Annapurna Circuit Itinerary Packages Overview
There are several Annapurna Circuit itinerary packages that you can choose from; these packages vary depending on the highlight exploration, popular side detours in the region, length, and acclimatization days. We here at Marvel Adventure offer some of the most exciting and remarkable trekking packages of the Annapurna Circuit Trek that fit the adventure needs of any trekking enthusiast.
From a short-sweet exploration for the trekkers with limited time on hand to an extensive trekking adventure that includes exhilarating side detours, we offer the best value experience befitting your adventure palate. Here are some of our most beloved Annapurna Circuit itinerary packages for a remarkable and memorable Himalayan exploration.
15-Day Anapurna Circuit Itinerary
Our 15-Day Annapurna Circuit Itinerary package is one of the extensive Himalayan trekking adventures that follows the classical trekking route and some side detours of the popular landmarks in the region. Starting your adventure with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbule, one of the classical Annapurna Circuit routes, you will follow the trekking route to Chmaje and gradually ascend over to Bagarchhap and Chame.
From Chame, you will make your way to Lower Pisang and make your ascend to Manang [3,540 meters/ 11,614 feet]. As you ascend over a significant altitude to reach Manang, you will take a break here before continuing with your Himalayan adventure. From Manang, you will ascend to even higher altitude jump points like Yak Kharka and the highest elevation jump point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Thorung La Pass [5,416 meters/ 17,769 feet]. Then, you will begin your descending journey to Muktinath, Tatopani, and Jomsom.
In this 15-Day Annapurna Circuit Itinerary, you will also do some side detours to the popular tourist destinations in the Annapurna region, like Ghorepani and Poonhill, that will add further excitement to your classical Himalayan adventure.
15-Day Anapurna Circuit Itinerary Outline
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu [1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet] to Bhulbule [923 meters/ 3,028 free]
Day 02: Trekking from Bhulbule to Chamje [1,410 meters/ 4,625 feet]
Day 03: Chamje to Bagarchhap trek [2,160 meters/ 7,086 feet]
Day 04: Bagarchhap to Chame [2,710 meters/ 8,891 feet]
Day 05: Trekking from Chame to Lower Pisang [3,240 meters/ 10,629 feet]
Day 06: Lower Pisang to Manang [3,540 meters/ 11,614 feet] trek
Day 07: Rest day Manang
Day 08: Trekking from Manang to Yak Kharka [4,120 meters/ 13,517 feet]
Day 09: Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi [4,560 meters/ 14,960 feet]
Day 10: Thorung Phedi to Muktinath [3,802 meters/ 12,473 feet] via Thorung La Pass [5,416 meters/ 17,769 feet]
Day 11: Trekking from Muktinath to Kagbeni [2,840 meters/ 9,317 feet] to Jomsom [2,720 meters/ 8,923 feet]
Day 12: Drive to Tatopani [1,190 meters/ 3,904 meters] from Jomsom
Day 13: Trekking from Tatopani to Ghorepani [2,750 meters/ 9,022 feet]
Day 14: Early morning hike to Poonhill [3,210 meters/ 10,531 feet], trek down to Nayapul [1,070 meters/ 3,510 feet] and drive to Pokhara [820 meters/ 2,690 feet]
Day 15: Drive back to Kathmandu [1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet] from Pokhara
12-Day Anapurna Circuit Itinerary
12-Day Annapurna Circuit Itinerary is another exciting and adventurous exploration package of the second most popular trekking destination in Nepal. This adventure package starts with Kathmandu to Ngadi drive, followed by trekking to Jagat, Dharapni, and Chame. Pushing for higher altitudes, you will then trek from Lower Pisang to Manang to Yak Kharka to Muktinath (via Thorung La Pass). Then, concluding your Annapurna Circuit exploration, your drive down to Muktinath, and finally to Pokhara.
12-Day Anapurna Circuit Itinerary Outline
Day 01: Kathmandu [1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet] to Ngadi [930 meters/ 3,051 feet] drive
Day 02: Trekking from Ngadi to Jagat [1,300 meters/ 4,265 feet]
Day 03: Jagat to Dharapani [1,860 meters/ 6,102 feet] trek
Day 04: Dharapani to Chame [2,710 meters/ 8,891 feet]
Day 05: Trekking from Chame to Lower Pisang [3,240 meters/ 10,629 feet]
Day 06: Lower Pisang to Manang [3,540 meters/ 11,614 feet]
Day 07: Rest and exploration day at Manang
Day 08: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka [4,120 meters/ 13,517 feet]
Day 09: Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi [4,560 meters/ 14,960 feet]
Day 10: Thorung Phedi to Thorung La Pass [5,416 meters/ 17,769 feet] to Muktinath [3,802 meters/ 12,473 feet]
Day 11: Drive from Muktinath to Tatopani [1,190 meters/ 3,904 feet]
Day 12: Tatopani to Pokhara [820 meters/ 2,690 feet] drive
10-Day Anapurna Circuit Itinerary
Unlike other adventures, this 10-Day Annapurna Circuit Itinerary starts directly after a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Chame. Starting your trekking adventure on the second day of your Annapurna Circuit exploration, you will directly push for Pisang and then toward Manang, your acclimatization destination. Then, following the same classical route as other Annapurna Circuit Itinerary packages, you will drive down to Pokhara from Muktinath. You will get an additional day for sightseeing at Pokhara on Day 9, and you will end your Himalayan expedition on Day 10 after driving back to Kathmandu from Pokhara.
10-Day Anapurna Circuit Itinerary Outline
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu [1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet] to Chame [2,710 meters/ 8,891 feet]
Day 02: Trekking from Chame to Pisang [3,300 meters/ 10,826 feet]
Day 03: Pisang to Manang [3,540 meters/ 11,614 feet]
Day 04: Acclimatizing day at Manang
Day 05: Trekking from Manang to Yak Kharka [4,120 meters/ 13,517 feet]
Day 06: Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi [4,560 meters/ 14,960 feet] trek
Day 07: Trek from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath [3,802 meters/ 12,473 feet] over Thorung La Pass [5,416 meters/ 17,769 feet]
Day 08: Bus drive from Muktinath to Pokhara [820 meters/ 2,690 feet]
Day 09: Sightseeing and exploration day at Pokhara
Day 10: Drive back to Kathmandu [1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet] from Pokhara in a tourist bus
8-Day Anapurna Circuit Itinerary
If you want to partake in this exciting circumnavigating adventure of the tenth-highest peak in the world, Mt. Annapurna [8,091 meters/ 26,545 feet], across the enchanting trails, but don’t have weeks to spare for your exploration. Marvel Adventure has introduced this fascinating short and sweet 8-Day Annapurna Circuit Itinerary that doesn’t miss out on any exploration aspects of this mainstream trekking route in the Himalayas.
Starting your adventure with Kathmandu to Chame drive, you will follow the trekking trails to Pisang and to Manang, where you will enjoy an exploration and acclimatization day. From there, you will traverse across high elevation points like Yak Kharka, Thorung Phedi, and the highest elevation point of this adventure, Thorung La Pass [5,416 meters/ 17,769 feet]. Then, after concluding the adventure, you will drive down to Pokhara from Muktinath on Day 8.
8-Day Anapurna Circuit Itinerary Outline
Day 01: Kathmandu [1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet] to Chame [2,710 meters/ 8,891 feet] drive
Day 02: Trek to Pisang [3,300 meters/ 10,826 feet] from Chame
Day 03: Chame to Manang [3,540 meters/ 11,614 feet] trekking
Day 04: Acclimatization and exploration day in Manang
Day 05: Manang to Yak Kharka [4,120 meters/ 13,517 feet] trekking
Day 06: Trekking from Yak Kharka to Throrung Phedi [4,560 meters/ 14,960 feet]
Day 07: Trek from Thorung Phedi to Thorung La Pass [5,416 meters/ 17,769 feet] to Muktinath [3,802 meters/ 12,473 feet]
Day 08: Drive down to Pokhara [820 meters/ 2,690 feet] from Muktinath
How Difficult Is Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Despite being one of the mainstream trekking expeditions in the Himalayas, Annapurna Circuit Trek is also considered one of the easiest. This classical Himalayan adventure with a ‘moderate’ difficulty level doesn’t require any technical skills or strenuous training for completion. You also don’t need to have any prior trekking experience to do this trek; if you are determined to do this trek and make an effort for adequate preparation, the Annapurna Circuit Itinerary won’t be too much of a big deal for you to handle.
However, Annapurna Circuit is still a Himalayan exploration and nothing like a hike in the backyard, so it will be wise not to underestimate the challenges of this expedition. Let’s discuss some of the significant hurdles in this expedition that you have to overcome during your trek.
Altitude Sickness: Although you don’t spend a lot of time at the altitude over 4,000- 5,000 meters in this trek like other Himalayan adventures, you will still need to be wary about the symptoms of altitude sickness. Overcoming Thorung La Pass [5,416 meters/ 17,769 feet], the highest elevation point of this adventure, is considered to be the most demanding part of the adventure. So, make sure to take it slow, stay hydrated, and be attentive to your body language.
Trekking Distance: The total trekking distance of the Annapurna Circuit is 160km to 230 km; the total distance you cover in your Annapurna Circuit Itinerary will depend on the route taken, exploration part, and side detours of the trek. So, on average, you will walk about 6-7 hours during each day of your trekking. So, if you are not well prepared for the long trekking days and have to drag yourself from one point to another, then you might not actually enjoy the experience.
Weather Factors:Although doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek is ideal during the peak seasons like spring and autumn, the high-altitude climatic conditions can be unpredictable at times. It doesn’t take much time for the clear days to be covered with rain clouds, and the high altitude seeing some light snowfall. So, you have to be prepared for whatever challenges the Himalayan region throws your way during the exploration.
Remoteness:Yes, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the second most popular trekking destination in the Himalayas. However, the Himalayan region is still a remote part of the country which hasn’t seen much technological or infrastructural development. So, you might not get the opportunity to enjoy the luxurious services that you would expect from a vacation destination.
Is Annapurna Circuit Trek Right For Me?
Annapurna Circuit is one of the most rewarding and exhilarating Himalayan trekking expeditions that take you across rich cultural settlements, conservation areas, rich diversity, and an overall enriching natural trail with enchanting views. So, if you are looking for a fully immersive exploration that doesn’t leave out any aspects of the Himalayan experience and which is relatively easier, than the Annapurna Circuit Trek is just the right deal for you.
The success rate of this beautiful expedition is 98% to 100%; if you put enough effort during your preparation part, follow the guidelines of your expedition leader, and stay determined, you will be able to complete this fully guided Himalayan adventure easily. In the past, even elderly trekkers above the age of 60 and children below 13 have completed this circuit trek adventure.
Training and Preparation
With the right amount of training and preparation, you will be able to make this iconic Himalayan adventure even more exciting and memorable. The minimum recommended training period for the Annapurna Circuit is 4-6 weeks, but you can adjust the period after assessing your physical capabilities.
Practice hikes have been proven to provide effective training that doesn’t only show the aspects you have to work on to maximize your experience during the trek but also stimulates almost precise trekking scenarios of your actual. As you have to overcome the steep- remote trails and carry your backpack during the whole adventure, you are recommended to emphasize your training on the strength, endurance, and cardiovascular part. Exercises like lunges, calf raise, deadlift, leg curl, leg press, stair climbing, jogging, swimming, cycling, push-up, plank, pull-up, bench press, etc, can be effective in buffing your physical stats.
Food and Accommodation
The Annapurna Circuit is the second most popular mainstream trekking destination in Nepal, just behind the Everest Base Camp Trek. So, during your exploration, you can expect a moderate to luxurious level of service. In your regular package, you will stay inside well-furnished lodging facilities at the teahouses and receive basic amenities like a comfortable mattress, clean sheets, a pillow, and a warm blanket.
Rooms at these teahouses are designed in dormitory style, there are two to three beds in each of the rooms. There are communal areas in these teahouses like dining rooms which are equipped with heaters and trekkers will get the opportunity to socialize with other trekkers. As for the bathroom facilities, all of the teahouses don’t have attached bathroom facilities and you use it on a shared basis. For a more personalized experience, you can switch to custom-tailored or luxurious packages.
Food
The food menu in the Annapurna Circuit route is pretty extensive and includes continental as well as regional dishes. During your trekking adventure, you will be able to enjoy a wide variety of local dishes that represent rich diversified regions of the country, many of the continental star dishes, and also cuisines influenced by the Tibetan and Indian culture.
Here are some of the food menus that are served in the teahouses along the trekking route of the Annapurna circuit.
For Breakfast: Tea, coffee, fresh juice, fruits, bread, toast, jam, butter, honey, Tibetan bread, muesli, oats, cornflakes, pancakes, paratha, chapati, etc
For Lunch and Dinner: Dal Bhat Tarkari (lentil soup, steamed rice,Vegetable dishes, pickled and side dishes), Dhindo, Gundruk, Soup, Porridge, Sandwich, Pizza, Spaghetti, Spring roll, Pasta, Fries, Mo: Mo, Chowmein,Thukpa, Shyaphale, Rilduk, etc
**Note: Vegetarian and vegan options are also available at the teahouses**
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