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Iryna
Annapurna Circuit is an incredible journey into extraordinarily high mountains, whose wise silence will forever leave an unforgettable mark on your heart! The route of this trek passes through various climate zones and encompasses both vibrant green jungles and snow-white rocky mountain peaks and passes. We will be able to fully enjoy the amazing beauty of the landscapes and panoramas of the highest mountain ranges on the planet. The trek around Annapurna is a very scenic and the most popular tourist route in the world. Discover Nepal - a place where nature and the millennia-old cultural heritage of humanity wonderfully combine!
This is an old, stretched out and non-optimized program. After completing the route several times, we have significantly improved it: we replaced road transitions with transfers, added more beautiful and interesting places; and placed the new Annapurna Circuit trek route on a separate page.
We don't cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager gave the green light to buy a ticket, you can safely purchase it. The program will not be cancelled through our fault.
Experienced team leaders of the Kuluar club, who have been to Nepal multiple times, will accompany participants throughout the whole program.
We have a list of verified lodges and try to book only the best ones. Where possible - with en-suite facilities.
In Pokhara and Kathmandu we stay in good hotels, understanding that you'll want maximum comfort after the trek.
The team leader or our Nepali partner will meet you at the airport and take you straight to the hotel. The guide will tell and show you: where it's best to exchange money, buy souvenirs and gear, what and where to eat...
The trek program has been refined several times, we tried to make it as rich and comfortable as possible. That's why we have all transfers on chartered vehicles
Our manager has been to Nepal and will advise you with expert knowledge.
Over 12,000 participants have already traveled with Kuluar, and 97.8% were satisfied. We're confident you will be too!
Visas to Nepal are issued after arrival, the visa cost for our trek is $40. The whole group gathers at a hotel booked in advance by us. A short rest after the journey and then off we go to explore the bustling streets of the capital of Nepal. Prices for tourist gear here are very reasonable, and if needed, you can buy any necessary equipment. We'll save souvenir shopping for the way back.
The trekking part of our journey through Nepal starts in the village of Besisahar at an altitude of eight hundred meters. Besisahar is the starting and also the lowest point on the Annapurna Circuit trek. The bus transfer from Kathmandu is quite long - about eight hours. The scenery outside the window will change rapidly and amaze you. After arriving in the village, we'll check into a guesthouse and take a walk around the area.
Rested up? Well, today marks the start of the walking part of our Annapurna Circuit trek. From the very morning, we'll begin admiring the snowy peaks of the mountains and the local amazing flora. Here you'll find many plants unusual to us, including bamboo and bananas. At first, we'll walk along the valley of the Marsyangdi River, which separates three mountain ranges: Annapurna, Peri Himal, and Damodar Himal. We'll spend the night in a lodge in the village of Syange.
The part of Nepal we're moving through now is relatively well settled. From time to time, we'll come across local villages and fields cultivated by people. Our trail winds in a narrow, twisting ribbon along the bank of the Marsyangdi River, gradually gaining altitude. We'll pass by several picturesque waterfalls, and spend the night in the village of Dharapani.
We leave Dharapani and head toward Chame. Along the way to the village, we'll enjoy views of the eight-thousander peaks of Annapurna and Manaslu. We'll stop for the night near the village.
Today we'll leave the 3000-meter mark behind us. In some cases, symptoms of altitude sickness can already appear at this height. We keep this in mind and don't rush anywhere. On our way to the main destination of the day - the village of Pisang - we'll see several interesting landmarks, including Swargadwari and a Tibetan monastery. We'll spend the night at an altitude of 3200 m.
We'll continue gaining altitude. Along the way, we'll see several very colorful Nepali villages, among them Humde and Braga stand out in particular. A bit later, we'll arrive at a fairly large local community called Manang (3500 m). Manang has a market with various trekking gear and plenty of small souvenirs. We'll spend the night in a lodge.
We had the idea to make the typical Annapurna Circuit trek even more diverse and eventful by adding a visit to the karst Tilicho Lake. This amazing lake is located at an altitude of 4919 m. The distance from Manang to the lake is approximately 16 km. We won't rush and will cover the route over a couple of days. Besides new landscapes and memories, our side trip to the lake will also serve as excellent acclimatization before the upcoming pass. Tonight we stay at Tilicho base camp.
We will walk the small remaining part of the way to Lake Tilicho radially. The lake is fed by the meltwater of the glacier of the same name, Tilicho. Small icebergs often break off from the glacier and drift peacefully in the waters of the lake. The sight is incredibly beautiful! We hope we'll be lucky enough to catch floating icebergs at Tilicho. Not far from the lake, we might unexpectedly encounter a yak, a roe deer, or even the legendary Irbis - the snow leopard. We will return to Manang for the night.
After a few days at high altitude, we feel quite confident. Today we continue the ascent toward Thorong La Pass. The Marsyangdi River valley remains behind us. We will climb to an altitude of 4020 meters to the village of Yak Kharka. After the 3500m mark, it is strongly recommended to gain no more than five hundred meters of altitude per day for optimal acclimatization. We won't risk our health and will spend the night here in a lodge.
On the way to the pass there are two tourist shelters - Thorong Phedi (4420 m) and High Camp (4925 m). We will spend the night in one of them, depending on the group's condition. At this altitude, it gets very cold in the evening, but we'll be kept warm by our warm clothing and the joy of the distance covered.
Today's departure is very early, as the pass is high-altitude and has an unpleasant feature - the weather almost always deteriorates significantly after noon, bringing strong stormy winds. We absolutely need to make it across the pass as early as possible. According to plan, departure is at 3:00 AM from the camp at Thorong Phedi. The altitude of the pass is 5416 meters. This is not much lower (only by 200 m) than Elbrus, the highest point in Europe. After climbing Thorong La, we will descend to the Muktinath temple complex. This place is also called Mukti Kshetra, which translates from Nepali as "The Place of Salvation of Souls." We will try to find inner peace here.
We continue the descent. We will pass through the village of Jomsom. In the settlement, we will hire a car and travel to Tatopani. There are hot springs here, and bathing in them will bring us true pleasure after descending from the snowy cold zone.
We head towards the village of Ghorepani, located at an altitude of 2860 m. If time and energy allow, we can make a side trip to Poon Hill, 3193 meters high. From this summit, on a clear day, you can see the eight-thousanders of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs.
Let's try to start this day in a way we'll remember for a lifetime - watching the sunrise from Poon Hill peak! The snow-capped eight-thousanders gradually turn soft pink in the light of the rising sun - truly an unforgettable sight! We take photos, have breakfast, and descend.
Today's plan includes a short trek to the village of Chhomrong after a small descent to Jhinu Danda. We spend the rest of the day enjoying the hot thermal springs. Close your eyes, relax, and let your thoughts drift away. Let the whole world wait!
We continue our descent. We walk along the river, enjoying views of mountains and waterfalls. We leave the territory of Nayapul national park and make our way to Pokhara. We'll leave unnecessary items at the hotel and head to the local market to buy souvenirs. If desired, you can take a romantic boat ride on the picturesque Phewa Lake. In the evening, we'll celebrate the completion of the active part of the Annapurna trek at one of the local restaurants.
The road to Kathmandu is very long, and we will spend most of the day traveling. We'll rest at the hotel for the remainder of the day.
The capital of Nepal awaits us! First we will visit Patan - a small suburb of Kathmandu that has the status of an open-air museum. It is incredibly beautiful and full of character. Then we will immerse ourselves in the ancient, unique culture of the local population and visit the place where ritual cremations of the deceased are performed - the Pashupatinath complex. It is located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. After this unusual place, we will head to the giant Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath.
The prices in Kathmandu pleasantly surprise tourists. We continue sightseeing in the capital and buy various souvenirs. In the afternoon we leave the hotel and everyone flies back home. See you again, friends!
Depending on weather conditions, the group's condition, and overall wishes, the instructor has the right to make changes to the route.
A Nepal visa is issued right at the border. You need to have your passport and 4 photos (3x4) for visa and permit registration.
To take part in the trek, you must not have any illnesses incompatible with active tourism: list here.
You need to buy tickets in advance, right after we confirm your participation in the trek. The most convenient way is to fly with AirArabia and FlyDubai, and it's best to buy tickets on their websites. Please note that baggage is not included in the price and you will need to add 20 kg when purchasing. During boarding you will need the credit card that was used to pay for the tickets - don't forget it! Round-trip ticket prices range from $500 - $700.
To find the best flight options, use the form below:
To participate in the program you need good insurance. Please don't neglect this point. For some participants, this has saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for getting insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar trek participants"
There is coverage on the Annapurna Circuit trek, but it's poor. The most popular Nepali operator Ncell only works well in the first few days and then again after the pass - in the village of Muktinath. That's why we recommend getting a SIM card from the NTC operator - it has better coverage in this region, and sometimes you can even watch videos on YouTube :) To buy a SIM card you will need your passport and a 3x4 photo (can be taken on the spot for an extra fee). Wi-Fi is available in every lodge, costing 100-300 rupees. In big cities there is free internet in cafes. Charging is available in almost all lodges, except for the base camps of Tilicho and Thorong La; charging can be priced per hour or per device, costing 100-800 rupees.
In Kathmandu we will stay at Hotel Arts ****. Standard accommodation in twin rooms.
During the trek we stay in lodges - these are shelters for tourists with shared showers and toilets (sometimes in the room). We order food in the same lodge where we stay. The rooms are very simple, small, for 2-3 people, and unheated. Usually there is only a bed as furniture. Beds are made up with bedding, but it is recommended to bring your own sleeping bag and sleep in it. You can ask the owners for a blanket if you wish. Electricity is available in almost all lodges, but outlets in the rooms are rare.
To better understand the living conditions, we strongly recommend watching some examples of lodges from our treks. Click on the names: a good lodge in Namche Bazaar with a shower in the room, a basic lodge in Dole - no shower and ice in the sink, great rooms at the Eco-Resort in Gokyo, a standard lodge in Chukhung, a cup of tea after a night in a room in Gorak Shep. Even if you stay overnight in other settlements, the lodges will be of about the same level.
Individual accommodation is possible for the entire program for an extra $250. Be sure to notify the manager in advance.
The menu in all lodges is extremely diverse (different types of eggs, pasta, potatoes, soups, pizza, rice). An interesting feature is that the same dishes in different lodges can be prepared differently and taste completely different. Food prices increase proportionally with altitude. On average, you will spend $15-20 a day to eat properly.
For reference, we recommend looking at some of the highest prices on the route in the village of Gokyo, and here is a folder with photos of menus and food from other lodges on the Everest trek. On the Annapurna Circuit trek, food is significantly cheaper.
We should mention right away that some people really like Nepali food, but there are also those who don't enjoy it. There is usually a shortage of meat on the trek, so you can bring some lard and a stick of sausage with you.
As in other regions of Nepal, there are two seasons for trekking in the Himalayas - spring (mid-March to end of May) and autumn (mid-October to mid-December). If you go in spring, you need to be ready for the fact that there will still be a lot of snow at the pass and on the approach to the lake, and the lake itself will be covered with ice. But a big plus during this period is the blooming rhododendrons, which create incredible contrasting scenes against the backdrop of snow-white mountains. In the afternoon in spring, the sky is often covered with clouds, and around 3-4 pm it may start to rain or snow. But by that time we usually have already arrived at the lodge. Autumn is warmer, there are practically no clouds, the snow on the pass has melted, and the lake captivates the eye with the bright blue color of the water.
Most of the trek takes place at moderate altitudes. During the day the temperature reaches about +20°C, at night it can drop to 0°C. During the overnight stay at Annapurna Base Camp, the night temperature drops to -10°C. Rain is rare. Typical weather for mountain regions is clear skies and cloudy evenings.
The country's currency is the Nepali rupee. The exchange rate is approximately 100 rupees to 1 dollar. Notably, Nepalis treat paper money quite carelessly - stapling a stack of rupees is completely normal. All expenses on the route are only in rupees. Exchange approximately $400-500 before the trek. Bank cards are accepted only at a few points in Kathmandu, so be sure to bring cash. Moreover, there are large limits on withdrawing cash from ATMs, and the commission for this is simply exorbitant. It's best to buy souvenirs at the stalls of Thamel (a tourist district of Kathmandu), rather than on sightseeing tours. Always haggle with Nepalis, sometimes the price can be reduced several times.
A visa to Nepal is issued right at the border; the cost of a 15-day visa is $30. Detailed instructions for obtaining it here >>. To get a visa you only need a valid passport with a validity of more than 6 months from the date of the return flight.
If you want to see the maximum diversity of Himalayan landscapes, walk through jungles and forests, visit distinctive villages lost among the highest mountains on the planet - you are on the right path. Compared to the Everest trek, this route is a bit easier in terms of acclimatization, but wilder, with far fewer tourists. In addition to the great diversity of nature, you will also often encounter monasteries and other Nepali shrines, where you can attend a puja and immerse yourself in the spirit of Buddhism. The main highlights of the route are Lake Tilicho and the Thorong La pass, crossing which will require maximum effort from you.
Thanks to the fact that we sleep and eat in lodges, backpacks on the route will be light. In addition, there is always the option to hire a porter, which we strongly recommend to all participants. He will carry the bulk of your belongings (up to 12 kg), while you will walk with a small backpack carrying a warm sweater, water, documents, and money. The Annapurna Circuit trek is not easy, but is manageable for anyone who leads an active lifestyle. The best way to prepare for a mountain trek is running (about 5-7 km, 2-3 times a week), squats, and cardio exercises, which will not only increase your endurance but also train your legs for daily transitions. The better your physical condition, the easier it will be for you to cope with altitude, acclimatize, and enjoy the trek and the surrounding landscapes more.
Read more about physical preparation for the trip in the article "Training before a mountain trip".
Probably everyone knows that Nepal is famous for extremely cheap trekking gear. Well, this is really true! A fleece can be bought for $5, a down jacket - from $30, trekking poles - from $10. But you should understand that, despite the label, this is not brand-name gear, but something made somewhere in local basements. There are also shops with original gear, but the prices there are the same as back home. In general, you don't necessarily need to bring all your gear from home - most of it can be bought cheaply on the spot. There is simply an incredible number of trekking shops. Read more in our article: how much trekking gear costs in Kathmandu.
Porters are carriers who carry your belongings for money. No more than 24 kg can be loaded onto one porter. The cost of this service is about $20 per day, but you can take one porter for two people - it will be twice as cheap! It's not customary to feel sorry for porters, no matter how much weight they load on themselves. Nor is it customary to invite them to your table. In lodges, porters have their own room where they eat and relax with friends. The best thank you from you would be a tip equal to the porter's daily wage. So prepare an extra $30 for tipping the porter and the Nepali guide. More details about the specifics of porters' work are described in the article "Porter for the trek - to take or not to take".
The total amount of mandatory expenses not included in the price will be approximately $500 + airfare. If desired, you can hire a porter - this costs about an extra 100 dollars. We recommend bringing a few hundred dollars extra for reserve and souvenirs.
*Please note: it is not the manager's task to select an individual flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations based on their experience and shares other participants' flights so you can fly together. Selecting and purchasing a convenient flight ticket is the participant's own responsibility. If you want the manager to buy you a plane ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, please check the conditions on the page: additional services.
To book a place in the group, you need to make a deposit of 100 dollars. This money is needed to arrange permits and book hotels. If you cancel the trip, the money is non-refundable, but it can be transferred to another participant or remain on your "account" for future trips. Payment methods here. The remaining amount is paid to the instructor on the first day of the trek. If you drop out of the route, the money is non-refundable.
