Included: An experienced, local English-speaking hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 6-day Annapurna Circuit short trek Meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches. 5 dinners Accommodation: 5 nights in teahouses (twin-shared rooms) Transfers: Kathmandu to Chame transportation Jomsom to Pokhara flight Pokhara to Kathmandu bus ACAP Permits, TIMS and all required entrance fees / paper works Water purification tablet Gear: Trekking pole, duffel bag, and trekking hat High altitude insurance for all staff Government taxes Add-ons: Private Jeep from Kathmandu to Chame — $400 Porter — $200 Not included: Flights to and from Nepal Transfers not mentioned in the “Included” section Personal gear and expenses Meals not indicated in the itinerary Snacks and drinks Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — mandatory

How fit do I need to be?

To do the short Annapurna Circuit trek, trekkers have to be physically and mentally strong. It is an offbeat trek with steep, rugged, and rocky terrain that constantly ascends and descends. You will cover approximately 65 km / 40 mi in 4 days of walking. The better your strength and stamina, the more you will enjoy the trek. Crossing the Thorong La Pass is the toughest and highest part of this trek. It is also the longest walking day (up to 8-9 hours). You will reach 5,416 meters (17,756 ft) above sea level on this day. Note that you will gain this elevation in just 5 days after leaving Kathmandu, so you must be fine with the elevation gain. There is no acclimatization break to offer the shortest itinerary for the Annapurna Circuit, so trekkers need previous high-altitude experience . Overall, the short Annapurna Circuit trek requires very good physical fitness, mental endurance, and previous trekking experience. For more hiking adventures in Nepal, click here !

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Head and hands: Sun cap Wool / Fleece hat Balaclava Neck gaiter / High neck Lightweight synthetic liner glove Wind stopper fleece gloves Upper body: Short-sleeved shirts / T-shirts Thermal wear Synthetic or fleece jacket Down jacket Lower body: Underwear Trekking pants Insulated pants Trekking and climbing socks First aid kit: Water purification tablets Baby wipes or wet towels Handy plaster Crack bandage Strepsils Antibiotic Paracetamol Aspirin Sinex Anti-diarrhea capsule / Eldoper Brufen / Ibuprofens Diamox Eye drops Toiletries: Sunscreen Lip balm Hand sanitizers and hand wash Wet tissues Toilet paper Toothpaste Toothbrush Bath soap Shampoo Moisturizers Laundry soap Garbage bag Comb and small mirror Miscellaneous: Sleeping bag — possible to rent in Kathmandu Sleeping bag liner Sunglasses with UV protection Extendable trekking poles Trekking boots One casual pair of sandals / hiking shoes Daypack Duffel bag Water bottle Thermos / Flask (wide mouth) Umbrella / Raincoat Spare batteries Solar chargeable power bank (optional) Journal / Pen Book / Board game Bars and snacks Travel documents: Valid passport Valid visa 4 PP size photo Insurance paper (Medical and rescue) and contact address Family / Company contact number and address Credit card Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Annapurna Circuit short trek, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1. It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 10 participants. Hiking in Nepal can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors older than 13 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Annapurna Circuit short trek is Kathmandu. To get there, most people fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) . From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Kathmandu. Once you’re there, you will meet your guide in front of your hotel in Kathmandu. Your guide will provide more information before the adventure begins.

Safety measures and insurance

Medical and travel protection is mandatory on this trip. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

KATHMANDU | NEPAL

Annapurna Circuit Short Trek: Hiking Adventure in Nepal

5.00

From $850 ()

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Duration

6 days

Season

February through June, September through December

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Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Accommodation and food
Reviews
Things to know

Want the Annapurna Circuit hiking adventure in Nepal without using up all your vacation days? Boom—this is it! Six days, all gas, no brakes. We took the best of the legendary Annapurna Circuit, trimmed the fluff, and left you with nothing but the most jaw-dropping, heart-pounding, high-altitude goodness. In just six days, we’ll hike through rice terraces, cross Thorong La Pass at a sky-scraping 5,416 m (17,756 ft), and strut into Jomsom with that “Yeah, I did that” energy. The locals? Warmer than your morning cup of tea. The landscapes? Straight out of a dream. The adventure? Short and sweet, but packs a punch. It’s fast, it’s intense, and it’s 100% the right call for anyone who’s short on time but big on adventure.

Adventure highlights

Six days, all thrill

The best of Annapurna Circuit, minus the long itinerary
Thorong La pass

Cross the legendary 5,416-m (17,756-ft) pass—thin air, thick views, and the ultimate leg workout
Himalayan hospitality

Enjoy teahouse stays with comfy beds, hot meals, and even warmer welcomes

Itinerary

Download itinerary

When time is tight but adventure is non-negotiable, this trek delivers. The Annapurna Circuit short trek serves up six days of mountain magic—stunning forests, high-altitude passes, and teahouse stops where traditional meals such as dal bhat hit just right. We’ll cross Thorong La Pass at a breathtaking 5,416 m (17,756 ft), explore ancient villages, and experience the warmth of Nepal’s locals and its mountain culture. The days are trimmed, not the experience, so every step counts. Big trek, short time, zero regrets, are you ready?

The ride from Kathmandu to Chame is long but very scenic. We will use a private vehicle up to Besisahar. The highway follows lush hills and rivers, offering beautiful scenery. The first few hours of the drive are comfortable. The roads from Dumre get bumpy. In Besisahar, we will change our vehicle to a local jeep. You will then enjoy a thrilling, bumpy ride to Chame. The mountain views and landscapes are heavenly along the way.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Driving: 238 km / 148 mi, 8-9 hours
Maximum elevation: +2,650 m / +8,694 ft
Accommodation: Teahouse
We will start the trek from Chame. After a big breakfast, we’ll leave the teahouse, follow a steep, narrow valley, and walk up to Paungda Danda Rock. It is a huge rock rising from the Marsyangdi River. From here, we’ll follow a downhill route that leads to the Manang Valley floor. The trail then ascends to Upper Pisang, offering breathtaking views of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak on the way.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 13.2 km / 8.2 mi, 5-6 hours
Maximum elevation: +3,115 m / +10,200 ft
Accommodation: Teahouse
From Upper Pisang to Manang, we will follow a very scenic route via Geru. It is the upper trail. We will see spectacular views of mountains like Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Mt. Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, Tilicho Peak, etc. Manang is the biggest village in the area, with many modern services.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 17 km / 10.6 mi, 6 hours
Maximum elevation: +3,540 m / +11,300 ft
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today, we will ascend to Thorong Phedi. We have a very long day of walking ahead of us, so we will have a big breakfast and leave Manang early in the morning. The trail crosses a stream and ascends to Tenki village. From here, we will come out of the Marsyangdi River Valley and enter Jarsang Khola Valley.

Trekking through pastures, we’ll pass by Gunsan and Yak Kharka. We will see a huge shift in landscape because the trail leaves a treeline behind and enters the alpine zone. Yak Kharka onwards, the trail is mostly narrow and steep all the way to Thorong Phedi.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 18 km / 11 mi, 8 hours
Maximum elevation: +4,525 m / +14,525 ft
Accommodation: Teahouse
On this day, we will cross the Thorong La Pass. The day begins very early with a warm breakfast. We will start climbing to the top of Thorong La Pass, navigating steep, rocky tracks. The climb will be tough because of the high altitude.

Upon reaching the top of the pass, an outstanding mountain panorama will unfold ahead of us, making us forget all the pain. Enjoy the view and descend from the pass to Muktinath Temple. It is a pilgrimage site for Hindus. We’ll quickly explore the temple and take a jeep ride to Jomsom.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 15.6 km / 9.6 mi, 8-9 hours
Maximum elevation: +5,416 m / +17,756 ft
Drive distance: 23 km / 14.2 mi
Accommodation: Teahouse
We will take a morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, enjoying stunning aerial mountain views. From Pokhara, we will take a bus to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu, the guide will drop you off at the hotel, and this adventure in Nepal will come to an end.

Meals: Breakfast

Annapurna Circuit Short Trek: Hiking Adventure in Nepal

Adventure Brochure

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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guides

5.00

Amar Magar

Amar has 13 years of experience leading groups across Nepal’s most iconic trails. A native of Solukhumbu, he is a government-recognized guide with extensive training in high-altitude trekking, first aid, leadership, and peak climbing. Having guided in all major trekking regions of Nepal, Amar’s deep local knowledge and passion for the mountains make him a standout guide.

5.00

Rajesh Magar

Rajesh Magar is one of the top climbers in the company, and he is from Solukhumbu district, known as the home of Sherpas. Rajesh is passionate about mountaineering, and he is well known for his experience, skill, and honesty among the clients. He already summited Mount Manaslu 2 times and moreover, he successfully conquered Mount Everest in 2021 during the spring season. Rajesh has been doing professional mountaineering for the last 13 years and he is always focused on the success of the mission and giving clients the experiences that they are looking for during their climbing.

5.00

Discover Altitude

Discover Altitude specializes in Himalayan treks, climbing expeditions, luxury tours, and off-the-beaten-path experiences. With over 20 years of experience organizing and guiding tours in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, their expert guides ensure memorable, safe, and immersive adventures that create lifelong memories.

Accommodation and food

Accommodation

The accommodation during the Annapurna Circuit short trek will feature the best tea houses available along the trail, including twin-shared rooms. Single rooms are also available, but cost a few extra bucks per day.

The tea houses add a more authentic mountain experience to the journey. The rooms are small and simple but cozy. You will get a clean bed and pillow, but note that it will not be spotless, so trekkers who are sensitive should carry their own pillowcase. Please note that a sleeping bag is essential for this trek, so get a sleeping bag that is rated for -10°C to -15°C (14°F to 5°F).

If you do not want to spend money on sleeping bags, you can rent them in Kathmandu for just $1 or $2 per day. Western-style toilets are available along the trail. We recommend trekkers pack all necessary toiletries, such as paper soap, wet tissues, toilet paper, etc. Please note that the private washroom is not available.

Food

On this Annapurna Circuit short trek, all meals are included, along with tea, coffee, and seasonal fruit.

Some common foods and dishes that we’ll eat include dal bhat (rice, veggies/meat dish, lentil soup, pickles), thukpa (noodle soup), momo (dumplings), porridge, fried rice, rice with curries, paratha, Tibetan bread, stew, soups, pancakes, eggs, oats, muesli, etc.

5.00(2 reviews)

Alden Solon

A friend recommended Discover Altitude to me and trekking with them has been nothing short of amazing. They of course have all the basics of getting you out there, creating a wonderful experience, and returning you safely all covered. What sets them apart though is the quality of people that they are. They spent time that I personally needed with me to make sure I was ready to go, checked in with both me and the guide along the way, and were responsive at all hours of the day whenever I had a request. They are very competitively priced for solo trips with a guide or if you are going out as a group.Call or stop by to talk with them and even if you decide that you don’t need a guide they will still gladly set up jeeps and flights to ease the logistic burden for you like they did for one of my friends who went out a few days after me.I can’t recommend them highly enough! I know I will be returning to Nepal with some friends in the future and there isn’t another trekking company that I would trust with my trip more than Discover Altitude.

Justin Anderson

WOW is all I can say about the trip. Narayan and staff were amazing throughout the entire process. Friendly, super knowledgeable, and handled everything for my trip. They were always concerned about my comfort and seeing that a memorable trip was had by myself and my partner. I had a medical issue that caused them to both work into the night to get resolution on. Of course being sick in a foreign country can be a scary ordeal, but it was handled professionally and worked out well. I can say with certainty that they’ll be at the top of my list for my next trip and I can say without reservation that I’d go with them again.

Show all reviews

Alden Solon

Justin Anderson

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local English-speaking hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 6-day Annapurna Circuit short trek
  - Meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches. 5 dinners
  - Accommodation: 5 nights in teahouses (twin-shared rooms)
  - Transfers:
  - Kathmandu to Chame transportation
  - Jomsom to Pokhara flight
  - Pokhara to Kathmandu bus
  - ACAP Permits, TIMS and all required entrance fees / paper works
  - Water purification tablet
  - Gear: Trekking pole, duffel bag, and trekking hat
  - High altitude insurance for all staff
  - Government taxes
Add-ons:
- - Private Jeep from Kathmandu to Chame — $400
  - Porter — $200
Not included:
- - Flights to and from Nepal
  - Transfers not mentioned in the “Included” section
  - Personal gear and expenses
  - Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  - Snacks and drinks
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — mandatory
To do the short Annapurna Circuit trek, trekkers have to be physically and mentally strong. It is an offbeat trek with steep, rugged, and rocky terrain that constantly ascends and descends. You will cover approximately 65 km / 40 mi in 4 days of walking. The better your strength and stamina, the more you will enjoy the trek.

Crossing the Thorong La Pass is the toughest and highest part of this trek. It is also the longest walking day (up to 8-9 hours). You will reach 5,416 meters (17,756 ft) above sea level on this day. Note that you will gain this elevation in just 5 days after leaving Kathmandu, so you must be fine with the elevation gain.

There is no acclimatization break to offer the shortest itinerary for the Annapurna Circuit, so trekkers need previous high-altitude experience. Overall, the short Annapurna Circuit trek requires very good physical fitness, mental endurance, and previous trekking experience.

For more hiking adventures in Nepal, click here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

Head and hands:
- - Sun cap
  - Wool / Fleece hat
  - Balaclava
  - Neck gaiter / High neck
  - Lightweight synthetic liner glove
  - Wind stopper fleece gloves
Upper body:
- - Short-sleeved shirts / T-shirts
  - Thermal wear
  - Synthetic or fleece jacket
  - Down jacket
Lower body:
- - Underwear
  - Trekking pants
  - Insulated pants
  - Trekking and climbing socks
First aid kit:
- - Water purification tablets
  - Baby wipes or wet towels
  - Handy plaster
  - Crack bandage
  - Strepsils
  - Antibiotic
  - Paracetamol
  - Aspirin
  - Sinex
  - Anti-diarrhea capsule / Eldoper
  - Brufen / Ibuprofens
  - Diamox
  - Eye drops
Toiletries:
- - Sunscreen
  - Lip balm
  - Hand sanitizers and hand wash
  - Wet tissues
  - Toilet paper
  - Toothpaste
  - Toothbrush
  - Bath soap
  - Shampoo
  - Moisturizers
  - Laundry soap
  - Garbage bag
  - Comb and small mirror
Miscellaneous:
- - Sleeping bag — possible to rent in Kathmandu
  - Sleeping bag liner
  - Sunglasses with UV protection
  - Extendable trekking poles
  - Trekking boots
  - One casual pair of sandals / hiking shoes
  - Daypack
  - Duffel bag
  - Water bottle
  - Thermos / Flask (wide mouth)
  - Umbrella / Raincoat
  - Spare batteries
  - Solar chargeable power bank (optional)
  - Journal / Pen
  - Book / Board game
  - Bars and snacks
Travel documents:
- - Valid passport
  - Valid visa
  - 4 PP size photo
  - Insurance paper (Medical and rescue) and contact address
  - Family / Company contact number and address
  - Credit card
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Annapurna Circuit short trek, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 10 participants.
Hiking in Nepal can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors older than 13 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Annapurna Circuit short trek is Kathmandu. To get there, most people fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Kathmandu.

Once you’re there, you will meet your guide in front of your hotel in Kathmandu. Your guide will provide more information before the adventure begins.
Medical and travel protection is mandatory on this trip. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.