The Annapurna Circuit is the trek that turns first-timers into lifers. A 160km+ loop around the entire Annapurna Massif, it crosses the highest trekking pass in Nepal, passes through a dozen distinct micro-climates, and ends with a hot spring soak in Tatopani. This guide covers everything — route, permits, costs, season, and how to prepare.
Why the Annapurna Circuit?
There are longer treks in Nepal. There are higher treks. But nothing else packs in the variety of the Circuit — rice terraces and subtropical jungle in the lower Marsyangdi valley, alpine meadows around Manang, a genuinely dramatic high-altitude crossing at Thorong La, and the arid, wind-scoured landscape of Mustang on the descent. In two weeks you cross from one side of the Himalayas to the other.
It's also the trek that rewards trekkers who actually stop. The best days on the circuit aren't the ones you cover the most ground — they're the acclimatization day in Manang (4,519m) when you hike to the Ice Lake, or the afternoon in Marpha eating apple pie and watching the peaks turn pink at dusk.
Is the Circuit Right for You?
The Annapurna Circuit suits trekkers with reasonable fitness who can walk 5–8 hours a day on uneven terrain. You don't need technical climbing skills. But you do need to be serious about acclimatization — Thorong La at 5,416m is not a place to rush. If you've done multi-day hikes before and know how your body responds to altitude, you're in good shape.
The Route: Overview
The classic circuit runs anti-clockwise — starting in Besisahar (or Chame by jeep to save days) and finishing in Nayapul after descending via Jomsom and Tatopani. Anti-clockwise is strongly recommended: you ascend the steeper Marsyangdi valley side, giving your body a gradual altitude gain before the pass, and descend the gentler Kali Gandaki gorge.
Key Waypoints
- Besisahar (760m) — Trek start. Most trekkers jeep to Chame (2,670m) to save 2–3 days.
- Chame (2,670m) — First proper trekking town. ACAP checkpoint here.
- Pisang (3,185m) — Upper Pisang offers better views and a detour past ancient monasteries.
- Manang (3,519m) — Spend two nights here. Critical for acclimatization. Hike to Ice Lake (4,600m) on rest day.
- Thorong Phedi / High Camp (4,510m / 4,850m) — Base before the pass. Start the crossing at 4am.
- Thorong La Pass (5,416m) — The highest point. Flag-covered and often windswept. Descent to Muktinath is steep.
- Muktinath (3,800m) — Sacred Hindu and Buddhist site. Excellent lodges.
- Marpha (2,667m) — Best apple products in Nepal. Stay an extra night if you can.
- Jomsom (2,720m) — Domestic airport. Some trekkers fly out here.
- Tatopani (1,190m) — Natural hot springs after the high altitude. Bliss.
- Nayapul (1,070m) — Traditional trek end. Bus or taxi to Pokhara.
Suggested Itinerary (17 Days)
This is the full classic circuit without shortcuts. If you're short on time, a jeep from Besisahar to Chame removes 2–3 days; flying Jomsom to Pokhara at the end removes another 2 days.
Best Time to Go
✅ October – November (Best)
Peak season. Clear skies after monsoon, excellent visibility, crisp air. Thorong La is reliably open. Lodges are busy but stocked. The undisputed best window.
✅ March – May (Very Good)
Spring season. Rhododendrons in bloom, warm lower valleys, good visibility before the late-May pre-monsoon haze builds. Slightly more unpredictable than autumn.
⚠️ December – February (Cold but Possible)
The pass can close due to snow. Cold nights at altitude. Fewer trekkers and cheaper lodges. Suitable for experienced trekkers with proper gear.
❌ June – September (Monsoon)
Heavy rain, leeches on lower trails, mountain views obscured by clouds. Most of the Circuit becomes unpleasant. The rain-shadow Mustang area is the exception.
Permits You Need
Two permits are required for the Annapurna Circuit. Both can be obtained in Kathmandu (Tourism Board office, Pradarshani Marg) or in Besisahar.
Required Permits
- TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System) — $20 USD for individual trekkers, $10 with a registered agency. Required for all trekkers in Nepal.
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) — NPR 3,000 (~$22 USD) for foreign nationals, NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals. Managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.
Total permit cost: ~$42 USD. Bring passport-size photos and a photocopy of your passport.
⚠️ 2026 Update: Permit Changes
Nepal has been updating its permit fee structure. Always verify current fees at the Nepal Tourism Board (ntb.gov.np) before your trip, as prices may have changed since this article was published.
Cost Breakdown
Below are realistic 2026 costs for a guided Annapurna Circuit trek. Budget trekkers going fully independent can do the teahouse circuit for significantly less; a fully serviced private group will pay more.
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Permits (TIMS + ACAP) | $42 | $42 |
| Accommodation (teahouses) | $5–10/night | $15–30/night |
| Food on trail (~3 meals/day) | $15–20/day | $25–35/day |
| Guide (recommended) | $25–30/day | $35–50/day |
| Porter (optional) | $18–22/day | $22–28/day |
| Transport (Ktm–Besisahar + return from Pokhara) | $25–40 | $80–120 |
| Miscellaneous (hot showers, charging, WiFi) | $30–50 total | $60–80 total |
| 17-Day Total (est.) | $750–950 | $1,100–1,600 |
These are trail-only costs. Add Kathmandu accommodation, international flights, travel insurance, and gear if you're estimating a full trip budget.
Do You Need a Guide?
The Annapurna Circuit doesn't legally require a guide (unlike some restricted areas). But practically speaking, a good guide transforms the experience. They handle logistics at altitude when your brain is working at 70%, know which lodges are safe and clean, can assess weather and pass conditions, and carry altitude medications. On Thorong La specifically, trekkers have died in whiteouts — a guide's judgment is worth more than their daily fee.
At minimum, hire through a registered agency so your guide has verified qualifications and insurance. Cairn only lists operators whose guides are NTB-licensed and altitude-trained.
What to Pack
Essentials
- Down jacket (rated to at least -10°C) — mandatory for Thorong La and High Camp
- Waterproof shell jacket and trousers
- Trekking poles — invaluable on the pass descent
- Sleeping bag liner (teahouse blankets are available but cold at altitude)
- Headlamp with fresh batteries — you're starting the pass at 4am
- Water purification (tablets or filter) — reduces stomach issues significantly
- Altitude medication: Diamox (consult your doctor before travel)
- First aid kit with blister treatment, ibuprofen, and rehydration salts
What You Don't Need
- More than 12–14kg total pack weight. Heavier packs are harder at altitude.
- Full cooking gear — all teahouses serve food
- A tent — teahouses are everywhere on the circuit
⚠️ Altitude Sickness: Know the Signs
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) affects many trekkers above 3,000m. Symptoms: persistent headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite. The rule is simple — if symptoms don't improve or worsen after 24 hours, descend immediately. Do not ascend with AMS symptoms. The Himalayan Rescue Association posts in Manang and Pheriche provide free advice and altitude checks.
Getting There
Most trekkers fly into Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). From Kathmandu, the trek starting point at Besisahar is ~7 hours by bus or 4–5 hours by private vehicle. Many tour operators arrange transport as part of their packages.
At the end of the trek, Pokhara is the nearest city (1–2 hours from Nayapul by road). From Pokhara, you can fly to Kathmandu in 25 minutes or take a tourist bus (~7 hours). If you finish in Jomsom, a 25-minute domestic flight to Pokhara with Tara Air or Summit Air is the easiest exit.
Book Your Annapurna Circuit Trek
Cairn connects you with vetted, NTB-registered operators who've led the Annapurna Circuit dozens of times. Every operator on our platform has passed our 15-point vetting checklist — licensed guides, altitude training, emergency protocols, transparent pricing.
Tell us your dates, group size, and budget and we'll match you with the right operator.