- Length
- 10 days
- Highest point
- 5,416 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–May
- Starts
- Besisahar (drive from Pokhara)
- Group size
- 2–12 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House
Cross the legendary Thorong La Pass at 5,416m and loop the entire Annapurna massif — one of the world's great trekking circuits, condensed into 10 unforgettable days.
- Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) — one of the world's most celebrated high mountain passes
- Muktinath Temple — sacred Hindu and Buddhist shrine in a high-desert valley
- Jomsom–Pokhara scenic mountain flight — views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from the air
- Kali Gandaki Gorge — world's deepest gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs
- Manang Valley (3,519 m) — picturesque acclimatisation stop with Annapurna III views
- Tibetan-influenced rain-shadow zone: ochre cliffs, apple orchards, and prayer wheels
- Tea-house trail linking 26+ villages across four distinct ecological zones
- Fast-paced 10-day option — covers every major Circuit landmark efficiently
The climb, day by day
Day 1Drive Kathmandu → Besisahar → Bahundanda (1,310 m)1,310 m
Scenic 5-hour drive northwest along the Marsyangdi river to Besisahar (760 m), then continue by jeep or trek to Bahundanda for the first night in the Marsyangdi valley.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Drive
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 2Bahundanda → Dharapani (1,963 m)1,963 m
Trek through rice terraces and waterfalls, passing Chamje and crossing into the Manang district at Dharapani. The valley walls begin to steepen dramatically.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Dharapani → Chame (2,713 m)2,713 m
Enter the apple orchard country past Bagarchap and Danaque. Chame is the district headquarters of Manang, with hot springs and the first views of the Lamjung Himal.
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Chame → Pisang (3,190 m)3,190 m
Pass the dramatic curved rock face at Paungda Danda and the broad Swargadwari pine forest. Arrive at Pisang with stunning views of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak (6,091 m).
- Distance
- 17 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Pisang → Manang (3,519 m)3,519 m
Two route options merge at Manang. The upper trail via Ghyaru (3,670 m) and Ngawal offers sweeping Annapurna panoramas. Arrive Manang, the last major village before the high pass.
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Manang — Acclimatization Day3,519 m
Essential rest day at 3,519 m. Recommended hike to Ice Lake (4,600 m) or Gangapurna Lake viewpoint. Altitude lecture at the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic.
- Distance
- 6 km optional
- Walking
- Rest Day
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Manang → Thorong High Camp (4,900 m)4,900 m
Short but steep climb to the last tea house before the pass. Early night is essential for a 3 am start. Views of Thorong La and the Chulu peaks above.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) → Muktinath (3,760 m)3,760 m
Pre-dawn start, 3–4 hour climb to the highest point on the circuit. Massive views of the Himalayan arc. Descend 1,656 m to Muktinath, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. Evening at Muktinath temple.
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Muktinath → Jomsom (2,720 m) — Fly Pokhara820 m
Descend through Kagbeni on the edge of Upper Mustang to Jomsom. Afternoon flight to Pokhara over the Himalayas. Celebrate at Lakeside.
- Distance
- 18 km + flight
- Walking
- 5 hours + flight
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 10Pokhara → Kathmandu — Departure1,400 m
Morning flight or drive back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your onward destination. The circuit is complete.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Flight
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
The price includes
- Government-registered English-speaking trek guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) permit
- TIMS card
- Kathmandu–Besisahar bus plus local jeep
- Jomsom–Pokhara scheduled mountain flight
- Pokhara–Kathmandu tourist bus (or flight at extra cost)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal gear
- Tips
The 10-day Annapurna Circuit is our compressed highland circuit — the same Thorong La crossing (5,416 m), Manang valley acclimatisation, and Jomsom flight exit as the full 14-day programme, achieved in 10 days by jeeping from Besisahar to Chame to skip the lower circuit and maintaining a steady (not rushed) pace in the mountains. It is appropriate for fit trekkers with prior altitude experience who have 10 days and don't want to spend them on the lower circuit's jeep-track sections.
The itinerary reaches Manang on day 4 (via Chame and Pisang), takes one full acclimatisation day before the Thorong La crossing, and crosses the pass on day 6 for a night at Muktinath. The descent to Jomsom on day 7 ends with the mountain flight to Pokhara — completing the circuit in the most time-efficient way that still respects the altitude physiology of the high section.
One acclimatisation day (at Manang, 3,519 m) is non-negotiable even on this compressed schedule. The Thorong La at 5,416 m requires adequate preparation; rushing the acclimatisation stage below it is the primary cause of Thorong La failures on short-itinerary circuits.
Prior altitude experience: Required (3,500+ m preferred). Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Max altitude: Thorong La 5,416 m.