Annapurna Circuit Trek: 10-Day Self-Launched Version
10 days · Nepal
Sherpa Expedition Teams charges £775
No-markup version: ~£625 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic 10-day Annapurna Circuit from Bhulbhule to Kathmandu, covering the Marsyangdi Valley, Chame, Pisang, Braga Gompa, Ledar, High Camp and the 5,416m Thorong La Pass crossing into Muktinath, then down the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom and Tatopani's hot springs, finishing at Phewa Tal in Pokhara and a tourist bus back to Kathmandu. You'll walk the same trail independently using teahouses, public/local buses and jeeps, arranging your own ACAP permit and TIMS card (widely done in Kathmandu or Pokhara), and hiring a licensed guide or porter only if you want one. Same route, same views, a fraction of the operator price — though note the 10-day itinerary is fast, so keeping a buffer day for acclimatisation and weather is strongly advised. All costs are approximate 2026 backpacker-level estimates.
Day-by-day
Kathmandu/Pokhara to Bhulbhule
Bhulbhule (840m)
Make your way to Bhulbhule early — either take a night bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar (approx. £6-8, 6-7 hours) or, if you're already in Pokhara, a local bus to Besisahar (approx. £3, 3 hours) then a shared jeep up to Bhulbhule (approx. £2-3). If you haven't already, get your ACAP permit and TIMS card sorted in Kathmandu (Nepal Tourism Board office) or Pokhara; expect roughly £18-20 for ACAP plus £8-10 for TIMS (many trekkers now use TIMS via the NTB). Register at the Bhulbhule checkpoint, take a short acclimatising wander along the Marsyangdi River, and sleep at a teahouse with views towards Manaslu and Ganesh.
🚌Public bus Kathmandu–Besisahar (~£7) + shared jeep Besisahar–Bhulbhule (~£2.50)
🛏Basic teahouse in Bhulbhule (approx. £4-6 per night, twin share)
- →Bus transfer to Bhulbhule
- →Permit registration at Bhulbhule checkpoint
- →River walk along the Marsyangdi
- →Mountain views of Manaslu and Ganesh
Bhulbhule to Chame by road
Chame (2,710m)
Take a local bus or shared jeep up the rough road through Dharapani, past fields and waterfalls, to Chame (approx. £5-7, 3-4 hours). This is a big altitude jump, so keep hydrated and take the afternoon slow — wandering the town gives you views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal and Peak 29. Stock up on snacks and cash: there are no reliable ATMs above Besisahar.
🚌Shared jeep/local bus Bhulbhule–Chame (~£6)
🛏Teahouse in Chame (approx. £5-7)
- →Road transfer through Dharapani
- →Views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, Manaslu and Peak 29
- →Afternoon acclimatisation walk
Chame to Pisang via Telekhu
Pisang (3,200m)
Your first real trekking day: follow the trail through pine forest past Telekhu and across suspension bridges over the Marsyangdi to Pisang. Six or so hours of gentle walking — a good warm-up. Lodges in Upper Pisang have the better mountain panorama; Lower Pisang is easier on legs.
🚌On foot, approx. 6 hours
🛏Teahouse in Pisang (approx. £5-7)
- →Trek Chame–Pisang via Telekhu
- →Suspension bridge crossings
- →Views of Mt. Pisang and the Annapurna range
Pisang to Braga and Braga Gompa
Braga (3,450m)
A short, deliberately easy day to help acclimatisation. Walk up to the old Upper Pisang and along the ridge trail to Braga (2-3 hours), then spend the afternoon at Braga Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in the region — entry is by donation (a couple of pounds). Take a late-afternoon loop up towards the viewpoint above Braga for sunset light on Annapurna II.
🚌On foot, approx. 2-3 hours
🛏Teahouse in Braga (approx. £5-7)
- →Trek Pisang to Braga
- →Visit Braga Gompa (Buddhist monastery)
- →Sunset viewpoint walk
Braga to Ledar via Yak Kharka
Ledar (4,200m)
A steady climb through Gunsang and Yak Kharka with blue sheep country and Jarsang Khola Valley views. Roughly 4-5 hours. Ledar is small, so arrive by mid-afternoon to secure a room; lodges are basic and prices rise with altitude — budget £6-9 per night.
🚌On foot, approx. 4-5 hours
🛏Basic teahouse in Ledar (approx. £7)
- →Trek Braga–Ledar via Gunsang, Yak Kharka and Tenki
- →Jarsang Khola and Marsyangdi Valley scenery
Ledar to High Camp via Phedi
High Camp (4,850m)
Climb steadily up the Jarsang Khola to Phedi (4,450m) and on to High Camp. Three to four hours. Sleep low if you feel any headache — some trekkers overnight at Phedi instead. Eat a big early dinner, pack your headtorch and water, and set an alarm for a 4-4:30am start.
🚌On foot, approx. 3-4 hours
🛏Basic teahouse at High Camp (approx. £8)
- →Trek Ledar–High Camp via Jarsang Khola and Phedi
- →Early night and pass-day prep
Thorong La Pass (5,416m) to Muktinath
Muktinath (3,800m)
The big day. Leave before dawn and climb roughly 3 hours to Thorong La Pass for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Khatungkang. It's cold and can be windy — layer up, and turn back if the weather closes. Then a long 4-5 hour descent to Muktinath. Visit the Muktinath temple complex (admission approx. £3 for foreigners) and the eternal flame. Guesthouses in Ranipauwa near the temple are cheap and comfortable.
🚌On foot, approx. 7-8 hours
🛏Guesthouse in Muktinath/Ranipauwa (approx. £6-8)
- →Cross Thorong La Pass at 5,416m
- →Sunrise views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Gangapurna
- →Muktinath temple visit
Muktinath to Tatopani via Jomsom
Tatopani (1,190m)
Take a shared jeep or local bus down the Kali Gandaki valley through Kagbeni and Jomsom (approx. £6-9), then continue south to Tatopani — a long but spectacular road day. Alternatively break it at Marpha for apple brandy and a wander. Finish in the hot springs at Tatopani (small entry fee, approx. £1-2) with your legs in the water.
🚌Shared jeep/local bus Muktinath–Jomsom–Tatopani (~£8)
🛏Guesthouse in Tatopani (approx. £5-7)
- →Kali Gandaki valley drive with Dhaulagiri views
- →Jomsom and Kagbeni stop
- →Tatopani hot springs
Tatopani to Pokhara
Pokhara (820m)
Local bus or shared jeep from Tatopani down via Beni Bazaar to Pokhara (approx. £4-6, 4-5 hours). Check into a lakeside guesthouse or hostel by Phewa Tal (approx. £8-12 for a private twin, less in a dorm). Afternoon to wander Lakeside shops, hire a boat on Phewa Tal (approx. £2-3) and catch sunset over the Annapurna range from the lake edge.
🚌Local bus Tatopani–Pokhara (~£5)
🛏Lakeside guesthouse/hostel in Pokhara (approx. £10)
- →Drive via Beni Bazaar
- →Phewa Tal sunset
- →Lakeside shopping and boat hire
Pokhara to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Take a tourist bus from Pokhara's Lakeside to Kathmandu (approx. £8-12, 7-8 hours, book a day ahead through your guesthouse) — or a slightly pricier 25-minute flight if you're tight on time. The bus runs along the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. Arrive Kathmandu in the evening and head to Thamel for a cheap dal bhat or momos to celebrate.
🚌Tourist bus Pokhara–Kathmandu (~£10)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu (approx. £8-12, not included if you fly home)
- →Scenic bus transfer along the Trishuli River
- →Thamel evening wander
Self-launched vs. Sherpa Expedition Teams
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Sherpa Expedition Teams | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£625 | £775 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £150 per person (19%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Sherpa Expedition Teams-style trips? Check them out here.~£625
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Annapurna Circuit Trek: 10-Day Self-Launched Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £625 per person for 10 days in 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 Sherpa Expedition Teams?+
Yes — Sherpa Expedition Teams charges around £775 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £625 — a saving of roughly £150 (19%) per person.
How long is the Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through 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 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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