Annapurna Circuit Trek

This is the classic Annapurna Circuit, 18 days of walking that takes you right around the Annapurna massif, from warm terraced farmland to high desert and back down again. You start along the Marsyangdi river out of Besi Sahar and finish via Poon Hill above Pokhara, with the Thorung La pass as the high point, literally, in between.

The route changes character daily, lush foothill villages give way to dry alpine country near Manang, then barren high-altitude landscape as you approach the pass, then green valleys and hot springs on the way back down. You pass through Gurung and Thakali villages along the way, staying in teahouses and getting a sense of communities that see relatively few outside visitors.

It is fully guided throughout, with an acclimatisation day built in at Manang before the push over Thorung La.

What you'll do

• Follow the Marsyangdi River from Besi Sahar through terraced farmland and river gorges
• Acclimatise in Manang below Annapurna II before the high pass
• Cross the Thorung La (5,416m), the trek's highest point, with views towards Tibet
• Visit Muktinath temple and learn about its place in local pilgrimage and legend
• Soak in the hot springs at Tatopani after days of walking
• Watch sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre from Poon Hill