Annapurna Circuit Trek Distance: Classic, Short and Extended Routes

Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary and Route Variation

The Annapurna Circuit provides multiple alternative trekking itineraries to address various trekker time requirements and preferences. Select trekkers can decide between traveling the full Annapurna Circuit or reducing the distance, while some blend driving with trekking alternatives.

Classic Annapurna Circuit (260 km)

The classic Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal includes 260 kilometers of distance that requires trekking for 12 days. The journey commences with a drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani then continues to Chame and finally leads to Upper Pisang. The journey continues with a day of rest in Manang after which you move to Yak Kharka followed by Thorung High Camp. You reach the ultimate highlight during day 8 when you conquer Thorong La Pass before heading down to visit Muktinath Temple. You start by driving to Tatopani, and after that you walk toward Ghorepani. The journey ends with an early morning Poon Hill ascent reached through hiking the 3,210m peak followed by transportation from Birethani to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu. 

Shortened Itinerary (136 km)

Short on time and want an easy trekking journey? The 10-day condensed short hike to Annapurna Circuit includes all essential highlights for those with limited time availability. Due to shorter distances of 136km, this trek combines breathtaking mountain views and passes with cultural sites without doing lower-altitude walks. A shortcut route! You will start with a Kathmandu to Besisahar drive, followed by a Chame Jeep Drive before walking through Upper Pisang, where you can admire the Himalayan views, before arriving at Manang for acclimatization while enjoying Gangapurna Lake. The journey ascends to Yak Kharka, followed by Thorong High Camp, before reaching the ultimate challenge of crossing Thorong La Pass. The trek ends at Muktinath, where you can switch to a jeep ride heading to Jomsom. The journey ends with a brief 20-minute flight to Pokhara, which saves you from extended bus transportation.

Annapurna Circuit Trek combined with Manaslu Trek (Thorong La Pass and Larkya La Pass)

These days, many people tend to combine the thrilling Manaslu Circuit Trekking, which ascends to an elevation of 5106 meters, with the Annapurna Round Trek that crosses over the height of 5416 meters, covering more than 300 kilometers in total. This itinerary is simply combined by the experienced hikers, but the major con is that it asks rapid hike of covering 7-8 hours per day, which is simply not an easy task, and the risk of AMS is always there. This trailhead is usually done after completing the first half of the Manaslu Trek and goes to the Annapurna Circuit in the second half. To simplify it, first it crosses the Larkya La Pass and then the Thorung La Pass. This Manaslu and Annapurna Trek is an astonishing yet rewarding journey, demanding almost 12 km per day with 4-8 hours of hiking.

Driving Vs Trekking

The construction of roads in the Annapurna region offers you alternative ways to integrate jeep or bus travel into your hiking experience. You now have various options, such as transferring by jeep to Chame for a 4-5 day time-saving benefit, and using jeep between Jomsom and Tatopani for a 2-day reduction, and finally traveling by jeep from Muktinath right to Pokhara to eliminate the entire western trekking area. After passing Thorong La Pass, numerous hikers ride in jeeps to Jomsom or Tatopani instead of descending through lengthy valleys on foot. Each driving shortcut leads to shorter distances on your trip, whereas it simultaneously modifies your adventure. Using vehicles during the trek leads to time efficiency and dust-free walking while allowing you to observe the high-altitude vistas.

However, driving through the route eliminates the opportunity to experience gradual acclimatization together with cultural interactions and the feeling of fulfilling the entire foot trek. Experienced trekkers advise people to do at least some lower sections as walking helps adjust to altitude changes before reaching the destination, Manang.

Daily Distance and Time Covered during the Annapurna Circuit Trek

Well! To make you understand better regarding the Annapurna Circuit Trek distance covered as per the time per head, here is a detailed table mentioning the route, distance, and time that showcases the exact variations of how the trek to Annapurna Circuit is supposed to be while you are on the trailhead:

How has the Road Construction to Chame affected the distance to the Annapurna Circuit?

The construction of the road reaching Chame has transformed the distances and exploration in recent years. Before road construction, most trekkers began their journey from Besisahar or Bhulbhule, walking to villages such as Ngadi, then Bahundanda, followed by Jagat before reaching Dharapani to end at Chame.

Trekkers now have the choice to use the new road to Chame which enables them to bypass the initial 4-5 days of the traditional trek route using jeep or bus transportation. The road allows trekkers to skip about 50-60 kilometers (30-37 miles) worth of the overall trek distance.

The road completion to Chame provides relief to certain trekkers who want to bypass the hot and humid sections of lower altitudes during particular seasons. Through this variation, you can finish the circuit in less time when dealing with time constraints.

Many professional trekkers believe skipping the gradual altitude adjustment process across the lower regions is a drawback for starting your journey in Chame. The conventional route lets your body gradually adjust to growing elevation thus minimizing the likelihood of altitude sickness when climbing to elevated points such as Manang and Thorong La Pass.

More vehicle traffic and increased dust have altered the initial trekking paths that were once quiet pathways. Trekkers have started selecting alternative entry points and secondary trails instead of walking on the dirt road paths.

Daily Trekking Breakdown: Day-to-Day Distance

Road Drive to Chame (2,670 meters)

The majority of Annapurna trekkers initiate their journey by driving between Kathmandu or Pokhara to reach Chame. A 200 km road journey permits travelers to avoid walking through the lower hills and shortens their total journey time. You can find Chame positioned at 2,670 meters which serves as an excellent base for beginning the trek. 

Chame to Upper Pisang (3,300 meters)

The itinerary from Chame to Upper Pisang extends 14 km through a journey that requires 5-6 hours to complete. Standing at an altitude of 3,300 meters the village of Upper Pisang grants phenomenal mountain views that include Annapurna II and several other peaks.

Upper Pisang to Manang (3,540 meters)

The 6 to 7-hour trek extends 16 kilometers. Trekkers typically require an additional rest day in Manang (3,540 meters).

Manang to Yak Kharka (4,018 meters)

Moving from Manang you will walk 10 kilometers before reaching Yak Kharka. The journey to Yak Kharka at 4,018 meters takes approximately 3 to 4 hours through a 3-4 hours trek.

Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,450 meters)

Although covering only 7 kilometers in distance, the day requires 3-4 hours because of the height gain to reach Thorong Phedi at 4,450 meters 

Final Thorong La pass crossing (5,416 meters) 

The journey covering 5 to 10 kilometers stretches to 7 to 9 hours ro cross Thorong La Pass which stands at 5,416 meters.  Muktinath which is located at 3,800 meters can be reached by following a 10-kilometer descent from this point.

What are the factors that affect the Distance of the Annapurna Circuit Trekking?

You will encounter several choices that determine the overall walking distance throughout the Annapurna Circuit trek. It is very flexible! Multiple factors decide the length of your trek, including your starting point and endpoint,t as well as any side detours and any connected trails you follow.

Side Trip

Among side trips off the main Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake ranks as one of the most sought-after destinations that needs an additional 3 to 4 days beyond the typical itinerary. Beginning in Manang, the detour creates a different trail route to Yak Kharka and extends the trek distance by 20-25 kilometers (12-15 miles). 

Combined Trek

Want to explore more? Several exciting treks throughout the Annapurna region enable diverse and extended travel experiences by blending them with the Annapurna Circuit Trek route. You typically add Poon Hill at the final stage of your Circuit trek. The trek from Ghorepani takes you to Poon Hill where they can witness sunrice views of Annapurna ranges. The addition requires 5 to 7 kilometers (3 to 4 miles) of walking distance while expanding the journey by 1 day. 

The Mardi Himal Trek offers a fresh trail for travelers to reach Ghandruk and join the trek to the Annapurna Circuit. The new addition extends your journey by about 40 to 45 kilometers, which will take 4 to 5 extra days. You can see amazing vistas of Machhapuchhre mountain, and the trail draws fewer people than other Annapurna Region Treks.

The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek starts at the southern segment of the Annapurna Circuit Trekking Trail. Circuit hikers benefit from adding the Mardi Himal route, which provides 35-40 kilometers (22-25 miles) of extra trail along with 4-5 additional days to complete the trek. During your visit to ABC, you will experience surreal 360 panoramic vistas while traveling within the Annapurna Sanctuary. 

The Khopra Ridge Trek provides an alternative with fewer crowds while connecting to the Circuit. The addition lengthens your journey by 30 kilometers (19 miles) while requiring 3-4 days of trekking time. The viewpoint from Khopra Ridge displays Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South, which is not seen by many.

Jomsom serves as the starting point for Upper Mustang, which extends towards the northern territories of the Annapurna Circuit. Adding this significant extension extends your trek length by 7-10 days with a minimum of 100 kilometers (62 miles). This area showcases a distinct environment unlike everywhere else on the circuit since it matches Tibet's high-desert terrain with its red, brown, and yellow cliffs. 

Transportation

Transportation significantly determines the distance of your Annapurna Round Trekking journey. You can choose between taking a flight or jeep or bus to start at points such as Besisahar or Chame. The construction of roads extending from Muktinath on the western side and Manang on the eastern side provides numerous opportunities to reduce the trek distance. The jeep connection from Besisahar to Chame reduces the total traverse distance by 60 kilometers. After crossing Thorong La Pass, you can opt to utilize Jeep service from Muktinath that takes them to Jomsom or straight to Pokhara instead of following the normal western trekking path. Remember, more transportation means less travel distance.

Seasonal Considerations (Off-Season Traffic)

The trekking season determines which routes will be accessible and which detours become necessary thus determining your overall distance of trek to Annapurna Circuit.  Roads become difficult to traverse in off-seasons when monsoon season and winter create muddy conditions and blockages and dangerous conditions from snow and rain. In the off-season, buses and jeeps experience delays or complete service halts which might force you to extend your walking distance and wait for alternative transportation. During busy trekking seasons like autumn and spring, you will find more vehicles operating along better road conditions which allows you to use transportation to reduce your trekking distance. 

Conclusion: Final Say

Different sections of the Annapurna Circuit trail provide trekkers with adjustable distance options which enhance the experience. The trekking length extends from the classic 260 km path to a shorter 136 km pathway so you can find an option that fits your convenience. You can integrate walking with driving segments while planning attractive detours to see Tilicho Lake and link this hike with multiple trekking routes.