Annapurna Semi Circuit Trek — 15 Days

• Walk through the legendary Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest river gorge on earth, with Dhaulagiri and Annapurna towering on either side
• Witness the iconic sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m) over a panorama of some of the highest mountains in the world
• Explore the sacred Muktinath Temple at 3,800 m, a revered pilgrimage destination for both Hindus and Buddhists
• Trek through the ancient Thakali trading villages of Marpha and Tukuche, famous for apple orchards and warm hospitality
• Experience the dramatic landscape shift from lush green subtropical forests to the high-altitude desert plateau of Mustang
• Walk alongside the mighty Kali Gandaki River through one of the most awe-inspiring valley corridors in the Himalayas
• Spend time in the medieval walled village of Kagbeni, the mysterious gateway to the forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang
• Fly out of Jomsom on a breathtaking short mountain flight back to Pokhara with aerial views of the Annapurna range
• Experience the rich cultural tapestry of Gurung, Magar, and Thakali communities along the trail
• Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of both Kathmandu and Pokhara, covering UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Annapurna Semi Circuit Trek is one of Nepal’s most rewarding and complete trekking experiences. It takes the best parts of the classic Annapurna Circuit, the deep gorges, the high-altitude villages, the cultural richness, the spectacular mountain views and packages them into a 15-day journey that is achievable for trekkers with a moderate level of fitness and a genuine desire to see Nepal at its most diverse.

The word “semi” simply means you are covering the southern and northern sections of the Annapurna Circuit without crossing the full Thorong La Pass (5,416 m). Instead, you enter from the south via the famous Ghorepani Poonhill trail and exit from the north through the Mustang valley, flying out of Jomsom. This approach gives you the best of both worlds the lush forested beauty of the southern Annapurna foothills and the stark, windswept drama of the northern Mustang landscape without the extreme altitude challenge of the full circuit crossing.

Your journey begins in Kathmandu, where a day of guided sightseeing introduces you to the incredible depth of Nepalese history and culture. From Pokhara, you drive to Nayapul and begin the climb through some of the most beautiful forest trails in Asia. The early days take you through rhododendron forests to Ghorepani, up to the legendary Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint, and then down into the warm, low-lying village of Tatopani with its famous natural hot springs.

From Tatopani, the route heads north into the Kali Gandaki Valley, and everything starts to change. The air gets drier, the cliffs get taller, the wind picks up, and the villages take on a completely different character. You pass through the Thakali heartland of Tukuche and Marpha, spend time in the windswept regional hub of Jomsom, and make the pilgrimage up to holy Muktinath before descending back for your mountain flight out.

This is a trek that genuinely shows you many different faces of Nepal in a single journey. Few routes in the entire Himalayan region offer this kind of cultural, geographical, ecological, and spiritual experience within a two-week window. Whether you are a first-time trekker stepping up from an introductory route or an experienced hiker looking for something that goes deeper than the standard itineraries, the Annapurna Semi Circuit delivers.

The Annapurna Semi Circuit Trek is rated Moderate to Challenging, sitting a clear step above beginner routes and requiring real physical preparation to enjoy fully. With 10 days on the trail, a maximum elevation of 4,130 m, and daily walking ranging from 2 to 7 hours, it asks more of you than introductory treks but rewards you with an experience that far exceeds anything simpler routes can offer.

The hardest stretch comes early, on Day 5, when you climb approximately 3,000 stone steps from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri. Your legs will know about it by the time you reach Ghorepani, and the long descent to Tatopani the following day puts real strain on the knees. After that, the trail through the Kali Gandaki Valley is comparatively gentler in terms of gradient, though the altitude builds steadily as you head north toward Muktinath.

At 3,800 m, Muktinath is the highest point where mild altitude symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and mild nausea become possible for some trekkers. The itinerary is paced to allow gradual acclimatization, and Day 12 includes a rest or buffer option at Muktinath for exactly this reason.

The other physical challenge unique to this route is the Kali Gandaki afternoon wind. It is not dangerous, but walking into a strong headwind in an exposed riverbed valley is tiring. Starting early each morning and reaching your teahouse before noon is the simple solution; your guide will manage this schedule from the first day in the valley.

How to prepare:

• Build up cardio fitness through regular walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming 6 to 8 weeks before the trek
• Practice both uphill and downhill walking — the descent from Ghorepani to Tatopani is long and knee-heavy
• Break in your trekking boots thoroughly before arriving in Nepal
• Strengthen your core and leg muscles — stairs are the best training for this route
• Talk to your doctor about Diamox (altitude sickness medication) before departure

Come prepared, and this trek will push you in the best possible way. Come underprepared, and the early days will be a struggle. The difference is entirely in your hands.

The Annapurna Semi Circuit passes through two very different climate zones — the southern Annapurna foothills and the northern Mustang rain shadow — which means seasonal conditions vary significantly depending on which section of the trail you are on.

Spring (March to May) — Best for Forests and Colour

March and April are the most visually spectacular months for the southern section of this trek. The rhododendron forests between Tikhedhunga and Ghorepani are in full bloom, with hillsides covered in deep red, pink, and white flowers. Temperatures are warm and pleasant at lower elevations and cool but comfortable at altitude. By May, pre-monsoon clouds start building, but the trail is still very walkable and the Mustang section stays dry.

Autumn (October to November) — Best Overall for the Full Route

Post-monsoon air brings the clearest skies and sharpest mountain views of the year. The entire length of the trail is in excellent condition, temperatures are ideal for long walking days, and the cultural atmosphere in the teahouses is lively. October is considered the gold-standard month for Nepal trekking, and November is nearly as good with the bonus of slightly quieter trails.

Winter (December to February) — Cold but Rewarding

The Mustang section of this trek benefits from its rain shadow location and sees less snowfall than the southern Annapurna approaches. That said, nights at Ghorepani and Muktinath in January and February can be genuinely cold, and the Tikhedhunga to Ulleri section may have icy patches. If you enjoy solitude on the trail and do not mind extra layers, winter trekking here is a very different and quietly beautiful experience.

Monsoon (June to August) — Wet in the South, Drier in Mustang

The lower southern sections of this trek take the full force of the monsoon, with muddy paths and leeches from the foothills up to Ghorepani. However, the Mustang region beyond the main Himalayan range stays relatively sheltered and dry — making the northern half of this route one of the few trekking options that works reasonably well in summer. September sits at the tail end of the monsoon, with improving skies and trails that are still lush from the rain.

Booking the Annapurna Semi Circuit Trek is straightforward and our team handles every detail from the moment you reach out.

How to book:

Get in touch via the enquiry form on our website or send us a message on WhatsApp. Once we confirm availability for your dates, we will send a booking form and payment instructions. A deposit secures your place and the balance is due before the trek begins.

After booking:

You will receive a full pre-departure pack covering the gear list, visa guidance, health recommendations, altitude awareness, and a day-by-day overview of what to expect on the trail. Our team is on hand to answer questions right up to your arrival in Kathmandu.

Permits:

Both the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS card are included and arranged by us before you leave Kathmandu. Bring four passport-sized photos for the permit process. If you plan to extend into Upper Mustang, let us know in advance, and we will arrange the Restricted Area Permit alongside everything else.

Travel insurance:

Travel and medical insurance that includes emergency evacuation cover is mandatory for this trek. We strongly recommend purchasing this before leaving your home country. Given the possibility of Jomsom flight cancellations due to weather, we also recommend building at least one buffer day into your international departure schedule.

Customisation:

Want to spend an extra day in Marpha, add a side trip from Kagbeni, extend into Upper Mustang, or combine this trek with another route in Nepal? We can build a custom itinerary and quote around exactly what you have in mind.

The Annapurna Semi Circuit Trek is one of those journeys that is difficult to fully explain to someone who has not done it. You start in lush green forests full of birdsong and rhododendron flowers. You stand on Poon Hill in the dark and watch the highest mountains in the world turn gold in the first light of day. You walk into the deepest gorge on earth and feel the wind push back as the landscape shifts from green to stone to dust. You sit in a medieval village where the walls are painted red and the alleyways are narrow enough to touch both sides. You climb to a sacred temple at 3,800 metres where pilgrims have been coming for hundreds of years and a flame burns from the ground.

All of that happens in 15 days. All of it in one trek.

This route works for people who want more than a walk in the mountains. It works for people who want to understand Nepal — not just see it from a viewpoint, but move through it slowly enough to feel it. The cultural depth of the Thakali villages, the spiritual weight of Muktinath, the sheer physical scale of the Kali Gandaki Gorge — none of it comes through in a photograph. It comes through in the walking.

We have taken trekkers of every background and fitness level on this route. The ones who come prepared, who give themselves to the pace of the trail, and who stay curious about everything they encounter — those are the ones who come back and say it was the best thing they ever did.

We would love for that to be you.