Annapurna Circuit Trek: 8 Days Self-Launched (Kathmandu to Pokhara)
8 days · Nepal
Sherpa Expedition Teams charges £790
No-markup version: ~£420 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic 8-day Annapurna Circuit segment: shared jeep from Kathmandu to Chame, then trekking lodge-to-lodge up the Marsyangdi Valley to Manang, over the 5,416m Thorong La Pass and down to Muktinath, finishing with a local jeep/bus via Jomsom to Pokhara. You'll need your own TIMS card and ACAP permit (arrange at Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu), and you can trek independently without a guide — though hiring a porter (around £15-18/day) or a guide (£20-25/day) is recommended for the pass crossing. All costs are approximate per-person estimates for budget/backpacker travel.
Day-by-day
Kathmandu to Chame by shared jeep
Chame
Sort permits first thing if not already done (ACAP + TIMS at Nepal Tourism Board, Exhibition Road — bring passport photos). Then take a shared/public jeep from Machhapokhari bus stand in Kathmandu toward Besisahar and on to Chame (~9-11 hours total, ~£18-22). The route follows the Marsyangdi through Bhulbhule, Tal, Dharapani and Koto. Stay in a trekking lodge in Chame (twin room or dorm, ~£4-7). Note: independent travellers with a private car drop-off isn't included — public jeeps leave early, so plan a 6-7am departure.
🚌Shared/public jeep Kathmandu → Besisahar → Chame, ~£18-22, 9-11 hrs. Alternatively tourist bus to Besisahar (~£8) then jeep onward (~£10).
🛏Trekking lodge in Chame (twin room, shared bathroom), ~£5
- →Permit collection at Nepal Tourism Board
- →Scenic shared jeep through Besisahar, Tal and Dharapani
- →Village stroll in Chame
Chame to Lower Pisang
Lower Pisang
Trek north along the Marsyangdi to Bratang, pause at the Chemyau Kharka memorial to Japanese climber Akira Ochiai, then continue through pine forest to Dhukur Pokhari. Climb to Upper Pisang for acclimatisation and excellent views of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak, then descend 20 minutes to Lower Pisang for the night (~5-6 hrs walking). Independent route is well marked; fetch water from lodges rather than streams. Lodging ~£5, dal bhat meals ~£10/day.
🚌On foot, ~5-6 hrs, no transport cost
🛏Trekking lodge in Lower Pisang, ~£5
- →Trek Chame → Bratang → Dhukur Pokhari
- →Akira Ochiai memorial visit
- →Upper Pisang acclimatisation walk
Lower Pisang to Manang via Braga
Manang
Walk the lower trail to Braga, a Tibetan-style village clinging to the cliffside, and visit its monastery. Continue to Manang (~4-5 hrs) and explore Manang Gompa, the largest Buddhist monastery in the region, with views of Gangapurna and Chulu peaks. Manang has ATMs, a bakery and the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic — good place to check in on altitude health.
🚌On foot, ~4-5 hrs
🛏Trekking lodge in Manang, ~£6
- →Braga village and monastery
- →Manang Gompa
- →Bakery stop and HRA altitude briefing (free/voluntary donation)
Manang acclimatisation day
Manang
Essential rest day before the high section. Short morning hike to Bhojo Gumba (around 3-4 hrs return) or the easier Gangapurna Lake walk. Afternoon to wander Manang's old town, wash clothes and refill supplies. Take it slow, hydrate, and if you feel any AMS symptoms consider Diamox.
🚌On foot
🛏Trekking lodge in Manang, ~£6
- →Hike to Bhojo Gumba
- →Gangapurna Lake viewpoint
- →Explore Manang bazaar
Manang to Yak Kharka
Yak Kharka
A short but steep climb through juniper forest via Ghustang to Yak Kharka (~4 hrs, 4,050m). Views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna and the Tilicho range open up as you climb. Book a lodge early as Yak Kharka has limited beds. Eat garlic soup and drink plenty of water.
🚌On foot, ~4 hrs
🛏Trekking lodge in Yak Kharka, ~£5
- →Trek via Ghustang
- →Annapurna II and Tilicho views
Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
Thorong Phedi
One hour along to Ledar, then a gradual traverse and final climb to Thorong Phedi (4,540m) at the base of Thorong Himal — only 2-3 hrs walking so you arrive early and can rest before the big pass day. Consider pushing to High Camp (4,920m) if you're acclimatising well, though that's a steep extra hour. Sort your daypack now: headtorch, layers, snacks, filtered water.
🚌On foot, ~2-3 hrs
🛏Trekking lodge at Thorong Phedi, ~£6
- →Trek Yak Kharka → Ledar → Thorong Phedi
- →Optional ascent to High Camp
- →Pre-pass gear check
Thorong La Pass to Muktinath
Muktinath
Start around 4-5am with a headtorch for the 3-4 hour climb to Thorong La (5,416m), one of the world's highest trekking passes. Celebrate briefly then descend 4-5 hours to Muktinath (3,800m) with Dhaulagiri ahead. Descend steadily if you feel dizzy or short of breath — altitude drops fast on this side. Stay in Ranipauwa next to the temple.
🚌On foot, ~7-9 hrs incl. pass crossing
🛏Guesthouse in Ranipauwa/Muktinath, ~£6
- →Thorong La Pass (5,416m)
- →Dhaulagiri and Kali Gandaki valley views
- →Muktinath Temple and Jwala Mai flame sanctuary (free to enter; small donation)
Muktinath to Pokhara via Jomsom
Pokhara
Morning visit to Muktinath Temple and the Jwala Mai sanctuary where natural gas flames burn from water. Then take a shared jeep down to Jomsom (~1.5 hrs, ~£5) and the public jeep or bus from Jomsom to Pokhara (~7-8 hrs, ~£12-15), arriving late afternoon/evening. If timing allows you can instead catch a Jomsom–Pokhara flight (~£90) — weather dependent. Trek ends in Pokhara rather than a Kathmandu airport transfer.
🚌Shared jeep Muktinath → Jomsom (~£5) + public jeep/bus Jomsom → Pokhara (~£13); optional flight ~£90
🛏Not included — hostel/guesthouse in Pokhara, ~£8
- →Muktinath Temple and Jwala Mai sanctuary
- →Kali Gandaki gorge drive
Self-launched vs. Sherpa Expedition Teams
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Sherpa Expedition Teams | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£420 | £790 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £370 per person (47%) | |
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.~£420
estimated per person
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Annapurna Circuit Trek: 8 Days Self-Launched (Kathmandu to Pokhara) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £420 per person for 8 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 £790 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £420 — a saving of roughly £370 (47%) per person.
How long is the Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 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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