The total length of the Annapurna Circuit Trek ranges between 160-230 Kilometres and the trek route takes around 14 to 18 days to finish. Annapurna Circuit trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar. From Besisahar, we continue our ascend to Manang, passing through the settlements of Syange, Chame, and Pisang.
The trails pass through the Marshyangdi valley and the meadows of Yak Kharka to finally arrive at the majestic Thorung La Pass. The Thorung La Pass is the highest point of the trek situated at an altitude of 5,416m. From Thorung-La pass, we arrive at the settlements of Mustang in the upper Kali Gandaki Valley.
We also pay our pilgrimage to the sacred temple of Muktinath. Muktinath temple is highly revered by both Buddhists and Hindus community. The temple features holy 108 showers and according to popular beliefs, bathing in them cleanses the sins committed in the mortal life.
We then pass through the settlements of Marpha and Tatopani to arrive at the viewpoint of Poonhill. From the Poonhill viewpoint, we observe the spectacular sunrise and then drive back to Pokhara. Besides that, we are also blessed with majestic views of the entire Annapurna Massif from various points of the trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary and Distances
Kathmandu - Besisahar
Maximum altitude: 760m
Total distance: 184 km
Drive duration: 6-7 hours
Besisahar is the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit trek. A 6-7 hour scenic drive from Kathmandu will take you to Besisahar. The journey passes along the banks of Trishuli river, and provides you with the incredible views of the hilly landscapes, terrace farms, and snow-capped mountains.
The road then separates from the junction in Mugling. We cover the total distance of 184 km along the journey from Kathmandu to Besisahar. It takes around 6-7 hours on a winding hilly road to arrive at our destination.
Besisahar - Syange - Chame
Maximum altitude: 2,650m
Total distance: 65 km
Drive duration: 4 hours drive
We start our drive early in the morning from Besisahar to Chame via Syange. The jeep ride passes through the winding roads along the highway. Moreover, the off-road experience on the rough and rugged road is quite an adventure.
Furthermore, the 4 hours drive covers a total distance of 65 km. The awe-inspiring views of the mountains from Chame including Annapurna II, Mount Lamjung, and Mount Machhapuchhre, will enchant you.
Chame - Pisang
Maximum altitude: 3,250m
Total distance: 13 km
Trek duration: 5-6 hours
The 13 km trek from Chame to Pisang takes around 5-6 hours to complete. The trek is mostly uphill and passes through the lush green forests until we arrive at the settlement of Pisang. Moreover, the trails pass through the settlements of Bhratang and Dhukur Pokhari.
The path is simple for the first two hours and then gets challenging. Overall, the total distance covered is 13 km, with a maximum elevation of 3250m, which can be quite hard for first-time trekkers.
Pisang - Manang
Maximum altitude: 3,540m
Total distance: 16 km
Time duration: 6-7 hours
The trek from Pisang to the famous village of Manang is 16 km long and takes around 6-7 hours to complete. As the trek moves above 3,000m in altitude with the maximum elevation of 3,540m, there is a high chance of altitude sickness among trekkers.
It takes around 4-5 hours to reach Ngawal and further 2-3 hours to arrive at Manang via Manang airstrip and Braga monastery. The vegetation is scarce in Manang, and the whole landscapes will remind you of a desert. Manang is also an excellent acclimatization spot for trekkers as you have lots of exploration points in Manang.
Manang - Yak Kharka
Maximum altitude: 4,018m
Total distance: 10 km
Time duration: 5-6 hours
The Manang to Yak Kharka trek is around 10 km long and takes 5-6 hours to complete. The high altitude trek is relatively easy, with some steep climbs in between. You will get the incredible views of the snow-capped mountains as we achieve the maximum elevation of 4,018m.
Yak Kharka - Thorong Phedi - High Camp
Maximum altitude: 4,540m
Total distance: 6km
Time duration: 4-5 hours
This section of the trek is one of the most challenging during the entire trek. The 6 km trek takes around 4-5 hours to complete and passes through the harsh terrains and steep ascents to arrive at Thorung Phedi. Moreover, the incredible views of the snow-capped mountains from the Thorung Phedi is breathtaking.
Thorong Phedi - Thorung La Pass - Muktinath
Maximum altitude: 5,430m (Thorung-La Pass) & 3,800m (Muktinath)
Total distance: 12 km
Time duration: 6-7 hours
The trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong La Pass is the most challenging section of the entire Annapurna circuit. The high altitude trek crosses the famous Thorung La Pass at an altitude of 5,430m.
After crossing the steep trail, shaky incline, we finally reach Thorung-La Pass that takes around 4-5 hours before we descend to the holy shrine of Muktinath. It takes a couple of hours more to arrive at Muktinath from the pass. The 12 km distance of the trek requires a great deal of stamina and determination to complete.
Muktinath - Marpha
Maximum altitude: 2,650m
Total distance: 22 km
Time duration: 8-10 hours
Muktinath to Mapha is the longest trek of our journey with a total distance of 22 km. Marpha is a scenic settlement ahead of Jomsom. The descending trail might be long but is quite enjoyable as we head from Muktinath to Kagbeni.
Furthermore, the trail then moves to Jomsom, passing along the banks of Kaligandaki river. The time duration to arrive at Jomsom is just 2-3 hours. From Jomsom, Marpha is another 1-2 hours away.
Marpha - Ghasa
Maximum altitude: 2,010m
Total distance: 22 km
Time duration: 6-8 hours
The trek from Marpha to Ghasa is 22 km long and takes around 6-8 hours to complete. Then, the descending trail passes through the banks of the Kali Gandaki river. We also pass through various suspension bridges to arrive at the settlement of Ghasa. This is another long duration trek covering a total distance of 22 km.
Ghasa - Tatopani
Maximum altitude: 1,190m
Total distance: 13 km
Time duration: 4-5 hours
The trek distance from Ghasa to Tatopani is 13 km, and it takes around 4-5 hours to complete the trek. The trails pass through the forested area, overlooking the spectacular Annapurna massif.
Furthermore, the trails pass through the natural landscapes, terraced paddy fields, and Rupsi waterfall to arrive at the natural hot water springs of Tatopani. Dipping in the hot waters of Tatopani will relax your mind, muscles, and nerves.
Tatopani - Ghorepani
Maximum altitude: 2,874m
Total distance: 14 km
Time duration: 6-7 hours
The total distance from Tatopani to Ghorepani is about 14 km and takes around 6-7 hours to complete. Ghorepani village is famous for its awe-inspiring views of sunrise and Annapurna mountain range.
There are several suspension bridges over the Kali Gandaki river. The uphill climb is steep for a few hours and then gets relatively easy. After 6-7 hours of trekking, we arrive at Ghorepani.
Maximum altitude: 3,210m
Total distance: 3 km & 35 km(drive)
Time duration: 8-10 hours
Poon Hill viewpoint provides trekkers with an incredible fantastic panoramic sunrise view overlooking the entire Annapurna range. The uphill climb has a total distance of 3 km and takes around 1-2 hours to complete.
The trail leads us back to Ghorepani from where we drive back to the lake city of Pokhara. The scenic drive to Pokhara takes further 5-6 hours. Pokhara is a tourist city with many hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs, etc.
Pokhara - Kathmandu
Maximum altitude: 1,400m
Total distance: 200 km
Time duration: 6-7 hours drive
Annapurna Circuit trek ends with a drive back to Kathmandu to Pokhara. The 6-7 hours drive covers around a distance of 200 km. The scenery provides you with green landscapes and the view of the snow-capped mountains.
You may also like to read:
We have Annapurna Circuit Trek package which will cost you less. For price contact us.
Tips to Minimize the Distance Related Difficulties of the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Customize the Trek
The transportation used and the starting point of the trek also determines how long is the Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit Trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Besi Sahar. You can customize the trek and take the jeep drive directly to Syange or Chame and reduce the trek itinerary by a few days.
There are some individual sections of the trek where you can take a jeep ride. These newly constructed roads are not in great condition but you can manage. So, taking a jeep or any vehicle available will reduce the total trekking days.
Moreover, you will also get to observe the beautiful scenarios of the hilly landscapes, terrace farms, charming villages, and magnificent mountain views, and others. Besides that, you can also take the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. This will reduce the total distance and itinerary of the trek as your trip comes to an end at Jomsom.
Hire a Porter
Hiring a porter reduces the difficulty of the trek by a significant amount. It is incredibly hard to trek with heavy weight on your back. The porter can carry the weight of your clothing and gear.
So, if you are trekking in the high altitude region for the first time or are not comfortable trekking with a backpack, you should hire a porter. You can thus enjoy the trek and complete it with ease.
Trek in a Group
Trekking in a group will keep your mind occupied through fun interactions. Hence, you won’t feel the taxing length of the trail. Trekking along with friends, guides, and porters, will not only reduce the fatigue of the trek but will also make it exciting and memorable.
Comfortable Trekking shoes
The Annapurna Circuit trek is a long duration trek on the harsh terrain of the Annapurna region. Therefore, you will require a great pair of comfortable trekking shoes to trek in the region.
A pair of comfortable hiking shoes with sturdy soles will give you the extra push you need for the trek. It will also save you from any injuries, blisters, ankle pain, and others.
Get a Training Routine
The Annapurna circuit trek is a long duration trek through the most remote parts of Nepal. The trails are harsh and require immense strength and stamina to complete. Thus, a good training routine before the trek will help you immensely.
Moreover, the training should include cardiovascular activities like hiking, cycling, running, swimming, and others. These aerobic exercises will increase your stamina and boost your endurance. These training routines will also help you with altitude sickness.
Is Distance a Major Factor for Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty?
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is challenging, and the distance plays a significant role in determining the difficulty poolevel of the trek. The Thorong La pass is the highest point of the trek. There are several uphill and downhill climbs, along with steep and narrow ridges.
The altitude, weather, duration, and temperature are some of the factors that make the trek challenging. Besides that, the distance is another major factor that determines the difficulty of the Annapurna circuit trek. Longer distance means that the treks are longer and thus increase in the overall difficulty of the trek.
For the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you will have to walk 6-7 hours. Therefore the trekking distance and trekking duration are interdependent on each other. Beginner trekkers might find it challenging to trek continuously for long distances. Hence, trekking distance is a significant factor in the difficulty of the trek.
The Final Say
Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the beautiful trekking destinations of the world. The diverse landscapes, lush forests and the majestic snow-capped mountains will make you fall in love with the place. The length of the trip is an important factor to consider before starting on any trekking adventure.
I hope this article answered the pertinent question of how long is the Annapurna circuit. You can customize the trek to either shorten or lengthen the trip. Overall, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is an ultimate trekking adventure in the pristine landscapes of the Annapurna region.
We have Annapurna Circuit Trek package which will cost you less. For price contact us.
