The Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost can vary depending on the itinerary plans and number of expedition days the package includes. In general, the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost for the lower number of itineraries is around $1,000, and the higher number of days can cross even the $1,900 threshold (quality of services and teahouses along the trail is a major contributing factor for the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost).
This legendary trekking adventure takes you around the 190 km loop of the Annapurna Massifs, with the expedition lasting from 10- 18 days. Nepal, in general, is a budget-friendly country; you don’t need to break the bank for setting out on adventures or enjoying a vacation in the country. Still, what are the costs involved in the Annapurna Circuit trekking? and what kind of budget do you need to allocate for enjoying this adventure without missing out on anything? We will explore a detailed Annapurna Circuit trek cost and budgeting in this article.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost (Budgeting)
Budgeting the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost can be quite tricky, as everyone has a different traveling style. Naturally, it may also vary depending on how many days you are spending on this beautiful exploration of the Himalayas. Thus, the more days you will spend on this trek, the more expenses you will accumulate; food, accommodations, and of course, snack breaks along the trail.
If you are planning the expedition alone, the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost will be a variable factor that will depend upon the adventure you are planning. Unlike hiring professional expedition services that make arrangements for everything along the route to ensure safety, comfort, and an exhilarating experience during your adventure. If you want to explore the Annapurna region without hiring professional service, you will have to take care of all the basic essentials, from food and accommodations, transportation, and permits, to hiring porters and guides.
The Annapurn Circuit trek cost boils down to the factors like:
- Cost for internal flights
- Airport and visa expenses
- Ground transportations
- Food and accommodation in both cities and teahouses along the route
- Trekking permits and permits for the restricted areas
- Guides and porters
- Trekking equipment
- Travel insurance
- Daily essential and personal supplies
Although the price for services in the lower regions and cities is reasonable and on par with the quality of the services. As you ascend to higher altitudes during the trek, the prices for services start to increase gradually, as the teahouses have to spend a significant amount of money on the transportation of food and other raw materials to such high elevation points.
This 10- 22 days adventure of the Annapurna region covers approximately around 160 km to 230 km (100 miles to 145 miles) distance depending on the itinerary and route you follow.
We here at Nepal Eco Adventure run 10- 18 days of service packages for this beautiful adventure in the Annapurna region. Our service package includes all the services charges from pick-up and drop-off from the international airport to food, accommodation, ground transportation, permits & TIMS card, guide, porters, all government expenses, and assistant guide for group sizes with 6+ members.
Also, you can use our sleeping bags, down jackets, and duffel bags, including the trekking poles, during your expedition, which certainly will save a significant amount of money that would have cost renting or buying these essentials. You can book our services, Annapurna Circuit Trek(10 Days), Annapurna Circuit Trek(15 Days), and Annapurna Circuit Trek(18 Days), at a very reasonable cost.
Cost Breakdown
The Annapurna Circuit Trek cost can be broken down into different expedition components, from arrival to stay, food accommodation, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. You can generally distribute the expenses during your adventure on one of the most popular trekking routes in the country to the following heads:
Nepal Visa Fees
Upon your arrival in Nepal, the first expense will go towards the tourist visa. You can get a tourist visa at the immigration terminal at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). You can apply for the travel visa before your arrival and just simply collect it from the immigration point without the hassle of going through the forms filling process upon arrival.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost- Nepali Visa Cost
- 30 days free Nepali visa (If you are from SAARC country)
- US$ 30 for 15 days visa
- US$ 50 for 30 days visa
- US$ 125 for 90 days visa
Requirements for Nepali Tourist Visa
- You need to fill application form for the Nepali tourist visa at immigration entry points
- Valid passport with at least duration of six months
- Two passport-sized photos
- Cash payment for the visa fees
Travel and Transportation
The travel and transportation costs are another significant factor of this beautiful trekking expedition that you will need to account for. After your arrival at the TIA, you will need to book a transportation service to get to your designated hotel, which will roughly cost around $5 to $8 in a taxi, depending on the traveling distance.
Rest of the part of the travel and transportation cost will include:
Transportation costs from Kathmandu to Besishar
Although you can choose your own traveling style and decide the starting point for the Annapurna Circuit Trek, the classical route will follow the trail from Kathmandu to Besishar.
- US$ 10 per person for local bus transport (approx 6- 7 hours)
- US$ 110 for private transport via jeep/taxi (approx 6 hours drive)
Transportation costs from Jomsom to Pokhara
- US$ 10 for local bus transport
- US$ 200 from Muktinath to Pokhara via a private jeep or car
Flight options for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
- US$ 116 per person for a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (20 minutes)
- US$ 110 per person for a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara (25 minutes)
Food and Accommodation
After breaking down visa and transportation costs in the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost breakdown, let’s move on to the food and accommodation part. Generally, in most of the teahouses along the routes of Annapurna trekking, you can book basic accommodation facilities like twin rooms with shared bathrooms. There are also private rooms with attached bathrooms, but it is kind of rare at the higher elevation points.
Including the cost of accommodation services in the trekking route, you will also have to arrange accommodation services in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, after your arrival and after conquering your Annapurna trekking expedition.
Accommodation cost for Annapurna Circuit Trek
- US$ 7 to US$ 15 depending on the season of the visit and altitude
- US$ 7 to US$ 97, depending on the quality and service of hotels in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara
Similarly, no adventure is a fun adventure on an empty stomach, it is also equally significant to allocate the food budget after securing comfortable accommodation facilities. Nepal, a beautiful and culturally diversified country, offers various sets of delicacies that you can enjoy during your stay.
If you stick to the local delicacies, you can enjoy an eatery at around US$ 1.75 to US$ 2.58, and for budget lunch and dinner, the price is around US$ 2.17 to US$ 5.17.
Annapurna Circuit Trek cost for food allocation
- US$ 2.17 to US$ 5.17 per meal in the city areas like Pokhara and Kathmandu
- US$ 25 to US$ 50 per day during the trekking adventure along the teahouses
(Note: Trekkers generally spend around US$ 25 to US$ 50 during their trekking expedition in Annapurna; food is approximately around US$ 4 to US$ 7, and snacks, eggs, and other dishes are around US$ 2 to US$ 4. Thus, US$ 25 to US$ 50 is just an accumulation of average food costs during the trekking part, which can incline or decline depending on your meal and snack choices).
Guides and Porters
Of course, it is an option whether you want to hire guides for the Annapurna Circuit Trek or you are experienced enough to lead the expedition yourself. But, when it comes to hiring porters, you should definitely consider it; not only hiring the porters will make it more convenient for you to carry your luggage and equipment without missing a beat on your adventure. But, also, it is very beneficial considering the safety factors; porters are familiar with the area, and they can give head-ups on do’s, dont’s, and not-to-miss attractions.
Annapurna Circuit Trek cost: Guides and Porters
- US$ 20 to US$ 30 per day (Government licensed experienced guide)
- US$ 20 to US$ 25 per day for porters during the trekking
Generally, the trekking companies assign one porter for two of the trekkers with a weight limit of 20 kg- 25 kg. You can have a comfortable and more immersive experience during your adventure if you hire a guide and porters, as they will take care of heavy loads and stress to manage your trek.
If you have decided to hire porters or guides for your Annapurna Circuit Trek, it would be best if you hire them from starting point, i.e., Kathmandu or Pokhara. The cost of hiring porters and guides may be slightly higher en route and at higher altitudes.
Permits
Getting trekking permits is mandatory for adventure in every region of Nepal; these permits ensure your safety as your entry and exit period is recorded at checkpoints along the trail. The permit costs aren’t much either, and considering the number of days you get during the trekking, it is actually pretty cheap. Plus, the permit cost goes towards conserving the environment, enhancing the safety of trekkers, and of course, maintaining the trails.
Permits Cost for Annapurna Circuit Trek
- US$ 30 for Annapurna Conservation Area Permit cost
- USD$ 20 for Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card
You can get the TIMS card from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit from National Trust for Nature Conservation from Patan, Lalitpur. So, in total, you will pay about US$ 50 per person for both of these permits.
Travel Insurance
Like trekking permits, you will also need to meet the criteria of the mandatory insurance requirement before the trekking expedition. Trekking in a high-altitude environment isn’t an easy feat; the weather conditions are harsh, the trails are challenging, and undoubtedly it does carry certain risk factors. So as a trek planner, you also need to consider the probability of mishaps.
Nepal Government has also made it mandatory to have travel insurance for any sports activity above 5,000 meters. As Annapurna Circuit Trek is an adventure above 5,000 meters, with the maximum elevation point at Thorung La Pass (5,416 meters), you will need to get it before the expedition starts.
In fact, you need your travel insurance number to fill out the forms for Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card. Travel insurance will cost you around US$ 150 to US$ 175 per person.
Trekking Gear and Equipment
The Annapurna Circuit Trek has been graded a difficulty level of ‘moderate to challenging at times’; although the trails don’t demand any technical or mountaineering skills, it is a long expedition, so you better be prepared with the right trekking gear and equipment.
Although your pack list may vary depending on the season of the visit, in general, trekking gear and essentials like:
- Sleeping bag (four-season sleeping bags
- Sleeping mattress/pad
- Heavy down jacket, waterproof/windproof jacket
- T-shirts, sweaters, fleece, and trousers
- Sun hats, warm woolen hats
- Trekking boots, sports shoes, sandals, and different layers of socks
- Gloves, mufflers
- Trekking poles
- UV protection sunglasses
- Battery backup and solar-powered chargers
- Water bottle, thermos
- Daily essentials
- Personal hygiene
- First aid kit and personal medications
Considering all the trekking essentials and equipment, it will cost approximately US$ 500 to US$ 700, depending on the quality of the product and the brand value. You can also rent these items, which will cost approximately US$ 1 to US$ 2; although you may feel discomfort renting wearables, renting sleeping pads, sleeping bags, trekking poles, etc., are very common practices in the trekking community.
Other Additional Costs
Even after considering several expenses head, you still have to allocate a budget for the extra services during the Annapurna Circuit Trekking. If you are new to the high-altitude trekking adventure, it may come as a surprise to you as you have to pay for these basic amenities.
But what you need to understand is complete infrastructural development is non-existent as the altitude gradually starts to increase. Although the lower region of this beautiful trek is powered by hydropower, meanwhile the upper region has to rely on solar power. And transportation of goods and raw materials isn’t easy either; teahouses at the higher altitude have to bear a high cost just to hire porters, yak, and mules.
Additional Costs for Annapurna Circuit Trekking
- US$ 1 to US$ 2 for phone charging and wifi
- US$ 1 to US$ 3 for hot showers
- US$ 1 per litter of drinking water
- Cost of alcohol, soft drink, and snack (depending on the menu price)
- Tips of porter and guides (it is expected)
Annapurna Circuit Trek 18 Days Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,400 meters) and hotel transfer
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing days
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Besishar (760 meters) and switch to a local bus heading to Nagdi (930 meters)
Day 4: Early morning trek from Nagdi to Chamje (1,410 meters)
Day 5: Chamje to Bagarchhap trek (2,160 meters)
Day 6: Uphill ascent from Bgarchhap to Chame (2,650 meters)
Day 7: Trekking from Chame to Pisang (3,240 meters)
Day 8: Pisang to Manang (3,540 meters)
Day 9: Acclimatization and exploration day at Manang
Day 10: Manang to Yak Kharka (4,120 meters) trekking
Day 11: Trekking from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,560 meters)
Day 12: Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,802 meters), crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416 meters)
Day 13: Muktinath to Jomsom (2,750 meters) trek
Day 14: Jomsom to Tatopani (1,341 meters) drive
Day 15: Trekking day to Ghorepani (2,874 meters)
Day 16: Early morning hike to Poonhill (3,210 meters) and descend to Nayapul (1,100 meters), then drive to Pokhara (822 meters)
Day 17: Driving back to Kathmandu (1,400 meters)
Day 18: Departure day, drop-off to TIA according to flight schedules
Highlights of Annapurna Circuit Trek
- A magnificent adventure that goes around the Annapurna massifs
- Natural hot spring at Tatopani
- Exploration of high-Himalayan ethnic Gurung, Magar, and other Tibetan-influenced communities
- Muktinath Temple, which has great significance in the Hindu religion, with an eternal flame and 108 stone taps
- Thorong La Pass, the highest elevation point of this trek at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet) from the sea level
- Unprecedented up-close view of the glorious peaks in the Himalayas like Mt. Annapurna, Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Thorung Peak, Chulu West- Chulu East, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu.
- Barge Monastery, the largest monastery in the entire Manag district
- Diverse landscapes, from lush green valleys to Himalayan region with wide vistas and glacial moraines
- Poonhill sunrise viewpoint
- World’s deepest gorge, Kali-Gandaki Gorge
Final Say
Annapurna Circuit Trek is certainly one of the most iconic and exhilarating trekking experiences that quench the thirst of any trekking enthusiast hungry for adventure in the Himlayas. So, if you are set on heading out on an expedition to explore this fascinating region, you can customize the above-mentioned Annapurna Circuit Trek cost breakdown according to your needs, group size, and number of days.
In general, you have allocated around US$ 1,800 to US$ 2,800, excluding the airport fares. If you require any further assistance regarding your Annapurna Circuit Trek planning, feel free to contact us.
