Make your way to the Short Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal with our shortest itinerary of 10 days, perfect for those who want to feel the thrill of crossing over the highest pass of Thorung La that visits ancient monasteries and temples with a rich tapestry of Manange communities amid the iconic Annapurna Conservation Area. It is genuinely crafted for those who have a limited time bound but want to feel the crisp of the Himalayan lifestyle walking through the off-beaten trail every single day, where the varied landscapes and climatic zones amuse you more than anything.
Annapurna Circuit Short Trek Overview:
The Short Annapurna Circuit Trek ascends to the world's highest Thorong La Pass (5416 meters) and descends to the holy Muktinath Temple in 10 days. Ascending with the Marshayngdi valley and the world's deepest gorge of the "Kali Gandaki Valley," alongside this trek touches both the iconic districts of Manang and Mustang within the Annapurna region. Even though this trek to the Annapurna Circuit, which is a long classical trekking route in Nepal, is shortened to 10 days, safety won't be compromised as we've set this itinerary with a slow ascent and an acclimatization day.
Throughout this 10-day Annapurna Circuit Trekking, it meanders through the Annapurna Conservation Area right from the start, with insights into the diverse landscapes with the verdant forest of pine and rhododendrons. The gradual transition of varied topography can be seen as it begins with lovely green valleys along the Marshyangdi River and slowly turns into a rugged and more remote section with a highly towering landscape. Then, it gradually transforms to the tip-touching view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Manang village.
In between, you'll get to explore the diverse ethnic groups while settling at remote tea houses that are highly influenced by ancient Tibetan Buddhism. Make sure to wave hello back to the children, and if you want, you can even bring some chocolates to them, as nothing beats the happiness of Tibetans residing in remote areas of the Himalayas.
During the Annapurna Circuit Short Trek, several mountains befriend you at every stride, such as Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Mt. Manaslu (8163 m), Hiunchuli, and Tilicho Peak, also known as Tent Peak (7134 m), and not to forget! Gangapurna Himal (7457 m), Annapurna (8091 m) en route. After an ascent to the highest pass of Thorong La, the spectacular panoramic views with the Tibetan flags fluttering at the summit point after a long hours of hike, gives you a sense of accomplishment. Looking back, you can see the whole dry landscape of Upper Mustang, and in front, the snowy, frosty 360-degree views will surely captivate you.
Likewise, this trek bypasses the apple orchards of Marpha with an exploration of the Jomsom valley along the thundering high mountains later on. To sum up, this short trek to the Annapurna circuit is a roller coaster ride that lets you immerse in the diverse landscapes showcasing the six distinct zones of the Annapurna region within a short period of only 10 days, but it remains within your heart forever.
Note: If you want to visit the another famous corner of this region such as Poon Hill, Hot Spring then you can check our standard Annapurna Circuit Trek package that gets completed in 12 days with an additional days to these enchanting corners.
Highlights
- Get to know the rich tapestry of the culture of Tibetans residing in ancient hamlets
- Roadway Drive from Kathmandu to Chame via Besisahar, bypassing the green hills, roaring rivers, and highways
- Ascend along the Marshyangdi Valley and then descend to the world's deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge
- Reach the pinnacle of Thorong La Pass and surround yourself with the panoramic views of the Annapurna Range
- Explore the Gangapurna Lake, a holy Hindu and Buddhist oasis
- Cross several suspension bridges, river streams, high waterfalls, gorges, and hamlets of Tibetans
- Explore the alley of the Jomsom Valley
- Pay a pilgrimage visit to the Muktinath Temple with 108 sacred taps
- A day in the lake of the city- Pokhara
- Walk through the Annapurna Conservation Area, discovering Himalayan flora and fauna
What to expect in this Short Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary?
Simply, there are several ways and routes to reach the Annapurna Circuit, and the same goes for the short one. Destination Himalaya Treks offers this Short Annapurna Circuit Trek of 10 days, which you can say is a mid-range version of the standard Annapurna Circuit Trek that visits the Ghorepani Poon Hill and Hot Spring.
However, as this is the shortest one that we could alter, ensuring safety with a gradual ascent of 500-600 meters maximum with an acclimatization day in Manang, it can still be minimized to 8 days, but you must ensure that you can undertake 9-10 hours of hiking per day and have prior experience. If you want to visit one of the world's highest lakes, Tilicho Lake (4919 m), then you can even opt for the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek of 15 days.
To summarize this itinerary, this 10-day Annapurna Circuit Trek starts from Kathmandu, with a drive to Besisahar as the local bus only goes to this point. So, we will again take a jeep drive to Chame (2670 m), and afterwards, the walking trail begins from Chame the next day. Then, the journey continues to Upper Pisang (3300 m), but firstly, we'll encounter the Pangdi Danda Rock Face, which towers high at 4775 meters, and Swargadwari Danda, bypassing villages such as Brathang and Telekhu that lead us to the upper part of Pisang.
Continuing the trekking route, it takes us to Manang village (3540 m) via Gheru and Ngawal with an ancient visit to the Braga Monastery, which is also popularized as the oldest gompa of the Manang district. As soon as we reach the Manang valley, the spectacular views of the Annapurna Range get more prominent as it is located at the northern side of this Himalayan range.
The acclimatization day is set here in Manang, so the best exploration can be done here at the least populated area of Nepal, which is also known as the valley of Manang communities. Here, the culture is unique compared to all, as being regarded as the ancient trade route of salt and yaks between Nepal and Tibet, the culture here is highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. During acclimatization here, we can side hike to Gangapurna Lake (3440 m) and Ice Lake (4600 m); either one, the choice is yours!
On the 6th day, the trek meanders through Yak Kharka (4050 m) via Tengi, and then it leads us to Ledar along the confluence of Jharang Khola, and then to Thorong High Camp (4850 m), leaving Marshyangdi Valley behind, with a gradual rise of elevation of 700 meters before ascending the highest point. This section of the two-day trek is more challenging than the others as it passes through the steep and rugged section, which benefits the uphill walk that is on the way. The High Camp is the last stopping point before we cross over the pass of Thorung La.
On the 8th day, we will take an ascent to Thorong La Pass- the world's highest pass and the ultimate goal of our trip. Then, the route descends to Muktinath Temple, touching the Mustang region, along the deepest gorge of Kali Gandaki Valley with a dramatic change of landscape. Paying a visit to the pilgrimage site of Muktinath of Hindu and Buddhist spirituality, we will take a jeep drive to Jomsom on this very day.
This Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking concludes with a flight to Pokhara from Jomsom of 25 minutes, where one more exploration day is set here in Pokhara, the vibrant city by the lake. Here, you can either extend the trip for more days by visiting Mahendra Cave, Boating and kayaking in Phewa Lake, Begnas Tal, or even taking a ride to Pundikot, just completed in 2025, and Shanti Stupa. On top of that, you can take a morning ride to Sarangkot for the best sunrise view. As these excursion facilities aren't included in our cost, there is an additional cost for such an extension of the trip.
Hence, the trip finally gets over after reaching back to Kathmandu via a luxury tourist bus ride, where the Nepalese cultural program and fine dining restaurant is set to end your journey in Nepal with a final insight into Nepalese culture and tradition until next time.
Note: If our itinerary doesn't match your preference or holiday duration, then you can customize it anytime with us by including or excluding some that fit your budget and timeframe. For more details, please contact us at info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com. or Whats App us at +977 9851016814 or call us anytime.
Does this 10-day Annapurna Circuit Trekking fits you?
If you are someone who has had some hiking adventure experience beforehand, and are possibly thinking about achieving the new height, and a sense of accomplishment after attaining the highest walkable pass, at Thorong La Pass (5416 m), then this trip suits you undoubtedly. Even though this Short Annapurna Circuit Trek 10 days is crafted for a shorter timeframe, it does include 1 acclimatization day at Manang, with a side trip to Gangapurna Lake and Ice Lake, ascending higher, it let your body adopt the rising high altitude, and minimizes the possible risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), hence, this trip is surely safe to commence, if you are considering such factor, at the very first hand.
It is not an easy hike, like a stroll around the park, or Wembley land, which does include long-distance trekking coverage, varied changes in terrains, from forested trail to rugged, steep sections, to an alpine valley at high altitude where the air is possibly thinner than the city area; however, it is not the most challenging trek as well. Anyone having a basic level of fitness and proper preparedness can commence on this adventure; however, they still have to expect unexpected situations, so ensure to be ready accordingly. Possible challenges like weather conditions, frequent changes, natural hazard situations, etc., are always there, so just follow the navigation of the experienced trekking guide, who knows, every call of the mountains well and is medically trained and equipped as well.
If you can proceed 5-6 hours walking pace, and have a patience level, with a strong mindset determinant, and comprehensively pack the gears and essentials, as per the seasonal time, and love to wander around the mountains, and seek, something unique and completely out of the city lifestyle and busy trailhead, then, this Annapurna Circuit 10 days Trek suits impeccably for you.
If you want to extend this Short trek to the Annapurna Circuit with other trails
This Short Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary is crafted in such a way to finish this trip as soon as possible, but with proper acclimatization days in between, you may want to slightly extend this trek and want to include the Poon Hill and more exploration days in Pokhara. If that happens, then you can add 4-5 more days to this 10-day Annapurna Circuit Trekking and have more days either in Pokhara or Chitwan.
If you have even more days, around 13 days, with an extension of only 3 days to this trip, then you can even look forward to combining this trek with Nar Phu Valley, which explores the twin valley of Nar and Phu first and ascends to the high pass on the second round.
Similarly, you can even visit another isolated area of the Manaslu region by combining the Manaslu and Annapurna Trek in one that takes around 23 days. But you must have prior experience to extend this trip, as it requires 6-7 hours and crosses another high pass of Larkya La Pass as well.
Annapurna Circuit Trek 10 days Cost for 2026 and 2027
The Annapurna circuit Short Trekking cost varies depending on various factors such as length, duration, the season you are traveling to, lodging facilities, food, permits, and the transportation you are looking forward to go for. Our Short Annapurna Circuit Trek cost starts from USD 949 to USD 1250, depending on the number of people in the group.
Besides, the standard price of this short trek to the Annapurna Circuit is USD 1250, which includes all the permits, food, accommodation, entry fees, and everything required for the trip. To get a more detailed overview of what our costs include and exclude, please check our include/exclude section and check it out thoroughly. We also offer 5% off the family package for those hiking the Annapurna Circuit with their children and loved ones. For further details, you can contact us anytime soon, as pre-bookings are already open for 2026 and 2027.
Here are the costing details, based on the group size, especially customized with a group discounted price:
| No. of Trekkers | Standard Price (In USD) |
| 1 | 1015 per head |
| 2-3 | 935 per head |
| 4-5 | 915 per head |
| 6-7 | 875 per head |
| 8-11 | 735 per head |
Benefits of Booking this Trip with Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition
- 1-2 days more staycation in our other hotel company, "Hotel Bihani," for free
- 5% off to the family (must be over 5)
- Free Airport Pick up and Drop Off (IN and OUT) via private vehicle
- Online Trip Briefing before the trip and IN Person Briefing after the arrival
- Basic First Aid Kit with water purification tablet- to purify and cleanse the water
- Free Excess Luggage Safe Storage at the Destination Himalaya Treks office as much as you can
- Easy and Safe Payment System via Bank Transfer, Cash, Credit Card
- Multi Channel Communication via mail, WhatsApp, Viber, IMO, Instagram, or call at +977 9851016814
- Destination Himalaya Cap, T-shirt, Trip Map, and Sleeping Bags (upon request and must be returned after trip)
- Fine Dining Farewell Dining with Nepalese Cultural Program
