Annapurna Circuit Trek in 9 Days

Distance: ~230 km (Driving) Time: 8–10 hours Altitude Change: 1,400m up to 1,860m You’ll spend about 8 to 9 hours in a jeep [or bus] winding along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers. It's long and dusty, but as the air turns cooler and the waterfalls start cascading outside your window, you’ll know you’ve arrived at the gateway of the Annapurna. Don’t worry we will make few stops during the way where you can take short breaks, take lunch and click exciting photos.

Distance: ~16 km Time: 5–6 hours Altitude Change: 1,860m to 2,670m (Net gain: 810m) The Journey: You’ll climb gradually through steep forest trails, passing the Tibetan-style village of Bagarchhap. Keep an eye out for your first clear glimpses of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II as you roll into Chame, the administrative hub of the region. Around Danaque, the trail gets steep as you tackle a notorious set of stone steps through a rhododendron forest. You’ll stop for lunch in Timang (2,750m), which rewards you with your first massive view of Manaslu. From Timang, it’s a gentle, flat-and-downhill cruise into Chame. Here you can enjoy hot spring and get bed to rest for the night.

Distance: ~14 km Time: 5 hours Altitude Change: 2,750m to 3,300m (Net gain: 550m) Leaving Chame, the valley narrows. You will cross a dramatic suspension bridge to the northern bank and walk through dense orchard woods. Soon, you'll look up and see Paungda Danda, a colossal, seamless slab of smooth rock curving 1,500m straight up into the sky. The locals call it the "Gateway to Heaven." Once you pass this, the air gets noticeably drier and cooler. Insider Tip: Stay in Upper Pisang rather than Lower Pisang. The extra 20-minute uphill hike rewards you with a postcard-perfect view of Annapurna II across the valley.

Distance: ~17 km (via Upper Route) Time: 6–7 hours Altitude Change: 3,300m to 3,540m (Net gain: 240m, but lots of ups and downs) Do not take the lower road. It’s dusty and boring. Take the Upper Route via Ghyaru and Ngawal. The climb out of Pisang to Ghyaru (3,670m) is a brutal, endless series of switchbacks that will test your lungs. But when you reach the top, you are looking directly across at the entire Annapurna range at eye level. It is arguably the best view of the whole trek. You’ll have lunch in Ngawal (3,650m) before dropping down onto the flat, windy valley floor that leads into the bustling hub of Manang.

Distance: Variable (3 to 8 km) Time: 3–5 hours of active hiking Altitude Change: 3,540m (Stay at same altitude) Your body demands a bit of rest today and acclimatization for reaching Thorang is must. We suggest you hydrate well, eat proper food and do a little warmup session in two ways: The Short Option: Hike up to the viewpoint above Gangapurna Lake and the Chongkor Viewpoint. (2–3 hours round trip). The Long Option: Hike to Ice Lake (Kicho Tal) at 4,600m. It’s a tough 6-hour round-trip climb, but if you can do this, the 5,416m pass on Day 8 will be a walk in the park. Must-Do: Drop by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) clinic for their daily 3:00 PM altitude safety briefing. It genuinely saves lives.

Distance: ~10 km Time: 4 hours Altitude Change: 3,540m to 4,200m (Net gain: 660m) You’ll leave Manang through the old village ruins and climb gently out of the valley. The trees completely disappear here; you are now in the alpine tundra. You'll pass through Gunsang (3,900m), crossing a couple of small wooden bridges over glacial streams. Keep your eyes peeled for blue sheep (bharal) grazing on the cliffs. Keep your pace slow and steady—your body is working double-time now that you've crossed the 4,000-meter mark. Because of the altitude, you will walk at half your normal speed. Reach Yak Kharka by lunchtime, eat, and spend the afternoon resting or reading.

Distance: ~7 km Time: 3–4 hours Altitude Change: 4,200m to 4,880m (Net gain: 680m) You’ll experience a short but intense day. You’ll hike along the east bank of the Jarsang Khola. The final stretch before Phedi requires crossing a notorious landslide zone. Do not stop to take photos here, watch for falling rocks, keep your distance from other trekkers, and move steadily across. You’ll arrive at Thorong Phedi, a small cluster of lodges nestled at the base of a massive rock wall. Some rest and nest here but we are moving to the popular destination the High Camp to reduce the early morning effort required to reach Thorong La Pass. The climb from Phedi to High Camp (4,880m). This is the steepest part of the road, freezing, and a total mental grind so we try to avoid it during the night and early morning. The Strategy Play: Eat a massive, early dinner (lots of carbs), pack your backpack for the morning, fill your water bottles and try to be asleep by 8:00 PM.

Distance: ~15 km Time: 8–10 hours Altitude Change: 4,450m -> 5,416m -> 3,760m (Up 966m, Down 1,656m) 04:30 AM – 08:30 AM: From High Camp, the trail gentler but curves through false summits and snowfields. The air is incredibly thin. Take ten steps, rest on your trekking poles, take three deep breaths, and repeat. The Top (Thorong La - 5,416m): You’ll see the chorten draped in thousands of prayer flags. There is a tiny tea shack here selling overpriced hot tea. Take your photos quickly—the wind picks up brutally by mid-morning. The Descent: The 1,656-meter drop to Muktinath is punishing. It is steep, slippery, and uses muscles you didn't know you had. Trekking poles are non-negotiable here to save your knees. Today you will descend into the Mustang Landscape and reach Muktinath, tired and happy the trek has been completed.

Distance: ~175 km (Driving) Time: 7–9 hours The Turn-by-Turn: Wake up and visit the Muktinath Temple, where 108 water sprouts pour holy water. You can take a holy bath on freezing ice water or take holy dip, pay some holy tribute to the God there and pack your bags cause we are heading towards Tatopani. There you can enjoy natural hot water bath to relax and recover On the way you’ll see the breathtakingly wide Kali Gandaki riverbed, passing Jomsom and the deep gorge of Tatopani, before hitting the smooth tarmac back to Pokhara. If you are feeling cold we can stop for hot water bath and spend the day there, warming the body with Marpha.