The Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Circuit is one of the world's great long-distance treks, looping right around the Annapurna massif and crossing the high Thorong La pass (5,416 m). Over a fortnight you walk from steamy subtropical valleys into a stark, Tibetan-flavoured high desert, passing terraced farms, pine forest, Buddhist villages and an apple-growing valley on the far side.

Overview and highlights

The classic loop runs anticlockwise, climbing the Marsyangdi valley to Manang, crossing Thorong La to the pilgrimage town of Muktinath, then descending into the Kali Gandaki gorge. Highlights include the acclimatisation hub of Manang beneath the Annapurnas, the dawn pass crossing, the temple complex at Muktinath, and the dramatic shift from green hills to dry, wind-scoured plateau. The optional Tilicho Lake trek side trip — to one of the world's highest lakes at 4,919 m — is the standout add-on for strong walkers.

Itinerary

Road access at both ends now shortens the route; a representative 14-day plan looks like this:

Many trekkers combine the descent with Ghorepani Poon Hill for a sunrise finish. If you would rather have it organised for you, our 13-day Annapurna Circuit trek package wraps this route in a guided Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu trip with permits, transport and teahouses handled.

The road: an honest picture

Be clear-eyed about this before you book: jeep roads now run up both sides of the circuit — the Marsyangdi valley to Manang and the Kali Gandaki from Muktinath down — and construction and upgrades continue, so conditions shift from season to season (this reflects the situation as of 2026; expect further change). The good news is that the waymarked NATT trails (New Annapurna Trekking Trails) thread footpaths along the opposite bank or above the road for most of the route, and the high section from Manang over Thorong La to Muktinath remains pure trail. Most trekkers now drive the lowest stages, walk the best of it, and barely notice the road on the days that matter.

Difficulty and fitness

This is a strenuous trek rather than a technical one. You walk 5–7 hours most days, with one very long, high pass day. The main challenge is altitude, so build in the Manang rest day and read up on altitude sickness before you go. Regular hikers with good cardio fitness manage it well; trekking poles help on the long descents.

Thorong La safety: treat the pass with respect. Start before dawn to beat the wind, carry proper cold-weather layers even in October, and never cross in fresh snow or a deteriorating forecast — storms have caught trekkers out here in the past, including in peak autumn. If the weather turns or anyone in your group shows altitude symptoms, wait it out at Thorong Phedi or High Camp or descend; the pass will still be there tomorrow. See our Thorong La pass guide for the crossing in detail.

Best time

Autumn — especially October into November — is prime: post-monsoon skies are at their clearest, trails are dry and Thorong La is at its most reliable, which is why this is also the circuit's busiest window. Spring (March–May) is the second-best season, trading some clarity for rhododendron blooms and a slightly higher chance of snow on the pass. Avoid mid-winter, when snow can close Thorong La, and the summer monsoon, when the lower valleys are wet — though the rain-shadow side around Manang and Muktinath stays relatively dry year-round. For the month-by-month detail, see the best time for the Annapurna Circuit and our wider autumn trekking in Nepal guide.

Permits, guide rules and cost

You need the ACAP permit and a TIMS card, both arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara — budget very roughly USD 20–30 and USD 15–20 respectively, but fees change periodically, so confirm current rates; see trekking permits in Nepal for the process. Note also that under rules in force since April 2023, foreign trekkers need a licensed guide in conservation areas including Annapurna — read do you need a guide in Nepal for the current picture. On-trail costs run roughly USD 25–40 per day, so a two-week trek totals around USD 400–600 plus permits, guide and transport. Guided packages typically cost USD 900–1,500 — the full maths is in our Annapurna Circuit trek cost breakdown.

Accommodation

Teahouses line the entire route, so you carry only a daypack. Lodges are simple but comfortable, with shared dining rooms, hot meals and, often, a wood stove. Rooms get basic and cold higher up around Thorong Phedi, so a warm sleeping bag is worth the weight.

One peak-season reality check: in October, beds at the pinch points — Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi and High Camp — can fill by early afternoon. There is no formal booking system at altitude; your guide phoning ahead a day out is the usual fix, along with starting stages early. Below Manang there is far more capacity and it rarely matters.

Getting there

Start from Pokhara or Kathmandu. A drive (or short flight to Pokhara) gets you to the Besishahar or Chame trailhead, and you exit via Jomsom or by road through Tatopani back to Pokhara. For a fuller plan, see our Nepal trekking guide.