Annapurna Circuit
A classic Himalayan trek around the Annapurna massif through the Thorong La pass, from Besisahar to Nayapul.
At a glance
- Starts in
- Besisahar
- Ends in
- Nayapul
- Length
- 250 km
- On foot
- ≈ 10–13 days
- Countries
- Nepal
- Best months
- March–May and September–November
About the trail
The circuit crosses climate zones from subtropical valleys to the high desert of Manang and the 5,400 m Thorong La pass. It usually goes anticlockwise: up the Marsyangdi valley with Manaslu and the Annapurnas in view, over the pass to Muktinath, a temple town sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, and then south down the deep Kali Gandaki gorge below Dhaulagiri.
Most trekkers spend one or two acclimatisation days around Manang before the pass. Roads now reach much of the valley floor on both sides, so walkers either use the side paths marked to avoid the traffic or take a jeep for some stretches. A permit for the Annapurna Conservation Area is required.
Allow three weeks or more. Spring and the clear weeks after the monsoon are the usual seasons.
No source gives the days on foot, so they are worked out from the length at 20–25 km a day.