Annapurna Circuit
Annapurna, Western Nepal
Eleven days from subtropical valley to the Thorong La at 5,416 m, then down into the dry, wind-carved Mustang side. Often called a world in miniature, and it earns it.
- Duration
- 11days
- Max altitude
- 5,416m
- Difficulty
Challenging
- Best seasons
Spring — March to May
Autumn — September to December
From · 3–5 people
€750
When to go
Coldest to warmest across the route, and rainfall. Open-Meteo
Day by day
The route
Day 01
Kathmandu → Besisahar
A long scenic drive out of the city through hillsides, terraced fields and riverside villages to Besisahar, the official start of the circuit, and a first look at the Marsyangdi valley.
- Altitude
- 760m
- Driving
- 6–7 hrs· 175 km
Scenic drive
Day 02
Besisahar → Chame
A bumpy jeep ride along steep cliffs and river gorge. The air cools as you climb and pine forest appears. Chame is the district headquarters of Manang, with Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal above and hot springs to sit in.
- Altitude
- 2,670m
- Driving
- 6–7 hrs· 65 km
Jeep along cliffs and gorge
Day 03
Chame → Upper Pisang
A gradual climb through dense forest and narrow valley, past apple orchards and small settlements as the mountains take over the horizon. Upper Pisang is a traditional stone village looking at Annapurna II and Pisang Peak.
- Altitude
- 3,300m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 14 km
Day 04
Upper Pisang → Bhraka
A gentle descent through terraced fields, stone villages and streams, past mani walls and prayer flags. Bhraka is quiet, ringed by pine forest, with a monastery where young children study.
- Altitude
- 3,150m
- On foot
- 4–5 hrs· 12 km
Day 05
Bhraka → Manang
A short walk through open valley and yak pasture past Braga, with prayer flags and old chortens along the path. Then Gangapurna Lake and the Chongar viewpoint, and an afternoon in Manang to acclimatise.
- Altitude
- 3,540m
- On foot
- 30 mins–1 hr· 6.5 km
Add from here
Day 01Ice Lake
Manang → Ice Lake → Manang
- Altitude
- 4,600m
Day 02Ice Lake
Rest day in Manang
- Altitude
- 3,519m
Day 01Tilicho Lake
Manang → Tilicho Base Camp
- Altitude
- 4,150m
Day 02Tilicho Lake
Tilicho Base Camp → Tilicho Lake → Base Camp
- Altitude
- 4,919m
Day 03Tilicho Lake
Tilicho Base Camp → Manang
- Altitude
- 3,519m
Day 06
Manang → Yak Kharka
The landscape shifts to alpine meadow and sparse vegetation, climbing steadily past Gunsang. Yaks graze the slopes — hence the name. The air is noticeably thinner by the time you arrive.
- Altitude
- 4,050m
- On foot
- 4–5 hrs· 10 km
Day 07
Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi
Short, and important — altitude gained carefully over rocky ground with snow peaks all round. Thorong Phedi sits at the foot of the pass. Cold, but a good place to rest before the crossing.
- Altitude
- 4,450m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs· 7 km
Day 08
Thorong Phedi → Thorong La → Muktinath
The hardest and best day. A pre-dawn start and a steep climb to the pass at 5,416 m, prayer flags against an endless run of Himalayan peaks. Then a careful descent into the arid Mustang landscape to Muktinath, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike.
- Altitude
- 3,800m
- On foot
- 8–9 hrs· 16 km
Day 09
Muktinath
A day among the temples, monasteries and old villages. The Vishnu temple, the eternal flame and the 108 water spouts draw pilgrims from across South Asia. The surrounding settlements are where the Buddhist and Hindu strands of this valley meet.
- Altitude
- 3,800m
Local exploration, easy walking
Day 10
Muktinath → Marpha
Down into the Kali Gandaki valley, the landscape turning dry and wind-eroded. Marpha is the apple capital of Nepal — whitewashed houses, narrow alleys, and apple brandy.
- Altitude
- 2,670m
- On foot
- 6–7 hrs· 26 km
Maptoolkit · © OpenStreetMap contributors
What’s included
Licensed female guide
Experienced and licensed, with all salary, meals and accommodation covered.
All meals on trek
Full board — breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two servings of tea, coffee or another hot drink each day.
Accommodation
High-rated teahouse stays throughout the trek.
Transport
All transportation related to the trek.
Permits and taxes
All necessary government and local permits, paperwork and taxes.
Trekking essentials
Trekking poles, microspikes or crampons, and seasonal fruit on the trail.
What’s not included
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended for high-altitude treks, and required for helicopter evacuation cover.
Personal expenses
Wi-Fi, laundry, battery charging, bottled or hot water, hot showers.
Alcoholic and personal drinks
Tips for your guide
You can add
A porter
Hired from the region you are walking through, so the work and the money stay in the villages on your route — and you walk with a lighter pack and someone who knows the ground.
[PRICE TBC]
Permits
ACAP — arranged for you. Restricted areas require a licensed guide by law.
Safety
Our altitude protocol
Altitude is the thing most people worry about, so here is exactly what we do about it. This is our operating protocol, not medical advice.
A guide trained in mountain safety and first aid
Licensed, and trained specifically for the conditions on these routes.
Daily health monitoring
We record your SpO2 and heart rate each day with a pulse oximeter, alongside an AMS assessment, and keep it in a wellness log you can see.
A first aid kit on every trek
Essential emergency supplies, including altitude sickness medication.
Pre-trek safety briefing
Altitude awareness, pacing, weather and emergency procedures — before you start walking, not on the trail.
Emergency coordination
With local health posts, rescue services and helicopter evacuation. The evacuation itself is covered by your travel insurance.
The Annapurna Circuit is the classic, and it is classic for a reason: it goes right round the massif, from subtropical river valley up over the Thorong La at 5,416 m and down the other side into Mustang, which looks like a different country because it more or less is.
The route has changed as roads have pushed further up both sides. This itinerary uses a jeep for the first two days, which is what most operators now do, and starts walking where the walking is still worth it.
Questions
Before you go
Why is the Annapurna Circuit called the classic Himalayan trek?
Because it circles the whole Annapurna massif — tropical valleys, alpine meadow, a high pass and the arid Mustang region. It is often described as a world in miniature, and that is fair.
What is the highest point on the trek?
The Thorong La at 5,416 m (17,769 ft), which is the highlight as well as the high point.
Not sure this is the right trek?
Book a free call with someone who has walked it. We will tell you honestly if another route suits you better — that happens often, and it is the whole point of talking first.