The short version
- 115 days, about 158 km on foot, topping out at 5,416m. Rated Moderate on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in Mar–May, Oct.
- 3Starts from Kathmandu, reached via Kathmandu.
- 42 nights gain more than 500 m above 3,000 m. That's common on Himalayan treks, but it's where altitude sickness tends to show up: go slowly the day before and drink well.
- 5Operators charge ₹75,000 per person; 1 listed, 1 verified.
The trek
Overview
The Annapurna Circuit circumnavigates the entire Annapurna massif across 158km. Its diversity is unmatched — subtropical rice terraces to pine forest to arid Tibetan plateau in two weeks — and it crosses the legendary Thorong La at 5,416m, where a clear October morning with the whole Annapurna range below is a life milestone.
Right for you if
- You can walk 8–10 hours on pass day: about 1,000m up and 1,600m down from 5,416m
- You've slept above 4,000m, or will take the 2 acclimatisation nights at Manang
- You can take 16–18 days off, including Kathmandu and spare days for weather
- You don't mind jeeps: roads now run along much of the lower circuit
- You're Indian: no visa needed, just a passport or voter ID
Think twice if
- You have a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition without a doctor's OK for 5,400m
- You've had HAPE or HACE (fluid on the lungs or brain) at altitude before
- Your dates can't move: snow can close Thorong La for days, most often Dec–Feb
- You want roadless wilderness: road dust and traffic reach Manang and Muktinath
Season
When to go
Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
Autumn: the clearest skies and steadiest weather of the year. Nights get cold quickly from October, and early snow is possible in November.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Kathmandu
Nearest airport
Kathmandu
Nearest railway
No railway
By road
Kathmandu to Besisahar, about 6 to 7 hours, then a jeep further up the valley
Most operators run a shared pickup from Kathmandu early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 74 km with about 4,010 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 7, climbing 930 m. Operators vary it a little; figures marked ≈ are estimates where the path isn't mapped.
- Day1
Dharapani → Chame
After the drive up the Marsyangdi, walk through pine forest to Chame
15.6 km910 m100 msleep at 2,670 m
- Day2
Chame → Upper Pisang
Past the great curved rock face of Paungda Danda to Pisang
14.1 km720 m100 msleep at 3,300 m
- Day3
Upper Pisang → Manang
Up the dry upper valley, Annapurna II and III across it
16.5 km380 m170 msleep at 3,551 m
- Day4
Rest day at Manang
Acclimatisation day in Manang: climb towards Praken Gompa or Ice Lake and back
- Day5
Manang → Yak Kharka
Out of the Manang valley up to the yak pastures
9.7 km500 m20 msleep at 4,030 m
- Day6
Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi
A short day to the foot of the pass. Sleep early
7.4 km560 m70 msleep at 4,540 m
- Day7
Thorong Phedi → Muktinath
via Thorong La
Start before dawn to cross Thorong La at 5,416 m, then a long, steep descent to Muktinath's temple
10.9 km930 m1,700 msleep at 3,735 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
1,860 m
Highest night
4,540 m
Highest point
5,407 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Moderate. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
- National park or conservation area permits, plus any trekker registration. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID; no visa.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Annapurna Circuit Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- Warm layers for a high camp well below freezing, even in summer, and glacier glasses for snow
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
1 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹75,000 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Trek The Himalayas4.8₹75,000
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
It's rated Moderate on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack. The highest point is 5,416m, so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Mar–May, Oct. Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
How many days does the Annapurna Circuit Trek take?
15 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 6 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Most groups meet in Kathmandu. Nearest airport: Kathmandu. Nearest railway: No railway. Kathmandu to Besisahar, about 6 to 7 hours, then a jeep further up the valley.
How much does the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹75,000 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). National park or conservation area permits, plus any trekker registration. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID; no visa.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.