Annapurna Circuit Trek: overview
- Duration
- 10–18 days (typically 12)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Max altitude
- 5,416 m · Thorong La
- Start / finish
- Dharapani (by bus and jeep from Pokhara via Besisahar) → Jomsom (flight or road back to Pokhara)
- Best months
- Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
- Sleep in
- Teahouses in every village, from simple twin rooms in Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi to lodges with attached bathrooms in Chame, Manang, Muktinath and Jomsom.
- Guide
- Licensed guide required
- Permits
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS card
The Annapurna Circuit walks up the Marsyangdi valley on the east side of the Annapurna massif, crosses Thorong La at 5,416 m and descends to the pilgrimage town of Muktinath and the wind-scoured Kali Gandaki valley on the west side. In the space of a week you go from rice terraces and pine forest to the dry, Tibetan-style villages of Manang, with Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak above you most of the way.
Roads now reach Manang on the east side and Muktinath on the west, so the modern circuit is shorter than the three-week classic. Most trekkers take a bus from Pokhara to Besisahar and a jeep to Dharapani or Chame, then walk from there, using the New Annapurna Trekking Trails (NATT) that stay off the road wherever possible. After the pass you can walk down to Kagbeni and Jomsom or take a jeep, and finish with a 20-minute flight back to Pokhara.
The hard part is altitude, not technical difficulty. The itinerary below sleeps high slowly: Upper Pisang and the Ghyaru–Ngawal high route, a full acclimatisation day in Manang, then short days to Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi before the pass. Treat it as a 12-day trek with a buffer day for weather rather than a race.
Highlights
- Crossing Thorong La (5,416 m), one of the highest trekking passes in the world, with Thorong Peak and the Dhaulagiri range on the descent
- The Upper Pisang – Ghyaru – Ngawal high route: some of the best views of Annapurna II and Annapurna III on the whole circuit
- Manang (3,540 m): acclimatisation hikes to Ice Lake or the Gangapurna glacier viewpoint and the daily altitude talk at the HRA aid post
- The Paungda Danda rock face above Dhukur Pokhari, a 1,500 m curved slab of rock rising from the Marsyangdi valley
- Muktinath temple complex, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, with its 108 water spouts
- Medieval Kagbeni at the gateway to Upper Mustang, and the Kali Gandaki valley between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I
- A complete change of culture and landscape, from Gurung villages and forest to Tibetan-Buddhist Manangi and Thakali settlements
Day-by-day itinerary & route map
The standard 12-day itinerary from Pokhara. Tap any day, a marker on the map or a point on the altitude profile to follow the route. Walking times are for an average trekker at a steady pace, without long stops.
Route line and stops are approximate and drawn for planning — not for navigation. Terrain tiles © OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap contributors.
Show altitudes as a table
| Day | Route | Sleep | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokhara → Besisahar → Dharapani (jeep) | 1,860 m | — |
| 2 | Dharapani → Timang → Chame | 2,670 m | — |
| 3 | Chame → Bhratang → Upper Pisang | 3,310 m | — |
| 4 | Upper Pisang → Ghyaru → Ngawal (high route) | 3,660 m | 3,730 m (Ghyaru) |
| 5 | Ngawal → Braka → Manang | 3,540 m | — |
| 6 | Acclimatisation day in Manang | 3,540 m | 4,600 m (Ice Lake (Kicho Tal)) |
| 7 | Manang → Gunsang → Yak Kharka | 4,050 m | — |
| 8 | Yak Kharka → Ledar → Thorong Phedi | 4,450 m | — |
| 9 | Thorong Phedi → Thorong La (5,416 m) → Muktinath | 3,760 m | 5,416 m (Thorong La) |
| 10 | Muktinath → Jharkot → Kagbeni | 2,810 m | — |
| 11 | Kagbeni → Jomsom | 2,720 m | — |
| 12 | Jomsom → Pokhara (flight) | 822 m | — |
Day 1: Pokhara → Besisahar → Dharapani (jeep)
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 1,860 m
- Time
- ⏱ 4–5 h bus + 4–5 h jeep
Take the morning tourist bus or a private jeep east from Pokhara to Besisahar (760 m), the Lamjung district headquarters, then change to a shared or reserved jeep up the Marsyangdi valley. The dirt road passes Syange, Jagat and Tal, with waterfalls and deep gorges, and is rough and slow in places. Dharapani is where the Manaslu Circuit trail joins from the east and has a police and ACAP checkpoint.
Overnight: Teahouse, Dharapani
Local tip: Sit on the right-hand side of the jeep going up for the river and waterfall views, and keep your permits handy for the checkpoints on the way.
Day 2: Dharapani → Timang → Chame
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 2,670 m
- Time
- ⏱ 5–6 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 16 km
Leave the road at Bagarchhap and follow the NATT trail up through pine and oak forest to Danaque and Timang (2,750 m), where Manaslu appears to the east on clear mornings. The trail then contours west to Thanchowk and Koto, where the Nar Phu valley branches north, before a short walk into Chame. Chame is the Manang district headquarters, with hot springs by the river, shops and an ATM.
Overnight: Teahouse, Chame
Local tip: The climb to Timang is the first real ascent of the trek; take it slowly and drink plenty, as it is warmer than it looks.
Day 3: Chame → Bhratang → Upper Pisang
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 3,310 m
- Time
- ⏱ 5–6 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 15 km
The valley narrows through Bhratang's apple orchards and a section cut into the cliff above the river, then opens out beneath the curved Paungda Danda rock face. After Dhukur Pokhari the landscape turns drier and pine gives way to juniper. Stay in Upper Pisang (3,310 m) rather than Lower Pisang: the extra 100 m helps acclimatisation and the gompa terrace faces Annapurna II.
Overnight: Teahouse, Upper Pisang
Day 4: Upper Pisang → Ghyaru → Ngawal (high route)
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 3,660 m
- High point
- Max 3,730 m · Ghyaru
- Time
- ⏱ 4–5 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 10 km
Drop to the river, then climb a steep zig-zag of about 400 m to the stone village of Ghyaru (3,730 m), perched on the hillside facing Annapurna II, III and IV. The trail then traverses high and fairly level to Ngawal, a traditional village with a gompa and prayer-wheel walls. This "climb high, sleep lower" day is ideal acclimatisation compared with the lower route along the road via Humde.
Overnight: Teahouse, Ngawal
Local tip: Start early; clouds usually build over Annapurna by late morning and the best views from Ghyaru are before 10 am.
Day 5: Ngawal → Braka → Manang
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 3,540 m
- Time
- ⏱ 3–4 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 10 km
A short, gently descending walk rejoins the valley floor and passes through Munchi and Braka, whose monastery sits under a cliff above the village. Manang is the last large village on the east side, with bakeries, gear shops and the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) aid post. Arrive by lunch and rest.
Overnight: Teahouse, Manang
Local tip: The HRA aid post normally gives a free altitude sickness talk at 3 pm in season; it is worth attending.
Day 6: Acclimatisation day in Manang
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 3,540 m
- High point
- Max 4,600 m · Ice Lake (Kicho Tal)
- Time
- ⏱ 5–7 h return hike (Ice Lake) or 2–3 h (Gangapurna viewpoint)
- Type
- Acclimatisation day
Spend a second night in Manang and hike high during the day. Fit, well-acclimatised trekkers climb about 1,000 m to Ice Lake (4,600 m) above Braka; an easier option is the Gangapurna glacier lake viewpoint or the Praken Gompa above Manang (about 3,950 m). Come back down to sleep at 3,540 m.
Overnight: Teahouse, Manang
Local tip: If you have any headache after the Ice Lake climb, take the next day very easily or add a second rest day; Manang is the place to do it.
Day 7: Manang → Gunsang → Yak Kharka
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 4,050 m
- Time
- ⏱ 3–4 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 9 km
Climb out of Manang past Tengi and Gunsang, then turn north-west up the Jharsang Khola valley, leaving the Marsyangdi behind. The trail is steady, with yak pastures and views back to Gangapurna and Chulu West. It is deliberately a short day to keep the altitude gain to about 500 m.
Overnight: Teahouse, Yak Kharka
Day 8: Yak Kharka → Ledar → Thorong Phedi
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 4,450 m
- Time
- ⏱ 3–4 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 7 km
Walk on to Ledar (4,200 m), cross the river on a wooden suspension bridge and follow a narrow path across a scree slope that is exposed to rockfall. Thorong Phedi is a cluster of large lodges at the foot of the pass. Some groups climb another 400 m to High Camp (4,850 m) to shorten the pass day, but sleeping that high is only wise if you are acclimatising well.
Overnight: Teahouse, Thorong Phedi
Local tip: Cross the landslide section between Ledar and Phedi without stopping and do not linger under the scree; the rockfall risk is highest in the afternoon wind.
Day 9: Thorong Phedi → Thorong La (5,416 m) → Muktinath
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 3,760 m
- High point
- Max 5,416 m · Thorong La
- Time
- ⏱ 7–9 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 15 km
Start around 4–5 am with a head torch: it is roughly 1,000 m of ascent, first a steep climb to High Camp, then a long series of false summits to the prayer flags on Thorong La. The descent to Muktinath is about 1,650 m on loose gravel and can be harder on the knees than the climb. Muktinath's lodges are in Ranipauwa, just below the temple.
Overnight: Teahouse, Muktinath (Ranipauwa)
Local tip: Aim to be over the pass by 10 am, before the strong westerly winds pick up. If anyone in your group has worsening AMS symptoms at Phedi or High Camp, go down rather than up.
Day 10: Muktinath → Jharkot → Kagbeni
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 2,810 m
- Time
- ⏱ 3–4 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 11 km
Visit Muktinath temple early, then descend through the fortified village of Jharkot and the barley fields of Khingar on the NATT trail south of the road. Kagbeni is a medieval mud-brick village at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong Khola, with a 15th-century gompa and the checkpoint for Upper Mustang at its northern edge.
Overnight: Teahouse, Kagbeni
Local tip: If you are short of time, a shared jeep from Ranipauwa reaches Jomsom in about 1.5 h and lets you skip this day.
Day 11: Kagbeni → Jomsom
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 2,720 m
- Time
- ⏱ 2.5–3 h walk (or 30 min jeep)
- Distance
- ≈ 10 km
Follow the wide Kali Gandaki riverbed south past Eklai Bhatti to Jomsom, the Mustang district headquarters with the airport. Walk in the morning: from late morning a strong wind blows up the valley and throws dust in your face. In the afternoon you can visit the Mustang Eco Museum or take a jeep to Marpha for its apple orchards and whitewashed lanes.
Overnight: Lodge, Jomsom
Day 12: Jomsom → Pokhara (flight)
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 822 m
- Time
- ⏱ 20 min flight (or 8–10 h by bus/jeep)
Morning flights leave Jomsom from about 7 am, before the wind makes landing unsafe, and fly down the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. Delays and cancellations are common, so keep a buffer day. The road alternative runs via Beni and takes 8–10 h on a rough surface.
Overnight: Hotel, Pokhara
Local tip: Book the flight well ahead in October and April and sit on the left side from Jomsom for Dhaulagiri views.
Best time to trek
- Jan: not ideal
- Feb: not ideal
- Mar: best
- Apr: best
- May: best
- Jun: not ideal
- Jul: not ideal
- Aug: not ideal
- Sep: possible
- Oct: best
- Nov: best
- Dec: possible
Not sure which season suits you? Our month-by-month guide to trekking in Nepal covers weather, crowds and festivals.
Permits, fees & the guide rule
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | NPR 3,000 (≈ USD 22); SAARC nationals NPR 1,000 | Issued in Pokhara or Kathmandu (Nepal Tourism Board) or by your agency. Checked at several ACAP posts; keep it with your passport. |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000 (≈ USD 15) | Issued through a registered trekking agency together with your licensed guide. |
Licensed guide required for foreign trekkers
Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area must trek with a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency (TIMS is issued the same way). Checkpoint enforcement has been inconsistent, but plan on a guide or at least a porter-guide rather than counting on walking alone, and check current rules before you go.
Fees as of September 2026. Nepal changes permit rules and prices from time to time — confirm before you travel. Full details in our Nepal trekking permits guide.
Getting there
From Pokhara
Tourist and local buses leave Pokhara for Besisahar in the morning (4–5 h). From Besisahar, shared jeeps run up the Marsyangdi road to Dharapani (about 4–5 h) and on to Chame (6–7 h in total) and Manang. A private jeep from Pokhara to Dharapani saves a change and is sensible for groups of 3–6. Your agency will usually arrange this with the permits.
From Kathmandu
Buses from Kathmandu to Besisahar take 6–8 h, so from Kathmandu you usually overnight in Besisahar or go straight through to Dharapani by private jeep in one long day. Alternatively fly or bus to Pokhara first; that also gives you the easy return flight from Jomsom.
Getting back
From Jomsom the Pokhara flight takes 20 minutes (about USD 125–140, mornings only, weather permitting). The road via Beni takes 8–10 h by bus or jeep. Jeeps also run directly from Muktinath to Pokhara if you want to skip Jomsom.
How much does the Annapurna Circuit trek cost?
Move the sliders to estimate your own trip. Typical teahouse spend on this route is USD 30–50 per person per day for a room and three meals; a licensed guide costs USD 25–35 a day and a porter USD 18–25.
Estimated cost per person
USD 621
+ about USD 22 in tips for your staff
- Teahouse room & 3 meals × 12 daysUSD 360
- PermitsUSD 36
- Transport to & from trailheadUSD 45
- Licensed guide (shared by 2)USD 180
Do-it-yourself estimate for the Annapurna Circuit Trek, from typical 2026 teahouse prices. Excludes flights to Nepal, visa, insurance, gear, drinks, hot showers and charging fees.
- Transport range: from about USD 45 all by road (bus + shared jeep each way) to about USD 180 with a shared jeep in and the Jomsom–Pokhara flight out.
- Food prices climb with altitude; a plate of dal bhat that costs USD 5 in Dharapani can be USD 8–10 at Thorong Phedi.
- Hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi are often charged extra above Manang (USD 1–5 each).
- Budget for a buffer day (weather, altitude or flight delays) at USD 30–50 plus guide wages.
Important things to know
Altitude & acclimatisation
You sleep above 3,500 m for five nights and cross 5,416 m, so acute mountain sickness is the main risk. Keep the gain between overnight stops to about 300–500 m above 3,000 m, take the Manang acclimatisation day and learn the symptoms of AMS, HAPE and HACE. The HRA aid post in Manang has a doctor in season. Descending is the only reliable treatment if symptoms worsen.
Roads and NATT trails
Jeep roads now run up both sides of the circuit, to Manang in the east and Muktinath in the west. The New Annapurna Trekking Trails (NATT) are marked with red-and-white paint and follow older paths and ridges away from the road, for example Timang, the Ghyaru–Ngawal high route, and Jharkot–Kagbeni. Ask your guide to stay on the NATT wherever it exists; walking the road means dust and traffic.
Thorong La crossing
The pass is not technical, but it is a long day at extreme altitude, often in snow from December to March and occasionally in autumn storms. Start before dawn, carry 2 litres of water, snacks and all your warm layers. In fresh snow or high wind, wait a day at Phedi rather than going up; people have died here in storms, most notably in October 2014.
Water & food
Every village has teahouses serving dal bhat, noodles, pasta and potatoes. Avoid buying plastic bottles: ACAP runs safe drinking water stations in several villages, or treat tap water with a filter or purification tablets. Stick to vegetarian food above Manang, as meat is carried up for days without refrigeration.
Charging, Wi-Fi & mobile network
Most lodges have Wi-Fi, often paid and slow above Manang. NTC generally has better coverage than Ncell on this route, with signal in Chame, Manang, Muktinath and Jomsom but patchy or none at Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi. Charging is free low down and often USD 1–3 per device higher up; bring a power bank.
Money & ATMs
Chame and Manang have ATMs but they are unreliable and may reject foreign cards, while Jomsom has several. Bring enough Nepali rupees from Pokhara for the whole trek plus a margin of 20%. Cards are rarely accepted in lodges.
Weather & seasons
October–November gives the clearest views and cold, dry nights (−10 °C at Phedi). March–May is warmer with some afternoon cloud and rhododendrons in the lower valley. Monsoon (June–August) brings landslides on the Marsyangdi road, while December–February often closes the pass with snow for days at a time.
Rescue & insurance
Buy insurance that explicitly covers trekking to 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation; a rescue from Manang or Phedi typically costs USD 3,000–6,000 or more. Manang and Muktinath have helipads and the Manang airstrip at Humde is rarely used. Your guide and agency coordinate any rescue, so leave your insurance details with them.
Responsible trekking
Carry out batteries and plastic, refill water rather than buying bottles and use lodge toilets. Walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls and ask before photographing people or the inside of gompas. Dress modestly at Muktinath temple.
Tips for solo trekkers
- The circuit is the busiest long trek in the Annapurna region, and in October and April you will share every lodge with other trekkers, so solo walkers rarely feel isolated.
- Foreigners are required to trek with a licensed guide. A porter-guide is the cheapest option for one person and also carries up to about 15 kg.
- Plan to cross Thorong La with at least one other person; groups naturally form at Thorong Phedi the night before.
- Women trekking solo generally report feeling safe on the circuit. Choose a guide through a registered agency, and ask for a female guide if you prefer (a few agencies can arrange one).
- Tell your lodge or guide which way you are going on acclimatisation hikes like Ice Lake; the trail is quiet and a twisted ankle alone at 4,500 m is serious.
- Avoid crossing the pass alone in December–February or in any fresh snowfall, and never follow old footprints in fog.
- Keep a paper copy of your permits and insurance in your pack in case your phone dies at a checkpoint.
More in our complete guide to solo trekking in Nepal.
What to pack for this trek
- Four-season sleeping bag (comfort about −10 °C) for Yak Kharka, Phedi and High Camp
- Down jacket, insulated gloves plus liner gloves and a warm hat for the pre-dawn pass start
- Head torch with spare batteries
- Microspikes from November to April (and after any autumn snowfall) for the Thorong La descent
- Buff or dust mask for the Kali Gandaki wind and jeep roads
- Trekking poles for the 1,650 m descent to Muktinath
- Water filter or purification tablets and two 1-litre bottles
- High-factor sunscreen and category 3–4 sunglasses for snow glare
- Power bank of 10,000–20,000 mAh
The basics are the same for every Nepal trek — see our interactive packing checklist.
Route options & variations
Add Tilicho Lake (15–16 days)
From Manang, head west to Shree Kharka and Tilicho Base Camp, visit Tilicho Lake (4,919 m), then cross to Yak Kharka via Old Khangsar and continue over Thorong La. It adds 3 days and is also excellent acclimatisation for the pass. See the Tilicho Lake guide.
Full walk from Besisahar (17–18 days)
Walk the whole Marsyangdi valley from Besisahar or Bhulbhule via Ngadi, Jagat, Chamje and Tal. Much of the lower valley now has a road, so most people only do this with NATT diversions in mind or to avoid long jeep rides.
Nar Phu Valley combination (17–19 days)
Turn north at Koto into the restricted Nar Phu valley, cross Kang La (5,320 m) to Ngawal and rejoin the circuit to Manang and Thorong La. Requires the Nar Phu restricted area permit, a licensed guide and at least two trekkers.
Exit via Tatopani and Poon Hill (15–16 days)
Instead of flying from Jomsom, walk or jeep down the Kali Gandaki to the hot springs at Tatopani, then climb to Ghorepani and Poon Hill and walk out to Nayapul. It adds about 3–4 days and finishes with sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.
Our recommendation
Plan the Annapurna Circuit Trek with a Pokhara team
We are a local operator based in Pokhara — the gateway to most of the treks in this guide. Booking with us means a government-licensed guide, permits and TIMS arranged before you arrive, transport from your Pokhara hotel to the trailhead, and a team on the phone if plans change on the trail. Foreign trekkers must trek this route with a licensed guide anyway, so it pays to choose one you trust.
- Licensed, English-speaking local guides
- Permits & TIMS handled for you
- Solo travellers welcome
- Itineraries adjusted to your pace and dates
Annapurna Circuit FAQ
How difficult is the Annapurna Circuit trek?
It is a challenging but non-technical trek: 5–7 hours a day on good trails, with one very long day over Thorong La (5,416 m). The difficulty comes from altitude rather than steepness. Reasonably fit walkers who have done multi-day hikes and follow a sensible acclimatisation plan usually manage it well.
How many days do you need for the Annapurna Circuit?
Allow 12 days from Pokhara back to Pokhara using jeeps to Dharapani and a flight from Jomsom, plus one buffer day. With Tilicho Lake it is 15–16 days, and walking the whole route from Besisahar takes about 17–18 days.
Can I do the Annapurna Circuit without a guide?
Officially, no: since April 2023 foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area must be accompanied by a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency. Enforcement at checkpoints has varied, but you should not plan on trekking alone. A porter-guide is a cheaper option for solo trekkers.
How much does the Annapurna Circuit cost?
Expect USD 30–50 per day for lodging and three meals, plus USD 25–35 per day for a licensed guide and USD 18–25 per day for a porter. Permits are NPR 5,000 in total (ACAP + TIMS) and transport is about USD 45–180 depending on whether you fly back from Jomsom. A 12-day trek with a guide typically costs USD 800–1,200 per person before tips.
What is the best time for the Annapurna Circuit?
October and November give the most reliable weather and clear views; March to May is the second-best window, with warmer days. December to February is very cold and snow can close Thorong La, while the monsoon (June–August) brings landslides and leeches on the lower trail.
Do I need a permit for the Annapurna Circuit?
Yes. You need the ACAP permit (NPR 3,000; SAARC nationals NPR 1,000) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000), both normally arranged by your trekking agency. They are checked at Dharapani, Chame, Manang, Thorong Phedi and Muktinath, among other posts.
Is there Wi-Fi on the Annapurna Circuit?
Yes, most teahouses have Wi-Fi, though it is often paid and slow above Manang. NTC mobile data works in the main villages like Chame, Manang, Muktinath and Jomsom, but expect gaps around Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi.
Is the Annapurna Circuit good for beginners?
It can be a first Himalayan trek for fit, determined walkers who take the acclimatisation days seriously, but it is not an easy introduction. If you have never hiked multiple days in a row, consider Poon Hill or Mardi Himal first, or choose a longer itinerary with extra rest days.
Is the Annapurna Circuit ruined by the road?
Not if you use the NATT trails. The road carries jeeps to Manang and Muktinath, but alternative footpaths via Timang, Upper Pisang, Ghyaru and Ngawal stay away from it for most of the east side, and the section from Manang over Thorong La to Muktinath has no road at all.
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