How high is Thorong La?

Thorong La, the mountain pass on the Annapurna Circuit, is 5,416 meters (17,769 feet) above sea level.

How difficult is the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is considered strenuous due to its length (12–22 days), elevation (5,416 m/17,769 ft), and overall challenging terrain. The trek includes lots of long ascents and descents, which are a thrill for experienced trekkers and a big challenge for those who are less experienced or have pre-existing ailments such as knee issues. Someone with overall good physical health who prepares for the trek with pre-training will be able to complete the trek with minimal difficulty. However, since it is walking on a clear trail and not mountain climbing, beginners can do it as well.

How long is the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Depending on the route that you choose, the Annapurna Circuit takes as few as 12 days or as long as 22 days, covering anywhere from 160 km to 230 km by foot. Each trekking package is crafted especially for you based on your needs, preferences, and time frame. A shorter trek would mean driving farther along the route, and a longer trek could include more rest days, day trips, or even exploring additional regions off of the main route.

When is the best time to hike the Annapurna Circuit?

The Annapurna Circuit is open all year round for trekkers; however, the weather is most favorable and conducive to trekking in autumn and spring. Autumn, specifically October, is the busiest time of year because the monsoon season will have just finished, leaving the skies clear and the trails less dusty. If you are looking for a less busy time, you can go trekking in September, November, or even December, January, and February. Trekking in low seasons like December, January, and February is the best way to avoid crowds and enjoy the stunning nature. For the spring season, the best weather usually starts in March and lasts until May, when the rain starts.

Do I need travel insurance for the Annapurna Circuit?

Yes, comprehensive medical insurance is essential for trekking the Annapurna Circuit. Pay close attention to the details of your insurance package to ensure that it includes high-altitude trekking, hospitalization, and medical evacuation.

How likely is altitude sickness on the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Altitude sickness is the most common challenge for people trekking the Annapurna Circuit and can affect anyone, even well-prepared trekkers. Precautions are set in place, such as increasing elevation gradually, drinking enough water (you have to be hydrated all the time), balancing meals, properly dressing up, well-acclimatizing, avoiding drinking and smoking over 3000 meters, hiking higher and sleeping lower to support your acclimatization and overall enjoyment of the trek.

What food and water are available on the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Tea houses are scattered along the whole route, with both local Nepali dishes and Western food available. Tap or river water is not safe to drink anywhere in Nepal, but you can purchase bottles of mineral water or boiled water. To preserve the environment, we would recommend that you bring your water purification system, such as purification tablets, a life straw, or a steripen. You can save the environment and your budget as well.

Please go through our trekking gear pack list for more details Recommended trekking gear pack list by Nepal Trekking Experts

Do I need a sleeping bag or camping gear for the Annapurna Circuit?

A high-quality, extreme-temperature (negative 15/20 degrees Celsius) sleeping bag is recommended when trekking in the Himalayas. The rental of a clean sleeping bag is included in your trekking package if you do not want to bring your own. No camping gear is required because you will be sleeping in tea houses along the whole trekking route.

Where can I store my unnecessary gear and valuable things?

You can leave any extra gear in Kathmandu and carry only what you need. If you have any valuables that you would like kept safe while you're away, you can utilize our safe located in the Nepal Trekking Experts office, which is only accessible by the company owner, Rajesh.

What currency do I carry on the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Be sure to trek with local Nepali rupees for personal purchases such as snacks and souvenirs. Foreign currency and cards are not accepted, and apart from Manang and Jomsom, there are no ATMs along the route.

Do I need a guide and who will it be?

Despite the latest rule of April 2023, you can still trek without a guide in the Annapurna Region. However, knowing the details about Nepal, its culture, flora, and fauna, not missing beautiful experiences, and taking a local guide would be worth it. You will get value for your hard-earned money. Your guide will be a member of our team who is professional, proficient in English, reliable, and trained in first-aid and rescue procedures.

How can I pay the deposit?

A 10% deposit of the total amount is required to secure your place on one of our treks. The deposit can be paid through a secure and reliable online payment gateway on our website. Once settled in Kathmandu, you can pay the remainder in cash in USD, EUR, GBP, or local Nepali rupees. You also have the option to pay by card, which charges an additional fee of 3.5%, which is reinforced by the local banks in Nepal.

Annapurna Circuit Trek | Annapurna Round Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trekking Cost


1 pax	US$945
2 - 6 pax	US$845
7 - 10 pax	US$795
11 - 15 pax	US$745
16 - 20 pax	US$690

1 pax

US$945

2 - 6 pax

US$845

7 - 10 pax

US$795

11 - 15 pax

US$745

16 - 20 pax

US$690

Annapurna Circuit Trek Overview

Nepal Trekking Experts feels proud to introduce you to one of the major fascinating trekking routes of Nepal Annapurna. Annapurna Circuit Trek is located in the western part of Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit trek has been considered one of the world’s greatest treks. Like all great journeys, the trek reveals itself gradually climbing through subtropical scenery to a Tibetan-influenced valley and over the High Thorong La to the Kaligandaki valley, a desert-like Trans-Himalayan region that was once a vital trade corridor to Tibet. The side trips that line the circuit rank among Nepal’s most spectacular, so this one of the treks is not too rushed. Trekkers need two different permits to trek the Annapurna region such as TIMS Card and Annapurna conservation area permits. Nepal Trekking Experts will provide you with information and organize hassle-free trips.

The mountain views are flawless the variety of scenery is hard to match and the villages and monasteries you pass offer an exotic slice of Nepali, Tibetan, and Trans-Himalayan culture. It will offer such massive waterfalls and excellent meals and accommodation whenever you need it. If you have enough time Annapurna Circuit Trek offers to combine various sorts of trekking routes such as Nar Phu, Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake, Mesokanto La 5120m, Thorong La 5416m, Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Ghorepani, Annapurna Base Camp, etc. Which you never get such an opportunity in another trek. You will have another great chance to explore the deepest gorge of the world Dana Gorge comparing two eight thousand peaks Dhaulagiri(8167m) and Annapurna first(8091m).

Likewise, you may prefer the less advertised and less explored trekking routes, such as the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Nar Phu Valley Trek, or the Upper Mustang Trek too. According to your duration of vacation and interest in Nepal, Trekking Experts designs perfect holidays to make them exceptional. Please do not hesitate to discuss with our experts for more details.

Annapurna Circuit Trekking Permits:

When trekking with Nepal Trekking Experts, the permit fees are included in your package. Your experienced guide will obtain all required permits on your behalf with your passport. To enter the Annapurna region, you will require two permits, which can both be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara before commencing your trek.

The TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Card costs 2000 Nepali rupees, and as per the latest rule, it will be obtained through the trekking agencies only.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs 3000 Nepali rupees, is available through the Nepal Tourism Board, Bhirkutimandap Kathmandu, or Pokhara.

Accommodation at the Annapurna Circuit Trek

There are plenty of tea houses to choose from in the famous Annapurna region of Nepal, so there's no need to carry camping or cooking supplies. The Annapurna routes are well-loved and well-traveled, meaning that tea houses ranging in quality have been established to meet the range of needs of travelers. At lower elevations and busier areas, you can choose more fully equipped tea houses with electricity, wifi, and en suite bathrooms with hot showers and western toilets. There are also more rustic, basic tea houses available, especially at higher elevations, that have simple rooms and basic services. Bathrooms might be shared and have a squat-style toilet. At these tea houses, you can pay a small fee for services such as wifi and hot showers. We provide you with a clean, -20°C sleeping bag to keep you cozy and warm.

Meals at the Annapurna Circuit Trek

Food in the Annapurna Region of Nepal is delicious and plentiful, with a range of options to suit your preferences. The menus at tea houses are usually quite large, especially considering you are trekking into the Himalayas, but it's important to note that most tea houses offer similar food options. You can choose from a variety of local dishes, including Dal Bhat (rice, vegetable curry, and lentil soup with unlimited refills!), fried rice or noodles, Mo Mo (local dumplings), Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), spring rolls, or western dishes like burgers, pasta, pizza, and potatoes. For breakfast, you can enjoy local chapati bread or Tibetan bread with curry or go for more familiar eggs, porridge, muesli, or pancakes. This trek is vegetarian and vegan-friendly, but if you have any other dietary restrictions, you can let us know, and your guide will communicate with the kitchen staff.

Your package with Nepal Trekking Experts includes a dinner in Kathmandu before you leave for your trek and three meals a day (with tea or coffee) every day of the trek, including travel days. If you'd like, you can purchase extra snacks, desserts, or fancy coffees when they're available.

Transportation at the Annapurna Circuit Trek

All transportation fees and arrangements are included in your trekking package when you book with Nepal Trekking Experts. To start your adventure in the Annapurna region, there are many transport options depending on your interest, time frame, and budget. A common route is to travel via bus or microvan from Kathmandu (Gongabu Bus Park) to Besisahar (6–7 hours) and then continue on to your starting point via local Jeep. Common starting points include Bhulbhule, Jagat, Dharapani, Chame, and Manang. The further you travel via Jeep, the less trekking you'll do by foot. This shortens the length of your trek, which can be a great option if you have less time or are adding other, lesser-traveled regions to your trek, such as Tilicho Lake, Nar Phu Valley, or Nar Phu Thorong La.

Please be aware that the buses in Nepal can be overcrowded (especially if you are traveling during festival time), not particularly tidy, and will stop in villages along the route to pick up and drop off more people. Bus rides can be part of the exciting, immersive experience of being in a foreign country, but they are not for everyone. If you would like a more comfortable alternative, we can arrange a private jeep from Kathmandu all the way to your starting point. Jeeps shorten your travel time considerably, and you can stop for breaks at your leisure. With so many travel options, we'd be happy to talk things through with you to find what suits you best.

Battery Charging

Despite trekking deep into the Himalayas, most of the tea houses have either electricity or solar power. Depending on the tea house, you might be able to charge your devices in your rooms. Otherwise, you can pay a few dollars (paid in local rupees) to charge your battery in the main dining hall. Carrying a power bank is recommended during your trek in the Annapurna region.

Telephone availability around the Annapurna Circuit

Nowadays, most villages have phone service and mobile reception, although it can be quite unpredictable. NCELL and Nepal Telecom are the two major SIM card providers. Nepal Telecom is recommended by NTE for better reception in the Annapurna region. You can purchase a SIM card in Kathmandu when you arrive.

Porter

Our tailor-made packages do not include a porter, so you can make the decision based on your own needs and preferences. Although not necessary, having a porter can make a massive difference in the enjoyment of your trek. If you are new to trekking at high altitudes, then we would recommend having a porter in the Annapurna region carry your bag across the rugged terrain. One porter carries the bags of two people (around 20kg) so that you can carry a small daypack. If you are undecided, we would be happy to discuss porters in more detail when you book your trek.

17Travelers' Reviews

Incredible experience- on you will never forget
I couldn’t recommend this more to anyone! I was planning on doing my trek without a guide and I’m so glad I didn’t - having a guide and going with trekking experts made all the difference🙏🏼 I needed up with going with one other person and our guide , Basanta, who made the experience so much better! He did everything he could to make sure we had the best experience possible: from teaching us all about the mountains and the history, always making sure we were comfortable and happy, teaching us card games and so much more. His English was incredible and honestly his energy just made the experience so much better!
As for the trek itself, the company has created an amazing route where you see all sorts of terrain, you can stop whenever and the views are seriously something you will not see anywhere else.
I loved this experience so much! It is one I will truly never forget ❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank you thank you Basanta and trekking experts 🙏🏼🙏🏼
L
Lucy SJun 17, 2024United Kingdom
Awesome Experience
I was recommended to Nepal Trekking Experts by one of my friends, and it was one of the best decisions. They are professional, courteous, caring, and very attentive. Rajesh, the owner, Dinesh our guide, and Chowang and Ram the porters. They were always available, provided sound advice, but were never overbearing. I will highly recommend them to any future trekkers wanting to explore Nepal.
R
Rajeev MMay 16, 2024United States