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Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary

A great Himalayan circuit over the Thorong La pass at 5,416 m. A 11-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

11 days

5 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

5,416 m

Thorong La

Difficulty

Challenging

Annapurna

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k6k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startThorong La: about 5,416 mDay 1: Besisahar, about 760 mDay 2: Chame, about 2,710 mDay 3: Pisang, about 3,200 mDay 4: Manang, about 3,540 mDay 5: Manang, about 3,540 mDay 6: Yak Kharka, about 4,050 mDay 7: Thorong Phedi, about 4,450 mDay 8: Muktinath, about 3,760 mDay 9: Jomsom, about 2,720 mDay 10: Pokhara, about 820 mDay 11: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m1234567891011Day

1 day climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Besisahar

    Sleep: Besisahar · about 760 m6 to 8 h by road

    Drive along the Prithvi Highway to Besisahar, the traditional start of the circuit.

  2. Day 2

    Besisahar to Chame

    Sleep: Chame · about 2,710 m (sources: 2,670 to 2,710 m)5 to 6 h by jeep (varies with road conditions)

    The road follows the Marsyangdi river, passing Dharapani (about 1,860 m) where permits are checked. Walk instead if you want the full lower route.

  3. Day 3

    Chame to Pisang

    Sleep: Pisang · about 3,200 m (sources: 3,115 to 3,330 m)Walking 5 to 6 hSleeping altitude +490 m

    Through pine forest beneath the Paungda Danda rock face, with views of Annapurna II. Sources disagree on Pisang's altitude by up to 200 m.

  4. Day 4

    Pisang to Manang

    Sleep: Manang · about 3,540 mWalking 5 to 6 hSleeping altitude +340 m

    Pass Braga and its monastery. The higher Ngawal route is a better acclimatisation walk.

  5. Day 5 · rest day

    Acclimatisation day at Manang

    Sleep: Manang · about 3,540 mWalking 2 to 4 h

    Do not skip it. Hike to Gangapurna Lake or toward Ice Lake and return to sleep at Manang. The Himalayan Rescue Association post in Manang gives altitude talks in the trekking season.

  6. Day 6

    Manang to Yak Kharka

    Sleep: Yak Kharka · about 4,050 m (sources: 4,018 to 4,200 m)Walking 3 to 4 hSleeping altitude +510 m

    A short day with views of Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 510 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  7. Day 7

    Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi

    Sleep: Thorong Phedi · about 4,450 m (sources: 4,420 to 4,540 m)Walking 3 to 4 hSleeping altitude +400 m

    Cross a suspension bridge and rocky slopes to the base of the pass. Some trekkers go on to High Camp (about 4,880 m) to shorten the pass day.

  8. Day 8

    Thorong Phedi over Thorong La to Muktinath

    Sleep: Muktinath · about 3,760 mWalking 8 to 10 hReach Thorong La · about 5,416 m

    Start between 3 and 5 am to avoid afternoon winds. Roughly 4 to 6 hours to the pass from Thorong Phedi (about 3.5 to 5 hours from High Camp), then a steep descent to Muktinath. Turn back if the weather turns or if symptoms of altitude sickness appear.

  9. Day 9

    Muktinath to Jomsom

    Sleep: Jomsom · about 2,720 m1 to 2 h by jeep, or walk via Kagbeni

    Visit the Muktinath temple, then travel through the dry Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom.

  10. Day 10

    Jomsom to Pokhara

    Sleep: Pokhara · about 820 mFlight about 25 min (morning only, weather dependent), or about 8 to 9 h by road

    Flights from Jomsom are often delayed by wind, so allow a spare day.

  11. Day 11

    Pokhara to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 m6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight

    Return to Kathmandu. Keep a spare day before an international flight in case of delays.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

The Annapurna Circuit goes around the Annapurna massif, from the green Marsyangdi valley to the dry, high Manang valley, over Thorong La (5,416 m) and down to Muktinath and the Kali Gandaki valley. Road construction has shortened the traditional route, and jeeps now reach far up both sides, so many trekkers walk only the upper sections.

The crossing of Thorong La is the crux. Go from west to east (Manang to Muktinath), take the Manang rest day, and start before dawn. The Himalayan Rescue Association post in Manang gives altitude talks in the trekking season.

Day-by-day itinerary (11 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Besisahar. Sleep at Besisahar (about 760 m). 6 to 8 h by road.
  2. Day 2: Besisahar to Chame. Sleep at Chame (about 2,710 m). 5 to 6 h by jeep (varies with road conditions).
  3. Day 3: Chame to Pisang. Sleep at Pisang (about 3,200 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  4. Day 4: Pisang to Manang. Sleep at Manang (about 3,540 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  5. Day 5: Acclimatisation day at Manang. Sleep at Manang (about 3,540 m). Walking about 2 to 4 h.
  6. Day 6: Manang to Yak Kharka. Sleep at Yak Kharka (about 4,050 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h.
  7. Day 7: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi. Sleep at Thorong Phedi (about 4,450 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h.
  8. Day 8: Thorong Phedi over Thorong La to Muktinath. Sleep at Muktinath (about 3,760 m). Walking about 8 to 10 h. Reach Thorong La (about 5,416 m).
  9. Day 9: Muktinath to Jomsom. Sleep at Jomsom (about 2,720 m). 1 to 2 h by jeep, or walk via Kagbeni.
  10. Day 10: Jomsom to Pokhara. Sleep at Pokhara (about 820 m). Flight about 25 min (morning only, weather dependent), or about 8 to 9 h by road.
  11. Day 11: Pokhara to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). 6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height. Crossing Thorong La outside the main seasons is dangerous because of avalanche, frostbite and whiteout risk.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Annapurna Circuit Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 11 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 5 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Annapurna Circuit Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Thorong La, at about 5,416 m.

What is the best time for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height. Crossing Thorong La outside the main seasons is dangerous because of avalanche, frostbite and whiteout risk.

Do I need a permit for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

Which direction should I walk the Annapurna Circuit?

Counter-clockwise, from Besisahar over Thorong La to Muktinath. Going the other way gives you less time to acclimatise before the pass and is much harder.

How long does the Annapurna Circuit take now that there are roads?

This plan uses 11 days from Kathmandu with driving on the lower sections. A fully walked circuit takes around 14 to 21 days. Choose the sections you want to walk.

How hard is crossing Thorong La?

It is a long day of 8 to 10 hours, starting before dawn, with about 3.5 to 5 hours to the top. The pass is a non-technical walk in season but it is cold and windy, and altitude sickness is the main risk.