Annapurna Circuit Trek from Pokhara Overview
Annapurna Circuit from Pokhara is the most loved and beautiful trekking route in the Himalayas. It is a trek for nature lovers. You embrace lush Himalayan foothills, spectacular picture-book-like scenery, picturesque villages, stunning mountain vistas, and heartwarming hospitality. You will meet our guide in Pokhara to start the trek and travel to Dharapani, where the trek begins. Our local team will brief you on the journey and help you pack and shop in Pokhara for the trek. If you need any help, feel free to share with our team.
The Pokhara Annapurna circuit trek allows you to enjoy not only the high-altitude thrills but also spend ample time exploring and enjoying the beauty of the Himalayan foothills. While the upper part of the trail presents typical rugged landscapes, which are definitely stunning, you will see the perfect scenery in the lower elevations.
Imagine lush valleys, teeny-tiny villages, hills, rivers, and snow-capped mountains in the backdrop. Doesn't it sound straight from a storybook? You can follow our 11-day Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary or customize it as you wish.
Pokhara Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlights
- A perfect adventurous hike in the Himalayas that has everything a trekker may wish for
- Enjoy stunning mountain views and breathtaking landscapes
- Spend nights in beautiful traditional villages where you will see the real mountain life and culture of the locals
- Go on side hike to Ice Lake and Prake Gompa in Manang
- Trek through lush forests, rugged cliff sides, and verdant valleys in the lower altitude
- Enjoy vast meadows, narrow tracks, landslide areas, and rugged scenery in the upper part of the trail
- Push your limits while crossing the challenging Thorong La Pass
- Explore the Muktinath Temple, a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site
- Ride through the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki Gorge
- Relax in natural hot springs in Tatopani
- Explore the famous Ghorepani Village and hike to the Poon Hill viewpoint
What to expect on the Annapurna Circuit Trek from Pokhara
The Pokhara to Annapurna Circuit trek route is fantastic. This trek has everything a trekker may wish for. The journey is adventurous, once in a lifetime, pushes your limits, and explores an important pilgrimage site in Nepal. Below, we have shared the major attractions of Annapurna Circuit hike from Pokhara:
It is a journey full of adventure, cultural experiences, varying ecosystems, and ample tranquil moments.
There is no ending to the adventure on this trek. Trekking from the seamy lowlands, you will ascend through rhododendron and pine forests. The trail has waterfalls, rivers, streams, lush hills, huge rocks, and suspension bridges. You will pass by traditional Nepali villages where you can see authentic mountain lifestyles and meet with different Nepalese communities. As you ascend above Manang village, the terrain gets much steeper.
You will walk on vast alpine meadows and follow narrow, rocky tracks. As you ascend and descend, the altitude and ecosystem change, allowing you to enjoy diverse landscapes. During peak trekking seasons, you may meet many other trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit route, but you will still get ample tranquil moments to unwind and rejuvenate.
Breathtaking mountain views and diverse landscapes
The mountain vistas on the Annapurna Circuit are breathtaking. Mountains like Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, Fishtail, and Lamjung Himal have been visible from day one. Likewise, as you ascend higher, you will see Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Tilicho Peak, Mt. Gangapurna, Mt. Hiunchuli, and many others.
Till Manang village, the landscape is lush and vibrant. Above Manang, the trail goes beyond the tree line and presents vast meadows, rugged hills, and tall Himalayan mountains dominating the skylines.
Visit traditional Nepali villages and meet with several mountain communities such as Gurung, Thakali, and Magar.
One of the best parts of Annapurna Circuit trekking from Pokhara is the traditional Nepali villages you will pass by on the way to Thorong La Pass. The towns are small but beautiful and packed with lovely locals who welcome trekkers with open hearts. Though the primary focus of the Annapurna Circuit trek lies on adventure and thrill, the cultural experiences and simple mountain lifestyle will make your journey more memorable.
Go on a side hike to Ice Lake and Praken Gompa during acclimatization day in Manang.
You will spend an acclimatization day in Manang. It is a rest day on which we used to hike to high altitudes and return to the same village to spend the night. Ice Lake and Praken Gompa will be your hiking destinations. These two are untouched parts of the Annapurna region and are only visited by trekkers as side hikes. Hiking here offers stunning scenery and tranquility.
Cross the challenging Thorong La Pass- the highest mountain pass in Nepal.
Crossing Thorong La Pass will make you feel like a real mountaineer, especially if the pass is covered with snow. Thorong La is the highest pass in Nepal, and crossing it is not for faint hearts. To cross the Thorong La Pass, you will walk 8 to 9 hours. The trail ascends steeply, and high altitude and thin air make walking even more difficult. You have to push yourself beyond your limits.
Uncover the mythical tales of Muktinath Temple- a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus in Nepal.
Muktinath Temple is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. The location of this temple makes it quite remarkable. After crossing the Thorong La Pass, you will descend to Muktinath for the night. This temple is 3,760 meters (12,623 ft) above sea level and is one of the world's 108 Divya Desams (holy shrines of Vishnu). For Buddhist pilgrims, Muktinath is associated with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).
The temple has 108 water spouts where pilgrims take a ritual bath. Likewise, an eternal flame inside the temple is fueled by natural gas. Inside the temple complex, you will see a monastery.
Enjoy an adventurous ride to Tatopani through the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki Gorge
While driving from Muktinath to Tatopani, you will pass the Kali Gandaki Gorge. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world. The gorge lies between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges and has a depth of about 5,571 meters (18,278 feet). The gorge is so deep that you can see a riverbed in some sections. It will be an incredible ride through the gorge.
Access to natural hot springs in Tatopani
In Tatopani, you can enjoy natural hot springs by paying a few extra bucks. The natural hot springs are safe to enjoy and have healing properties. After a long ride from Muktinath to Tatopani, a natural hot spring will soothe your muscles.
Spend a night in the famous Ghorepani Village and witness a gorgeous sunrise and mountain panorama from Poon Hill.
Our Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara extends to Ghorepani village as well. You will enjoy a lovely hike through rhododendrons, bamboo forests, and small towns. Along with that, you will also see beautiful views. Ghorepani is 2,860 meters (9,383 ft) above sea level. The village is famous for its beauty and welcoming Gurung and Magar communities. Snow-capped mountains and lush hills surround the villages, making the scenery heavenly.
Likewise, you will also hike to the popular viewpoint, Poon Hill (3,210 m/10,531 ft), your final hike on the trek. From Poon Hill, you can see a stretching view of the western Himalayan range, which includes more than 20 mountains.
Is the Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara suitable for you?
The Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara is perfect for travelers who are already in the city or will be there soon. You do not necessarily have to be in Kathmandu to trek the Annapurna Circuit. Likewise, the Annapurna Circuit trek is not for the faint-hearted. It is physically and mentally demanding, so it is recommended for trekkers with good fitness and previous high-altitude experience.
If you are a beginner trekker, crossing a 5,000-meter-above-mountain pass will not be ideal. Your success rate will be lower than that of experienced trekkers, and the journey may become even tougher for you. Do some easy treks first and slowly build your experience and fitness for the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara distance, duration, and altitude
During the Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara, you will walk around 125 kilometers. Every day, you will hike 11 kilometers on average. Some days, it may touch 15 to 16 kilometers as well.
The trip includes three road drives- Pokhara to Dharapani, Muktinath to Tatopani, and Nayapul to Pokhara. The trek starts at 1,860 meters (6,200 ft) and ascends to Thorong La pass (5,416 m/17,756 ft).
On the way, you will spend nights in villages such as Dharapani (1,860 m/6,200 ft), Chame (2,610 m /8,890 ft ), Upper Pisang (3,115 m/10,200 ft), Manang (3,540 m/11,300 ft), Yak Kharka (4,050 m/14,275 ft), Thorong Phedi (4,525 m/14,525 ft), Muktinath (3,760 m/12,623 ft), Tatopani (1,190 m/3,904 ft), Ghorepani (2,860 m/9,383 ft), and Hile (1,948 m/6,391 ft).
The itinerary includes one rest day in Manang. As you can see, you will spend six days above 2,500 meters during the trek; acclimatization is necessary to avoid altitude sickness.
What does your day-to-day look like during the Annapurna Circuit Trek From Pokhara?
You will walk 6 to 7 hours daily during the Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara. Every day starts with a warm breakfast in the tea house. After that, you will start trekking. You will leave the village where you spend the night before 10 AM to reach the next town by late afternoon (before sunset).
You will have lunch on the way. The trail ascends and descends throughout the way. You will take many short breaks to catch your breath, rest, and take pictures and videos. Likewise, if there is any stupa or specific landmark on the way, you will also visit them.
Reach the day's destination, rest, and mingle with the locals and fellow trekkers. We'll order our dinner early, so it is ready on time. Do not forget to stretch and get fresh. Spend some time chatting and sleep early to recover.
How should you prepare for the Pokhara Annapurna Circuit trek?
The below exercise will help you get ready for the Annapurna Circuit trek physically and mentally:
- Aerobic exercises: Aerobic exercise will help you improve your stamina and endurance, which are essential for the Annapurna Circuit trek. You can do activities like biking, running, swimming, and jogging. These activities will improve your VO2 max, which is the maximum volume of oxygen that your body uses. Thanks to this, your body will quickly adjust to high altitudes during trekking.
- Strength training: You need strength to walk up and downhill during the trek. Therefore, your legs and overall body strength should be good. You can visit the gym 2 to 4 times weekly for strength training.
- Regular walking: On average, during the Annapurna Circuit trek, you will hike 5 to 7 hours a day. If you are not used to walking for long hours, start walking immediately. Start with half an hour of walking and gradually increase your time.
- Breathing and yoga: Finally, practice long breathing and yoga. Long breathing will help you calm down when you get overstressed due to excitement. Likewise, yoga will help you stretch and manage muscle cramps after a long day of walk.
Annapurna Circuit trek guide and porter
Trekking with a local guide enhances your experience and makes the journey memorable and safe. By joining Outfitter Himalaya, you will get a professional mountain guide for the Annapurna Circuit trek who will make sure you enjoy the trip and also motivate you to keep walking.
Our guides are trained to lead trekkers. They are certified in remote survival, first aid, rock climbing, and other essential skills. Likewise, our guides are experts and know the Annapurna Circuit trail deeply. Likewise, porters take away the load of your trekking gear and essentials from you. They carry duffel bags of trekkers during the trek. It helps them make money and sustain their family, and trekkers get to walk freely.
The trekking porter is not included in our cost, However it is available in add on and we recomend you to hire a porter in between of 2 trekkers. So, please keep your duffel bag weight under 10-11 kg as a porter carry about 20-22 Kg.
Benefits of booking the Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara with Outfitter Himalaya
Contact us if you have any unanswered questions about the Annapurna Circuit trek. Our team will help you. Bookings are open for 2025/2026 departures. More than 2 decades of experience: We have been organizing treks for foreigners for many years. Therefore, we know foreigners' standards and requirements, which helps us manage our trips to ensure maximum comfort.
- Reliable and trustworthy Nepali travel agency: When you choose us for your Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara, you will choose the most reliable and trustworthy travel agency. Our many years of expertise and knowledge about the region make your trip quite immersive.
- Best guide and porter: You will get a native guide and porter with many years of expertise.
- Flexible itinerary: Our trips are also customizable. You can make changes to the itinerary and the package as you wish.
- No limitations: We have no limitations when it comes to exploring Nepal. You can extend the trip at any time with us and combine any destination and activities in our package.