15-Day Private Annapurna Circuit Trek from Kathmandu

The big draw is the change of worlds on foot: you follow river valleys and village trails toward Manang, cross Thorong La at 5,416 meters, then descend toward Muktinath and the warmer side of the circuit. The route ends with an early climb to Poon Hill for sunrise views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

I like that this is a private trek, so the pace and daily choices are for your group, and that the price includes a guide, permits, transport and meals. I also like the family-run company’s promise to teach Nepali phrases along the way, a small detail that can make village encounters feel more personal.

The trade-off is the workload: this is a high-altitude trek with long days, and the Thorong La crossing demands an early start and real stamina. The day-by-day schedule also has a few unclear transitions, so confirm the exact route and overnight stops before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• The high point is Thorong La: The pass reaches 5,416 meters, making acclimatization and a very early start central to the trip.
• Manang is the planned rest stop: The itinerary reserves a day there before the pass, with optional local exploration.
• The route has a strong range of scenery: Expect river valleys, forest, village paths, high grazing ground, Muktinath, hot springs and a Poon Hill sunrise.
• The $995 price covers a lot: Guide costs, ACAP and TIMS permits, listed transport, lodge accommodation, and 15 breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included.
• You travel as your own group: It is a private activity, not a shared departure with strangers.
• Confirm the route details: Some day descriptions and stop names do not line up neatly, so get a clear written schedule before booking.

What the 15 days involve

This is a point-to-point trek, not a series of day hikes from one comfortable base. You begin with a long drive from Kathmandu toward Besisahar and Bulbule, then move through villages and changing elevations until the route reaches Manang. From there, the itinerary builds toward Thorong La, descends to Muktinath and continues toward the lower valleys, Poon Hill and Pokhara.

The listed price is $995 per person. For a private, guided trek, that is a useful package if you value having transport, permits and meals arranged together. But the inclusions need a careful read. The trip lists 15 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners, while also describing 15 days; ask which meals are covered on travel and arrival days, and whether any meal is not included because of the actual route schedule.

Lodge accommodation is included, described as normal rather than deluxe. You should also budget for hot and cold drinks, personal expenses, and any extra nights in Kathmandu or Pokhara. A porter is not included, though the company says it can arrange one on request. Travel insurance is also your responsibility.

Days 1 to 4: From Kathmandu to the Marshyangdi Valley

Day 1 begins with a bus journey from Kathmandu toward Besisahar and Bulbule. The drive is described as six to seven hours and follows the Trisuli River before crossing it at Muglin, then continuing toward the Marshyangdi valley. You can choose a preferred departure time, though the meeting information gives 10:15 a.m. at Tribhuvan Airport as the start time. Confirm how that airport meeting works with your chosen departure, especially if you arrive on a different flight.

The first walking days bring a steady shift from road travel to village paths. On Day 2, the route heads toward Ghermu, passing settlements and crossing to the east bank of the Marshyangdi River. The itinerary describes a climb toward Bahun Danda, a Brahmin settlement at 1,270 meters, with a lunch stop. A 12-hour day is listed, so clarify whether that refers to the full day or the walking portion. Either way, do not treat the early section as a casual warm-up.

Day 3 continues toward Chamje, descending to Syange, crossing a suspension bridge and climbing again along a steep section beside the river. Day 4 goes by Karte, Dharapani and Bagarchhap before reaching Chame. The route description calls out a stone entrance chorten at Danque, a reminder that the trek is not only about big mountain views. These village passages are where the offer to learn Nepali phrases could be especially useful: even a few greetings can help you connect more naturally with people along the way.

Days 5 to 8: Forest, Manang and time to adjust

The itinerary places a dramatic stretch of trail on the way toward Manang. You cross forested ground and follow a narrow valley, with the Marshyangdi Khola cutting below a steep rock face. The route descriptions place the group in Manang from Day 5 onward, with another trail option mentioned from lower Pisang on Day 6. Since the day labels and stop names are not entirely clear, ask the operator to confirm where you will sleep on each of these nights.

Day 7 is set aside for acclimatization in Manang, an important pause before climbing higher toward the pass. The itinerary suggests optional exploration, including a monastery visit with a requested 100-rupee donation. Treat this as a rest day, not an invitation to pack in strenuous side trips. You may want to use the time to walk gently, rest and discuss how you feel with your guide before continuing uphill.

On Day 8, the route climbs toward Tanki village and continues through Ghungsang into the Jarsang Khola valley. The scenery becomes more open, with pastures and scrub replacing the lower valley’s denser forest. This is a useful point to check your pace and gear with your guide. The schedule does not provide detailed walking times for every section, so ask what a typical day’s start and finish will look like.

Days 9 and 10: The demanding Thorong La crossing

The approach to Thorong La is the trip’s most serious test. Day 9 is described as the last camp before the pass, following yak-grazing ground and crossing the Jarsang Khola toward a tea shop. Day 10 begins early, climbing from the high camp area to the 5,416-meter pass before descending toward Muktinath. The itinerary calls it a long, hard day, and that is the right way to plan for it.

The altitude is the main practical concern, not simply the distance. The Manang acclimatization day is built into the schedule for a reason. Keep your guide informed about how you feel, follow their instructions, and do not assume that your usual hiking fitness makes high altitude predictable. The tour lists travelers as needing moderate physical fitness, but the pass crossing is still a demanding day.

The pay-off is the crossing itself and the dramatic change in terrain as you descend toward Muktinath. The itinerary identifies Thorong La as the central high point, but does not provide a detailed timing plan or backup route. Before booking, ask how the guide handles a slow pace, poor conditions or a decision not to cross. Those answers matter more than a glossy summit photo.

Days 11 to 15: Muktinath, hot springs and Poon Hill

After the pass, the route moves toward Jomsom and the lower Mustang region. Day 11 describes several options from Muktinath, including travel toward Tatopani or Pokhara, and notes public transport from Muktinath to Tatopani is included. This is one of the itinerary’s less clear transitions: ask whether the group takes transport or walks on this section, and which villages are planned for overnight stops.

Day 12 includes a hot spring stop, followed by a walk across a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River and onward toward Shikha. The warm-water pause can be a welcome contrast after the cold, high pass, but the exact order and transport details should be confirmed. The itinerary’s sequence blends walking and public transport, so get a day-by-day explanation rather than assuming every leg is on foot.

On Day 13, the route climbs through the Magar villages of Phalate and Chitre, then through rhododendron and pine forest toward Ghorepani. The day is described as hard. That climb sets up the early start on Day 14, when you hike to Poon Hill at 3,210 meters for sunrise. The stated walk takes around 40 to 50 minutes, and the view can include Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna South and Himchuli.

After Poon Hill, the itinerary points toward Pokhara, with a car from Nayapul included. Confirm the exact walking route and where the vehicle meets you. Day 15 is the return to Kathmandu by deluxe tourist bus, with a farewell lunch or dinner depending on timing. That long ride closes the loop, but it also means the trek’s final day is a travel day rather than a quiet morning in Pokhara.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $995 per person, the package combines several expenses that can otherwise take time to arrange: airport pickup and drop-off, the Kathmandu to Bulbule bus, public transport from Muktinath to Tatopani, a car from Nayapul to Pokhara, and a tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu. It also includes a guide and the guide’s salary, equipment, insurance, transport, lodging and food, along with ACAP and TIMS permits and government taxes.

Meals are listed as 15 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners. That sounds generous, but it is worth confirming what happens on the first and last days and which meals are served during the long transport legs. Lodge accommodation is included on the trek, though no specific room standard is promised beyond normal lodge accommodation.

You pay separately for drinks, laundry, bar bills, phone use, battery charging, showers, boiled water and personal expenses. Extra nights in Kathmandu or Pokhara are not included, nor is travel insurance. A porter can be arranged at extra cost. If you want one, ask about the fee, weight limits and whether the porter’s costs are included in that quoted amount.

Private guiding and the company’s style

A private departure means your group is the only group on the activity. That gives you more room to discuss pace and daily needs with your guide than you would have on a fixed group trek. It does not mean every element can change freely: lodge availability, transport and the high-pass schedule still shape the route.

Himalaya Guide Nepal describes itself as a family-run team and says it teaches Nepali during the trip. Company-related trek accounts name guides including Pratap, Dinesh, Binute or Binoot, Bashu or Bashudev, and Salman. These names are not a promise that any one of them will lead this particular departure, so ask who is assigned and what language they speak.

The experience has a listed score of 4.9 from 18 ratings, and the strongest themes associated with the company’s trips are friendly support, careful organization and attention to safety. For a trek with a high pass, those qualities are not decorative extras. You want a guide who communicates clearly, keeps an eye on the group and can explain the day’s plan before you set off.

Who should choose this trek

This trip suits you if you want the classic circuit in a private format and are prepared for long walking days, changing elevation and a demanding high-pass crossing. It also fits people who appreciate having permits, meals and major transport arranged together, rather than booking each part on their own.

It is less suitable if you want a relaxed holiday with short walks, fixed comfort standards or no uncertainty in the schedule. The itinerary lists moderate fitness, but that label should not lull you into thinking Thorong La is a small challenge. Be honest about your conditioning, ask detailed questions about the route, and discuss medical and altitude concerns with a qualified professional before travelling.

Should you book it?

I would consider this trek if a private guide, a broad range of included services and the classic Thorong La route are your priorities. The $995 price offers good package value on paper, particularly with permits, meals and transport included, but the unclear day transitions deserve attention.

Before booking, get the exact overnight plan, clarify the 15-meal count, confirm who will guide you, and ask how the team handles a change of plan at altitude. If those answers are clear and you are ready for the effort, this is a practical way to tackle the Annapurna Circuit with local support. If you need a fully predictable schedule or an easier trek, choose a shorter route.

FAQ

How long is the Annapurna Circuit trek?

The experience is listed as 15 days, approximately.

What is the price per person?

The listed price is $995 per person.

Is this a private trek?

Yes. It is a private activity, so only your group participates.

What is the highest point on the itinerary?

Thorong La Pass, at 5,416 meters.

Is there an acclimatization day?

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

Are meals included?

The package lists 15 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners. Confirm how those meals fit the travel and trekking schedule.

Is a porter included?

No. A porter can be arranged on request, but the porter is not included in the listed package.

Is travel insurance included?

No. Travel insurance is not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund or change.