15-Day Private Annapurna Circuit Trek from Kathmandu

The big draw here is the full Annapurna Circuit in 15 days, with the hard high-altitude crossing of Thorong La Pass followed by Muktinath, Jomsom, hot springs, and Poon Hill. You get a private group rather than a fixed large party, plus airport transfers, permits, meals, lodges, and most transport for $995 per person.

I like the family-run approach, especially the promise of a homely setting and basic Nepali language help along the way. I also like that acclimatization is built into Manang, and that the company has arranged guides such as Pratap, Dinesh, Binute, and Bashudev on past Himalayan trips. The main catch is the pace: several days are listed at about 12 hours, and porter service costs extra.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• Thorong La reaches 5,416 meters: This is the physical and logistical center of the trek, with an early start from Thorong Phedi.
• Manang gets a proper acclimatization day: You spend Day 7 in Manang before heading toward the pass.
• The route mixes buses, walking, and lodges: You begin by local bus and later use public transport, a car, and a tourist bus.
• Poon Hill adds a second mountain highlight: The sunrise walk from Ghorepani gives views toward Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.
• The price includes major essentials: Permits, guide costs, meals, ordinary lodge stays, transport, airport transfers, and taxes are covered.
• This is a private trip with a moderate fitness requirement: Your group controls the booking, but the long walking days still demand preparation.

What the $995 Package Really Covers

At $995, this trek is priced as a fairly inclusive Nepal package rather than a simple guided hike. You receive airport pickup and drop-off, the bus to Bulbule, transport from Muktinath toward Tatopani, a car from Nayapul to Pokhara, and a deluxe tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

The price also covers normal lodge accommodation, an experienced guide with salary, equipment, insurance, transport, lodging, and food, plus the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS card. Government taxes and a farewell lunch or dinner are included as well.

Food is listed as 15 breakfasts, 15 lunches, and 15 dinners. That matters because meals in the mountains can add up quickly. Drinks are not included, so budget separately for bottled water, soft drinks, beer, hot drinks, and boiled water.

Porters are not included. You can arrange one through the company, but you should ask about the current cost and baggage limits before departure. Without a porter, you will carry your own main bag while the guide handles the route and group support.

Extra nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara are also outside the package. Laundry, phone use, showers, battery charging, bar bills, and personal purchases are yours to pay for. Travel insurance is required on your own, and it is especially important here because the route reaches high altitude.

Kathmandu to Bulbule: A Long Road into the Mountains

Day 1 begins with a local bus from Kathmandu toward Besisahar and Bulbule. The drive takes roughly six to seven hours to Besisahar, though the full road day may feel longer depending on traffic and the selected departure time.

The route follows the Trisuli River and crosses it at Muglin before turning toward the Marshyangdi River. This is not a polished private transfer. A local bus gives you a more ordinary view of Nepal, but roads and timing can be less predictable than in a private vehicle.

The first stop is recorded in the Lamjung area, with the night near Bulbule. Admission is free because the main value is reaching the trek route, not visiting a formal attraction.

On Day 2, you walk through villages and along the east side of the Marshyangdi River, passing Ngadi before climbing toward Bahun Danda, a Brahmin settlement at about 1,270 meters. The day may run close to 12 hours, so do not treat this as a gentle warm-up.

You continue toward Ghermu after the uphill section. This first walking stretch introduces the rhythm of village roads, suspension bridges, river crossings, and lodge stays. It also gives you time to adjust to the heat and effort before the trail rises higher.

Syange, Chamje, and the First Mountain Trail

Day 3 begins with a descent from Ghermu to Syange, followed by a suspension bridge crossing to the west bank of the Marshyangdi. From there, the route climbs steeply and works along a cliff face toward Chamje.

This is one of the days when sturdy shoes and a steady pace matter more than speed. The itinerary gives a shorter listed stop time, but the walking day is still substantial. Ask your guide about the exact meeting and walking plan, since the schedule describes several trail sections rather than a simple sightseeing stop.

Day 4 reaches Chame after passing through Dharapani, Bagarchhap, and Danque. Bagarchhap sits around 1,960 meters, while Danque reaches about 2,300 meters. A stone entrance chorten marks Danque, and the villages retain a more traditional mountain character than the roadhead settlements below.

You cross the Marshyangdi by suspension bridge and continue through changing elevations. At this point, the circuit begins to feel less like a river valley walk and more like a high mountain route. Long days remain the norm, with about 12 hours listed for the day.

Pisang and the Changing View Toward Manang

Day 5 runs through dense forest and a narrow valley before crossing the Marshyangdi at roughly 3,038 meters. The route passes a dramatic curved rock face rising about 1,500 meters above the river, then continues toward Manang.

The scenery changes quickly here. Pine forest, steep rock, river noise, and open mountain spaces replace the warmer lower valleys. You should expect the walking to feel harder as the air thins and the trail climbs.

The itinerary describes Manang as the destination, though the route references Pisang and the two possible paths from there. One follows the Marshyangdi River, while another crosses the river and rejoins at Mungji. The upper or lower choice can affect the day’s views and effort, so ask your guide which route your group will take.

Day 6 continues toward Manang. The lower route passes through pine forest, while the alternate route offers a different approach before the trails meet again. This flexibility is useful, but the published plan is not a minute-by-minute schedule. Your guide will decide based on trail conditions, group strength, and the agreed route.

Manang’s Acclimatization Day Matters

Day 7 is a full acclimatization day in Manang, and this is one of the strongest parts of the plan. You need time at altitude before attempting Thorong La at 5,416 meters. Rushing this section would make the pass less safe and much less enjoyable.

The day is described as optional exploration. A visit to a lama or monk is possible, with a requested donation of 100 Nepali rupees. You might also use the day to rest, walk locally, sort your clothing, and check that you have enough water and warm layers.

The private format helps here. You can discuss how you feel with your guide and keep the day practical instead of following a large group’s fixed speed. Still, a rest day does not remove the altitude risk. Your own fitness, hydration, insurance, and willingness to stop if unwell remain important.

The company emphasizes friendly support and safety. Guides named in past bookings include Pratap, Dinesh, Binute, and Bashudev, with Dinesh and Binute noted for keeping the trip organized and cheerful. Your assigned guide may differ, so confirm the name before departure.

Toward Thorong Phedi and the 5,416-Meter Pass

Day 8 leaves Manang and climbs toward Tanki village, then continues through Ghungsang and into the Jar Sang Khola valley. The route passes pastures and scrub as it moves northward. The surroundings become more spare, and the walking day remains long.

Day 9 is described as the final camp before the pass, following yak grazing ground and the Jarsang Khola. You cross the river and continue upward to Durali Tea Shop before reaching Thorong Phedi. The wording in the schedule is slightly unclear about the exact overnight point, so confirm whether your group sleeps at Thorong Phedi or a nearby camp.

Day 10 is the major test. You start early from the pass area because the climb to Thorong La is long and the descent afterward is also demanding. At 5,416 meters, this is not a casual viewpoint walk. The day requires slow pacing, warm clothing, careful footing, and close attention to your guide’s instructions.

The reward is the sense of crossing the high point of the Annapurna Circuit. The route then drops toward Muktinath, bringing a sharp change in altitude and terrain. This is the moment to keep your schedule flexible. If weather, health, or trail conditions create a problem, your guide may need to adjust the plan.

Muktinath, Jomsom, and the Kali Gandaki Valley

Day 11 takes you from Muktinath toward Jomsom. Muktinath is an important stop on the circuit, and the route then opens into the Kali Gandaki valley. The plan allows several onward choices from Muktinath, including travel toward Tatopani or Pokhara.

The published schedule includes public transportation from Muktinath to Tatopani. It also notes that a short flight from Jomsom to Pokhara is possible, though the included transport lists the road option. Ask exactly what is covered if you want to change to a flight, since that choice may affect both cost and timing.

Day 12 reaches Shikha after a hot spring stop and a descent across a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River. The path follows the Burung Khola before reaching a trail junction. Hot springs are a welcome break after the pass, but the route remains a full walking day, listed at about 12 hours.

This is a good example of the trip’s variety. You move from high alpine conditions to river valleys, villages, bridges, and warm water in just a short part of the route. The tradeoff is that road travel and public buses can make this section less peaceful than the higher trail.

Rhododendron Forests and Poon Hill Sunrise

Day 13 passes through the Magar villages of Phalate and Chitre, then climbs through rhododendron and pine forest to Ghorepani. The terraced fields and village paths give you a strong sense of the lower Annapurna foothills.

The day is described as hard, and that is worth taking seriously. After Thorong La, your legs may still be tired. Ghorepani is not simply a place to sleep before a viewpoint. It follows another substantial climb.

Day 14 starts early with a 40 to 50 minute hike to Poon Hill at 3,210 meters. The goal is sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. This is a smart finish to the walking portion because it gives you a broad mountain view after the more enclosed valleys and high pass.

After Poon Hill, you continue toward Pokhara Lakeside. The day is again listed at about 12 hours, so the sunrise walk is only the beginning. Transport from Nayapul to Pokhara by car is included at the trek’s end.

Pokhara provides a softer landing after the trail. Your extra accommodation there is not included, so check whether you want to add a night before returning to Kathmandu.

Returning to Kathmandu and Saying Goodbye

Day 15 uses a deluxe tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The schedule lists about 12 hours, making this another long transport day rather than a quick hop between cities.

You can choose among transport services offered by the company, but the included option is the tourist bus. A private vehicle may be possible at an additional cost, so ask before booking if comfort or control of departure time matters to you.

A farewell lunch or dinner is included at a suitable time. The company also offers a small token of appreciation, which fits the family-run character of the service. Airport pickup and drop-off are included at the beginning and end, with Tribhuvan Airport listed as the meeting point and a 10:15 am start time.

Who This Annapurna Circuit Trek Fits Best

I would consider this trip a good match if you want the main Annapurna route arranged for you but still want a private group. You receive a guide, permits, food, lodging, and most transfers without having to arrange each piece yourself in Kathmandu.

It suits people with a moderate fitness level who are comfortable with several long walking days. You should be ready for days listed at 12 hours, steep climbs, suspension bridges, basic lodges, local buses, and the possibility that the route plan changes.

It is less suitable if you want short hikes, private hotel rooms throughout, or a relaxed schedule. Porter service is extra, and the normal lodge accommodation is not described as deluxe. You should also be comfortable with the fact that the route reaches 5,416 meters.

The company’s strongest personal touch is its family team and language help. Guides such as Pratap, Dinesh, Binute, and Bashudev have handled Himalayan itineraries for the company, including Annapurna and Manaslu routes. The best practical step is to ask for your guide’s name, confirm the porter price, and clarify the Muktinath transport before paying.

Should You Book It?

I would book this trek if your priority is a private, value-focused Annapurna Circuit with major logistics already handled. The $995 price covers enough essentials to make it attractive, especially with permits, meals, guide costs, airport transfers, mountain lodges, and transport included.

I would pause if you need a slower itinerary or a high level of comfort. The itinerary is ambitious, the walking days are long, porter service costs extra, and some transport details need confirmation.

For a fit hiker who wants Thorong La, Muktinath, Jomsom, Poon Hill, and Pokhara in one organized trip, this is a strong option. Book it after confirming the exact route, guide, porter arrangement, transport from Muktinath, and what happens if altitude or weather forces a change.

FAQ

What is included in the $995 price?

The price includes airport pickup and drop-off, bus travel to Bulbule, public transport from Muktinath toward Tatopani, a car from Nayapul to Pokhara, a deluxe tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu, normal lodge accommodation, a guide, permits, government taxes, 15 breakfasts, 15 lunches, and 15 dinners.

Is this a private trek?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is porter service included?

No. A porter can be arranged if requested, but the cost is not included in the listed price.

How high is Thorong La Pass?

Thorong La Pass reaches 5,416 meters.

Is there an acclimatization day?

Yes. Day 7 is reserved for acclimatization in Manang before continuing toward the pass.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.