Annapurna Circuit 18 Days

Our itinerary takes 18 days from arrival to departure in Kathmandu. You drive to Besisahar, walk anticlockwise up the Marsyangdi valley to Manang, cross the Thorong La at 5,416m, descend to Muktinath and the Kali Gandaki gorge, then finish with Ghorepani and Poon Hill before reaching Pokhara and returning to Kathmandu by tourist bus.

Few routes change as much from day to day. You climb from subtropical rice terraces at about 800m through pine forest and Gurung and Manangi villages to a dry, high Tibetan-style landscape, then drop into the apple orchards of Marpha and the deep Kali Gandaki valley. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail and Tilicho Peak come into view along the way.

Yes. Jeep tracks now cover some stretches, mainly in the lower Marsyangdi and the Kali Gandaki, but the best sections above Chame and the Thorong La crossing remain on foot. Your guide uses the older trails and side paths wherever possible, so you spend most of the day away from vehicle traffic.

The Circuit is longer, more varied and lower on average, and it has a single big pass day rather than a steady climb to a dead end. Everest Base Camp is shorter but stays above 4,000m for longer. If you want a full cultural and scenic journey, choose the Circuit; if a Himalayan icon is the priority, choose Everest.

It is graded strenuous. Most days involve 4 to 6 hours of walking, but the days climbing to Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi and over the pass are tougher, and the long descent to Muktinath is hard on the knees. If you can comfortably hike for several hours on consecutive days, you can do it with sensible preparation.

Day 11, from Thorong Phedi over the Thorong La to Muktinath. The day starts well before dawn, climbs about 1,000m to the pass at 5,416m and then drops about 1,600m to Muktinath. Plan for 8 to 10 hours of walking at a slow pace, cold hands and a long day.

Build a base with 3 to 4 cardio sessions a week for two months, add a weekly long hike with a loaded daypack, and include stairs or hill repeats for the descents. Practise walking downhill, because the Muktinath and Tatopani descents surprise many trekkers more than the climbs do.

Previous multi-day trekking helps, but you do not need technical skills. We recommend at least one multi-day hike at altitude, or a few long weekend hikes, before attempting a route with a 5,400m pass.

You gain height gradually from Chame (2,710m) to Pisang (3,250m) and Manang (3,540m), then take a full rest day in Manang. After that the stages are short, with Yak Kharka at 4,050m and Thorong Phedi at 4,450m before the pass. This pattern follows the commonly advised rule of limiting how much you sleep higher each night.

Most trekkers do an acclimatisation hike to a viewpoint such as the Gangapurna lake or the slopes above the village, then return to sleep at 3,540m. The principle is to climb high and sleep low. Your guide will also check your oxygen saturation and how you feel, so use the day to rest properly rather than push on.

Early signs include headache, nausea, dizziness, poor sleep and unusual tiredness. Tell your guide at once. Your guide carries a pulse oximeter, checks your readings daily and has the final say on whether you go up, rest or descend. Altitude illness can develop quickly, and descending is the most reliable treatment.

Your guide watches the weather and trail conditions at Thorong Phedi and makes the decision on the morning. If the pass is unsafe we wait a day, and the buffer you plan into your trip matters here. Extra days on the mountain are charged at INR 6,000 per day, which covers your stay and three meals.

Speak to a doctor with high-altitude experience before you travel. Some trekkers use prescribed medication as a precaution, but medication does not replace a slow ascent and honest reporting of symptoms. Never use it to push higher while unwell.

Autumn, from late September to early December, gives the clearest skies and stable conditions. Spring, from late February to May, is warmer with rhododendron flowers on the lower slopes. Winter is possible but the pass can be snowed shut, and the monsoon months bring leeches and landslides on the eastern side.

The Manang and Mustang sides sit in the rain shadow and are much drier than the east, but the first days from Besisahar are wet and slippery between June and August. We run the trek mainly in the spring and autumn windows.

Expect temperatures well below freezing at Thorong Phedi and on the pass before sunrise, often with wind. In the main seasons nights at Manang and above are around freezing. A down jacket, warm hat, insulated gloves and a sleeping bag rated to 0°C are listed on our equipment list.

The trek needs the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. We arrange both as part of your package. We need a clear scan of your passport after you pay your deposit, so please send it as soon as you can.

On Day 2 a private vehicle takes you from Kathmandu to Besisahar. At the end, the trek finishes at Nayapul, a taxi takes you to Pokhara and a tourist bus carries you back to Kathmandu on Day 17. Road conditions affect the drive times, especially in the wet season.

The start is overland by design, which also helps with acclimatisation. Some trekkers shorten the route by taking jeeps for the first days, but we recommend walking so that you get the full valley experience and the gradual gain in height.

Mostly in village teahouses with twin-share rooms and shared bathrooms. The lodges become simpler above Manang, and Thorong Phedi is basic. Hotels on the route such as Marpha, Tatopani and Ghorepani offer a little more comfort.

Dal bhat is the dependable choice, with noodle soup, fried rice, momos, pasta, potatoes and eggs. Marpha is known for apples, and you will find apple pies and brandy along the Kali Gandaki. The package covers three meals a day on 15 of the 18 days; the rest are as listed on the trip page.

No. Treat water from taps and streams with tablets or a filter, or buy bottled water, which costs about INR 100 to 300 per bottle and becomes more expensive as you climb. Refilling a bottle with treated water saves money and plastic.

Hot showers cost about INR 200 to 300 in some teahouses. Charging costs about INR 200 to 400 for a power bank and about INR 100 for a phone, paid directly to the teahouse. Wi-Fi is about INR 300 to 500 per hour where available. Prices rise with altitude.

The package covers the items on the trip page: permits, guide and porter service, accommodation and meals as listed, transport, a farewell dinner and a trip certificate. Not included are insurance, flights to Nepal, your visa if applicable, drinks and snacks, hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi, tips and extra hotel nights. The full list of extras is in our Terms & Conditions.

We suggest budgeting about USD 300 to 400 (INR 25,000 to 40,000) for extras and tips, plus a card or cash for emergencies. Cards are rarely accepted on the trail, so carry enough rupees in cash from Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Tipping is optional but customary. About 10% of your trek price, shared between your guide and porter team, is a typical guide.

Your deposit is paid in advance. Indian guests pay by bank transfer or UPI; we do not take credit cards in India. Guests outside India can pay by transfer or online card (4.5% processing fee). The balance is paid at our Kathmandu office on arrival in INR, USD, EUR, GBP or another major currency, and card payments in Nepal carry a 13% fee, so cash is cheaper.

Yes. Your policy must cover trekking up to 6,000m, emergency medical treatment and helicopter evacuation. Many standard policies stop at 4,000m, so check the altitude limit before you buy. Send us a copy before you arrive. See the insurance section of our terms. Indian passport holders can consider ASEGO or Adventure Sports Cover (ASC360).

Your guide contacts the Kathmandu team, which coordinates the rescue with your insurer. You are responsible for medical and evacuation costs, and a helicopter can cost USD 5,000 or more. If you are evacuated, get a formal hospital report in Kathmandu as soon as you can, because insurers often reject claims without it.

Your guide, porters and drivers are all employed by Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., our licensed operator in Nepal. Guides speak English, hold government licences and have first-aid training. Meet them on our team page.

Nepal is generally welcoming and the Circuit is a busy, well-established route. You trek with a guide, and the teahouse owners know the guides well. We suggest solo travellers join a group departure when possible.

Yes. Rescheduling is free, as many times as you need, with at least 6 weeks' notice. Tell us at least 14 days before departure for any change request. You pay any price difference between your original booking and the new date.

50% of the deposit is refundable for 30 days from booking, after which it is not. The deposit stays valid for 365 days and can be used on any trek we offer. If you do not contact us and do not arrive, the deposit is forfeited.

We cannot refund unused days or services, because guides and porters are paid for the full period. We help you arrange your return, but extra hotel nights, meals and flight changes are your responsibility.

There is no single supplement for joining a group, and you have your own room in Kathmandu. If you are the only person on a fixed departure, a Solo Support Fee of INR 1,500 per day covers a dedicated porter. We tell you at booking, or as soon as it arises.