Annapurna Circuit Trek: Guided Adventure with Local Experts

Summary

Guided trek through Annapurna’s villages & mountain passes

You’ll trek village to village on the Annapurna Circuit with a local guide by your side — waking up to mountain views, sharing tea in teahouses, crossing Thorong La Pass at sunrise. Includes all meals during trekking days, hotel stays in Kathmandu and Pokhara, ground transport between trailheads, permits handled for you. Expect laughter over dinner and quiet moments above the clouds.

What’s the experience like?

We were already a few days in when I realized how much I’d underestimated the Annapurna Circuit trek. The air felt different up in Chame — sharper, but not unfriendly. Our guide, Suman, kept stopping to point out tiny details I’d have missed: prayer flags tangled in the wind, a woman in Pisang drying chilies on her roof. My boots were already muddy by then, and honestly, my legs complained every morning. But there was this rhythm to it — wake up, tea steaming in your hands, the sound of someone laughing outside the teahouse.

The day we climbed towards Manang, clouds kept teasing us with glimpses of peaks that looked close enough to touch. Suman told us stories about the mix of cultures here — Tibetan Buddhist shrines next to Hindu temples, kids running past with their cheeks red from the cold. Lunch was always simple: dal bhat or noodles, sometimes an apple if we got lucky. I tried saying “thank you” in Nepali once; Li laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea (I probably butchered it). The altitude hit me harder than expected near Yak Kharka — there’s this quiet that settles in your chest at 4,000 meters.

I didn’t expect to feel so small crossing Thorong La Pass. It’s not just the height (though 5,416 meters is no joke), but the way everyone moves slower and talks less — just boots crunching on snow and wind snapping at your jacket. When we finally reached Muktinath, I remember smelling incense drifting from the temple and thinking about how far we’d come since Kathmandu. The drive down through Marpha and Tatopani was bumpy and loud; someone handed me a slice of fresh apple and for some reason that tasted like victory.

Even now, weeks later, I still think about those mornings when the sun hit the mountains just right and everything felt possible for a second — you know? Not every day was easy (my knees will back me up on that), but sharing it with our little group made all the difference.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and transfer to hotel

• Arrive in Kathmandu
• Transfer to hotel

Day 2 — Drive to Dharapani via Beshishar

• Drive to Dharapani

Day 3 — Trek to Chame

• Trek to Chame

Day 4 — Trek to Upper Pisang

• Trek to Upper Pisang

Day 5 — Trek to Manang via upper trail

• Trek to Manang

Day 6 — Acclimatization day

• Acclimatization day

Day 7 — Trek to Yak Kharka

• Trek to Yak Kharka

Day 8 — Trek to Thorong Basecamp

• Trek to Thorong Basecamp

Day 9 — Trek to Muktinath via Thorong La Pass

• Trek to Muktinath

Day 10 — Trek to Marpha via Jomsom

• Trek to Marpha

Day 11 — Drive to Tatopani

• Drive to Tatopani

Day 12 — Drive back to Pokhara

• Drive to Pokhara

Top questions

How long does the Annapurna Circuit trek take?

The itinerary covers about 12 days from Kathmandu arrival to finishing in Pokhara.

Is there hotel pickup included for this trek?

Yes, airport pickup and drop-off are included as part of your trip logistics.

Are meals included during the Annapurna Circuit trek?

Yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided each day during trekking.

Do I need permits for the Annapurna Circuit?

All necessary permits (Annapurna conservation entrance permit and TIMS card) are included.

What altitude is reached on this trek?

The highest point is Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters above sea level.

Is accommodation provided before or after trekking?

You’ll stay in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu before starting and one night in Pokhara after finishing.

Are guides or porters included?

An experienced local guide leads your group; porter support is also provided.

What’s included

Your journey includes airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu plus all ground transportation by bus or jeep between trailheads. You’ll stay at a 3-star hotel before setting off and again after finishing in Pokhara. All trekking permits are arranged for you; daily breakfast, lunch, dinner (with tea or coffee) are provided along with fresh fruit after dinner each evening. A local guide leads every step; porters help carry gear; you’ll get a duffle bag and down jacket (to return after). Even a Nature Explore Trek t-shirt as a gift makes its way into your pack before you leave Nepal.