Annapurna Circuit Trek 14 Days

Following a filling breakfast, meet your tour guide to explore four of the Kathmandu Valley’s iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your first stop is Swayambhunath Stupa (the Monkey Temple), perched atop a hill offering panoramic views over the city. Next, drive to Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur to admire classical Newar architecture and the famed Krishna Mandir. Continue to Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site on the banks of the Bagmati River dedicated to Lord Shiva, before ending your tour at Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in Nepal and a peaceful hub of Tibetan Buddhism. In the late afternoon, return to your hotel to meet your trek leader for a comprehensive briefing covering safety guidelines, gear checks, and details for the upcoming Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Max Altitude:

1,400 m / 4,593 ft

Duration:

7-8 hours

Accommodation:

3 Star Category Hotel

Meals:

Breakfast

The Annapurna Circuit Trek begins with a scenic drive westward from Kathmandu. Following the winding Prithvi Highway alongside the Trishuli River, you will enjoy views of terraced farmlands, traditional rural villages, and green river valleys. After about 5 to 6 hours of driving, you reach Besisahar, the headquarters of the Lamjung district. From Besisahar, switch to a 4WD jeep for an adventurous off-road drive following the Marsyangdi River gorge. The route passes through Dharapani, a key trek entry checkpoint, before continuing through dense alpine forests and past cascading waterfalls to reach Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district.

Max Altitude:

2,710 m / 8,891 ft

Duration:

10-11 hours drive

Accommodation:

Tea House or Local Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trek from Chame to Upper Pisang promises breathtaking mountain views and rich cultural encounters. Leaving Chame, the trail winds through a steep, narrow valley before opening up to the dramatic Paungda Danda—an immense, 1,500-meter curved rock face rising sheer above the Marsyangdi River. Along the way, you pass through traditional mountain villages including Bhratang and Dhikur Pokhari, walking past apple orchards and pine forests. As you approach the entrance to the upper Manang Valley, spectacular panoramas unfold, featuring Pisang Peak to the northeast and the towering wall of Annapurna II to the south. The day concludes with a final climb into the historic village of Upper Pisang, offering traditional stone houses, monasteries, and grand Himalayan views.

Trek Distance:

14 km / 8.7 mi

Max Altitude:

3,300 m / 10,826 ft

Duration:

5 to 6 hours

Accommodation:

Tea House or Local Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today’s journey follows the scenic upper route to Manang, taking you through the high traditional mountain villages of Ghyaru, Ngawal, and Mungji. This elevated ridge trail offers spectacular panoramas of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Pisang Peak. As you ascend, the terrain shifts into a cool, arid landscape with sparse alpine vegetation, creating a challenging yet rewarding trek that aids in high-altitude acclimatization. Approaching the valley floor, you will visit Braga (Barge) Monastery—the largest and oldest monastery in the Manang region—to explore its rich Tibetan Buddhist heritage before arriving in Manang village for the night.

Trek Distance:

16 km / 9.9 mi

Max Altitude:

3,670 m / 12,040 ft

Duration:

6-7 hours

Accommodation:

Tea House or Local Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Spend a dedicated acclimatization day exploring Manang village and its surrounding high-altitude viewpoints to help your body adapt following the “climb high, sleep low” principle. In the morning, take an acclimatization hike up to the Gangapurna Lake viewpoint or push further up to Ice Lake (Kicho Tal) for spectacular vistas of Annapurna III, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, and Chulu West. In the afternoon, visit the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) clinic to attend an informative lecture on Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), its symptoms, and preventive safety measures. Spend the evening resting, exploring the traditional stone village, and preparing for the higher elevations ahead. (Note: An optional round-trip hike to Milarepa Cave taking 5–6 hours is also available).

Trek Distance:

4 km to 16 km / 2.5 to 9.9 mi (depending on side hike chosen)

Max Altitude:

4,620 m / 15,157 ft (Ice Lake) or 3,800 m / 12,467 ft (Gangapurna Viewpoint)

Duration:

3 to 7 hours (depending on side hike chosen)

Accommodation:

Tea House or Local Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Leaving Manang village, cross a small stream and climb steadily uphill to the village of Tenki. Leaving the Marsyangdi Valley behind, the trail turns northwest into the scenic Jarsang Khola Valley. As you continue a gradual climb, the landscape transforms into high alpine pastures dotted with juniper bushes. Pass below Ghunsang village, known for its traditional flat mud rooftops, before emerging onto wide, open pastures where yaks and horses graze peacefully against a backdrop of snow-capped Himalayan peaks, concluding the day at the settlement of Yak Kharka.

Trek Distance:

10 km / 6.2 mi

Max Altitude:

4,050 m / 13,287 ft

Duration:

4 to 5 hours

Accommodation:

Tea House or Local Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today’s route brings you to Thorong Phedi, the base camp at the foot of the mighty Thorong La Pass. Leaving Yak Kharka, hike up to a high ridge before descending to cross the headwaters of the river via a wooden bridge. Continue along a narrow trail traversing steep mountain slopes and scree fields before making a final steady climb into Thorong Phedi. The environment here turns wild, desolate, and rocky—a stark and dramatic contrast to the lush green valleys from earlier in the trek.

Trek Distance:

6 km / 3.7 mi

Max Altitude:

4,525 m / 14,845 ft

Duration:

3 to 4 hours

Accommodation:

Tea House or Local Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Set out pre-dawn on a strenuous hike from Thorong Phedi (4,525 m) to reach the trek’s highest point, the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m). Navigating through freezing temperatures and thin air, your efforts are rewarded with panoramic vistas of the Annapurna massif, Dhaulagiri, and the mountains bordering Tibet. After celebrating at the prayer-flag-strewn pass, descend steeply into the dry Mustang region to Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists (who know it as Chumig Gyatsa, or “Hundred Waters”). Explore the temple grounds featuring 108 stone water spouts fed by the Kali Gandaki River and an eternal natural gas flame that has burned continuously for over 2,000 years.

Trek Distance:

16 km / 9.9 mi

Max Altitude:

5,416 m / 17,769 ft

Duration:

8 to 10 hours

Accommodation:

Tea House or Local Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

On this day, take a scenic drive from Muktinath down to Tatopani instead of trekking. As you descend, the route leaves behind the arid Trans-Himalayan desert and leads down into the dramatic Kali Gandaki Valley. Along the drive, enjoy views of Mount Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri in the distance while passing through historic villages such as Khingar and Jharkot, famous for their traditional Tibetan-style architecture. Continuing along the river corridor, the road passes through charming mountain settlements including Marpha, Khokhethanti, and Ghasa before arriving at Tatopani, where you can relax in the natural geothermal hot springs.

Trek Distance:

64km

Max Altitude:

3,760 m / 12,336 ft

Duration:

5 to 6 hours drive

Accommodation:

Tea House or Local Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Leaving the hot springs of Tatopani behind, cross the Kali Gandaki River via a suspension bridge and begin a steady ascent along the Ghar Khola valley. The trail ascends past terraced farmlands and traditional Magar and Thakali villages, including Ghara, Sikha, and Chitre. As you gain elevation, the path leads through dense forests of magnolia, birch, and rhododendron trees surrounded by dramatic peak views. Continuing your climb up ancient stone staircases, you will arrive at the mountain ridge village of Ghorepani, where you are welcomed by spectacular panoramas of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs.

Trek Distance:

16 km / 10 mi

Max Altitude:

2,860 m / 9,383 ft

Duration:

6 to 7 hours

Accommodation:

Tea House or Guest House

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Rise early for a dawn hike to the famous Poon Hill (3,210 m) viewpoint. Watch the sunrise illuminate the Himalayan skyline, revealing panoramic vistas of Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and the surrounding massifs. After taking photos of the views, return to your lodge in Ghorepani for breakfast. Afterward, begin your final descent down ancient stone staircases via Ulleri and Tikhedhunga to Birethanti along the Modi Khola. Conclude your trek here and board a private vehicle for a scenic drive back to the lakeside city of Pokhara for a well-earned rest.

Trek Distance:

14 km / 8.7 mi

Max Altitude:

3,210 m / 10,531 ft

Duration:

5 to 6 hours trek + 1.5 to 2 hours drive

Accommodation:

3 Star Category Hotel

Meals:

Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast in Pokhara, board your private vehicle for a scenic overland drive back to Kathmandu. The journey retraces the winding Prithvi Highway along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers, offering views of rural hillsides and traditional settlements. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, check into your hotel and enjoy free time to relax or shop for souvenirs in Thamel. In the evening, join the team for a special farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant featuring authentic local cuisine and a live cultural dance performance. (Note: An optional 25-minute flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu is available upon request).

Trek Distance:

210km

Max Altitude:

1,400 m / 4,593 ft

Duration:

6 to 7 hours drive (or 25-minute flight)

Accommodation:

3 Star Category Hotel

Meals:

Breakfast and Dinner

We thank you for being a part of our tour and trek. As your journey comes to an end, we bid you a fond farewell and assist with your departure, or offer the opportunity to extend your stay and join another of our adventure programs. A Best Treks and Adventures representative will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure time.

Max Altitude:

1,400 m / 4,593 ft

Duration:

30 to 45 minutes drive

Accommodation:

-

Meals:

Breakfast