By The Annapurna Circuit costs INR 100,000 per person ex Kathmandu as a package, meaning the price starts and ends in Kathmandu and your journey to Kathmandu is extra, and about Rs 124,000 to Rs 156,000 in total once meals in the cities, trail extras, tips and weather days are added. This guide sets out what the 18-day package covers, what you pay on top, a day-by-day itinerary with altitudes, the Tilicho Lake variation, the permits that apply to Indian citizens, and the best time to go.
The short answer
- Package price: INR 100,000 per person ex Kathmandu for the 18-day circuit (flights or travel to Kathmandu are not included), or Rs 115,000 for the 16-day circuit with Tilicho Lake, both based on two sharing.
- Realistic total: about Rs 124,000 to Rs 156,000 for the 18-day circuit, excluding your journey to Kathmandu and travel insurance.
- High point: Thorong La, 5,416 m, crossed on day 11 with a start at about 4 am.
- Permits for Indian citizens: Annapurna Conservation Area entry NPR 1,000 and TIMS card NPR 1,000 (SAARC rate), both included in the package.
- Best seasons: March to May and September to November.
Last checked: 28 October 2026. Prices, permit fees and trail conditions change, so confirm them for your dates. The budget scenarios below are planning figures, not quotes.
Annapurna Circuit quick facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Besisahar, Manang, Thorong La, Muktinath, Marpha, Tatopani, Ghorepani and Pokhara |
| Duration | 18 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu (16 days with Tilicho Lake) |
| Walking distance | About 170 km on the standard itinerary |
| Highest point | Thorong La, 5,416 m |
| Grade | Strenuous |
| Group size | 1 to 10 trekkers |
| Stay | Village teahouses, twin share, mostly shared bathrooms |
| Package price | Rs 100,000 per person, two sharing |
| Best months | March to May and September to November |
Mantra stones mark the trail on the Annapurna Circuit.
In this guide: Quick facts | Cost | What is covered | Budget scenarios | Extras | Altitude profile | 18-day itinerary | Tilicho Lake option | Permits | Season | Circuit vs ABC | How to book | Is it right for you? | FAQ
How much does the Annapurna Circuit cost from India?
Two versions are offered from India. The 18-day circuit is the full walk with a return through Poon Hill. The 16-day circuit adds a side trip to Tilicho Lake, but shortens the end by using a jeep and a flight.
| 18-day circuit | 16-day circuit with Tilicho Lake | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (two sharing) | Rs 100,000 per person | Rs 115,000 per person |
| Highest points | Thorong La, 5,416 m | Tilicho Base Camp, 4,920 m, and Thorong La, 5,416 m |
| Grade | Strenuous | Strenuous |
| Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels | Two nights in Kathmandu and one in Pokhara, with breakfast | Two nights in Kathmandu and one in Pokhara, with breakfast |
| Return to Kathmandu | Tourist bus from Pokhara, 6 to 8 hours | Flight from Pokhara, about 25 minutes |
| Guide and porter | Government-licensed English-speaking guide, porter service, 15 kg a person | Same |
| Permits and TIMS | Included | Included |
| Meals | Three meals a day on 15 of the 18 days | Check the itinerary for your dates |
| Solo support fee | Rs 1,500 a day if you are the only booking on a fixed departure | Same |
What does the Annapurna Circuit package include and exclude?
| Included in the Rs 100,000 | Not included |
|---|---|
| Three meals a day on 15 of the 18 days | Travel insurance (mandatory) and flights to Nepal |
| Two nights in Kathmandu and one in Pokhara, with breakfast | Visa, if applicable, and extra hotel nights |
| Airport transfers and all overland transport | Drinks, snacks and bottled water |
| Twin-share lodging on the trek | Hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi |
| Annapurna Conservation Area permit and TIMS card | Tips for guide and porters |
| Government-licensed English-speaking guide and porter service | Solo support fee, if you are the only booking |
| All government and local taxes, first aid kit, completion certificate, farewell dinner | Extra days if weather delays the crossing |
Cost per day: the package works out to about Rs 5,560 a day over 18 days. With typical extras, the real spend is about Rs 7,800 a day.
Fixed departures listed at the last check were 12 November and 26 November 2026, and 4 March, 18 March and 1 April 2027, each with up to 10 seats. A small deposit secures the booking from India, and the balance is paid in Nepal.
What you actually pay: three budget scenarios (18-day circuit)
The package is the biggest cost, but it is not the whole bill. The table adds the usual extras on top of the Rs 100,000 package. All figures are per person and are planning allowances.
| Scenario | Package | City meals | Trail extras | Tips | Weather days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean | Rs 100,000 | Rs 4,000 | Rs 12,000 | Rs 8,000 | – | Rs 124,000 |
| Typical | Rs 100,000 | Rs 6,000 | Rs 18,000 | Rs 10,000 | Rs 6,000 | Rs 140,000 |
| Cautious | Rs 100,000 | Rs 8,000 | Rs 24,000 | Rs 12,000 | Rs 12,000 | Rs 156,000 |
For the 16-day circuit with Tilicho Lake, add Rs 15,000 to each package line. Not included in any scenario: your journey from home to Kathmandu, travel insurance and personal purchases. Insurance is mandatory and must cover trekking to 6,000 m, emergency treatment and helicopter evacuation, which can cost USD 5,000 or more without cover. Many standard policies stop at 4,000 m, so check the altitude clause. See insurance options for Indian travellers.
Sunrise over Gangapurna from Manang, the rest-day village.
Extras to budget for
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot shower | Rs 200 to 300 | Paid per shower in some lodges, and the price rises with altitude |
| Device charging | Rs 100 for a phone, Rs 200 to 400 for a power bank | Paid per device |
| Wi-Fi | Rs 300 to 500 an hour where available | Patchy above Manang |
| Bottled water | Rs 100 to 300 a bottle | Cheaper to carry a bottle and a purification method |
| Tips | About 10% of the trip price | Shared between guide and porter team, usually given at the end |
| Extra day on the mountain | Rs 6,000 a day | If snow or wind delays the Thorong La crossing |
| Card payments in Nepal | 13% added | Paying in cash avoids it |
| Gear rental in Kathmandu | Varies | A warm sleeping bag and down jacket can be rented. See buying gear in Kathmandu |
Carry cash in rupees, because card machines are unreliable on the trail and banking in Manang and Jomsom is limited. A sensible allowance for extras and tips is Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000.
18-day itinerary: Kathmandu to Pokhara over Thorong La
Altitudes are approximate. Walking times and distances come from the standard itinerary and can vary with your pace and the weather.
| Day | Route | Altitude | Time and distance | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu | 1,350 m | Airport pickup and briefing | Kathmandu |
| 2 | Kathmandu to Besisahar | 820 m | Drive, 7 to 10 hrs | Besisahar |
| 3 | Besisahar to Syange, trek to Chamje | 1,385 m | 1 hr drive, 5 to 6 hrs walk, 8 km | Chamje |
| 4 | Chamje to Bagarchhap | 2,160 m | 6 to 8 hrs, 15 km | Bagarchhap |
| 5 | Bagarchhap to Chame | 2,710 m | 5 to 6 hrs, 13 km | Chame |
| 6 | Chame to Pisang | 3,250 m | 5 to 6 hrs, 13 km | Pisang |
| 7 | Pisang to Manang | 3,540 m | 6 to 7 hrs, 15 km | Manang |
| 8 | Rest day in Manang | 3,540 m | Acclimatisation and day walks | Manang |
| 9 | Manang to Yak Kharka | 4,050 m | 3 to 4 hrs, 10 km | Yak Kharka |
| 10 | Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi | 4,450 m | 3 to 4 hrs, 9 km | Thorong Phedi |
| 11 | Thorong Phedi over Thorong La to Muktinath | Pass 5,416 m, night 3,800 m | Start about 4 am, 7 to 8 hrs, 16 km | Muktinath |
| 12 | Muktinath to Marpha | 2,670 m | 6 to 7 hrs, 15 km | Marpha |
| 13 | Marpha to Ghasa | 2,010 m | 8 to 10 hrs, 20 km | Ghasa |
| 14 | Ghasa to Tatopani | 1,200 m | 7 to 8 hrs, 20 km | Tatopani |
| 15 | Tatopani to Ghorepani | 2,870 m | 7 to 8 hrs, 15 km | Ghorepani |
| 16 | Poon Hill sunrise, then Nayapul and Pokhara | Poon Hill about 3,200 m | 6 to 7 hrs walking, then about 1 hr by taxi | Pokhara |
| 17 | Tourist bus to Kathmandu | – | 6 to 8 hrs, farewell dinner | Kathmandu |
| 18 | Departure | 1,350 m | Airport transfer | – |
The hard days
- Day 11, Thorong La: the start is about 4 am so the group reaches the pass before 10 am, because wind and weather can turn dangerous in the afternoon. The route gains about 970 m to the pass, then drops about 1,600 m to Muktinath.
- Day 13, Marpha to Ghasa: the longest walking day, at 8 to 10 hours.
- Day 15, Tatopani to Ghorepani: a long climb of about 1,670 m on stone steps.
Altitude profile: where you sleep each night
Each bar shows the sleeping altitude. The pass itself, at 5,416 m, is crossed between Day 10 and Day 11, so it is not a sleeping point.
The profile shows why the order matters. The sleeping altitude rises steadily to 4,450 m, then drops by 650 m after the pass, and you finish well below 3,000 m. Above 3,000 m, the sleeping height never rises by more than about 540 m in a night, which is within the usual pace for gradual acclimatisation.
Acclimatisation is built in. The route gains height slowly from Chame (2,710 m) to Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi, with a full rest day in Manang. Guides check oxygen saturation daily and decide whether to go up, rest or descend. Vehicles do not remove altitude risk, so keep the rest day. For the symptoms to watch, read the altitude sickness guide and the Thorong La crossing guide.
Sunrise from Poon Hill, the last big viewpoint of the circuit.
The Tilicho Lake option: 16 days
Tilicho Lake sits at about 4,919 m and is one of the highest large lakes in the world. The route leaves the main circuit at Manang for two extra nights at altitude, then rejoins it at Yak Kharka. The Tilicho trail is steep and exposed in places, with landslide risk, so it is for fit trekkers who acclimatise well.
| Day | Route | Altitude | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu | 1,400 m | – |
| 2 | Kathmandu to Besisahar by jeep | 760 m | 6 to 7 hrs |
| 3 | Besisahar to Chame by jeep | 2,670 m | 3 to 4 hrs |
| 4 | Chame to Upper Pisang | 3,300 m | 5 to 6 hrs |
| 5 | Upper Pisang to Manang | 3,540 m | 6 to 7 hrs |
| 6 | Rest day in Manang | 3,540 m | Optional hikes to Gangapurna Lake or Chongkar viewpoint |
| 7 | Manang to Siri Kharka | 4,060 m | 4 to 5 hrs |
| 8 | Siri Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp | 4,920 m | 5 to 6 hrs |
| 9 | Tilicho Lake and back to Siri Kharka | 4,919 m, then 4,060 m | 6 to 7 hrs, early start |
| 10 | Siri Kharka to Yak Kharka | 4,050 m | 5 to 6 hrs |
| 11 | Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi | 4,450 m | 4 to 5 hrs |
| 12 | Thorong La to Muktinath | 5,416 m, then 3,800 m | 7 to 9 hrs, pre-dawn start |
| 13 | Muktinath to Jomsom | 2,700 m | Walk 5 to 6 hrs or jeep about 3 hrs |
| 14 | Jomsom to Pokhara by jeep | 820 m | 8 to 9 hrs |
| 15 | Pokhara to Kathmandu by flight | – | About 25 min |
| 16 | Departure | – | – |
Extra days cost Rs 6,000 each if snow closes Thorong La or Tilicho, so keep a spare day in your plan. Read more about the Tilicho Lake side trip.
Permits for Indian citizens
Two permits apply to the Annapurna Circuit, and both are included in the package price. Fees are charged at the SAARC rate for Indian citizens.
| Permit | Indian (SAARC) citizens | Other foreign nationals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Conservation Area entry | NPR 1,000 per entry | NPR 3,000 per entry | Children under 10 are free |
| TIMS card | NPR 1,000 | NPR 2,000 | Issued through a registered trekking agency, with a QR e-card |
The Nepal Tourism Board lists the Annapurna Circuit among the routes that require a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card, under rules effective 31 March 2023. The main circuit does not need a restricted-area permit. Nar Phu and Upper Mustang are separate and carry extra fees, which are not part of this package. Carry a valid passport and confirm entry documents with Nepal’s Department of Immigration before you travel. See the Annapurna permits and TIMS guide.
Best time to trek the Annapurna Circuit
The Nepal Tourism Board lists March to May and September to November as the best seasons for the Annapurna region. Autumn gives the clearest skies and most stable weather, and spring brings warmer days with rhododendrons on the lower slopes. Winter is possible, but snow can close Thorong La. In the monsoon, from June to August, the eastern side has rain, leeches and landslides, while the Manang and Mustang sides are drier. Read the best time for Annapurna treks and the monsoon and winter guide.
| Season | Months | What to expect | Thorong La |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Late September to early December | Clearest skies and the most stable weather | Usually open, coldest at night in late November |
| Winter | December to February | Very cold, short days, quiet trail | Can be snowed shut |
| Spring | Late February to May | Warmer days, rhododendrons on the lower slopes | Open, with some snow early in the season |
| Monsoon | June to August | Wet and slippery on the eastern side, with leeches and landslides. Manang and Mustang are drier | Cloudy, so views are limited |
The Annapurna range, the backdrop of the circuit.
Annapurna Circuit vs Annapurna Base Camp vs Poon Hill: which one fits?
| Poon Hill | Annapurna Base Camp | Annapurna Circuit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package days | 9 | 14 | 18 |
| Package price | Rs 60,000 | Rs 75,000 | Rs 100,000 |
| Highest point | Poon Hill, about 3,210 m | Base Camp, 4,130 m | Thorong La, 5,416 m |
| Character | Sunrise views and villages | Sanctuary of big peaks | Full change of landscape and culture |
| Best for | First trek, little time | First Himalayan base camp | Experienced trekkers wanting a classic |
If this is your first high-altitude trek, start with the Annapurna Base Camp cost guide or the Poon Hill guide.
How do you book and pay for the Annapurna Circuit from India?
- Pick your departure. Choose a fixed departure or ask for a tailor-made date.
- Pay a small deposit in India. It is refundable by 50% within 30 days, and valid for 365 days on any trek.
- Send a passport scan. A clear scan is needed for the permits after the deposit.
- Buy insurance. It must cover trekking to 6,000 m, emergency treatment and helicopter evacuation.
- Pay the balance in Nepal. The balance is due at the Kathmandu office in rupees or another major currency. Card payments in Nepal carry a 13% fee, so cash is cheaper.
Dates can be changed for free with at least six weeks’ notice. There is no refund for unused days after the trek has started.
Is the Annapurna Circuit right for you?
- Fitness: the circuit is graded strenuous. Most days are 4 to 6 hours of walking, with three long days. Train with cardio and loaded hikes, and practise downhill walking. See how to train.
- Time: 18 days from Kathmandu. The 16-day Tilicho option is shorter but harder.
- Roads: roads now run along parts of the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki valleys, and some stretches share the road with jeeps and dust. Trail sections remain around Manang and below the pass. See road and jeep sections.
- Alternatives: for a shorter trek, see the Annapurna Base Camp cost guide or the Poon Hill guide. For a quieter high-pass circuit, compare it with Manaslu.
FAQ
How much does the Annapurna Circuit cost from India? Rs 100,000 per person for the 18-day package, based on two sharing. A realistic total with extras is about Rs 124,000 to Rs 156,000.
How much is the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake? Rs 115,000 per person for the 16-day package, based on two sharing.
What is included in the package? Permits and TIMS, a licensed guide, porter service, twin-share lodging on the trek, three meals a day on 15 of the 18 days, Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels with breakfast, all transfers and a farewell dinner.
What is not included? International travel to Kathmandu, travel insurance, drinks and snacks, hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi, tips and extra hotel nights.
How many days does the Annapurna Circuit take? Eighteen days from Kathmandu on this package, or sixteen days with Tilicho Lake and a jeep and flight at the end.
How high is Thorong La? 5,416 m.
Is the Annapurna Circuit hard? It is graded strenuous. The Thorong La day and the long walk from Marpha to Ghasa are the hardest. Good fitness and steady acclimatisation matter.
Do Indian citizens need a visa? Check entry requirements with Nepal’s Department of Immigration before you travel, and carry a valid passport.
What permits do I need? An Annapurna Conservation Area permit (NPR 1,000 for Indian citizens) and a TIMS card (NPR 1,000). Both are included in the package.
Do I need a guide? Yes. The Nepal Tourism Board requires a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card on the Annapurna Circuit.
When is the best time to go? March to May and September to November.
What if the weather delays us at Thorong La? Extra days on the mountain cost Rs 6,000 a day, so keep a spare day in your plan.
How much cash should I carry? About Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 for extras and tips, in rupees, because card machines are unreliable.
Does the circuit still involve a lot of road walking? Roads run alongside parts of the route, but the high section around Manang and below the pass is still trail.
Can I do the Annapurna Circuit solo? You can join a fixed departure, and a solo support fee of Rs 1,500 a day applies if you are the only person on it.
Book the Annapurna Circuit
For dates and a quote, see the 18-day Annapurna Circuit or the 16-day circuit with Tilicho Lake, or message the team on WhatsApp or phone at +91 932 595 1234 (9 am to 7 pm IST), write to info@basecamphikes.com, or use the enquiry form.
Sources
- Nepal Tourism Board: park entry fees
- Nepal Tourism Board: TIMS card
- Nepal Tourism Board: climate
