Annapurna Massif
The months in gold are when the weather, the crowds and the prices work out best.
The Annapurna Massif is worth the effort if you enjoy long, challenging mountain treks and high-altitude culture. Plan your visit for March, April, October, or November to get the clearest skies. Most hikers spend between 10 and 16 days completing the full circuit or reaching the base camp.
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10 to 16 days depending on your chosen route and pace.
Most people take a bus or flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then a local jeep to the trailhead.
You need a TIMS card and a permit for the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Altitude sickness can affect anyone regardless of fitness, so plan for extra days to acclimatize.
When to go
Spring months like March and April bring warmer temperatures and blooming rhododendrons. You will deal with some haze in the afternoons, but the mountain air is generally stable.
October and November follow the monsoon rains. This period offers the sharpest visibility of the peaks. Expect cold nights and crowded trails during this peak season.
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Life on the trail
You will stay in teahouses along the route. These are simple stone or wooden lodges run by local families. You sleep in a basic room and eat communal meals in a heated dining area.
The food is simple but consistent. Expect large portions of dal bhat, which is rice and lentil soup. It provides the calories needed for long days of walking at high elevation.
What to expect with costs
A typical day on the trail costs around 7000 NPR. This covers your basic lodging and three meals. Carry enough cash in small denominations because ATMs are nonexistent once you leave the main towns.
Be prepared for surprise costs as you gain altitude. Teahouses charge extra for luxuries like hot showers, charging your phone, or accessing the Wi-Fi. These small fees add up quickly over two weeks.
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Hot showers and Wi-Fi cost extra at higher altitude teahouses.
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The background
Annapurna (; Nepali: अन्नपूर्ण) is a massif in the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes one peak over 8,000 metres (26,247 ft), thirteen peaks over 7,000 metres (22,966 ft), and sixteen more over 6,000 metres (19,685 ft). The massif is 55 kilometres (34 mi) long, and is bounded by the Kali Gandaki Gorge on the west, the Marshyangdi River on the north and east, and by the Pokhara Valley on the south. At its western end, the massif encloses a high basin called the Annapurna Sanctuary. The highest peak of the massif, Annapurna I Main, is the 10th highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres (26,545 ft) above sea level. Maurice Herzog led a French expedition to its summit through the north face in 1950, making it the first eight-thousander to be successfully climbed. The name for the range comes from the Hindu deity Annapurna meaning the giver of food and nourishment due to the evergreen flowing rivers originating from this mountain range which generate greenery and support vegetation year round on the lower plains. She is also believed to be one of the daughters of Himavat, the king of the mountains. The entire massif and surrounding area are protected within the 7,629-squa
Guides that include Annapurna Massif
Questions people ask
Do I need a guide to hike here?
Current regulations require trekkers to hire a licensed guide for most routes in the region. Check the latest government mandates before you finalize your travel plans.
Is the water safe to drink?
Do not drink tap water directly. Use purification tablets or a high-quality filter bottle to treat water from public taps along the trail.
How heavy should my pack be?
Keep your pack under 10 kilograms if possible. You will be walking for many hours each day, and every extra kilo feels much heavier at high altitudes.
Are there bugs or leeches?
Leeches are common in the lower, humid sections during and immediately after the monsoon. Wear long trousers and carry salt to discourage them.
Can I use my credit card?
Credit cards are useless on the trail. You must carry all the cash you need for the entire duration of the trek before you depart from Pokhara.