Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a 13-day route that circles the entire Annapurna massif, crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters, descending through the Mustang corridor to the sacred Muktinath Temple at 3,760 meters, and returning via the Kali Gandaki Gorge and the Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint. The route covers 160 to 230 kilometers and takes you through subtropical forest, alpine meadows, Tibetan plateau terrain, and the rain-shadow landscape north of the Annapurna massif.

World Expedition Nepal runs the 13-day Annapurna Circuit Trek at USD 1,370 per person. The package includes airport transfers, hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, all meals on the trail, an ACAP permit, a licensed English-speaking guide with all expenses, and strong Sherpa porters with full insurance.

Most competitors describe the Annapurna Circuit as simply "moderate." The accurate grade is moderate to challenging. Below Manang, the trek is straightforward. Above it, altitude accelerates, hours extend to 9 on the Thorong La crossing day, and temperatures at Thorong Phedi drop to -10°C before dawn in autumn. The 2014 snowstorm on Thorong La in early October killed more than 40 people. Mid-October through mid-November is the reliable autumn window, not the broadly stated "September to November."

Annapurna Circuit Trek - Trip Highlights

Crossing Thorung La Pass at 5,416 metres and hiking down to beautiful Jomsom and Muktinath.
The exploration of the World's deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge and the snow-clad Tibetan Plateau.
The panoramic view of Annapurna I, to IV, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, Manaslu, and several other peaks rising from it.
Witnessing the abundant cultural and rituals of Gurung and Thakali throughout the Annapurna Circuit.
Trekking through different climatic zones and experiencing the vivid alpine landscape of Manang and Mustang.
Taking a bath over 108 waterspouts at the sacred Muktinath and riding a bike in the spectacular village of Kagbeni.
Fantastic sightseeing at Muktinath, apple valley Jomsom, and sipping Marpha, an apple brewery made in Jomsom.
Fully guided trek with expert-designed itineraries from World Expedition Nepal.

Why Choose the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

The Annapurna Circuit Trek offers Nepal's most diverse trekking experience, combining the high-altitude crossing of Thorong La Pass, the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, multiple climate zones, and the sacred Muktinath Temple in a single journey.

Cross Thorong La Pass at 5,416 Metres

Thorong La is the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit and the defining challenge of the entire route. The crossing gains nearly 1,000 meters from High Camp (4,925m) to the pass summit over 6 kilometers of steep rocky trail. Most trekkers depart by 4 to 5 AM to cross before the afternoon wind and cloud arrive. The descent to Muktinath drops 1,656 meters in a single day, making it the longest elevation-change day on any major Nepal trekking route.

Experience the World's Deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge

The Kali Gandaki River cuts a gorge between Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna I (8,091m) that is deeper than any other river gorge on Earth by vertical measurement. The section from Muktinath through Kagbeni and Jomsom follows this gorge southward. Afternoon wind in the Kali Gandaki valley regularly exceeds 40 to 60 km/h, funneled by the gorge walls, which is why the trek follows an anticlockwise direction to make the Thorong La approach from the more sheltered east.

Trek Through Multiple Climate Zones

The Annapurna Circuit covers more distinct ecological zones than any other Nepal trek. Starting below 900 meters at Bhulbhule, you pass through a subtropical river valley, temperate rhododendron and pine forest, alpine meadow, Tibetan plateau terrain above the treeline, the rain-shadow desert of the Mustang corridor, and terraced farmland of the Gurung communities on the return section through Ghorepani. No other trek in Nepal crosses as many distinct climate transitions.

Visit the Sacred Muktinath Temple

Muktinath sits at 3,760 meters and is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Asia for both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple complex includes 108 stone waterspouts fed by spring water, an eternal flame that burns from natural gas seeping through rock, and multiple shrines visited by tens of thousands of Indian and Nepali pilgrims each year. The Muktinath visit arrives immediately after the Thorong La crossing, giving the descent day a powerful cultural destination.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary (13 Days)

Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule (845m) - 7 to 8 hours

After breakfast at your Kathmandu hotel, the drive heads northwest on the Prithvi Highway through Trishuli Bazaar and Dumre before turning north toward Besisahar. From Besisahar, a local vehicle continues the final section to Bhulbhule along the Marsyangdi River valley. The road offers the first views of the Annapurna range's eastern ridgelines as you approach the trek entry point. Register your ACAP permit at the trek entry checkpost on arrival at Bhulbhule. Take a stroll around the village in the evening and rest early for the first full trekking day ahead.