Annapurna Circuit Short Trek - 10 Days

Safety precaution for the Annapurna Circuit Trek

Although Annapurna Circuit Trek takes place at high altitudes, this trek is completely safe. Discovery World Trekking takes several precautions to ensure your safety so that you can enjoy your journey without any worries. For safety - 

• Our guides have completed Intensive Wilderness First Aid training
• Trek leaders and guides have years of trekking experience 
• In addition to sanitizers, we use high-quality masks & gloves 
• We check food & accommodation hygiene in lodges/hotels we will be staying 

Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary beginning

You will be arriving in Kathmandu at least one day earlier (before 3 pm) than the trek departure date for last-minute preparations. If, in case, you missed the online trip briefing, it will also provide us time to conduct an in-person briefing. Discovery World Trekking representative will welcome you from Tribhuvan International Airport and take you to your hotel.

On the second day, your trip guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus station from where you will catch a bus to Besisahar. 

Complimentary airport transfer service on your Annapurna Circuit Trek Tour

We will pick you up from the airport and drop you at your hotel by private vehicle on your arrival and vice-versa on your departure for free. Our representative will be at the Tribhuvan International Airport holding a pamphlet with your name on it. They will either present you with a Khada or Marigold garland as a welcome gesture and then take you to your hotel. Please submit your flight details to take advantage of this free service.

Accommodation in the Annapurna Circuit Trekking Route

The 10-day Annapurna Circuit Trek includes lodge-to-lodge stays in the trekking regions and one night in Pokhara at the best available hotel. We select the best available accommodations at all places.

You will be staying five nights in twin sharing rooms with a private attached bathroom at Besisahar, Chame, Pisang, Muktinath, and Tatopani. Similarly, you will spend three nights in twin-sharing standard rooms at Manang, Ledar, and Thorong High Camp. 

We will stay one night at a hotel in Pokhara in a room with an attached bathroom, TV, 24-hour hot water, power, and laundry facility.

Solo travelers will be staying in a single private room with an attached bathroom wherever available and single private standard rooms in other places.

Two nights in Kathmandu before and after the trek may be required but is not included in the package. Kathmandu hosts a wide range of hotels to suit your tastes and budget.

Food on Annapurna Circuit Trek

This trek takes you to high elevations near the world’s highest peaks, so you need enough carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrients. We will provide you with nutritious food, but you might not have all the choices you enjoy in big cities.

We will provide 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 8 dinners during the trek. Some of the popular menu items are -
Ten breakfasts -Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, French toast with Jam, Butter, Cheese, Honey Tibetan bread or Chapati, Local Tsampa porridge, Eggs, Pancakes, Muesli Breads, Fruits, and Vegetables, Hot drinks (varieties of teas and coffees, hot chocolates, etc.)

Nine lunches - Dhal, Bhat, & Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni dishes, Tenduk Spaghetti Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable curry, Potatoes, Vegetables, Salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Desserts, (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), etc

Eight dinners - - Dhal, Bhat & Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni, Tenduk Spaghetti, Noodles Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable curry, Potatoes items, Vegetable and salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Korean Ramen, Desserts items (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), Hard Drinks Steaks, etc

In trek regions, menu item options include traditional, Asian, and Western cuisines. However, as we go up menu list will get shorter. 

We highly recommend you take fresh vegetables and liquids such as green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup (must) at high altitudes. 

Though plenty of non-veg items is available in trekking regions, we do not recommend them because the meat in such places may not be hygienic. We also encourage avoiding dairy items along with alcoholic drinks, caffeinated items, and hot chocolates. 

Note- Lunch and dinner at Pokhara shall not be provided by the company.

Best Season for Annapurna Circuit Trek

The weather is the most important factor to consider when deciding to go on an Annapurna Circuit Trek Tour. Though Annapurna Circuit Trek is possible throughout the year, the trek is easier in some seasons.

Trekking during spring and autumn when the skies are crystal clear makes trekking easier while allowing you to enjoy great landscape views. 

During winter, trekking becomes a bit challenging, due to heavy snowfall and cold temperature, but it also excites many adventurous trekkers. Similarly, during Monsoon, the trails may get slippery, and the clouds might cover the views. 

Discovery World Trekking conducts Annapurna Circuit Treks throughout the year.

The temperature in the mountains changes according to the altitude and seasons. Here is an overview of the weather in the high elevations of Annapurna Circuit Treks.

March-May (spring)

During spring (March-May), mountain lovers and travel enthusiasts come to Annapurna Circuit trek in large numbers. In this season, the climate is mild, the rainfall is low, and the trekking conditions are perfect. The mean daily temperatures in the high elevations are between 5 to 0°C. Lower regions along the trek are warmer, making it pleasant for everyone to trek during this season.

The trekking season begins after March. By April, the trek route throughout the Himalayas will be aligned with red, pink, and white rhododendron flowers at altitudes up to 3,000 meters.

The temperature starts rising from mid-March up to mid-May. The weather is cool, the skies are bright, and you can enjoy the clearest views of the mountains.

June to August (summer)

The summer in Nepal lasts from June to August. Needless to say, the temperatures are high, but the Monsoon season coincides with summer making the trek paths wet and slippery. 

Monsoon generally begins from the end of June and continues up to the second week of August.

At high elevations, the temperature during the days usually ranges from 10°C to 23°C and gets relatively colder at night ( 5°C to 10°C). Mornings are mainly clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon, but they disappear at night. Various plants bloom during this season, the valleys look green, and you can enjoy completely different views compared to other seasons.

September to November (autumn)

The autumn season (September, October, November), like spring, is a popular season for the Annapurna Circuit treks. Moderate temperatures, mild wind, and low precipitation make autumn a perfect season for Annapurna trekking. 

The sun shines brightly, the skies are clear, the temperature for trekking is just right, and you can get a superb view of the mountains.

You can enjoy spectacular starry skies at night. The Monsoon will be over by early September, and daytime temperatures at high altitudes can reach up to 20°C, nights are relatively colder at around 5°C. The greens that grew during the Monsoon fade to golden/amber providing a spectacular contrast against the crystal blue skies. You will see the terraced farms full of ripening grains.

The environment is clean, and the lowlands are lush. The biggest festivals of Nepal - Dashain & Tihar - also fall during this season. This adds a sense of joy to all trekkers. 

December to February (winter)

Winter (December - February) treks in the Annapurna circuit are also popular. The places along the Annapurna circuit trek can get cold, but it excites many trekkers. The temperature at high elevations of the Annapurna Circuit Trek can be as low as -10 °C. But the daytime is pleasant and relatively warm with enough sunlight. 

The coldest time is from late- December through early February. After late February, the climate gradually gets warmer.

Despite being cold, the skies are usually clear, and the mountains are at their best. It snows at high altitudes, and the trails are the least busy. Though it might not be the best trekking season for beginners, experienced trekkers will have no problem.

Trip Grade: Fitness level, Medical, and Health

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a challenging and alternative short trek to 14 Days Annapurna Circuit. 

The hike in the lower lands below 3,500m from Chame (2,710m) to Manang (3,540m) lasts 6 to 8 hrs per day, and in the high mountains, above 3500m, from Manang to High Camp (4,900m), we will be trekking for 3 to 4 hours per day because trek in high altitude is physically demanding. Past hiking experience would be an added advantage, but no technical experience is necessary.

Trekkers who can hike at a reasonable pace for 6-8 hours per day can complete this Annapurna Circuit Trek. It is a remote mountain journey, and the trek routes involve long climbs, steep descents, and steep forward trails through the rocky paths and the forests. 

Exercising and jogging regularly for a couple of weeks before the trip is a good idea as it enhances stamina. To join the Annapurna Circuit Trek, trekkers should be in good health with fair physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination.

Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform us before booking the trek. You might also consider taking your doctor's advice.

Annapurna Circuit Group Trek | Private Single Trek | Private Family Trek

We organize groups as well as private treks. Group discounts are available based on your team size. The bigger your team is, the more discount you will get. Please view our price list for details. Just click on the - we offer group discount -on your right.

However, if Discovery World Trekking assembles the group, you will not be eligible for discounts. 

We can handle any group size. Each group will have a guide, and for every two trekkers, we will assign a porter. For groups of 12 or more, we will arrange an assistant guide. 

A typical day on Annapurna Circuit Trek

Each day you will be trekking, climbing, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, and exploring the local villages. During the expedition/trek, our expert Sherpa guide will share with you information and historical facts about the places you will be trekking. The porters will carry most of your luggage. However, you may also need to carry a small backpack for your valuables.

The day starts with an early morning hot cup of tea/coffee. After breakfast, we set off on the day's walk from 7 am to 8 am, depending on the duration and nature of the walk. After trekking for three to four hours, we will have lunch around midday on the route to the next destination. We will rest for an hour and continue the trek.

The afternoon walk is generally shorter - about two to three hours. Once we reach our overnight lodge/tea house/tent, we snack on the extra dietary food and explore the town/village, where we will be spending the night. 

We serve dinner around 6.30 pm.  Before going to bed, we will spend some quality time in friendly conversations. Your expedition leader/guide will be briefing you about the next day’s plan. After this briefing, you can enjoy onboard games like Monopoly, and cards, or watch mountaineering documentaries. Most of our guests also prefer to learn common Nepali words. If reading provides you pleasure, you can pack one or two books. 

Communication during the trek

While on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you can use internet service at the lodges for an extra service charge. But once we reach high altitudes, we will communicate using phones. Discovery World Trekking Office will remain in contact with all trek teams at least once a day via the team guide. Depending on the network service you use, you might get signals, but they may not be strong enough. If you want, you can buy a local SIM in Kathmandu.  

Electricity for battery recharge, water on trekking

Throughout the lodges we will be staying during the Annapurna Circuit trek, electricity for the camera and mobile battery recharge is available for an extra cost. Similarly, you can buy packed mineral water from local lodges and en-route shops or fill your water bottle with boiled water. We also provide water purification pills if you need them. 

Extra personal cost during the Annapurna Circuit Trek

You need to arrange for meals and accommodations in Kathmandu. All meals, transfers, and accommodations required for Annapurna circuit trekking are included except for the lunch and dinner in Pokhara.

Trekkers will have to bring personal spending money with them to cover the costs of accommodations in Kathmandu, visa fees, travel insurance policy purchase, beverages, snacks, souvenirs, tips to the trekking crew members, and other personal expenses. 

We recommend you bring cash (major currencies) and exchange them in Kathmandu. You can use your debit/credit card to withdraw money from ATM. 

Insurance requirements for Annapurna Circuit Trek

Insurance for Annapurna Circuit Trek is compulsory. There is a slight chance of altitude sickness and other unforeseen events such as climate change.

All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy certificate to Discovery World Trekking before starting the trek. The policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation, including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes.

We can recommend insurance companies based on our clients' experiences, but we do not sell insurance policies.

Trekking members are kindly requested to send their detailed insurance information once they book the trekking. In case of emergencies, we will be using your insurance policy and the informational documents you sent us for a quick rescue operation or to cover your medical expenses. 

Visa on Arrival | Nepal Tourist visa

All foreigners except Indian nationals need a valid visa to enter Nepal. You can get an on-arrival Visa at the Tribhuvan International Airport or Nepali borders touching India or Tibet. You can find more information about visas at www.immigration.gov.np

To apply for the visa, you need a passport that is at least valid for six months, one passport-size photo, and a visa fee. The current visa fee is USD 50 for 30 days stay, which you need to pay in cash. 

Chinese and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) citizens get free visas. 

Citizens from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan may not get an on-arrival visa. Hence if you are a citizen of these countries, contact your local Nepali embassy. 

Money Exchange | USD to NPR

Nepali Rupees (NPR/Rs) is the local currency.

(1 USD = (around) Rs.130 NPR).

You can exchange major foreign currencies through local banks and legitimate money exchanges in Kathmandu and all over Thamel. Legal money exchanges display their rates publicly.

Only 100 and 2,000 Indian Rupee notes are legal in Nepal.

We prefer cash exchange to avoid hassles like a lengthy process and high commission bank rates of around four percent or more. You can withdraw cash (in Rupees only) from one of the many ATMs in Kathmandu and Thamel itself using your international credit or debit cards. Most of these ATMs are open around the clock. 

The maximum withdrawal amount is 35,000 Rupees for a 500 Rupees processing for foreign cards.

How much luggage can I take during the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

We assign one porter for every two trekkers, and the maximum combined load we allow a porter to carry is 18 kg. So, that calculates to a 9 kg luggage weight limit per trekker. We also expect you to carry a small backpack for your valuables. Please bring with you only the essentials. You can leave your excess luggage at your hotel or our office store. We provide free luggage storing service for our trekkers during their trek period.