Join a group of 7-12 fellow adventurers on a 15-day exploration of the legendary Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Scaling trails and navigating steep inclines, rely on resilience as your guiding star. Remember that each challenging step will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas and a symphony of nature's grandeur and personal transformation. The allure of the Annapurna Circuit calls out to those craving immersion in raw splendor, where each day becomes a journey of self-discovery. Embark on a harmonious exploration, where sweeping vistas and limitless horizons set the stage for an unparalleled adventure of a lifetime.
As you arrive at the airport, we will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation in Kathmandu. After a short break, join us for a welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurants in the heart of Kathmandu. After dinner and a short brief about your trip, spend the night at a local hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
*First lunch, dinner & beverages not included.
Spend your first day in the capital discovering all the heritage sites in Kathmandu valley with a local guide. Visit the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the Boudhanath stupa, or the Monkey Temple. After this, meet us again for a discussion about the trip and gear check, and meet your local hiking guide that will join us for the next 12 days. Use the rest of the evening for relaxation in the hotel or keep exploring Kathmandu on your own.
Accommodation: Hotel
We will depart early in the morning for the long drive out of Kathmandu. Our driver will take us along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway to the small village of Dumre. We will follow the paved road by the Marsyangdi River to the village of Besisahar and from there, take a local jeep to reach the small village of Jagat. Spend the night at a teahouse lodge.
Accommodation: Teahouse lodge
Driving: 124 miles/ 200 km
After breakfast, we’ll hike to the village of Dharapani (6375 ft/1943 m). Cross the first suspension bridges by foot and ascend a deep and steep forest to the village of Tal. After lunch, we’ll follow the river until we reach a teahouse lodge where you will spend the night.
Accommodation: Teahouse lodge
Hiking distance: 9,5 miles/ 15 km
Rise early in Dharapani and start the hike along the mule track and hot springs until you reach the village of Timang. We’ll walk the suspension bridges connecting the different sectors of the trail, leading us to Chame under the Lamjung Himal peak. During these two days, we’ll get the opportunity to see how the landscape changes from wet rice terraces to dense alpine forests until we get to the town of Pisang. For the first time, you will feel small with the view of the Annapurna II and the Lamjung Himal right in front of you.
Accommodation: Local teahouses
Hiking distance: 8,7 miles/ 14 km per day
We’ll follow a trail through the beautiful villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal, with excellent views of Nepal’s massive mountains, including Annapurna II, IV, Tilicho, and Pisang peak. Take some time off for a short visit to Braga monastery, the oldest and largest in the region. Continue the trek to the largest Tibetan settlement in the Manang region. Depending on how the group feels, we might spend the following day in Manang or finish the hike to the small town of Gunsang.
Accommodation: Local teahouses
Hiking distance: 12 miles/ 19,5 km
At this point, the colder weather should let you know that we’re getting higher and higher. The trail climbs to Letdar along a riverside, passing a small village and meadows where horses and yak graze. We’ll spend a night in Letdar and continue towards High Camp, the last place we’ll stay before reaching the highest mountain pass of the Annapurna Mountain range. The trail climbs northwest of the tributary Jargeng Khola valley. If we’re lucky, we’ll see herds of blue mountain sheep on the cliffs.
Accommodation: Local mountain hut
Hiking distance: 6,8 miles/ 11 km
Wake up early in the morning to reach the top of the trail, the highest mountain pass of the Annapurna Range. After many days of hiking, your body will be ready to take on the 17,769 ft (5.416 m) Thorung La mountain pass and you will face this challenge without fear. After reaching the top, we’ll continue descending to Muktinath in the legendary Mustang valley.
Accommodation: Local teahouse
Hiking distance: 10 miles/ 16 km
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll hike to the picturesque village of Kagbeni, the gateway to the until-recently forbidden Upper Mustang kingdom. Take the opportunity to visit the 500-year-old Buddhist monastery situated in the town. After lunch, continue the trek to Jomsom. The following day, we will take a morning flight to Pokhara, where we get to visit the picturesque valley.
Accommodation: Hotel
Hiking distance: 11,8 miles/ 19 km
We’ll take an early morning bus back to the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, and enjoy a short domestic flight to Kathmandu. Reminisce of the remote mountain villages and purity of their modest life as we land in the buzzing, yet beautiful Kathmandu, and explore the city before the celebratory dinner with the group.
Accommodation: Hotel
After breakfast on your last day, we will drop you off at the international airport for your final departure. Say your goodbyes and revel in your accomplishments before your flight back home.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
In Nepal it is mandatory to travel with a local certified guide. Your local English-speaking guides have been a travel agency for many years and they are familiar with the area. They also have an official and professional mountain guiding education and all the gear you’ll need along the way.
Hiking the Annapurna Circuit is a challenging undertaking, and it requires excellent physical fitness. If you want to fully enjoy your trip to Nepal, you should be able to hike for up to 9 miles (14,5 km) a day on steep, rocky, and slippery terrain with over 3,200 ft (1,000 m) of elevation gain.
Luggage transportation during the hiking days (from day 4 to day 13) is not supported or provided by porters, meaning that each traveler will need to carry his/her own backpack. Also, keep in mind that the weather in the Annapurna Circuit can be unpredictable.
A lot of the hiking will be done in high altitudes, so some experience dealing with high elevation is recommended. Altitude sickness is a serious threat and even the most experienced trekkers can succumb to it, but with the right itinerary and aerobic training, you should be safe.
Completing this hike is within the grasp of most active and reasonably fit travelers. Still, some preparation is always welcome. You should start a training routine at least two weeks prior to the trek. Your training should consist of cardiovascular activities like hiking, swimming, cycling, etc. There is no upper age limit and hikers in their 60s have had as much success as their more youthful counterparts!
Suitcases or duffel bags are not allowed on this tour as you will be hiking with the backpack. If you want to bring extra clothing and luggage in a suitcase or duffel bag, you will have to leave them in the city. There will be no porter service on trek.
Ensure that all items fit securely within your backpack without anything protruding, keeping everything dry during the hike. The recommended maximum weight for your backpack is 12 kg/ 26 lbs, with an optimal limit around 8kg/17.6lbs. The quantities listed for specific items are indicative and based on guides’ recommendations.
Here’s a list of personal equipment you need to bring:
Here’s a list of clothing you need to bring:
Due to the difficult terrain, it’s highly recommended to bring good quality mountain gear. Your guides will contact you about any additional equipment at the time of contracting the trip.
No. Your guides like their groups to pack minimalistic and to carry only what it is necessary for the adventure. Embarking on the Annapurna Circuit trek without a porter is an invigorating choice that unlocks a world of unique benefits and personal growth. By carrying your own backpack and shouldering the weight of your essentials, you embark on a transformative journey that goes beyond the physical challenge.
From the moment you step on the trail, you won’t have to worry about food, as all meals, tea and coffee are included—no matter how many cups or how many pots you want to drink! Your guide’s goal is to keep you hydrated at all costs to avoid the altitude sickness and (of course) to have the tranquility of not needing to pay extra money for something as basic as an extra cup of tea.
Bringing your own snacks to Nepal is not necessary as you will have lunch everyday at local tea-houses. However if you feel like brining some protein or chocolate bars, you are very welcome to do so!
The accommodation used is always the best possible. In Kathmandu, you will stay at one of the best hotels in town. On the trail, you’ll stay in teahouses, local ones with the best services (rooms, food & facilities) so you can really rest and enjoy after the daily treks.
If you have desire of having your own room during your time in Kathmandu, please let us know at the time of your booking. Your guides will be happy to assist you in booking a single room, making the process convenient and hassle-free. The payment for the single room can be settled directly upon your arrival, ensuring a seamless experience.
If you have any allergies or intolerances, it is vital to inform your guides in advance during the trip booking process or, if not possible, before reaching the destination.
Travelers who require vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan menus throughout the entirety of the trip must notify the guide. They will make efforts to accommodate all the dietary needs. Please note that the logistics in Nepal are very limited and sometimes, special menus different to vegetarians are difficult or impossible to find. Open communication regarding dietary restrictions ensures a safe and enjoyable trip for all participants.
Every 1000 m/ 3,200 ft you travel above sea level makes aerobic exercise 10% harder. You’ll spend all of the Annapurna Circuit hiking above 3,000 m!
Here are a few tips on do’s and don’ts for adapting to high altitude and avoiding altitude sickness:
You should also try to include cardio and strength training in your schedule. Cardio means getting your heart rate up by doing things like running, cycling, skipping and burpees. Strength training means using resistance, weights or your body weight to grow your muscles. The fitter you are, the less oxygen your muscles need to move — something invaluable in low-oxygen environment.
If possible, do some training hikes at high altitudes before heading to Nepal. This will prepare you for the increased strain placed on your body when engaging in high-altitude trekking.
Group sizes and prices
Annapurna Circuit trek can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, most people fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, they will arrange for your pickup at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in Kathmandu. After that, all you have to do is stay safe and have fun on this Nepal trekking tour!