Trekking · Nepal
How Much Does the Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost?
ACAP permit, guide, porter, teahouses and transport — a realistic budget for the Annapurna Circuit.
The Annapurna Circuit loops around the Annapurna massif and crosses the Thorong La pass at 5,416 m, so it is longer, higher and pricier than Annapurna Base Camp. Budget roughly US$700–1,400 per person for an independent circuit with a guide, covering the ACAP permit, TIMS card, guide and porter, and food and lodging, before international flights.
The short answer
The circuit's cost is driven mainly by its length and your transport choices. The permits — an ACAP entry permit and a TIMS card — are modest, but more trail days mean more food, beds and guide wages. Jeeps over the rough road sections cut days but add fares. Compare it with the shorter Annapurna Base Camp trek cost and the overall Nepal trekking cost breakdown.
Permits
- ACAP permit: conservation-area entry, bought in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- TIMS card: arranged through a registered agency or the tourism board.
There is no restricted-area permit on the main circuit, which keeps it far cheaper than Manaslu. See current fees in our Nepal trekking permits guide. A licensed guide is required since 2023, so include that wage. For the route itself, see the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Guide, porter and staffing
A longer trek means more days of guide and porter wages, food and lodging — the single biggest variable in your total. Trekking in a small group spreads the guide cost. Read hiring a guide and porter in Nepal for fair rates and tipping.
Food, lodging and altitude pricing
The circuit is teahouse trekking throughout, with cheap lodges in Besisahar and Chame and steeper prices in Manang and high camp below the pass, where everything is carried up. Budget extra for hot showers, charging and bottled drinks at altitude.
Transport: walk or ride
Roads now reach deep into both sides of the circuit. Riding the dusty lower sections by jeep saves trail days and cost but skips villages; many trekkers walk the scenic middle and ride the rest. Buses to Besisahar and out from Pokhara are cheap.
Plan around the pass
Crossing the 5,416 m Thorong La demands acclimatisation, so add rest days in Manang and read the altitude sickness guide. Pick autumn or spring via the best time to visit Nepal, and return to the Nepal trekking costs hub to compare every route.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Annapurna Circuit trek cost?+
A full independent Annapurna Circuit with a guide typically costs around US$700 to US$1,400 per person depending on length and how much you walk versus take a jeep, covering the ACAP permit, TIMS card, guide, food and teahouse lodging. The longer route and the high Thorong La crossing make it pricier than Annapurna Base Camp.
What permits do I need for the Annapurna Circuit?+
The circuit lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP entry permit plus a TIMS card. There is no restricted-area special permit on the main circuit, although the optional side trip into Upper Mustang from Jomsom requires a separate, expensive restricted permit.
Can I cut the cost with jeeps on the Annapurna Circuit?+
Yes and no. Roads now reach far up both sides of the circuit, and taking a jeep over the rough sections saves trekking days and therefore food and lodging, but jeep fares are not cheap and you miss trail villages. Many trekkers walk the scenic middle and ride the dusty road sections to balance time, cost and experience.
How many days is the Annapurna Circuit?+
Classically the circuit took around 18 to 21 days, but roads and jeep options have shortened it, and most trekkers now complete a satisfying version in about 12 to 16 days. Fewer days lower the total cost, but you still need acclimatisation time before crossing the 5,416 metre Thorong La pass.
