Aug 13 - Aug 28, 2026 confirmed
Annapurna Circuit Bus to Tatopani and trek to Poon Hill, Classic finish via Poon Hill, via Marpha, via Upper Mustang, via Tilicho Lake, and Chamje Start
(16 days)
Annapurna Region,
Nepal
Rating:
| 19 reviews
Difficulty: strenuous
Public trek | 1 confirmed trekker
Teahouse lodging, food, & transportation paid separately.
Food & Lodging
In order to provide you with the best possible price and to get as much money as possible directly to the people who are actually doing the work, we do not charge you in advance for teahouse lodging and food. The guide will be able to book accommodation for the group in advance during high season. However, you will pay the teahouse owner directly for food and lodging. Budget at least $25 a day for food and lodging to be paid in cash directly to the teahouse. Estimated food & lodging for this trip $400 per person.
Transportation
For 'Guide & Permit Only' treks we do not include transportation to/from the trail head. Your guide will help you arrange transportation to the trail head in the case where public bus tickets or a hired private vehicle is required. In addition to your own fare, please pay the fare of your guide and porter (if you have hired one) for public buses and public jeeps. In the case of flights, a fee for the guides transportation is included in the price. You have the option of allowing us to also book your flight this ensures that your guide can be on the same flight. You are also free to book your own flight with the airlines directly if you wish please let us know your flight information if you book your own tickets. If you are on trek in which multiple trekkers have joined we will provide you with the contacts of other members of your trek so that you can arrange your transportation together.- Permits ACAP and TIMS Card
- Guide Guide's wages, food, lodging, and insurance
- Guide's Transport
- VAT Tax 13% Nepal Government Tax
-
Porter
Each porter may carry no more than 20 kg (44 lb). One porter is usually enough for 2 people's gear.
Government required insurance covers the porter in case of an accident while on the trip.
$20 per day per porter
+ $30 per porter for porter's insurance
+ $2.21 per day per porter for vat tax (porter)
1 confirmed trekker
Armin (Germany)
We will try to respond within 24 hours.
Trip Board (1)
itinerary creator
German nature lover in his early 30s. Keen on seeing some outstanding landscapes and experiencing Nepal. I have done several shorter multi day hikes before, never with guide and accommodation an teahouses, though, so this will be a first. If someone wants to joind the tour, please feel free to do so, it would be a great pleasure!
While the new road offers the possibility of shortening this classic trek, it still provides one of the most diverse trekking experiences in Nepal. Starting at Chame, or the traditional starting point of Besi Sahar, the trail runs through lush forest and passes through villages to Manang. From Manang there is an option to take the spectacular side trip to Tilicho Lake, or continue directly over the Thorung La (5416 m) descending to the pilgrim town of Muktinath, a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. From Muktinath, you have the option to take a jeep via the wide valley of lower Mustang to Jomson, where both flights and buses to Pokhara can be arranged, or trek via the traditional village of Kagbeni, gateway to upper Mustang. While the road has taken some of the charm out of this classic trek, the advantage is that a trip can be tailored around one’s interests and time constraints. Whether you do the epic full circuit from Besi Sahar to Ghorepani, or take off a bite sized chunk around the Thorung La, the Annapurna Circuit still has plenty to offer.
Side trip via Upper Mustang: Follow the ancient trade route once dominated by the Kingdom of Lo. Few regions offer this spectacular mix of cultural and geographic treasures. The spectacular eroded canyons of the trans-Himalayan landscape are a kaleidoscope of colors set beneath the distant snow-clad peaks of the Annapurna Range. Throughout this arid colorful landscape are the shrines, monasteries, caves and villages built by the devout Buddhist population. The highlight of the region are the monasteries and caves around the fortified walled city of Lo Manthang.
Side trip via Marpha: The picturesque village of Marpha sits in the shadow of Dhaulagiri. It’s a far more appealing place than nearby Jomsom, with its whitewashed Tibetan style homes and Niyingma monastery dominating the village. A pleasant place to linger after a long trek.
Side trip Chamje Start: Start from Chamje/Jagat. If you only want one day of travel by road this is about as far as you can get but make sure to leave Kathmandu early if you want to make it to Chamje the same day.
Side trip Bus to Tatopani and trek to Poon Hill: If you'd like to finish the trek with a climb to the panoramic view point of Poon Hill and wave goodbye to the 8000 m peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, but not walk the road section you can cut out a few days by taking a bus between Jomsom and Tatopani.
Side trip via Tilicho Lake: If you only have time for one side trip off the main Annapurna circuit, make time for the jaw-dropping vistas of Tilicho lake. Nestled against the backs of the Annapurna peaks, this brilliant blue lake at 5000m is a sight not to be missed. The trail to the lake is scenic but challenging, winding along loose eroded cliff sides to the Tilicho Base Camp lodge. From the lodge, there is a steep hike up to the lake and viewpoint that’s well worth the effort.
Side trip Classic finish via Poon Hill: For the satisfaction of doing the full Annapurna circuit, continue through the villages of lower Mustang and follow the rushing Gandaki River down from arid Mustang into the green middle hills. Finish the trek with a climb to the panoramic view point of Poon Hill and wave goodbye to the 8000 m peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.
Weather Conditions in August
The peak of the monsoon is in early August and marks the wettest time of year. Be prepared for lots of rain and wet trails At higher altitudes, the weather is cool and damp. But the clouds are usually the most frustrating part of monsoon trekking. High altitude passes get lots of snow during the monsoon making some passes increasingly difficult to cross.
At a glance
On average there are 22 days with precipitation in
August. The highest point on the trek is
Thorung La at
5416 m. During
August, expect high temperatures of around
4.9°C (41°F)
and lows down to
-4.1°C (25°F)
at Thorung La.
Annapurna Circuit Bus to Tatopani and trek to Poon Hill, Classic finish via Poon Hill, via Marpha, via Upper Mustang, via Tilicho Lake, and Chamje Start
(Elevation Profile)
Itinerary
(16 days /
15 nights
)
created by
Armin
(Germany)
| Thu Aug 13 (day 1) |
|---|
|
Kathmandu (1337 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 29.4°C (85°F) and lows of about 20.4°C (69°F) in August. |
|
Besi Sahar (800 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 32.6°C (91°F) and lows of about 23.6°C (74°F) in August. |
|
Shared vehicle from Besi Sahar to Chamje
(Not Included)
Estimated cost:
$10.00
|
|
Chamje (1410 m)
From May through early October it is sometimes not possible to reach Chamje by road due to landslides caused by rains. In that case you may have to start walking at an earlier point and the trek may take an extra day or two so make sure you plan accordingly. Please pay your guide and porter for any extra days they work beyond the time you booked. Overnight |
| Fri Aug 14 (day 2) |
|---|
|
Tal (1700 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 27.2°C (81°F) and lows of about 18.2°C (65°F) in August. |
|
Dharapani (1960 m)
About 5-6 hours from Chamje Overnight |
| Sat Aug 15 (day 3) |
|---|
|
Bagarchhap (2160 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 24.4°C (76°F) and lows of about 15.4°C (60°F) in August. |
|
Koto (2620 m)
About 5-6 hours from Dharapani |
|
Chame (2710 m)
About 6-7 hours from Dharapani Overnight |
| Sun Aug 16 (day 4) |
|---|
|
Pisang (3240 m)
About 5-6 hours from Chame |
|
Upper Pisang (3300 m)
About 20 min from Pisang Overnight |
| Mon Aug 17 (day 5) |
|---|
|
Ghyaru (3670 m)
About 2 hours from Upper Pisang |
|
Ngawal (3650 m)
About 45 minutes |
|
Braka (3500 m)
About 45 minutes from Ngawal |
|
Manang (3540 m)
Acclimatization wise it is also possible to spend the 2nd night at Khangsar instead of Manang if you wish and the group agrees Overnight |
| Tue Aug 18 (day 6) |
|---|
|
Manang (3540 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 16.2°C (61°F) and lows of about 7.2°C (45°F) in August. Overnight |
| Wed Aug 19 (day 7) |
|---|
|
Khangsar (3745 m)
About 2-3 hours from Manang |
|
Shree Kharka (4080 m)
About 2-3 hours from Khangsar |
|
Tilicho Base Camp (3900 m)
About 6-9 hours from Manang, about 4-6 hours from Khangsar, or about 2-3 hours from Shree Kharka Overnight |
| Thu Aug 20 (day 8) |
|---|
|
Tilicho Lake (4919 m)
About 2-4 hours up to the lake and about 1-1.5 hours back. While it's possible to see Tilicho Lake in the morning and make it to Yak Kharkha the same day it's more leisurely to add an extra rest day. This option would also give more time to explore the lake. |
|
Shree Kharka (4080 m)
About 2 hours from Tilicho Base Camp |
|
Yak Kharka (4020 m)
About 5-6 hours from Tilicho Base Camp, or about 4 hours from Shree Kharka Overnight |
| Fri Aug 21 (day 9) |
|---|
|
Ledar (4230 m)
About 1 hour from Yak Kharkha |
|
Thorung Phedi (4540 m)
About 1-3 hours from Letdar Overnight |
| Sat Aug 22 (day 10) |
|---|
|
Thorung High Camp (4830 m)
About 1 hour from Thorung Phedi |
|
Thorung La (5416 m)
About 3-6 hours from Thorong Phedi |
|
Muktinath (3800 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 14.6°C (58°F) and lows of about 5.6°C (42°F) in August. Overnight |
| Sun Aug 23 (day 11) |
|---|
|
Kagbeni (2840 m)
From Muktinath, about 3-3.5 hours via Jharkot or 6 hours via Jhong. Overnight |
| Mon Aug 24 (day 12) |
|---|
|
Marpha (2780 m)
About 4-4.5 hours from Kagbeni Overnight |
| Tue Aug 25 (day 13) |
|---|
|
Tukuche (2580 m)
From Marpha, about 5-6 hours via Chhairo and Chimang |
|
Larjung (2560 m)
About 1-1.5 hours from Tukuche |
|
Lete (2480 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 22.5°C (73°F) and lows of about 13.5°C (56°F) in August. |
|
Kalopani (2480 m)
About 2.5-3 hours from Larjung Overnight |
| Wed Aug 26 (day 14) |
|---|
|
Ghasa (2000 m)
About 2.5-3 hours from Kalopani |
|
Tatopani (1190 m)
About 6-7 hours from Ghasa Overnight |
| Thu Aug 27 (day 15) |
|---|
|
Ghorepani (2874 m)
About 6-8 hours from Tatopani Overnight |
| Fri Aug 28 (day 16) |
|---|
|
Poon Hill (3210 m)
About 2 hours above Ghorepani, and an hour return |
|
Tikhedunga (1525 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 28.3°C (83°F) and lows of about 19.3°C (67°F) in August. |
|
Naya Pul (1000 m)
About 7-9 hours from Ghorepani |
|
Public bus from Naya Pul to Pokhara
(Not Included)
Estimated cost:
$2.00
|
|
Pokhara (827 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 32.4°C (90°F) and lows of about 23.4°C (74°F) in August. |
