Annapurna Circuit Trek from Pokhara - 9 Days

Annapurna Circuit Trek is located inside the Annapurna Region and is controlled by the Annapurna Conservation Area. This conservation area helps to control the rare species of flora and fauna and maintain the beauty of the Annapurna region. Due to this region, all the travellers who are planning to visit here must obtain the permit.

Your required permits are:

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)
• TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System)

Theese permit will be obtained by Namaste Nepal for our trekkers who join the trek with us. For the permit process, you need to send us a copy of your passport and pp-size photo while booking the trek.

Meals will be included in the Annapurna Circuit trek package. Namaste Nepal will arrange three meals for all our clients. You will have a choice of veg and non-veg options. If you have any dietary restrictions, you can inform us in advance so we can try to manage them. Let’s see the type of menu you can expect in the tea house of the Annapurna region during the trek:

• Breakfast

Porridge, muesli, oatmeal, Pancakes, Tibetan bread, chapati, Eggs (fried, boiled, omelette), Toast with jam or honey, Tea or coffee

• Lunch And Dinner:

Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, vegetables), Noodles, pasta, or spaghetti, Fried rice, fried noodles, Potato dishes (mash, fried, boiled), Soup varieties, Veg and non-veg curries, Momos (dumplings), and many more

• Beverage (mostly exclusive):

Hot water, alcohol, cold drinks, energy drinks, and snacks.

Namaste Nepal will arrange the best available rooms in the Guesthouse during the Annapurna Circuit trek. Until Manag Village, we will get the rooms with an attached Bathroom for you. Thieese Guesthouses is run by the local families, and it will be located on the trekking trails.

These guesthouses will be pre-booked for you so that you can relax and enjoy every day after you finish the hike. Let’s see what facilities you can find in the tea house:

• Rooms: Simple, cosy with amenities like a warm blanket, a pillow, a bedsheet, and a shared bed
• Toilets: Squat types with running water. No facilities for handwashing or toilet paper. On the Lower alevatation of the trek, most Toilets and Bathrooms are attached to your Room.
• WIFI: Available in all tea houses. WIfi connection might be poor in high altitude areas. You need to pay certain fees to get a connection.
• Hot Shower: Available deuring the most parts of the trek with your attached bathroom.

At high altitudes like Yak Kharka and Thorang Phed, we do not recommend taking proper hot showers, but they are still available. You need to pay certain fees to use the hot shower facility.

When you are planning to do the Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara, we suggest you have travel and health insurance. Although it is safe, sometimes the unseen situation can happen, so if you have insurance, it will help to cover any risks, medical costs, or emergency expenses that may arise during the journey.

In the high altitude region, it will not be possible to rescue from the road, so your insurance policy must cover the cost of a helicopter rescue operation. Without the insurance, a helicopter evacuation can be very expensive and difficult to manage on your own. Let’s see what your insurance must cover:

• High-altitude risk up to 6,000m
• Emergency helicopter evacuation
• Medical treatment and hospital bills
• Trip cancellation or interruption
• Lost or damaged luggage
• Accidents or injuries during trekking

This 9-day Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara is challenging. The actual challenge depends upon your fitness level, preparation, trekking experience, and the season you choose to travel. Although it might sound challenging, this trek can be managed when you make enough preparation before heading out on a trek.

Let’s see the common risk factors that you can expect while you are trekking and how you can minimise the risk:

• Altitude Sickness

The main challenge of the Annapurna Circuit trek for most trekkers is altitude sickness(AMS). It can happen to anyone, anytime, no matter how experienced you are. Altitude sickness causes breathing problems, mild headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

These symptoms are the initial phase of AMS, which can be cured by taking rest or simply descending to a lower altitude. If you avoid the early symptoms that might turn into HACE and HAPE, which are the advanced forms of AMS. It can be life-threatening if not taken care of at an early stage, so you must follow an acclimatisation plan during the trek.

• Physical Exhaustion

On the 9-day Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara, you will cover around 160–180 km. To cover this distance, you will need to walk for around 6-7 hours. Walking continuously for such a long duration can be tough, especially for beginner trekkers. Before joining the trek, make sure you are physically prepared and able to walk for several hours each day.

• Weather Conditions

The Annapurna Himalayas weather conditions can be unpredictable sometimes, even during the best season. A sudden change in the weather can disturb the trekking plans. It can result in heavy snowfall, rain, or cold temperatures, which adds difficulty for trekkers. So you always need to be prepared for such conditions by carrying all the proper trekking gear, warm clothing, waterproof jackets, gloves, hats, and other essential equipment.

• Basic Facilities with Limited Medical Access

Trekkers should understand that there will be no luxury hotel or restaurant in the Annapurna Circuit trekking route. There will be limited and very basic facilities in the tea house where you will be staying. There are no advanced hospitals or modern infrastructure in the trekking routes.

So it’s really important to carry the basic first aid, personal medications, and travel insurance to cover any emergencies.

Expert Tips To Minimize Altitude Sickness on the Annapurna Circuit Trek from Pokhara:

You will spend around a week above 3,000 metres during this 9-day Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara. The highest point of this trek is Thorong La pass, which sits at an altitude of 5,416 m. It is also the highest mountain pass of the Annapurna Region. Altitude sickness can happen when you travel above 3,000m, so it is our responsibility to understand altitude sickness and learn how to minimise it.

Symptoms of altitude sickness (AMS):

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue and weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble sleeping

Symptoms of HACE (High-Altitude Cerebral Edema – advanced AMS)

• Severe headache
• Confusion or disorientation
• Loss of coordination (ataxia)
• Difficulty walking
• Hallucinations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe fatigue or drowsiness

Symptoms of HAPE (High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema – advanced AMS)

• Shortness of breath, even at rest
• Persistent cough, sometimes with pink or frothy sputum
• Chest tightness or congestion
• Extreme fatigue or weakness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Bluish lips or fingernails (cyanosis)

Preventive Measure:

• Ascend gradually and allow time for acclimatization
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
• Avoid alcohol and smoking at high altitudes
• Eat light, balanced meals
• Take rest days, especially above 3,000 m
• Consider medications like acetazolamide (after consulting a doctor)
• Descend immediately if severe symptoms appear
• Trek with a guide or group familiar with high-altitude conditions

Once you decide to join Namaste Nepal as your travel partner, here is the team that will guide and support you throughout your Annapurna Circuit trek:

• Lead Trekking Guide: Experienced in the Annapurna region treks, plans routes and schedules, shares local knowledge, culture, and insight about the region, monitors trekkers’ health conditions, coordinates with supportive staff, handles emergencies, provides motivation and guidance.
• Assistant Guide: For more than 10 people in a group. Supports the group, assists with navigation and logistics.
• Porters: Carry your main luggage. Our porter will carry a maximum of 20 to 25kg, and one porter will be divided among two trekkers. So make sure your main luggage weighs around 10 to 12kg.
• Driver: Good knowledge and experience, responsible for safely transporting trekkers between trailheads
• Operations/Back Office Team: Available 24/7, Handles permits, food, accommodations, logistics, and emergency support.

• Booking Policy

Booking the Annapurna Circuit trek from Pokhara is an easy process.

You can book directly from our website by clicking the book now option, which you can find inside the package. After this, you can choose the travel date, group size, and make a payment to reserve your seat. If you have any confusion, you can also book the trek directly by contacting us on WhatsApp or through email.

To confirm your booking, you need to make an advance payment of 25% of the total package cost, which you find on the website written in USD. The rest of the amount can be paid before starting the trek.

• Payment Policy

We accept all kinds of payment like Cash, Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfers, QR Codes, Contactless Payments, and Online Gateways.

• Cancellation Policy

The payment that you make during the booking (25%) will not be returned as per our Company policy. There will also be no refund in the case of the guest making the cancellation or not showing up on the trip date.