Annapurna Circuit Trail

Quick facts for planning the Annapurna Circuit.

Time to Hike: 12-18 days covering roughly 160 km, with typical itineraries allowing acclimatisation days in Manang and a high crossing of Thorong La at 5416 m. Hikers can extend or shorten by road transfers.

Best Time to Go: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most stable weather and clear mountain views. Winter is very cold and the pass may be snowbound; the monsoon brings heavy rain and landslide risk.

Getting there: Most approaches begin from Besisahar or from Pokhara after flying or driving from Kathmandu. Trailheads lie along the Marsyangdi valley with public buses or tourist jeeps as common options.

Costs: You must carry an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and a TIMS card to enter the region; teahouse accommodation and food make up the main expense. Budget hikers typically plan modest daily costs plus extra for guides or porters and occasional road transport.

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous due to sustained high altitude and the Thorong La crossing at 5416 m; expect steep rocky paths, scree slopes and possible icy sections. Altitude sickness is the primary hazard; weather can change quickly.

Annapurna massif’s Circuit threads through strikingly varied landscapes - tropical river valleys, terraced farmland, rhododendron and pine forests, an alpine plateau around Manang and the rain-shadow highlands beyond Thorong La. Dramatic views of Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri and the surrounding peaks are constant rewards.

The trail’s highlights include the cultural villages of Manang, the pilgrimage site at Muktinath after the pass and the long high pass itself at Thorong La 5416 m. Accommodation is primarily teahouses in villages up to the high settlements; above 4500 m facilities are basic, and some sections involve rocky, exposed paths.

Kathmandu is the international gateway; many trekkers transfer to Pokhara by road or flight before joining the trail at Besisahar or nearby access points. Regular tourist buses and local jeeps connect these towns to the Marsyangdi valley entry points.

Most people walk the Circuit clockwise - ascending the Marsyangdi valley toward Manang to acclimatise, then crossing Thorong La and descending toward Muktinath and Jomsom before returning to Pokhara. Road options make shorter variants possible in either direction.

The classic walking seasons are spring and autumn when tea-house services are fully operating and visibility is best. Bookings are rarely required for teahouse beds except during peak autumn weeks; bring flexible plans for nights in high villages where rooms are limited.

Expect clear, cool mornings and possible afternoon cloud build-up; on the pass there can be strong wind, snow or sudden cold snaps. Carry layered clothing, a sleeping bag rated for near-freezing nights and be prepared to add acclimatisation days if needed.