Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp Trek — 21 Days

Your guide will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Thamel by private vehicle. Kathmandu sits at 1,400m - a comfortable altitude to begin adjusting to Nepal.

The rest of the day is free. Meet your trekking guide in the early evening for a brief trek orientation: route overview, gear check, permit logistics, and what to expect on the trail. This is also the time to pick up any last-minute trekking gear in Thamel - sleeping bag liners, trekking poles, hand warmers, or snacks.

Spend the evening exploring Thamel's narrow streets, or rest early ahead of the long drive tomorrow.

An early start from Kathmandu. The drive heads west out of the city through rolling green hills, river valleys, and terraced farmland. The road is sealed and scenic as far as Dumre, after which it becomes rougher and narrower. Beyond Besisahar, the jeep follows an unpaved mountain road into the lower Marsyangdi Valley.

The roughness of the road in the final stretch is part of the journey - it signals the shift from urban Nepal into the mountains. Arrive in Jagat by late afternoon. Jagat sits at the start of the restricted trekking area on the Annapurna Circuit route, with teahouses run by local Gurung families.

Dinner and overnight in Jagat. Your first night on the trail.

The trail begins along the banks of the Marsyangdi River, passing through subtropical vegetation and small villages. The path enters a narrow gorge, with waterfalls cascading down the rock walls on either side. Stone steps, suspension bridges, and sections of narrow cliff trail make this a scenic and engaging day.

The trail climbs gradually through rhododendron and oak forest, with views opening up across the valley as you gain altitude. Danakyu is a quiet village - a good first taste of life on the Annapurna Circuit.

The trail continues upstream through dense forest, crossing several suspension bridges. Apple orchards, mani walls, and prayer flags signal the increasing Tibetan cultural influence as you move deeper into the Manang district. Chame is the regional headquarters - a larger town with shops, ATMs, and teahouses.

There are good mountain views from Chame, including the first glimpse of the dramatic Paungda Danda rock face and the snowy peaks of the Lamjung Himal.

Leaving Chame, the trail enters a deeper gorge with soaring cliff walls. The famous Paungda Danda rock face dominates the view - a sheer wall of rock rising hundreds of metres from the valley floor. The path passes through pine forest and crosses the river several times before opening out into the wider Manang Valley.

Upper Pisang sits on a ridge above the valley with excellent views of Annapurna II (7,937m) and Pisang Peak (6,091m). The upper village has traditional Tibetan-style houses and a gompa overlooking the valley - well worth a short exploration before dinner.

Take the higher route through Ghyaru and Ngawal for outstanding panoramic views. This elevated path contours along the valley wall with continuous views of the Annapurna massif, including Annapurna II, III, and IV, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. The villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal have traditional Tibetan character and ancient gompas.

The trail descends to Manang, the last main settlement before the high mountain section of the trek. Manang has a good range of teahouses, a small hospital, a bakery, and an ACAP-operated altitude information centre. Spend the afternoon settling in and acclimatizing.

A rest day in Manang is essential before the high-altitude section ahead. Do not just rest - move higher and come back down to sleep. The golden rule of acclimatization is: climb high, sleep low.

Options for the day include hiking up to Gangapurna Lake (3,800m) for close-up views of the glacier and surrounding peaks, or climbing the ridge above Manang for a broader panorama. The ACAP altitude awareness programme runs daily lectures on altitude sickness - highly recommended.

Use the afternoon to rest, hydrate well, eat a good meal, and prepare gear for the higher sections ahead. Thorong La awaits.

The trail climbs steadily out of the Manang Valley, gaining significant altitude in a short distance. The landscape becomes more open and alpine - yak pastures replace the lower forests, and the scale of the peaks around you grows with every step. The Thorong La Pass is now visible ahead.

Ledar is a small cluster of teahouses at 4,200m, well positioned for the next stage of the push to Thorong Phedi and the pass. Rest well, eat well, and sleep early - tomorrow will be a long day.

A short but important day. The trail drops briefly to cross the river, then climbs again to Thorong Phedi (4,450m) - the last teahouse settlement before the pass. From here, the steep trail zigzags up to High Camp at 4,525m. Most trekkers push on to High Camp to reduce the altitude gain required on crossing day.

Thorong Phedi High Camp is basic but functional. Arrive early to secure a bed. The evening is quiet - conserve energy, hydrate, and get to bed by 7pm. An early start is essential tomorrow to cross before afternoon clouds and wind arrive on the pass.

The biggest day of the trek. Start by 4:30–5:00am. The trail climbs 900m from High Camp to the pass in the dark - headlamps, warm layers, and a slow steady pace. The gradient is steep but the trail is well-defined. As dawn breaks, the scale of the surrounding mountains becomes clear: Thorong Peak, Yakawa Kang, and the entire Annapurna massif spread out behind you.

At the top of Thorong La Pass (5,416m / 17,756ft), a row of prayer flags and a wooden signboard mark one of the great trekking achievements in the Himalayas. Take photos, catch your breath, and begin the long descent.

The descent to Muktinath is steep and loose in places, dropping 1,600m over 8km to the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath (3,800m). The temple complex, with its 108 water spouts and eternal flame, is a significant Hindu and Buddhist site. Explore the temple if energy allows. Well-earned rest tonight.

After the physical demands of the last several days, today is a driving rest day. A jeep transfers you from Muktinath through the dramatic Mustang landscape - ochre cliffs, desert plateaus, and the deep gorge of the Kali Gandaki, one of the world's deepest valleys. The road passes through Jomsom and Marpha (famous for apple brandy and orchards) before descending into the subtropics.

Tatopani means 'hot water' in Nepali - the village sits alongside natural hot springs, a perfect way to soak away the altitude and trail fatigue. Spend a quiet evening and enjoy the warmth of the lower elevation.

Back on foot for the second phase of the trek - now heading into the Annapurna Sanctuary via the classic ABC approach from the south. The trail climbs steeply out of Tatopani through subtropical forest and terraced fields. The ascent is warm and lush - a dramatic contrast to the high-altitude desert of Mustang.

Sikha is a pleasant mid-elevation village with views across the Kali Gandaki gorge. The trail continues upward from here toward Ghorepani on the following day.

The trail climbs through dense rhododendron forest - one of the finest forest sections of the entire trek. In season (March-April), the rhododendron blooms create a spectacular tunnel of red and pink. The path gains altitude steadily through Phalate and Chitre before arriving at Ghorepani.

Ghorepani is a busy trekking hub sitting on a ridge below Poon Hill. Despite its popularity, the village retains its character and the mountain views are exceptional - Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the surrounding peaks are visible from the village itself. Arrive early for a good choice of teahouses.

Rise before dawn and climb 45 minutes to Poon Hill (3,210m) for one of the most celebrated sunrises in the Himalayas. The panorama at first light includes Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and dozens of other peaks stretching across the horizon. Worth every step in the cold and dark.

Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then begin the descent to Tadapani through beautiful rhododendron and oak forest. The trail passes through Banthanti and involves some steep sections before reaching the ridge settlement of Tadapani, with its own impressive views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

The trail descends from Tadapani through forest and terraced fields to Chhomrong (2,170m) - a classic Gurung village with stone-paved paths, local shops, and excellent mountain views. Chhomrong is the last permanent village before the Annapurna Sanctuary and serves as the gateway to the inner sanctum.

From Chhomrong, the trail descends steeply on stone steps to the Chhomrong Khola river crossing, then climbs back up through bamboo and rhododendron forest to Sinuwa. The ascent from the river is demanding but the surroundings are beautiful and the sense of approaching the sanctuary grows with each step.

The trail continues deeper into the Annapurna Sanctuary, passing through Bamboo (2,310m) and Dovan (2,600m) - both small clusters of teahouses set in dense forest. The valley narrows as you climb, with the walls rising steeply on both sides. The sound of the Modi Khola river accompanies the entire route.

Above Himalaya (2,920m), the forest gives way to open alpine terrain. The glacier moraines come into view and the scale of the mountains around you becomes dramatic. Deurali sits at the edge of the sanctuary, below the final approach to base camp. The temperature drops significantly at night - warm layers are essential.

The final ascent to Annapurna Base Camp is one of the great walks in the Himalayas. The trail climbs through the open sanctuary, passing the remains of glacial moraine and crossing the headwaters of the Modi Khola. The surrounding walls of rock and ice grow taller with every step.

At Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m / 13,550ft), you are surrounded by an amphitheatre of giants: Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Hiunchuli (6,441m), Gangapurna (7,455m), and the perfect pyramid of Machhapuchhre (6,993m) dominates the skyline. This is one of the most spectacular mountain settings accessible to trekkers anywhere on Earth.

Spend the afternoon at base camp, watching the light change on the peaks. The sunset and early morning views are particularly memorable. Rest well at altitude.

An early morning at base camp for the best light on the peaks, then begin the long descent. The route retraces the approach through Deurali and Himalaya, dropping steadily through the sanctuary. The descent is significant - over 1,800 metres in a single day - and knees will be tested on the stone steps and loose sections.

Bamboo sits in the forest below the sanctuary, a world away from the high-altitude snowfields above. The descent through the bamboo groves and rhododendron forest is atmospheric and the lower elevation is a welcome relief. Dinner and rest.

Continue the descent to Jhinu Danda, passing through Dovan and Sinuwa. Jhinu Danda has a natural hot spring by the river - a perfect reward for 19 days on the trail. Soak away the accumulated trail fatigue before continuing down to the road.

From the trailhead, a vehicle transfers you to Pokhara (approximately 2 hours). Arrival in Pokhara in the late afternoon or early evening. Check in to a hotel on the lakeside. Enjoy a proper shower, a comfortable bed, and the bright lights of a lakeside town. Dinner on the Lakeside at a restaurant of your choice.

An early departure from Pokhara for the drive back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway. The road follows river valleys and terraced hillsides back through the mid-hills of Nepal. The journey takes approximately 6-7 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.

Arrive in Kathmandu by afternoon. Transfer to your hotel in Thamel. The remainder of the day is free - time for last-minute shopping in Thamel, souvenir hunting, or simply resting after 20 days of adventure. A farewell dinner is recommended to celebrate completing one of the world's great trekking routes.

The final day. Enjoy a last Nepali breakfast before your transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. Departure times vary - your guide will arrange a vehicle according to your flight schedule.

Whether you crossed Thorong La in the dark, watched sunrise over Dhaulagiri from Poon Hill, or stood in the amphitheatre of peaks at Annapurna Base Camp - this 21-day journey through the heart of the Annapurna region will stay with you long after you leave Nepal. Safe travels.