Annapurna Circuit Trek Kathmandu to Pokhara

This two-week Annapurna Circuit Trek begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar. Besisahar is a small town located roughly 176 kilometers north-west of Kathmandu. The drive takes about 7 hours and the buses to Besisahar leave early in the morning, around 7:00 AM. Therefore, around 6:30 AM, you will be transferred from your hotel in Kathmandu to the bus station to start this Kathmandu to Pokhara Annapurna Circuit Trek. 

Leaving the bustling capital of Nepal, you will head west following the Prithvi Highway that runs along the Trishuli River for the most part of the journey. It’s a scenic drive in which the highway winds through the roaring gorges created by the western hills that also houses villages and terraced fields reaching to improbable heights. The beauty of these hills are backed by some of the most graceful and accessible peaks of the Himalayas.

The drive on the Prithvi Highway continues till Dumre, where the road to Besisahar forks north from the highway. Further traversing these hills, and enjoying the beautiful landscape, you will continue to Besisahar. The bus will stop for lunch and a few toilet breaks, before reaching Besisahar. 

About a 7-hour drive will take you to Besisahar. Upon reaching, you will check into the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Spend the evening at leisure. 

Please note: Private transportation can be arranged at extra cost. If you choose to take private transportation, you can also choose to drive directly to Chame and save a day. 

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

This day’s journey is from Besisahar to Chame, which begins after breakfast at the lodge in Besisahar. You will drive to Chame in a shared jeep, which takes about 4-5 hours, as traveling from Besisahar to Chame involves mostly off-road driving. The road mostly runs along the Marsyangdi River. The dive is adventurous (winding road that is sometimes perched on cliff edges, completely without guardrails) and visually rewarding (the landscape enriched with tiered farmlands, sparkling rivers, countless waterfalls, verdant hills and majestic mountains). Journeying past settlements that combine modern touches with old traditions, such as Besisahar, Bhulbhule, Ngadi, Jagat, Chayamche, Dharapani, Bagarchhap, Timag as well as Koto (the trail head of Nar Phu Valley Trek), you will drive to Chame- the district headquarter of Manang. On the way, you will stop at one of these towns/villages for lunch. In Chame, you will check into the lodge and spend the remaining time at leisure. If you prefer, your guide will also assist you in exploring the town of Chame. Dinner and overnight in a lodge in Chame. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Your Annapurna Circuit walk starts today. Leaving the charming headquarter of Manang after breakfast at the lodge, you will start your journey to Pisang, located roughly 15 kilometers north-east of Chame. About one and a half hours walk past the green field and through the pine forest will take you to one of the most beautiful orchards of the country along the trail at Bhratang. This is also one of the biggest apple orchards in the country. Having spent some time here (enjoying fresh apple juice and other apple products), you will push towards the most challenging section of the day- Bhrathang to Dhikur Pokhari. The trail runs up and down, hangs on the cliff and becomes steeper, especially after Swargadwari bridge. But you will be mesmerized to witness the beauty of the landscape- gushing Marsyangdi River, cascading waterfalls, mountain peaks piercing the sky, the green and refreshing woods- that accompanies you. Then comes the easy section of the trail - Dhikur Pokhari to Lower Pisang. It’s mostly gentle downhill and at a point it even forks one leading to Upper Pisang and the other to Lower Pisang. Following the Lower Pisang trail, enjoying the beautiful views of the lake, grass fields and snow-clad peaks, you will continue on a winding trail, running parallel to the Marsyangdi River, to Lower Pisang, where you will settle at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. About a 5-6 hour walk today will take you from Chame to Pisang. 

Around late afternoon,  you will hike to Upper Pisang nestle across the river about 100 meters higher than lower Pisang, for an acclimatization hike. This hike will take you to a traditional Tibetan settlement in Manang. Walking through the narrow alleyways of the compactly built stone houses featuring flat roofs, small doors and windows framed with wood and painted in bright colors you will hike all the way up to the monastery, getting insight about the traditional architecture. The monastery located on top of this village offers breathtaking views of Annapurna mountains and the valley below. After spending some time here, enjoying the serenity of the surrounding, you will hike down to your lodge in Lower Pisang for dinner and overnight stay. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today marks the second day of your trek, with your destination set for Ngawal, located roughly 10 kilometers northwest of Lower Pisang. The combination of altitude and the distance makes this day more challenging, but the incredible mountain views make every step worthwhile. 

After crossing the river and leaving behind the Upper Pisang trail that forks east, you’ll head west towards Ghyaru. Along the way, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of Annapurna II’s towering face. Not far ahead, you’ll come across a striking mani wall lined with stones inscribed with Buddhist mantras, an ideal spot to take a short rest and soak in the spiritual atmosphere. 

From here, the trail becomes steeper and more demanding as it clubs on a series of switchbacks to Ghyaru. The ascent is tough, but once you reach Ghyaru, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the Annapurna range, spread out in front of you like a Himalayan masterpiece. The hike from Pisang to Ghyaru roughly takes around two hours. 

Take your time at Ghyaru to enjoy the incredible views before continuing your trek. Leaving the village, the trail climbs steadily toward a small pass, the highest point of the day, offering another excellent vantage point to admire Annapurna II, nearby peaks, forested slopes and the sweeping valley below. 

From the pass, the trail descends gently towards Ngawal, which is about a two-hour walk. Upon arrival, check into your lodge for the night. In the evening, you may wish to take a short stroll around this quiet and charming village. Overnight stay in a lodge in Ngawal. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

This day’s trek from Ngawal to Manang is relatively easy compared to the previous day’s demanding ascent. You’ll cover a distance of around 11 kilometers, which typically takes about 5 hours to complete. As you move closer to Manag, you’ll notice a shift in the environment- the landscape becomes noticeably drier, the trees more sparse, the cliffs steeper and the villages smaller and more remote.

From Ngawal, you have a couple of trail options to reach Manang. After breakfast, rather than taking the road that descends to Humde, you’ll follow a more scenic trekking trail that passes through a quarry and descends gently into the valley below. The path meanders through a sparse forest, eventually leading to the charming village of Braga, the last settlement before Manang. 

Along the way, you can stop to visit a stupa built beside the trail, offering a peaceful moment of reflection and great views. If you’re planning an acclimatization hike to Ice Lake the following day, Braga will be your night stop. Otherwise, you’ll continue trekking toward Manang, just 2 kilometers beyond Braga, following a mostly flat trail that runs alongside the river. 

Upon arrival in Manang, you’ll check into your lodge for the night. Manang is one of the largest and the most developed towns along the Annapurna Circuit. It offers a range of amenities, including spacious lodges, comfortable rooms, and even cozy cafes serving fresh coffee, cakes and bakery items, a rare treat in the high Himalayas. 

In the afternoon, take time to explore the village, visit the local monastery, or simply relax and enjoy the mountain views as you prepare for the acclimatization, the following day.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

As you will be gaining nearly 2000 meters of elevation over the next three days, taking an acclimatization day in Manang is essential, even if you’re not yet experiencing any symptoms of altitude sickness. High-altitude illness can be developed unexpectedly, and proper acclimatization is critical for safely crossing the Thorung La Pass. 

To  help your body adjust, your guide will organize an acclimatization hike tailored to your fitness level and interest. There are several nearby options that involve ascending 200 to 500 meters above Manag, such as hikes to the Gangapurna Lake Viewpoint, the monastery above Braga village or the historic 100 Lama Monastery. 

For those seeking a more challenging and a full-day acclimatization hike, your guide may take you to Ice Lake (Kicho Tal). This trek reaches an altitude of approximately 4,600 meters, covers about 16 kilometers round-trip and takes 10-12 hours to complete. Though demanding, it offers spectacular views and is excellent preparation for the high altitudes ahead.

After your acclimatization hike, you will return to Manang for dinner and a well-earned rest. Overnight in a lodge in Manang. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today’s destination is Ledar and the journey begins after breakfast in Manang. Located approximately 11 kilometers northwest of Manang, Ledar sits at an altitude of 4,200 meters, making today’s trek a significant step up from Manang’s 3,540 meters, a total elevation gain of about 660 meters. The hike typically takes around 6 hours to complete. 

Leaving Manang, the trail ascends gradually above the town and leads you through a series of scenic and peaceful highland landscapes. Your first stop is Ghusang, which accounts for nearly 400 meters of the total elevation gain, making this section the most physically demanding of the day. However, the effort is well rewarded with stunning views of snow-clad mountains, the winding river below, lush green yak pastures and even a distant lake glimmering in the valley. 

In Ghusang, you can take a well-deserved break-grab of a coffee, refill your water bottles and use the restroom before continuing onward. From here, the trail heads toward Yak Kharka, with a gentler gradient and a few minor ups and downs. The path narrows, and as you ascend, the views of the surrounding mountains  become even more dramatic, making this stretch one of the most picturesque sections of the Annapurna Circuit. 

An added hour bonus is that this area is a vehicle-free zone, allowing for a peaceful and immersive trekking experience, just you, the trail and towering peaks. 

After reaching Yak Kharka it’s a short walk, about a kilometer or 20-30 minutes to Ledar, located just across a small bridge. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your lodge, enjoy a warm dinner and settle in for the night. Overnight in a lodge in Ledar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today you will have two overnight options: Thorung Phedi, located approximately 5 kilometers north of Ledar or High Camp, which lies about 1 kilometer further uphill. Regardless of the location you choose, you’ll likely arrive by midday, giving you a free afternoon to rest and acclimatize. This will be your final night in the Manang district and the highest overnight point of the entire trek.

After breakfast in Ledar, the trail follows the Kone River, descending briefly to a bridge crossing. The surrounding rugged alpine landscape is stunning, and there will be plenty of scenic spots along the way, where you can pause to take photos. 

Once you cross the river, the trail climbs steeply to a small tea shop, where most trekkers take a short break before continuing. From here, the trail enters a landslide-prone area, so it’s important to proceed carefully and follow  your guide’s instructions at all times. A steady 30 minute ascent through this narrow, winding section brings you to Thorung Phedi, usually reached in about 2-3 hours from Ledar. 

If you are planning to stay at High Camp to shorten the trek across Thorung La Pass the next day, it’s an additional 1 to 1.5 hour climb from Thorung Phedi. The trail is steep and zigzag up a slope covered in loose rock, making it a bit more challenging, especially at high altitude. 

At this elevation, oxygen level can drop to around 50-55%, so it’s normal to feel shortness of breath, an increased heart rate and general fatigue. Regardless of where you choose to day, the dinner and bed time will be early in preparation for the long and demanding following day. Overnight in a lodge in Thorung Phedi or High Camp. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is the longest and the most challenging day of your entire trek, as you ascend to the highest point of the route, the iconic Thorung La Pass at 5,416 meters, before descending to Muktinath. Covering the distance of roughly 15 kilometers, the journey typically takes 9-10 hours to complete. 

Your starting time will depend on where you stayed the previous night: 4:00 AM from Thorung Phedi and 5:00 AM from High Camp, as the goal is to reach the pass before 10:00 AM because strong winds often pick up around midday, making the crossing more difficult and dangerous. 

The ascent to Thorung La Pass is steep and strenuous, often requiring single-file trekking along a narrow path. From High Camp, it takes about 4 hours (roughly 4 kilometers) to reach the top. The pass is marked by a cluster of colorful prayer flags, a traditional chorten and a sign marking the elevation. Here, you will take a well-earned break, enjoy some tea and breakfast, snap photos and soak in the awe inspiring panoramic view of the surrounding Himalayan giants.

From the pass, you’ll begin your descent into the Mustang region, leaving the Manang district behind. The trail down to Muktinath is about 11 kilometers and takes around 5 hours. It follows a steep, zigzagging path that may be covered with snow, mud or loose gravel, requiring careful footing. 

Once you arrive in Muktinath, you’ll check into your lodge, enjoy a hot shower and relax, perhaps at one of the local cafes or bakeries. If you have energy left, you can also visit the revered Muktinath Temple, a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, as well as the nearby Buddhist stupa. Overnight in a lodge in Muktinath. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is the last day of this trek and the journey is from Muktinath to Pokhara. After breakfast at the lodge you will start your journey. A 7-8 hour drive from Muktinath will bring you to the lake city, Pokhara. The drive to Pokhara will be on a bus. Upon reaching Pokhara, you will be transferred to your hotel ending the trip with Adventure Mountain Explore Treks and Expedition.

Meals: Breakfast