Annapurna Circuit Trek

Detailed Itinerary - Annapurna Circuit Trek (9 Days)

What's Included

A complete breakdown of all services covered in the Annapurna Circuit Trek package:

• Arrival & Departure Transfers
  Private airport pick-up and drop-off in a comfortable vehicle.
• Kathmandu Hotel Accommodation
  2 nights in a 3-star hotel with breakfast (Twin/Double sharing).
• Transportation
  All ground transportation as per itinerary:
  • Kathmandu → Besisahar (private or tourist vehicle)
  • Besisahar → Chame/Jagatsukh (local jeep/private jeep depending on package)
  • Jomsom → Pokhara flight or drive
  • Pokhara → Kathmandu (tourist bus or flight)
• Meals During the Trek
  Full-board meals during trekking: breakfast, lunch, and dinner at tea houses.
• Tea House Accommodation
  Standard lodge/tea house stays throughout the trek.
• Professional Trekking Crew
  Experienced, government-licensed Trekking Guide and Porters (1 porter for every 2 trekkers) including their:

• • Salary
  • Insurance
  • Meals
  • Accommodation
  • Gear
• Trekking Permits
  All required trekking permits:
  • • ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)
    • TIMS Card
  • Group Equipment
    Basic group equipment including medical kit, safety equipment, oximeter, and trekking map.
  • Medical Kit
    First-aid kit carried by your trekking guide.
  • Staff InsuranceFull insurance for all trekking staff (guide & porters).
  • Company Service Charge & Government Taxes
    All official service charges, VAT, and government taxes.

What's Not Included

• Travel Insurance
• Personal Trekking Gear
• Personal Expenses
  Laundry, souvenirs, etc.
• Tips for Guide & Porter
  (Gratuity is customary and highly appreciated.)
• Emergency Evacuation Costs
  Helicopter rescue or emergency medical evacuation (covered by your insurance).

Route Map & Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions - Annapurna Circuit Trek

Useful Info

Best Time for the Trek

You can trek the Annapurna Circuit any time of the year, but the most favorable times to do it are during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). The finest mountain vistas are available during these times, when the weather is mostly good and temperatures are moderate. Autumn brings clear skies after the monsoon, and spring brings wonderful scenery and rhododendron flowers. If you dislike so many crowds, winter is also feasible, although it gets bitterly cold and snow can block high passes like Thorong La. Although the lower valleys appear to be lush green, monsoon time is the worst because of rain, slippery trails, and leeches.

Accommodation

The majority of the accommodation on the Annapurna Circuit is offered by local families in tea houses or lodges. The tea houses are better and can provide en-suite bathroom single rooms in lower-lying villages, like Chame and Manang. The accommodations are more basic higher up, generally with shared bathroom and rooms. Tea house restaurants are generally where meals are eaten, and menus provide a combination of Tibetan, Nepali, and simple Western-style cuisine. Trekkers can unwind and rest in these simple yet comfortable tea houses after exhausting day hikes.

Difficulty of the Trek

The Annapurna Circuit is a difficult trek owing to its length and Thorong La Pass height of 5,416 meters. Though technical climbing skill is not necessary for the trek, climbers can expect five to seven hours of walking daily on varied terrain. Because of the altitude, acclimatization is necessary, and to prevent altitude sickness, rest days are included in most itineraries at locations like Manang. While psychological attitude, physical fitness, and endurance are necessary, first-time trekkers can do the trek with proper pace and regard for caution.

Cultural Experience

One of the main attractions of the Annapurna Circuit is its wide range of cultural diversity. Gurung, Thakali, and Manangi people, each with their own customs, dialects, and traditions, populate the trek’s villages. There is a Tibetan Buddhist presence in Manang and surrounding villages, where monasteries, prayer flags, and chortens line the trail. The Muktinath Temple, a very holy place for Buddhists and Hindus, is a powerful cultural and religious attraction. The opportunity to witness village farming and daily life and the hospitality of tea houses are some of the trek’s cultural attractions.

Safety and Security

The second most important selling point of the Annapurna Circuit is its rich culture. The Gurung, Thakali, and Manangi tribes, who possess their own language, dialects, and traditions, occupy villages along the trek. There are profound Tibetan Buddhist influences in Manang and the surrounding villages, and the trek is interspersed with monasteries, prayer flags, and chortens. Muktinath Temple, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus alike, is a key cultural and religious highlight. The view of local farming and village daily life, together with the homey hospitality of tea houses, spices up the cultural variety of the trek.

Permits

There are two significant permits to be procured for the Annapurna Circuit trek. One is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which generates funds for biodiversity and nature conservation efforts within the area. The other one is the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card, which keeps the trekkers’ information for security and tracing purposes in case of necessity. Both the permits can be arranged either via a licensed trekking agency or in Kathmandu or Pokhara. They need to be taken everywhere since they are being checked at various points along the route.

Reviews

Sarah Denman, GB

Brilliant guide…

My friends and I trekked the Annapurna Circuit with Tindu. We had a brilliant time – Tindu was knowledgable, a lovely guide and we felt incredibly safe in his hands (particularly around managing altitude and altitude sickness). I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him and his company, and look forward to my next Nepalese trek in the future!