Classic Annapurna Circuit Trek - 13 Days, Itinerary, Cost, Permits

You leave Kathmandu early and drive toward Besisahar and Bhulbhule. The road passes hills, rivers, villages, farms, and parts of the Marsyangdi Valley.

This is a long road day. Road conditions can change by season, so patience helps. Bhulbhule gives you the first feel of the Annapurna route. You sleep in a tea house and prepare your daypack for the first walking day.

Sleep: Bhulbhule teahouse
Altitude: 840 m / 2,756 ft
Time: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Safety point: Drink water during the drive and keep your warm layer easy to reach.

The first walking day follows the Marsyangdi River. You walk along the west bank, cross bridges, and climb through terraced fields toward Khudi and Bahundanda.

The trail moves through forest, hillside paths, and village sections before reaching Jagat and then Chamje. On clear days, the valley gives early views toward Manaslu, Himalchuli, and Boudha Himal.

Sleep: Chamje teahouse
Altitude: 1,133 m / 3,717 ft
Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Guide tip: Keep your pace slow on the first walking day. Let your body warm into the trek.

After breakfast, you cross a suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River and climb toward Tal. The trail passes fields of barley, wheat, and potatoes, then moves through pine forest and village areas.

You continue toward Dharapani, one of the larger villages in the Manang Valley area, then move onward to Danaque. This day gives you river views, farmland, forest, and a stronger mountain feel as the route gains height.

Sleep: Dharapani teahouse
Altitude: 1,860 m / 6,102 ft
Time: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Safety point: Watch your footing on bridge exits, wet stones, and uneven steps.

From Dharapani, we will start our trek early in the morning around 6 AM and head toward Chame. In the beginning, the trail passes through local Gurung villages, and the walk is easy and gentle until reaching Danque village.

After that, there is about a two-hour uphill climb to Timang, where you can enjoy amazing views of the Manaslu mountain range. We may have lunch here or take a short tea break before continuing to Thanchok for lunch.

From Thanchok, the trail to Chame is easy and comfortable. It takes about one and a half hours to reach Chame by crossing Koto village. Don’t forget to check your trekking permit at Koto before arriving in Chame.

Sleep: Chame teahouse
Altitude: 2,650m/ 8,745ft
Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Guide tip: You gain a lot of height by this day. Walk slow, drink water, and tell your guide if you feel headache, nausea, or unusual tiredness.

Today, after breakfast at the same teahouse, you will start your trek like the previous days. First, you will cross the Marsyangdi River and enjoy beautiful views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II on your left side.

As you continue, you will experience Buddhist culture with prayer flags, monasteries, stupas, and local people along the trail. After the next village, be careful while crossing a permanent landslide area and follow the signboards carefully.

About an hour later, you will reach an apple farm where you can rest and try fresh apples, apple juice, or apple pie. Then the trail continues toward Dhukurpokhari, which takes around two hours. Stay on the trekking trail so you do not miss the amazing mountain views.

After enjoying the viewpoint, you will reach Dhukurpokhari in about 20 minutes for lunch with a great mountain view. Finally, you will continue to Pisang by crossing the Marsyangdi River again. The walk takes around two more hours to reach your camp.

Sleep: Pisang Teahouse
Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,890 ft
Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Guide tip: Don’t forget to visit Monastery for acclimatize and cultural experience

From here, we will start our journey early because this is a longer trekking day. At first, the trail goes through a pine forest. After about 45 minutes, do not miss the left-side trail to Green Lake, where you can see the beautiful reflection of Annapurna II and Annapurna IV. It is a perfect place for photos.

Then we continue toward the traditional Gurung village of Ghyaru. Be ready for about two hours of uphill climbing, but the effort is rewarded with amazing mountain views, including the first views of Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.

After reaching Ghyaru, you can take a short break at the beautiful monastery or enjoy tea and coffee at the teahouses. The trail then becomes easier, but you still need around two more hours of walking to reach Nawal for lunch. Since the village is at around 3,800 meters, it is also a good place for acclimatization.

After lunch, we descend toward Manang. The trail begins with about 45 minutes of downhill walking, followed by around two hours of flat trail with stunning mountain and valley views. On the way, we pass through Braga. If you are interested, do not miss visiting Braga Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the region.

Sleep: Manang teahouse
Altitude: 3,440 m / 11,286 ft
Time: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Safety point: This is a longer walking day at higher altitude. Keep your pace steady and avoid rushing into Manang.

You stay in Manang for acclimatization. This day helps your body adjust before you move above 4,000 m.

You do not stay idle all day. A short hike to Bhojo Gumba or Gangapurna Lake can help your body adjust. If time and energy allow, your guide may include Braga village or the Himalayan Rescue Association area.

Sleep: Manang teahouse
Altitude: 3,440 m / 11,286 ft
Time: Free day with short acclimatization walk
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Guide tip: Eat well, drink water, and tell your guide about any headache, dizziness, sleep issue, or loss of appetite.

You leave Manang and cross a stream before rising toward Tenki village. The trail climbs out of the Marsyangdi Valley and moves toward open pastures and dwarf trees.

You pass Ghunsa and walk through yak-grazing meadows. After crossing a wooden bridge, the route rises beside an old mani wall and reaches Yak Kharka. This is a shorter day, but the altitude makes the walk feel slower.

Sleep: Yak Kharka teahouse
Altitude: 4,110 m / 13,484 ft
Time: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Safety point: Above 4,000 m, slow walking matters more than speed. Keep your body warm after arrival.

The trail from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi climbs steadily. You cross a suspension bridge and pass Ledar before moving through cliffside terrain toward Thorong Phedi.

This section can feel dry, cold, and exposed. On the way, the route gives views of Gudang, Syagang, Thorong Peak, and Khatungkan. Thorong Phedi means the foot of the mountain, and it is the base area before the pass crossing.

Sleep: Thorong Phedi teahouse
Altitude: 4,600 m / 15,092 ft
Time: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Guide tip: Pack your pass-day items before sleeping. Keep gloves, headlamp, warm jacket, water, snacks, and wind layer ready.

This is the hardest day of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. You start very early, often around 4 AM, to avoid stronger wind and cloud later in the day.

From Thorong Phedi, you climb toward Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m / 17,769 ft. The climb is slow and cold. After photos and a short rest at the pass, you descend toward Muktinath. The descent can be long and rough, with loose gravel in some places. Your guide sets the pace and watches the group closely.

Muktinath is a sacred site for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. Reaching this village after the pass feels like a major point in the trek.

Sleep: Muktinath teahouse
Altitude: 5,416 m / 17,769 ft at Thorong La Pass; sleep lower in Muktinath
Time: 9-10 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Safety point: This day needs warm layers, early start, slow pace, and care on the descent.

After the high pass day, the trail moves through the dry Kali Gandaki Valley toward Jomsom. You may walk through Kagbeni or Lupra, based on route conditions and guide choice.

The land on this side feels different from Manang. It is dry, windy, and wide, with views of Tilicho Mountain and nearby hills. Jomsom is a windy town in a cold valley and marks the final walking part of the package route.

Sleep: Jomsom teahouse
Altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Guide tip: Wind can rise in the Kali Gandaki Valley. Keep sunglasses, scarf, and wind layer

You travel from Jomsom to Pokhara in public bus.

If road travel is used, a day of travel can take 8-9 hours. If flight is used and weather allows, the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara is much shorter. Mountain flights depend on weather and schedule.

Private Jeep or Flight is available for transport on request.

Sleep: Pokhara hotel
Altitude: 822 m / 2,697 ft
Time: 8-9 hours by road, or shorter by flight when available
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

After breakfast, you drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The road passes Damauli, Dumre, Mugling, Kurintar, Naubise, and Thankot before entering Kathmandu.

After arrival, you check in at the hotel and rest. The package includes a farewell dinner, which gives the group time to mark the end of the trek and speak with the team.

Sleep: Kathmandu hotel
Altitude: 1,300 m / 4,265 ft
Time: 5-6 hours, based on road conditions
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner
Guide tip: Keep your flight details ready so the team can plan the airport transfer.