Annapurna Circuit Trek
Places you will see
Kathmandu
Trishuli River
Mugling Bazar
Besisahar
Manang
Thorong-La
Muktinath
Kagbeni
Jomsom
Tatopani
Ghorepani Poon Hill
Trip Overview
Trip at a Glance
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Country: Nepal
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Trip grade: Moderate
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Destination: Annapurna
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Activities: Nepal Trekking
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Accommodation: Hotel, Teahouse
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Transportation: Overland/Flight
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Maximum altitude: 5416m
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Group size: 1-20
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Trip Start / End: Kathmandu - Kathmandu
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Best Season: Autumn (Sept. to Nov.) and spring (March to May)
Want to witness and enjoy the magnificence of the Himalayan range as you trek around the massif? Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal is the trip for you. It takes you around the spectacular Annapurna range of the Himalayas.
This is a high-altitude adventure that takes you through the wilderness of mountains. You will love this trip as you walk through the river valley to the gigantic mountain region.
What is Annapurna Circuit Trek like?
Famous as Annapurna Circuit Trek, people also call this adventure Around Annapurna Trek and has also got a nickname the Apple Pie Trek.
Although the trek takes you to the high-altitude wilderness of the mountains, it is one of the most popular treks in the Himalayas. You will have enough comfortable teahouses along the trail to spend overnights.
The adventure starts at a river valley formed by the Budhi Gandaki River and finishes at Jomsom in Kali Gandaki River Valley. You will witness and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and the surroundings.
You will also get to explore and enjoy beautiful villages along the trail.
Unlike Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in the region, this trek takes longer days to complete. The highest altitude you reach during the adventure is 5,416 meters above sea level at Thorong La.
Why Annapurna Circuit Trek?
This trekking adventure is for people who like to go on a longer trekking trips. Check the following points and think if this trip is for you.
You can go on this trip if you –
- Love to spend more time in the mountain wilderness.
- Want to enjoy walking around a glorious mountain range?
- Love to explore villages and the lifestyle in the mountains.
- Can trek in the high altitude.
- Want to witness and enjoy varying landscapes from riverbeds to high mountains.
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu (4,593ft/1,400m)
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar: 7/8 hours
Day 03: Drive from Besisahar to Chame (8,891ft/2,710m): 4/5 hours
Day 04: Trek from Chame to Pisang (10824ft/3,300m): 5/6 hours
Day 05: Trek from Pisang to Manang (11545ft/3519m) : 6/7 hours
Day 06: Acclimatization day at Manang (11545ft/3519m)
Day 07: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (13,484ft/4,110m): 3/4 hours
Day 08: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (15,092ft/4,600m): 3/4 hours
Day 09: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (12,467ft/3,800m) via Thorong La pass (17764ft/5416m): 7/8 hours
Day 10: Drive from Muktinath to Tatopani (8,760ft/2,670m): 5/6 hours
Day 11: Drive from Tatopani to Pokhara (9,350ft/2,850m): 6/7 hours
Day 12: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu: 6/7 hours by tourist coach
Day 13: Final departure from Kathmandu, Nepal as per your flight schedule
Cost Details
What is included?
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International transfer on arrival and departure in private air-conditioned vehicles
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Local transportation (Kathmandu to Besisahar to Chame, Muktinath to Tatopani, Tatopani to Pokhara, Pokhara to Kathmandu to hotel) - Bus or local Jeep
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Full-board meals are included during the entire trekking
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Accommodation in Tea houses throughout the trekking
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An experienced English-speaking Government Licensed Guide, 1 assistant trek guide for (more than 8 trekkers) including their food, lodging, transportation, salary, and Insurance
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Entrance fees, TIMS, other permits to Conservation areas, etc.
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First aid medical kit
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Supplementary snacks like cookies, biscuits, or energy bars
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Seasonal fresh fruits
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Trekking equipment as sleeping bag, down jacket (on a return basis, on rent)
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Certificate of Appreciation after successful completion of the trek
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Souvenir from Step on Himalaya (SOH): Trekking route map and printed SOH company T-shirt
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Farewell Dinner (traditional Nepalese food items)
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Emergency Evacuation Rescues if any adverse health conditions happen (must be covered by Travel and Medical insurance)
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All government, Local taxes, VAT, and official charges
What is not included?
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Nepal Entry Visa Fee
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International Air Fare
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Charges for extra luggage/baggage
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Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
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Extended stay
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Medical and Travel Insurance
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Personal expenditures like bar bills, beverages, phone bills, laundry, hot showers, etc.
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Porters (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
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Tips to the staff
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Any other expenses not mentioned in the ”What is Included” section
- Notes: Porters can be arranged accordingly depending upon the request of the guests.
Trip Map
FAQ
A trekker has to walk a minimum of 5 to 8 hours daily.
As a Himalayan trekking adventure, you will trek through mountainous landscape. Walking up and down the hill during the trek is quite common characteristic of trekking in Nepal.
Yes, definitely. Elevation change is an important part of the trek. As there is a lot of walking up and down the hill, there is an elevation change every day. However, the range of change differs from day to day. It is mostly an uphill trek up to the destination and downhill on the way back. However, the trail winds up and down the mountains throughout the trek regardless of the elevation difference for the day.
Nepal offers trekking adventures throughout the year. However, the autumn and springs seasons are the best seasons to go trekking in Nepal. The months of September-November and March to May offer the best weather and atmosphere for trekking. Althgouh high altitude trekking is quite difficult and impossible in winter season, low altitude trekking can be done throughout the year.
Although age is not a bar to go on a trekking adventure in Nepal, you certainly need to consider a few factors before going on a trek. The basic requirement for trekking in Nepal is good fitness level regardless of your age. Since the activity involves a lot of walking up and down the mountains, you need to be fit enough to indulge in the activity for multiple days.
We highly recommend taking a guide with you when you go on the trekking adventure. Even if the trail is well-trodden and has many trekkers trekking, you need to have a guide for many reasons. First of all, a guide is not only the person to show you the trail. A trekking guide has a huge responsibilty of completing the adventure ensuring the safety of trekkers in the strange mountains. Moreover, the guide will also make your trip more than an adventure. It becomes a lifetime experience.
The mountains now have basic teahouse and lodge accommodations for trekkers. You can spend overnight in the warmth of guesthouses called teahouses during the trek unlike tented camps in the past.
The most common food during the trek is Dal Bhat. However, you can choose other food items from the menu. The food items differ from region to region.
You need to prepare your stuff wisely for the trek. The backpack you get ready for the trek should have all essentials and avoid any unnecessary stuff in there. Check this equipment list for a better understanding of what to pack for the trek.
As a high altitude trekking adventure, the trek always has a risk of getting altitude sickness. While it is not predictable who, where, and how they will get it, we all need to be well-aware and prepared for the unwanted. As we gain altitude during the trek, we should be more careful on our pace of walk, food, water, rest, and recovery. Being careful and taking it easy in the mountains can reduce the chance of getting altitude sickness.
Yes, permits are necessary for the trek. Since, you are going on our package, we take care of everything. You do not need to worry about arranging the permit for yourself.
When you are on our trek package, we provide porters to carry your backpack in the mountains. A porter carries the backpacks of two trekkers.You suggest you to keep your backpack around 10 kg.
Yes, you will need some cash in the mountain. Although your major meals are included in our package, you may need money for drinks, shower, souvenir shopping, wifi, device charging, and tips to guide and porters at the end of the trip.
We will brief you on how much to take on the first day of the trip when we meet in Kathmandu.
We focus on small group adventures to ensure that every one is well-taken care of and they enjoy the trek. We keep our group to the maximum limit of 16 people.
In that unfortunate case, we will make sure that you are well taken care of. If you cannot continue your journey further towards the destination and want to rest or return back, we will arrange a porter to be with you and take care of you while rest of the group members continue the trek.
Review
Had a great experience hiking to the Annapurna Circuit with Hari from Step on Himalaya! Never expected that Annapurna Circuit would be of so much fun and tension free. Hari was really awesome in making us smile. He made sure we were all well and took care of us properly, ensuring that we reach the end. The route taken was also well thought of! Would definitely recommend hiking or any other adventurous trips with Step on Himalaya!
We were really scared and feeling strange in an unknown place..we chose Step on Himalaya as our guide in Nepal.. when we met Hari..he made us feel so comfortable and cozy that we forget our stress and fear .. only excitements and hunger for fun was in us... it was a really awesome experience in the Himalayas and made special with the company of Hari and Step on Himalaya... highly recommendable for their best services and guidance.
