DAY 1: Drive from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Chame
Drive Time: 7 to 9 hours
Ending Altitude: 2670 meters (8759 feet)
The journey begins with a long, scenic road trip via Besisahar, transitioning into a rugged 4x4 trail that snakes alongside the Marshyangdi River up into the mountain gateway of Chame.
DAY 2: Trek from Chame to Pisang
Trekking Time: 5 to 6 hours Distance: 14 kilometers (8.6 miles)
Elevation Gain: +530 meters
Ending Altitude: 3200 meters (10498 feet)
You walk through dense pine forests and a dramatic, steep river valley, catching your first close-up glimpses of the glowing, massive rock face of Paungda Danda.
DAY 3: Trek from Pisang to Manang
Trekking Time: 6 to 7 hours
Distance: 19 kilometers (11.8 miles)
Elevation Gain: +340 meters
Ending Altitude: 3540 meters (11614 feet)
Taking the upper route via Ngawal offers superior acclimatization and incredible, sweeping views of the Annapurna range before you drop into the broad, arid valley of Manang.
DAY 4: Rest and Acclimatization Day in Manang
Trekking Time: 2 to 3 hours
optional hike Distance: Variable
Ending Altitude: 3540 meters (11614 feet)
A vital rest day to let your body adapt to the altitude. You can opt for a short acclimatization walk up to Gangapurna Lake or visit the local Himalayan Rescue Association clinic.
DAY 5: Trek from Manang to Siri Kharka
Trekking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: 11 kilometers (6.8 miles)
Elevation Gain: +520 meters
Ending Altitude: 4060 meters (13320 feet)
You leave the main loop of the Annapurna Circuit, branching out toward the west through the ancient village of Khangsar to ascend into the high-altitude terrain of Siri Kharka.
DAY 6: Trek from Siri Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp
Trekking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) Elevation Gain: +80 meters
Ending Altitude: 4140 meters (13582 feet)
A shorter but challenging day navigating the world-famous landslide zone, featuring a narrow single-track path carved across massive, flowing scree slopes.
DAY 7: Hike to Tilicho Lake and Return to Siri Kharka
Trekking Time: 7 to 8 hours
Distance: 16 kilometers roundtrip Elevation Change: +859 meters up, then -939 meters down
Ending Altitude: 4060 meters (13320 feet)
An early 4:00 AM start brings you up a steep, freezing switchback trail to the breathtaking Tilicho Lake at 4999 meters, after which you retrace your steps back down to Siri Kharka.
DAY 8: Trek from Siri Kharka to Yak Kharka
Trekking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: 12 kilometers (7.5 miles)
Elevation Gain: +40 meters net gain Ending Altitude: 4100 meters (13451 feet)
You descend down to the old ruins of Khangsar and take a high trail crossing a suspension bridge to rejoin the primary Annapurna Circuit route at the alpine pastures of Yak Kharka.
DAY 9: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
Trekking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: 7 kilometers (4.3 miles)
Elevation Gain: +500 meters
Ending Altitude: 4600 meters (15091 feet)
A steady, slow-paced walk along the river canyon, crossing a final suspension bridge before climbing the barren slopes to the base of the pass at Thorong Phedi.
DAY 10: Cross Thorong La Pass to Muktinath
Trekking Time: 8 to 10 hours
Distance: 15 kilometers (9.3 miles)
Elevation Change: +536 meters to the pass, then -1656 meters down
Ending Altitude: 3760 meters (12335 feet)
The ultimate challenge of the trek. You cross the world's largest pass, Thorong La, at 5416 meters (17769 feet) before making a massive, long descent into the sacred pilgrimage town of Muktinath.
DAY 11: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom
Trekking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: 19 kilometers (11.8 miles)
Elevation Loss: -1040 meters
Ending Altitude: 2720 meters (8923 feet)
You hike down through the stark, desert-like landscapes of the Mustang region, passing through the historic village of Kagbeni and walking along the windy floor of the Kali Gandaki river valley to Jomsom.
DAY 12: Travel from Jomsom back to Pokhara
Travel Time: 20 minute flight OR 6 to 8 hours by 4x4 jeep
Ending Altitude: 820 meters (2690 feet)
Your trek concludes with a morning flight or a rugged mountain drive down through the deepest gorge in the world, bringing you safely back to the lakeside city of Pokhara.