Annapurna Circuit Trek — Self-Launched
13 days · Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
Swotah Travel and Adventure charges £1,699
No-markup version: ~£575 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic 13-day Annapurna Circuit: Kathmandu to Jagat by local bus, then the full teahouse trek through Dharapani, Chame, Upper Pisang, Ngawal, Manang, Yak Kharka and Thorong La (5,416m) to Muktinath, with a jeep down through Jomsom/Marpha to Tatopani's hot springs and the Poon Hill sunrise finish at Ghandruk. Instead of a guided group, you buy your own ACAP permit and TIMS card in Kathmandu, book teahouses night by night (all trekkers stay in the same lodges), and walk with the independent trekking community — guides are easy to hire locally for a day or two if you want them around Thorong La. Costs are backpacker estimates in GBP and assume you eat dal bhat in the lodges.
Day-by-day
Kathmandu to Jagat by local bus
Kathmandu → Jagat
Pick up your ACAP permit and TIMS card at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Bhrikutimandap the day before (bring passport photos) — roughly £25-30 combined. Leave Thamel early for the Gongabu (Machhapokhari) bus park and take a local bus or shared jeep toward Besishahar/Synge (around £5-7, 6-8 hours), then a shared jeep up the rough road to Jagat (about £3-5). The road is bumpy and slow; carry snacks and water. Check into a teahouse in Jagat, eat dal bhat and get an early night.
🚌Local bus Kathmandu–Besishahar/Synge (~£6) + shared jeep to Jagat (~£4)
🛏Teahouse in Jagat (basic twin room, shared bathroom)
- →Nepal Tourism Board permit office (ACAP + TIMS)
- →Scenic local bus through Trishuli valley villages
- →Settle into teahouse life in Jagat
Trek Jagat to Dharapani
Jagat → Dharapani
First proper walking day: about 6 hours on the road-turned-trail past Chamje, Tal (where the Marsyangdi widens into a lake-like basin) and Karte. Waterfalls stream off the cliffs beside the path. Teahouses in Dharapani are plentiful — pick one with a sunny dining room. Order dinner and breakfast the night before; lodge owners expect you to eat in-house in exchange for a cheap room.
🚌On foot (~6 hrs)
🛏Teahouse in Dharapani
- →Trek through Chamje, Tal and Karte villages
- →Waterfall viewpoints along the Marsyangdi
Dharapani to Chame
Dharapani → Chame
A longer day (7-8 hrs) climbing through pine and fir forest into the upper valley, with the first big reveal of Annapurna II at the head of the valley. Chame is the district headquarters — it has shops, a health post and hot springs a short walk below town. Soak your legs, then sleep at around 2,700m.
🚌On foot (~7-8 hrs)
🛏Teahouse in Chame
- →Trek to Chame with views of Mt. Annapurna II
- →Natural hot springs below Chame
Chame to Upper Pisang
Chame → Upper Pisang
A shorter, dramatic day (5-6 hrs) through dense forest and a notorious exposed rock-face section with a waterfall crossing. Upper Pisang sits high above the river with Tibetan-style gompa and a huge wall of Annapurna II in front of you. Stay up top rather than in Lower Pisang for the views and better acclimatisation.
🚌On foot (~5-6 hrs)
🛏Teahouse in Upper Pisang
- →Forest and rock-face trail above the Marsyangdi
- →Upper Pisang gompa and Annapurna II panorama
Upper Pisang to Ngawal via Ghyaru high trail
Upper Pisang → Ngawal
Take the high trail rather than the road: a steep climb to Ghyaru, then a superb balcony path past Mring Tso lake and a side visit to Guru Rinpoche cave (a small monastery built into a cliff and a meditation cave). Ngawal is a quiet, traditional village at ~3,650m — a perfect acclimatisation stop. Keep the afternoon easy: short walks, plenty of water, no rushing.
🚌On foot (~5-6 hrs)
🛏Teahouse or community homestay in Ngawal
- →Ghyaru village and high balcony trail
- →Mring Tso lake viewpoint
- →Guru Rinpoche cave monastery
- →Acclimatisation walk in Ngawal
Ngawal to Manang
Ngawal → Manang
A gentle 3-4 hours descending through Juniper and open plateau to Manang (3,540m), the biggest village on the circuit. Explore the old town's monasteries and prayer wheels, walk to Gangapurna Lake for the glacier view, and catch a documentary at the small Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) hall in the evening — they give free altitude-sickness talks that are worth the time. Manang has cafes, bakeries and an ATM-ish money changer.
🚌On foot (~3-4 hrs)
🛏Teahouse in Manang
- →Manang old-town monasteries and prayer wheels
- →Gangapurna Lake and glacier viewpoint
- →HRA altitude talk / local cinema hall
Manang to Yak Kharka
Manang → Yak Kharka
Short climb of about 4 hours and 500m to Yak Kharka (4,050m) — deliberately short for altitude. Optional afternoon hike toward Chulu West base camp if you feel good. Eat garlic soup, drink plenty of water and keep an eye on headaches. If you'd rather split the climb, Ledar is a further 1.5 hrs on.
🚌On foot (~4 hrs)
🛏Teahouse in Yak Kharka
- →Trek to Yak Kharka (4,050m)
- →Optional side hike toward Chulu West Base Camp
Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi
A short 3-4 hour walk through Ledar village, across a suspension bridge and along a scree slope under Mt. Gundang, Syagang and Thorung Peak to Thorong Phedi (4,540m). Base camp for the pass — get to bed by 8pm. Some trekkers push on to High Camp (4,850m) to shorten summit day, but sleeping lower is often kinder to your body.
🚌On foot (~3-4 hrs)
🛏Teahouse at Thorong Phedi
- →Ledar village and suspension bridge crossing
- →Views of Gundang, Syagang and Thorung Peak
Thorong La (5,416m) to Muktinath
Thorong Phedi → Thorong La → Muktinath
The big day. Start at 4-5am with headtorch and microspikes (rent in Manang if icy) for the 4-5 hour climb to Thorong La at 5,416m — prayer flags, a tea stall, and the whole Annapurna range behind you. Descend 4-5 hours to Muktinath (3,800m), visiting the temple complex and its 108 water spouts. Watch your knees on the way down and don't linger too long on the pass in bad weather.
🚌On foot (~9-10 hrs)
🛏Guesthouse in Muktinath/Ranipauwa
- →Cross Thorong La Pass (5,416m) at sunrise
- →Muktinath temple and 108 water spouts
Jeep to Tatopani via Jomsom and Marpha
Muktinath → Tatopani
Trade the trail for the road: shared jeeps run Muktinath–Jomsom (~£3-5) and Jomsom–Tatopani (~£8-12) — a long, dusty, spectacular ride through the Kali Gandaki gorge past Marpha's apple orchards and the wind-blasted village of Ghasa. Arrive in Tatopani (1,190m) and spend the afternoon in the riverside hot springs — the best shower of the trek.
🚌Shared jeep Muktinath–Jomsom (~£4) + Jomsom–Tatopani (~£10)
🛏Guesthouse in Tatopani
- →Kali Gandaki gorge jeep ride
- →Marpha village and apple brandy stop
- →Tatopani natural hot springs
Tatopani to Ghorepani
Tatopani → Ghorepani
A hard, steady climb of about 6-7 hours and 1,700m of ascent back into the rhododendron and oak forest. Break the day with tea in Shikha or Chitre. Ghorepani (2,860m) is a cluster of lodges on the ridge — book a room early in high season and arrange a wake-up call for Poon Hill.
🚌On foot (~6-7 hrs)
🛏Teahouse in Ghorepani
- →Climb through Modi Khola valley villages
- →Rhododendron forest trail
Poon Hill sunrise, then Tadapani
Ghorepani → Poon Hill → Tadapani
Up at 4:30am for the 45-minute climb to Poon Hill (3,210m) for sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South — no permit needed beyond your ACAP. Back to Ghorepani for breakfast, then a rolling 5-6 hours through rhododendron forest to Tadapani. Breakfast on Day 13 comes with a view of Machhapuchhre.
🚌On foot (~6 hrs incl. Poon Hill)
🛏Teahouse in Tadapani
- →Sunrise at Poon Hill
- →Rhododendron forest trek to Tadapani
Tadapani to Ghandruk to Pokhara
Tadapani → Ghandruk → Pokhara
Descend 3-4 hours to Ghandruk, the big Gurung village with its museum and mountain views, then take a shared jeep or local bus down to Nayapul/Birethanti and on to Pokhara (about £3-5, 3-4 hrs total). Land in Lakeside for a proper bed, a cold beer and a lakeside dinner. Buses and flights back to Kathmandu run daily if you need them.
🚌Shared jeep/bus Ghandruk–Pokhara (~£4); optional tourist bus to Kathmandu ~£8
🛏Budget guesthouse in Pokhara (Lakeside)
- →Ghandruk Gurung village and museum
- →Lakeside Pokhara evening
Self-launched vs. Swotah Travel and Adventure
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Swotah Travel and Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£575 | £1,699 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,124 per person (66%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Swotah Travel and Adventure-style trips? Check them out here.~£575
estimated per person
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Annapurna Circuit Trek — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £575 per person for 13 days in Annapurna Circuit, Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Swotah Travel and Adventure?+
Yes — Swotah Travel and Adventure charges around £1,699 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £575 — a saving of roughly £1,124 (66%) per person.
How long is the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Annapurna Circuit, Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Annapurna Circuit, Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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