The Annapurna Circuit is a trekking route in the Annapurna mountains of the Himalayas in Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the best treks in the world, though road construction is threatening its reputation and its future as a classic trek. Yet no one disputes that the scenery is outstanding: 17 to 21 days long, this trek takes you through distinct regional scenery of rivers, flora, fauna and above all, mountains.

See also: Trekking in Nepal

The Annapurna Circuit trek is usually a counter-clockwise loop from Besisahar to Nayapul, and reaches its summit halfway at Thorung La Pass, at a height of 5,416 m (17,769 ft). Some trekkers have trekked clockwise, but be warned: summiting Thorong La from West to East is incredibly difficult, a vastly steep and lengthy climb up more than 1.5 km in elevation gain, over 8-10 km in horizontal distance, up unstable and dangerous rocky gullies with upper sections having no marked trail (especially if it snowed), low oxygen, and no tea houses or camps save for one or two abandoned stone huts. Most trekkers are exhausted even from hiking down this section of the trek, so choose wisely - but intrepid trekkers have hiked it clockwise.

The traditional trek starts at Besisahar, on the eastern side of the loop, hiking north and west to Manang and Thorong La. This portion of the trek follows the Marsyangdi River upstream, to its source near the village of Manang. To get there, several days of up-hill hiking are required. From Dharapani to Kagbeni you will be walking the Annapurna section of The Great Himalaya Trail, a long distance trekking route that connects Nepal from East to West. After you reach the source of the Marsyangdi, you leave the dusty jeep road behind and hike up an ancient walking trail, up, up, up until you summit Thorong La pass - a grueling day of hiking - and then you descend back down the other side to Muktinath and Kagbeni, where the trail meets up with the Kali Gandaki River (and the western section of the Circuit). Many trekkers choose to finish their ~12-day-trek in Muktinath or Jomsom, either taking a very bumpy jeep or bus ride from Muktinath to Pokhara, or a small plane from Jomsom. Another option is to ride down by mountain bike from Muktinath or Jomsom, turning those bumpy roads into a positive thing for tourism. Mustang is on its way to becoming a major downhill biking destination, thanks to its beautiful scenery and the fact that one descends from 4000 m to 1200 m altitude along this jeep road or single-tracking it on alternative walking trails. Either way, it is advisable to stay off the jeep roads whenever possible, especially in this latter section of the trek, as they are narrow, steep, and dangerous. Buy a map and hike the trails. Despite the poor condition of the road, the western side of the trek is said by many locals to be more beautiful, though, especially at stops like Tatopani (which literally means hot springs). At the western end of the trek by Nayapul, several options are available, including adding on a trek to Poon Hill and/or the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC Trek), aka the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.

There are four regions that are passed through on the traditional counter-clockwise trek; Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, and Myagdi. Lamjung and Myagdi, of the lower elevations, are both predominantly Hindu and with lush green subtropical valleys with villages and terraced farming. Manang and Mustang are of the higher elevations and are predominantly Tibetan Buddhist. The Manang people are Gurung (not Tibetan descent) and are very proud of their unique cultural heritage. People of Mustang identify themselves a lot closer with Tibet and the Mustang region has actually been part of Tibet in history. Mustang also is one of the last places in the world to view the ancient Bonpo Religion in action. Villages to note for Bonpo are Thini and Lupra near Jomsom, and Nargon near Kobang. The trek also goes through Buddhist villages and Hindu holy sites, most notably just after you come down from Thorong La Pass into the dusty town of Muktinath. Its temple is a revered holy site for both Buddhists and Hindus. Just before you get to Manang, the small community of Braga (Braka) has one of the oldest (and most picturesque) monasteries in the region.

The route goes past the following mountains: Manaslu (an over-8,000-meter peak), Langtang Himal, Annapurna II and IV, Annapurna III and Gangapurna, and, of course, Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, passing through the world's deepest gorge in between those two over-8,000-m peaks. Poon Hill, at the end of the trek, affords views of those two mountains, and of South Annapurna and Machapuchare, the "Fishtail Mountain."

Note that as of 2023, you are legally required to hire a guide, although in practice, you don't need to. Many trekkers still hike without a guide, although it is adviseable to hike the Circuit with at least one other person. The police checkpoints along the trail (such as in Dharapani and Koto) only require the ACAP permit, not the TIMS registration, and do not hassle any hiker that doesn't have a guide (although they might hassle you if you are alone).

This is a "teahouse trek," meaning there are villages with lodgings to stay in and restaurants to eat in along the entire route. You are expected to eat dinner and breakfast in the same place where you are spending the night. Prices of rooms are often inexpensive because of this (Rs 100 to Rs 500 for a room); lodge owners tend to make their money on the food and drinks they are selling you than on the room where you are sleeping. However, in the higher elevations, especially around the Pass, expect to pay Rs 800 for a room. Note that most rooms have two or sometimes three single beds (so you could share if you are willing), and occasionally rooms have only one double bed. The bed linens, especially the blankets, are often not washed (especially at higher elevations), where they are usually just "aired-out". If this bothers you, bring a sleeping bag or a liner, but you don't need a sleeping bag at any point of the trek (as of 2024) if you can relax your standards of cleanliness. Also note that although the temperature is cold, you can always ask for more blankets. Even in the winter, a sleeping bag is unnecessary. Instead, bring an emergency blanket if you are still concerned.

Also, be prepared for all manner of bathrooms. Sometimes you'll get a modern flush toilet with private access, other times you'll have to venture out in the cold to use a smelly public squat toilet. Even so, all lodges have running water. However, it may not always be hot water. Typically, a solar shower will give you a luke-warm 'power shower' if it's been a sunny day. Better yet is to ask if the guest house has gas showers, which are on-demand, propane-heated hot water). Otherwise, especially in the winter, you might have to ask for the "bucket" shower (a humbling experience for most westerners used to the comforts of modern showers). Another thing to do is ask if the water pipes run through the fire in the dining room or kitchen, as once the fire is going you'll be steaming with the best of them!

Before you go on the trek, and every day before you set out to hike, check on the status of the road and trails. Construction of the road (and certain sections of the trail) has interfered with trekking, with some parts being dangerous to navigate. Locals tend to talk up the road and downplay its negative aspects. Road walks in Nepal are very unpleasant, and unhealthy, due to the large amounts of powdery dust that tend to be kicked up from passing jeeps and buses. It is always better to take the primary red trails (look for the red/white flags painted along the trail), and if you're up for an adventure, try the blue/white secondary trails - although these trails are often very steep and challenging (especially the one east of Syange/Jagat up to Chipla). Ask your guest house proprietor if he/she has any information on the current status of the trails/road before you set out each day.

Budget

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Bring along a sufficient amount of money for the entire trek, though apparently you can use cash traveler's checks or exchange US dollars in Jomsom or Chame. There are no ATMs on the trek after Manang (there is an 'IME' ATM in Manang and an ATM in Muktinath then Jomsom (July '23)). A day on the lower villages of the trek can cost as little as Rs 1500 (food and accommodation only). A day in the higher points of the trail can cost Rs 4000 (in 2024). You can do the trek for about USD 20 a day if you go independently, and probably cheaper if you budget your spending well, and share rooms.

Budget for Rs 1500 per day if you are a very modest spending trekker, though those on a budget can probably get by with even less. People who want to live it up a little should allow for more, perhaps double. Despite the efforts of ACAP there could be variations in pricing that will surprise. For some reason the region between Tal and Chame is more expensive than from Chame to Manang which is more difficult to access! As the prices seem to be fairly set throughout each village though do not concern yourself with hunting around a village looking for a cheaper place and try not to stop at the first lodge you see so that trekkers are spread through the village. Quite often the nicest lodges are on the way out of town.

In 2024, Rs 50,000-60,000 was enough for a very bougie trek from Besisahar to Jomson, per person, including beer and all-you-can-eat meals.

Map of Annapurna Circuit

The best part about this trek is the varied scenery it has to offer. You start from tropical forest in Besisahar, see terminal moraine near Manang and then move past the snow line across the Thorung La and then to the barren landscape of lower Mustang and Muktinath.

Guides are legally required, and as of 2024 can be easily hired in Pokhara or Kathmandu at many travel agencies. However, this 'law' is more of a suggestion than a hard rule. Locals will tell you that you 'must have a guide', but other trekkers (including yours-truly) hiked the circuit without one (in 2024). If you are the kind of person who bought all the gear just for this trek, and have never used a map before, then maybe you should hire a guide. If you are the kind of person who brings two suitcases as checked-baggage on a vacation, you should hire a porter. Again, this is not necessary for most people, but it does help funnel more money into the local economy of Nepal. As a classic "tea-house trek," which goes from village to village and does not require trekkers to bring along food or camping equipment, porters and guides are not actually necessary, though many trekkers still like to use them.

There are guesthouses in all the villages scattered along the trail so set whatever pace you like and enjoy the views.

The hike between Besisahar and Bhulbhule is pleasant enough. It is the jungly bit of the hike and provides a nice contrast to the various ecosystems you will be hiking through in the coming days. Therefore taking a bus to Bhulbhule is not recommended. It will likely take you the same amount of time either way as the road is a potholed mess and the buses are slow, uncomfortable and run infrequently.

You can try and walk the lower stages at a faster pace maybe combining two of them into one so that more time can be spent on acclimatization on the higher stages. For example, a couple of extra days can be spent at Manang (or even more scenic: at Upper Pisang) and utilized by climbing to one of the many peaks around it, or the ice lake, and coming back down so as to increase the production of red blood cells. You can also see the origin of the Marsyangdi river in Manang. Taking the high trail from Pisang via Ghyaru and Ngawal, and sleeping in either of those villages also helps acclimatization, and more importantly, those villages are very beautiful. As those villages are already higher in elevation than Manang, the extra acclimatization day in Manang can be skipped.

After you make it over Thorong La, the road from Muktinath all the way down to Nayapul is made of potholes and dust (2024). Definitely use the trails, if you can. It is possible to mountain-bike down from Muktinath to Tatopani, with bike rental available in Muktinath. Mustang Mountainbikes is a shop that has been there since 2011. They have good bikes and give all necessary information about mountainbiking on the road and alternative trails. For a typical ride from Muktinath to Tatopani, take 2-3 days.

Side trips

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Naar-Pho Valley

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Naar-Pho Valley was opened to foreigners in 2002 and only a comparatively few tourists have visited the area so far. The area has a totally Tibetan character and the two main villages 28.77384.2728916 Phugaon and 28.68107884.19863117 Naar are both located at over 4000 m altitude. A trekking permit is needed for this restricted area, and it must be arranged through a trekking agency. It is also compulsory to have a guide, and as there is not much tourism infrastructure to speak of, most groups visiting the area choose an old style camping trek with porters, cooks etc. Entrance to Naar-Pho is from Koto (before Chame) and exit is via Kang La pass 5300 m to Ngawal. A side trip to Naar-Pho requires 9 days if two nights are spent in both Phugaon and Naar. As hiking from Koto to Ngawal takes normally 2 days along the AC, a side trip to Naar-Pho adds about 7 days to the total trekking time.

Tilicho Lake

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The 28.68333383.8566671 Tilicho Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world at 4920 m and requires 2-3 days from Manang. Walk 3 hr to Khangsar, some maps will show a path along the south side of the valley, but this path is old, unused and wrecked by landslides, stick to the northern side.

You may be confused by people referring to the upper and lower path: there are actually three different paths. Two paths leave Khangsar, the lower one is (more) landslide prone and has no teahouses, use the upper one. About 45 min after Shree Kharka the path splits. The path upwards involves a lot more climbing and descending and is unsafe (the signpost to it is crossed out and has "Danger" scratched on it). Take the path downwards. Some people refer to this downwards path as the "lower path", causing confusion with the "even lower" path. Be aware that the path recommended above is marked as only a minor trail on some maps.

Out of Khangsar take the upper path 40 minutes to a monastery and a further 20 minutes to Shree Kharka, with two tea houses where you can have lunch or spend the night. There is another teahouse about 20 minutes after Shree Kharka.

Three hours on from Shree Kharka you will reach Tilicho Base Camp, with three teahouses and another under construction.

The lake is reached by walking three hours up from the Tilicho Base Camp at approximately 4100 m. It's a tough, steep, consistent climb and will be by far the highest you've been at this point in your trek. Snow leopards are around in this area but you are more likely to see blue sheep and yaks. It's possible to reach base camp and climb to the lake in one day from Shree Kharka but it's best to stay overnight at base camp, then head up very early in the morning to get the best weather; it gets very windy after 11:00 and the clouds can start forming as early as 08:00. Being at the lake can be very cold: be sure to bring warm clothes. There is a teahouse there where you can get food and tea, but no accommodation except in an emergency. The teahouse may not open in low season, the staff come up from base camp each day, so check there before heading up.

It takes 1½ hours to get back to base camp. Once down you could stay the night, or continue 3 hr back to Shree Kharka (or 2 hr 45 min back to just before Shree Kharka). The next day it is possible to walk directly to Yak Kharka via Old Khangasar so you do not have to backtrack all the way to Manang, there is a clear signpost at a split in the path just after Shree Karka. It takes approximately 4hrs to get from Shree Kharka to Yak Kharka.

Your safety on the Annapurna Circuit hinges on respecting the altitude. Acclimatize by ascending gradually, staying well-hydrated, and never ignoring the early signs of Acute Mountain Sickness like headaches or nausea; if symptoms worsen, you must descend. Equally important is preparing for the unpredictable mountain weather, so pack essential layers including waterproof and windproof gear, even if the forecast seems clear. Finally, maintain your health by drinking only purified water and carrying a basic first-aid kit. Responsible trekking is key to safely experiencing the majesty of the Himalayas.

Depending on where you end your trek, buses and jeeps are available to take you to Pokhara, a nice little city on a lake, to spend a few days unwinding and relaxing at Lakeside. Kathmandu is about a six-hour bus ride or half-hour flight from Pokhara, easily arranged once you're ready to leave the lakeside town.