Annapurna Circuit Trek

Settle into Kathmandu and review the route, equipment and transport choices. Discuss your recent walking experience and the demanding pass day before starting. The proposal should clearly identify accommodation, meals, permits, staffing and the arrangements for changes caused by weather or health.

Travel toward the Marsyangdi valley and Besisahar. Keeping this as a separate travel day avoids making a long road journey continue immediately to a high mountain overnight. Traffic, highway works and weather can change the arrival time; any onward vehicle arrangement should remain flexible.

Continue along the mountain road to Dharapani, using the vehicle arrangement in the quotation. The rougher road makes this a slow travel day despite the relatively short map distance. Confirm the following walking route and rest before the sustained trek toward Chame.

Follow the upper Marsyangdi valley through settlements and forest toward Chame. The route includes climbs and sections where local trail choices help avoid the motor road when practical. This is a substantial first walking day, so leave enough time for a steady pace and ordinary rest stops.

Walk farther into the valley as the landscape becomes more open around Pisang. The sleeping altitude rises above 3,000 m; avoid treating the familiar trail or good weather as a reason to hurry. The planned overnight is Lower Pisang, with any local exploration dependent on arrival time and wellbeing.

Continue by the lower-valley approach through the Braga area toward Manang. This outline uses that route to keep the day less demanding than the high Ghyaru–Ngawal alternative. Travelers who want the upper villages should add time and agree a revised overnight plan rather than assume a side excursion fits easily.

Remain in Manang and consider a gentle local walk toward a suitable viewpoint above the village, returning to the same sleeping altitude. The aim is time at altitude, not a race to a high viewpoint. Rest instead if needed and review readiness for the next stage.

Leave the main village area and follow the upper trail toward Yak Kharka. The thinner air often makes a modest-looking distance feel slower. Take the roughly 510 m sleeping-height gain seriously and keep the afternoon quiet. Any altitude symptoms should be discussed before considering further ascent.

Continue a short distance to Ledar and remain at a similar altitude for much of the day. This extra upper-valley stop reduces the distance and sleeping-height gain of the following approach. A short optional walk should stay modest and should not replace rest if you are tired or unwell.

Follow the approach to Thorong Phedi, taking care on exposed or loose sections where current trail conditions govern the walking line. Stay at Phedi rather than moving the overnight to High Camp. Review the weather, trail, group condition and turnaround options before deciding whether the pass attempt is appropriate.

When the trail and individual condition allow, start early for the sustained ascent to Thorong La, approximately 5,416 m. The crossing is followed by a long descent toward Muktinath. Cold, wind, snow and fatigue can all change the day; keep a conservative turnaround decision and do not treat the pass as compulsory.

Descend through the dry landscape toward Kagbeni, with time for the villages and a slower pace after the pass. The route stays within the ordinary circuit approach; travel into the Upper Mustang restricted area is a separate journey requiring different arrangements. Respect local religious sites and ask before photographing people.

Follow the Kali Gandaki valley toward Jomsom. Wind and dust can make the open valley less comfortable later in the day, so walking time and departure are adjusted locally. Use the remaining time to rest and confirm the onward road or flight arrangement.

Travel to Pokhara by the arrangement agreed in the quotation. Road travel can take most of the day on rough and winding sections. A flight is a separate option subject to availability, weather and operations; a delayed or canceled flight may require a different plan.

Complete the return to Kathmandu by the agreed transport. Allow a separate buffer before an international flight rather than planning a tight connection after this travel day. Additional time is especially useful if the pass or the Jomsom return has been disrupted.