Annapurna Circuit

ACT · Thorong La 5,416 m · 14-day standard circuit

A village in the Annapurna valley beneath snow-capped ranges
ACT Trek Playbook

Annapurna Circuit Trek Playbook

A guide to the world-class Annapurna Circuit — crossing Thorong La (5,416 m), acclimatizing at Manang, and everything on permits, costs, and safety.

Photo by Martin Skřivánek / Unsplash
Beginner
Manang Section Trek
Circuit approach to Manang 3,540 m · ~60 km · 7–8 days
Distance ~60 km
Duration 7–8 days
Manang 3,540 m
Difficulty
Season Mar–May · Oct–Nov
Permit ACAP

Course Flow

Besisahar→Dharapani→Manang 3,540 m→Acclimatization hike

Elevation Profile

Manang 3,540 m

The circuit's approach trek from Besisahar to Manang (3,540 m) — for those who want the highlight Manang valley without the full circuit.

Route by Section

Start
Depart Besisahar
0 km —
⌄

Transfer by road to Besisahar from Kathmandu or Pokhara and set off.

Recent road building lets vehicles replace the first sections.
1
Besisahar → Dharapani
~15 km 1–2 days
⌄

Follow the Marsyangdi river past Karche and Chame.

Beautiful valley and millet-field scenery.
2
Dharapani → Manang
~12 km 1.5–2 days
⌄

The terrain turns alpine-desert as you climb. Spend an acclimatization day in Manang.

Check for altitude symptoms on arrival — if late, extend the rest day.
Return
Manang acclimatization hike
— 1 day
⌄

Do an acclimatization hike toward Praken Gompa.

Manang has the best-developed teahouse infrastructure on the circuit.

Gear

  • Sleeping bag
  • Insulated layer
  • Purification tablets
  • Cash

Permits

  • ACAP ~NPR 3,000
  • TIMS (via agency)
  • Guide mandatory under NTB rules

Cautions

  • Rapid altitude gain past Manang
  • Monsoon landslide sections
  • Extreme diurnal range

Concept Map

BesisaharManang 3,540 mCircuit upper-Manang section

Checkpoints

1
Besisahar Starting Point
~760 m 0 km
Amenities: Bus terminal
2
Dharapani Village
~1,960 m Days 1–2
Amenities: Teahouses
3
Manang Acclimatization base
3,540 m ~Day 7
Amenities: Teahouses · clinic
4
Praken hike Acclimatization
~4,000 m Day hike
Amenities: Gompa
Intermediate
Standard 14-Day Circuit
Besisahar → Manang → Thorong La 5,416 m → Muktinath → Pokhara · ~160 km
Distance ~160 km
Duration 14 days
Thorong La 5,416 m
Difficulty
Acclimatization 2 days in Manang
Permit ACAP

Course Flow

Besisahar→Manang 3,540 m→Thorong La 5,416 m→Muktinath→Pokhara

Elevation Profile

Thorong La 5,416 m

The world-class long circuit around the Annapurna massif. After two acclimatization days in Manang, cross Thorong La (5,416 m), visit Muktinath, and return to Pokhara — ecology, culture, and religion in one trek.

Route by Section

Days 1–5
Besisahar → Manang
~60 km 5 days
⌄

Follow the Marsyangdi valley through forest, fields, and desert-alpine terrain.

Road sections can be replaced by vehicles to shorten the schedule.
Days 6–7
Manang acclimatization
— 2 days
⌄

Complete acclimatization hikes to Praken Gompa or Ice Lake.

Rest-day hikes dramatically raise your Thorong La success rate.
Days 8–9
Manang → Thorong Phedi
~12 km 2 days
⌄

Via Yak Kharka to High Camp (4,925 m) for the night.

It is a high-altitude night — severe headache means postponing the pass.
Day 10
Cross Thorong La 5,416 m
~16 km 7–9 h
⌄

Pre-dawn start over the pass (5,416 m) and a long descent to Muktinath — the summit of the circuit.

Cross before noon — afternoon wind and snow are dangerous.
Days 11–14
Muktinath → Pokhara
~60 km 4 days
⌄

Visit Muktinath temple, soak at Tatopani hot springs, and return to Pokhara.

Dull road sections can be replaced by jeep or bus.

Gear

  • Sleeping bag
  • Full insulated set
  • Dust mask
  • Power bank

Permits & costs

  • ACAP ~NPR 3,000
  • Packages $800–2,500
  • Guide ~$21/day (NTB rules)

Cautions

  • Cross the pass before noon
  • Altitude sickness
  • Knee strain on descents

Concept Map

BesisaharPokharaStandard 14-day circuit route

Checkpoints

1
Besisahar Starting Point
~760 m 0 km
Amenities: Terminal
2
Manang Acclimatization base
3,540 m Day 5
Amenities: Teahouses · clinic
3
Thorong Phedi Overnight
4,925 m Day 9
Amenities: Lodge
4
Thorong La 5,416 m High point
5,416 m Day 10
Amenities: Cairn · prayer flags
5
Muktinath Temple
~3,760 m Day 10 descent
Amenities: Temple · hot springs
Advanced
Tilicho Lake Extension (16–18 days)
Manang → Tilicho Base Camp 4,150 m → circuit resume · ~190 km+
Distance ~190 km+
Duration 16–18 days
Tilicho Lake 4,919 m
Difficulty
Extension Tilicho Base Camp
Max altitude 5,000 m+

Course Flow

Manang→Tilicho Base Camp→Tilicho Lake 4,919 m→Thorong La→Pokhara

Elevation Profile

Tilicho Lake 4,919 m

The circuit's crown-jewel extension to Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) from Manang — with camping near 5,000 m, this suits only fully acclimatized trekkers.

Route by Section

Days 1–5
Besisahar → Manang
~60 km 5 days
⌄

Climb the standard approach to Manang with ample acclimatization.

Tilicho trekkers should push the Manang acclimatization hikes harder.
Days 6–7
Manang → Tilicho Base Camp
~12 km 2 days
⌄

Via Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp (4,150 m) — a high camp.

If altitude symptoms worsen at the camp, skip the lake climb the next day.
Day 8
Tilicho Lake 4,919 m
~3 km RT 4–5 h
⌄

Explore the lake shore or the viewpoint toward Tilicho Pass (5,315 m) with views of the Great Barrier.

The lake sits at 4,919 m — minimize exertion and stay hydrated.
Day 9+
Resume circuit and descend
~80 km 6–8 days
⌄

Cross Thorong La, visit Muktinath and Tatopani, and return to Pokhara.

After this extension, vehicle replacement of road sections is a reasonable choice.

Gear

  • Winter sleeping bag
  • Camping gear (check lodge options)
  • Pulse oximeter
  • High-calorie food

Permits & booking

  • Same ACAP permit
  • Limited teahouses on the Tilicho section
  • Guide mandatory

Cautions

  • Camping near 4,900 m
  • Descend immediately in bad weather
  • Have an evacuation plan

Concept Map

BesisaharTilicho LakeTilicho Lake complete extension

Checkpoints

1
Manang Fork
3,540 m Day 5
Amenities: Teahouses
2
Khangsar Village
~3,580 m Day 6
Amenities: Teahouses
3
Tilicho Base Camp Camp
4,150 m Day 7
Amenities: Lodge
4
Tilicho Lake 4,919 m Attraction
4,919 m Day 8
Amenities: Viewpoint
5
Muktinath Temple
~3,760 m Descent
Amenities: Temple

Annapurna Circuit Four Seasons & Attractions