Are you planning to trek the Himalayas and wondering how your body handles high altitude? What are the symptoms of altitude sickness? How can you prevent it, and what should you do if it strikes you on the trail? Is altitude sickness dangerous, and can you still trek safely to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, or Langtang Valley without any risk? If these questions are running through your mind, don’t worry, we’ve got every answer covered. Let’s start with a detailed guide on:
Are you planning to trek the Annapurna Circuit in January but feeling uncertain about the cold, snow-covered trails, tea house availability, and safety?
Real Trekkers Share Their Annapurna Circuit Trek Reviews is a new type of content we’ve created for passionate trekkers who want to know what others truly feel about the Annapurna Circuit Trek. All the reviews shared here are genuine and come from authentic trekkers we met and interviewed along the trail. Their personal experiences, emotions, and stories reflect the real spirit of the Annapurna adventure.
A guide and porter are essential and most important for your trek. As you will be trekking to the highest altitude of 5416 meters, it’s very important to trek with a guide and let a porter carry your weight so that you can trek easily. But as it’s important, still, people are confused about where to hire the guide and porter, whether I should hire or not, whether I will need to pay extra for the guide and porter, and many more questions arise in their minds.
In this blog, we’ll answer all the key questions about guides and porters on the Annapurna Circuit, including why you need them, costs, rules, and what’s included in their services, and everything, so let’s get started.
Why do you need to hire a guide for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
First and foremost, the question that may strike your mind is, why do you need to hire a guide for the Annapurna circuit trek when you can do the solo trek? Well, a guide is not just about navigation, but it’s about safety, navigation, altitude sickness support, cultural insights, logistics and communications support, moral support, and many more. A guide is necessary for you throughout the trek. A guide is a person who will enhance your trekking experience. A guide is your best friend for the trek, who will help you in every condition.
Experienced guide walking alongside trekkers on the scenic Annapurna trail.
What is the cost for hiring a guide for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
The cost for hiring a guide for the Annapurna circuit trek depends on your requirements. If you want a well-experienced and licensed guide for the Annapurna Circuit, then you will need to pay 30 USD to 40 USD per day. If you want to hire a guide who speaks your native language, like German, French, Spanish, or any other language, and he is well-experienced and licensed, then you will need to pay up to 50 USD per day. If you are hiring a guide who is just a beginner, which is not suggested, but still, if you do it, you can get the guide for 20 to 25 USD as well.
Can I trek to the Annapurna circuit without a guide?
Yes, you can trek to the Annapurna circuit without a guide, but it is not suggested, as the Annapurna circuit takes you to an altitude of 5416 meters, which is one of the highest passes in Nepal, making it difficult for you to trek through this place. Also, without a guide, you will face safety issues, navigation issues, you will miss the cultural insights, and you stress a lot during the trek.
Will I need to pay for the Guide foods, accommodations, and Insurance?
No, you will need to pay for the guide’s food, accommodations, and insurance when you hire a guide for the Annapurna circuit trek. If you are hiring a guide from a reputed trekking agency like us, then the guide’s costs you pay per day already include the food, accommodations, and insurance. But if you are hiring a guide who is a freelancer, then you might need to pay extra, as they are not registered with the company, so every burden of their costs will be on you.
Why do you need to hire a porter for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
A porter is very important for your trek as he not only carries your weight, but he also lets you experience the region without any stress. A porter will carry your 20 to 20 kg weight in duffel bags, which will include your entire weight. A porter will help you to acclimate properly, as he will carry your weight, you will have less strain on your back, and it will help you to conserve your energy. When you are hiring a porter, it will also help you to overcome your fatigue-related mistakes and injuries. It will also increase job creation in the market.
A porter walking on the Annapurna Circuit while carrying large trekking bags on his back.
What is the cost for hiring a porter for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
The cost of hiring a porter for the Annapurna circuit trek is 20 to 30 USD per day. The porter carries 20 to 25 Kg of your weight. If your weight exceeds the limit, you might need to pay extra. If you hire a local porter when reaching the starting point of the Annapurna circuit, you might find the porter more affordable.
Can I trek to the Annapurna Circuit without a porter?
Yes, you can trek to the Annapurna circuit without a porter, but it’s important for you to realize that without a porter, your trek will be very difficult. You will need to carry your weights, which might be of 10 to 15 kg, on your back, which increases the strain on your back. You might feel tired carrying the heavy bags and walking. You might not be able to acclimate properly, which might lead to Acute Mountain sickness and altitude sickness. If you want to keep your trekking budget affordable, then you can avoid the porter; otherwise, you must hire a porter for your trek.
Will I need to pay for the porter’s food, accommodations, and Insurance?
No, you will not need to pay for the porter’s food, accommodations, and insurance, as the cost you pay for them includes all fees if you hire from a trekking agency. But, just like the guide, if you hire a local porter or a freelancer, then you might need to pay for their costs as well.
Where can I hire a guide and Porter for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
You can hire a guide and porter via registered trekking agencies like Adventure Vision Treks (us). If you hire a guide and porter from the registered trekking agencies, then you will not need to pay any extra fees for food, accommodations, or insurance. A company-registered guide is most trustworthy, and they will help you in every place and rescue you in need with the help of the company.
By Facebook groups
You can also hire a guide and porter from the Facebook groups. The freelancers, guides, and porters post regularly on the Facebook groups like Guide and Porter for the Annapurna circuit, Trekking in Nepal, and many more. You can contact them by messaging them or calling them. When you hire from Facebook, you need to check their license to avoid theft and scams.
By visiting the starting point in Jagat, Besisahar, or Chame
You can also hire a guide and porter by reaching the starting point of the trek, which is Jagat, Besisahar, or Chame. When you arrive there, you will see lots of freelance guides and porters asking the trekkers if they want to hire them. But Rembert has said that if you hire a local guide and porter and there are any kinds of emergency situations, you might not get help or rescue as they have no contact with the trekking agencies or any authorities.
Are you planning to trek in the Annapurna circuit and researching the circuit trek cost? Well, we have an answer for you, as in this blog, we will be discussing every cost from minimum to maximum that you will need to bear during the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Manaslu Annapurna Circuit trek distance is One of the most commonly asked questions before trekking on this challenging trek. The answer isn’t simple, as the total distance depends on the specific itinerary, chosen side trips, and starting/ending points. In this guide, we’ll break down the total distance, daily trekking lengths, and route variations to give you a complete picture of what to expect on this epic adventure.
On average, the combined Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit trek covers around 300–350 kilometers (186–217 miles). The exact distance depends on your entry/exit points and optional side hikes.
Here’s a breakdown:
Section
Approximate Distance
Arughat/Soti Khola to Larkya La (Manaslu)
180 km (112 miles)
Dharapani (Junction Point) to Thorong La Pass (Annapurna)
100 km (62 miles)
Thorong La to Jomsom/Tatopani
40–70 km (25–43 miles)
Total Estimated Distance
300–350 km (186–217 miles)
Note: Some itineraries also include Manaslu with Tilicho Lake or Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho lake and end at Pokhara, which can add more distance.
Daily Distance Breakdown
Here’s a typical 24-day itinerary combining both circuits with estimated distances per day:
Train ahead – Start building endurance 1–2 months before the trek.
Use trekking poles – Helps with knees on long descents.
Stay hydrated and eat well – Fuel your body for the kilometers ahead.
Acclimatize properly – Don’t skip rest days.
Hire a guide/porter – They help manage pace and carry weight.
Wear quality boots and gear – Comfort matters over long distances.
Ending Point and Return Options
The trek usually ends in Jomsom, Tatopani, or even Ghorepani Poon Hill for a scenic conclusion. From any of these, you can:
Take a jeep or bus to Pokhara
Catch a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (weather permitting)
Transport Choices and Their Impact on Distance
Some trekkers may choose to skip the first few days of walking by driving directly to Jagat or Dharapani on a local jeep, cutting down the total distance by 20 to 30 kilometers. On the other end of the trek, taking a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara or a jeep from Tatopani can also reduce the number of walking days.
Mahindra Scorpio SUV parked in a rugged terrain, showcasing its off-road capabilities
However, many adventurers prefer to walk the full trail to absorb the dramatic shift in landscape from high alpine passes down to hot springs and rhododendron forests and to enjoy every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Is the Long Distance Worth It?
Absolutely. While covering over 300 kilometers on foot might sound daunting at first, every step reveals a new layer of beauty—towering glaciers, chanting monks, blooming wildflowers, or a glimpse into centuries-old lifestyles untouched by modern civilization. The long-distance isn’t just a number; it’s a pathway to one of the most rewarding experiences Nepal has to offer.
What is the Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek?
The Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you around Mt. Manaslu (8,163m) the eighth-highest peak in the world offering a pristine trail rich in Tibetan culture, remote Himalayan villages, and dramatic mountain scenery. It reaches at Larkya La Pass (5,106m).
From there, the trek transitions into the Annapurna Circuit, one of the most famous trekking routes in the world. It circles the Annapurna massif and includes crossing the famed Thorong La Pass (5,416m) and connecting diverse landscapes from alpine meadows to subtropical forests.
Together, these treks form one of the longest, most scenic, and spiritually enriching long-distance trails in Nepal.
Is the Distance Manageable?
Yes with good acclimatization, a steady pace, and rest days, the total distance of 300–350 km is achievable for most trekkers with moderate fitness. However, due to the high altitude and steep terrain, it can feel harder than the distance suggests.
Daily hikes range from 10 to 22 kilometers, with only a few exceptionally long days like the Larkya La and Thorong La crossings.
Knowing the best time for the Annapurna Circuit trekwill make your journey more pleasurable and safer. This is because the right timing can help you avoid extreme weather conditions and ensure a smoother trek. To fully enjoy its beauty and witness the diverse landscapes, choosing the right time to trek on this adventure is crucial, as it maximizes the chance to experience clear skies and stunning views. The best time to trek the Annapurna Circuit typically falls during the pre-monsoon spring (March to May) and post-monsoon autumn (September to November) seasons, when the weather is most favorable. These seasons provide the perfect balance of clear skies, moderate temperatures, and excellent visibility, ensuring an unforgettable trekking experience.
The trekking route offers stunning views of the Himalayan peaks and a rich cultural experience, which is best enjoyed during these ideal conditions. However, trekking is also possible in other seasons, as long as you’re mindful of the weather.
