Annapurna Circuit Trek 10 Days: Thorong La Pass & Muktinath Temple

Ten Days Circling Annapurna: From Kathmandu to the 5,416-Meter Pass

You're picked up from your Kathmandu hotel at dawn and driven to Besisahar, then spend ten days trekking 160–230 kilometers around the Annapurna Massif with a guide and porter assigned to your group. The trek climbs to Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters — the highest point — then descends through Tibetan villages and the Kali Gandaki Valley to Jomsom, where a domestic flight takes you to Pokhara for your final rest day. All transport, accommodation in mountain lodges, the flight, and porter support are included; you carry only a day pack.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive to Besisahar by private bus

• Pick up from hotel at 7am
• Drive 7 hours to Besisahar
• View snow-capped mountain panorama

Day 2 — Drive to Chame through local villages

• Drive to Tyanja at 2,360m
• Continue to Kopar at 2,590m
• Arrive at Chame, Manang district HQ
• See hot springs near Chame
• Observe Tibetan-influenced local community

Day 3 — Trek to Pisang through forest and valley

• Walk through deep forest in valley
• Cross river bridge at 2,910m
• Cross second bridge at 3,040m
• Climb to Pisang village (3,200-3,300m)

Day 4 — Trek to Manang with mountain views

• Walk past aromatic pine forests
• View Gangapurna, Annapurna II & III
• Cross Marshyangdi River
• Reach Manang before sunset

Day 5 — Acclimatization day exploring Manang

• Explore Manang village
• Visit Gangapurna Lake
• Interact with local mountain community

Day 6 — Trek to Letdar via Gunsang and Yak-Kharka

• Leave Manang village
• Climb towards Marshyangdi valley
• Pass Gunsang village and Yak-Kharka
• Arrive at Letdar before sunset

Day 7 — Trek to Thorong Phedi on narrow paths

• Walk along east bank of Jorsang Khola
• Hike on narrow, unstable slopes
• Reach Thorong Phedi for overnight stay

Day 8 — Cross Thorong La Pass to Muktinath

• Hike to Thorong La Pass (5,416m)
• View Dhaulagiri mountain range
• Descend to Chabarbu
• Reach Muktinath in evening
• Visit Muktinath temple shrine

Day 9 — Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom

• Descend Kali Gandaki Valley
• Pass Jharkot and Khingar villages
• Spot views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri
• Arrive at Jomsom town

Day 10 — Flight to Pokhara and free time

• Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara
• Enjoy views of Kali Gandaki Gorge
• Free time in Pokhara city
• Boat at Fewa Lake

The Experience

The pickup arrives at 7am. Your trekking staff collects you from your hotel in Kathmandu and loads you into a private bus for the 185-kilometer drive to Besisahar — seven hours of winding road that drops you at 830 meters, where the snow-capped Annapurna range suddenly fills the horizon. This is where the Annapurna Circuit Trek actually begins, not in the city but in that moment when the mountains come into view and you realize the next ten days are going to be different from anything you've done before.

The trek itself covers 160 to 230 kilometers around the Annapurna Massif, moving upward through deep forests, past Tibetan villages that haven't changed in centuries, and along narrow ridges where the air gets thinner and the views get wider. You'll walk five to six hours most days — Pisang at 3,300 meters, Manang at 3,540 meters where you get a full day to acclimatize and visit Gangapurna Lake, then the harder push toward Thorong Phedi at 4,420 meters. The guide and porters move with you; one porter is assigned for every two trekkers, so you carry only a day pack. They handle the sleeping bag, the tent, the logistics. On day ten comes the Annapurna Circuit Trek's centerpiece: the crossing of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters. You start before dawn, climb through rocky ridges for eight or nine hours, stand at the highest point of the entire trek, and then descend toward Muktinath, a temple sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. The whole thing happens in a single day, and it's the reason people come.

After Muktinath, the trek softens. You descend the Kali Gandaki Valley through arid, dramatic landscapes — Jharkot and Khingar are small Tibetan villages where you can still see how people live at altitude — and reach Jomsom by afternoon. The next morning there's a 30-minute flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, a spectacular route that follows the gorge and gives you one last view of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna ranges from the air. Pokhara is where you rest. The itinerary includes free time to walk around the city, boat on Fewa Lake, or simply sit still after ten days of walking. You stay in a 3-star hotel, which feels like luxury after mountain lodges.

What makes this work logistically is that the domestic flight, the guide, the porters, your sleeping bag, and all the tea and coffee along the way are already included — you don't negotiate any of it once you're on the trail. The mountain lodges are basic (two-star guesthouses, mostly), and the days are long, but that's the trade that lets you walk the full circuit without arranging transport, hiring people separately, or carrying your own gear. If you want to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek from Kathmandu without the planning headache, this is the structure that makes it possible.

What’s included

Your ten days include hotel pickup in Kathmandu at 7am, private transportation to Besisahar, accommodation in local mountain lodges throughout the trek, a professional guide, one porter assigned for every two trekkers, a sleeping bag, coffee and tea each morning, the domestic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, and a 3-star hotel night in Pokhara. Meals beyond breakfast and personal expenses are not included.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Himalayan Trekking

Is this one for you?This trek suits experienced walkers who want the full Annapurna Circuit without arranging guides, porters, or transport separately — the fixed itinerary and included support are what make ten days of high-altitude trekking manageable without logistics becoming a second job.

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Top questions

How fit do I need to be for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

At least moderate physical fitness is required. The trek involves five to six hours of walking daily at high altitude, with the Thorong La Pass crossing at 5,416 meters taking eight to nine hours in a single day. It's not a casual walk, but it's designed for trekkers, not mountaineers.

What's included in the 10-day trek?

Private transportation from Kathmandu to Besisahar, accommodation in mountain lodges, the domestic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, a guide, one porter per two trekkers, sleeping bag, and tea and coffee throughout. You pay for meals beyond breakfast and any personal expenses.

Do I need to carry my own backpack?

No. One porter is assigned for every two trekkers and carries the main gear, including your sleeping bag. You carry only a day pack with essentials for the day's walk.

What's the Thorong La Pass crossing like?

It's an eight to nine-hour walk starting before dawn. You climb rocky ridges to 5,416 meters — the highest point of the trek — then descend toward Muktinath. It's the most demanding day but also the centerpiece of the circuit.

When is the best time to do this trek?

The itinerary doesn't specify, but the Annapurna Circuit is typically trekked in autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) when weather is stable and visibility is clear.

How many people trek together?

The itinerary doesn't specify group size, but porters are assigned one per two trekkers, suggesting small groups are standard.

Is there altitude sickness risk?

Yes. The trek reaches 5,416 meters at Thorong La Pass. Manang at 3,540 meters includes a full acclimatization day to help your body adjust. The itinerary is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What if I can't complete the trek?

The itinerary doesn't address this, but you should discuss contingencies with the operator before booking, especially regarding the Thorong La Pass crossing.