Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days (Kathmandu to Muktinath with Thorong La Pass)

The 12-Day Annapurna Circuit Trek is a guided teahouse trek from Kathmandu to Muktinath that crosses Thorong La Pass at 5,416m. The route follows the Marsyangdi River through the villages of Dharapani, Chame, Pisang and Manang. At the same time, travelers complete a full acclimatization day and travel the upper route through Ghyaru and Ngawal. The starting price for large groups begins at $680 per person. It increases with additional members because the package includes teahouses, trek meals, permits, a guide and ground transfers, while travelers can choose to hire a porter for extra cost. Travelers need to have travel insurance because it is mandatory, and the most suitable times for traveling to the area are in spring, from March to May and autumn, from September to November. 

Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 With Muktinath Tour Days Overview

Annapurna Circuit Trek: 12 Days. This is an incredible 12-day trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, crossing the Thorong La Pass (5416m) and visiting the beautiful Marsyangdi Valley. This has been specially created for trekkers wanting to experience a part of the Annapurna Circuit at higher altitude without spending 3 weeks on foot. The tour is organised by Dream Tibet Travel and Tours.

Our Founder and Managing Director, Ram Chandra Lamichhane, leads the team who have put together this tour. There is some compromise involved along the way – we travel by vehicle from Kathmandu to Dharapani and then from Muktinath to Jomsom and Pokhara. This means you will miss out on some of the villages around the lower part of the Annapurna Circuit; however, it saves some walking days.

From Dharapani (1,960m), walk to Chame via Bagarchhap and Timang. Continue under Annapurna II to Pisang. Day 5 will take us along the high route, passing Ghyaru & Ngawal. This will be around 17 km, and the higher route will include some uphill sections that are not on the lower route. We chose to do this higher route to add to the challenge of the trek.

Whilst in Manang, we will not shorten the trek any further. We will have a day of acclimatisation on day 6 either around Gangapurna Lake or somewhere suitable. Whilst this does shorten the total package, it would mean we wouldn’t have as much time to spend getting used to sleeping above 4000m.

The route will take US up to Yak Kharka (4,050m) and Thorong Phedi (4,525m). On day 9, we will depart early to start the trek across Thorong La. This will take around 16km to get to Muktinath (3,800m). There can be issues with snow, wind and altitude problems, so we will not force the crossing.

Thorong La is not technical, and with good conditions there will be no rope or crampons required. It can be a long and cold day but is not technical. The risk is due to altitude and the weather. Dawa Sherpa will lead the crossing. Sonam Tashi Sherpa will plan the meals in the days leading up to the crossing, making sure they are light, warm and easy to eat when you lose your appetite.

We cannot guarantee everyone will cross the pass, but we can guarantee how we decide. The guide will calmly decide early on whether to turn back. If we need an emergency helicopter, then this will be at your insurer's cost. Our team in Kathmandu will organise the call and ensure you arrive at the hospital.

This trek is great if you like long days of walking, can cope with basic lodges and like a varied trek. If you are looking for a quieter trail or shorter itinerary, then we will let you know and recommend a better option.

Included in the price are all meals during the trek, accommodation, permits, transportation and a local guide. The porters are paid extras. Travel insurance is mandatory and should cover any applicable emergency evacuation costs. Prices range between US$ 680 and US$ 1,150 depending on group size. The last 2 nights will be spent in Pokhara and Kathmandu, departing on day 12.

Highlights of the Annapurna Thorong la Pass Trekking Trip

• Bagarchhap and Timang. People usually do not linger long at these villages, which, in our opinion, is a mistake. After all, the pine forest here is the last dense shade along the way, while the next open section will make you regret it.
• Paungda Danda rock formation near Pisang. It is a single curved rock formation located at an altitude of about 1,500 m above the river level. We always take a photo break here regardless of how tight the schedule is. We are ready to lose twenty minutes to capture this unique location.
• Pisang Upper: 3,300 m. High trail begins at this village. We do not provide lower alternatives, despite any group requests, not even those groups that request it.
• Ghyaru and Ngawal. It is believed that the Annapurna wall view in this village is the best on the circuit. We are with you in this opinion. It requires a bright morning, and we cannot promise it.
• Manang's Gangapurna Lake. It is a short hike with a nearby glacier. We prefer this lake over the Ice Lake because it demands less and provides more.
• Ice Lake, 4,600m altitude. We state bluntly that this is not for everybody. The journey will last for about 4 to 5 hours, and it is up to the guide who will make the trip. Pride will have no say in the matter.
• Yak Kharka, 4,050m altitude. The forest is gone; only yaks will rule the slopes from now on. It is an intentionally short day today. We prefer you arrive well rested rather than ahead of schedule.
• Thorong Phedi, 4,525m altitude. Everyone has trouble sleeping there. It is why we let you know beforehand to avoid unnecessary concern when it happens.
• Thorong La, 5,416m altitude. It is the peak of your trekking route and the highest point of it. The climb is made in the darkness and in bitter cold. Every step feels hard. And then the flags come into sight, and the pass is finally conquered. Many trekkers keep silent there.
• 1,600 meters drop down to Muktinath. The guests dread the climb but forget this part. You will feel it in your knees rather than breathing heavily. You take our advice, and we take the walking sticks.
• Muktinath has 108 water taps. This is regarded as holy for both Hinduism and Buddhism. We request our guests to dress modestly.
• Jomsom is at an elevation of 2,720 meters. After several days of lush greenery and chilliness, this barren gorge is a completely different country to us. We believe that this is the secret of our circuit.

Why Choose Dream Tibet and Travel for Annapurna Circuit Trekking Package?

• Same team throughout. We run our trips from offices in Kathmandu and Lhasa. This means that once you have passed Thorong La we can take you right to the end of your trip to either Mount Kailash or Bhutan with the same team.
• Local guides. The local guide who will assist you with the Thorong La will have experience of what it is like to trek through the cold, windy and low oxygen conditions at 3am on Thorong La. He will set the pace and make decisions accordingly.
• High altitude experience. We run some high altitude treks in Tibet which include the Kailash Kora at 5,630m above sea level. We know how the body reacts to long days of trekking at high altitudes (over 5000m). This helps us understand.
• Small groups. We only have one head guide (Bikram Bhandari) meaning the head guide and his assistants can take care of each trekker very well.
• Insurance is required and we will check this. We collect the insurance details from Bikas Lamichhane in Kathmandu before your walk begins. All emergency helicopter flights are covered by your insurance and we will arrange this.
• Transparent pricing. Our packages start from $680 per person (for large groups). Porters are an extra paid for.
• Quick decisions. The company was started by Ram Chandra Lamichhane and lots of people work here who are related to him. If you need to change your plans you will need an extra night in a hotel or helicopter. We will make quick decisions.
• Carefully planned emergency rescue. In the event of needing an emergency helicopter we have Bikas Lamichhane and Bikram Bhandari working together in Kathmandu. All costs are covered by your insurance and we will organise the helicopter calls, getting you to hospital and keeping your family updated.
• Pre-planned turnaround. We will talk about this the night before so it makes the difficult decision easier to understand whilst passing through.

Thorong La Pass at 5,416m: The Hardest Day and the Achievement You Came For

The final leg of your climb begins in darkness. The light from your headlamps are the only source of light and you can feel the cool air in your lungs. When reaching the top of Thorong La Pass (5416m) your words become shorter. Some will be counting their steps whilst others will continue to look up for their first view of the prayer flags.

Eventually you see the sign board. This is the most rewarding part of the climb for any hard work done. You are standing at the highest point of your 12 day trek!

We will have a short stop to take pictures and celebrate if we can. However, this isn’t the end of your achievement. The descent to Muktinath is very difficult on tired feet!

Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days Cost 2027/2028

The Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days will cost you between US$680 and 1,150, depending on your group size. Our price will cover your expenses according to the route described below: vehicle transfer to Dharapani, 7 trekking days, an acclimatization day in Manang, crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters, and road trip back through Jomsom and Pokhara.

Vehicles help us reduce the distance of the trail. But our itinerary does not exclude the acclimatization day in Manang, as some other itineraries may do to make it cheaper. Our price includes a local guide, trekking meals, 8 teahouse nights, permits, and specified transport. Porters, mandatory insurance, and your teahouse expenses are not included.

Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days Price by Group Size

Solo travelers bear the full expense, since they have no one else to split costs with for guides and transportation. Larger groups split the cost among more people. And does a 13-strong group have a quicker journey, less time to acclimatise or a different crossing of Thorong La? No, the itinerary stays the same. So, the final cost for each trekker is ultimately decided by the confirmed booking conditions.

Porter Costs: Why We Keep This as a Separate Choice

We do not include a porter in our basic charges. It is meant to distinguish the trekking package that we have advertised from a trekking package that uses the services of a porter.

Trekkers from Pisang will trek up along the higher path to Ghyaru and Ngawal, making it around 17 km to reach Manang. Afterward, they will trek at heights of more than 4,000 meters via Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi.

If you feel uncomfortable carrying your luggage for such a distance, it's better to get yourself a porter prior to the journey

Emergency Helicopter Costs: Arrangement Is Not Payment

In the case of the Thorong La Pass trek day, the trek will take you up to 5,416 meters before heading down to Muktinath. This does not imply that you will be given helicopter services free of charge.

Travel insurance is mandatory, and your travel insurance should cover adequate trekking and emergency services. Helicopter dispatch and insurance reimbursement depend on availability and the conditions and payment terms of your insurance company.

We cannot assure you that helicopters will land by the side of an injured trekker or that all expenses will be covered automatically.

What We Will Not Remove to Offer a Cheaper Annapurna Circuit

The trekking routes through Ghyaru and Ngawal, the overnight stay in Manang and the acclimatization day on the sixth day are included in this trekking plan.

We could bring down the cost per person by sharing the expenses of the guide and vehicle costs. We shall not promote this 12-day trekking journey by reducing the cost by stealthily omitting the acclimatization day in Manang or by offering porter services as part of the total cost.

It is important for trekkers to consider what they will get and what else they need to organize independently, along with the costs incurred.

What Makes These 12 Days Different from the Classic Annapurna Circuit?

The Annapurna Circuit route that we shorten involves places where a vehicle may be used instead of walking, not where altitude requires patience. On Day 2, jeep takes trekkers past Besisahar to Dharapani, which will help us save several days of valley trekking.

However, we take a different route above Pisang. Instead of taking the easy valley route, we go through Ghyaru and Ngawal up to 17 km before arriving at Manang. Moreover, we stay for two days in Manang, although dropping the acclimatization day might have made the package easier to market as a shorter trek.

The hardest part is still left as it is: Thorong Phedi to Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), and then the descent to Muktinath.

You won’t experience the whole traditional circuit as you skip the villages after Muktinath. This fact is communicated in advance when making booking for the tour.

Who Will You Trek With? 

• For our 12-day Annapurna Circuit trekking trip, you have the option to trek privately or inquire about joining others based on our group trekking availability. Group rates consist of five groups, ranging from individuals up to a group of 13 and above.
• Our experienced local trekking guide joins the group from Dharapani to Thorong La Pass and on to Muktinath, where he determines the route, monitors the trekkers’ progress, and makes arrangements for accommodation.
• It is not a must for you to be assigned a porter since you are free to choose. In case you prefer someone to help you carry your trekking luggage, we organize that before your departure.
• We cannot assure all members of a group that they will move at the same pace. Prior to confirming your trekking group and guide services and the number of porters required, we ensure everything is clear.

Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary Overview

Starting with Kathmandu Airport and finishing with your international departure, the 12-day trip schedule comprises a total of eight days of hiking. The second day includes two road transfers: a transfer from Kathmandu Airport to Besisahar by vehicle and then transfer by jeep to Dharapani.

The next five days of hiking lead along the valley of Marsyangdi and then ascend in altitude. The sixth day is planned for local hikes to acclimate in Manang. Overnights will be in Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi.

On the ninth day, you will get to the maximum height of the tour – Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) and descend to Muktinath. The tenth day of the tour includes a road journey back to Pokhara via Jomsom.

Detailed 12-Day Annapurna Circuit Itinerary: Distance, Altitude, Elevation Gain and Walking Hours