Trekking · Nepal
Annapurna Region Itinerary
Plan the Annapurna region from Pokhara — Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp and the Circuit over Thorong La.
The Annapurna region is Nepal's most popular and accessible trekking area, fanning out north of the lakeside town of Pokhara around the 8,091-metre Annapurna I and the unmistakable fishtail spire of Machhapuchhre. With well-stocked teahouses, lower starting altitudes than the Everest region and routes from four days to three weeks, it suits everyone from first-timers to seasoned circuit walkers. Base yourself in Pokhara, then choose the route that matches your time and fitness.
The short answer
For a short taste, walk the Ghorepani Poon Hill loop (4-5 days) for its sunrise over the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri. For the classic amphitheatre of peaks, trek to Annapurna Base Camp (7-11 days). For the grand traverse, the Annapurna Circuit crosses the Thorong La pass (5,416 m) in twelve to eighteen days, ending near the sacred temple of Muktinath. Bookend any route with a day or two in Pokhara.
Day-by-day outline
Days 1-2: Pokhara
Arrive and settle by Phewa Lake. Take a Sarangkot sunrise, paddle out to the Tal Barahi temple, or walk up to the World Peace Pagoda while you wait for permits.
Days 3-7: Choose your trek
- Poon Hill: Nayapul to Ghorepani and Tadapani, with the famous Poon Hill dawn, then back to Pokhara.
- Annapurna Base Camp: up the Modi Khola through Chhomrong and the Machhapuchhre sanctuary to Base Camp at 4,130 m.
- Annapurna Circuit: Besisahar to Manang, acclimatising before the high Thorong La crossing to Muktinath and Jomsom.
Final days: Return to Pokhara
Descend by trail or jeep, or fly out from Jomsom on the Circuit, and unwind on the Lakeside before returning to Kathmandu.
Side trips and extensions
Fit, experienced trekkers can detour to Tilicho Lake, one of the world's highest large lakes, from the Circuit, or add the quieter Mardi Himal ridge for close-up fishtail views with fewer crowds.
Before you go
Spring and autumn give the clearest skies, so check the best time to visit Nepal before booking. Read the Nepal trekking guide for permits, guides and kit, and remember that even the gentler routes cross the 4,000-metre mark. To compare this with Nepal's other mountain region, see the Everest region itinerary, and to pair your trek with temples and art, add the Kathmandu Valley itinerary. The full set of regional plans lives on the Nepal regional itineraries hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Annapurna region need?+
It depends on the route. The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek takes four to five days, Annapurna Base Camp seven to eleven, and the full Annapurna Circuit over Thorong La twelve to eighteen. Add a day or two in Pokhara at each end, since the town is the gateway and a destination in its own right.
How do you reach the Annapurna region?+
Pokhara is the hub, reached by a 25-minute flight or a six-to-eight-hour drive from Kathmandu. Trailheads such as Nayapul, Besisahar and Jomsom are short drives from Pokhara. The newer roads now reach deeper into the valleys, so many routes can be shortened with a jeep ride.
Is the Annapurna region good for first-time trekkers?+
Yes. It has Nepal's best teahouse infrastructure, lower starting altitudes than the Khumbu and a range of trek lengths. Poon Hill and the lower Annapurna Base Camp route are excellent introductions, while the Circuit and Tilicho Lake suit fitter, more experienced trekkers.
What permits are required in the Annapurna region?+
You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and the TIMS card, both arranged in Pokhara or Kathmandu. A licensed guide is now required for trekking in the area. Carry passport photos and copies for the checkpoints along the trail.
