The Annapurna Circuit takes you around the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mastiffs. You get to trek through pristine valleys and villages on the lap of Annapurna range. There are different routes you can take to complete this trek.
The complete Annapurna Circuit trek takes anywhere from 14-21 days. Yet, you can complete it in less time if you have any time or budget constraints.
Everything related to Annapurna Circuit trek including the elevation you reach depends on the route you take. This depends on where you decide to start and finish your trek. It also depends on any side trips you wish to include in your Annapurna Circuit trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Facts
Maximum elevation: Thorong La Pass- 5,416 meters
Distance covered: 211 km
Length: 8–21 days
Trek difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Starting elevation: 760 meters (2,493 feet) at Besisahar up to 3,450 meters at Manang.
Local trekking staff: Recommended but not a compulsion
Accommodations: Teahouse or camping
When to go: Local Fall (October to early December) and spring season (March to May) for perfect weather
Access point: Pokhara
Permits: The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS card, and Restricted Area Permit (if you include Upper Mustang as well)
Detailed Itinerary of Annapurna Circuit Route with Elevation
Day 01: Kathmandu- 1400 m
Today, you begin your journey to Nepal. By flight, you will arrive in Kathmandu. Kathmandu has the only international airport in Nepal.
Day 02: Besisahar- 820 m
Duration: 6 hours drive
From Kathmandu, you begin your journey by vehicle to Besisahar. This is where your actual trek on foot begins. If you arrive early, you can continue onwards to Khudi.
Day 03: Khudi- 790 m
You will trek through many typical local houses to varied ethnic tribes. You will share the trail with mule caravans. These transport supply goods to the remote villages.
The route makes its way through subtropical forests and the rice terraces of Sera. After Sera, you will reach the village of Khudi (790 m)
Day 04: Bahundanda- 1310 m
Distance: 10 km
Duration: 4-6 hrs
Today you make your way to the village of Bhulbhule at 840m. From here, you can see a majestic 60m high waterfall.
From here to Ngadi, you will have views of Mt. Manaslu (8156m). Once in Ngadi at 890m, the mountain views disappear.
From here, you cross the Ngadi Khola by a long suspension bridge. This is where the trail moves upwards to Bahundanda.
Day 05: Jagat- 1290 m
Distance: 8 km
Duration: 4-5 hrs
You make your way to Jagat via Ghermu. The village of Ghermu at 1130 m sits in an open valley. It can be a pleasant place to spend the night at.
From here, you trek to Jagat (1290 m). Jagat is a tiny and rocky village where Tamang and Gurung people live.
Day 06: Dharapani- 1920 m
Distance: 15 km
Duration: 5-6 hours
You begin with a trek to Chamche at 1385 m. From here, you visit the beautiful village of Tal at 1700 m. This village sits in an open valley.
From here, you continue onwards to Karte at 1870 m. Then your trek takes you to Dharapani, your destination for the day. At 1920 m, it offers good views up both canyons.
Day 07: Chame- 2630 m
Distance: 16 km
Duration: 5-6 hours
You leave Dharapani and trek onwards to Bagarchhap at 2160m. Once here, you can visit Diki Gompa (monastery). It has a beautiful collection of Thangkas (frescos).
From here, you continue through a bountiful forest of rhododendrons. You will then reach the village of Danagyu at 2200 m. You continue with your trek to the village of Korto (2640 m) via Latte Marang (2400 m) and Then Chowk (2570m).
From here, you trek towards Chame (2630m). Chame is the headquarter and biggest market of Manang. On the way to Chame as well as from Chame, you get fine views of Annapurna II. Here, you can indulge in the local, hot springs by the town.
Day 08: Pisang- 3190 m
Distance: 19 km
Duration: 4-5 hrs
The journey for today begins with a walk to Baratang (2850 m). Be sure to try the local apples and apple cider. It provides instant energy. The apples are grown here and there is an apple cider plant in Bhrathang.
After Bhratang, you leave for Dhikur Pokhari at 3240 m. From here, you continue on to Lower Pisang at 3250 m.
Day 09 and 10: Manang- 3520 m
Distance: 15 km
Duration: 4-5 hrs
You continue your trek by leaving Pisang for Humde at 3330m. From here you continue to Braga. Be sure to try out the local bakery items in one of the oldest bakeries on the Annapurna Circuit in Braga.
From Braga (3450 m), you trek to Manang at 3520 m.
If you need a doctor’s consult, do so at Manang. It is the last stop to see a doctor or get medicine. You can also attend the talk on hiking safety at high altitudes on your rest day in Manang. The talk hosted by the volunteer doctors at the Himalayan Rescue Association is very interesting.
Day 11: Letdar- 4250 m
Distance: 10km
Duration: 3-4 hrs
You leave Manang and make your way to Yak Kharka at 4050m. This involves a steady climb through Tenki. You continue along the Jarsang Khola Valley (4010 m) and make your way to Letdar at 4250 m.
Day 12: Thorung Phedi- 4500 m
Distance: 5km
Duration: 3-4 hrs
The trail descends to cross the river at 4310 m. After this, you climb along the east bank of the Jarang Khola to Thorung Phedi. It is a rock-strewn meadow surrounded by vertical cliffs at 4420 meters.
In the skies, you may see Lammergeiers and Himalayan griffons circling around. This village also has bakeries and locally-made fresh coffee.
Day 13: Muktinath- 3800 m
Distance: 16km
Duration: 7-9 hrs
You leave Thorong Phedi early for High Camp at 4850m. This includes a very steep climb.
From here, you make your way to the highest Pass of this trek, Thorung La Pass.
At 5416 m, Thorung Pass offers fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. From here, your descent down to Charabu at 4230 m.
After this, you make your way to Muktinath at 3800m. Muktinath offers great places to relax, shower and eat.
Day 14: Kagbeni- 2800 m
Distance: 9km
Duration: 3-4 hrs
Today, you will trek to the amazing little town of Kagbeni via Jhong at 3540m.
Kagbeni has little, hidden alleyways. It is one of the popular destinations for local movie shootings. Kagbeni also offers fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 15: Marpha- 2665 m
Distance: 15km
Duration: 4-5 hrs
You will leave Kagbeni for Marpha. The route today takes you into gale like winds along the dusty road. You begin your hike to Jomsom (2720m) via Ekle Bhatti at 2740m.
Jomsom is home to the airport and here you will find ATMs as well. You leave this dry and dusty town for Marpha. This place has the best, locally grown apples in Nepal. You can also try apple brandy from the distillery.
Day 16: Lete- 2470 m
Distance: 17 km
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Today, you trek towards Lete. Lete is also known as Kalopani. For this, you will first trek to Tukuche at 2590m. From here, you go to Kobang (2640m) and on to Larjung (2550m). Then you pass Kokkethathi (2525m) before reaching Lete.
Day 17: Tatopani- 1160 m
Distance: 20 km
Duration: 7-8 hrs
You leave Lete and descent down to Gasa at 2010m. Further, your trek towards Kapchepani at 1480m. This part of the route takes you on a steeply inclined road. Once on the proper path, you go to Rupsechharhara (1500m) and then to Dana (1400m). From Dana, Tatopani is only 4 km away.
Once here, you can again indulge in relaxation at the natural hot springs. These are great to relax your sore muscles after the day hike.
Day 18: Ghorepani- 2775 m
Distance: 14km
Duration: 5-6 hrs
After descending for the last few days, you will now resume your ascent. Leaving behind the hot springs and the Kali Gandaki valley, you will follow the Ghar Khola river. You continue your ascends through the villages of Ghara (1780 m) and Shika (1935 m).
You will once again trek through forests of rhododendron and magnolia to reach Ghorepani via Chitre (2350 m).
Ghorepani attracts both domestic and international tourists. This is due to the spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and Manaslu peaks that you can get from here.
Day 19: Ghandruk- 1940 m
Distance: 18.5km
Duration: 7-8 hrs
An early start takes you to Poon Hill (3195m). On clear days, you get an unblocked view of the sunrise over the Himalayas. You get fabulous panoramas of some of the highest mountain peaks of the world from here.
After enjoying this, you hike back to Ghorepani (2834m). After breakfast, you start your hike to Tadapani (2520m).
Throughout the trails, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains along with the greenery of the forests. All along, you make your way to the beautiful village of Ghandruk.
Day 20: Pokhara- 820 m
Distance: 10.5km
Duration: 4-5 hrs
The last day of your actual trek on foot begins after breakfast. You make your way to Nayapul (1070m) via Birethanti (1025m). From Naya Pul, you drive back to Pokhara.
Day 21: Kathmandu- 1400 m
Distance: 206 km
Duration: 7-8 hrs
The last day of your trekking journey is by a long drive. You leave the beautiful city of Lakes at 820m and make your way to the capital city of Nepal at 1400m.
Elevation of Possible Side Treks
Gaunshahar (1331m)
This is a small and traditional village located 8km away from Besisahar. The homestays available here are an excellent way to experience Nepali village life. The village provides excellent views of the Annapurna circuit.
Naar-Pho Valley (above 4000m)
Opened to foreigners only in 2002, the valley is home to two main villages Phu (4050m) and Naar (4120m). To do Nar Pho Valley trek, you can add a few days to your itinerary after obtaining the restricted area permit. Or, you can do this as an independent trek.
Tilicho Lake (4920m)
This is one of the highest lakes in the world. The Tilicho lake trek takes you to the home to Snow leopards, blue sheep, and yaks. This place is very windy and cold. Be sure to bring warm clothes.
Chiming or Chimrang or Chimrong (2170m)
Known by all these names, this small village lies close to Marpha. You can experience traditional rural life as it is hardly touched by tourism. Surrounded by apple trees and fields, it offers great views over the valley and the nearby towns.
Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)
The Annapurna Base Camp is a beautiful snowy amphitheater of grand mountain peaks and cerulean glaciers. To trek here, you also pass the equally beautiful Base Camp of Machapuchare (3700m). You can do Annapurna Base Camp trek as a separate trek or add it to your Annapurna Circuit trek.
Altitude Sickness Due to Annapurna Circuit Elevation
Altitude sickness can arise from the elevation of 2500m above sea level. Yet, you may notice the symptoms only after hikes above 3,600 m.
Annapurna Circuit Trek does cross this mark at many destinations. During the Annapurna Circuit trek, you are prone to altitude sickness many times. Hence, you need to get information on altitude sickness as much as you can.
Some of the health issues that arise out of this are a mild headache, lack of appetite, sick stomach. Others include fatigue, difficulty in sleeping, dizziness.
When you notice any of these, feel free to let your trek partner, guide know. Take immediate actions. Do not ever downplay the symptoms of high altitude sickness. This has and can cause death.
Final Say,
With the construction of roads, there are motorable roads in many parts of the trek. With this, you can shorten your trek route and the number of days you spend in high elevation.
You can also choose to trek further or stop sooner at different villages along the way. Being a popular trek, there are lodges available throughout the Annapurna Circuit trek.
It is also possible to skip some of the villages, towns and passes along the way to suit your needs.
For custom itineraries of Annapurna Circuit Trek, feel free to contact us. You can also contact us for any treks and tours in Nepal.
