Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary

This guide walks through that itinerary day by day, using our 10-Day Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary as the reference. It also covers who might want more time, where Tilicho Lake and the reverse route fit in, and how to adjust the plan if 10 days doesn't suit your schedule.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary at a Glance

Six walking days, one rest day, and three transport days bookend the route — 10 days total, door to door.

Why Places Nepal Uses a 10-Day Annapurna Circuit Itinerary

The traditional Annapurna Circuit, walked without any transport assistance, covers something like 160 to 230 km depending on the exact route and side trips, and several of the early days follow the same Marsyangdi valley road that jeeps now use. Rather than have trekkers walk beside that road for the better part of a week, Places Nepal's itinerary uses a single long transport day to reach Dharapani, then puts the walking days where the trail is still genuinely a trail.

The 10-day version keeps every landmark the circuit is known for — Manang, Thorong La, Muktinath, the Kali Gandaki gorge — and cuts the lower-valley approach that road-building has already changed. In practice this covers roughly 79 km of actual walking over six trekking days, plus the Manang rest day and three transport days. It suits trekkers who don't have three weeks free but still want the full pass-crossing experience, not a shortened or watered-down version of it.

Day 1: Kathmandu to Besisahar to Dharapani

The day starts with a tourist bus heading west along the Prithvi Highway to Besisahar, the Lamjung district roadhead and the traditional starting point of the Annapurna Circuit — roughly 175 km and 6 to 7 hours. From Besisahar, a shared jeep takes over for the rougher climb up the Marsyangdi valley, about 50 km and 3 to 4 hours, following the same mountain road that classic circuit trekkers once walked for the better part of a week. The road narrows, the gorge deepens, and the first big peaks start showing overhead before the jeep pulls into Dharapani in the early evening.

Dharapani sits at 1,860 m and is where this itinerary's walking section begins. Overnight is in a teahouse, with lunch and dinner included. It's a long day in a vehicle, but it's also what makes the shorter 10-day schedule possible — everything from Day 2 onward is on foot.

Practical notes: bring motion-sickness tablets for the jeep leg, and keep snacks and water in your daypack rather than your main bag — there are limited stops once the jeep section starts.

Day 2: Dharapani to Chame

The real trekking begins here. A steady climb through pine and fir forest — 15 km, 5 to 6 hours, gaining about 750 m — passes Bagarchhap, where Tibetan-style stone houses and prayer flags mark the first visible shift in local culture above the lower valley. The trail continues to Timang at roughly 2,600 m, one of the circuit's better surprise viewpoints: Manaslu's full 8,163 m bulk appears unexpectedly to the east, a different 8,000-metre peak showing up on what's supposed to be an Annapurna trek.

From Timang the trail eases into Chame (2,610 m), the Manang district headquarters and the best-equipped village since Besisahar, with a small natural hot spring by the river — worth soaking in if the legs are stiff from two days of travel.

Day 3: Chame to Pisang

A 16 km, 5-to-6-hour day that changes the landscape's character — forest gives way to a drier, more open valley, and the Annapurna range comes into view properly for the first time. The trail passes Bhratang, known for its apple orchards, then runs beneath one of the circuit's genuine geological landmarks: a huge, smoothly curved slab of pale granite arcing up the valley wall, known locally as the "swirling rock."

Beyond it the valley widens into Pisang (3,300 m), where Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, and the sharp pyramid of Pisang Peak all sit in view together. Pisang is also where the trail splits into low and high routes toward Manang — the choice that shapes the next day.

Day 4: Pisang to Manang

The low route to Manang follows the valley floor and takes about three hours. The high route, which Places Nepal uses whenever weather allows, climbs through Ghyaru and Ngawal instead — a steeper start, but arguably the best panorama on the entire circuit, and a genuine acclimatization advantage heading into the altitude ahead. Either way it's around 15 km and 5 to 6 hours.

Ghyaru, at 3,730 m, delivers an uninterrupted sweep of Annapurna II, III, IV and Gangapurna from a ridge above the valley. The trail then continues through Ngawal to Braga, home to a roughly 900-year-old gompa built into the cliffside — worth the short climb up its stone steps — before dropping into Manang (3,540 m), the base for the next two nights.

Manang is the largest settlement since Besisahar: bakeries, gear shops, a small cinema teahouse, and paid device charging. It's also home to the Himalayan Rescue Association's aid post. There are no reliable ATMs beyond Chame, so this is the last practical point to withdraw cash for the days ahead.

Day 5: Acclimatization Day in Manang

This is the trek's only scheduled rest day, and it matters more than the word "rest" suggests — it's the single most important day for a safe crossing of Thorong La eight days later. The idea is the standard high-altitude rule: climb high, sleep low.

Manang offers a few real options rather than a mandate to sit still:

• Gangapurna Lake — a gentle two-hour round trip to a glacial lake beneath Gangapurna's ice face. The easier choice, good for a lighter acclimatization day.
• Ice Lake (Kicho Tal) — a demanding 5-to-6-hour round trip climbing to 4,600 m. This is the classic Manang acclimatization hike: climbing that high and sleeping back down at 3,540 m is exactly the kind of altitude exposure that makes Thorong La more manageable later.
• Praken Gompa — a shorter, easier climb for those wanting a lighter day, with the Himalayan Rescue Association's free daily altitude-sickness talk (in season, around 3 PM) worth attending regardless of which hike is chosen.

The point of the day is banked acclimatization, not sightseeing for its own sake — skipping the hike because you feel fine at 3,540 m is a common mistake, since the benefit shows up higher, not here.

Day 6: Manang to Yak Kharka

A short day by design — 8 km, 3 to 4 hours, gaining about 520 m to 4,060 m. Trees disappear almost entirely above Manang, and the trail moves into genuine high-altitude terrain: open pasture, yak herds, and noticeably thinner air past Tanki Manang, the last permanent village on this stretch, and Gunsang's high grazing land.

Arrival at Yak Kharka is typically early afternoon, leaving the rest of the day for rest — deliberately, since this is the start of three consecutive days above 4,000 m. Mild headache or reduced appetite is common at this altitude and usually settles; anything beyond mild should be flagged to the guide.

Day 7: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi

Another short but consequential day — 8 km, 3 to 5 hours, ending at the staging point for the pass crossing. Beyond Ledar the trail crosses an exposed, occasionally landslide-affected traverse that calls for steady footing, before climbing to Thorong Phedi at 4,525 m.

From Phedi, groups face a genuine choice: stay at Phedi, or push on roughly 355 m further to High Camp at 4,880 m. Staying at Phedi means more oxygen and a better night's sleep, but a longer, colder pre-dawn climb the next morning — about 891 m to the pass. Pushing to High Camp shortens tomorrow's ascent to around 536 m, useful in poor weather or for a slower-moving group, at the cost of a colder night and reduced appetite at the higher altitude. There's no universally correct choice — guides make the call based on the group's pace, symptoms, and the weather forecast.

Practical notes: pack the pass-day kit the night before — headlamp, full layers, gloves, snacks — and take the Ledar traverse carefully; it's loose underfoot in places.

Day 8: Thorong La to Muktinath and Jomsom

The longest, hardest, and most rewarding day of the trek. A pre-dawn start, typically 3 to 5 AM, climbs by headlamp toward the summit of Thorong La at 5,416 m — one of the highest trekking passes anywhere, and, for context, higher than Everest Base Camp's 5,364 m. The climb from Phedi or High Camp usually takes 3 to 4 hours, reaching the pass around sunrise: a cairn wrapped in prayer flags, and on a clear morning, three landscapes visible at once — the Annapurna range behind, the Damodar Himal's glaciated peaks to the north, and Mustang's high desert opening up ahead.

The descent is the real physical test of the day: a long, steep drop of roughly 1,616 m to Muktinath (3,800 m), the single biggest one-day elevation loss on this itinerary. Muktinath itself is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, known for its 108 stone water spouts and a naturally burning gas flame. From there, a jeep or bus continues down to Jomsom (2,720 m), ending the trekking portion of the trip. The full day covers about 17 km and runs 7 to 9 hours.

Thorong La sits in a wind corridor and behaves like one — calm before dawn, increasingly windy as the morning warms, with gusts that can reach 60–80 km/h by late morning. That's the real reason for the early start: it isn't tradition, it's about being off the exposed upper section before conditions turn. There's also no shelter or bailout point between Phedi and Muktinath, which is why a guide's pacing calls on this day are final.

Practical notes: dress in full winter layers for the pre-dawn climb — temperatures regularly drop to −15°C or colder before sunrise — and pace the descent rather than rushing it. Most Thorong La injuries happen going down, not going up.

For a closer look at this stage specifically, see our Thorong La Pass altitude, route, and what to expect guide.

Day 9: Jomsom to Pokhara

A dramatic transport day — 140 km, 6 to 7 hours by jeep — down through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge on earth, with Dhaulagiri and Annapurna each rising more than 7,000 m above the road. The route passes Marpha, known for its apple orchards, whitewashed stone streets, and locally distilled apple brandy, then continues toward Tatopani, known for its natural hot springs, as the terrain shifts from Mustang's high desert into greener, warmer country.

Arrival in Pokhara (822 m) is usually by evening, with a hotel included for the night — hot showers, a wider choice of food, and Phewa Lake's waterfront make for a natural point to unwind after eight days of trekking.

Day 10: Pokhara to Kathmandu

The final leg: a tourist bus retraces the Prithvi Highway back to Kathmandu along the Trishuli River, roughly 200 km and 6 to 7 hours, with arrival typically by late afternoon and hotel drop-off included. For those short on time or wanting mountain views from the air, a 25-minute flight can replace the road day on request — worth asking about at booking if a spare day matters more than the fare difference.

Trek the Annapurna Circuit Trek

A legendary high-altitude trek in Nepal that encircles the Annapurna Massif, offering dramatic scenery, diverse cultures, and the iconic crossing of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.

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How Hard Is the 10-Day Annapurna Circuit?

Rated challenging — 4 out of 5 on the standard Nepal trekking scale. The trail itself is non-technical throughout: no ropes, no glacier travel, no climbing. What makes it demanding is the combination of a single acclimatization day and a 5,416 m pass reached on Day 8 — a compressed schedule compared with the 14-day classic circuit, which builds in more buffer.

The itinerary isn't reckless about altitude — the deliberately short Day 6, the Manang rest day, and the Phedi/High Camp choice on Day 7 are all built-in safeguards — but there's less slack than a longer circuit offers, so hydration, honest symptom reporting, and following your guide's pace matter more here than they would on a slower version of the same route. Prior experience above 3,500 m is a genuine advantage for this compressed schedule, though not a strict requirement.

For a full breakdown of daily difficulty, training, and what to expect physically, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulty guide.

Is 10 Days Enough for the Annapurna Circuit?

Yes — the current jeep-assisted route covers the core circuit, including Thorong La, Muktinath, and Manang's acclimatization stop, in 10 days. It's more compressed than the traditional 14-to-18-day itineraries, which is the trade-off for fitting the trek into a shorter holiday window.

Ten days may not be the right fit if you're:

• A slower or more cautious trekker who prefers extra buffer days
• Interested in adding Tilicho Lake or another side trip
• Wanting more than one built-in acclimatization day
• A photographer who'd rather linger in specific villages
• Working with a genuinely flexible schedule and no strong reason to move fast

None of this makes the 10-day itinerary the wrong choice — it just means it's built for a specific kind of trip. If any of the above sounds like you, the customization options further down are worth reading.

Can You Make the Annapurna Circuit Longer?

Yes, and there are several practical ways to extend the 10-day route:

• Adding an extra day in Manang for a slower pace or a second acclimatization hike
• Adding Tilicho Lake as a dedicated side trip
• Adding extra village stays or side trips along the main route
• Building in a contingency day for weather, particularly around Thorong La
• Slowing individual trekking days rather than covering the full distance in one push

There's no single fixed "12-day" or "14-day" itinerary here — exact duration depends on which extensions you choose, so this is best worked out directly with a trek advisor rather than assumed from a template.

Can You Add Tilicho Lake?

Tilicho Lake, at 4,919 m, is one of the highest lakes in the world and a genuinely worthwhile detour — but it's an optional extension to this itinerary, not part of the standard 10-day route. The side trip typically starts from Manang and adds roughly 2 to 3 days, which also shifts the acclimatization schedule and the timing of the Thorong La crossing.

It's worth considering if you have the extra days and want additional high-altitude scenery beyond what the main circuit already covers, or if the added acclimatization time appeals regardless of the destination. It's not something to bolt on casually at the last minute, since it changes both the altitude profile and the overall trip length — flag it early if you're interested, so it can be built into your itinerary properly rather than squeezed in.

What About the Reverse Annapurna Circuit?

Trekking the circuit in reverse means starting from the Jomsom/Muktinath side and finishing at Dharapani — climbing to Thorong La from the Mustang side instead of the Manang side. Some trekkers choose this for a different order of scenery, or for specific logistical reasons tied to flights or timing.

It isn't the route this itinerary follows, and it changes the acclimatization picture significantly: climbing to the pass from the Mustang side means less time spent building altitude tolerance beforehand compared with the Manang-side ascent this itinerary uses. If you're specifically interested in trekking the circuit in reverse, that's a conversation to have directly with a trek advisor rather than a variation to assume is interchangeable with the standard direction.

Can You Customize the Annapurna Circuit Itinerary?

Not every trekker wants the same itinerary, and 10 days isn't the only way to do this trek. If the schedule above doesn't fit your available time, preferred pace, or trekking goals, you can reach Places Nepal on WhatsApp and talk directly with a trek advisor. Itineraries can be adjusted around:

• Adding Tilicho Lake as a side trip
• Slowing the pace or adding extra rest days
• Extending the overall trek length
• Shortening specific sections using transport
• Arranging a private departure instead of a fixed group date
• Different start or end logistics
• Adding side trips beyond Tilicho Lake

Not every requested route is always possible — weather, teahouse availability, and the season all play a role — but most reasonable adjustments can be worked into a custom plan.

Itinerary Notes for Different Types of Trekkers

First-time trekkers: the compressed schedule rewards some prior hiking or altitude experience. If this is your first Himalayan trek, a gentler build-up like Langtang Valley is worth considering first, or a longer, slower version of the Annapurna Circuit itself.

Experienced trekkers: the 10-day route delivers the full pass-crossing experience efficiently — a good fit if you've handled 3,500 m+ before and can commit to focused pre-trip training.

Photographers: extra days in Manang, Pisang, or around Muktinath give more flexibility for light and weather than the standard schedule allows.

Trekkers with limited holiday time: this is exactly what the 10-day itinerary is built for — the core circuit, without the extra two to three weeks a classic route asks for.

Trekkers wanting Tilicho Lake: plan for 2 to 3 additional days and build the side trip into your itinerary from the start rather than deciding on the trail.

Annapurna Circuit Walking Hours and Distance

Across the 10-day itinerary, actual walking covers roughly 79 km over six trekking days — considerably shorter than the 160–230 km walked on the traditional, fully self-propelled circuit, since transport replaces the lower Marsyangdi valley approach. A typical trekking day starts with breakfast around 7–8 AM, an initial 3-to-4-hour morning push, a lunch break of 1 to 1.5 hours, and a further 2-to-3-hour afternoon stretch — arriving at the next village by late afternoon.

For a full breakdown of distances by section, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek distance guide.

Acclimatization and Altitude

This itinerary's single scheduled acclimatization day falls on Day 5 in Manang (3,540 m), supported by the high route option on Day 4 through Ghyaru and Ngawal, and the deliberately short Day 6 to Yak Kharka. Together these give the body repeated, gradual exposure to altitude before the push to Thorong La on Day 8 — the golden rule being climb high during the day, sleep at a lower altitude at night.

Because the schedule is more compressed than the classic 14-day circuit, there's less built-in buffer than longer itineraries allow, which puts more weight on hydration, honest symptom reporting to your guide, and following the pacing calls made on the trail. For the full elevation profile day by day, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek elevation guide.

What to Expect on the Thorong La Day

Beyond the itinerary details already covered for Day 8, a few practical points are worth repeating on their own:

• Start time: 3 to 5 AM, by headlamp, timed to clear the exposed upper section before winds pick up later in the morning.
• Weather: temperatures at the pass regularly sit between −10°C and −18°C before sunrise in the prime autumn season, colder in spring; full winter layering is non-negotiable.
• Pace: set by your guide based on the group's condition — this is the one day where following instructions matters more than personal pace preference.
• Water and snacks: carry both; there's no shelter or resupply point between Phedi/High Camp and Muktinath.
• Descent: the 1,616 m drop to Muktinath is harder on the body than the climb — trekking poles and a paced descent matter here.
• After Muktinath: transport continues down to Jomsom the same day, ending the trekking portion of the trip.

Trekking With or Without a Porter

Porter service on this itinerary is optional, not included by default — one porter typically carries up to 20 kg, which can be shared between two trekkers. Whether to hire one comes down to how much weight you're comfortable carrying over six trekking days, including the long Thorong La day.

For a full look at how porter arrangements work, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek porter guide. If you're planning to carry your own gear, our Annapurna Circuit without a porter guide covers what that actually involves day to day.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary FAQs

How many days do you need for the Annapurna Circuit Trek? Places Nepal's current itinerary is 10 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu, covering the core circuit with jeep transport on both ends. Longer versions of 12–14 days or more are possible for a slower pace or added side trips.

What is the 10-day Annapurna Circuit itinerary? Day 1 is transport from Kathmandu to Dharapani via Besisahar. Days 2–4 trek to Manang through Chame and Pisang. Day 5 is acclimatization in Manang. Days 6–8 continue through Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi, crossing Thorong La to Muktinath and Jomsom on Day 8. Days 9–10 return to Kathmandu via Pokhara.

Where does the Annapurna Circuit Trek start? The traditional starting point is Besisahar. This itinerary uses transport from Besisahar to Dharapani, where the actual walking begins.

Where does the Annapurna Circuit Trek end? The trekking portion ends at Muktinath/Jomsom on Day 8. From there, transport continues to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu.

Is 10 days enough for the Annapurna Circuit? Yes, for the core route including Thorong La and Muktinath. It's a more compressed schedule than the traditional 14-to-18-day circuit, so it suits trekkers with limited time and reasonable altitude experience.

How many hours do you walk each day? Between 3 and 6 hours on most trekking days, extending to 7–9 hours on the Thorong La crossing day.

Which day is the hardest? Day 8 — the Thorong La crossing, with a pre-dawn start, a climb to 5,416 m, and a steep 1,616 m descent to Muktinath.

What day do you cross Thorong La? Day 8 of the 10-day itinerary.

Is there an acclimatization day? Yes, one scheduled rest day in Manang on Day 5, with optional hikes to Ice Lake, Gangapurna Lake, or Praken Gompa.

Can I add Tilicho Lake? Yes, as an optional extension from Manang, typically adding 2 to 3 days to the standard 10-day itinerary.

Can I do the Annapurna Circuit in reverse? Yes, though this itinerary is designed for the standard direction. A reverse route changes the acclimatization profile and is best discussed directly with a trek advisor.

Can I customize the itinerary? Yes — extra acclimatization days, Tilicho Lake, slower pacing, and different transport arrangements can all be built into a custom plan. Reach out on WhatsApp to talk it through.

Can I trek without a porter? Yes, porter service is optional on this itinerary. See our Annapurna Circuit without a porter guide for what that involves.

Can I shorten the itinerary using jeeps? Some sections can be covered by transport instead of walking, but shortening the schedule shouldn't come at the cost of proper acclimatization — talk to a trek advisor before compressing the route further.

What is the best month for the Annapurna Circuit? Autumn (late September to November, with October the strongest window) and spring (March to May) offer the clearest skies and most stable conditions at Thorong La. Winter and monsoon are not recommended for this route.

Final Thoughts

Places Nepal's 10-day Annapurna Circuit itinerary is built around a simple decision: use transport to skip the lower valley's walking days, and spend the time saved on the mountain section that defines the trek — Manang, Thorong La, Muktinath, and the descent through the Kali Gandaki Valley. It's a practical route for trekkers with a shorter holiday window, without cutting any of the circuit's major landmarks.

If this schedule fits your available time and trekking goals, our 10-day Annapurna Circuit Trek has current departure dates, pricing, and full trip details. If it doesn't quite fit — whether you want more days, Tilicho Lake, or a different pace — reach out on WhatsApp and we'll work through the options with you directly.