Annapurna Circuit Trek

Useful Information

Itinerary Waiver:

In any uncertain cases like the weather, political instability, landslides in routes, health protocols etc, the Mountain Ram Adventures team will need to make changes to the itinerary. We will make sure to inform you beforehand so, incase of any changes made please make sure to understand the circumstances as these are outside the control of the Mountain Ram Adventures team.

Airport Pickup and Drop:

The transfer from and to Tribhuvan International Airport will be taken care of by the Mountain Ram Adventure team, so you need not to worry about it. Our team members will assist you with your luggages while transfering you  from/to the hotel as well as assisting you in the checkin and check out process to make you as comfortable as possible. The service is complimentary and included in the Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary.
*Note: All the commutes mentioned in the itinerary will be provided but any additional travel requests will cost extra.

Safety and Security in the Annapurna Circuit Trek:   

The Annapurna Circuit trek 2024 is one of the safest and relaxable treks of Nepal in the high Himalayas and you need not to worry about anything as you will be assisted by professional guides and porters by the Mountain Ram Adventures team who will assist you with anything to make your trek as smooth and relaxable. The entire trek is preplanned, including all the arrangements and reservations for the smooth sailing of your trek. 

Nepal as a whole is a safe destination for any traveler with awareness and coordination from your side your journey will be smooth sailing. Have a brief understanding of the Annapurna region about the route, terrains and weather which will give you an idea of what to expect. Carry your documents with you at all times and also provide any emergency contacts with your guides and porters so that they can inform them in case of any emergency.

Required Minimum Age of Trekkers:

There are no restrictions for any ages to participate in the Annapurna Circuit trek but the doability of the trek depends on the physical fitness of the trekker. The trek takes 16 days in total (1 day for acclimatization) to complete and requires the trekkers to be fit and be prepared to witness the majestic beauty of the region. If the trekkers are below the age of 16 then their legal guardian must be there to accompany them during the trek. The trek is very much doable by senior citizens as well if they can adjust to the elevation of the higher regions.

Solo Travelers:

The Mountain Ram Adventures welcome solo travelers with open arms to join us in the 20 day journey of the Annapurna circuit trek. You will be assisted by a licensed guide and a porter during the Annapurna circuit trek as without guides and trekkers solo trekking is not permitted in Annapurna region.

You can also join a fixed departure group where you will be able to meet new trekkers from all around the world which might spark a friendship which might last a longtime. If you love to meet new people then the option might seem quite appealing to you. The booking of Annapurna Circuit trek for 2024 and 2025 is open.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost:

The Annapurna circuit trek itinerary designed by the Mountain Ram Adventures team is one of the best value for money with necessary arrangements  and service provided to you to make your trip as comfortable as possible. The trip costs 1120 USD per person as a solo trekker. For a group of 2-6 people the cost decreases to 1020 USD per person and if the group is formed with 7 or more trekkers the rate decreases to 920 USD per person.

You can check the cost include and exclude section above to learn what the package covers.

Accommodations During the Annapurna Circuit Trek:

The accommodations available in the Annapurna Circuit Trek routes are tea houses which are operated by the hospitable people of the local communities. We provide you with twin sharing rooms. The accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara will be at a 3 star level category hotel. The tea house experience during the trek gives you an opportunity to experience the living situations of the locals of the high Himalayas.

The facilities in the High Himalayas are limited but the service provided by the locals is the best service they can possibly give. Facilities such as the hot showers, charging, snacks, wifi etc costs extra ranging from around 2-5 USD and are not included in the packages.

*Note: if you are a solo trekker and want a single room then the facility is possible but make sure to inform us beforehand so we can make necessary arrangements. The single room cannot be guaranteed during the season but we will try our best to provide it.   

Foods Available in the Annapurna Circuit Trek:

The food available during the Annapurna trek is quite good and highly nutritious. The accommodations in the route provide a wide selection of food ranging from Neplese, Indian and Tibetan cuisine as well as some dishes from the western countries. Dishes like Dal Bhat, noodles, soup/stew, curries, fried rice, dumplings, thukpa etc are available during the trek. The most prominent food option during the trek is the Dal Bhat which is a Nepali dish consisting of Rice, Lentil soups, curries and pickles. Dal Bhat will fill you up and will make you ready for your trek. The package provided to you by the Mountain Ram Adventures includes Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.

*Note: The trekkers are suggested to avoid eating meat products as much as possible. Usually they are frozen which might cause indigestion which may upset your tummy and affect the trekking as a whole.     

Transportations Required:

The required transportation for the Annapurna Circuit Trek is included in the itinerary provided by the Mountain Ram Adventures team which includes ,

1. Pickup and drop from and to Tribhuvan International Airport.
2. Bus ride to Bhulbhule.
3. Ride from Nayapool to Pokhara.
4. Bus ride from Pokhara to Kathmandu.    

*Note: Any detours or additional travel requests are not included in the package and will cost extra.

Annapurna Circuit Trek  required Permits:

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is conducted within the Annapurna Conservation Area and requires two permits which are Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and the TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System). The required permits are taken care of before the beginning of the trek by the members of the Mountain Ram Adventures team. The cost of the permits are included in the itinerary and requires no additional charges.

Cost of Annapurna Conservation Area Permit per person:

1. 3000 NPR for citizens of Foreign Nations 
2. 2000 NPR for citizens of SAARC Nations
3. 100 NPR for citizens of Nepal.

Cost of TIMS Permit per person:

1. 1000 NPR for citizens of Foreign Nations 
2.  300 NPR for citizens of SAARC Nations
3. Not required for Nepali citizens

Annapurna Circuit trek difficulty:

Annapurna Circuit trek is a moderate grade trekking. The trek is considered to be a perfect balance of trekking through rugged paths while enjoying the scenic view of the himalayas. You will be walking for around 160-230 KM in total for an average of 10-15 KM per day. The  Thorong La pass which is at an elevation of 5416M is considered to be the hardest part of the trek due to the high altitude. You do not need to worry much as you will be assisted by experienced and expert guides and porters who will assist you with your journey making it much more relaxed and comfortable. The trek during the season time is pleasant while offering the best views but during the off season the difficulty increases tremendously as the weather is unpredictable as well as the risk of landslides and avalanches also increases the difficulty.

Best time to trek in the Annapurna Region:

The Annapurna circuit trek is one of the well established trekking routes of the High Himalayas providing stunning views of the Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range. The trek can be done in any of the four seasons consisting of Summer/Monsoon, Spring, Autumn and Winter season. The experience and views you experience in each season is different from one another. Among the four seasons, the Autumn season and the Spring season are the best times to trek.

1. Annapurna Circuit during Autumn season:  The Autumn season in the high Himalayas consist of the months September, October and November. The Autumn season is considered to be the best season to trek in the Annapurna region as the weather is pleasant during the day time and not so cold during the night time. The weather during the Autumn season does not fluctuate much as well as the skies are clear providing an excellent view of the Himalayas. This time is also the peak season during which the route is filled with enthusiastic trekkers. The temperature in the route ranges from 15 degrees celsius during day time and around 7 degrees celsius. At Thorong La pass the temperature is always freezing.  If you want to travel during the Autumn season make necessary arrangements beforehand to get the best service.
2. Annapurna Circuit trek during Spring Season: The months of March, April and May fall under the Spring season. The Spring Season is considered to be one of the best seasons to trek as the lush green subtropical forest covered with ancient Rhododendron trees start to bear the beautiful flowers which turns the lush green jungle into a dreamy paradise. The air around the jungle is filled with the aromatic smell of the Rhododendron and other wild flowers. The skies are also clear during the time so the views of the Himalayas are also exquisite. The weather is also pleasant as the average temperature is around 8 degrees celsius to - 4 degrees celsius in higher altitude and at lower regions ranges from 12 degrees celsius to 20 degrees celsius.
3. Annapurna Circuit trek during Winter season: During the winter season the Annapurna region turns into a winter snowland. During the months of December, January and February  you can experience the Winter season. If you are planning to complete the Annapurna Circuit during the Winter season then brace yourself as it will be freezing cold and the routes will be filled with a thick layer of fluffy snow. The temperature at the higher altitudes will be below freezing during this time. During the winter season you will experience the Annapurna like never before as the mountains are mostly covered with snow making the routes even more appealing and beautiful. At the higher altitude the temperature ranges from around 2 degrees celsius to -13 degrees celsius whereas in the lower region it stays around 5 degrees celsius to 12 degrees celsius.
4. Annapurna Circuit Trek during Summer season: During the summer season which falls in the months of April, June and July the trekking routes are quite tough. The monsoon and summer season in the High Himalayas is experienced during the same time due to which the routes are muddy and filled with mosquitoes and leeches in the lower region . The temperature in the higher elevation ranges from 3 degrees celsius to -4 degrees celsius whereas in the lower altitude the temperature ranges from 6 degrees celsius to 18 degrees celsius.  During the Summer season the skies are covered in clouds disrupting the as well as the threat of thunderstorms and landslides are also at its peak during this time. If you are planning to trek during the Summer season be well prepared with the essentials like waterproof clothes and raincoats for your own safety. If you want to experience the majestic views then we suggest you travel during the Autumn and Spring season than the Summer season.

Annapurna Circuit Trek travel Insurance:

Even though the travel insurance is not required for trekking in Annapurna region, here at the Mountain Ram Adventures team it is mandatory to have a travel insurance plan as it makes the travel hassle free and relaxable. The high himalayas can be punishing to some trekkers as the risk of altitude sickness and other uncertainties like avalanche and landslides may cause serious issues. The insurance plan helps the guides to make necessary arrangements effectively and quickly in case of any emergencies without any hesitations. The travel insurance might not seem important to some but it gives a steady back to rely on.

Risk during Annapurna Circuit Trek:

Annapurna Circuit trek is a relatively safe trek with staggering views throughout the routes; it is never bad to be aware of the surroundings while trekking. As we are trekking through the High Himalayan region the trekkers are suggested to be aware as it can be punishing at times. As the trek is filled with off the beat and rugged paths at high altitudes which might cause any emergencies.

Altitude sickness: As the highest point of our trek Thorong La pass is at an altitude of 5416 M the risk of altitude sickness is quite common as the oxygen level and atmospheric pressure is quite low which might cause problems such as shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, insomnia (difficulty while falling asleep), vomiting etc. these are some of the symptoms of Altitude sickness if you are suffering from them make sure to inform your guide about it as they are certificate medical individuals in altitude related sickness.

Indigestion: The foods available in the himalayas are nutritious but can cause problems for some trekkers as they are not used to the foods which may cause indigestion problems making it difficult to trek. The consumption of meat products in the high himalayas can also lead to indigestion as they are usually frozen and not fresh so the trekkers are suggested to eat less meat products as much as they can. The drinking of water directly from the streams and water bodies can also lead to indigestion and upset stomach inorder to avoid it the tea houses at stops provide with drinking water so fill up your flask for the trek  or use filtration tablets to filter the water.

Personal Expenses and Emergency Fund:

The high himalayas are unpredictable and highly dangerous at some time due to which we might need to extend our stay by one or few days. So we suggest you to carry an emergency fund in NPR (Nepalese currency) equivalent to around 100-200 USD with you at all times and also carry around 10-15 USD equivalent in Nepalese currency with you for personal expenses per day separate to the emergency fund. The personal expenses can be used towards additional snacks, hot showers, charging, internet and many more.  

Complications During Arrival:

Due to any unfortunate events like flight delay which might change your arrival time make sure to inform the Mountain Ram Adventures team as soon as possible to reschedule the pickup time accordingly. If you are not able to locate us after reaching the Tribhuvan International Airport, contact us on the number we have provided you but the scenario is less likely to happen as we will be waiting eagerly for your arrival. If you have any issues then you can also contact the Airport security for assistance.

Emergency Contact:

Incase of any emergencies you can contact us on +977 9851074270 at any time. We are also available in Viber and Whatsapp with the same number feel free to contact us or call. Likewise, our office number is +977 14701168 which will be available during the office hours 10 AM to 6 PM (NPT). For your convenience you can also contact us through mail at info@mountainramadventures.com .

Visa requirements:

The process of obtaining the visa of Nepal is quite easy and a hassle free process. You can apply for the visa through the Embassy of Nepal or the consultant office of Nepal. For the citizens of some countries the provision of visa on arrival is also there at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. To check whether you are eligible for visa on arrival make sure to check the official website of the Immigration Department of Nepal at https://www.immigration.gov.np/en 

Laundry Service:

The journey to the Annapurna region is one captivating journey which takes a total of 15 days of trekking in the Annapurna region ( 1 day for acclimatization at Manang) so the trekkers need to  pack clothes and other essentials accordingly. During the trek the best place for laundry will be the Manang Village as you will be staying there for one day for acclimatization so it's the best option. There are laundry services available throughout the route as well but it is not as effective and fast as the drying takes a lot of time in the himalayas. The laundry options are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara as well where you can leave your clothes after completing the trek.      

Money Exchange For The Trip:

In the high Himalayas the only form of payment is cash in NPR (Nepali currency) so we suggest the trekkers to exchange the money in Kathmandu at the Airport or money exchanges around the Thamel area.  Make sure to check the exchange rate before exchanging to get the best rate possible. The NPR is essential in the high Himalayas for personal expenses, gratuities for guides and porters, emergency fund  and many more.

1. Tourist Courtesy towards Nepalese culture and tradition:
1.  While Meeting with someone, start the conversation with “Namaste” which means Hello in the Nepalese Language.
2. Remember to take off your shoes before visiting any temples, Shrines, Stupas and homes of people as it is considered a common courtesy in Nepal.
3. Remember to dress modestly.
4. Avoid showing affection in public places especially places which carry  great religious and cultural significant values for the locals as it is frowned upon.
5. Always go around the temple, shrines and stupas in a clockwise direction.
6. Remark the vendors and locals by saying “Dai” or “Didi” which translate to “Brother” and “Sister” respectively.
7.  Use your Right Hand while receiving and giving something.
8. Do not touch any objects, statues or symbols without permission.
9. Look for information boards around the places to check whether tourists are allowed or not.
10. Do not point at anything using your feet as it is considered disrespectful as feet is considered the lowest part of the body.       

Packing Advice:

The trekking to the Annapurna Region is a long journey where the temperature can easily drop to the freezing point in higher altitudes in order to withstand the weather and make sure to cover all the basic essentials required for the trek, the Mountain Ram Adventures Team will provide you a shortlist for all the essentials which will be essential for the trek to the Annapurna Region. We will also be going through your items in brief before the commencement of our trek inorder to check whether anything is missing or not. You can easily purchase or rent any items from the shops of the Thamel area for your trek.  

Avoid the consumption of Alcohol, Cigarettes and Caffeine products:

Avoid the use of the alcohol, Cigarettes and Caffeine products in the high himalayas as these products cause dehydration which may lead to Acute Mountain sickness and dehydration.