The Annapurna Trail can be completed in 14 – 21 days, depending on the amount of vehicle traveling you do along the route and the pace of your hiking. (The common estimation for completing the trip by foot is 17 – 21 days.)
Below are three ideas of possible trail plans. Read about the trail ahead of time, know your necessary target points and dates (based on your allotted time for the trail), and leave yourself (at minimum) two spare days.
The trail is most commonly hiked counter clockwise from Besisahar to Naya Pul, due to the acclimation needed for the Throng La Pass. There is an airport in Jomsom if you do not have the necessary days to complete the trail, another option to make the trail shorter.
Remember to not push too far or hard when you get to higher altitudes. Some days might seem like a short hike, but it is all that is possible with the altitudes. The common rule of thumb is: no more than 500 m in a day. This does not include ascents and descents during your day, but rather from where you woke up compared to where you are going to bed. If you are going to break this rule, as some days on the trail will force you to do, make sure you are well acclimated, listening to your body, and do not break the rule day after day.
Common Trail Plan |
Alternative Trail Plan via Tilicho Base Camp |
Sara & Tzachi’s Trail Plan via Tilicho Base Camp |
1. Besisahar to Bhulbule (by foot) |
1. Besisahar to Bhulbule (by foot) |
1. Besisahar to Jagat |
2. Bhulbule to Ghermu |
2. Bhulbule to Ghermu |
2. Jagat to Dharapani |
3. Ghermu to Tal |
3. Ghermu to Tal |
3. Dharapani to Chame |
4. Tal to Chame |
4. Tal to Chame |
4. Chame to Lower Pisang |
5. Chame to Pisang |
5. Chame to Pisang |
5. Lower Pisang to Manang via High Route |
6. Pisang to Manang |
6. Pisang to Manang |
6. Acclimation day in Manang |
7. Acclimatisation Day in Manang |
7. Acclimatisation Day in Manang |
7. Manang to Tilicho Base Camp |
8. Manang to Yak Kharkha or Letdar |
8. Manang to Tilicho Base Camp |
8. Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake, and back to Siri Kharka |
9. Letdar to Phedi |
9. Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake, and back to Siri Kharka |
9. Siri Kharka to Phedi |
10. Phedi to Muktinath |
10. Siri Kharka to Letdar |
10. Phedi to Muktinath (Throng La Pass) |
11. Muktinath to Kagbeni |
11. Letdar to High Camp (past Phedi, which allows you to have less of a morning climb across the Throng La Pass) |
11. Muktinath to Marpha (jeep from Muktinath to Josome, and on foot to Marpha) |
12. Kagbeni to Jomsom |
12. High Camp to Muktinath |
12. Marpha to Tatopani (bus from Marpha to Tatopani) |
13. Jomsom to Marpha |
13. Muktinath to Kagbeni |
13. Tatopani to Gho Repani |
14. Marpha to Kalopani or Ghasa |
14. Kagbeni to Jomsom |
14. Gho Repani to Birethanti (1 village befrore Naya Pul) and taxi to Pokhara (with morning hike to Poon Hill) |
15. Kalopani or Ghasato Tatopani |
15. Jomsom to Marpha |
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16. Tatopani to Gho Repani |
16. Marpha to Kalopani or Ghasa |
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17. Gho Repani to Naya Pul |
17. Kalopani or Ghasa to Tatopani |
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18. Tatopani to Gho Repani |
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19. Gho Repani to Naya Pul |