.
Seasons to Avoid
Winter (December to February): Possible but challenging. Days can be clear and sunny, but temperatures at high altitude (especially Thorong La Pass) are extremely cold and can be dangerous. Many high passes, including Thorong La, can be closed due to heavy snow and avalanche risk. Teahouses at higher elevations may be closed.
Monsoon (June to September): Not recommended. Heavy rainfall leads to muddy, leech-infested trails, landslides that can block roads and paths, and consistently poor visibility with clouds obscuring the mountain views. Flight delays and cancellations are very common.
Physical Preparation is Non-Negotiable
This is a strenuous trek that involves 15-17 days of walking, significant daily elevation gain and loss, and crossing the challenging Thorong La Pass at 5,416m (17,769ft). You should be in excellent physical condition, with a focus on cardiovascular endurance (running, cycling, swimming) and leg strength (hiking, squats, lunges).
Acclimatization is Critical to Your Safety
Altitude Sickness (AMS) is a serious and unpredictable risk. This itinerary includes crucial acclimatization days (e.g., in Manang) – never skip these. Learn the symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness), be honest with your guide, and be prepared to descend if symptoms worsen. Rushing increases the danger significantly.
Packing Smart is Your Key to Comfort
You will experience a huge range of climates, from hot lowlands to a freezing, windy mountain pass.
The Golden Rule: Layering. Pack moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers (fleece/down), and a waterproof/windproof outer shell.
Footwear: Well-broken-in, waterproof hiking boots are absolutely essential. Also bring comfortable shoes/sandals for evenings.
Must-Haves: A high-quality sleeping bag (rated for -10°C / 14°F), a warm hat, gloves, sunglasses, a headlamp, a refillable water bottle or hydration bladder, and a comprehensive first-aid kit.
Understand Teahouse Trekking
You will be staying in local lodges called teahouses.
Accommodation: Basic but sufficient; usually a private room with a simple bed and shared bathroom facilities. Hot showers are available for an extra cost, but may not be reliable at higher altitudes.
Food: Meals are taken in a common dining hall. The menu is extensive (dal bhat, pasta, pizza, soups) but become more basic and expensive as you gain altitude. Stick to vegetarian options at higher elevations for food safety.
Logistics and Permits
Guides and Porters: While independent trekking is possible, a guide is highly recommended for navigation, safety, and cultural insight. A porter will carry your main bag, vastly improving your experience. Budget to tip your crew at the end of the trek; it is a standard and expected part of their income.
Permits: You will need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card. Your trekking agency will typically handle these, but you must provide passport photos and details.
Health and Hygiene
Water: Do not drink tap water. You can buy bottled water (expensive and plastic waste) or use a much better alternative: water purification tablets or a portable water filter (e.g., Lifestraw or Steripen) to refill from safe sources.
Hygiene: Toilet paper is not flushed; it goes in a waste bin next to the toilet. Hand sanitizer and wet wipes will be your best friends. Bring your own toilet paper.
Detail Itinerary
Day-01: Drive west to Bensisahar 9 hours by bus.
Nepal's well-constructed wide and commercial road from Kathmandu to Pokhara Bensisahar offers you the beautiful and spectacular views of River Valley, Terrace Farming, the countryside villages, Sylvan Beauty of nature with the silver Mountains on the top.
The Bus stops several posts to get check-in. Sitting inside the bus, you have views of Trisuli and Marshyangdi River Gorges where you may see people enjoying their Rafting. The Bus stop somewhere for the readymade Daal Bhat. But western Foods Restaurants are also available on the highway.
Day-02: Bensisahar – Ngadi/Bahundanda (1311m) - 6½ hours.
Most of the trail today is fairly flat, until after the village of Besi Sahar, when the trail narrows and the valley becomes a deep river gorge. We cross a long suspension bridge and enter the largest trading village of Khuldi (2592 ft ) inhabited by the Gurungs.
The trail continues northwards up the valley, crossing several suspension bridges and passing several beautiful waterfalls. Above us tower the peaks of Lamjung (22,291ft). The village Bahundanda (4000 ft) supports the last shops of any size before Jomsom.
Day-03: Ngadi/Bahundanda – Jagat/Chamje (1433m) - 6½ hours.
Today, we descend to the Marshyangdi to access the river level before deciding our route. Its water level is low, we can cross on a makeshift bridge to the east bank.
If not, we continue on the west bank climbing high over a ridge, to rejoin the east bank trail over a suspension bridge at Sange. We then climb high again, through rhododendron and pine forest. The valley is now very deep and steep gorge.
Day-04: Jagat/Chamje - Dharapani (1943m) - 6 hours.
We climb steadily all day long Tal, a small village at the foot of a large waterfall. We are now entering the Manang district. After leaving Tal, we cross a large bridge to the village of Dharapani (6103 ft ) where our trekking permits are checked.
Day-05: Dharapani - Chame (2713m) - 6½ hours.
Today We climb through forest to Bagarchap (7120 ft ) which was the first village on the trek with typical Tibetan architecture and now washed away by Landslide in 1994.The trail is now bearing west, Manaslu forming a splendid backdrop and Annapurna II (26040 ft ) appearing occasionally to the south. We continue through forests of pine and fir, resting at the hamlets or Charku, Thangje and Kuparkot. As we continue on the same (8859 ft), views of the Annapurna improve dramatically.
Day-06: Chame - Pisang (3292m)- 5 hours.
We continue crossing the river all day, passing through the narrow and steep sided gorge nearing the village of Pisang (10400 ft). We top a ridge to get our first views of the Manang valley, a wide N - shaped valley hanging between two lines of snow peaks.
Day-07: Pisang - Manang (3351m) - 4 hours.
From today you are getting the wind in Tran Himalayan Valley according to its character after 10 or 11 AM in the morning until 4 or 5 PM. Descending to the broad forested valley floor, we follow the trail through the flat valley, past a small STOL Hongdae airstrip, under construction, cross the river once again to Braga (11287 ft). This is a village of about 290 houses stacked on top of each other, flat roofs forming verandahs seems caves on the body of mountain standing with it's the beauty of Tibetan settlement, We spend visiting Braga Monastery. The largest in the district, it has an outstanding display of statues, thanka paintings, and manuscripts and cross several Buddhist shrines and arrive at miniurbanized Manang.
But you may have chances to divide the trails in order to visit the old and traditional villages like Ngawal and Ghyaru, which offer you the primitive cultures of Manganese origin.
The Manang: Manang has acquired a reputation as a cosmopolitan center of some sophistication. As you would expect from a town which has given its name to the region it is larger than the surrounding villages, claiming a population of around 5,500.
Manang and Braga do have more 'German' restaurants with German Bakery. Meat is served in Manang, including 'yak burger'. There is an imposing range of food on the menus. This is the main evidence of the cosmopolitan lifestyle of the Manang Bhot. If you look on the walls of some of the lodges, you will see photographs of the proprietors in such places as Singapore, Bangkok, and Delhi. They certainly travel around.
The hotels are all well equipped with bathing facilities of various sorts, but there is so much dust in Manang that the minute you emerge from washing yourself, the dust clings to your still damp skin. Washing oneself is still something of a novelty in these parts.
Day-08: Rest in Manang, visit Monastery, Khangsar village & acclimatization for high altitude.
we spend the whole day exploring Manang. The village consists of about 500 flat-roofed houses and is picturesquely set amongst spectacular scenery: Annapurna II, Annapurna III, (24787 ft), Gangapurna (24,457 ft) to the south: Tilicho (23,400 ft) and the Grand Barrier, to the west ; Chulu west (21,599 ft ) and Chulu East (19,880 ft ) to north. There are lots of chances to visit the old Tibetan shelters Braga, Milarepa Cave, Gangapurna the isolated lake and other viewpoints.
Day-09: Manang - Yak Kharka/ Lather (4000m) - 5 hours.
We branch away from the Marshyangdi river steadily climbing into district alpine areas. keep your eyes open for Thar and Ghoral mountain sheep. Crossing the Jarsang River, we climb to a small grassy valley
Day-10: Lather - Thorongphedi (4510m) - 3 hours, spend whole day for the rest.
Very short walk for today, enjoying the views of grassy spots and grazing Yaks with the sounds of young Marshyangdi River with it's outstanding Gorges.
Day-11: Thorong Phedi - Thorong-La pass (5,416m) - Muktinath (3800m)- 9 hours.
Though the crossing of the pass is not technically difficult, we take it slowly to take into account the complications of altitude and possible snow. After about 4 hours, we reach the top (17,771 ft) and enjoy some absolutely stunning high Himalayas scenery.
The entire Annapurna range in the south, the Mukut and Mustang Himal to the west, and the incredibly deep Kali Gandaki valley and the peaks of Throungtse(21,268 ft) and Chulu to the north. The descent is steep and rough but we soon have excellent views of Dhaulagiri (26,795 ft).
Muktinath is an important pilgrimage spot for both Hindus and Buddhist Gompa and pagoda style temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The most interesting aspect of the area, however, is the spot where burning of natural gas issued from the rock from the same place as a small spring. Earth, fire and water-an important religious combination.
Day-12: Muktinath - Kagbeni (2800m) 4 hours down and spend night.
This town is the gateway to Upper Mustang and Tibet also religiously is very important to see and visit for a while as your experiences of Tibet culture also very important landscapes. It is very Holly land for the Tourists and we can spend as much as time for your town visit and explore.
Day-13: Kagbeni - Jomsom (2726m) - 4 hours.
This is headquartering of Mustang district and it is the best town to spend a day to see wonderful side trips. You can have the airstrip to reach several tourists by flights in this region and gateway to upper Mustang. Kaligandi River makes more enjoyable sounds and several local museums of the local ethnicities with religions and cultures.
Day-14: Jomsom – Tatopani Local Bus/Jeep drive.
It takes about 5/6 hours drive to Tatopani(natural Hot spring) and spends a night. This is a very special place to have overnight to feel and experiences of natural bath and enjoy to get fresh after several days trek. It is relaxing natural hot bath with beers or drinks for your body adjustment.
Day-15: Tatopani – Ghorepani takes 6 hours hike.
It is whole days climbing and have to climb almost over 1200 meters from the River. Wonderful days to see locals settlement with cultivated lands and views of the Dhaulagiri Mountain again. Ghorepani is the blue roofing town specially and has more crowd to see next day’s Poon Hill trip from Pokhara.
Day-16: Early in the Morning hike up to Poon Hill (3200.) to see wonderful Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and West parts of Himalayan ranges with wonderful sunrise.
Hundreds of trekkers go to see these views and sunrise from this top and it will feel how crowd and how many people enjoying the views.
After this views trip of Poon Hill will back to Hotel for breakfast and pack your luggage to back further our schedule. We trek down to Hille and take Jeep to Pokhara on the same day. It will be last day of the trek and have wonderful final dinner at the lakeside restaurant with Fewa Lake views. Normally, we expect with our clients to celebrate dinner together for porters and Guide as your final treat to the crews.
Day-17: Crews leave to their destination and say good bye.
It is countable days for our trek because we have to pay for the crews and we count 17 days trek for this trip.
Note: It will be your rest day in Pokhara also preparation day for the next destination trip from Pokhara. Bardiya National Park trip or Chitwan national park trip we have to get private Car and drive to Bardiya about 7 hours drive from Pokhara and to the Chitwan it takes about 5 hours drive from Pokhara. Any national parks to reach from Pokhara we will have options only Bus or private car drive and I suggest you drive by private car for your safety.