Annapurna: The Complete Trekking Guide to Nepal's Most Popular Region

If there is one region every trekker should see in their lifetime, it is Annapurna. In the heart of the central Nepalese Himalaya, the Annapurna massif packs 8,000-metre peaks, deep gorges, Gurung and Magar villages, rhododendron forests and alpine meadows into a remarkably compact area. It is no accident that the region hosts some of the most popular trekking routes on Earth — and it is, by far, the most accessible way for a traveller from Greece to get close to the great Himalaya.

This guide walks through the whole "family" of Annapurna routes — from the five-day Poon Hill for beginners to the legendary Annapurna Circuit — together with the practical information you actually need: how to get there via Pokhara, which permit you need, when to go, how much it costs in euros and which route suits your level.

Why Annapurna is the No.1 trekking region

The Annapurna region consistently ranks first or second in visitor numbers among all of Nepal's trekking areas, and for good reason:

• Something for every level: from short, easy walks to demanding two-week treks over passes above 5,000m.
• Comfortable tea houses: unlike more remote regions, here you sleep in warm lodges and eat at every stop — no tent or supply expedition required.
• Easy access: every trailhead sits close to Pokhara, Nepal's tourism "second capital", a mere 25-minute flight from Kathmandu.
• Breathtaking views: few trails on the planet bring you this close to so many giant peaks — Annapurna I, Machapuchare, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli.

If you want the big picture across all regions (Everest, Langtang, Manaslu and more), start from our main guide to trekking in Nepal and come back here for the Annapurna specifics.

The Annapurna massif at a glance

"Annapurna" (from Sanskrit, "full of food") is not a single peak but an entire massif. It helps to know the "protagonists" you will keep seeing on the skyline:

• Annapurna I (8,091m): the tenth-highest peak on Earth and, historically, the first mountain above 8,000m ever climbed (French expedition, 1950). It remains one of the deadliest to summit.
• Machapuchare / "Fishtail" (6,993m): the sacred, "forbidden" fishtail-shaped peak towering over Pokhara — its summit has never officially been climbed, out of respect for the god Shiva.
• Dhaulagiri (8,167m): the seventh-highest peak, on the far side of the Kali Gandaki gorge — one of the deepest canyons in the world.
• Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak: the "crown" that completes the panorama.

Standing in the amphitheatre of the Annapurna Sanctuary, encircled 360° by frozen giants, is the reason so many trekkers come back again and again.

Getting there: the gateway is Pokhara

There is no direct flight from Greece to Nepal. You will fly Athens → Kathmandu with one stop (via Istanbul with Turkish, Doha with Qatar, or Dubai/Abu Dhabi), for a total travel time of about 12–18 hours and a return fare of €430–800 depending on the season. More in our general Nepal travel guide.

From Kathmandu to Pokhara — the starting point for almost every route — you have three options:

• Flight (25 minutes): the fast option, with spectacular Himalayan views from the window.
• Tourist bus (6–8 hours): ~200 km on the Prithvi Highway, cheap and comfortable.
• Private vehicle: the most flexible option, ideal for groups.

From Pokhara, a short jeep ride drops you at the trailheads (Nayapul, Kimche, Siwai, Kande) and the trail begins.

The main routes at a glance

Five routes attract the most interest. The table below sums them up so you can choose quickly:

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) — 7–11 days, 4,130m

ABC is the most balanced choice for anyone who wants to experience a "big" Himalayan trek without the extremes of the Circuit. The route passes the picturesque villages of Ghandruk and Chomrong, climbs through bamboo and rhododendron forests and ends in the legendary amphitheatre of the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 metres, with peaks surrounding you in every direction. Because the maximum altitude stays below 4,200m, the risk of altitude sickness is lower than on Everest Base Camp, which makes it an ideal first big trek. An intermediate stop is Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC, 3,700m), and many combine the route with Poon Hill for a bonus sunrise.

Annapurna Circuit — 12–18 days, Thorong La 5,416m

The classic, "ultimate" trek all the way around the massif. You start in subtropical villages and rice terraces and, day by day, climb into alpine and finally arctic terrain, culminating in the Thorong La pass at 5,416 metres — one of the most stirring moments a trekker can experience. You descend to sacred Muktinath (3,760m) and into the sun-baked, "Tibetan" landscape of the Kali Gandaki (Kagbeni, Jomsom). Road construction has shortened the "classic" 18–20-day version: today many complete it in 12–16 days, using jeeps on some sections. It demands good fitness and proper acclimatisation.

Poon Hill / Ghorepani — 4–5 days, 3,210m

The perfect introduction to Himalayan trekking and the ideal choice if you have only a few days. The highlight is sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210m), as the sun successively "ignites" the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks. The trail passes the lovely villages of Ghorepani and Ghandruk and their famous stone staircases. Short, gentle altitude, excellent tea houses — suitable even for families and beginners.

Mardi Himal — 5–7 days, ~4,500m

A newer, quieter route officially opened in 2012 that has become a favourite for those who want to avoid the crowds. It climbs a ridge with direct, "close-up" views of Machapuchare (Fishtail) and Annapurna, ending at the Upper Viewpoint (~4,500m). Ideal as a second trek, or for anyone who wants something more adventurous than Poon Hill without the days of ABC.

Tilicho Lake — 4,919m

Usually added as a side trip on the Annapurna Circuit: a demanding climb to one of the highest lakes in the world (4,919m), with frozen turquoise water beneath enormous rock walls. The stretch to Tilicho Base Camp is known for its dangerous, unstable slopes — it requires experience, good acclimatisation and attention to the weather.

ACAP: the permit you need

The whole region is protected as the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest protected area. To trek here you need:

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): about NPR 3,000 (~€22) for foreigners. It is mandatory on every route.
• TIMS card: in practice it is no longer checked in the Annapurna region (unlike Langtang/Manaslu/far-west). Confirm the current practice for the year you travel.

You obtain the permits easily at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara — bring your passport and passport photos. Important: since April 2023 a rule has been in force making a licensed guide mandatory in many areas; confirm this before you leave, as enforcement has changed over time. A good guide is not merely a formality: it dramatically increases safety at altitude and enriches the whole journey.

When to go: the seasons

Your choice of season largely determines whether you see clear peaks or clouds. See our detailed best-time guide and the climate of Nepal; in short:

Difficulty, fitness & altitude sickness

None of these treks is technical mountaineering — you need no ropes or crampons. What they demand is endurance (many hours of walking up and down stone steps, day after day) and respect for altitude. The basic safety rule:

• Above 3,000m, do not increase your sleeping altitude by more than 300–500m per day.
• Follow the "climb high, sleep low" principle.
• Hydration, a slow pace and an acclimatisation day at the critical points.
• Diamox (acetazolamide, 125mg × 2/day) helps as prevention — discuss it with a doctor.
• At the first serious symptoms (headache, dizziness, persistent nausea), the only sure cure is to descend.

A travel insurance policy that covers trekking above 4,000m and helicopter evacuation is essential, not optional.

Cost: how much it costs in euros

Nepal remains one of the most affordable trekking destinations in the world. Indicatively:

Add to this the flight from Greece (€430–800) and your spending in Kathmandu/Pokhara.

Sample itineraries

Poon Hill — 5 days (easy): Pokhara → Nayapul/Ulleri → Ghorepani → sunrise at Poon Hill → Ghandruk → back to Pokhara.

Annapurna Base Camp — 10 days (moderate): Pokhara → Ghandruk → Chomrong → Bamboo → Deurali → MBC → ABC (4,130m) → descent via Jhinu (hot springs) → Pokhara.

Annapurna Circuit — 16 days (demanding): Besisahar → Chame → Pisang → Manang (acclimatisation day) → Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi → Thorong La pass (5,416m) → Muktinath → Kagbeni/Jomsom → Pokhara. Optionally +2–3 days for Tilicho Lake.

Combine it with the rest of Pokhara

Before or after your trek, Pokhara offers rest beside Fewa Lake and adrenaline activities: a zipline from Sarangkot, paragliding with Himalayan views and rafting on the region's rivers. It is the perfect "cushion" before and after your days on the mountain.

Annapurna with Dimitris

You can experience Annapurna as an independent trekker — but if you want the journey to be completely carefree, there is also a premium option. Through Elysian Himalaya, Dimitris organises private, guided Annapurna treks with experienced licensed guides, careful acclimatisation planning, hand-picked lodges and full support from Athens all the way to Base Camp. If you prefer the company of a Greek group, take a look at the Nepal group tour too.

Whichever route you choose, Annapurna is not just a trek — it is the most direct, human "welcome" to the Himalaya. And once you have lived it, you will understand why so many keep coming back.