Annapurna Circuit Trek

Your Annapurna Circuit adventure begins as you check in for your international flight from Zurich, bound for Kathmandu, the vibrant capital of Nepal, nestled in a valley ringed by hills at the edge of the Himalayas. Depending on your routing, the journey may include a layover, giving you time to relax before the trek ahead. As you begin your descent toward Kathmandu, keep an eye out the window for your first glimpses of the terraced hills and, on a clear day, distant snow-capped peaks that hint at the adventure to come.

Set off early on a long but genuinely scenic 10 to 12-hour drive by private tourist vehicle from Kathmandu to Dharapani (1,860 m/6,102 ft). The route follows winding mountain roads out of the Kathmandu Valley, joining the Prithvi Highway before turning north through the Marsyangdi River valley, passing terraced hillsides, roadside villages, and increasingly dramatic mountain scenery as the road climbs higher into Manang district. Arriving in Dharapani, a small settlement along the Marsyangdi, marks the true starting point of the Annapurna Circuit trail and your first night in a mountain guesthouse.

Lace up your boots for the first proper trekking day of the circuit, walking from Dharapani to Chame (2,670 m/8,760 ft), the district headquarters of Manang, over 5 to 6 hours. The trail winds through fragrant pine and fir forest alongside the Marsyangdi River, passing small Gurung settlements, prayer flags, and mani walls that mark your entry into a more Buddhist-influenced part of the region. As you approach Chame, the first big, unobstructed views of the Annapurna range begin to open up above the tree line, a preview of the high mountain scenery that awaits over the coming days.

Continue trekking from Chame to Upper Pisang (3,300 m/10,827 ft), a 6 to 7-hour walk that steadily gains altitude as the valley narrows and the vegetation begins to thin. The trail passes beneath the striking Paungda Danda rock face, a massive curved slab of granite, before arriving in Pisang, where the landscape starts to shift toward the drier, high-altitude terrain characteristic of the upper Manang valley. From Upper Pisang, you'll enjoy fine views of Annapurna II, Pisang Peak, and the surrounding ridgelines.

Trek from Upper Pisang to Ngawal (3,660 m/12,008 ft), around 4 to 5 hours, following the quieter, less-traveled upper route above the valley floor. This alternative trail offers a more peaceful walking experience through traditional Tibetan-influenced villages, with excellent, wide-open mountain panoramas along the ridge. Ngawal itself is a picturesque settlement of flat-roofed stone houses, known for its well-preserved traditional architecture and monastery.

Trek from Ngawal to Manang (3,540 m/11,614 ft) via the village of Bhraka (3,360 m/11,024 ft), a shorter and more relaxed day of around 3 to 4 hours. This gentler stage allows for a slower pace as you approach Manang, the largest and most culturally significant village on the circuit, giving you time to explore Bhraka's ancient monastery and gompa along the way. Arriving in Manang in the early afternoon leaves time to settle in, wander the village, and rest ahead of your acclimatization day.

Spend a full acclimatization day in the serene village of Manang, a crucial stop on the Annapurna Circuit for allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude before pushing higher toward Thorong La. Manang sits in a broad valley surrounded by towering peaks, offering some of the finest panoramic views of the entire trek, including Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and the striking Gangapurna Glacier and lake just below the village. Many trekkers use the day for a short, optional acclimatization hike to a nearby viewpoint or the Gangapurna Lake area, following the trekking principle of climbing high and sleeping low, while others prefer simply to rest, explore the village's shops and bakeries, and prepare gear for the days ahead.

Trek from Manang village to Yak Kharka (4,050 m/13,287 ft), a 5 to 6-hour walk that marks your entry into truly high-altitude terrain. The trail leaves the last of the forest behind and climbs through open, wind-swept pastures where yaks graze in the summer months, with the vegetation becoming increasingly sparse as you gain height. The pace is deliberately unhurried here, allowing your body to continue acclimatizing steadily as you approach the villages closest to Thorong La.

Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,525 m/14,846 ft), a further 5 to 6 hours through increasingly rugged, high-altitude terrain. Thorong Phedi, meaning "foot of the pass," sits at the base of the climb to Thorong La and is the final overnight stop before the crossing. Facilities here are simple, reflecting the remoteness and altitude of the location, and most trekkers turn in early to rest ahead of the demanding pre-dawn start required for the pass the following morning.

This is the most demanding and unforgettable day of the entire Annapurna Circuit: trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,760 m/12,336 ft) via Thorong La Pass (5,416 m/17,769 ft), an 8 to 9-hour trekking day. Setting off well before sunrise to take advantage of calmer weather and firmer trail conditions, you'll climb steadily through the thin, cold mountain air to reach the prayer-flag-draped summit of Thorong La, the highest point of the trek and one of the highest trekking passes in the world. From the pass, take in a truly extraordinary panorama of the surrounding Himalayan giants before beginning the long, steep descent into the dry, high-desert landscape of Mustang, arriving at the sacred pilgrimage town of Muktinath, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.

Drive from Muktinath to Tatopani (1,190 m/3,904 ft) via Jomsom in a shared local Jeep/Bus, a 6 to 7-hour journey that gives your legs a well-deserved rest after the pass crossing. The road descends through the dramatic, wind-carved Kali Gandaki gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world, passing through the windswept town of Jomsom and the apple-growing region of Marpha, with the landscape gradually turning greener and warmer as you drop in altitude toward Tatopani.

Enjoy a well-earned rest day in the village of Tatopani, whose name literally means "hot water," in reference to the natural hot springs found here beside the Kali Gandaki river. After the physical demands of crossing Thorong La and the long days of trekking beforehand, this is an ideal opportunity to slow down, bathe in the warm mineral-rich waters, and let your muscles recover. The lower altitude and warmer climate also make Tatopani a pleasant place to relax, enjoy the local produce, and simply take stock of the journey so far before the final trekking days ahead.

Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,880 m/9,449 ft), a substantial 6 to 8-hour climb that marks the final major ascent of the Annapurna Circuit. The trail winds steadily upward through forests of rhododendron, oak, and magnolia, gaining significant elevation over the course of the day as you leave the Kali Gandaki valley behind and re-enter the greener, more forested landscapes typical of the Annapurna foothills. Ghorepani itself is a popular ridge-top village, well known as the base for the famous Poon Hill sunrise excursion.

Rise well before dawn for the short but steep hike up to Poon Hill (3,210 m/10,531 ft), one of the most celebrated viewpoints in the Annapurna region, where sunrise paints the peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Nilgiri, and Machapuchare in brilliant shades of gold and pink. After returning to Ghorepani for breakfast, trek down to Birethanti (1,025 m/3,363 ft), a descent of 5 to 6 hours through forest and terraced farmland, before driving the same day to Pokhara, a further 1 to 3 hours. Arriving in Pokhara by the Lakeside area in the afternoon or evening offers a welcome return to comfort after two weeks in the mountains, with views over Phewa Lake to enjoy.

Travel back to Kathmandu (1,400 m/4,593 ft) by tourist bus, a 7 to 9-hour journey retracing the Prithvi Highway along the Trishuli River and through the terraced hills of central Nepal. Arrive in the evening and check in to your hotel for your final night in Nepal, with time to reflect on the remarkable journey you've completed around the Annapurna massif, from the lush lowlands to the icy heights of Thorong La.

Arrive back in Zurich, marking the end of your Annapurna Circuit Trek adventure, with the memory of Thorong La, the villages of Manang and Muktinath, and the warmth of the Himalayan hospitality staying with you long after the journey ends.