Annapurna Circuit Trek

The drive to the start of the circuit takes 7 to 8 hours along the Prithvi Highway. You'll spend the night in a teahouse in Bhulbhule.

This is where the trek actually begins. The trail runs through the subtropical Marsyangdi Valley, crossing several suspension bridges over glacial rivers running turquoise below. Walking time is around 4 to 5 hours.

The valley closes in and the trail enters pine and fir forest, with the first real views of Lamjung Himal opening up along the way. Some trekkers drive part of this stretch, others walk the full day, which runs to about 6 hours on foot.

The trail cuts through a dramatic gorge beneath towering rock walls before opening out into the wide Manang Valley. About 5 hours of walking.

One of the signature days on the circuit. The trail passes Braga Monastery, which is over 900 years old, and Gangapurna Lake. There are two route options here, the Upper Pisang trail and the Lower Pisang trail. Around 5 hours.

A rest day built in for altitude adjustment, with an optional hike up to Gangapurna Lake (3,720m) or further up to Ice Lake (4,600m). The local health post runs a mandatory briefing on altitude sickness and how to recognize it, since this matters a lot for what comes later in the trek.

The trail crosses above the treeline into open, high-altitude pasture. Yak herds start to outnumber village life from here on. Roughly 3 to 4 hours.

A short walking day, only about 3 hours, but an important one. The goal here is to rest, drink plenty of water, and get an early night, since tomorrow is the big crossing.

This is the day the whole trek builds toward. It starts around 4:00 AM, with a 5 to 6 hour climb to Thorong La Pass. Reaching the prayer flags at the top is one of the real highlights of the trek. From there it's a long descent, dropping about 1,600 meters down to Muktinath, a site held sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. Total walking time runs 7 to 8 hours.

The trail enters the old Mustang Valley, marked by flat-roofed mud-brick villages, apple orchards, and increasingly desert-like terrain. Kagbeni itself sits at the entrance to Upper Mustang. About 4 hours.

The route runs through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, with Dhaulagiri on one side and Annapurna on the other. Marpha is known locally for its apple brandy. Around 5 hours.

Continuing down the Kali Gandaki, the trail passes through Tukuche, known for its distillery, and the village of Kobang. About 5 hours.

A long descent back into subtropical climate. Tatopani translates to "hot water," and the village is known for its natural hot springs, a welcome stop after days of high altitude. 5 to 6 hours.

A steep climb of about 1,700 meters through forest. This is also where circuit trekkers typically merge with those coming up from Annapurna Base Camp. Around 6 hours.

An early start before dawn to reach Poon Hill (3,210m) for sunrise over the Annapurna range. Afterward the trail descends to Nayapul, followed by a drive to Pokhara, where a farewell dinner is held at a restaurant by the lake.

Return to Kathmandu, with the rest of the day free.

Transfer from the hotel to the international airport, marking the end of the trip.