The ultimate guide

Annapurna Travel Guide

Everything you need to plan your trek — from weather and permits to cost, itinerary and real trekker tips.

Expert local knowledgeWritten by our Kathmandu trek leaders.
Updated informationLatest costs, rules and conditions.
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The Annapurna Circuit is one of the best-loved treks in Nepal. This is the region that most people think of when they think about trekking in Nepal. It is only second to the Everest Region in terms of being an icon!

The Annapurna Circuit can be done in several different ways: 10 days or 12 days (or longer), in combination with a trip to Poon Hill or with a trip to the highest lake of its size in the world, Tilicho Lake.

It takes you through Manang and Mustang districts of Nepal, through fascinating villages, past chortens, mani stones, and fluttering Buddhist prayer flags. It crosses the high Thorong La pass that links the two districts and leads on to Muktinath, a revered Hindu pilgrim site with its eternal flame.

If you take a longer route you then can choose to visit the medieval village of Kagbengi with its covered walkways, and the apple-growing region below Jomson, the administrative center of Mustang with its high altitude airport. You can also choose to combine it with trekking in the lower regions of the Annapurnas with its hot springs and panoramic viewpoint.

This travel guide will provide itineraries to the many variations the Annapurna Circuit has to offer as well as hints and tips as to what to expect and how much you will spend. And of course, we will tell you about the awe-inspiring mountains you will see!

Local Weather

Jun – Aug

31 ° 88 ° 19 ° 66 °

Mar – May

31 ° 88 ° 19 ° 66 °

Sep – Nov

27 ° 81 ° 15 ° 59 °

Dec – Feb

21 ° 70 ° 2 ° 36 °

Annapurna at a glance

The essentials, before you dive into the detail.

Weather — what to expect by season

Nepal has four distinct trekking seasons. Tap a month for the full guide.

Spring

Mar – May

Warm days, blooming rhododendron forests and clear mornings — the classic season. Afternoon clouds build; nights stay below freezing up high.

MarAprMay

Monsoon

Jun – Aug

Daily rain and lush, quiet valleys. Views come in breaks between clouds — best for rain-shadow regions and true solitude seekers.

JunJulAug

Autumn

Sep – Nov

Crystal-clear skies, stable weather and the sharpest mountain views of the year — peak trekking season on every trail.

SepOctNov

Winter

Dec – Feb

Cold, bright and wonderfully quiet. Freezing nights and snow on the high passes, but daytime skies are often flawless.

DecJanFeb

Travel Guides

Map of Annapurna Circuit

Activities

Tengboche monastery 15% off 14 Days
Upper Mustang Trek
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Starting from USD 1899
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Khopra Ridge Trek
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Starting from USD 748
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Tengboche monastery 10% off 15 Days
Tiji Festival Trek
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Starting from USD 1921
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Dhaulagiri 16 Days
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
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Starting from USD 2040
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Mardi-Himal-base-camp 7 Days
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
5 · 6 reviews
Starting from USD 550
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Annapurna-base-camp-helicopter-tour Most Iconic Trek 24% off 1 Hour
Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour
Recently added — be among the first
Starting from USD 1300
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ghorepani-winter-december 7 Days
Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
5 · 11 reviews
Starting from USD 485
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Gokyo-Valley-Trek 14% off 16 Days
Nar Phu Valley Trek
5 · 5 reviews
Starting from USD 1486
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Narphu-Valley-Kang-La-Pass-with-a-posture-of-Magical-Nepal 55% off 16 Days
Nar Phu Teri La Upper Mustang Trek
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Starting from USD 2805
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