The Short Annapurna Circuit Trek combines the ultimate Himalayan experience with stunning mountain scenery, high mountain passes, and diverse landscapes.
Short Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most beautiful short hiking trails in Nepal. Historically, the Annapurna region was made accessible to foreign trekkers in 1977. The Annapurna Circuit, from Dumre to Pokhara, took around 23 days to complete. However, with the development of infrastructure and roads, this trek is much shorter and easily accessible.
The short Annapurna Circuit Trek offers diverse landscape and scenery variations, dramatically changing from subtropical forests to arid terrain. Thousands of trekkers visit this region annually. Starting at 760 meters in Besisahar, the trail climbs to 5,416 meters at Thorong La Pass before concluding at 820 meters in Pokhara. From the summit of Thorong La Pass, you can relish a 360-degree panorama of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Tilicho Peak.
Surprisingly, the wildlife is tame in the old settlements of the Annapurna Circuit, including Ngawal, Braga, and Manang Valley. You may spot pikas, musk deer, and blue sheep along this trail. Likewise, seeing the majestic snow leopard is a rare possibility if you're fortunate enough. Birds like cheer pheasants, Himalayan monals, and Himalayan griffons are in the skies of this region.
Additionally, the Annapurna Circuit spawns a variety of lifestyles, people, and cultures. This region predominantly houses the Sherpa, Gurung, and Thakali tribes. You’ll visit centuries-old monasteries at Braga and Manang for a deeper understanding of the culture and spirituality.
You’ll also visit the holy Muktinath Temple and bathe at the 108 waterspouts to purify your soul. If you schedule this trek in August/September, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the Grand Yartung Festival.
The journey of the short Annapurna Circuit Trek begins after you arrive in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The following day, you start with a scenic 10-hour drive from Kathmandu to Chame. In the next few days, you’ll walk past several famous settlements, like Pisang, Braga, Manang, and Yak Kharka, to reach Thorong Phedi.
The following day, you’ll begin your hike before the first light and climb to the summit of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters. After enjoying the marvelous panorama of the surrounding mountains, you’ll descend toward Muktinath.
You’ll catch a bus in Muktinath and drive along the arid landscapes of Lower Mustang to reach Pokhara. The next morning, you’ll conclude the short Annapurna Circuit Trek with a 7-hour drive back to Kathmandu.
This is our standard and recommended Short Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary.
On this day, you’ll arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule. Upon landing, a representative of Nepal Gateway Trekking will greet you in a local style.
He will arrange a private transfer from the airport to Woodapple Hotel and Spa in Thamel. After checking in, you’ll have a free day to rest and recover from the long flight. You can also use this time to stroll around Thamel to buy the necessary gear, exchange money, etc.
In the late afternoon, you’ll have an informal trek briefing with your guide in the hotel lobby. After briefing, he’ll have a gear check session to ensure you’ve packed all the essentials for the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
The first day of the trip begins with a 10-hour drive from Kathmandu to Chame. The first half of the journey will be along the scenic Prithvi Highway, which connects Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Although the highway is paved and blacktopped, it is in terrible condition, with frequent rough and undulating patches. Moreover, this highway is often disrupted due to landslides, road maintenance, road expansion, and damaged bridges. So, prepare for traffic congestion until you reach Dumre.
You’ll ditch the broad highway and head on a relatively narrow path toward Besisahar. The road from Dumre to Besisahar is paved and well-maintained along the tranquil villages and terraced fields.
After Besisahar, the road transforms into a rough, rickety, dusty jeep track until you reach Chame. You’ll get to relish a handful of waterfalls, small settlements, and surrounding landscapes along the road.
Chame is the administrative headquarters of Manang district. This small town has well-stocked shops, a health post, a police station, a post office, and a few banks. Chame also has a small hot spring on the riverbank of Marsyangdi.
ou’ll begin the day by crossing a large steel bailey bridge over the Marshyangdi River. The trail then meanders through a forest of blue pine and Himalayan spruce towards Thaleku. As you continue towards Bhratang, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning glimpse of Annapurna and Lamjung Himal.
There is a luxury agro-resort amid Bhratang’s apple orchard, where you’ll stop to enjoy the famous apple pie and fresh bakery items. After a short rest, you’ll continue the walk on a narrow cliffside road following the Marshyangdi River.
Soon, a massive bare-rock formation of Paungda Danda (Swargradwari) is visible in the distance. You’ll cross a small suspension bridge and climb a steep zigzag road towards Dhukur Pokhari.
As you walk past Dhukur Pokhari, you’ll come across an intersection that diverges the route to Lower Pisang and Upper Pisang. Here, you’ll take the upper route and steadily climb towards Upper Pisang to settle for the night.
On this day, you’ll continue the trek from Upper Pisang to Manang via the upper route. You’ll begin the walk on a gradual path towards the Green Lake. Walking past the lake and crossing the small steel bridge, the road suddenly becomes steep on a zigzag pattern towards Ghyaru village.
After climbing for over an hour, you’ll reach Ghyaru, which sits on top of the hill at 3730 meters. You can enjoy the stunning view of Annapurna II, IV, and III from the village. After the short rest, you’ll gradually ascend beyond the settlement before descending to Ngawal for lunch.
Heading out of Ngawal, you’ll make a steep descent towards the valley floor and continue the walk on a pleasant road towards Braga. This small settlement has a bit of calm and rustic feel to it. Before you walk to Manang, you’ll visit the 600-year-old Braga Monastery, nestled on a hilltop overlooking the village.
The walk from Braga to Manang is relatively short and gradual. Manang is one of the most happening towns in the Annapurna Circuit Trek. It is clustered with ample hotels, restaurants, cafes, and local shops.
On this day, you’ll take a day off to rest and acclimatize to the increasing elevation. Several hike options around Manang will keep you active throughout the day.
After breakfast, you’ll go on a short hike to Gangapurna Lake, which sits on the lap of Gangapurna Himal and Annapurna IV. Relax at the shore of an icy blue glacial lake and savour the serene views of Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, Annapurna III, and Chulu Peak.
Furthermore, you can hike to the viewpoint right above Gangapurna Lake. The summit rewards you with a marvellous view of Manang Valley, Annapurna Range, and Braga Village.
In the afternoon, you’ll head towards the eastern hilltop of Manang to visit Praken Gompa. Located at 3,945 meters on a rock cliff, the premises of the monastery reward you with views of Gangapurna, Tarke Kang, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV.
Your day begins by crossing a small stream across Manang Valley and climbing to the upper village of Tanki Manang. As you continue the ascent, you’ll head out of Marshyangdi Valley and return to Jarsang Khola Valley. Here, you’ll notice the sudden change in the vegetation with scrub juniper and alpine grasses surrounding the trail.
After walking for over an hour, you’ll reach the village of Gunsang. You’ll stop in one of two teahouses of Gunsang for a short tea break. The trail past Gunsang is relatively easy, with gradual inclines.
You’ll come across several mules and yaks on the trail. Be careful when crossing paths with these furry creatures on the narrow sections. As you continue the gradual climb, you’ll reach the serene meadow of Yak Kharka by lunchtime.
Heading out of Yak Kharka, you’ll begin the trek with a gradual climb to Ledar. The trail continues upwards over a ridge before descending to the source of the Marshyangdi River.
Cross the small wooden bridge and climb steeply up the route on the right bank of the river until you reach the top of the hill. You’ll probably start to feel the strong, dry wind and high altitude at this point.
From the top of the ridge, you’ll gradually descend on a narrow and treacherous path in the landslide zone to Thorong Phedi. On the way, you’ll relish the mesmerizing view of Thorong Peak and the Annapurna range.
Once you reach Thorong Phedi, take a much-needed rest throughout the afternoon and prepare for tomorrow's big day.
On this day, you have early breakfast and pack your lunch and start before the first light to avoid mid-morning clouds and strong winds at Thorong La Pass. The trail immediately becomes steep as you leave Thorong Phedi. You’ll continue to zigzag the steep climb on a narrow, rocky path for about an hour to reach Thorong High Camp.
The trail ascends gently from High Camp on a well-defined path over a rocky ridge. After 4 hours of gentle climbing, you’ll reach the summit of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters, marked with hundreds of colourful prayer flags. The top offers a sublime 360-degree panorama of the mountains from Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Mustang regions.
After enjoying the picture-perfect views from Thorong La Pass, you’ll descend steeply towards the valley of Mustang. Although the path is tough and slippery, the dramatic view of Dhaulagiri in the backdrop serves as an excellent distraction. Eventually, you’ll leave the slippery moraine path behind and continue on gradual grassy slopes until you reach Muktinath.
In the evening, you’ll visit the Muktinath Temple — a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists — and soak in the cultural and spiritual aspects of the trek.
On this day, you’ll have two options to reach Pokhara. The first option is to catch a bus from Muktinath and drive along Lower Mustang's rough, dusty roads to Pokhara. The 9-hour drive will take you through several countryside settlements, including Jomsom, Marpha, Lete, Ghasa, and Beni.
Alternatively, you can fly directly from Jomsom to Pokhara to avoid the long-haul drive. The flights between Jomson and Pokhara only operate in the mornings because the afternoons bring strong winds and thick cloud covers. The 25-minute flight rewards you with an aerial view of the Kali Gandaki Gorge and the surrounding Himalayas.
If you take the flight option, you’ll have a leisurely afternoon to stroll around the vibrant streets of Lakeside, Pokhara.
On the final day of your adventure, you’ll drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara via the Prithvi Highway. This 7-hour drive is an excellent opportunity to relish the natural scenery of the countryside, rivers, streams, hills, and mountains.
Upon reaching Kathmandu, your trekking guide will transfer you to Woodapple Hotel and Spa in Thamel. In the afternoon, you can rest and let your body recover from the long drive. Later, you can stroll around Thamel and experience the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood.
Note: Due to terrible road conditions, you should prepare for frequent bumps and dust clouds while driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
It is time to pack your bags and head home. Our representative will arrive at your hotel lobby and assist you with the check-out procedure. He will then arrange a transfer to the Tribhuvan International Airport for the final departure.
Note: We will schedule your hotel pickup three and a half hours before departure.
The short Annapurna Circuit Trek is relatively inexpensive compared to other similar treks. The standard short Annapurna Circuit Trekking cost for 2025 is USD 920 per person. The 11-day holiday package contains all the essentials, including transportation, accommodation, guide and porter costs, permit fees, meals, etc.
However, the cost can vary on several factors, such as group size and type of services. Trek duration, mode of transportation, and accommodation standards are also the role factors to cost. For larger groups, Nepal Gateway Trekking offers a special discount of USD 60 to 120 per person, depending on the group size.
On the standard package, you’ll stay in mid-range lodges and public and private road transportation during the trek. But you can upgrade the short Annapurna Circuit Trek from a standard package to a luxury one. In this option, we’ll provide a high-end lodging option with ensuite bathrooms and in-room charging facilities. You'll also get high-speed internet, and electric blankets (excluding Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi).
Additionally, you can upgrade the transportation option to commercial flights. Unlike long-distance driving, the flight option is a more comfortable and time-saving way to conclude the trek.
Autumn is one of the most popular seasons for trekking in the Annapurna Circuit. The post-monsoon weather brings moderate and dry temperatures, ideal for long-distance walks.
During this time of the year, the mountain views are at their absolute best, as the sky remains bright and clear all day. Hence, this is the best time to relish the 360-degree panorama from the summit of Thorong La Pass.
However, the downside of trekking in the Annapurna Circuit during the autumn season is the crowded trails. The entire trekking route and the teahouses en route will be packed with trekkers from all over the world.
Spring adds a different kind of flavor to the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Generally, spring mornings are warm and clear, while the afternoons bring cloud cover and occasional showers. Therefore, the mountains are mostly visible in the mornings.
Apart from the pleasant weather and mountain views, this season is the best time to admire the full spectrum of biodiversity in the region. The trail will be surrounded by vibrant hues of rhododendrons, orchids, and other wildflowers.
After autumn, spring is the second most popular time for trekking to the Annapurna Circuit. Hence, the trails will be relatively crowded and busy with trekkers from all over the world.
Winter is not the most popular season for trekking to the Annapurna Circuit. Although the daytime temperatures are usually tolerable, they can drop below 20°C at night. This season brings extreme cold, frequent snowfalls, and even snowstorms in the higher reaches of the trek.
Hence, this season is favorable only for trekkers willing to brave the cold in return for empty trails and stunning mountain views. It is also a perfect time to catch a glimpse of wildlife, such as snow leopards, musk deers, Himalayan Tahr, etc.
However, during the winter season, there’s a higher risk of altitude sickness, hypothermia, and snow blindness. Additionally, crossing Thorong La Pass can be much more challenging, with constant snowfall and occasional snowstorms. In case of excessive snow, Thorong La Pass can close at short notice for the safety of the trekkers.
Monsoon is the least favorable time for trekking to the Annapurna Circuit. Only a handful of determined trekkers take the risk of trekking this season to experience vibrant landscapes and cultural encounters.
The monsoon season brings constant downpours, poor visibility, and occasional mudslides in the upper reaches of the trek.
That being said, the alpine pastures of Manang and Mustang are in full bloom with colorful flowers and greenery. If you schedule your trek at the right time, you can witness the Grand Yartung Festival in Manang and Mustang regions.
For the Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking, you must acquire two trekking permits. They are the Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP).
The TIMS Card is a trekking permit introduced by the Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN to ensure the safety of trekkers. It also introduce to manage their flow, and control illegal trekking operations. It also helps the local authorities know where you’re travelling and what time of the year.
Where can you get the Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS)?
You can get TIMS Card from the offices of the Nepal Tourism Board or TAAN in Kathmandu. The permit costs NPR 2,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP) is a park entry permit required to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). The permit fee contributes to environmental conservation, tourism sustainability, infrastructure improvement, and community development.
Where can you get the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP)?
You can obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. You can also get the permit at the park entry gate at Besisahar. The permit costs NPR 3,000 for foreign trekkers and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.
The 11-day Annapurna Circuit is a challenging, high-altitude trek in the mountain ranges of central Nepal. Although relatively short and non-technical, it includes a few tough sections that test your physical endurance and mental resilience.
It requires walking for 6 to 7 hours with an average daily ascent of over 800 meters on rough terrains, adverse weather, and high altitude. While most initial days include gradual walks, the steep climb from Upper Pisang to Ghyaru is tough to swallow. Not only does it demand decent physical fitness, but the high altitude adds up significantly to the challenge.
In the 11-day Annapurna Circuit itinerary, you’ll spend six successive nights over 3,000 meters. The air pressure and oxygen levels drop tremendously at such elevation, increasing the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS).
The toughest section of the short Annapurna Circuit Trek is crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters. It includes a steep 45-minute climb to High Camp before heading to the summit of Thorong La Pass. The other side consists of a steep descent on a narrow, landslide-prone section that puts much pressure on the knee joints.
Moreover, if you plan to do this trek in the winter season, you’ll have extra setbacks. Unlike regular seasons, the weather often gets extreme in the upper regions with excessive cold and snowy trails. Crossing the Thorong La Pass can be difficult with heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, occasional snowstorms, and terrible visibility.
As mentioned, the short Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most challenging treks in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It demands long-distance walks on steep sections, rugged terrain, high valleys, and across high-altitude mountain passes.
Your fitness level can be a decisive factor in determining the level and intensity of your required training. However, we recommend starting training for the short Annapurna Circuit Trek at least 6 to 8 weeks before the trek.
Combine conditioning hikes, cardio workouts, strength training and stretching help to improve your fitness level. You can do long distance running and swimming too. These help to make your muscles stronger and make the trek more comfortable.
One of the best ways to train for short Annapurna hike is to mimic the challenges you’re likely to endure during the trek. The challenges are rugged terrain, long-distance hiking, carrying a heavy backpack, or elevation gain.
So, find decent hiking trails around your hometown and go for a conditioning hike at least once a week. These hike helps to build your stamina, fitness, and mental readiness. Start slow with a 5-kilometer hike and gradually increase the distance, intensity, and pack weight as you progress.
If there aren’t decent trail options nearby, you can climb up and down your home stairs with a weighted backpack.
As the short Annapurna Circuit Trek involves multi-day walking at varying altitudes and terrains, keeping your cardiovascular fitness in check is essential. Engaging in steady-state cardio exercises helps to improve stamina, lung capacity, and heart health.
The short Annapurna Circuit Trek is a multi-day adventure holiday in the Himalayas of Nepal. During the trek, you’ll spend six successive nights over the elevation of 3,000 meters. Additionally, you’ll walk across one of the highest passes in the world — Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters. That’s seriously high!
At such elevation, the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) is substantial. Almost every trekker will experience mild symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, or difficulty sleeping, especially in the settlements above Manang Valley.
One way to minimize the potential risk is by letting your body acclimate to the higher elevations.
Annapurna Circuit is one of Nepal’s most commercial trekking regions. This popular trail is clustered with many accommodation options, from basic dorms to decent hotels. Unlike other remote treks, there’s rarely a shortage of lodging options in the Annapurna Circuit, even during peak seasons.
In the lower reaches of the trek (from Chame to Manang Valley), you’ll find many lodging options with high-end facilities. However, there will be limited teahouses with basic facilities in the upper sections, i.e., Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi.
The rooms generally include twin beds, foam mattresses, comfortable pillows, warm blankets, and a small table. The local teahouses do not have heating facilities in the rooms. You can ask for an additional blanket or use a sleeping bag to keep you warm during the night. Although most teahouses have shared bathrooms, you can find a few lodges that offer attached rooms in the lower regions.
The teahouses have a common dining area, usually spacious and decorated. Most trekkers use this area for meals and relaxation. On most evenings, fires are routine in the dining area to keep the place cozy and warm.
Surprisingly, the food menu in the Annapurna Circuit is quite diverse, with a combination of Nepali, Indian, and continental dishes. Granted, it won’t be star-hotel quality food, but this region has a reputation to serve delicious foods compared to other trekking areas.
Local delicacies include Dal Bhat, thukpa, momo, fried rice, chowmein, Tibetan bread, and chapati. Likewise, continental options include pizza, sandwiches, steak, spaghetti, pancakes, macaroni, and spring rolls.
Additionally, there are plenty of cafes and bakeries along the route. The bakeries are often stocked with cookies, breads, muffins, doughnuts, and rolls. A few of them even sell freshly baked apple pies.
The menu in the Annapurna Circuit also includes a variety of beverages, including teas (black, milk, ginger, lemon, masala, etc.), instant coffee, hot chocolate, hot juice, hot lemon, soft drinks, and bottled water.
A few restaurants in larger villages, such as Chame, Manang, and Muktinath, also serve Mexican food, firewood pizzas, and Espresso coffee.
Note: Your package price includes breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara and full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) in the trek.
Tap, boiled, and bottled water are available in the teahouses of Annapurna Circuit. Although they are often labeled “safe,” we do not recommend you drink them without treatment.
For tap water, we advise you to carry a water bottle with a straw filter. Additionally, chlorine—or iodine-based water purifiers should be used after filtration to make the water contamination-free and safe to drink.
Both boiled and bottled water are safe to drink. However, we recommend using purification tablets or drops to stay safe. The teahouses will charge a nominal fee for boiled water on a per-cup or per-pot basis.
Bottled mineral water is usually expensive, both financially and environmentally. So, we do not recommend buying bottled water during the trek.
Hot showers are available in almost every teahouse on the short Annapurna Circuit Trek.
The teahouses in the lower reaches provide gas—or solar-powered hot showers, so you can have quick showers with running hot water. In the lower regions, hot showers cost around USD 2 to 3.
Running hot water is not available in the upper reaches, so you’ll have to adjust to bucket showers. In the upper regions, hot showers cost around USD 5 to 6.
However, we do not recommend taking showers, hot or cold, anywhere above 4,000 meters.
Compared to other regions, the mobile network coverage in Annapurna Circuit is quite impressive. Almost all sections of the trek, except a few in the upper parts, have mobile network coverage for both Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell. A few teahouses also provide satellite phone service to help you reach out to your friends and family abroad.
You can expect 3G data service in the lower section of the Annapurna region. However, mobile data coverage can be poor to non-existent as you go higher to the remote villages.
WiFi service is available in almost all teahouses. Most lodges in popular towns like Chame, Manang, and Muktinath include it in the room price, so you won’t have to spend extra money to use it. However, in the other villages, you can use WiFi for a small charge of USD 2 to 5 per device.
Except for a few settlements in the upper parts of the trek, the entire Annapurna Circuit route is powered by hydroelectricity. Hence, charging your mobile and electronic devices will not be a problem in this trek.
Most teahouses in the lower region have charging sockets in the rooms. It means you can charge all your devices without any hassle and without having to pay extra.
In the upper region, however, electricity is powered by solar panels. Due to the limited power, the teahouses include one charging station in the dining area or the reception, where all the devices are charged. In the peak seasons, these stations are likely to be packed with devices. So, it is advisable to charge your devices as soon as you get to the teahouse.
Moreover, you’ll have to pay a nominal fee to charge your devices in these remote teahouses (the charging fee may vary depending on the device). It is a good idea to carry a high-capacity power bank to charge your phone and camera in these regions of the trek.
It is advisable to carry enough cash for extra expenses for the short Annapurna Circuit Trek. Although some teahouses and local shops accept foreign currencies, most only accept Nepalese rupees (NPR).
If you’re looking to get a reasonable exchange rate, your best bet is to exchange your currency in Kathmandu. Although there are a few exchange centers in Besisahar, they are likely to bargain at the exchange rate.
The same goes for ATMs. If you need to withdraw cash, do so in Kathmandu. There are a few ATMs in Besisahar, Manang, and Muktinath, but they are unreliable.
The short Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most challenging, high-altitude treks in the Annapurna region. It involves crossing a mountain pass over 5,000 meters, walking on rugged trails, and sleeping over 3,500 meters for several days.
This challenging trek poses a maximum risk of altitude sickness, physical injuries, and accidents. So, it is mandatory to buy a travel insurance policy to sign up for the short Annapurna Circuit Trek with Nepal Gateway Trekking.
Having said that, you should carefully consider a few things while buying an insurance policy.
Our guides and porters are the cornerstones of successful expeditions and client satisfaction. Hence, our company will provide a local, English-speaking guide with an experienced team of Sherpas and porters to lead your short Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Our guides and porters have over a decade of experience operating high-altitude expeditions in the Annapurna region. Therefore, they can share valuable insights about the geography, local culture, history, and wildlife to enrich your experience.
Moreover, our trekking guides are first-aid certified and trained to handle emergency situations, such as minor injuries and altitude sickness. They’ll also provide guidance on hydration and pacing according to the altitude and terrain to prevent burnout and altitude sickness.
The trekking guide and the rest of the crew work effortlessly to make your Annapurna Circuit Trek successful. Here are a few thoughtful ways to express gratitude and appreciation for their effort and dedication:
We had an amazing trip organized by Nepal Gateway Trekking on the Annapurna Circuit. Everything, from the first email contact to the last night was...
I want to say thank you again for our wonderful Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Tour. Two weeks I was getting surprised by new things, sights, and information...
