Annapurna Circuit Trek
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 77 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Annapurna Circuit Trek worth booking?
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a 528-hour experience in Kathmandu, Nepal, from $2240 per person. It scores 87 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 77 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 72 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 87 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (77)
- Duration
- 528 hours
- From
- $2240 per person
Since it opened to foreign trekkers in 1977, the Annapurna Circuit Trek has become renowned as one of the most spectacular trekking routes in the world. Starting from less than 1,000 meters, it gives us a chance to explo
What you get
- Public bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar
- Twin-share/double room in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights) and Pokhara (2 nights)
- Guesthouse accommodation during the trek in twin-share and dormitory rooms (16 nights)
- 1 porter for two clients
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Lunch
About this experience
Since it opened to foreign trekkers in 1977, the Annapurna Circuit Trek has become renowned as one of the most spectacular trekking routes in the world. Starting from less than 1,000 meters, it gives us a chance to explore the Himalayas from bottom to top and from many different angles and perspectives. This magnificent trek leads you to the fine village, inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups, offering spectacular and majestic views of the Himalayas. Continuing to the north of the main Himalayan range to the high and dry Tibetan Plateau, the scenery is equally breathtaking. The highest point of the Annapurna Circuit is the Thorong La Pass at the top of the valley at 5,416 m. As we descend to the west at Muktinath, from the pass we continue to the barren Tibetan like village of the Kali Gandaki – the world’s deepest gorge, passes between the giant Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains.
What's included
Included
- Public bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar
- Twin-share/double room in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights) and Pokhara (2 nights)
- Guesthouse accommodation during the trek in twin-share and dormitory rooms (16 nights)
- 1 porter for two clients
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Lunch
- Shared 4WD vehicle from Besisahar to Syange and from Jomsom to Tatopani
- ACAP and TIMS permits for trekking
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Down jacket and sleeping bag for the trek (to be returned back)
- Airport transfers
- Sightseeing entrance fees during guided sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- All government taxes, VAT, tourist service charges, official expenses
- Tourist vehicle from Nayapul to Pokhara
- Free Ace the Himalaya duffel/kit bag and sun hat
- Licensed English-speaking trekking guide
Not included
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Travel insurance which covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa
- Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks
- Personal trekking equipment
- Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is expected)
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kathmandu
Our airport representative will be outside the terminal building holding Ace the Himalaya signboard.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 180 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Our airport representative will be outside the terminal building holding Ace the Himalaya signboard.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ace the Himalaya
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 77 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
77 verified traveler reviews for Annapurna Circuit Trek. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Wow what a fantastic experience with Ace the Himalaya - right from initially planing and booking the trip to the last day in KTM. The company was thoroughly professional,attentive and looked after every small detail. The owner Prem runs an exceptional company - admin staff, guides and porters are all first class. This is my third experience with this business and it has always been the same. To the trek itself we were so lucky to have the services of Madan Kandel (Maddy) as our guide- he is terrific. Maddy the super guide! Always attentive to our needs, keeping a close eye on us, great organisational abilities and very knowledgeable about the mountains and the local culture. We were a small group - myself, my good friend Mike, Vali & Jackie - a beautiful German couple who we met the night before the trek and are now firm friends,Maddy and two porters Rabin & Tiki. What a fun, sharing and caring team we made. A most enjoyable trek. A couple of words about the staff. Maddy - as I’ve said he is exceptional - my third time trekking with him and each time has been fantastic. Rabin - a porter but he is more than a porter - he will make a very good assistant guide and then guide in the future. On one excursion on an acclimatisation day he was walking with me down a particularly slippery stoneytrack, saw me slip and saved me from a nasty fall. His diligently observation and strength saved me from injury. Always friendly and ready with a laugh or joke. Tiki is a very friendly and strong porter who was also very helpful and happy at all times If you are planning on trekking anywhere in Nepal I can with great confidence recommend Ace the Himalaya.
via Tripadvisor
Ace of the Himalayas- Annapurna trek
Incredible experience. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and fun. The porters did a wonderful job and between them and the guide all our needs were met. Safety was always a top priority and at no point did we feel that it wasn’t. Accommodations and stops along the way were top notch. I would recommend Ace of the Himalayas completely. Our guide Sushant was incredible!
via Tripadvisor
A new journey is always a good learning.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT), selected as one of the world's most beautiful alpine trails, truly possesses a healing power. Rated as moderate difficulty, many consider it not too difficult, but traversing the 5416m Thorang La Pass requires careful consideration of your physical condition. Around 5000m, we encountered a young Australian friend suffering from altitude sickness and vomiting uncontrollably. My Nepalese guides from #hikeholidaytreks gave him a professional help, providing hot water and chocolate, and carrying his backpack. We accompanied him until we descended. The snow-capped mountains are beautiful, but please be prepared no matter how young you are. It's highly recommended hiring a local guide and truly enjoying your journey. #ACT #hikeholidaytreks
via Tripadvisor
Trip of a Lifetime that did not dissappoint!
Trip was everything I hoped for. Everything except a midtrek snowstorm went great, even that added to the adventure. Sushant was the best guide in everyway, guiding, educating us and serving as our dietician!
via Tripadvisor
We made it over Thorong-La Pass (!) with the help of our great guide.
We had a great experience hiking the Annapurna Circuit over Thorong-La Pass, with a side trip to Tilicho Lake. The 11-day trek was challenging, but we got incredible mountain views, met many interesting people, and felt a real sense of accomplishment completing the trek. Throughout the trip we were were accompanied by our guide, Sushanta, who did a really wonderful job leading us through the challenges of steep, narrow trails, and snowy, cold weather. He also took good care of us during our time in the teahouses, and helped us navigate the local culture. Beyond that, he was just fun to be with. I highly recommend him. We were a group of four on a private tour. I had been to Nepal before, but this was the first time I used Ace. I would use them again. We were impressed with the trek itinerary and arrangements, and all the support from the Ace the Himalaya staff.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 528 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 72h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $2240 to $2300
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 27
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Ace the Himalaya, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.6.
See everything Ace the Himalaya runsWhy this scores 87
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Annapurna Circuit Trek: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kathmandu.
How much does Annapurna Circuit Trek cost?
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Prices start at $2240 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kathmandu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Annapurna Circuit Trek take?
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Plan for about 528 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kathmandu is not rushed.
Is Annapurna Circuit Trek worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 87 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 77 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Kathmandu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Annapurna Circuit Trek?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 72 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Annapurna Circuit Trek suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 528-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Annapurna Circuit Trek?
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Around 27 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kathmandu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kathmandu and add a light layer if any part of the 528-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Annapurna Circuit Trek start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kathmandu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kathmandu?
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On Outty we rank every Kathmandu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour | UNESCO World Heritage sites, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Classic Everest Base Camp Trek. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kathmandu?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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