15-Day Private Annapurna Circuit Trek from Kathmandu

The big draw here is the full Annapurna Circuit in 15 days, ending with sunrise at Poon Hill. You move from river valleys and subtropical villages to the high, dry country around Manang, then cross Thorong La at 5,416 meters before walking down toward Mustang and Pokhara.

I like the private format, since your group can set its own pace, and I like the family-run approach, including simple Nepali language lessons along the way. The $995 price also covers permits, meals, normal lodge accommodation, transport, and a guide. The main caution is the pace: several days are listed at roughly 12 hours, and high-altitude walking is serious work.

Key points to know before booking

• Thorong La is the central challenge: You cross the 5,416-meter pass after several days of gradual ascent.
• The route changes constantly: Expect river gorges, pine and rhododendron forests, Tibetan-style villages, dry mountain valleys, and hot springs.
• Your price covers a lot: Airport transfers, meals, lodge accommodation, permits, guide costs, transport, and the return bus to Kathmandu are included.
• The private group matters: You trek only with your own party, though the schedule remains fairly demanding.
• Poon Hill adds a memorable finish: An early morning climb brings views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.
• Porters cost extra: The company can arrange one, but porter service is not included in the advertised price.

What the $995 Annapurna Circuit package really covers

At $995 per person, this is not simply a guided walk. The package includes international airport pickup and drop-off, the bus from Kathmandu toward Bulbule, lodge accommodation during the trek, breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all 15 days, and an experienced guide whose food, lodging, transport, equipment, salary, and insurance are covered.

You also get the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS card, plus government taxes. After the trek, transportation from the trail end to Pokhara and a deluxe tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu are included.

That makes the price attractive for anyone who wants a fairly organized trip rather than a collection of separate bookings. You still need to budget for extra nights in Kathmandu or Pokhara, drinks, laundry, phone use, battery charging, showers, boiled water, and personal purchases. Travel insurance is also your responsibility.

The largest extra cost may be a porter. Porter service is available by request, but you should arrange it before departure if carrying a full pack for two weeks sounds unpleasant. A private guide without a porter can work for fit walkers traveling light, but the steep climbs and long days make pack weight important.

Day 1: Kathmandu to Besisahar and Bulbule

The first day uses local transport rather than a private vehicle. The road follows the Trisuli River, crosses the river at Mugling, and continues toward Besisahar and Bulbule in Lamjung.

This is a travel day, not a gentle warm-up hike. The bus ride is listed at roughly six to seven hours, though road conditions and traffic can affect the timing. You see the river corridor and changing foothill scenery from the window, but you should expect a long ride before the walking begins.

The plan allows some choice about departure time. That flexibility is useful, but ask your guide exactly when you need to leave and where you will board. The meeting point is Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, with a stated start time of 10:15 a.m.

Days 2 and 3: Ghermu, Syange, and Chamje

From Ghermu, the route follows village paths and roads toward the east bank of the Marshyangdi River. You pass Ngadi before climbing to Bahun Danda, a Brahmin settlement at about 1,270 meters.

The day is listed at around 12 hours, so this is an early warning about the pace. The reward is close contact with working villages, river crossings, hillside paths, and views along the Marshyangdi valley. This part of the circuit feels more rural and active than a simple mountain sightseeing trip.

The next stage drops toward Syange, crosses a suspension bridge, and climbs steeply along the cliff face toward Chamje. The route description is short, but the terrain is not. Downhill sections followed by steep ascents can tire your legs quickly, especially if you are still adjusting to the heat and long walking hours.

You should treat the first few days as conditioning rather than easy trekking. Good footwear matters, and private guiding helps because your guide can discuss pace and rest stops with your group instead of following a large party.

Day 4: Chamje to Chame through Dharapani

The trail crosses the Marshyangdi again and passes Karte, Dharapani, Bagarchhap, and Danque. Bagarchhap sits at about 1,960 meters, while Danque is listed at 2,300 meters.

The stone entrance chorten and village architecture signal a change in the route. You are climbing into a higher mountain zone, and the surroundings begin to feel less like the lower river corridor and more like the Annapurna trekking country pictured in guidebooks.

Chame is the administrative center of Manang District and an important overnight stop. The day is again listed at about 12 hours, so the distance and ascent should not be underestimated. You will want a proper breakfast, water, and a sensible walking pace.

Day 5: Chame to Manang through pine forest

The trail passes through dense forest and a narrow valley before crossing to the south bank of the Marshyangdi River at about 3,038 meters. The route reaches a dramatic curved rock face rising about 1,500 meters above the river.

This is one of the most striking geological sections of the trip. The river stays close, while the walls of the valley make the route feel enclosed and powerful. Pine forest provides a different setting from the earlier village and road sections.

Manang is the main base for acclimatization. Since the schedule gives you several nights in the Manang area, the trip does not rush straight toward Thorong La. That is a major strength, because the pass is high enough that gaining altitude too quickly can spoil the trek or create a safety problem.

Day 6: Pisang and the two routes toward Manang

From the Pisang area, you have two possible routes. One follows the Marshyangdi River, while another crosses the river and passes through pine forest before the paths meet at Mungji.

The route choice gives your guide some room to match the walk to conditions and your group’s energy. The higher or more scenic option may require more effort, while the lower route stays closer to the river. Ask your guide which path is planned and why, rather than assuming the route is fixed.

Manang is listed again as the overnight area. You should see this as part of a careful altitude plan, not wasted time. The circuit becomes more demanding from here, and the extra nights help your body adjust before the highest sections.

Day 7: Acclimatization in Manang

This is the key rest and acclimatization day. The program specifically recommends spending time in Manang before continuing toward Thorong La.

An optional visit is listed to a lama, with a 100-rupee donation suggested. You can also explore the area at an easy pace. The important point is to stay active without turning the rest day into another hard trek.

A private guide can make this day useful by helping you judge how you feel, explaining the next stages, and arranging a suitable outing. Do not skip the acclimatization day simply because you feel fine in the morning. Altitude problems can develop later, and the pass still lies several days ahead.

Days 8 and 9: Toward the last camp before Thorong La

The trail climbs to Tanki and continues through Ghungsang before leaving the Marshyangdi valley and entering the Jarang Khola valley. The route passes pastures and scrub as the surroundings become more open and severe.

The schedule labels this section around Manang, but the description clearly points toward the higher settlements and camps before the pass. The next day is described as the final camp before Thorong La, with yak grazing ground, the Nepali Flat, Jarsang Khola, and a tea shop at Durali.

At this stage, the scenery is less about forests and more about altitude, rock, open slopes, and distant peaks. The walking can feel exposed and tiring. Your guide’s role becomes especially important here: keep an eye on hydration, pace, and how each person is responding to the height.

Day 10: Crossing Thorong La at 5,416 meters

This is the hardest and most important day. The route starts early from Thorong Phedi, described as the last night in Manang District and the final major effort before the pass.

The climb to Thorong La is long and steep. At 5,416 meters, this is not a casual viewpoint reached by road. The early start is necessary because the day includes the pass crossing and the descent beyond it. The weather can also change quickly at high altitude, though the supplied plan does not promise any particular conditions.

This is where fitness, acclimatization, warm clothing, and a calm pace matter most. Take small steps, drink regularly, and follow your guide’s advice. The pass itself is the high point of the journey, both physically and symbolically, but reaching it is only part of the day. The descent can be hard on tired knees.

Day 11: Muktinath and the road toward Jomsom

After crossing the pass, the route reaches Muktinath and continues toward Jomsom. Muktinath is an important mountain pilgrimage site, and it marks the transition from the Manang side of the circuit into Mustang.

The plan gives three possible choices from Muktinath: continue toward Tatopani or Pokhara, take a short flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, or follow the walking route through Marpha, Ghasa, and Tatopani over several days. For this 15-day package, the stated route proceeds toward Jomsom and then by public transport toward Tatopani.

This flexibility is useful, but clarify the exact transport plan before setting out. Road and flight arrangements can change, and the itinerary descriptions include several alternatives. Jomsom is a practical transport point, but it also gives you a clear sense that the classic high-pass section is now behind you.

Days 12 and 13: Tatopani, Shikha, and Ghorepani

The route includes time at a hot spring before continuing through lower mountain country. From there, you cross a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River and follow the Burung Khola toward the trail junction.

This section feels very different from the high, dry country around Thorong La. The descent brings warmer air, river valleys, terraced fields, and villages linked by footpaths and roads. Tatopani is a welcome pause after the pass, though the plan still involves long walking days.

From Shikha, you pass through the Magar villages of Phalate and Chitre. The route enters rhododendron and pine forest before the final climb to Ghorepani. The day is described as hard, and it deserves that warning. After nearly two weeks of walking, uphill forest trails can feel tougher than expected.

Day 14: Poon Hill sunrise and Pokhara Lakeside

The morning begins early with a 40 to 50 minute climb to Poon Hill at 3,210 meters. The payoff is a broad mountain view at sunrise, including Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.

This is an excellent final mountain moment because it requires a short climb rather than another full day at extreme altitude. You return from Poon Hill and continue toward Pokhara Lakeside, ending the walking portion before the final return to Kathmandu.

The schedule still lists about 12 hours for the day, so do not confuse the short Poon Hill climb with an easy day overall. The route from Ghorepani to the trail end and onward to Pokhara can take much of the day.

Day 15: Pokhara to Kathmandu and a farewell meal

The final transfer is by deluxe tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu, though the company says other transport choices may be available. The day is listed at about 12 hours, making this another long travel day rather than a relaxed morning in Pokhara.

A farewell lunch or dinner is included at a suitable time. Airport transfers are included at the beginning and end, which removes one common source of stress in Kathmandu. If you want extra time in Pokhara or Kathmandu, remember that additional hotel nights and food are not part of the package.

The guides and the family-run approach

The company presents itself as a family-operated team and offers simple Nepali language teaching during the trip. I like this detail because it encourages a more personal connection with the places you pass through. Even learning a few words for hello, thank you, or food can make village interactions warmer.

Guides connected with the company include Pratap, Dinesh, Binute, and Bashudev. Pratap has guided the route toward Tilicho Lake and Thorong La, while Dinesh and Binute have worked together on Annapurna trips. Bashudev has also led Annapurna Circuit walks.

Your assigned guide may be someone else, so ask for the name and experience of your guide before departure. The strongest pattern in the company’s service is friendly, careful support, with safety treated as a priority. That matters far more than polished sales language on a high-altitude trek.

Fitness, accommodation, and daily comfort

The tour requires moderate physical fitness, but the published walking times suggest you should be comfortable with long days, steep climbs, suspension bridges, and changing altitude. The route is not technical mountaineering, yet Thorong La makes it demanding.

Accommodation is in normal trekking lodges. You should expect basic mountain lodging rather than hotel comfort, and hot showers, charging, boiled water, and drinks cost extra. Meals are included throughout the 15 days, which makes budgeting easier, but personal food and drink preferences will still affect your spending.

The private setup is best for couples, friends, or families who want to walk together without joining a large group. It is less suitable if you want a leisurely schedule with short daily stages. The listed plan has limited room for delays, fatigue, or rest beyond the designated acclimatization day.

Cancellation and practical booking notes

You receive free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is near public transport. Pickup is offered, with the stated starting point at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Should you book this private Annapurna Circuit trek?

You should book it if you want the complete high-pass experience with a private guide, included permits, three daily meals, lodge accommodation, and transport arranged from Kathmandu through Pokhara and back. The route gives you the best variety: river valleys, villages, forests, Manang, Thorong La, Muktinath, Jomsom, hot springs, and Poon Hill.

I would choose this trip for a fit first-time Himalayan trekker who wants support without paying for a luxury package. I would hesitate if you dislike long bus rides, basic lodges, or 12-hour walking days. Ask about porter arrangements, the exact guide assigned to your group, and the transport plan after Muktinath before paying.

At $995, the package offers strong practical value, but it is not an easy holiday. If you prepare for the altitude, respect the acclimatization day, and accept a few rough edges in the schedule, it gives you a lot of Nepal in two weeks.

FAQ

How long is the private Annapurna Circuit trek?

The experience lasts approximately 15 days, beginning in Kathmandu and ending with the return from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

What is the highest point on the route?

The highest point is Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for all 15 days.

Is a porter included?

No. Porter service is not included, but the company can arrange a porter if requested.

What transport is included?

The package includes airport transfers, a bus toward Bulbule, public transportation from Muktinath toward Tatopani, transport from the trail ending point to Pokhara, and a deluxe tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refundable.