Annapurna Circuit Trek
trip info
Duration
14
Max Altitute
Thorong La Pass 5,416
Difficulty
Difficult
Starts from
Kathmandu
Trips Ends at
Kathmandu
Annapurna Circuit Trek Overview
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a very popular trek destination in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The path passes through the beautiful trail over Marshyangdi & Kali Gandaki stream with exquisite panoramic splendor of vast Annapurna mountain ranges.
Also referred to as the Round Annapurna, encircling the trek route, one can observe diverse altitude variations very unlikely to find anywhere else. As the altitude varies, so does the culture and lifestyle, and always accompanied by amazing arrays of floras and faunas widely scattered throughout the region.
The Annapurna Circuit hiking trail comprises a mix of small villages that houses culturally rich ethnic communities like the Gurung, Magar, Thakali, and the Tamangs. The trajectory also precedes you to the Buddhist hamlets and Hindu pilgrimage sites, particularly the famous temple of Muktinath - one of the sanctified sites for Buddhists and Hindus.
Annapurna Circuit Trek unfolds the wonders of nature as it meanders through the paddy fields, river valleys, and gorges and through small mountain hamlets giving you a true enigma of the Himalayan trekking experience. The total length of the route you hike on Annapurna Circuit is somewhere around 150km or (100 miles).
In addition, this route also has been listed as one of the top 10 must-visit places & the best trekking trails numerous times in terms of culture and unique landscape by individual authors, magazines, BBC, Trip Advisor, media companies, and such.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlights
- Explore UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu
- Descend into the Kali Gandaki, one of the world's deepest gorges.
- Thorung La is the trek's highest point, which is 5,400 meters above sea level.
- Visit Tilicho Lake, a high-altitude lake at 4,919 meters.
- Take a detour into the rugged Nar and Phu valleys.
- This trek can be tailored to your own preferences in a number of ways.
- A fascinating hike along the Round Annapurna Trail and visit Braga - the oldest monastery in this area.
- Take in Nepal's rich landscape and culture.
- Throughout the trail, soak in the spectacular scenery of the Himalayan peaks.
- Enjoy the enthralling landscapes of Manang and Muktinath.
- Magnificent views of majestic Machhapuchhre, as well as unrivaled mountain adventure.
Best Season for Annapurna Circuit Trek
The best season for this trek is in Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to December). During these periods, the weather is almost flawless with moderate warmth & usual cool nights. The Annapurna Circuit is best (and busiest) trekked in the spring and fall, though a shortened itinerary (focusing on the circuit's northern, drier region) is a great choice during the monsoon. It's only in the winter that there are problems, as the Thorung La pass is often closed due to snow.
Difficulty Level of Annapurna Circuit Trek
Since you will be exploring the high-altitude Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m, this trek is more difficult than the Annapurna Base Camp trek (17764 ft.). In addition, this trek is made a little more difficult by the steep climbs and long walking distances combined with minimal facilities.
Because it's a demanding journey, you must be in the excellent physical condition and able to walk for at least 5 to 7 hours per day. Even so, beginners can complete this trek if they have undertaken physical training prior to the trek. Cycling, swimming, acrobatics, hiking, jogging, and aerobic workouts are all good ways to prepare the body for a trek to the Himalayas.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Route
The most convenient way to accomplish this trek is to go counter-clockwise, as this allows for gradual acclimatization as you approach Thorung La. The route generally starts in Besisahar and ends in Tatopani, but road construction has opened up a variety of options at the start and end of your trek.
Road development has made most of the western and eastern parts of the Annapurna Circuit accessible by buses and jeep over the last few years. The roads are bumpy dirt tracks at best, but many trekkers are opting for a shorter version of this trek that starts further up the valley (3-4 days on the conventional route) and finishes as early as Jomsom (taking a bus to Beni or flying to Pokhara).
Permits & Entrance Fees
Before going trekking in the Annapurna zone, you'll need to get a TIMS card and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). You'll be required to present these at several checkpoints along the way.
Guides and Trek Customization
You will be led by Himalayan Trekkers trek leaders who have been to the base camp and back numerous times. All of our guides are fluent English speakers with extensive knowledge of the mountain, its inhabitants, history, health, hygiene, and, most importantly, your protection.
Because of the road construction, this trek can now be accomplished in as little as 8-9 days by starting in Manang (3,520 m) and ending in Muktinath.
If you plan to skip the first few days of the journey, make sure to stick to an acclimatization schedule before crossing the Thorung La pass. Besides, you can proceed east from Tatopani by following the local village trails along the Ghorepani trek route to Ghandruk, then to Nayapul, where you can take a jeep or bus back to Pokhara. This will extend your journey by 4-5 days. Moreover, if time is not a factor, you might want to go on to Annapurna Base Camp.
Himalayan Trekkers delivers the best value by giving due consideration to your outlook & interest. Our staff members make sure to gratify all your needs keeping safety as the first priority. For further information about this package, please feel free to email or contact us. We are here 24/7 at your service.
Itinerary Map
Itinerary Detail
What is Included / Not Included
- International Arrival and Departure transfer as per itinerary
- 3* Standard Category Twin/Double Sharing Accommodations in Kathmandu & Pokhara
- Daily Breakfast at Hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara as Per Itinerary
- Guide City Tours in Kathmandu as per Itinerary
- All Ground transfers in Kathmandu
- Private Jeep transfer to Syange
- Permits and Entrances Fees – Annapurna Conservation & TIMS
- Domestic Flights and Taxes Jomsom - Pokhara
- Best available Twin/Double Sharing Tea House Accommodations during Trek
- An Experienced Trekking Guide and Required Numbers of Porters during the Trek
- All Wages, Equipment, Salary, Travel Insurance for Guide & Supporting Crew
- Helicopter Evacuation arrangement Services (Excluding Cost of Evacuation) If incase od needed
- Oxygen Saturation Monitoring System(refundable)
- A Comprehensive Medical Kit
- All Meals – Breakfast Lunch Dinner during the trek
- Welcome/Farewell Dinner
- All Taxes
Our packages include 3-star standard category accommodation with the inclusion of breakfast on a twin/double sharing basis in Kathmandu and Pokhara. This accommodation is available in the cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara. 5-Star resorts, luxurious hotels to comfortable guesthouses, lodges, and homestays are available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Jomsom so they can be modified as per the traveler’s interest, budget and availability.
During the trek, we provide the best available, neat, and clean lodges and teahouses. In Upper Pisang, Manang, and Muktinath, more facilitated hotels with private attached bathrooms are available which can be upgraded as per the availability. Most of the places have an attached bathroom. Likewise, a hot shower facility is available throughout the trek.
Meals During Annapurna Circuit Trek
Breakfast is included with the accommodation in our packages. But for lunch, dinner, and other beverages in the cities, we do not include them in our packages. It is rather causal for travelers to choose among the various varieties of cuisine and restaurant, pubs, and bars.
During the trek, all the meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included in the package and we let our clients choose from the menu according to their liking in the Ala-kat system. Nepali, Indian, Continental, Tibetan, and a few Western cuisines are available during the trek. The meals are prepared from the fresh vegetables and grains grown in the mountains which are full of nutrients making them hygienic and healthy. These meals help us to get energy during our trek.
FAQ
Martina & Jan
December 16, 2019
Czech Republic
Victor Alekseyev
December 16, 2019
Russian Federation
Awesome Trip
Jorge B
January 14, 2020
China
Lucie L
January 14, 2020
Czech Republic
Duncan
January 14, 2020
Australia
Simona Jackubcova
January 15, 2020
Hong Kong
Adam
June 13, 2023
Australia
First time Nepal & Annapurna Circuit Trek
Martin & Jan
June 13, 2023
Czech Rep