Self-Launched Annapurna Circuit Trek (10 Days)
10 days · Nepal
Alpine Ramble Treks charges £1,150
No-markup version: ~£560 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A do-it-yourself version of Alpine Ramble Treks' 10-day Annapurna Circuit: Kathmandu overland to Besisahar, jeep up the Marsyangdi to Chame, then trek the classic high route through Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi to cross Thorong La (5,416 m) into Muktinath. Finish with the jeep to Jomsom, hot springs at Tatopani, and buses back via Pokhara. You arrange your own TIMS card and ACAP permit (or use a local trekking agency in Kathmandu for permits + a guide/porter if you want one), book teahouses night by night and use local jeeps, buses and shared transport. Budget roughly £35–45 per day — about two-thirds cheaper than the fully guided group tour.
Day-by-day
Kathmandu to Besisahar (bus/jeep over the Prithvi Highway)
Besisahar, Lamjung
Sort your permits first thing in Kathmandu: the TIMS card (Nepal Tourism Board, Exhibition Road, ~£8/NPR 2,000) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP office, ~£25/NPR 3,000). Many solo trekkers save the faff by paying a Kathmandu agency a small fee to process both, or by joining a shared jeep group at Chabahil. Then take a local bus or shared jeep from Kathmandu's Machhapokhari/Kalanki bus park (departures from early morning, ~7–8 hrs) following the Trishuli River to Besisahar (~£8–10). Check in at a simple guesthouse (NPR 800–1,200), stroll the bazaar and get an early night ahead of the high road.
🚌Local bus/shared jeep Kathmandu–Besisahar, ~£8–10, 7–8 hrs
🛏Basic guesthouse in Besisahar (NPR 800–1,200, ~£6–8)
- →Buy TIMS + ACAP permits in Kathmandu
- →Local bus/shared jeep Kathmandu–Besisahar along the Trishuli River
- →Evening wander around Besisahar bazaar
Besisahar to Chame by shared jeep
Chame, Manang District
The classic shortcut used by independent trekkers: hop a shared jeep or local bus from Besisahar up the Marsyangdi valley through Bulbule, Syange and Tal to Chame (~5–6 hrs on rough road, ~£15–18 shared; whole-jeep charter ~£90 split between 4–6 people). The route crosses several suspension bridges with big views of Manaslu and Lamjung Himal on the way. Settle into a teahouse in Chame, the district HQ, and walk to the hot spring pools just below town if time allows. This is also your last easy place for ATM/gear supplies.
🚌Shared jeep Besisahar–Chame, ~£15–18, 5–6 hrs
🛏Teahouse in Chame (NPR 500–800 room), ~£5–7
- →Shared jeep Besisahar–Chame along the Marsyangdi
- →Suspension bridge crossings and Manaslu views
- →Chame hot spring and village wander
Chame to Pisang on foot (3,200 m)
Pisang
Your first proper trekking day: a 5–6 hr walk through pine and rhododendron forest, crossing several suspension bridges, past the dramatic Paungda Danda rock face (the 'sweeping wall') where the valley suddenly opens. Climb gradually to Upper Pisang for a better view across to Pisang Peak, then drop down to Lower Pisang and pick a teahouse. Pace yourself: you've come up fast by jeep so drink lots of water and do not push the altitude.
🚌On foot; no local transport cost
🛏Teahouse in Pisang (NPR 500–700), ~£5–6
- →Trek Chame–Pisang, 5–6 hrs
- →Paungda Danda rock wall viewpoint
- →Upper Pisang viewpoint over Pisang Peak
Pisang to Manang via Humde (3,540 m)
Manang
A 5–6 hr, mostly gentle day through juniper and pine to Humde (small airstrip) and on to Manang, the largest settlement of the upper circuit. If you're feeling strong take the high, scenic route via Ghyaru and Ngawal for wider views of Annapurna II, III and IV, Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak, or take the flat valley path if you felt the altitude yesterday. Manang has bakeries, gear shops, a Himalayan Rescue Association clinic (worth a visit for an altitude talk) and Tibetan Buddhist culture all around.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Manang (NPR 600–900), ~£5–7
- →Trek Pisang–Humde–Manang, 5–6 hrs
- →Optional high route via Ghyaru/Ngawal
- →Himalayan Rescue Association altitude briefing
Manang acclimatisation morning, trek to Yak Kharka (4,050 m)
Yak Kharka
Use the morning properly: walk up to the Gangapurna glacier viewpoint above Manang and back (2–3 hrs) as an acclimatisation climb, or join a side trip to the Milarepa cave. After lunch, trek 3–4 hrs up through Tan and past the old stupas and prayer walls to Yak Kharka, your highest night yet. Keep it short and slow, eat carbs, avoid alcohol, and note any headache — descend if symptoms worsen.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Yak Kharka (NPR 600–800), ~£5–7
- →Acclimatisation walk to Gangapurna viewpoint
- →Trek Manang–Yak Kharka, 3–4 hrs
- →Stupas and prayer-wall trail
Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,540 m)
Thorong Phedi
Short 3–4 hr day with a gradual climb to a ridge, a descent and river crossing, then up to Thorong Phedi — deliberately short so you sleep high before the pass. Pre-book or at least confirm a bed at Phedi or the slightly higher High Camp (4,850 m) if you'd rather shave time off the morning. Buy hot food and get an early night; start the pass between 4:30 and 5:30 am. Many trekkers hire a porter here for the pass day (~NPR 3,000).
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse at Thorong Phedi (NPR 700–1,000), ~£6–8
- →Trek Yak Kharka–Thorong Phedi, 3–4 hrs
- →Early night for a 4:30–5:30 am pass start
Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath
Muktinath
The big day: leave around 5 am by headtorch, climb steadily for 3–4 hrs on scree and snow patches to Thorong La at 5,416 m — the highest point of the circuit and one of the highest passes on earth. Views of Annapurna, Gangapurna and the Nilgiri wall. Do not linger long in the cold. Descend 4 hrs to Muktinath, where the Hindu/Buddhist pilgrimage temple with its 108 water spouts and eternal flame is free to enter. Sleep low in Muktinath or Ranipauwa.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse/guesthouse in Ranipauwa, Muktinath (NPR 600–1,000), ~£6–8
- →Cross Thorong La, 5,416 m
- →Muktinath pilgrimage temple and 108 water spouts
- →Optional walk to Jwala Mai eternal flame
Muktinath → Jomsom jeep → Tatopani hot springs
Tatopani
Morning at Muktinath, then a shared jeep or local bus down to Jomsom (1–1.5 hrs, ~£3–5), the windy hub of Mustang, and onward along the world's deepest gorge through the Kali Gandaki/Dudh Kosi valley to Tatopani (4–5 hrs, ~£8–10 shared). Soak in the natural hot spring pools beside the river — a couple of hundred rupees entry or free if you're staying at a nearby guesthouse. Big meal, real bed.
🚌Shared jeep Muktinath–Jomsom (~£4) + bus/jeep Jomsom–Tatopani (~£9)
🛏Guesthouse in Tatopani (NPR 800–1,200), ~£6–8
- →Shared jeep Muktinath–Jomsom
- →Local bus/jeep Jomsom–Tatopani via the Kali Gandaki gorge
- →Tatopani hot springs soak
Tatopani to Pokhara via Beni Bazaar
Pokhara
Local bus from Tatopani to Beni Bazaar (~2 hrs, ~£2–3) and on to Pokhara (~3 hrs more, ~£4–5), or a direct shared jeep if one is filling. Arrive mid-afternoon, find a lakeside guesthouse in Lakeside, then spend the evening walking Phewa Tal, eating dal bhat or momos and rewarding yourself with a cold beer. A comfortable tourist-standard lakeside room costs about £12–18.
🚌Local bus Tatopani–Pokhara, ~£7–8, 5–6 hrs
🛏Lakeside guesthouse in Pokhara (~£12–18 for the room)
- →Local bus Tatopani–Beni Bazaar–Pokhara
- →Sunset walk along Phewa Lake
- →Lakeside dinner in Pokhara
Pokhara to Kathmandu (with optional Trishuli rafting)
Kathmandu
Take a tourist bus (departs Lakeside ~6:30–7:30 am, ~£8–12, 7–8 hrs) back to Kathmandu. If you want the rafting that the guided tour includes, book a day trip with a Pokhara or Kathmandu rafting outfit in advance (~£25–35 including lunch and transfers) and meet the bus route at the Trishuli put-in — or, simpler, do the raft as an add-on day and change buses after. Alternatively fly Pokhara–Kathmandu (~£60–75) if you'd rather skip the drive. Arrive Kathmandu for your onward flight.
🚌Tourist bus Pokhara–Kathmandu, ~£8–12, 7–8 hrs
🛏Own arrangement / hotel in Kathmandu if staying on
- →Tourist bus Pokhara–Kathmandu
- →Optional Trishuli River day rafting (~£25–35)
- →Optional flight Pokhara–Kathmandu (~£60–75)
Self-launched vs. Alpine Ramble Treks
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Alpine Ramble Treks | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£560 | £1,150 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £590 per person (51%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Alpine Ramble Treks-style trips? Check them out here.~£560
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Annapurna Circuit Trek (10 Days) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £560 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 Alpine Ramble Treks?+
Yes — Alpine Ramble Treks charges around £1,150 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £560 — a saving of roughly £590 (51%) 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, budget 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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