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Short Annapurna Circuit trekking is one of the most famous trekking journeys in the Himalayas of Nepal. The most popular and most classic Annapurna circuit has been modified with time because of the changing demand of travelers. The adventure, which used to take three to four weeks, now has been shortened to mere a week only, thanks to all the advancements and road developments, that has gone to most of the stops and villages. Though halfheartedly, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours would like to take this chance to tell all travelers from around the globe that we cater to all the changing demands and needs.
As shorter and as flexible as it is, Short Annapurna circuit trekking leads you through the cascading waterfalls, mighty rivers, various lush vegetation, stunning traditional villages and most of all, the silent majestic panoramas of the peaks. Even though the trek is short, you still have enough time to admire all the Himalayan views and enjoy the mountain panoramas. The air will get thinner and thinner as you ascend higher while the vegetation, floras and faunas along with the weather, climate and geography will change, leaving you with surprise and more curiosity. And the fun only starts once you start feeling the thrill. Because you have to conquer the highest pass in the whole world, Thorong La Pass 5,416 meters which is the only challenging part in the entire journey. Besides the pass, rest of the trip is easy and less difficult.
As usual, we will start our Annapurna circuit trek from Kathmandu and driving to Besisahar first, then continue till Chame, the headquarter of Manang district, from where we will begin our formal trekking. For the rest, you can go with the flow and enjoy every bits and pieces of the trekking trail. Spend an acclimatizing day in Manang village which lies at the bottom of the hills and mountains, rewarding you with breathtaking views within a short climb from Manang valley. Proceed further towards Thorong La pass to enjoy one of the toughest, spine-chilling and stamina-sapping adventures in the Annapurna region of Nepal, just to descend right at another picturesque valley, Mustang, next to the Kali Gandaki river. The whole journey will come to an end with a drive back to Kathmandu.
Please check all of our Annapurna circuit photo collections here.
Day 01: Drive to Chame (2670m) 9hrs via Besisahar and Dharapani, LD, Teahouse
Day 02: Trek to Pisang (3230m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 03: Trek to Manang village (3519m) 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 04: Rest day at Manang for a local hike, BLD, Teahouse
Day 05: Trek to Letdar (4250m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 06: Trek to Thorong High Camp (4600m) 4hrs or Thorong Base Camp (4400m) 3hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 07: Cross Thorong La (5416m) and trek to Muktinath (3800m) 7hrs, drive to Jomsom, BLD, Teahouse
Day 08: Drive to Pokhara 11hrs, B, Hotel
Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu, B.
Kathmandu sightseeing: $90 per person (gets cheaper with bigger PAX)
Porter service: $30/day per porter
Day 01: Drive to Chame (2670m) 9hrs via Besisahar and Dharapani, LD, Teahouse
On the first rock and roll day of our trekking adventure, we drive and drive again until we get to a panoramic valley called Chame. You will pass through many charming villages on the way, up and down the hills, narrow corners and windings, by the river and up the river, through the waterfalls and pass the wonderful views of the majestic snowcapped mountains.
Day 02: Trek to Pisang (3230m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
We arrived at our awaited moment, trekking in the Himalayan land of Annapurna. Through the rocks, soils and sands, trees, bridges and hills, we trek towards the most panoramic valley of Nepal; passing through amazing villages, Bhratang and Dhikur Pokhari, on the way. It’s Pisang, where we rest down and admire the breathtaking panorama of the giant Annapurna II while sipping our favorite beverage.
Day 03: Trek to Manang village (3519m) 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Let’s wake up fast to go to Manang. They say it’s the valley that mesmerizes you once you enter. The view in and around the village is spectacular. The side trips add more charm to the valley. We have two options to go to Manang village via Lower or Upper Pisang. Both ways is incredible in their own ways. However, our choice would always be the upper Pisang way since we can admire many Annapurna mountain ranges on the way, even though it's a long and difficult choice.
Day 04: Rest day at Manang for a local hike, BLD, Teahouse
With the spellbinding early sunrise view from one of the viewpoints in Manang, we rise and shine. Better to acclimatize ourselves today since we have to challenge the mighty pass, Thorong la pass, very soon. To do that, you have to lift your ass and bring yourselves to one of the high altitude points in Milarepa cave, Gangapurna glacier or Ice Lake.
Day 05: Trek to Letdar (4250m) 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
What else can be said? It’s going to get better and better, and it is never going to stop. Do you trust us if we say so? Well, you got to. With the mesmerizing views of Manang valley behind us and the massive snow walls watching us from above, we will have fun. Only a couple of hours and we will get past Yak Kharka and continue to Letdar to get a decent room for the night.
Day 06: Trek to Thorong High Camp (4600m) 4hrs or Thorong Base Camp (4400m) 3hrs, BLD, Teahouse
A slow and gradual walk will easily bring us to Thorong base camp on this awesome day. But you will always have to watch out for the naughty mountain boys, the musk deer and the blue sheep who might harm you by rolling down the stones in the landslide areas. Once we get to the base camp, we can decide whether to climb up to Thorong high camp or stay down. Either way is acceptable, since either way, we have to cross the pass, the following day.
Day 07: Cross Thorong La (5416m) and trek to Muktinath (3800m) 7hrs, drive to Jomsom, BLD, Teahouse
Why Thorong la? They might ask you, for which the answers will be found by the end of today. Experiencing firsthand leaving your footprints is the best way to know the answer. Just remember the view is best at the top; once you’re at the top, nothing can bring you down except yourself. The next step is a long way down to Muktinath. We highly recommend you walking fast since the way is far longer than you think, haha. Overnight in Jomsom.
Day 08: Drive to Pokhara 11hrs, B, Hotel
It has been an unreal adventure, and it all will come to your memory slowly and slowly. We hope you don’t regret not taking enough photographs and not spending good enough time with the mountains. Long story making short that’s it; we’ve done it. Another long drive to Pokhara, a bumpy ride. Hope you all had an amazing time in the Annapurna Himalayan region as we had. Dinner time for celebration. Vodka on you! ;)
Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu, B.
After all this fun ride and the adventure in Annapurna circuit, it’s time to drive back to Kathmandu finally, and end the journey.
Inclusive (Everything is covered between arrival & departure):
For 2 or more pax: Starts from USD $900 per person
Customized Trips and Trip departure
Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.
But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.
Accommodations in Pokhara and during trek
You will be staying in a tourist standard hotel in Pokhara while in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.
If you wish to change the accommodation category to a better ones in Pokhara, please let us know and we can change it for you on added cost.
Route Map and Company T-shirt
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.
Safe Drinking Water during Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking
Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.
Your trekking guides and porters
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.
Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.
Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.
Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.
We have had many solo travelers in the past. Nepal is totally safe to travel even in the Himalayas, even though you are solo. No matter if you're a solo female or a male traveler, you can hike in the Himalayas doubtlessly, with our experienced guide.
Extra personal expenses during and after trek
The clients are responsible for their own personal expenses during or after the treks like, for buying beverages and snacks, WiFi, doing laundry, buying souvenirs & personal equipment, tips for the field staffs, etc. Therefore, we recommend you to bring some extra cash (in dollars or euro, etc.) of about $200-300, and change it into Nepali Rupees since only NPR are accepted in majority of the Nepali market.
Shower during the trek
It's an important matter to discuss about. After a day's end, you might feel like showering and get fresh. It's a good idea on the lower altitudes but if you're on the higher altitudes (more than 3500m), we recommend to shower on intervals. People seem to catch a cold easily after showering which can lead to altitude sickness. Teahouses in the lower elevation offers you hot shower, but in the upper elevation, a bucket of hot water is provided. They charge a little extra for the hot water bath ($3-5).
Laundry on the trail
There are some teahouses which offer laundry services and you can use their service during the acclimatizing days. However, most of the lodges don't have laundry service and you might have to either wash your clothes yourself or postpone until you arrive in Kathmandu or in Pokhara. Please plan in advance about it.
Your safety
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
How much does the Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking cost?
The cost of the Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking varies depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices and the group sizes also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.
How is the Accommodation during the Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
In Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Many teahouses even have attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Most of the teahouses provide the European toilets these days while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.
What are the permits that I need for Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
For Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking, you will need to make two permits: ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).
How does this tipping system in Nepal works and do I have to tip?
Tipping is not compulsory for Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide and also a porter expects around $10 or more per day.
Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
You can easily charge your electronic devices during Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking but by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.
Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking route has good mobile network coverage these days {with few exception days}, thanks to the Nepalese telecommunication companies called Ncell and NTC. You can buy one of these Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek to avoid paying extra by buying WiFi on the trek.
WiFi is available on most of the teahouses in Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking route and cost some charges. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.
When is the best time to trek to Annapurna Circuit?
Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Annapurna Circuit. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time. Some of the villages in Annapurna circuit though is not affected by rain.
Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
The itinerary of our Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking.
Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 5416 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.
Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking demands high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents including crossing of the highest pass in the world which means you need lots of practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests, high passes and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least 2 months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Annapurna Circuit.
What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Only breakfast is included in Pokhara while full board meals or full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are a varieties of choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.
The most common and the highly recommended food during the Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.
Do I need a travel insurance for Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Annapurna Circuit. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 5000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.
In general, most of the places in Nepal don't accept the card payments as they are remote and of limited use to them. So, we recommend you to withdraw some cash before departing for the journey. ATMs will charge you minimal service fee for withdrawing money and you will also get good exchange rate from the banks.
How much weight of luggage can I take during the trek?
Our porter is allowed to carry maximum of 25 kg so, since 2 clients will share one porter, both of your combined weights shouldn't be more than 20kg. We care about our porters and he also has his personal belongings to carry as well.
For the important things and your personal items, you might have to carry your own backpack. But please, only carry the essentials and you will have to leave the rest of the unimportant items, either in the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
Is there any age limit for Annapurna circuit trek?
Not, at all. No matter if you're 5 years old or 85, you can trek as long as you can. In fact, the children seem to adapt to the high altitudes faster than an adult. So, as long as you're willing to hike the Himalayas, you can hike no matter what your age is.
How do you take the remaining balance on arrival in Kathmandu? Do I need to pay you by cash or I can use my card?
On arrival in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance in cash or by card. We prefer to be paid in cash (it doesn't matter which currency) rather than by card. So, please bring the cash.
How big should my backpack be?
It all depends on what you wish to carry on your day pack. We recommend a backpack between 20-40 liter or roughly the size of a school bag.
If I have to use a restroom during the hike or trek, where can I use the restroom?
You can easily access the restrooms of any teahouses on the trail. If in case it's urgent and you cannot find any teahouses around, you can always go off the trail to ease yourself.
Can I leave my luggage in Kathmandu?
Definitely, you can leave your excess stuffs in Kathmandu. Either you can leave them on the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
What about extra days and nights in Kathmandu?
For any extra days and nights in Kathmandu which is outside of your schedule, you can let us know beforehand and we can book the hotels for you and also other add-ons or activities as you may like. If under unforeseen circumstances you get extra days in Kathmandu after the trek, we shall work out the right solution for you.
What if I get sick or injured during the trek?
Like we said earlier, we, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. Our professional team is always with you and monitoring you to ensure your wellness and safety. Our experienced and well-trained guide will use his emergency skills in case of emergency; either if you get injured or if you get sick. If it's regarding a symptom of altitude sickness or AMS, you will have to go down to the lower altitudes as fast as possible in order to gain your energy back. You can always continue in the later days or retreat as per your choice. In case of necessity, he will arrange the rescue helicopter for you as well to get the quick medical attention in Kathmandu.
How cold is it during the Annapurna circuit trekking?
The places in the mountainous region are always cold no matter which season or what time. But the temperatures vary depending on the season and altitude.
What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Annapurna Circuit. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Annapurna Circuit. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.
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