Annapurna

Legendary Trekking in Himalayan Diversity

Annapurna is a mountain range in northern Nepal known for its towering peaks and wide valleys. The region includes Annapurna Base Camp, a popular trekking route that passes through villages, terraced fields and forests of rhododendron. Rivers like the Kali Gandaki flow through deep gorges, offering views of glaciers and snow-covered mountains. Local communities maintain traditions visible in their daily life and festivals. The area supports diverse wildlife and provides access to high-altitude landscapes shaped by tectonic forces over millions of years.

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Region in Nepal

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$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	2
Accessibility:	1
Tap water:	2

Read details

3/5

English proficiency varies throughout the Annapurna Region. In Pokhara and along popular trekking routes, most teahouse owners and guides speak functional English. In remote villages, communication may be limited to basic phrases, though smiles and gestur

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Last update: 26 Oct 2026

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Annapurna Summary

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World-class for Himalayan trekking. Hike famous multi-day trails, cross high mountain passes, visit remote villages and enjoy dramatic snow-covered peaks.

Place score

8.0

Best at:

Mountains

Natural sites

Trekking

Mountaineering

Pilgrimage

Personal score

Suited for

👶 4

Families

🧓 3

Seniors

🥗 9

Vegetarian

♻️ 7

Sustainability

Nepal – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D Type C: Type D: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Nepalese Rupee (NPR) £1 ≈ NPR 202.52
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Credit cards are accepted in many larger establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Nepal, with 10% being the usual amount in restaurants. Taxis and hotel staff appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not generally allowed in Nepal, and alcohol should be consumed in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, though many places have non-smoking zones.

Dashain (September-October)	The biggest Hindu festival in Nepal
Tihar (October-November)	A celebration of lights, similar to Diwali

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 100 (Police), 102 (Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Pathao
Other:	Nepal is famous for its cultural heritage and natural beauty, including the Himalayas and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Annapurna, Nepal

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	March - April, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Feb., May, Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Monsoon June to September brings landslides and leeches, with the Upper Mustang and Manang valleys in the rain shadow remaining trekkable

Thorong La pass on the Annapurna Circuit can close in heavy snow, especially December to February

Dashain and Tihar festivals in October and November fill buses, flights and teahouses

Don't miss

🥾 Trek the iconic Annapurna Circuit with varied landscapes
🌅 Watch sunrise from Poon Hill’s panoramic viewpoint
♨️ Relax in natural hot springs at Tatopani
🏘️ Explore traditional Gurung villages and cultural heritage
🏔️ Cross Thorong La Pass, Nepal’s highest trekking point

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Why travel to Annapurna?

The Annapurna Region offers what many consider the perfect trekking experience, combining spectacular mountain scenery with incredible cultural diversity. Unlike other trekking destinations, you'll pass through a remarkable variety of landscapes and climate zones in a relatively short distance - from lush rice paddies and rhododendron forests to alpine meadows and high-altitude desert plateaus. The cultural aspect is equally compelling, with opportunities to interact with diverse ethnic communities including the business-savvy Thakali people known for their excellent cuisine. The region's crown jewel, the Annapurna Circuit, is often called one of the world's greatest treks, taking you around the entire Annapurna massif and crossing the challenging Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters. However, trekking in the Annapurna Region does come with challenges. The weather can be extremely unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from 25°C during the day to below -20°C at night at higher elevations. Altitude sickness is a real concern when crossing high passes like Thorong La, which can sometimes close for days due to heavy snow in winter. While the northern parts of the circuit lie in a rain shadow, the southern portions can get quite wet during the monsoon season (June-September). The physical demands are significant, with treks lasting anywhere from 10 to 22 days and covering distances of 160-230km, often with challenging ascents and descents.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Annapurna I
2 Manang
3 Marpha
4 Muktinath Temple

🎡Places for activities

1 Annapurna Base Camp
2 Annapurna circuit
3 Jomsom
4 Manang
5 Pokhara
6 Poon Hill
7 Thorong La Pass

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Machhapuchhre Restaurant
2 Tilicho Lake

🛍️Shopping

1 Fruit / Vegetable Market
2 Ram Bazaar

🎈Events

Tiji Festival (Upper Mustang)
Yartung Horse Festival
Losar (Tibetan New Year)
Rhododendron blooming season (April)

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Knowledge before you go

Permits required: TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area.
Hire licensed guide and porter; essential for safety on rugged multi-day treks.
Acclimatize properly in Manang to prevent altitude sickness at Thorong La pass.
October-November or March-May best; expect teahouses, but pack warm layers for nights.

How to travel to Annapurna

Most journeys to the Annapurna Region begin in Kathmandu or Pokhara. From Kathmandu, you can take a 6-7 hour bus ride to Pokhara, which serves as the gateway to the Annapurna treks. Alternatively, there are short 25-minute flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara. For the Annapurna Circuit, travelers typically take a bus from Pokhara to Besisahar to start the trek. For shorter treks like Poon Hill, you can begin from Nayapul, which is about an hour's drive from Pokhara. All trekkers need to obtain TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) cards and Annapurna Conservation Area permits before starting their trek.

Access summary

From Pokhara Airport: Taxi or jeep to trailheads like Nayapul, about 2 hours.
From Kathmandu: Domestic flight to Pokhara 25–30 minutes or 6–8 hours by road.
Trekking region: Multi‑day hikes (Annapurna Circuit/ABC) with teahouse stays, no road access inside.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Annapurna

Accommodation along the Annapurna treks consists primarily of teahouses - simple lodges run by local families that provide basic rooms and home-cooked meals. These range from very basic in remote areas to more comfortable options in popular stops like Manang and Jomsom. Most rooms are twin-share with shared bathrooms, though some newer teahouses offer private facilities. Before and after your trek, Pokhara offers a wide range of accommodation from budget hostels to luxury hotels. During peak trekking seasons (October-November and April-May), teahouses on popular routes can fill up quickly.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Gyan Gauri Palace

9.2

Mountain Lodges of Nepal, Tomijong

9.7

Hotel Natural Spring

6.0

Mountain Lodges of Nepal, Birethanti

Mahakaruna- A Beautiful House with Mountain Views

hotel mardi station

Mountain Lodges of Nepal, Majgaon

Mountain Lodges of Nepal Landruk

Hotel mardi station & restaurent

Ghandruk Resort by Hilly Valley

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Annapurna

The Annapurna Region is primarily explored on foot via established trekking routes. The main trails are well-marked, with teahouses and lodges at regular intervals providing accommodation and meals. For the Annapurna Circuit, trekkers typically start in Besisahar or Bhulbhule and proceed counter‑clockwise, gradually gaining altitude to help with acclimatization before crossing Thorong La Pass. Some sections now have jeep roads, allowing trekkers to skip certain portions if desired, though purists prefer to walk the entire route.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-71 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 71% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to NPR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Pokhara, Nepal - 42 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£17	£35	£110
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£5	£14	£41
🍝 Food per day	£11	£18	£57
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£3	£12

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£5
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£5
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.40
☕ Cappuccino	£0.75
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.17
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£8
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.90

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£1.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£16
🤧 Cold medication	£4.30
💇 Basic haircut	£1.20

Safety information overview

General safety

The Annapurna Region is generally safe for trekkers, with well-established routes and regular teahouses. The main risks are altitude sickness, especially when crossing Thorong La Pass and rapidly changing weather conditions. Always trek with a guide or group and purchase comprehensive travel insurance.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are extremely limited on trekking routes, with basic health posts in larger villages like Manang and Jomsom. Serious conditions require helicopter evacuation to Pokhara or Kathmandu. Altitude sickness is a significant risk, so proper acclimatization is essential.

Accessibility

The Annapurna Region presents significant accessibility challenges with steep, uneven trails and high altitude passes. Most treks require good physical fitness and mobility. Some lower sections now have jeep roads, but the classic trekking experience remains largely inaccessible to those with mobility limitations.

Tap water

Tap or stream water is not safe to drink without treatment. All water should be purified using tablets, filters or by boiling. Most teahouses sell boiled water or bottled water, though the latter creates plastic waste issues in the mountains.