Annapurna Circuit Trek
Do you know that the Annapurna Round Trek also known as the Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the oldest trekking routes of Nepal? Yes, after Nepal opened its door for foreigners to visit this beautiful nation, Nepal Government opened few trekking trails. Among these trekking trails, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of them alongside trekking routes like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Therefore, if you are planning to do the trek on this trekking route then you will be witnessing the history of the Nepalese trekking industry too. Moreover, the travel planners of The Himalayan Trekking Path always focus on providing authentic experiences to its valued clients. Traveling to new places and accumulating unique traditions, culture, and natural diversity of the place is an essence of holidaying. In addition, the agency strives to provide quality services and impeccable hospitality in all treks and tours! Look no further and simply contact our travel planners to book the Annapurna Circuit Trekking trip in Nepal.
Highlights of Annapurna Circuit Trek
- The Classical Annapurna Circuit Trek trip commences and concludes in Kathmandu
- Drive from Kathmandu to Jagat via Besishahar along with scenic views.
- Embark on the classical Manaslu Circuit Trekking Trail from Jagat village
- Visit the Buddhist communities and their shrines including Chorten, Gomba, and Monasteries flipping prayer flags.
- Explore many cultural villages such as Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, Ghyaru Village, Nagwal, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorong La, Muktinath, Mustang, Kalopani, Tatopani, Ghorepani, Tandapani, Ghandruk and more
- Discover the rich vegetation along with Fauna and Flora
- Explore the Gangapurna Lake, Chhyongkor Hill Hike (4200m), and Buddha Park
- Breathtaking mountain views of Annapurna-II, Annapurna-IV, Gangapurna, Chuli East, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, and Dhaulagiri Ranges
- Conquer the Thorong La Pass (5416m) the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit trek
- Glaciers and serenity of river valley and trekking path
- Explore the lower Mustang region, Muktinath temple, and Jomsom
- Stay in Marpha Village and learn about the Thakali Culture and way of life.
- Dhaulagiri ice falls and dense forest along the trail from Marpha to Tatopani
- Soak in the Natural Hot Spring at Tatopani Village
- Trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill for iconic sunrise views over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges
- Stay at the Gurung village in Tadapani and Visit Ghandruk Village before taking a jeep drive to Pokhara
What is the Classical Annapurna Circuit Trek route?
There are lots of remote regions in Nepal that are still not connected with the capital city Kathmandu. These places are untouched and people are suffering a lot because of lack of accessibility. However, lots of developmental works are going on rapidly to ease tensions among the locals of these remote places. The construction of a road network in the remote places of Nepal is a boon for the locals but it has disturbed the trekking route of Nepal. This is the same in the case of the Annapurna Circuit Trek route. Nowadays, people travel to Manang or Chame in a jeep and then they return to Pokhara from Muktinath. Thus, the number of trekking days has decreased drastically. However, The Himalayan Trekking Path always tries to provide an authentic feel to its trekkers. Therefore, this trekking package consists of the trekking itinerary that was used when the road network was not established in this section of Nepal.
How to reach Jagat via Besisahar from Kathmandu?
The trailhead of classical Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Nepal is Besisahar. However, in our classical itinerary we have kept jeep drive to Jagat via Besisahar. It is because the villages in this section between Jagat and Besisahar are no longer remote village areas of the region that provide authentic rural vibes. Therefore, it is good to skip trekking from Besisahar and drive directly to Jagat. In order to reach Jagat via Besisahar from Kathmandu we will have to take a local bus to Besisahar and then we will have to travel in a four-wheel jeep to Jagat. However, you can get an option to travel to Jagat in a four-wheeled jeep from Kathmandu directly instead of using the local bus but the price differs. Make sure that you contact our travel planners and state your preference.
Is it true that you can reach Mustang Valley from Manang by using caves of Ngawal Village?
There is a myth among locals that the caves present in the Ngawal Village leads people directly to Mustang region. So far, no one has attempted to explore this myth but in ancient times people used to use this route to reach Mustang from Manang skipping the daunting Thorong La Pass Crossing! In addition, monasteries and written scriptures also support this mythical belief.
Trek to Gangapurna Ice Lake (3540 m)
Manang Village is the major Gurung settlement village in the Annapurna Circuit Trek route. Trekkers spend two nights in this village as a part of acclimatization activity. Acclimatization activities are crucial for successful high-altitude trekking. Beyond Manang, the trekking trip traverses through places higher than 3500 m altitude. Normally, places beyond 2500 m are considered as AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) risky areas. We must do acclimatization hikes during the trek too. After exploring the magnificent Manang Village, trekkers trek to Gangapurna Ice Lake (3540 m). The Lake is beautifully situated in a natural amphitheater style. Trekkers spend about 1 hour on the shores of the lake and visit the nearby monastery before hiking back to Manang Village.
Some trekkers don’t prefer to visit Gangapurna Lake. For these trekkers, we can hike a hill behind Manang Village as it is 3800 m from sea level. The scenery of Annapurna Massifs and beautiful Manang Valley from the top of the hill is incredible and mesmerizing.
Which is the best choice between Thorong Phedi and Thorong High Camp before Thorong La Pass Crossing?
There is a debate among travel planners and trekkers about the suitability of spending an overnight before Thorong La Pass in either Thorong Phedi or Thorong High Camp. Both these places have advantages as well as disadvantages. Staying overnight in Thorong High Camp ensures that you have slightly easy time when you are crossing the Thorong La Pass. It saves about 1.5 to 2 hours of uphill trekking. The worst part is that staying overnight in high camp is difficult in comparison to staying in Thorong Phedi. Therefore, give authority to your trekking guide in deciding whether to stay in Phedi or High Camp. The guide will assess your situation and decide. Heed the instructions of your trekking guide!
Thorong La Pass Altitude and Difficulty
The altitude of Thorong La Pass is 5416 m from sea level. It is one of the most popular high-altitude passes in Nepal. From the top of the pass, you can get mesmerizing scenery of mountains from Annapurna Massifs, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu ranges. Crossing the pass is not easy as it is arduous! You must possess good physical fitness and cardio-vascular abilities. Don’t underestimate trekking activity in Nepal. Trekking in Nepal demands lots of physical fitness as you will have to walk uphill and downhill most of the time. While crossing the Thorong La Pass (5416 m) you will have to walk for about 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the top and descend to Muktinath takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. Therefore, you must prepare your body accordingly!
Muktinath Temple and Buddhists Nunnery
Upon crossing the Thorong La Pass, trekkers reach the sacred region of Muktinath Temple and a nunnery. This place signifies great religious tolerance and harmony among Nepalese people! In one place you can find both Buddhists and Hindus pilgrimage sites. Muktinath temple premise has 108 taps and 2 ponds. It is believed that if you bathe in these taps and dip in the sin pond and sacred pond then all your sins will be forgiven. Nearby the Hindu temple you can find a nunnery of Buddhists religion where you can witness ever lighting flame! The temple and nunnery are one of the major pilgrimage sites of Hindus and Buddhists people of Nepal.
Marpha Village is the popular Thakali Village in Mustang Region of Nepal
Normally, trekkers trek to Jomsom and fly to Pokhara in the contemporary Annapurna Circuit Trek journey. Some prefer to take jeep or local bus back to Pokhara. However, the itinerary knitted by the travel planners of The Himalayan Trekking Path consists of trekking instead of driving back! It is to provide the authentic classical Annapurna Circuit Trekking feeling to our guests. One night in Marpha is enough to know about traditions and culture of Thakali people of the region. These people are indigenous group of people with their own language and culture. In addition, Marpha village is known for apple farming as you can find lots of apple products and liquors. There are many alleys where you can walk and rejoice! It is truly a photographer’s paradise.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek during Annapurna Round Trek
Do you know that Poon Hill Trek is the most famous short trekking route of Nepal? Yes, in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route, trekkers can visit this iconic vantage point of Nepal’s Annapurna region. After relishing natural hot springs water in Tatopani, trekkers trek uphill to Ghorepani. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top of Poon Hill (3210 m) from Ghorepani. The hill is famous for experiencing marvelous sunrise from the casement of mountains. Soak into the breathtaking scenery of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Dhampus Peak, Himchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna I, IV, South, and Machhapuchhre along with several unnamed mountains from the top of Poon Hill.
Can I do Tilicho Lake Trek during Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Yes, it is possible to add Tilicho Lake Trek itinerary during the Annapurna Circuit Trek trip. If you choose to visit Tilicho Lake while doing the Annapurna Circuit Trekking then you will have to add 3 to 4 days extra. Make sure that you inform our travel planners in an advance so that we can knit a hassle-free side trek to Tilicho Lake.
Is it possible to do Annapurna Short Trek?
Nowadays, it is possible to do Annapurna Short Trek in Nepal. You can do the complete Annapurna Modern Circuit Trek in just 10 days. It involves jeep drive for two days from Besisahar. Trekkers are transferred to Manang Village via Dharapani in two days from Besisahar. Please contact our travel planners to know about the road conditions and possible risk of reaching high-altitude places quickly.
Book the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal with us and walk the trail like our ancestors used to do! Walk on the Classical Annapurna Round Trek route and knit a momentous travel tale full of mountains, passes, villages, and pilgrimage sites! Contact us and get the best travel deals to do Annapurna trek in Nepal.
What does it cost for Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Learn about the detailed cost of the Classical Annapurna Circuit Trek for 2025-2026! Before you need to know.
Do you know what is the average cost of the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal? Yes, the cost of the legendary Annapurna Circuit Trek starts from USD 500 and reaches up to USD 2,000 depending on Duration, Package, Itinerary, service, Group size, transportation, accommodation, and many more. Whether you are short or classically the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Himalayan Trekking Path always offers you the deal. 19-day classical Annapurna Round Trek Cost varies according to the group size from USD 1300 to 1700 per person. With our well designed 19 days package you will get comprehensive service as our website mentioned. In the package, you will get all the transportation, accommodation, guide, porter, mountain meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner), Permits, etc. Here is the updated cost of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, breakdown as per the group size:
- Solo trekkers can enjoy the Annapurna Circuit Trek for a cost of USD1700
- Groups of 2–6 trekkers can experience the same trek at a reduced rate of USD1400 per person
- For groups of 7–10 trekkers, the cost per person for the classical Annapurna Circuit Trek is USD1300