Annapurna Circuit Day by Day 2027: 12-Day Itinerary and What the Road Changed

Updated 21 October 2026.

Short answer: My 12-day Annapurna Circuit goes Kathmandu to Kathmandu: a drive to Bhulbhule, eight walking days with one rest day in Manang, the Thorong La (5,416 m) on day 10, then a jeep from Muktinath to Pokhara and the bus back to Kathmandu. The roads have changed the lower valley, so the plan below says which parts you walk, which parts you drive and why. For two to four people it costs USD 710 Budget, USD 1,525 Standard and USD 2,720 Luxury per person. Best months are October and November, then March and April.

I am Shreejan. People ask me for the Annapurna Circuit itinerary and then, a line later, "but is it true the road ruined it?" So this page gives you both: the day-by-day plan, and what the road did to each day.

What does the 12-day Annapurna Circuit look like day by day?

The heights are from our own itinerary and published trekking sources, so read them as approximate. Kathmandu hotel nights are not in any tier. I quote them separately.

How have the roads changed each day?

A rough vehicle road now runs up the Marsyangdi valley towards Manang, and another runs up the Kali Gandaki valley through Mustang. The old trail used to be walked from Besisahar. Today many of the lower days are shared with jeeps and motorbikes. I wrote the long version in what changed after the roads. Here is what it means day by day on this plan.

My summary: the first part of the trek is less wild than it was. The middle is as wild as ever. If you want to skip the busier lower valley, I can start you further up the road, but then you lose days of slow, steady height gain. See the 12, 14 and 16 day versions compared before you decide.

Is the Annapurna Circuit open and are the roads working?

The walking trail is open. A road closure is not a trail closure. The Besisahar to Chame road and the Beni to Jomsom road are open to vehicles. Both were repaired after the late-September damage (road status as of 14 October 2026). I check road and trail conditions 48 hours before every departure. If a road is not open on the day, we move your dates free of charge. My live page is Is the Annapurna Circuit open? Road versus trail.

Which days are the hardest?

Day 8 to 10. You leave Manang, sleep at Ledar (4,250 m), then at High Camp (4,900 m), and cross the pass at 5,416 m on a very early start. The descent to Muktinath is about 1,600 m in one day, which is hard on the knees. Manang to Ledar gains about 710 m and Ledar to High Camp about 650 m, more than the usual 500 m a night. That is why day 7 is a rest day in Manang. Day 9 is the one where headaches show up, so we go slowly and your guide checks everyone each evening. Read the night at Thorong High Camp and altitude sickness and how to prevent it.

When is the best time to go?

See the longer best time month by month page.

What does it cost in 2027?

These are the prices on the trip page today, in US dollars per person. The price falls as the group grows. For every line of the budget in one place, see our Annapurna Circuit cost guide.

The price includes the transport in Nepal, teahouse rooms every night, a licensed guide, the two permits (ACAP NPR 3,000 and TIMS NPR 2,000) and the government taxes. Standard and Luxury include meals on the trail. Budget does not include meals. A night in Pokhara at a tourist hotel with breakfast is included. Kathmandu hotels are not.

A solo trekker on Standard has no porter, and the guide carries up to 10 kg. Luxury solo has a dedicated porter. For the permits in full, read Annapurna Circuit permits for 2027. For where you sleep each night, read the teahouse guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Annapurna Circuit take now that there is a road? I plan 12 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu. That is eight walking days including the pass, one rest day in Manang and three driving days (1, 11 and 12). The 14-day plan adds Tilicho Lake and the 16-day plan adds Tatopani and Poon Hill.

Is the Annapurna Circuit still worth doing with the road? Yes, for the Manang valley, the pass and Muktinath. They have no road. The lower days are the part that has changed.

Where does the walking start? At Bhulbhule on our plan. You can start at Chame or Dharapani if you are short of time, but I do not recommend skipping the lower days, since they help you adapt.

How high is the Thorong La? 5,416 m. It is the highest point of the trek.

Do I need a permit? Two: the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. Both are included. The Circuit is not a restricted area.

What insurance do I need? Cover bought at home, with helicopter evacuation, to 5,500 m. Where the pass cannot be reached by helicopter, rescue happens from lower ground, so a fast descent is the real safety plan.

Can I do it solo? Yes, with your own guide. The solo price is higher, because you have the guide and the vehicles to yourself.

What if a road is blocked? We check 48 hours before departure. If it is not open, we move your dates free of charge.

How do payment and cancellation work for the 12-day Annapurna Circuit?

On the 12-day Annapurna Circuit, the 10 per cent deposit is non-refundable and there is no refund if you cancel, but you can move your trip free of charge to any date within one year with at least 72 hours notice. If we cannot run the trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf. Group size, payment and card charges are all on our deposit and rescheduling page.

What is the next step?

The full trip page is The Annapurna Circuit Trek, 12 Days, and the route is drawn out on our Annapurna Circuit trek map. Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, group size and whether you want to walk or drive the lower valley. I will tell you what I would do in your place.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.