Kathmandu/Pokhara: Annapurna Circuit Trek 10 days

The big prize here is Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters, a serious high-altitude crossing between the green Marsyangdi Valley and the dry Mustang side of Nepal. I like the sharp change in scenery, from rice terraces and forest to bare, Tibetan-style hills, and I like that the route brings you into villages rather than keeping you in a sealed trekking bubble. Guides including Kim, Nir, and Milan are known for close support and day-by-day route decisions.

I also like the practical setup: permits, transport, a private group, an English-speaking guide, teahouse rooms, maps, and a first aid kit are included for $430 per person. The main catch is that meals are extra, hot showers and charging may cost more, and the published 10-day schedule ends at Jomsom, so the advertised stops at Tatopani, Ghorepani, and Poon Hill need to be confirmed before you pay.

Key points to know before you book

• Thorong La is the physical heart of the trek: You reach 5,416 meters on Day 8, with a long 7 to 9-hour crossing from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath.
• The scenery changes almost every day: Expect subtropical valleys, terraced fields, pine and rhododendron forests, alpine terrain, and dry mountain country near the Kali Gandaki.
• Manang gives you one acclimatization day: This rest day at 3,540 meters matters before the route climbs above 4,000 meters.
• You stay in teahouses, not luxury lodges: Accommodation is included, but meals, hot showers, and charging facilities are not.
• The guide can make or break the trip: Kim, Nir, and Milan received especially strong praise for care, humor, safety, and flexible route planning.
• Check the final route carefully: The day-by-day plan lists Jomsom to Pokhara on Day 10, but it does not include Tatopani, Ghorepani, or Poon Hill.

What the $430 price really covers

At $430 per person, this trek offers good value if you want the main logistics handled without paying for a large luxury package. Your price includes ACAP and TIMS permits, transport from Kathmandu or Pokhara to the trailhead, an English-speaking guide, teahouse accommodation, trekking maps, a first aid kit, government taxes, service charges, and a farewell dinner.

That list covers the parts of a Nepal trek that are hardest to arrange on your own. The permits are essential, the transport gets you to the trail, and an experienced guide is especially useful once the route reaches high altitude. The private-group format also gives you more say in the pace and daily plan than a large fixed group usually allows.

The price does not include meals. You need to budget for breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the trek, plus drinks and any hot showers or charging services offered by teahouses. Personal gear is also your responsibility, including a sleeping bag, warm jackets, and trekking poles.

International flights and travel insurance are not included. Insurance is mandatory and must cover high-altitude trekking. I would treat that as a firm safety requirement, not an optional extra.

Day 1: The long road to Dharapani

The first day is mainly transport, with a 6 to 8-hour drive to Dharapani at 1,860 meters. The trip can begin from Kathmandu or Pokhara, so confirm your starting point and pickup details before departure.

Dharapani is a useful first stop because it puts you directly into the mountain route without spending a separate walking day at low altitude. Still, this is a long travel day. You may be tired before the trek properly begins, and road conditions can affect the timing.

I would keep this day simple. Have your walking clothes and essential items easy to reach, rather than buried in a large bag. Your guide can clarify the next morning’s walk and help you settle into the teahouse routine.

Day 2: Dharapani to Chame through the lower Marsyangdi Valley

The walk to Chame takes about 4 to 5 hours and reaches 2,670 meters. The Marsyangdi River remains your main companion as the route passes through village country, farm terraces, and increasingly alpine forest.

This section introduces the Annapurna Conservation Area in a gentle way. You get a feel for the local economy as you pass homes, small lodges, and villages that depend in part on trekking traffic. The setting is not just mountain scenery. It is a working part of Nepal, where agriculture and tourism meet.

The altitude gain is noticeable but manageable for many fit hikers. I would resist the temptation to race ahead simply because the walking time looks short. The goal is to arrive in Chame feeling fresh, since the route becomes more demanding from here.

Day 3: Chame to Pisang and the first big change in terrain

From Chame, you walk 5 to 6 hours to Pisang at 3,300 meters. Pine forest, steep valley walls, and mountain views begin to replace the softer scenery of the lower valley.

Pisang is an important transition point. The air is thinner, the terrain feels more exposed, and the surrounding peaks become a much larger part of the day. You can expect a stronger sense that this is a high mountain trek, not simply a long village walk.

This is also a day to watch your body carefully. A headache, poor sleep, unusual tiredness, or nausea should be discussed with your guide. The itinerary gains altitude steadily, which helps, but no schedule can guarantee that every person will adjust at the same rate.

Day 4: Pisang to Manang at 3,540 meters

The walk to Manang takes 5 to 7 hours. Manang is one of the most important stops on the circuit because it marks the beginning of the high-altitude portion and gives you a base for acclimatization.

The route brings more dramatic mountain views and increasingly dry terrain. You move away from the greener valleys and toward the broad, open country around Manang. The contrast is one of the great strengths of this trek. Within a few days, you see environments that feel like different regions of Nepal.

Manang is also a cultural stop. The route passes through ethnic villages where the architecture, religious sites, and daily rhythms differ from the lower valleys. Your English-speaking guide can add context as you walk, and the private format should make it easier to pause when you want to look around.

Day 5: Why the Manang acclimatization day matters

The fifth day is set aside for acclimatization at 3,540 meters. You are not simply losing a day of trekking. You are giving your body time to adjust before sleeping higher and crossing Thorong La.

The plan describes this as an explore-and-acclimatize day, but it does not specify one fixed excursion. Ask your guide what the day’s walking plan will be and how much climbing is sensible. A useful acclimatization day should involve some movement without turning into another exhausting stage.

I value this pause because the following three days climb to 4,000 meters, 4,450 meters, and finally 5,416 meters. The pass is not a casual viewpoint. Good pacing, hydration, warm layers, and honest communication with your guide matter more than pride.

Day 6: Manang to Yak Kharka above 4,000 meters

The walk to Yak Kharka takes 4 to 5 hours and reaches 4,000 meters. The route now feels much more alpine, with less plant growth and a harsher, more open setting.

This shorter walking day is useful because the altitude is doing the hard work. You may cover fewer hours but still feel tired. I would keep your pace steady and avoid treating the day as a race toward Thorong Phedi.

The teahouse experience also becomes more basic as you climb. Accommodation is included, but you should not expect the comforts of a city hotel. Hot showers and charging are specifically excluded at some teahouses, so carry a charged phone, spare battery, and enough warm clothing for slow evenings.

Day 7: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi

The route to Thorong Phedi takes 3 to 4 hours and reaches 4,450 meters. This is a relatively short walking day, but the altitude makes it a serious preparation stage.

Thorong Phedi is the launch point for the pass crossing. You need to arrive with enough energy for an early, demanding day ahead. Use the evening to organize your pack, confirm the start time, and tell your guide how you are feeling.

This is where a private group has real value. Your guide can listen to your condition and help decide how to manage the next day. The itinerary does not promise that the schedule can always be changed, but the private setup and the guide-led format are better suited to conversation than a large fixed group.

Day 8: Crossing Thorong La to Muktinath

This is the trek’s defining day. You climb from Thorong Phedi over Thorong La at 5,416 meters, then descend to Muktinath at 3,710 meters. The full day takes about 7 to 9 hours.

The pass gives you wide views toward Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu. The achievement is physical, but the setting also gives the crossing its meaning. You move from the Marsyangdi side of the range into the dry country beyond the pass, with a clear change in climate and terrain.

The descent to Muktinath is a relief for your lungs, though it can still be hard on tired knees. Muktinath is a sacred town with ancient temples and monasteries, so the day does not end with a simple arrival at a lodge. You have a chance to see a place that matters deeply to pilgrims as well as trekkers.

I would not book this trek casually if you have no experience with long mountain days. The listing says pregnant women should not take part, and the mandatory insurance requirement is sensible. You should also be prepared for your guide to make safety the priority if altitude problems appear.

Day 9: Muktinath to Jomsom through the Kali Gandaki

The walk from Muktinath to Jomsom takes 5 to 6 hours and descends to 2,720 meters. The terrain becomes drier and more open, with the Kali Gandaki Gorge cutting through the mountains.

The gorge is described as the world’s deepest, flanked by Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. That scale is hard to miss. After the severe high pass, this section gives you a different kind of mountain drama, with broad views and a more desert-like setting.

Marpha is listed among the places associated with the wider route and is known for apple orchards. However, the detailed 10-day schedule does not list a separate overnight or walking stage in Marpha. Ask your guide and organizer if Marpha is included in your actual routing, rather than assuming the longer route description matches every day of this package.

Day 10: Jomsom to Pokhara by road

The final day is a 6 to 8-hour drive to Pokhara. After so much walking, the road transfer may feel like a welcome rest, but it is still a substantial travel day.

This schedule is efficient. It gets you back to Pokhara within 10 days and avoids extending the trek with additional walking stages. The tradeoff is that several attractions described in the broad route overview are not present in the detailed day-by-day plan.

Tatopani’s natural hot springs, the rhododendron forests near Ghorepani, and sunrise at Poon Hill are not listed between Jomsom and Pokhara. If those stops are important to you, get written confirmation of the route before booking. You may need a different itinerary or extra days.

Teahouses, food, and what to pack

Teahouse accommodation is included, which keeps the trek practical and local. Rooms are likely to be simple, and the package specifically warns that hot showers and charging facilities may not be available at some stops.

Meals are not included, so plan for three daily meals plus drinks. The trek’s remote sections and high-altitude stops can make food a meaningful part of your budget. The supplied information says the food at the teahouses was good, but you should still expect basic trekking fare rather than a restaurant menu.

Bring personal trekking gear suited to cold, high conditions. The package specifically places sleeping bags, jackets, trekking poles, and similar items on you. A first aid kit and trekking maps are provided, but those do not replace your own medication, insurance, or personal comfort items.

The guides are a major part of the value

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the guide service. Kim was praised for professional care, mountain enthusiasm, useful information, humor, and support. One person specifically described Kim as adjusting the daily route after listening to how they felt.

Nir was praised for choosing suitable accommodation and finding ways to avoid dusty or unpleasant road sections. Milan was singled out for safety, kindness, and steady support, including on a trek where a 61-year-old father reached Thorong La.

You cannot assume you will receive a particular guide unless the company confirms it. Still, these names give you useful questions to ask: Who will guide my group? How do you handle altitude symptoms? Can the daily plan change if road conditions or fitness levels require it?

The private-group format is a real advantage here. It gives you a better chance to discuss pace, rest, and route choices directly with your guide. That flexibility is especially valuable on a pass crossing where the mountain, not the brochure, sets the final terms.

Who should book this Annapurna Circuit trek?

I would recommend this trip to hikers who want a major Himalayan challenge but prefer a guided structure. You need enough fitness for repeated walking days, a 7 to 9-hour pass day, and a total elevation of 5,416 meters.

It suits people who value village contact, varied terrain, and simple teahouse stays more than polished hotel comfort. It also suits couples, families with strong older teenagers, and private groups that want to move at their own pace, though the information provided does not set a minimum age.

I would be cautious if you dislike long road transfers, basic lodging, extra meal costs, or uncertain facilities at altitude. I would also avoid booking until the route is clarified if Poon Hill, Ghorepani, Tatopani, or Marpha is central to your plans.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later terms give you some planning flexibility. Check availability for the starting time, confirm whether you begin in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and make sure your insurance covers high-altitude trekking.

Should you book it?

Book this trek if your priority is Thorong La, strong mountain scenery, local villages, and a private guide who can pay attention to your condition. At $430, the included permits, transport, guide, teahouses, and taxes make it a sensible base price, though you must add meals, gear, insurance, and optional comforts.

Do not book it on the assumption that every stop in the broad Annapurna Circuit description is part of these 10 days. The detailed schedule finishes at Jomsom and Pokhara, so confirm the missing southern route and ask for the exact inclusions. If the main plan suits you, this is a focused and rewarding high-altitude trek with the right mix of challenge, culture, and changing mountain scenery.

FAQ

How long is the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

The trek lasts 10 days, including transport from Kathmandu or Pokhara to the trailhead and the final drive from Jomsom to Pokhara.

What is the highest point on the trek?

The highest point is Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters, or 17,769 feet.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation from Kathmandu or Pokhara to the trailhead is included, as is the listed transfer from Jomsom to Pokhara on Day 10.

Are permits included?

Yes. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS permit are included.

Is a guide included?

Yes. An experienced, English-speaking guide is included. The activity is arranged as a private group.

Is teahouse accommodation included?

Yes. Teahouse accommodation during the trek is included.

Are meals included?

No. All meals during the trek are excluded and must be paid for separately.

Is travel insurance required?

Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory and must cover high-altitude trekking.

Is personal trekking gear included?

No. You must arrange personal equipment such as sleeping bags, jackets, and trekking poles.

Does the itinerary include Poon Hill and Tatopani?

The broad description refers to Tatopani, Ghorepani, and Poon Hill, but the detailed 10-day schedule does not list those stops. Confirm the exact route before booking.