Annapurna Circuit, Long-distance trail in Gandaki Province, Nepal

The Annapurna Circuit is a long-distance trek of 160 to 230 km that crosses two river valleys and encircles the Annapurna Massif in central Nepal. It begins at Besisahar or Bhulbhule in the Marshyangdi valley and ends in the Kali Gandaki Gorge, reaching its highest point at Thorong La pass (5,416 m). Most trekkers walk it anticlockwise, and the route crosses steel and wooden suspension bridges.

The region opened to international trekkers in 1977, leading to substantial development of infrastructure and accommodation facilities along the traditional mountain paths. Since then, local communities have transformed their old caravan routes into one of the most traveled long-distance trails in the world.

The route passes Muktinath (3,790 m), a pilgrimage site sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. Trekkers also cross the Manang Valley and lower Mustang, where villages follow Tibetan Buddhist culture, in contrast to the Hindu villages of the lower foothills. Porter guides on the trail act as cultural intermediaries.

Trekkers require both a TIMS card and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, which can be obtained at government offices in Kathmandu. The best time to complete the route is between October and November or between March and April, when weather conditions are more stable.

The circuit reaches its maximum elevation at Thorung La Pass at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet), where trekkers experience temperature variations from subtropical to alpine conditions. Some sections lie lower than 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level, while others run almost 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) higher.