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Annapurna Base Camp Sanctuary and Fishtail

Annapurna Region: Treks, Circuits & Sanctuary Guide

Annapurna has a trek for almost every pace. Compare the classic circuit, ABC, Mardi Himal, and Poon Hill before choosing a route that fits your time and fitness.

Elevation Span822 m (Pokhara) to 5,416 m (Thorong La)
Best SeasonsOctober to December & March to May
Permit DeskACAP Permit + TIMS Card
Gateway StagingPokhara Lakeside (1 to 2 hrs to trailheads)
Major TreksCircuit Map & ProfileTrailhead GatewaysAll Articles (9)Trail FAQs
The Annapurna Range

Diverse Landscapes, Gurung Hospitality & Glacial Valleys

The Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) is Nepal's most diverse trekking region. In a span of just a few trekking days, trails transition from subtropical banana groves and terraced rice paddies to misty rhododendron forests, bamboo canyons, and finally high alpine glacial basins.

Stage out of the lakeside city of Pokhara, where trailheads lie within 45 to 90 minutes. Enjoy warm Gurung village hospitality, hot stone baths, and crisp mountain mornings without the extreme flight delays common to high remote airstrips.

Verified Trail Times Real Pokhara Staging
Golden hour light over the Annapurna mountain range
Dawn sunlight illuminating Annapurna South from the Base Camp plateau
Curated Routes

Major Treks in the Annapurna Range

From 2-day family overnight hikes to multi-week trans-Himalayan circuits.

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)Moderate to Challenging8 - 10 Days
4,130 m (Sanctuary)

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)

Walk straight into a high glacial basin ringed by giant 7,000m and 8,000m peaks including Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South, and the sacred peak of Machapuchare (Fishtail).

ACAP + TIMSRoute Guide →
Annapurna Circuit & Tilicho LakeChallenging12 - 16 Days
5,416 m (Thorong La Pass) / 4,919 m (Tilicho)

Annapurna Circuit & Tilicho Lake

A legendary horseshoe circuit transitioning from subtropical jungle terraces to Tibetan-style arid mountain plateaus in Manang and Mustang, crossing the formidable 5,416m Thorong La pass.

ACAP + TIMSRoute Guide →
Mardi Himal Ridge TrekModerate4 - 5 Days
4,500 m (Mardi Base Camp)

Mardi Himal Ridge Trek

The fastest high-ridge trail in the Himalayas. Ascend narrow knife-edge ridges through rhododendron forests with intimate, in-your-face views of Machapuchare and the Annapurna Sanctuary.

ACAP + TIMSRoute Guide →
Ghorepani Poon Hill TrekEasy to Moderate3 - 4 Days
3,210 m (Poon Hill viewpoint)

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Nepal's premier introductory lodge trek. Climb stone staircases beneath ancient moss-draped rhododendrons to catch morning light illuminating Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I, followed by traditional Gurung village life in Ghandruk.

ACAP + TIMSRoute Guide →
Australian Camp & Dhampus HikeEasy / Family Friendly2 Days (Overnight)
2,050 m (Australian Camp)

Australian Camp & Dhampus Hike

The perfect short overnight escape from Pokhara. Hike through peaceful forests from Kande to an expansive mountain meadow overlooking the Annapurna range, returning via traditional slate-roofed Dhampus.

ACAP (at checkpost)Route Guide →
AnnapurnaStrenuous🔄 Circuit Trail

Annapurna Circuit Trek Route Map & Elevation Profile

A legendary Himalayan horseshoe circuit tracing the Annapurna Massif. The trail ascends from subtropical river terraces and pine forests along the Marshyangdi River into the arid Tibetan-plateau desert of Manang and Mustang, crossing the formidable 5,416 m Thorong La Pass.

Units:
Distance🧭
93.5 km
Round-trip trail
Duration⏱️
9 Days
1 rest/acclimatization
Max Height🏔️
5,416 m
Thorong La Pass
High Sleep⛺
4,525 m
Thorong Phedi
Total Ascent📈
+3,811 m
Cumulative climb
Guide Rule🛡️
Mandatory
Licensed guide required

Interactive Trail MapVector GPS

Click any numbered milestone or village along the route line to view altitude and details.

Loading trail topography...
Trail Route Trailhead Village/Lodge High Point
Basemap: © Esri, USGS, Maxar (Free Topographic DEM)

Elevation ProfileInteractive Vector

Tap any milestone pin to inspect stage altitude and sync with the route map.

High Point Acclimatization Milestone
🚙
Transit Gateway: Besisahar (760 m / 2,493 ft) → 4WD Mountain Jeep → Chame Trailhead (2,670 m)Trail starts at Chame (0 km) to bypass dirt road walking. Instant altitude jump on arrival: +1,910 m.
+1,910 m Arrival Jump
1,500m2,500m3,500m4,500m5,500m0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80kChameUpper PisangManangThorong La PassMuktinathJomsom
🏔️
Thorong La Pass
5,416 m (17,769 ft). One of the highest walkable trekking passes in the world, connecting the Manang Valley with Mustang.
Altitude5,416 m
Route MarkSummit Point
Effective O₂50%
🩺
High-Altitude Acclimatization Protocol

Proper pacing requires at least one dedicated acclimatization day in Manang (3,540 m) before ascending further. Recommended active rest hikes include Gangapurna Glacial Lake or the steep climb to Praken Gompa (3,900 m) to test respiratory stamina.

Oxygen Level~53% at Summit
📋

Data Provenance, Methodology & Sources

🛰️ Route Geometry & DEM Elevation

Route line coordinates are compiled from verified Himalayan GPS trail tracks licensed through OpenStreetMap contributors and cross-checked against official maps published by the Survey Department of Nepal.

Elevation samples are extracted from the Copernicus GLO-30 Digital Elevation Model (DEM) at 30-meter spatial resolution. Key waypoint elevations (e.g., Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m, Thorong La at 5,416 m) are calibrated against official government survey bench marks and local conservation checkpoints.

⚠️ Himalayan GPS Variances & Safety Notice

Deep river gorges (such as the Dudh Koshi and Marshyangdi canyons) and steep glacial moraines cause GPS multi-path signal reflections. Daily walking hours and distances should be treated as reliable planning estimates rather than survey-grade navigational mandates.

Safety Advisory: This interactive route profile is designed for itinerary planning and acclimatization orientation. Trail conditions, seasonal snowpack, and bridge crossings can change rapidly. Never rely on web tools as your sole navigation instrument in the high Himalayas. Always carry offline navigation (maps.me / Garmin GPS) and paper topographic maps.
Official Regulatory & Cartographic Sources:
Staging Logistics

Trailhead Gateways from Pokhara

How to reach your starting point smoothly with local jeeps, taxis, and public buses.

Nayapul / Birethanti

1.5 to 2 hrs from Lakeside (Taxi NPR 2,500 - 3,500)

Main access for Ghorepani Poon Hill and classic Annapurna Base Camp trail via Ulleri and Ghandruk.

Kande / Phedi

45 mins from Lakeside (Taxi NPR 1,500 - 2,000)

Starting point for Australian Camp, Dhampus, and the forested lower approach to Mardi Himal.

Besisahar / Chame

4 to 5 hrs from Pokhara or KTM via microbus / shared jeep

Official eastern gateway for the full Annapurna Circuit and side excursions to high-altitude Tilicho Lake.

Jhinu Danda / Siwai

2.5 to 3 hrs via rough jeep track from Pokhara

Shortens the ABC trek return by a full day. Home to soothing natural riverside hot springs beside the Modi Khola.

Curated Field Guides

All Annapurna Region Articles & Reviews

Comprehensive guides, packing checklists, weather guides, and cost analyses.

9 Detailed Articles
Trail Smarts

Annapurna Region FAQs

Essential answers for trekking in the Annapurna range.

Where do I obtain the ACAP and TIMS permits?↓

Permits can be issued in 30 minutes at the Nepal Tourism Board / ACAP Permit Office in Damside, Pokhara, or at the NTB central office in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. You need your original passport, 4 passport photos, and Nepali rupees in cash.

Which trek is better: Mardi Himal or Poon Hill?↓

Poon Hill is easier, lower in elevation (3,210m), and rich with Gurung village culture, making it ideal for beginners and families. Mardi Himal reaches higher alpine ground (4,500m) along a steep, quiet ridge with much closer mountain vistas and fewer crowds.

Can I do the Annapurna Base Camp trek without a guide?↓

While hiring a licensed guide or porter supports local Himalayan communities and enhances trail safety, independent trekkers should always verify current seasonal rules at the ACAP desk in Pokhara before departure. Most short trails (Poon Hill, Australian Camp) are easy to follow on marked stone pathways.

What is the best month to see blooming rhododendrons?↓

March and April (Spring) are the peak blooming months. The forests between Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Deurali transform into brilliant canopies of scarlet, pink, and white blossoms set against snow-capped peaks.