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Quick facts
The classic high-altitude circuit around the Annapurna massif, crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416m and descending through the wind-swept Kali Gandaki gorge — the world's deepest valley — past Muktinath and Marpha.
Overview
The Annapurna Circuit is the trek that defined Nepal trekking for a generation, and for good reason. It is one of the most complete long-distance routes anywhere in the world — you walk entirely around an 8,000m massif, starting at subtropical rice terraces and finishing through arid, high-altitude plateau country that feels more like Tibet than the Nepal most visitors imagine. The Thorong La Pass crossing at 5,416m is the centrepiece, but the pass is almost the least remarkable thing about the full circuit when taken as a whole.
The route follows the Marsyangdi river valley north from Besishahar, gaining altitude through Chame, Pisang, and Manang before the final acclimatisation push to High Camp. Crossing the pass from east to west (the standard direction) means a pre-dawn start from around 4,500m, a 3-4 hour climb to 5,416m in thin air, and then a long, leg-consuming descent of nearly 1,700m to Muktinath. West of the pass the landscape is transformed — suddenly you are in the rain shadow, the vegetation disappears, the terrain is ochre and windswept, and the Kali Gandaki gorge drops between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna in what is documented as the deepest river gorge on earth.
The jeep road now reaches Manang and much of the lower Marsyangdi valley, which means many trekkers drive past the first three or four days and start walking from Chame or later. I understand the time pressure, but I think those first days through Bhulbhule and Chamje and the river gorge are genuinely worth walking — the transition from subtropical to alpine is part of what makes this route special. I run the full circuit where time allows, combining it with Tilicho Lake for groups with 16-18 days.
Who this trek is for
Fit trekkers seeking a complete high-altitude traverse with significant cultural variety and a genuine pass crossing above 5,400m. Previous multi-day trekking experience is strongly advised. The circuit requires 14-18 days of consecutive walking with no road exit between Manang and Jomsom (you cross the pass or you turn around). Anyone who commits to the circuit needs to be genuinely comfortable with the altitude profile and the commitment it requires.
Best views & moments
- Standing on Thorong La Pass at 5,416m with Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Gangapurna peaks visible
- The transformation from green Marsyangdi valley to the arid Tibetan plateau after the pass
- Muktinath temple at 3,760m — one of the most sacred sites in both Hinduism and Buddhism
- The Kali Gandaki gorge, measurably deeper than the Grand Canyon, with Dhaulagiri towering 6,000m above
- Manang valley at 3,540m — a genuine high-altitude plateau village with its own microclimate
- Apple orchards and apple brandy in Marpha — the most famous apple village in Nepal
- Pisang upper village with its ancient gompa and the first clear views of Annapurna II and III
- Pre-dawn start on pass crossing day — headlamps crossing the high plain before the sun touches the peaks
Day-by-day itinerary
Route & terrain
The classic Annapurna Circuit begins at Besishahar in the Marsyangdi valley and circles the entire Annapurna massif in a counter-clockwise direction, finishing at Nayapul or Pokhara via the Kali Gandaki valley. The eastern approach follows the Marsyangdi north through increasingly high and arid terrain, with the landscape shifting from subtropical forest at 840m to open Tibetan plateau at 3,500m over roughly six days of walking.
Manang is the midpoint and the acclimatisation base. From Manang the trail climbs to the final teahouse camps at High Camp (4,925m) before the pre-dawn pass crossing. Thorong La at 5,416m is the highest point and the only viable crossing between the eastern and western sides of the massif — there is no alternative route between Manang and Muktinath except to retrace your steps.
West of the pass the Kali Gandaki valley drops through the deepest river gorge on earth, hemmed between Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna I (8,091m), through arid plateau villages that feel unmistakably Tibetan before descending back into the more vegetated country south of Ghasa. The traditional finish at Nayapul via Ghorepani and Poon Hill completes the circle and adds the rhododendron forest and famous sunrise viewpoint that many people associate with the Annapurna region.
General info
Difficulty & preparation
The Annapurna Circuit is rated Challenging largely because of the Thorong La Pass crossing and the sustained altitude from Manang onward. The pass crossing day is 8-9 hours with 650m of ascent and 1,700m of descent, starting at 3-4am from 4,925m. The altitude at the pass is 5,416m — higher than anything on the Everest Base Camp route — and the morning cold and thin air make it physically demanding even for fit trekkers.
Daily walking on the main circuit runs 5-7 hours excluding the pass crossing day. The terrain varies from well-maintained stone trail in the lower valley to rocky open path above Manang. The Tatopani to Ghorepani section (if doing the full circuit) involves nearly 1,500m of ascent on the last active walking day — legs that have already completed 12-13 days of trail often find this unexpected. Good boots with ankle support are essential throughout. The circuit does not require technical climbing skills or ropes, but trekking poles are strongly advised for the pass crossing and the Tatopani ascent.
How to prepare
The Annapurna Circuit requires the highest overall fitness of any trek in the Annapurna region because of the combination of total days, sustained altitude, and the single hardest day at the pass. Begin training 10-12 weeks before departure. Running 3-4 times per week at 30-45 minutes, combined with long weekend hikes of 4-6 hours with a loaded pack, builds the cardiovascular and leg strength base required.
Specifically: the Tatopani to Ghorepani ascent on the last section of the circuit surprises many people who felt strong on the pass crossing. Train both for sustained daily output and for ascending after already being tired. If you can do a 6-hour hike on Saturday and feel capable of another 6 hours on Sunday, you are in the right range.
Acclimatisation: the itinerary's built-in rest day at Manang is non-negotiable. The altitude jump from Manang (3,540m) to High Camp (4,925m) is large, and people who try to compress this by skipping Yak Kharka have a significantly higher AMS rate. Carry Diamox, know the AMS symptoms, and brief your trekking partners on what to watch for in each other.
Permits you'll need
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
USD 30 per person
Required for the entire Annapurna Circuit. Obtainable in Besishahar, Pokhara, or Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board.
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)
USD 15 per person (approx. NPR 2,000)
Required for all trekkers in the Annapurna region. Obtainable at trekking association offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
I handle all permit paperwork as your licensed guide.
Altitude & acclimatisation
The Annapurna Circuit has the highest pass of any standard trekking route in Nepal at 5,416m. The acclimatisation sequence is: Besishahar 840m, Chame 2,710m, Pisang 3,310m, Manang 3,540m (two nights), Yak Kharka 4,018m, High Camp 4,925m, Thorong La 5,416m (not a sleeping altitude), Muktinath 3,760m.
The fastest altitude gain is from High Camp to the pass: 490m of ascent from 4,925m to 5,416m, completed before sunrise in cold conditions. I watch for AMS carefully at Manang and Yak Kharka, as symptoms at 4,000m typically predict problems at 5,000m. The compulsory acclimatisation day at Manang is the main insurance; missing it for time reasons is the single most common mistake I see from groups who arrange their own itinerary.
The descent from the pass to Muktinath involves 1,700m of height loss in a single day — altitude sickness symptoms sometimes appear on the descent as the body responds to rapid pressure change. Rest at Muktinath is important. The subsequent descent through the Kali Gandaki is medically easy; the altitude risk is concentrated in the Manang-to-Muktinath section.
Food & accommodation
The Annapurna Circuit has some of the best teahouse infrastructure of any trekking route in Nepal. From Besishahar to Manang, teahouses offer a wide range of meals, reasonable room comfort, hot showers (usually coin-operated), and WiFi at major stops. Manang has bakeries, coffee shops, and several teahouses with proper dining rooms and heating.
Above Manang the standard drops — Yak Kharka and High Camp are basic, cold, and crowded in peak season. The food is simpler; dal bhat, noodle soup, and fried potato are the staples at High Camp. On the west side, Muktinath and Jomsom are good stops with varied menus. Marpha is famous for its apple products — fresh juice, apple pie, apple brandy — and the village teahouses are among the most comfortable on the circuit.
The Tatopani hot springs area has several teahouses that combine good food with the hot spring access — a genuinely civilised stop after the high-altitude section. Budget USD 30-50 per day for food and accommodation on the trail.
What to pack
The Annapurna Circuit has well-stocked teahouses throughout, so the packing challenge is more about temperature range than logistics. At Besishahar you are in subtropical heat; on the pass you are in sub-zero wind. Your pack needs to handle both without being overloaded.
Key items: a sleeping bag rated to -10°C minimum (colder if trekking October or later), down jacket for above 3,500m, waterproof shell jacket and trousers, trekking poles (essential for the pass and the Tatopani ascent). The west side of the pass (Jomsom area) is famous for strong afternoon winds — a windproof jacket is not optional here. On the pass crossing day, carry extra water and high-calorie snacks as the distance between High Camp and Muktinath is too long to do on adrenaline alone.
Charging facilities are available at most teahouses but become less reliable above Manang. A power bank is useful. Gear shops in Manang and Pokhara can supply most basics if you forget something, though quality varies.