The Full Annapurna Circuit Trek

DAY 1

Arrive Kathmandu

Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere.

Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
Included Meals: None

DAY 2

Drive to Dharapani

A private vehicle will take you overland to the village of Dharapani (1860 m), with a stop for lunch along the way. A change to a 4WD vehicle will be necessary along the way. The long and rather uncomfortable journey takes up the best part of the whole day.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Dharapani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Find out more about Trekking Lodges

DAY 3

Trek to Chame

It is impossible to avoid trekking on the 'road' that has been pushed through the Marsyangdi Valley. However, as much as possible, it is avoided throughout the trek. Today, you walk to Chame (2713m). It should take around 5 hours of walking.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Chame
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 4

To Upper Pisang

Your climb further up into the Marsyangdi Valley continues and involves several crossings of the river (via suspension bridges) to emerge above forests and to a more open grazing landscape affording particularly good views of Annapurna 2 and onto Upper Pisang (3300m). Walking time is around 5 hours with an overall height gain of around 590m and a distance of just over 17km with around 1300 m of ascent and 650 m of descent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Upper Pisang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 5

Trek to Ngawal

Today's walk continues to climb higher up from the valley floor and along the upper slopes. The Tibetan influence becomes more apparent in terms of the villages you pass through with their Buddhist monuments. Passing through Gyaru (3680 m), you walk as far as Ngawal. Overall, this takes around 4 hours of walking and a height gain of 300m. The distance is just over 10 km, with 650 m of ascent and 300 m of descent overall.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Ngawal
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 6

To Manang

The walk starts by dropping down towards the lower part of the valley and back onto the principle Annapurna Circuit trail as you head steadily up to the very Tibetan village of Manang (3540m). Walking time is around 4-5 hours. The distance is almost 12km and involves 350 m of ascent and 465m of descent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Manang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 7

Acclimatisation Day in Manang

Today's walk aims to get close to around 4000m and, of course, back down to Manang. There are various possibilities to achieve this, which takes up to 4-5 hours of walking.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Manang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 8

Trek to Letdar

Today's walk only takes around 3–4 hours, and as you're now going above 4000 m, the gradual climb up to Letdar (4250m) should be taken slowly. Height gain today is about 715m. The distance is just over 12 km, and there's just about 830m of ascent and 80 m of descent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Letdar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 9

To High Camp

Another short walking day that can usually be completed by lunch time, meaning the remainder of the day can and should be spent wisely resting at High Camp (4750m). Height gain: 500m. It's under 7km to High Camp, and overall there's 700m of ascent and 420 m of descent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, High Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 10

Across the Thorung La to Muktinath

The crux of the trek and, for most, the toughest day (as well as the highest too). The walking is made all the more challenging by the high altitude. A reasonably early start is required. It's a steep climb up to Thorung La (5416 m), but it does ease off a bit towards the top. Snow and ice are always possibilities. Usually it takes around 3 hours of walking to reach the pass, and there are some fantastic views once there. It is then downhill virtually all the way to reach sacred Muktinath, which you'll be more than glad to have reached. Today you'll be walking for around 6-7 hours, ascending around 700m and descending almost 1800m. The distance is under 14.5 kilometres, but it will feel much longer.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Muktinath
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 11

Muktinath to Kagbeni

There is now a road all the way up to Muktinath. Recently, this has been metalled. Indeed this jeep road is an extension of the 'road' that now has been forced all the way up the Kali Gandaki Valley from Beni. On the walk down to Kagbeni most of this road can't be avoided. From Muktinath it takes around 3-4 hrs of descending to reach the Kali Gandaki Valley floor and there are great views of Dhaulagiri as well as tantalising glimpses of the arid landscapes of Mustang too. Here at Kagbeni you can gaze into the "off limits" Upper Mustang region. Indeed Kagbeni is as far as you can venture into Mustang without a special (and rather costly) permit.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Kagbeni
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12

Kagbeni to Marpha

For the first time since starting the full Annapurna Circuit Trek, it will almost feel like you're walking on level ground. You're not and in actual fact will be descending primarily, but it's not entirely noticeable. Avoiding the jeep road, you follow a trail on the western side of the Kali Gandaki River via Eklaibhatti to Jomsom. A couple of hours more walking leads to the attractive settlement of Marpha (2670m). Walking time approx 6 hrs with around 250m descent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Marpha
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13

Trek to Kalopani

There are increasingly spectacular views to look forward to today, particularly Dhaulagiri, which "kind of sort of" seems to appear out of nowhere. Crossing the river, you head to Chimang, which takes around an hour, and begin to descend via Tukuche Gaon and Sauru to Larjung. After lunch here, a further 2-3 hours of walking bring you to Kalopani (2530m). High above Kalopani rise Annapurna 1, Fang, and Annapurna South. The view here of Annapurna 1 is probably one of the best in Nepal. Walking time: 6-7 hours with around 200m descent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Kalopani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 14

Down to Tatopani

A lot of descent today and an hour of walking along paths in between the river and the jeep road lead to Lete. From here, you'll follow the jeep road down to Ghasa, although at some point in time an alternative trail will become available. Still, it's only an hour or so on the road to the checkpoint at Ghasa. From here, you'll cross to the opposite side of the river and ascend around 110m. It's quite spectacular, as you're high above the river, which plunges through a very narrow gorge. Continuing to descend, you reach Topang, cross the river by way of a bridge, and walk the final 30 minutes to Tatopani (1200m) on the jeep road. There are some thermal springs here if you fancy soothing your aching limbs. Walking time: 7-8 hours with around 1350 m of descent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Tatopani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 15

Up to Sikha

After a few days of continual descending, it's now time to climb again. And it's a rather steep and stiff ascent all the way up to Sikha (1980m). Good job there are increasingly great views as you ascend. Walking time is around 5 hours with approx. 800 m of ascent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Sikha
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 16

Trek to Ghorepani

There's even more uphill today on the slog to Ghorepani (2800m). It takes around 4-5 hours to complete the ascent of around 900m.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Ghorepani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 17

Poon Hill Sun Rise and down to Ulleri

You'll need to make a pre-dawn start for the relatively short hike up to the famous Poon Hill view point (3210m). Hopefully, you'll be treated to a spectacular Himalayan sunrise as the mountains glow pink and amber in the rays of first light. Back down to the lodge for breakfast, and then down through the forest to Ulleri. Poon Hill is around 2 hours of walking as a return trip, and down to Ulleri is around 2-3 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Ulleri
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 18

Transfer to Pokhara

A private vehicle transfer will take you to Pokhara (4-5 hours).

Accommodation: Hotel Karuna, Pokhara
Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 19

Fly to Kathmandu

A private transfer to Pokhara Airport for the short flight back to Kathmandu A private transfer will take you from the airport back to the KGH Hotel. However, you may wish to consider some additional contingency for this trek, whether it be for any travel delays or any difficulties that may arise on the trek.

Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 20

Depart Nepal

A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Of course, there's no reason to depart today; your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made.