The Annapurna Circuit covers 160-230km through the Annapurna massif in central Nepal, typically completed in 12-18 days. The high point is Thorong La Pass at 5,416m, one of the highest trekking passes in the world. The trek is rated moderate to challenging. It does not require technical climbing, but it demands fitness, patience with altitude, and more planning than most trekkers account for.
Route and duration
The classic Annapurna Circuit begins at Besisahar (760m) and ends at Nayapul or Pokhara, looping around the Annapurna massif in an anticlockwise direction. Total distance varies between 160km and 230km depending on which sections you walk and which you cover by jeep on the road built through the lower valley.
Most operators run 12-18 day itineraries. The 14-16 day version is the most common: long enough for proper acclimatization before Thorong La, short enough to maintain momentum. Twelve-day itineraries exist but compress the acclimatization schedule in ways that increase altitude risk.
A note on the road: jeep tracks have replaced parts of the original trail between Besisahar and Dharapani, and between Kagbeni and Jomsom. Some trekkers walk these sections regardless. Others take jeeps to skip the road dust and concentrate walking days in the upper sections. Neither choice is wrong, but plan knowing the terrain has changed since the circuit was first mapped.
How difficult is the Annapurna Circuit?
The trek is rated moderate to challenging. Most of the difficulty comes from altitude and duration, not technical terrain. There are no ropes, no glaciers to cross, no technical scrambling. What there is: 5-7 hour walking days, often on rough trail, at elevations that climb steadily past 3,500m before the pass.
A reasonably fit trekker can complete the Annapurna Circuit. Nobody should walk in expecting an easy stroll. But this is not a mountaineering objective. It is a long, high-altitude trekking route with one serious crux day.
That crux is Thorong La.
Thorong La Pass (5,416m)
The pass day starts at 4am from Thorong Phedi or High Camp. You gain around 1,000m to the summit of the pass, then descend 1,600m to Muktinath on the other side. Total walking time: 8-12 hours depending on conditions and pace.
At 5,416m, the air holds roughly half the oxygen it does at sea level. Headaches are normal. Moving slowly is the only way through. People who have crossed it describe the day in terms that are hard to argue with: one of the hardest things they have done physically, and one of the most worthwhile. The views from the summit, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri stretching in every direction, are the payoff.
Start early. Every hour past sunrise increases wind and cold. Groups that leave at 4am reach the pass by 8-9am in manageable conditions. Groups that leave at 7am sometimes arrive in weather that makes the descent miserable. The timing is not a suggestion.
How much does the Annapurna Circuit cost in 2026?
Costs vary by how you organise the trek. An honest breakdown for a 14-day trip:
Permits: NPR 3,000 for the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) per person for foreign nationals. TIMS card requirements are currently in transition – confirm the current status with your operator before you travel.
Licensed guide: Required since April 2023 by Nepal government directive. Solo trekking without a licensed guide is not permitted in the Annapurna region. Budget USD 25-35 per day. This is not optional.
Porter: Not required but strongly recommended for multi-week treks at altitude. USD 15-25 per day. One porter carries 10-15kg for one or two trekkers.
Teahouse accommodation: NPR 300-700 per person per night in a basic double room. Rooms include a bed, blanket, and access to a shared bathroom.
Food: Dal bhat is the staple and the best value. Expect NPR 200-300 in lower villages, NPR 700-1,000+ above 3,500m. Every 1,000m of altitude adds to the cost. Budget NPR 1,500-3,000 per day on food, more above Manang.
Gear: If you do not own a sleeping bag rated to -15°C and a down jacket, rent them in Kathmandu or Pokhara. NPR 200-400 per item per day.
Full package pricing through a registered Nepal operator: USD 900-1,800 per person for 14-16 days, inclusive of licensed guide, permits, teahouse accommodation, and most meals. The range reflects group size, service level, and included extras.
Permits for the Annapurna Circuit
Two documents are required:
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): NPR 3,000 per person for foreign nationals, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. Obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu, or at the permit checkpoint in Besisahar.
TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System): Requirements have shifted in recent years. Your operator will confirm current rules before departure.
Mandatory licensed guide: Since April 2023, Nepal’s government requires all trekkers in designated high-altitude areas, including the Annapurna Circuit, to be accompanied by a government-licensed guide registered through an authorised agency. Trekkers found without a guide at checkpoints can be turned back. This applies to all nationalities.
For a full breakdown of permit procedures, costs, and checkpoint locations, see our Annapurna Circuit permit guide.
Best time to trek the Annapurna Circuit
October and November are the peak months. Post-monsoon skies are clear, mountain views are unobstructed, and Thorong La conditions are reliable. This is also when trails are busiest. Book teahouses and flights to Pokhara or Kathmandu well in advance.
March and May are the spring shoulder season. Rhododendrons bloom below 3,500m from late March through April. Conditions are good, slightly warmer at altitude, and trails carry fewer trekkers than autumn. May brings haze in some years before the monsoon breaks.
December to February: Thorong La can be impassable after heavy snowfall. Some trekkers complete the circuit in winter with proper gear and a flexible itinerary. Most operators advise against it without prior cold-weather experience at altitude.
June to September is monsoon season. Trails are wet below 2,500m, leeches are present in lower sections, and mountain views are often cloud-covered. The upper sections from Manang onwards stay relatively dry. Permits are available year-round.
What to expect on the trail
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the most environmentally diverse treks in Nepal. The terrain shifts in a way that most shorter routes do not match.
The lower sections begin in subtropical forest: waterfalls, terraced rice fields, dense vegetation. As you gain altitude the landscape transitions through pine valleys, open river gorges, and eventually the high plateau approaching Manang. Above Manang, you are in Himalayan desert, barren and windswept, with Annapurna III and Gangapurna visible across the valley. Beyond the pass, the descent into Mustang is a different country again.
Teahouses: Every main village on the route has teahouse accommodation. Rooms are basic, a bed, a blanket, a shared bathroom. The common dining room with a central stove is where trekkers gather each evening. Hot showers cost extra (NPR 200-400). Electricity is available for charging at most stops.
Food: Dal bhat twice a day is how most trekkers fuel the trek. It is unlimited refills for a fixed price, carbohydrate-dense, and the best value on any teahouse menu. The menu expands at lower altitudes and contracts above 4,000m, where everything is carried in by porter or mule.
Cash: There are no ATMs between Besisahar and Jomsom. Carry enough rupees for the full duration of the upper circuit before you leave Besisahar. Calculate conservatively: accommodation, food, hot showers, and unexpected extras for a full week or more.
Altitude sickness: what you need to know
Above 2,500m, altitude sickness can affect anyone. Fitness level is not a reliable predictor. Above 5,000m on Thorong La day, some degree of breathlessness and headache is essentially universal.
The standard approach: ascend slowly, drink water consistently, and rest actively rather than passively at acclimatization stops.
Manang (3,540m) is the designated acclimatization day on most itineraries. Do not spend it in bed. Hike to Gangapurna Lake or Ice Lake at 4,600m. Moving at altitude helps your body adjust. Lying in the teahouse does not. This is not intuitive, but it is well-established.
Symptoms requiring descent: persistent severe headache not relieved by rest or ibuprofen, loss of coordination, confusion, or fluid build-up in the lungs (wet cough, breathlessness at rest). These are medical emergencies. Descent is the treatment. Licensed guides carry pulse oximeters and know the protocol. Groups without a guide in these conditions are managing a serious risk alone.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the Annapurna Circuit trek?
Most itineraries run 12-18 days. A 14-16 day itinerary allows proper acclimatization before Thorong La and is the standard recommendation for first-time trekkers on this route.
Is the Annapurna Circuit suitable for beginners?
Yes, with preparation. You do not need technical climbing skills. You need to walk 5-7 hours a day for two weeks and take altitude seriously. Physical training for 8-12 weeks before departure, hiking with a weighted pack, makes a real difference.
Do I need a guide for the Annapurna Circuit?
Yes. Since April 2023, Nepal’s government requires all trekkers in the Annapurna region to be accompanied by a licensed guide registered through an authorised agency. Solo trekking is not permitted.
What permits are needed?
The ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) is required for all trekkers. TIMS card requirements are currently in transition – confirm current rules with your operator before departure. See our full permit guide for up-to-date checkpoint locations and costs.
When is the best time to trek the Annapurna Circuit?
October-November for the clearest skies and most reliable Thorong La conditions. March-May for spring weather, fewer crowds, and rhododendron season in the lower sections.
How much does the Annapurna Circuit cost?
Full package pricing through a registered operator runs USD 900-1,800 per person for 14-16 days, inclusive of guide, permits, teahouse accommodation, and most meals. Budget trekkers managing their own arrangements spend USD 40-60 per day on ground costs, plus permit and guide fees on top.
