[2025 Muktinath ] Travel Guide for Annapurna Circuit (Updated Apr)

Annapurna Circuit (AC) is a popular route in recent years along with ABC and EBC. This route is quite easy but the scenery is very majestic and changes every day. It will take about 18-21 days to complete the full route, including Tilicho Lake and Poonhill. As for me, because I was stuck in Manang for 6 days due to bad weather, I had to skip the above 2 places from the schedule, but in return I "got" to wade in the snow 😄

#aprilblooms #Annapurna Geographical Information • Location: Himalayas, Nepal • Range: Part of the Annapurna Massif in north-central Nepal • Highest Peak: Annapurna I (8,091 meters / 26,545 feet) • Name Origin: Named after the Hindu goddess Annapurna, the goddess of food and nourishment. 2. Annapurna I • Rank: 10th highest mountain in the world • First Ascent: June 3, 1950, by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal (France) • Notable for: Being the first 8,000-meter peak to be successfully climbed 3. Climbing Facts • Known for being one of the most dangerous mountains to climb • Has a very high fatality rate, especially in earlier years, though this has improved with modern climbing techniques and weather forecasting 4. Annapurna Circuit • A popular trekking route that circles the Annapurna Massif • Offers views of several peaks over 7,000 meters • Includes diverse scenery: subtropical forests, alpine peaks, and high mountain passes like Thorong La Pass (5,416 meters) Getting There - Attractions - Hotels - Food & Restaurants - Shopping -

April 2024 was the month I finally ticked off one of my biggest dreams—trekking the Annapurna Circuit solo. My wife stayed back, and while I missed her, this journey gave me something deeply personal: silence, strength, and soul-searching. ❓️How It All Started: I landed in Kathmandu, buzzing with nerves and excitement. The chaos of Thamel, the prayer flags swaying in the breeze—I was already falling for Nepal. From there, I took a shared jeep to Besisahar, the starting point. Roads were rough, but the anticipation kept me going. Kathmandu to Besisahar (Jeep): NPR 2500 / USD $19 Trekking Permits: TIMS: $20 ACAP: $30 The Trail That Changed Me: Total Duration: 13 days Distance Covered: ~160 km Highest Point: Thorong La Pass (5416m) Each day brought something new—apple orchards in Marpha, yaks grazing in Yak Kharka, and the golden glow of sunrise on snow-capped peaks in Manang. But nothing prepared me for the climb to Thorong La Pass. It was brutal. I left at 4 AM in the freezing cold, and with every step, I had to dig deeper. When I finally reached the top—I cried. Not from pain, but from the overwhelming beauty and pride. 🛌 Where I Slept & Ate: Every night, I stayed in simple teahouses run by the kindest locals. Accommodation: Mostly free or $15–$25 per night (as long as you ate dinner there) Meals: Dal Bhat, momos, garlic soup—$5–$10 per meal Total Daily Budget: Around $25–$30 Total Cost for 13 Days: Permits: $50 Accommodation & Food: ~$350 Transport & Extras: ~$70 Total: ~$470 USD (Insane value for what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime journey) ⁉️Why It Was So Special (Even Alone): The silence of the mountains helped me reconnect with myself Met fellow trekkers from all over the world who felt like instant friends Every sunrise reminded me why I chase adventure 🌐 Tips for Solo Trekkers: Acclimatize properly—stay two nights in Manang Start early—especially for Thorong La Pass day Don’t carry too much—a 10kg backpack is perfect Listen to your body—go slow and steady. ❓️Would I Do It Again? 1000% yes. It wasn’t just a trek—it was therapy. I left a piece of myself in those mountains… and somehow came back more whole. #aprilblooms #travel #naturalwonders #AprilBlooms

#mountainhike The Annapurna Circuit is a classic trekking route in Nepal that spans 160-230 kilometers, depending on the itinerary. This multi-day trek offers diverse landscapes, from subtropical valleys to high-altitude deserts, culminating in the breathtaking Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters. Along the way, hikers encounter traditional villages, Buddhist monasteries, and stunning views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. The trek typically takes 15-20 days and is accessible to moderately experienced hikers. With its blend of cultural experiences, dramatic scenery, and manageable challenges, the Annapurna Circuit is one of the most popular and rewarding treks in the Himalayas.

The Annapurna Circuit was one of the best trips I’ve done. After flying into Kathmandu and dealing with the permits, I caught a bus to Besisahar and started off the trek. The first few days were pretty chill—walking through small villages and farmland, with nice views of the mountains in the distance. The best part for me was getting to Manang. The scenery really changed there—it got drier, less trees and I could see those massive peaks up close. I took a rest day in Manang to let my body adjust to the altitude, which was a good call. I just wandered around, drank tea, and enjoyed the vibe. The toughest day was crossing Thorong La Pass. I started super early to avoid the wind, but it still felt like forever. The altitude was rough, and I was just counting the steps. It was snowing and very cold at the top but still I was happy and proud of my accomplishment. The rest of the trek was pretty easy after that, and in 5 days I got to Pokhara. If you do this, just take it slow, drink lots of water, and enjoy the views. It’s a long journey, but totally worth it and surely the most scenic hike Ive done so far. #mountainhike #nepal #himalayas

This is our most look forward activities in Nepal ~ trekking the Annapurna Circuit. Our aim is to reach Poon Hill. Everyone is so excited though deep inside we were worried about our stamina. It was just a 4D3N hikes, not too ambitious. Our driver dropped us at Nayapalli point and we get ourselves ready for the challenges ahead. As we trek along the Himalayan mountains, we passed through many villages where we get to witness the daily life of the people living there. We visited the little school where the children goes, the types of vegetables the villagers grows, the local "transportation" which are the donkeys and horses, the crystal clear streams that flows along the mountains, the padi terrace and rapeseed flowers plantation. We walked an average 8-9 hours a day, forgetting about the miles and numbers of valleys we went through. It was both challenging and exciting, as it test us physically and mentally. Lucky for me I brought along a earphone and play songs and sing along whenever I start to feel exhausted, this helps to distract me from the tiredness and boost my mental strength. One of the most challenging path was where it started to snow, and the trek became slippery. Some hikers urged us to turn back, but our guide insisted that we should move ahead and of course we listened to guide. The route was tough and it took us about 2 hours to went through the whole icy trek to get to little rest house. I slipped a lot along the way and get bruises all over but I am glad to have experienced that. The temperature was so cold that our mineral water froze the next morning. We woke up to the sounds of chanting from the nearby monastery and the sunrise that shines thru the top of the snow mountain that make it looks like a golden peak. The scenery is so breathtaking and the feeling is so majestic and holistic. We continue the journey again. We stopped for a short break, taking opportunity to take as much photos as possible of the spectacular sceneries and landscape has to offer. We chit chat, gossip and joke as we hike, it was a wonderful bonding time. To me it was an unforgettable and a memorable hike. #annapurnacircuit #travelnepal #hikingtrip #yolobeliever #周走走_2728 #frienship

Annapurna Circuit Trek is an astonishing walk around Annapurna Himalayas and has been one of the significant hiking destinations for travelers visiting Nepal. Get indulged in diversified natural settings from tropical dense green rhododendron forests to alpine surroundings. Walk across the suspension bridge enjoying waterfalls, glaciers, Annapurna Himalayan range, and interact with local people that will make your hike extra special when you get the opportunity to feel friendly hospitality served with a smile on a face. Annapurna circuit trek circumferences Annapurna that starts from Besisahar lying at 800m elevation and goes up to 5416m at famous Thorong La Pass. This beautiful Annapurna walk takes us around three weeks to complete an approximately 150 miles route. We shall relish relaxing landscape terraced farming views, culturally affluent villages and get close to numerous snow-capped Himalayas. Namingly: Manaslu (8156 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt Annapurna II (7,940m), Mt Annapurna III (7,550m), Mt Annapurna IV (7,525m), Annapurna South (7,220m), Tilicho Peak (7,135m), Nilgiri (7,040m), Mt. Fishtail (6,998m), Lamjung Himal (6,985m), Himchuli (6,445m) and Tukuche Peak (6,920m). Usually, we leave dense magically blossoming rhododendron forests behind when we hike across Manang. And enter into Tibetan alike geographical surroundings with prayer flags, monasteries with Tibetan-influenced culture and tradition. After crossing Thorong La Pass, the Annapurna circuit trekking route takes us to the Hindu pilgrimage site of Muktinath. Muktinath holds great religious importance for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. In this way, eventually, we walk further lowlands through rice, wheat terraced farmlands, and apple orchids. Finally, we enjoy excellent sunrise/sunset views of Poon hill and drive to Pokhara during the ending days, which ends our one of a kind, Annapurna Circuit Trek. Trip Price USD 1590 per person Itinerary Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu (1338m/4390ft) Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and trek preparation Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Besishahar and to Syange (1100m/3600 ft) Day 4: Trek from Syange to Dharapani (1960m/6100ft) Day 5: Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2630m/8890ft) Day 6: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3200m/10824ft) Day 7: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3540m/11611ft) Day 8: Manang Acclimatization Day (Optional hike to Gangapurna lake or Melarepa cave) Day 9: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (or you can push up to Ledar) (4110m/13484ft) Day 10: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorang Phedi (4420m/14501ft) Day 11: Trek from Thorong Phedi, cross Thorongla Pass (5416m/17769ft) and trek to Muktinath (3800m/12467ft) Day 12: Trek from Muktinath to Marpha (2660m/8250ft) Day 13: Trek from Marpha to Kalopani (2530m/7848ft) Day 14: Trek from Kalopani to Tatopani (1190m/3690ft) Day 15: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2780m/9480ft) Day 16: Hike from Ghorepani to Poonhill (3210m/10531ft), Descend to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhara Day 17: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu Day 18: Airport drop and international departure from Kathmandu Don't find itinerary suitable for you? CUSTOMIZE TRIP Price Include ü Private Vehicle: Airport pickups/drops and hotel transfers ü Private Vehicle: Kathmandu to Beshishahar transfer ü Private Vehicle: Nayapul (trek ends here) to Pokhara transfer ü Private Vehicle: Pokhara to Kathmandu transfer ü Public Jeep: Beshishahar to Syange (trek starts from Syange) transfer ü Accommodation ü Three nights' accommodation (twin sharing) in Kathmandu in a 3-star category hotel ü One night accommodation (twin sharing) in Pokhara in a 3-star category hotel ü 14 nights' accommodation (twin sharing) during the trek in standard teahouses ü Food / Drinks ü Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D) during the trek ü Breakfasts while in Kathmandu and Pokhara ü Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu ü Seasonal fruit on trek ü Staff ü English speaking Trekking Guide/leader: One guide for each group ü One assistant guide every 6 trekkers including their accommodation, transportation, food, salary, transportation, and insurance ü Porters (ratio of 1:2 clients, carrying up to 15kg of personal gear per client) including their accommodation, transportation, food, salary, transportation, insurance ü Tour guide for Kathmandu city tour ü Permits and Taxes ü Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) ü TIMS permit ü All applicable taxes to be paid to the Nepalese government ü Temples and monuments entrance fees for Kathmandu city tour ü Others ü Complimentary down sleeping bag and down jacket provided for use for the duration of the trek (we suggest bringing your own if you have) ü Complimentary 80-liter Duffel bag (to keep personal belongings to be carried by porter ü Complimentary Annapurna Circuit Trekking map ü First aid medicine box carried at all times by guide (we suggest bringing your own medical kit too)