14 Days
Daily Tour
10 people
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Few trails on earth pack five distinct ecological zones into a single circuit, and the Annapurna Circuit does exactly that across its loop around the Annapurna Massif in Gandaki Province. The route climbs from subtropical forest through temperate woodland, alpine scrub, and high-altitude desert before crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters, one of the highest trekking passes in the world. Along the way, the trail passes through villages shaped by four distinct ethnic communities, each with its own architecture, festivals, and religious practices.
This itinerary is built around a full acclimatization day at Manang, daily wellness checks from a licensed guide, and a drive to Chame that saves two full days of road-parallel walking. Two reserve days are built in as well, covering weather delays or extra rest if the pass crossing calls for it.
The trail also passes Muktinath Temple at 3,800 meters, sacred to both Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims and known for its 108 water spouts and natural eternal flame. Since opening to foreign trekkers in 1977, this route has become one of Nepal’s most recognized long-distance circuits, drawing trekkers for its rare combination of geography, culture, and altitude within a single journey.
A drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar and on to Chame opens the trek, preserving your energy for the genuine mountain sections ahead. From Chame, the trail follows the Marsyangdi River north through pine forest to Pisang and Manang, with the Annapurna massif visible along the eastern skyline throughout.
Above Manang, the landscape shifts into arid, Tibetan-influenced terrain of ochre hills and glacial moraine, climbing steadily toward Thorong La Pass. After the crossing, the trail descends sharply to Muktinath, where the temple’s water spouts and eternal flame mark the end of the high alpine section.
From Muktinath, a jeep transfer carries you down the Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom, followed by a flight to Pokhara that closes out the circuit’s roughly 110 kilometers of trail.
A few essential items make the difference between a comfortable trek and a difficult one, especially on pass day.
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. The evening includes a welcome dinner, team introduction, and a full trek briefing covering permits, safety protocols, and the gear checklist. Your guide takes your first set of vitals, recording your baseline oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and temperature. Overnight at a hotel.
Before breakfast, your guide checks your oxygen levels, pulse, and temperature. Day 2 is reserved for permit processing, gear checks, and any final equipment purchases in Thamel. Kalapatthar handles ACAP and TIMS permit processing at the relevant government offices. Thamel has well-stocked trekking shops for any missing gear. Optional guided visits to Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, or Swayambhunath are available. Early rest is recommended before the long drive. Evening health check conducted. Overnight at a hotel.
Start your morning with a quick wellness assessment from your guide before breakfast. Depart Kathmandu by private jeep for the drive to Besisahar via the Prithvi Highway. Besisahar at 760 m is the official administrative start of the Annapurna Circuit and the entry point for ACAP registration. Arrive in the late afternoon. Evening health check conducted. Overnight at a teahouse.
Your guide measures your oxygen saturation and pulse before you head out for the day. An early departure by local vehicle covers the 65 kilometres of rough mountain road to Chame. The road passes through Bahundanda, Chamje, and Tal, with views of the upper Marsyangdi valley opening as the route climbs. Arrive in Chame by late afternoon. Evening health check conducted. Overnight at a teahouse.
Your guide does a morning health check, recording your vitals before the day's walk. The first full trekking day climbs through pine forests along the Marsyangdi River, with views of Annapurna II at 7,937 m and Lamjung Himal at 6,983 m. Upper Pisang sits on a ridge above the valley with a Tibetan-style monastery and better sunrise views. Evening health check conducted. Overnight at a teahouse.
Before breakfast, your guide records your morning vitals. Two route options are available: the high route via Ghyaru at 3,670 m offers better mountain views, while the lower route via Mungji is easier. Your guide recommends the appropriate route based on group fitness. Manang is the largest settlement in the upper valley, with a Himalayan Rescue Association health post. Evening health check conducted. Overnight at a teahouse.
A quick morning wellness check confirms you are ready for the acclimatisation hike. The morning hike leads to Gangapurna Lake and a viewpoint at 3,900 m, offering panoramic views of Gangapurna at 7,455 m and Annapurna III at 7,555 m. Your guide gives an afternoon altitude lecture covering AMS, HAPE, and HACE, with emphasis on hydration. An optional visit to the Himalayan Rescue Association health post is available. An evening health check is conducted. Overnight at a teahouse.
Your guide monitors your oxygen levels and pulse before you start walking. A deliberately short day allows gradual altitude gain above Manang. The landscape becomes increasingly arid and open, with yak herds visible on the surrounding slopes. Night temperatures at Yak Kharka drop to minus 5 degrees Celsius even in October. Evening health check conducted. Overnight at a teahouse.
Before breakfast, your guide records your morning vitals at this critical altitude. A short but steep day climbs to Thorong Phedi, the last teahouse before the pass. The trail crosses open, exposed terrain with no shelter from wind above 4,200 m. Your guide gives the pass crossing briefing covering departure time, route conditions, and safety protocols. Lights out by 8 PM. Evening health check conducted. Overnight at a teahouse.
Your guide checks your vitals one last time before the pass crossing begins. Wake at 3:30 AM, breakfast at 4:00 AM, and depart at 4:30 AM with headlamps and full cold-weather layers. The ascent takes 4 to 5 hours on a steep, rocky trail to reach Thorong La at 5,416 m. The pass is marked by prayer flags and a stone shelter. Descend 4 to 5 hours to Muktinath at 3,800 m, arriving between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. Evening health check conducted after the demanding pass crossing day. Overnight at a teahouse.
A quick morning wellness check confirms you are recovering well from the pass crossing. Morning departure by local jeep from Muktinath to Jomsom, with an optional stop at Kagbeni, an ancient settlement at the boundary of Upper Mustang. Jomsom is the district headquarters of Mustang District, with an airport and bakeries. Evening health check conducted. Overnight at a teahouse.
Your guide takes your morning vitals before the flight. Take the early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, departing before 9 AM to avoid afternoon winds. If the flight is cancelled, Kalapatthar provides an alternate shared jeep transfer at no additional cost. Arrive in Pokhara with the afternoon free for rest. Overnight at a 3-star hotel.
One last wellness check before you leave Pokhara ensures you are healthy. Return to Kathmandu by the included morning flight or tourist bus. Arrive in Kathmandu with the afternoon free for rest or souvenir shopping. Overnight at a 3-star hotel.
Enjoy your last breakfast in Nepal. The Kalapatthar team arranges a private vehicle transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international departure flight. Your guide accompanies you to the airport for a final farewell. Board your flight home with the memories of crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters and completing the Annapurna Circuit.
This Kalapatthar package runs for 14 days total, including drive days, an acclimatisation day at Manang, and flight days. The trekking section covers approximately 110 kilometres over 10 active trail days.
The trek is rated Moderate to Strenuous, with daily walking times averaging 5 to 7 hours and a demanding 8 to 10-hour pass crossing day. No technical climbing is required, but a strong fitness base is essential.
A guide is not legally required for the Annapurna Circuit. Kalapatthar strongly recommends one for daily altitude monitoring, emergency response, and logistical support above Manang.
Two permits are required: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000 and the TIMS Card at NPR 1,000. Kalapatthar processes both before departure.
Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) are the primary seasons, with October offering the most consistent weather. Monsoon and winter are not recommended.
Yes, Thorong La Pass reaches 5,416 m. Kalapatthar schedules a full acclimatisation day at Manang and conducts twice-daily wellness checks. Immediate descent is mandatory if symptoms appear.
Accommodation is in locally owned teahouses with twin-sharing rooms and shared bathrooms. Private attached bathrooms are available at Manang, Muktinath, and Jomsom for an additional fee.
Dal bhat, noodle soups, fried rice, pasta, and Tibetan bread are available at teahouses. Unlimited tea and coffee are included throughout the trek.
If the flight is cancelled due to wind, Kalapatthar provides an alternate shared jeep transfer to Pokhara at no additional cost. The drive takes approximately 8 to 9 hours.
Yes. Travel insurance covering helicopter rescue to a minimum of 6,000 m is mandatory. Proof of insurance must be provided before the Day 1 briefing.
Ncell coverage works reliably up to Manang. Wi-Fi is available at most teahouses from Chame onward for a small fee. Coverage above Manang is not available.
Contact Kalapatthar Trek & Expedition Pvt. Ltd. directly with your preferred travel dates and group size to receive a personalised quote and full pre-departure support.
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