Of all the classic treks in Nepal, the Annapurna Circuit is the one that refuses to be summarised in a single sentence. It begins in subtropical jungle, climbs through Tibetan-plateau villages, crosses a 5,416 m pass that has tested every trekker who has faced it, and descends into the sacred Muktinath valley. In 15–20 days, it delivers more geographical and cultural diversity than some trekkers experience in a lifetime.
This is the definitive guide to planning your Annapurna Circuit trek in 2025.
Annapurna Circuit at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Distance | 160–230 km (varies by route variations) |
| Duration | 12–20 days |
| Highest Point | Thorong La Pass — 5,416 m |
| Start Point | Besisahar or Chame (by jeep) |
| End Point | Nayapul or Pokhara (via Jomsom or Tatopani) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to Challenging |
| Best Season | March–May, October–November |
The Route: Day by Day Overview
Phase 1: The Green Valley (Days 1–5)
Besisahar → Manang (via Chame, Pisang)
The circuit begins at Besisahar (820 m), following the Marsyangdi River northward. Many trekkers now take a jeep to Chame (2,670 m) to save 2–3 days on a road that parallels the original trail. From Chame, the landscape opens dramatically: the Annapurna massif appears, prayer flags multiply, and the air begins to thin.
The approach to Pisang and Manang passes through oak and pine forests, ancient monasteries, and traditional stone villages where Gurung and Manangi culture blend in fascinating ways.
Phase 2: Acclimatisation in Manang (Days 6–7)
Manang (3,540 m) — 1–2 rest days
Manang is where experienced trekkers pause and impatient ones regret not pausing. Spend a full rest day here. Hike up to Ice Lake (4,600 m) for acclimatisation — do not ascend to sleep there. Attend the daily AMS briefing at the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic. Eat well, hydrate obsessively, and resist the urge to push on too quickly.
Phase 3: The Push to Thorong La (Days 8–9)
Manang → Yak Kharka → Thoraung Phedi (4,450 m)
Two shorter days carry you through increasingly bare, high-altitude terrain. Yaks replace cows. Stone walls replace terraces. The cold becomes serious. Tea houses cluster around Thoraung Phedi, the last stop before the pass.
Phase 4: Crossing Thorong La (Day 10)
Thoraung Phedi → Thorong La (5,416 m) → Muktinath (3,800 m)
Start between 2 AM and 4 AM — this is not optional. Afternoon winds on Thorong La can be dangerous, and slower trekkers need maximum daylight. The climb of 1,000+ metres in altitude is brutal: switchbacks on frozen scree in the dark, headlamp beams bobbing ahead and behind.
The pass itself is marked by a cairn, prayer flags, and an overwhelming sense of relief. From there, a long, knee-testing descent of 1,600 m leads to the sacred Muktinath temple complex — a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.
Phase 5: Mustang and the Descent (Days 11–15)
Muktinath → Kagbeni → Marpha → Tatopani → Nayapul
The western side of the circuit is the Annapurna Circuit's best-kept secret. The Kali Gandaki Gorge — the world's deepest gorge — draws you south through sand-blasted canyon landscapes. Marpha is famous for its apple brandy and orchards. Tatopani (literally "hot water") offers natural hot springs that dissolve two weeks of trail grime.
Many trekkers now fly out from Jomsom airport instead of walking the final road sections to Pokhara.
Permits Required
Three permits are required for the Annapurna Circuit:
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) — NPR 3,000 (~USD 22) per person
- TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System) — NPR 2,000 (~USD 15) for organised groups, NPR 3,000 (~USD 22) for FITs (independent trekkers)
- A restricted area permit is NOT required for the standard Circuit (unlike Mustang or Manaslu)
Permits are obtained in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pradarshani Marg, or at the ACAP office in Pokhara. Bring passport photos and a copy of your passport.
Best Time for the Annapurna Circuit
Spring (March–May) ✅ Best Overall
- Rhododendron forests in full bloom
- Stable weather, warm afternoons
- Busy trails but not overwhelming
Autumn (October–November) ✅ Best Visibility
- Crystal-clear mountain views after the monsoon clears the haze
- Stable, dry weather — considered the classic trekking season
- Trails are at their busiest
Winter (December–February) ⚠️ For Experienced Trekkers Only
- Thorong La may be closed due to snow
- Tea houses at high altitude may be closed or minimal service
- Stunning snow scenery, very few crowds
Monsoon (June–September) ❌ Not Recommended
- Heavy rain, leeches, landslide risk on lower sections
- Thorong La is foggy but usually passable
- The Mustang (rain-shadow) side remains dry — an option for the western circuit only
Daily Cost on the Annapurna Circuit
| Expense | Budget (NPR/day) | Mid-Range (NPR/day) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 200–500 | 500–1,500 |
| Meals (3x) | 800–1,200 | 1,500–2,500 |
| Drinks/snacks | 200–400 | 400–800 |
| Guide (per person) | 1,500–2,000 | 2,000–3,000 |
| Total (approx.) | ₨ 3,000–4,500 | ₨ 5,000–8,000 |
Top Tips for the Annapurna Circuit
- Hire a licensed local guide — rewarding culturally and practically
- Book Thoraung Phedi accommodation early — only a handful of tea houses exist at this crucial staging point
- Start Thorong La no later than 4 AM — 2 AM is ideal for slower hikers
- Carry cash (NPR) — ATMs exist in Manang but are unreliable; no ATMs west of there
- Consider the Nar–Phu Valley side trip — a restricted, stunningly remote extension near Manang
- Pack layers you can add and remove quickly — temperature swings of 30°C between morning and midday are normal
Why the Annapurna Circuit Still Reigns
Thirty years of road construction has shortened optional sections of the circuit, leading some trekkers to declare it diminished. They are wrong. The core of the circuit — the high Marsyangdi valley, the Manang acclimatisation days, the Thorong La crossing, and the Kali Gandaki descent — remains as magnificent and demanding as ever.
The Annapurna Circuit does not just show you Nepal. It shows you a cross-section of the entire Himalayan world.
Put it on your list. Then put it at the top.