An express circuit still crosses Thorong La but trims village rest. You move quickly from Besisahar through Chame and Manang to Thorong Phedi, then drop to Muktinath and Jomsom. Besisahar, Chame, and Manang still sit on the map; rest nights are simply fewer.
Jeep or flight connections keep the road sectors efficient. The pass morning remains the big day; everything else is paced to fit the shorter map. A jeep or flight from Jomsom after Muktinath keeps the road sectors short once the pass is done.
Our guides train on altitude illness so a twelve-day circuit does not stack height without a pause. You'll jeep from Besisahar to Chame, walk Upper Pisang to Manang, rest by Gangapurna Lake, then climb from Thorong Phedi over Thorong La to Muktinath.
We'll keep the Jomsom morning flight to Pokhara on the same desk as your ACAP and TIMS. Your guide watches the Kagbeni wind hours so the Kali Gandaki walk stays on the plan.
Our team will meet you at the TIA arrival gate to welcome you and take you to your selected accommodation. Unpack, settle in, and breathe in the delicious air of Kathmandu City.
You will meet our guide later in the evening, who will explain in short about the details of our express Annapurna Circuit trek. You can then explore in brief various sights of the city through its narrow streets.
We will get started with our express Annapurna Circuit trek, taking a bus towards Besisahar. The busy, chaotic streets of Kalanki and Thankot will take us away from Kathmandu. The broad royal Prithvi Rajmarga will then act as our guide, advancing us straight to the small Trishuli town of Galchhi, where we will stop for some calories needed for the onward journey.
Next, the road will drive us through the very delicate towns of Chitlang and then Mugling. From here on, the Mugling Narayaghat Highway will take control and drive us through the very popular towns of Dumre and then Bandipur.
The Annapurna and Manaslu will accompany us much of the way today. A good jeep track exists from Besisahar, so we will get on in the shared jeep and travel towards Khudi.
The very flat and leveled road will now turn into a bumpy track typical of the Nepali hilly road. The refreshing tropical air of Bhulbhule (840 m), Ngadi (930 m), Dobhantar, Ghermu, Bahun Danda, and Syange will, however, make our long travel less exhausting.
The Lamjung Valley from here on will start to guide us through the warm Annapurna zone. Soon, a small checkpost of Annapurna at Jagat (1290 m) will stop us for a while to register us for the express Annapurna Circuit trek.
At last, our trekking adventure commences from today. The express Annapurna Circuit trek trail will be practically uphill now as we traverse the sparser and rougher terrain for around two hours to reach Bhratang Village.
Our first hanging bridge will be crossed, which will then ascend us further towards the 1500 m tall rocky slab of Paungdi Ridge at Dhukur Pokhari. Our climbing route will then navigate through the Lower Pisang Village (3200 m).
The final 100 m section will be quite tough, testing our strength and climbing skills. However, Upper Pisang will be more than rewarding and worthy, where, along with Annapurna, Pisang Peak will also begin to mesmerize us with its dazzling white face.
Our express Annapurna Circuit trek will lead us toward one of the prime destinations today, a Tibetan-type settlement known as Manang. After a filling organic breakfast, we will start to follow the rising mountain slope and reach Ghyaru (3670 m). The white brushstrokes on Gangapurna, Tilicho, Annapurna II, III, IV, and Lamjung will simply steal our gaze for a moment.
The trail will keep on rising us through Ngawal (3657 m) and Bragha (3450 m) till we are finally at the pretty settlement of Manang. The Chulu mountain range will be an added bonus for us here, where we will have two awesome nights to spend.
We will fully utilize the acclimatization day in Manang by sleeping in late, enjoying a tasty Tibetan breakfast, and later taking a short ascending hike to Gangapurna Lake. Gangapurna is a and peaceful glacial lake filled in by the melting waters from the Gangapurna Glacier. Sitting on its sandy bank, we can just gaze upon peacefully at the Gangapurna and Annapurna Peaks.
Nearby is also the Cave of Milarepa and a stupa, which we can take a look at. On the way, we can also choose to climb the 4130 m Lookout Point of Chongkor to get the clearest Himalayan views.
We will leave Manang today and climb a short distance into the valley towards Tengi Manang (3650 m). From here, the terrain of the Marshyangdi Valley will leave us, while a uphill stretch will guide us toward the bushy land of Ghunsang (3890 m).
The uphill northern route will then march us further onto the yak pasture land of Yak Kharka (4040 m). We are now practically in the highlands of the Nepali Himalayas, where we can already feel the cooling breeze of Annapurna.
The bushy and rocky trail will continue to lift us through Letdar towards the amazing Thorong River. A small hemp bridge over the river will show us our heightened path towards Thorong Phedi.
The moment to reach the tallest height of our express Annapurna Circuit trek has arrived. The trail and the day will be long and tough, so beginning the day early, we will ascend the steep and zigzagging route to reach the 4800 m tall Thorong High Camp. The route from here will be partially covered in snow but passable.
Halfway up, we may stop for some warm tea, after which we will get ready for the final 500 m, the most steepest section of the pass that may need two to three hours of exertion from our side. Finally, we will stand atop the tallest trekking Annapurna Pass, where we will have an obligatory photo session with Nilgiri, Fishtail, Annapurna, Lamjung, Manaslu, Hiunchuli, and Dhaulagiri.
The tireless, long walking days of our 12 days express Annapurna Circuit trek will be over today. In the crisp morning air, we will descend along a paved road from Muktinath to Jharkot that overlooks the Kali Gandaki River.
We will meet time stuck red colored village of Kagbeni, from where the road onward goes to the restricted terrain of the Upper Mustang. However, our route will divert towards Dagarzong before gracefully descending towards Jomsom.
The crisp early morning flight will be taken from Jomsom towards Pokhara.
Once you are in this tourist Nepal capital, you can go for a relaxing massage, or stroll by the Phewa Lake, or simply relax on the terrace of your hotel after your wonderful express Annapurna Circuit trek.
Our express Annapurna Circuit trek is nearing its conclusion as we leave Pokhara very early in the morning by tourist bus to get to Kathmandu. The emerald hills, the tumultuous Trishuli, and the already known noisy Kalanki streets will usher us inside the Nepal capital.
Enjoy your final night in the capital with the exclusive Nepali cultural dinner hosted by our team.
After you pack the bags, our team will be at the hotel lobby to take you to the departure gate of TIA.
Most guests fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Share your arrival time ahead of travel so a Thamel hotel transfer can be arranged, or make your own way to the meeting hotel.
Many departures include a road transfer to Pokhara before walking starts from Nayapul or a nearby trailhead. Allow a little extra time after the trek before international flights home.
Twin or double rooms in a comfortable Kathmandu hotel cover your first nights and your return from the trail, with breakfast on those city stays when included in the package. Briefings happen at the hotel, and airport collection from Tribhuvan is available when flight times are shared in advance.
Family-run teahouses or lodges line the route with twin beds and a shared dining room. Rooms get simpler and colder as you climb, with shared bathrooms common at higher villages. Hot water, Wi-Fi, and charging are paid at the lodge when offered.
March to May rhododendron bloom and October to November crisp air are peak windows for this itinerary. July and August mean leeches and cloud on lower slopes; December to February can ice steps above village level.
Your guide reads the forecast before long cols or sunrise hikes. Shoulder weeks need an honest weather call before high passes or dawn viewpoints.
You should be comfortable walking several hours a day on uneven paths with a daypack, including steady uphill sections as you gain height. Hill training and longer weekend walks in the months before travel help your legs and lungs on uphill trail days.
Hill training, stair climbing, and longer weekend hikes in the months before travel help your legs and lungs, even when acclimatisation days are built into the route. Break in boots before you fly and carry a light daypack on practice walks.
Guided trekking with licensed leaders, lodge nights on the trail, meals as described for walking days, and permits for the regions crossed are included when they are part of this trip. Domestic flights, porters, and airport transfers apply only when they are part of this trip.
Domestic flights, road transfers, porter support, and airport transfers apply only when they are part of this trip. Permits for the regions you cross are arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara when included.
International flights to Nepal, visa fees, compulsory travel insurance, personal trekking clothing, snacks and drinks outside included meals, and tips for crew are not covered. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and battery charging in lodges are usually paid locally when offered.
Charges for hot showers, Wi-Fi, or battery charging in lodges are paid locally when offered unless your trip notes say otherwise. International flights, visa fees, and personal insurance stay outside the trek package.
Airport collection to your Kathmandu hotel is available when flight times are shared in advance. Thamel hotels are the usual meet point; drivers need flight numbers to meet you at the international terminal.
Pokhara hotel meet applies when your package starts lakeside; allow a full day for the drive from the capital if that sector is included. Allow a little extra time after the trek before international flights home in case mountain roads or flights move.
Guides set a steady pace and watch for headache, nausea, or dizziness as you gain height. Weather can shift daily plans, so your guide keeps a steady pace with regular breaks.
Tell your guide early if symptoms appear so tomorrow's stage can shorten or descent can start before conditions worsen. Trail conditions are checked each morning before the group moves.
Road transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara and a short drive to Nayapul or another start point are common when transport is included. Your guide confirms departure times at briefing.
Motion sickness medicine helps on winding mountain roads. Your crew would rather wait for a safe window than rush marginal weather.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS registration apply on this route. The team arranges paperwork in Kathmandu or Pokhara when you provide passport copies and trek dates.
Keep copies in your daypack for checkpoint stops. Monsoon cloud sits lower on the hills while winter brings ice on steps above village level.
Families join when children can manage the daily hours and terrain on this specific route. Pace and daily hours can be adjusted on private departures, though that may extend the calendar.
Ask our Kathmandu team if you are planning with younger walkers. Private departures can shorten daily hours, though that may add a day or two to the calendar.
Comprehensive travel insurance that covers trekking to the highest altitude on your itinerary, medical evacuation, and helicopter rescue when applicable is essential. Many standard policies exclude high altitude by name.
Read the wording before you travel so you can adjust cover if trekking above 5,000 metres is not named. Many standard policies exclude high altitude by name, so read the wording before you fly.
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About the centre
Kathmandu
You'll travel with a Kathmandu-based team that plans treks, peak climbs, helicopter flights, motorbike journeys, and cultural trips across Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Routes range from classic teahouse walks and high passes to luxury lodge itineraries and longer expedition-style climbs, with departures shaped around how you want to pace the mountains.
Licensed guides and office staff train regularly on mountain safety and guest care. Porters are insured, fairly paid, and equipped for the trail, with sensible load limits on lodge routes. We work with remote communities through sustainable tourism, including support for education in village areas, so your booking helps local people as well as your own adventure.
Operated by Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours, a partner of adventuro.
Bagmati Province, Nepal
From $7000
