Annapurna Circuit Route Map: Stages, Distances & Altitude

The Route in One Paragraph

You start on the eastern side at Besisahar (760 m) — most trekkers now jeep straight to Chame (2,670 m) to skip the road-affected lower valley — and walk up the Marsyangdi valley through Pisang (3,200 m) to Manang (3,540 m). After an acclimatisation day at Manang, you climb via Yak Kharka (4,050 m) and Thorong Phedi (4,525 m) to cross the Thorong La pass (5,416 m) in a single big day, dropping to Muktinath (3,800 m). From there you can jeep out via Jomsom, or continue walking through the Kali Gandaki valley to Tatopani and up to Poon Hill / Ghorepani for a classic finish.

The trek is a one-way loop, not an out-and-back — you never re-walk the same trail. The Thorong La crossing is the defining day and the whole itinerary is shaped around acclimatising for it safely.

Standard 12-Day Route Table

Total walking distance is ~100–120 km after road transfers, versus 200+ km for the pre-road classic loop. Cumulative ascent is roughly 5,500 m. The single most demanding day is the pass crossing (day 7) at 15 km with 900 m up and 1,600 m down at altitude.

Common Variants

Classic 20-day pre-road loop

Walking from Besisahar all the way through to Nayapul, without jeeps. Only a few trekkers still do this — the lower Marsyangdi is now a road, so you walk beside vehicles for the first three days. Historically 20 days, still doable but not the sensible choice today.

Short 8–9 day version

Jeep to Chame or Dharapani, cross Thorong La as above, jeep out from Muktinath to Pokhara same day (skipping the Kali Gandaki and Ghorepani side). Cuts the trek to just the high sections. Popular with time-limited trekkers who still want the pass crossing.

Tilicho Lake add-on

Add 2 days at Manang to detour to Tilicho Lake (4,919 m), one of the highest large lakes in the world. See the Tilicho Lake guide. Better done as a side trip from Manang than integrated with a pass crossing.

Nar-Phu Valley detour

Add 3–4 days at Koto (before Chame) to visit the restricted Nar-Phu valley. Requires a separate permit and a licensed guide. A genuine off-the-beaten-track experience for repeat trekkers.

Key Landmarks on the Route

• Manang (3,540 m): The natural acclimatisation town. Bakeries, an altitude-sickness lecture by the Himalayan Rescue Association (usually 3 pm daily in season), a small cinema, and short day hikes to Ice Lake or Milarepa Cave.
• Thorong Phedi and High Camp (4,525 m / 4,925 m): Two options for the last sleep before the pass. Most trekkers stop at Phedi and cross in one push; some sleep at High Camp for a shorter pass day, at the cost of a worse sleep at 4,925 m.
• Thorong La pass (5,416 m): A prayer-flag-covered col with a tea hut in season. The classic photograph point.
• Muktinath (3,800 m): A pilgrimage site sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, with 108 water spouts around the temple. A good half-day cultural stop after the pass.
• Poon Hill (3,210 m): The classic dawn viewpoint over Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri. See the Poon Hill guide — it's also a stand-alone short trek in its own right.