Luxury Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Luxury Annapurna Circuit Trek is the same world-class route, the same five climate zones, the same crossing of Thorong La Pass (5,416m), the same sacred temple at Muktinath, walked with every comfort we can honestly build into a Himalayan trip.
The difference is everything that surrounds the walking. You begin and end in five-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You travel by private vehicle, not shared jeep. Every day on the trail you sleep in the best room in the best lodge each village offers, with premium down bedding and en-suite bathrooms wherever the mountains allow. Your trip is private, capped at eight guests, with a dedicated guide and a one-to-one porter ratio so you carry only a daypack.
We are honest about one thing: there are no five-star hotels at 4,500 metres, because none exist. Above Manang you stay in mountain tea houses, the best ones, with the warmest rooms, because that is the reality of high-altitude trekking. What we control, we perfect; what the mountain dictates, we prepare you for beautifully. After the pass, a scenic Jomsom–Pokhara flight lifts you over the gorge instead of a long road day, and a lakeside spa is waiting.
This is the Annapurna Circuit for travellers who want the achievement without the roughing-it, a genuine high-mountain crossing wrapped in comfort, privacy and care.
5 ways to walk this route.
Same legendary trail, different pace and comfort. Pick the version that suits your time, budget and travel style — every one is fully guided and permit-inclusive.
Upcoming departures.
| Start Date | End Date | Price / Person | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | USD 3,190 | 5 spots left | |
| Nov 9, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 | USD 2,890 | 6 spots left | |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 26, 2027 | USD 3,190 | 8 spots left |
6 moments you won't forget.
Thorong La pass at 5,416 m
The high point of the trek, crossed before dawn from High Camp, the one part of this trip the mountain, not money, dictates. You earn it on foot.
Five-star start and finish
Two nights each in the best hotels of Kathmandu and Pokhara, bookending the trek with spa, fine dining and a proper bed.
The best room in every lodge
On the trail we reserve the warmest, quietest room with an attached bathroom wherever one exists, plus premium down bedding for the cold nights.
Private guide and 1:1 porter
A dedicated guide for your group alone and one porter per guest, so you walk with only a daypack and never wait on strangers.
Scenic Jomsom–Pokhara flight
Skip the long exit road with a 25-minute mountain flight down the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge on earth.
Muktinath and Manang
The sacred temple at 3,760 m and the Tibetan-influenced village of Manang, explored unhurried with time to spare.
Trek in pictures.
Interactive circuit map.
The full 13-day circuit on a topographic map. Click any marker for details. Switch between Topo, Satellite, and Standard views using the layer control.
13 Days. Every detail planned.
Transparent, all-in pricing.
Included in your price
Not included
Trek altitude at a glance.
How hard is this trek?
Best time for the Luxury Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Weather on the Luxury Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Everything you need to know.
Open any card for in-depth notes on accommodation, food, altitude, permits, money and the small print that matters on the trail.
Your safety, planned in detail.
Altitude is the main risk on this trek. Here is exactly what we carry, who we call, and where the nearest help is at every stage of the route.
Common health risks
- •Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): most likely above 3,500m
- •Dehydration: accelerated by altitude and dry air
- •Sunburn and snow blindness: UV is 2× stronger at 5,000m
- •Twisted ankle on uneven trail: descent days especially
- •Frostbite on Thorong La in cold conditions. Keep fingers/toes warm.
- •Stomach upset from unfamiliar food/water, purify everything
- •Cold injury (hypothermia) at high camp if wet + windy
Our medical kit
- •Pulse oximeter (carried by guide, checks oxygen saturation)
- •Emergency oxygen cylinder (lead guide carries one)
- •Diamox (acetazolamide) for acute mountain sickness
- •Dexamethasone (HACE emergency use)
- •Nifedipine (HAPE emergency use)
- •Broad-spectrum antibiotics
- •Anti-diarrhoeal medication
- •Antihistamines
- •Strong painkillers (ibuprofen + paracetamol)
- •Wound dressings, blister kit, bandages
- + 3 more items carried by the lead guide
Travel insurance — required
- ✓Must cover trekking to at least 5,500m (Thorong La is 5,416m)
- ✓Must include helicopter evacuation (USD 5,000+ cover minimum)
- ✓Must include emergency medical treatment and repatriation
- ✓We recommend World Nomads, True Traveller (UK), or SafetyWing, all cover Nepal trekking at altitude
- ✓Bring a printed policy and 24/7 assistance number to the pre-trek briefing
Nearest medical facilities
- •Manang: Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) clinic, Western volunteer doctors in spring and autumn
- •Jomsom: district hospital with X-ray and basic surgery
- •Pokhara: Manipal Teaching Hospital, best regional emergency care
- •Kathmandu: CIWEC Travel Medicine Centre, specialist altitude and expedition medicine
Emergency protocols
Every guide carries a pulse oximeter and we check oxygen saturation twice daily from Manang onward. If saturation drops dangerously or symptoms of HACE/HAPE appear, descent is immediate. Helicopter evacuation is available along the whole route through our Kathmandu coordination centre (typical response 60–90 minutes, weather permitting). We pre-flag your insurance details at the briefing so there is zero delay in a real emergency.
Helicopter evacuation
Helicopter evacuation from anywhere on the Circuit is operationally feasible. Cost is roughly USD 3,500–6,000 to Pokhara or Kathmandu, fully reimbursable by qualifying travel insurance. We coordinate with Simrik Air, Manang Air and Heli Everest through a 24/7 line at our Kathmandu office.
Nepal visa on arrival
Tourist visa-on-arrival at Kathmandu airport: USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days. Bring 2 passport photos and USD cash. The process takes 15–30 minutes on arrival.
What to pack.
Plan Your Trek
Planning guides for the Luxury Annapurna Circuit Trek
Written by our guides, these cover the permits, altitude, timing, and kit you need before you go.
Common questions.
GeneralWhat makes the Luxury Annapurna Circuit different from the standard trek?+
You walk the same legendary route and cross the same Thorong La Pass (5,416m), but everything around the walking is upgraded: 5-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, the best available rooms with private bathrooms wherever the trail allows, a private guide and a 1:1 porter ratio, private vehicles, and a scenic Jomsom–Pokhara flight instead of the long exit road. It runs 13 days versus the classic 14–16.
GeneralAre there five-star hotels on the Annapurna Circuit itself?+
No — and we will never pretend otherwise. Above Manang the accommodation is mountain tea houses because that is all that exists at 4,500m. What we do is book the best room in the best lodge in each village, add premium down duvets, hot-water bottles and en-suite rooms where they exist, and keep the true luxury (spa, fine dining, 5-star hotels) at the start and end in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
GeneralCan I take a helicopter instead of walking part of the route?+
Yes. Popular luxury add-ons are a helicopter transfer from Jomsom to Pokhara after the pass, or a private charter into or out of the mountains to save days. We price these on request; a Jomsom–Pokhara scenic flight is already included in the package.
GeneralWhat is the group size on the luxury trip?+
It is a private trip by default, capped at 8 guests, and most bookings are couples, families or small friend groups travelling together. You are never placed with strangers.
GeneralHow much does the Luxury Annapurna Circuit cost?+
From USD 2,890 per person for a group of 4–8, rising for smaller private groups. The price includes 5-star city hotels, all trail lodging and meals, private guide, 1:1 porter, permits, private transport and the Jomsom–Pokhara flight.
Built different. On purpose.
Honest luxury, no false promises
We perfect what we control, hotels, rooms, transport, food, and prepare you beautifully for the high tea-house nights no operator can turn into a five-star hotel.
Private, dedicated team
Your own guide and a one-to-one porter ratio. We have never placed strangers together on a private trip.
All-in, upgrade on request
Five-star hotels, private transport, flights and the full trek included up front. Helicopter transfers and extra spa days are there if you want them, never forced.
Comfort with real acclimatisation
A genuine Manang rest day and a gentle high-camp approach. Luxury never comes at the cost of your safety on the pass.
