Annapurna Circuit

The Annapurna Circuit is one of Nepal’s classic long-distance treks, crossing an extraordinary range of landscapes from subtropical valleys and terraced farmland to high alpine terrain and the arid country beyond the Himalayan divide.

The route circles the Annapurna massif and crosses Thorung La at 17,769 ft / 5,416 m. Along the way, the trail passes through mountain villages, Buddhist cultural landscapes and the Kali Gandaki Valley, with extensive views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and surrounding peaks.

Duration

14–18 Days

Difficulty

Challenging

Maximum Altitude

17,769 ft / 5,416 m

Best Time

Mar–May / Sep–Nov

The Route

The Annapurna Circuit begins on the eastern side of the massif and gradually climbs through the Marsyangdi Valley. The lower stages pass through forest, agricultural land and traditional settlements before the landscape becomes increasingly alpine approaching Manang.

After an acclimatization day in Manang, the trail continues toward Thorung La High Camp. The crossing of Thorung La Pass is the highest and most demanding section of the route, followed by a long descent toward Muktinath and the Kali Gandaki Valley.

The shorter itinerary continues to Jomsom before returning to Kathmandu. The longer version follows the valley farther south through Kalopani and Tatopani before climbing to Ghorepani and Poon Hill.

What Makes This Trek Special

Thorung La Pass

At 17,769 ft / 5,416 m, Thorung La is the high point of the circuit and one of the defining moments of the trek.

Changing Landscapes

The route moves from subtropical valleys and forests into alpine terrain before descending into the much drier landscapes of the Kali Gandaki.

Poon Hill

The longer itinerary finishes with an early-morning ascent of Poon Hill for expansive views across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Two versions of the Annapurna Circuit itinerary are included below. Both follow the same route through Thorung La, while the 18-day version continues farther south through the Kali Gandaki Valley and includes Poon Hill.

14-Day Annapurna Circuit

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and settle into your hotel before preparing for the journey into the Annapurna region.

Day 2: Drive to Besisahar & Trek to Bhulbule — 2,690 ft / 820 m
Drive from Kathmandu toward Besisahar, then begin trekking through villages and subtropical vegetation toward Bhulbule.

Day 3: Trek to Jagat — 4,265 ft / 1,300 m
Follow the Marsyangdi Valley through Syange before climbing toward the old village of Jagat.

Day 4: Trek to Bagarchap — 7,086 ft / 2,160 m
Descend through bamboo and rhododendron forest, cross the river and continue through Tal, Karte and Dharapani toward Bagarchap.

Day 5: Trek to Chame — 8,891 ft / 2,710 m
Climb through oak and maple forest toward Chame, with increasing views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and Annapurna IV.

Day 6: Trek to Pisang — 10,859 ft / 3,310 m
Cross the Marsyangdi River, pass apple-growing areas around Bhratang and continue into the increasingly dramatic upper valley toward Pisang.

Day 7: Trek to Manang — 11,614 ft / 3,540 m
Continue through the upper valley toward Manang with views of Tilicho Peak and the surrounding Annapurna massif.

Day 8: Manang — 11,614 ft / 3,540 m
Acclimatization Day
Spend an additional day in Manang allowing the body time to adapt to the increasing elevation. Short hikes around the valley can provide further acclimatization before continuing toward Thorung La.

Day 9: Trek to Letdar — 13,943 ft / 4,250 m
Leave Manang and enter the Jarsang Khola Valley, where forests gradually give way to sparse juniper and alpine grassland.

Day 10: Trek to Thorung La High Camp — 15,912 ft / 4,850 m
Continue higher toward Thorung La through increasingly stark alpine terrain, finishing the day at high camp below the pass.

Day 11: Cross Thorung La (17,769 ft / 5,416 m) – Descend to Muktinath (12,467 ft / 3,800 m)
Begin early for the sustained climb to Thorung La. Prayer flags mark the pass at 17,769 ft / 5,416 m before a long descent toward Muktinath.

Day 12: Trek to Jomsom — 8,900 ft / 2,713 m
Descend through the Kali Gandaki Valley and Tibetan-influenced villages, with views toward Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri.

Day 13: Return to Kathmandu via Pokhara
Travel from Jomsom toward Pokhara and onward to Kathmandu.

Day 14: Depart Kathmandu
Depart Kathmandu for your onward journey.

18-Day Annapurna Circuit

The 18-day itinerary follows the same route through Thorung La and Jomsom before continuing south through the Kali Gandaki Valley toward Tatopani, Ghorepani and Poon Hill.

Days 1–12: Kathmandu to Jomsom
Follow the same route described in the 14-day itinerary, including the acclimatization day in Manang and the crossing of Thorung La.

Day 13: Trek to Kalopani — 8,300 ft / 2,530 m
Continue south from Jomsom through settlements including Sauru, Kobang and Larjung toward Kalopani.

Day 14: Trek to Tatopani — 3,900 ft / 1,190 m
Descend into warmer country toward Tatopani, whose name means “hot water,” referring to the area’s natural hot springs.

Day 15: Trek to Ghorepani — 9,383 ft / 2,860 m
Climb through terraced farmland and greener landscapes toward Ghorepani, with extensive views toward the Dhaulagiri range.

Day 16: Poon Hill (10,498 ft / 3,200 m) – Trek to Birethanti (3,362 ft / 1,025 m)
Rise early for the ascent of Poon Hill and sunrise views over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri before descending toward Birethanti and continuing to Pokhara.

Day 17: Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 18: Depart Kathmandu
Depart Kathmandu for your onward journey.

How Difficult Is the Annapurna Circuit?

The Annapurna Circuit is a demanding high-altitude trek requiring sustained days of walking and a gradual ascent into increasingly thin air.

The most demanding stage is the crossing of Thorung La at 17,769 ft / 5,416 m. The itinerary includes an acclimatization day in Manang before continuing into the higher sections of the route.

Altitude & Acclimatization

The route climbs from relatively low elevations to more than 5,400 meters at Thorung La. The increase in altitude is gradual, but trekkers still need sufficient time to acclimatize before attempting the pass.

The itinerary includes an acclimatization day in Manang at 11,614 ft / 3,540 m before moving higher.

Learn more about altitude and acclimatization →

Best Time to Trek

Spring and autumn are the principal trekking periods for the Annapurna Circuit, when conditions are generally most favorable for high-altitude travel and crossing Thorung La.

Learn more about trekking seasons in Nepal →