Annapurna Circuit Trek

Day 1: Kathmandu to Jagat

• Trek time: 12 hours
• Distance: 213 km / 132 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

Today, we travel by road to Jagat on the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The route starts off on the main highway but deteriorates into a bumpy, dusty road after a few hours. 

This journey can either be undertaken by public bus, which is included in the trek cost, or by private jeep, for which you pay extra. The difference between the two is both comfort and time.

You can leave your Kathmandu hotel after breakfast with a private jeep, whereas with the public bus, you will leave your hotel around 5:30 a.m. to reach the bus station on time.  

Day 2: Trek from Jagat to Dharapani

• Trek time: 7 hours
• Distance: 15 km / 9 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

Today is the first day of the trek—excitement is rising! You can follow a dirt road out of the village or a shortcut to many tiring stone steps (beware of Nepali shortcuts!). 

One of the highlights of the day is a 200-meter waterfall near the village of Chyamche. Interestingly, there are several suspension bridges to cross, high cliffs to see, a green valley to cross, and more waterfalls to admire.

Just before the village of Tal, which is a good lunch stop,  there is a Welcome to Manang gate beckoning visitors in. Then, it’s just another couple of hours of hiking to Dharapani, passing through villages and over another suspension bridge.

Day 3: Trek from Dharapani to Chame

• Trek time: 7 hours
• Distance: 15 km / 9 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

If you didn’t give your permits at the checkpost yesterday, do so today before leaving Dharapani.   

Today, the trail goes through the Marsyangdi River valley, with mountains in the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges towering overhead. At the start of today’s trek, there is a lot of elevation to gain—600 m — so take things slow, with lots of breaks. 

By the time you reach Timang village, the scenery looks almost alpine.  At this point, the trail gets easier through pine forests and villages.  Look out for more beautiful waterfalls today. 

On reaching Chame you will notice there are a few shops where you can perhaps replenish your snack store.  We have been told it is sometimes possible to buy apple pie here at least one of the hotels!

Day 4: Chame to Upper Pisang –  Upper Pisang

• Trek time: 6 hours
• Distance: 13.2km / 8.2 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

Start the day with beautiful forest lands before hitting more steep stone stairs. With Annapurna II and IV and the Lamjung Himal on view today, you can use the image of the gorgeous mountains to spur you on over the challenging parts of the trail. 

Passing through different villages, Bhratang has an apple orchard with a café —a great place to stop! Then it’s time to push on to Upper Pisang, which is a culturally interesting village in its own right.

Day 5: Upper Pisang to Manang

• Trek time: 8 hours
• Distance: 17 km /10.6 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

This is a tough day with a hard climb to Ghyaru village from Pisang. 

But from Ghyaru, the views are simply stunning, and it’s a great place to stop, drink plenty of water, and take in the surrounding Annapurna mountain range.  Then push on to Ngawal and lunch. 

We should note that on this challenging day at this altitude, some people may feel the effects of the height. 

If you and your group are feeling fine, you can make a short detour to Braga Gompa, which has panoramic views. Otherwise, we push on to Manang, and you can visit Braga Gompa on the acclimatization day coming up.

Day 6: Acclimatization Day in Manang

• Accommodation: Tea House

Manang is a large and interesting market town where we can get real coffee!  However, the best way to acclimate to cross the high pass is to be active and not sit around in a coffee shop.  So have your coffee and get moving!

Several hikes can be done from Manang, including Praken Gompa. To reach the gompa, you must head from the east side of Manang to a stupa and follow a narrow path of sea buckthorn bushes. One reward for reaching the gompa is the stunning views of Annapurna II, IV, Gangapurna, and Tarke Kang. 

You can also backtrack to Braga Gompa if you did not visit it the day before – it is about 3km away. 

Alternatively, if you feel the effects of the height, it is only a short hike to Gangapurna Lake.  Situated at the base of Gangapurna Peak this lake is believed to be sacred.  Here, people come to ask for blessings and spiritual energy. Therefore, it is a good place to relax and regain physical and mental strength.

Day 7: Manang to Yak Kharka

• Trek time: 5 hours
• Distance: 8.4km / 5.2 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

The trail goes up to the village of Ghunsang, and as we rise again in altitude, we must monitor our bodies for signs of altitude-related problems. 

Thankfully, getting some tea in Ghungsang village and recovering before heading off on the final stretch is possible. The trail follows some ascents and descents until finally, we reach a flatter part of the way.

Mules and yaks will be on the road today, so take care when passing them on the narrow trails. We overnight in the aptly named Yak Kharka (yak pasture).

Day 8: Yak Kharka to Phedi

• Trek time: 4 to 5 hours
• Distance: 8.5 km / 5.2 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

It may not be a long trekking day, but the high altitude and resulting thinner oxygen can make it a bit touchy.

Today, there are landslide areas to cross, which are even more challenging at the high altitude, but when safely across, there is stunning scenery, including Annapurna II, II, and IV, to gaze at. 

And once you reach Phedi, you might be pleasantly surprised to find some pastry items in the teashop!

Day 9: Trek to Muktinath via Thorong La Pass

• Trek time: 9 to 10 hours
• Distance: 199 km / 123 miles

Today is the last day of our trip. After exploring the Hindu pilgrimage site at Muktinath, you will drive by public transport to the lakeside town of Pokhara to enjoy some well-deserved relaxation and fun.

Muktinath: a Hindu temple is one of the world’s highest temples at 3,800 m /  12,467 ft.  It has 108 water spouts, which pious people will bathe in.  Rather cold!  It also has a flame that never goes out… it is assumed it is some underground natural gas source. 

According to Hindu mythology, a pilgrimage to Muktinath will help achieve Nirvana.  The surrounding town is busy with pilgrims from Nepal and India and trekkers from around the world.

Pokhara: Situated on the banks of the Phewa Lake, this is a great place to relax after trekking and is very popular with international and local tourists. 

Day 10: Muktinath to Jomson

• Trek time: 9 hours
• Distance: 15.1 km / 8.5 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

After breakfast, take the time to explore the Muktinath Temple with its 108 sacred waterspouts, eternal flame, and many pilgrims, before heading down towards Jomson. 

One of the most fascinating villages to explore on the route is Kagbeni.  Set in a desert-like landscape, Kagbeni has an interesting monastery and is a maze of small covered alleyways with strange clay statues that seem totally out of place yet somehow in keeping with this strange village.

It’s a 3—to 4-hour walk along a dry river bed (in the dry seasons!) from Kagbeni to Jomson, so there is plenty of time for lunch in one of Kagbeni’s interesting hotels or restaurants—Yak Donald’s, perhaps!

Jomson is a busy market town with a small airport, hotels, and shops.  You will overnight here before taking a bus to Pokhara the next day.

Day 11: Jomson to Pokhara

• Trek time: 8 hours
• Distance: 150 km / 93 miles
• Accommodation: Tea House

After breakfast, depart for Pokhara by public transport (included in the trek cost). A private jeep, which allows you to stop where you wish for photographs or rest breaks, will be hired at an extra charge.

The road from Jomson to Pokhara is bumpy, interesting, and long. Finally, we reach the busy tourist town of Pokhara. Situated on Fewa Lake, Pokhara is a relaxing place to stop after a trek and attracts many foreign and domestic tourists. You may be very happy to have a better standard of accommodation tonight!

Arrival in Nepal

If you would like us to pick you up at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon your arrival in Nepal, please let us know on the booking form. There is a small charge for this.  The benefit is that it will save you the trouble of organizing a taxi, perhaps having to haggle with the driver, in an unfamiliar country.

Hotel Recommendations:

Hotels in Kathmandu are not included in your trek.  You can check sites like booking.com or hostelworld.com for accommodation, and we recommend looking in the area known as Thamel.  Thamel is the tourist hub of Kathmandu, with many hotels, from the 4-star to the budget ones, as well as restaurants, cafes, and bars.  Our office is also located there.   

Explore Kathmandu:

If you have recently arrived in Kathmandu, take some time to explore the city. If you have less time to visit, we suggest you go on an organized tour with us. This will save you time and hassle again. There are many wonderful sights to see in the ancient capital, including seven UNESCO sites. Please ask about this tour.

Visa for Nepal

Visas on arrival are available for people from most countries via the Immigration Department of Nepal’s online site. Please complete the form online, then print it out and bring it with you. Bring USD cash to make the payment upon arrival at the airport. This should be in exact money, as no change is given.

Visa on arrival is valid for 15 days, 30 days, or 3 months and costs:  

• 15 Days – 30 USD
• 30 Days – 50 USD
• 90 Days – 125 USD

Unique Culture and Wildlife of the Annapurna Conservation Area

Landscapes: The Annapurna region covers Mustang, Upper Mustang, Manang, Kaski, Myagi, Lamjung, and Manaslu, as well as the hidden valleys of Tsum and Nar Phu. As you may guess from the number of regions, biological diversity is extensive.

The Kali Gandaki Gorge is one of the deepest in the world and is 3 miles / 4.8 km long and 1.5 miles / 2.4 km wide.

It is one of the most prominent ground features of this area.  Other amazing features are the mountains:- Mt Manaslu is the 8th highest mountain in the world, and the Annapurna range consists of many mountains over 7,000 m / 22,966 ft.

One of the world’s highest freshwater lakes is found here also.  Tilicho Tal is almost 5,000 m / 16,404 ft tall and is  2.4 miles / 4km long and 0.8 miles / 1.3 km wide.  Its turquoise blue waters, with the mountains reflected in the still water, have religious significance to Hindus and are a popular trekking destination.

Peoples: Gurung and Magar communities dominate the south, and Thakali, Manang, and Loba dominate the north.  Several ethnic groups in the north migrated from Tibet several hundred years ago.  All these communities practice Buddhism, while the smaller groups of Brahmin and Chhetri, found also in this region, are Hindu.

Wildlife: Due to the expansion of tourism and a road network, we see less wildlife in the lower regions where the Annapurna Circuit Trek falls.

At higher altitudes and in remote places such as the Tsum Valley, there is still an interesting array of mammals, including the snow leopard and red panda. There are many more common species, such as Himalayan Tahr (a wild goat), goral (another type of wild goat), pika (a rabbit-like rodent), and Himalayan marmots.

Birds: Birds are ever-present throughout the region, and for those who love birdwatching, there is plenty to see, from birds of prey and impressive pheasants to smaller birds such as bulbuls, thrushes, parakeets, and cuckoos. 

Meals on the Trek for Annapurna Circuit Trek

The meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—on the Annapurna Circuit Trek are included in the overall cost. However, if you want to eat something extra or drink soft drinks or beer, the cost of these items is on you.

Please note that although the hotel in Pokhara is included in the trek’s cost, dinner in Pokhara is not. Many clients want to explore what Pokhara has to offer, particularly if they do not have time to stay longer, so they take dinner somewhere they choose.

Breakfast and dinner on the trek are taken in the teahouses (trekking lodges) where you sleep, and lunch is taken on the trail.

This region’s breakfast and dinner menus provide Nepali, Tibetan, Chinese, and Western cuisine as below.  In some settlements, such as Manang, Muktinath, and Jomson, you will find bakeries with pastries for sale. And good coffee!

Breakfast items:

• Porridge
• Eggs
• Toast
• Pancakes
• Tibetan bread
• Rice dishes
• Noodles dishes
• Tea/ coffee

Dinner items:

• Soup
• Thukpa (Tibetan soup with flat noodles)
• Nepali Dal Bhat (vegetable curry and rice)
• Fried rice
• Noodles
• Momos (Nepali steamed dumplings)
• Pasta of different varieties
• Pizza (where available)
• Chicken and buff items (although if you are new to Nepal we suggest you avoid these)
• Apple pie
• Rice pudding
• Custard pudding

Lunch items:

Similar to the dinner items but with a more limited choice in some places, you may be pleasantly surprised in others!

Drinks:

Tea, coffee, soft drinks, perhaps fruit juice in places, beer, water. (Cost not included.)

Dietary restrictions:

Vegetarian food is available in all teahouses and smaller places. Nepali food is very much based on vegetables. For those who are vegan, the choices may be smaller, especially regarding protein. Tofu items may be available, but we cannot guarantee this. Plant-based milk is unavailable on the trek, but let us know if you find any. Please provide us with a list of anything you cannot eat because of allergies, and we will make sure the teahouses know about this.

Tips on Food:

• Dried fruit and nuts, power bars, and chocolate bars are great snacks. Bring some from Kathmandu. Some things may be for sale on the trail but are not guaranteed. 
• Do not eat meat or chicken unless you know your stomach is strong! 
• Tell the teahouse not to make your food too spicy.  They are used to dealing with foreign tastes, but you never know.
• Avoid skipping meals even if you’re tired from the day’s hike.  You need to keep your energy up.

Sources of Water on the Annapurna Circuit Trek

Please do not drink tap or natural spring water untreated or unfiltered.  Upstream, there may be a settlement or active yak herd.

Bring your own life straw and/ or purifying drops or tablets. This will allow you to drink from a water source after purifying it and wait 30 minutes before drinking.  

Tips on Water:

• Commercial mineral water in plastic bottles is banned in the Annapurna region. Bring your reusable bottles or water camels to store water in. 
• To avoid dehydration, drink 4 liters of water per day. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks add to that 4 liters. 

Accommodation on the Trek:

Trekking lodges are known as teahouses in Nepal. In the past, all teahouses were very basic affairs. Still, in the more popular areas like Annapurna Circuit Trek, particularly if they have road access for ease of bringing goods in, teahouses are definitely improving.

On the Manang side of the Thorong La Pass, accommodation may still lack private attached bathrooms. While we will try to ensure your teahouse has this facility, it cannot be guaranteed. On the Mustang side, things are better, and the majority of teahouses now have sleeping rooms with attached bathrooms.

There is no heating in the sleeping rooms, only in the dining rooms. This means the dining room is the hub of the teahouse and your evening ‘entertainment’. You will also find sockets there to charge your devices.

Hot showers are not automatic!  You will be required to pay for a hot shower so you must let the teahouse staff know if you wish one.

Tips on Accommodation:

• There is no heating or sockets in the sleeping rooms.
• You must use a shared one if the teahouse does not have sleeping rooms with attached bathrooms. 
• The warm dining rooms are lively in the evenings!
• Do not enter the kitchen, even if you see guides sitting there, trekkers should keep to the dining room.
• Hot water for the shower will cost around USD2-5 per time.
• Recharging your electronics will cost around USD2-5 per time as well.
• WiFi, where available, is also an extra charge.
• Bringing your sleeping bag is recommended.
• If you are traveling in a group, it is faster if you all order the same food from the menu – if possible!

Porters Versus No Porter on the Annapurna Circuit Trek

With the Thorong La Pass being 5,416 m / 17,769 ft in height and taking around 9 hours to cross, if you have not extensive experience carrying your own 10kg plus pack, you should think seriously about hiring a porter. 

The freedom this allows you is almost equal to the (literal) weight being taken off your shoulders. 

The cost of a porter is not included in the trek’s cost, so you would have to pay extra for one. However, it is possible to ‘share’ a porter with another trekker in your group and thus share the cost. If you decide to share a porter, then your pack must be under 10kg in weight. 

If you are still not sure whether it is worth hiring a porter or not, remember you will be carrying your day pack which contains your water for the day (probably a minimum of 2 ltr at a time, sunscreen, camera, snacks, medicines/ first aid kit and anything else you might need along the way.  That is going to add up to 3 or 4 kg.

Tips on Hiring a Porter:

• Please pack light for the porter—under 20kg. We will send you a duffle bag designed for easy carrying by the porter, which works well if you are two people sharing one porter.
• Sharing with another trekker is a cost-effective way to hire a porter.  In this case, please keep your pack down to 10kg max.
• If you are wondering if the porter can also carry your day pack – he cannot.  Porters will walk to the overnight spot, and you will need your day pack between setting off in the morning and arriving in the afternoon.
• Contribute to the porter’s family and community by hiring him. 

Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

The Annapurna Circuit is a classic trek that attracts hundreds of people annually. It is equally rewarding for experienced trekkers and those with less experience.

While challenging in some places, it is not technically difficult. However, you have to be in good physical shape to undertake it. 

With 50% of the trek being at high altitude (i.e., over 3,000 m / 9,842.5 ft), the most challenging thing is probably the lack of oxygen, which makes hiking more tiring.

However, there is time to acclimatize, and we have built an acclimatization day before the big push over the Thorong La Pass, which will help your body adjust to the thinner air. 

The days are not particularly long (by Nepal Himalayan standards), but you need those shorter days to prepare for the longer days and the high elevation.

Safety on the Annapurna Circuit Trek

When we talk about safety on the Annapurna Circuit, we are thinking about safety on the trials—there are narrow paths, and you may encounter yak herds that will not get out of your way and illness.

Your guide will help you navigate steep, narrow, or tricky paths. To prevent stomach issues, think before you eat or drink. Staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and avoiding meat are the three main things to do.

Regarding the effects of altitude, your guide will monitor everyone in the group and slow the pace down if anyone seems to be struggling. It is impossible to know who will suffer from altitude-related problems in advance: age, sex, and fitness do not seem to influence this. Remember not to push yourself too hard and stay hydrated. Alert your guide should you feel unwell.

On the other end of the scale, but something that can make or break your trip, remember to wear good, well-worn trekking boots and bring some blister treatment with you! A simple blister or two may dampen your spirits.

Please bring your usual medicines and some extras in your medicine kit. Items like paracetamol, throat lozenges, and lotion for sunburn should also be included. See our list of gear here for more information.

Be respectful:

Nepal is a safe country for women as well as men.  But that does not mean you can do anything you would do at the beach in Thailand for example!  Dress appropriately (which is easy on a trek) and do not show too much affection even to your spouse in public.  In monasteries and temples be mindful about taking photographs and do not wear short shorts or revealing tops.  Remain quiet when a ritual occurs and remember to leave your boots at the door!

Best Seasons for Annapurna Circuit Trek

In most of Nepal’s Himalayas, the best seasons are spring and autumn.  The same is true of the Annapurna Circuit Trek area.

Spring: (March to May) Clear blue skies offsetting the snow mountains, warmer weather, and colorful rhododendron forests are why so many people come at this time of year.

Autumn: (September to November) This season is similar to spring. Without the flowering rhododendrons, forests will be cooling and fragrant. Remember that the start of autumn is the end of the monsoon season, so things might still be slightly damp at the lower levels.

Monsoon: (June – September) During the monsoon, there may be frequent rainy periods, but the exact weather is hard to predict. Visibility may be poor, and the trails may be slippery.

Winter (December – February): Due to snowfall, this is not the best time to attempt high-altitude locations or cross the Thorong La Pass. Teahouses may also be closed, as most of the local people go to Pokhara or Kathmandu for the winter to avoid the cold and snow.

Expenses and Currency in Annapurna Circut Trek

The trek cost is a fixed amount that includes a guide, accommodation, food, and public transport.

There are some other expenses you should calculate too.

Currencies for Annapurna Circuit Trek:

You are expected to tip your guide and porter. The amount can be in US dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, etc.

Items such as cold drinks, hot showers, items from shops along the trek, etc, should be paid in Nepali rupees.   As there are no ATMs on this route until you reach Jomson, please change money in Kathmandu and bring Nepali rupees with you to make payment.  Cards are not accepted. You will find all the banking facilities in Pokhara if you need them.

Transport: Transport to Jagat is by public transport and is included in the trek price. Public transport will also be available at the end of the trek. The vehicle between Pokhara and Kathmandu will be a tourist bus, which is more comfortable than ordinary public buses. There is an extra charge if you require private jeeps for road transfers. Please discuss this with us.

Food: Three meals a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are included on the trail. You must pay for that yourself if you wish to eat more or drink soft drinks, extra coffee, beer, etc.. Dinner is not included on the last night in Pokhara, but breakfast is not.

You will have to pay for a hot water shower, electricity to charge your devices, and Wi-Fi in the teahouse. The costs range from around USD 2-5 for each item in Nepali rupees. There is also a charge for purchasing boiled drinking water, which will vary from settlement to settlement. You must pay yourself for beer and cold drinks/ juice in Nepali rupees.

Tips: Please calculate the tips for your guide and porter which can be paid in dollars or other currencies. 

Other expenses on the trail: A small donation (USD1-2 again in Nepali rupees ) at monasteries or temples is normal, should you visit one.

We recommend bringing around USD 15 per day, in Nepali rupees, plus tips for the guide and porter.

Before you come expenses: Working on your fitness level may involve costs such as gym membership, swimming pool entrance, etc.

Buying gear, including trekking boots, can be a big part of your budget.

Insurance and flight tickets also meet the budget.

Tipping the Guide and Porter for Annapurna Circuit Trek

Please tip your guide and porter as they do their best to ensure you have a great trek.

Please tip your guide 10% of the cost of your trek. For the porter, it is 10% of the cost of the total number of days he has worked for you. Porters are paid by the day. All of your tip money will go to the respective guide and porter. Magical Nepal does not take any commission from them.

Communication on the Trek

Many teahouses on the Annapurna circuit trek have WiFi and good phone network access.  However, bad weather can interfere with the signal so do not be too frustrated if that happens.

You are also expected to pay for WiFi use at the teahouses. 

Tips for Communication

• You can buy an NTC or NCELL SIM card at the Tribhuvan International Airport for data internet in case of a WiFi outage. 

Travel Insurance

Your travel insurance should include trekking and trekking up to 5,000 m  /  16,404 ft. and should cover helicopter evacuation. 

We provide insurance for our guides, porters, and other staff. However, as per the rules in Nepal, we cannot cover insurance for our clients. Similarly, you cannot buy insurance here for yourself. Please buy insurance in your own country. 

Group vs Private Trek

If you travel alone, you can join a group of people on the same trek. If you are a few friends traveling together, you may wish to have a private trek with your friends rather than a larger group of people you don’t know.

On the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, it is possible to be one client with one guide, but this is subject to availability in the busy spring and autumn seasons.

Packing Tips

We have a wonderful packing list PDF you can download here.

To emphasize …

Layering: This trek will be warm at lower altitudes. It can be very cold at higher altitudes, even inside the teahouse. Bringing clothes that layer well together is a definite advantage.

Quick-drying thermal underwear (long johns and a long-sleeved top) are excellent buys. 

A fast-drying trekking shirt and trekking trousers are the way to go. You can buy trekking trousers which zip down to shorts which are very easy to wear and take off as needed. A fleece jacket should be on your list, and a down jacket is an important add-on even in the spring season in case the weather changes fast or for the evenings at altitude.  A down jacket can be hired in Kathmandu if you do not want to purchase one.  A sun hat and a warm hat are essential, as are gloves.  And don’t forget good trekking boots – well-worn before you come.

Pack Smart: Keep it light!  Someone has to carry the pack up and down the mountains.  

Toiletries: Toiletries are not provided in teahouses. You won’t need to bring full-sized bottles on the trek, as they are heavy and won’t use much. Pour the contents into travel-sized containers.  

Why Book with Magical Nepal

If you read the reviews from past clients you will see they focus on a wonderful experience and knowledgeable and friendly guides.  Value for money is also something we pride ourselves on.  In fact, we give a price guarantee: if you find the same trek at a lower price, we will match it.

Since our guides and porters are mainly from the areas they are taking clients to, they have a detailed knowledge of the area to pass on.  They also have access to 24/7 local support should it be needed.