Where on earth
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- Region
- Nepal
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Himalayan (760–5,416 m)
- Best season
- October – November, March – April
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Himalayan (760–5,416 m)
- Best season: October – November, March – April
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Annapurna Circuit
Topic summary
The classic Nepalese long trek — jungle to high pass, four ethnic regions in a single walk.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: October – November, March – April
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Himalayan (760–5,416 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Annapurna Circuit trip tools
How to get there
Besisahar can be reached by a seven-hour drive from Kathmandu. The circuit starts at Besisahar or Bhulbhule in the Marshyangdi river valley. Motor-transport choices and the endpoint determine the total walking distance.
- Besisahar
A starting point for the Annapurna Circuit in the Marshyangdi river valley. The road toward Manang overlaps much of the trekking trail.
- Bhulbhule
An alternative starting point for the Annapurna Circuit in the Marshyangdi river valley.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Annapurna Circuit
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
Animals around Annapurna Circuit
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Annapurna CircuitAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Annapurna Circuit
Planning to fish Annapurna Circuit, Nepal? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Nepal are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Annapurna Circuit?
- A Nepal fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Nepal fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Nepal yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Annapurna Circuit
Thinking about hunting Annapurna Circuit, Nepal? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Nepal are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Annapurna Circuit?
- Confirm the land around Annapurna Circuit is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Nepal?
- A Nepal hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Nepal yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
A circuit shaped by two river valleys
The Annapurna Circuit encircles the Annapurna Massif in central Nepal, linking two river valleys and crossing Thorung La at 5,416 m. Its total length varies from 160 to 230 km, depending on where motor transport is used and where walking ends. The trek begins at Besisahar or Bhulbhule in the Marshyangdi river valley and concludes in the Kali Gandaki Gorge. Along the way, paddy fields, subtropical forest, waterfalls and large cliffs give way to high mountain terrain near the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Close mountain views include the Annapurna peaks, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak and Pisang Peak. Treat the circuit as a journey with variable endpoints rather than a fixed-distance trail: transport choices affect both the amount of walking and the landscapes experienced on foot.
Altitude and direction of travel
Thorung La is the defining planning consideration, not simply a scenic point along the route. At 5,416 m, the pass puts trekkers in a very different environment from the low foothills. Most walk anticlockwise because daily altitude gain is slower in that direction, making the high crossing easier and safer. That advantage does not remove the need for acclimatization, a flexible pace and willingness to turn back if altitude symptoms develop. The circuit's broad elevation range also calls for clothing suited to warm lower valleys and cold high terrain. Keep weather and physical condition central to decisions about continuing upward. An itinerary should serve the altitude transition rather than force a crossing to meet a transport booking or a predetermined daily target.
Villages, cultural transitions and changing roads
The circuit's variety is cultural as well as physical. Lower foothill villages are predominantly Hindu in character, while Manang Valley and lower Mustang reflect Tibetan culture. North of the main Himalayan ranges, the landscape becomes arid, contrasting with the cultivated and forested lower approaches. Travel respectfully through villages, and avoid treating inhabited valleys as merely a backdrop to the pass. Road construction has also changed the walking experience: the road between Besisahar and Manang overlaps the trekking trail much of the time, and expanding motor access has shortened the trek and altered villages. Decide how much of the lower approach to walk with that overlap in mind. The broader region also offers the Kali Gandaki River Valley trek and the Annapurna Sanctuary trek to Annapurna Base Camp.
Route options
- Annapurna Circuit160–230 kmHigh-altitude trekking with a crossing at 5,416 m.
Encircles the Annapurna Massif, linking the Marshyangdi valley with the Kali Gandaki Gorge via Thorung La at 5,416 m. Most trekkers travel anticlockwise for a slower daily altitude gain. Length depends on motor transport and the chosen endpoint.
- Kali Gandaki River Valley trek
A separate regional option following the Kali Gandaki River valley, rather than circling the Annapurna Massif.
- Annapurna Sanctuary trek
A separate regional trek leading into the Annapurna Sanctuary and up to Annapurna Base Camp, rather than following the circuit.
Sample itineraries
- Besisahar circuit: illustrative pacing · 21 days
Start at Besisahar in the Marshyangdi river valley and travel anticlockwise around the Annapurna Massif, through Manang Valley and over Thorung La into the Kali Gandaki Gorge. Treat this duration as a planning example, not a fixed schedule; allow flexibility for acclimatization, weather and your chosen endpoint.
- Bhulbhule circuit: illustrative pacing · 18 days
Begin at Bhulbhule and follow the anticlockwise circuit toward Thorung La, finishing in the Kali Gandaki Gorge. Road transport and endpoint choices change the walking distance. This is an illustrative duration, not a prescribed ascent schedule; add time rather than rush altitude gain.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; conditions vary sharply with elevation
Do not use temperatures in the subtropical foothills to judge conditions at Thorung La. Plan for a substantial shift in temperature as the route climbs, and check mountain weather before committing to the crossing.
Summer
Summer; low valleys to high mountain terrain
The circuit crosses contrasting environments, from paddy fields and subtropical forests to arid terrain north of the main Himalayan ranges. Prepare for changing conditions rather than assuming one weather pattern applies throughout.
Fall
Fall; high-pass conditions require checking
Clear days allow views of the surrounding high peaks, but visibility should not be assumed. Keep the pass-crossing schedule flexible and carry insulation even when lower sections feel warm.
Winter
Winter; the highest terrain demands particular caution
Thorung La reaches 5,416 metres in terrain described as Arctic at the highest elevations. Cold protection and current mountain-weather information are essential; do not assume the crossing is suitable simply because lower trails are manageable.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; conditions vary sharply with elevation | Do not use temperatures in the subtropical foothills to judge conditions at Thorung La. Plan for a substantial shift in temperature as the route climbs, and check mountain weather before committing to the crossing. |
| Summer | Summer; low valleys to high mountain terrain | The circuit crosses contrasting environments, from paddy fields and subtropical forests to arid terrain north of the main Himalayan ranges. Prepare for changing conditions rather than assuming one weather pattern applies throughout. |
| Fall | Fall; high-pass conditions require checking | Clear days allow views of the surrounding high peaks, but visibility should not be assumed. Keep the pass-crossing schedule flexible and carry insulation even when lower sections feel warm. |
| Winter | Winter; the highest terrain demands particular caution | Thorung La reaches 5,416 metres in terrain described as Arctic at the highest elevations. Cold protection and current mountain-weather information are essential; do not assume the crossing is suitable simply because lower trails are manageable. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements and access rules with the agency managing the Annapurna Conservation Area before departure.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- High altitude: Thorung La reaches 5,416 metres. Slower altitude gain is a reason most trekkers travel anticlockwise; allow time to acclimatize and avoid a rigid crossing deadline.
- Large temperature changes: the route spans subtropical lowlands and very cold high terrain. Conditions in the starting valley do not indicate conditions at the pass.
- Road overlap: road construction follows much of the trekking trail between Besisahar and Manang. Stay alert where walking routes share space with motor transport.
- Cliff terrain: the route passes gigantic cliffs. Watch footing and avoid approaching edges for photographs.
What to pack for Annapurna Circuit
- Light walking layers for the lower valleys
- Insulating layers for high elevations
- Windproof and waterproof outer layers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Supportive footwear with reliable grip
- Trekking poles
- Sun protection
- Water containers and a treatment method
- Current route map covering road and trail options
- Offline navigation
- Headlamp and spare power
- Personal first-aid kit
Annapurna Circuit FAQ
- How long is the Annapurna Circuit?
- The route varies from 160 to 230 kilometres, depending on motor transport use and where the trek ends. Road construction has shortened the traditional walking route, so establish your actual walking sections before setting a schedule.
- Which direction is usually walked?
- Most trekkers travel anticlockwise. This direction allows slower daily altitude gain and makes the high Thorung La crossing easier and safer, though acclimatization still needs individual attention.
- Where does the trek begin and end?
- The trek begins at Besisahar or Bhulbhule in the Marshyangdi river valley and concludes in the Kali Gandaki Gorge. Besisahar is described as a seven-hour drive from Kathmandu; allow flexibility rather than treating that as a guaranteed journey time.
- What is the highest point?
- Thorung La is the highest point at 5,416 metres, near the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. It is the major high-altitude crossing around which to plan acclimatization and weather flexibility.
- What landscapes and cultures does the circuit pass through?
- The route links paddy fields, subtropical forests, waterfalls, cliffs and high mountain terrain. It moves from Hindu villages in the lower foothills toward the Tibetan cultural settings of Manang Valley and lower Mustang.
- Is the circuit entirely away from roads?
- No. The Besisahar–Manang road overlaps much of the trekking trail, and continuing road construction has changed both walking distances and villages. Transport choices affect how much of the circuit is walked.