One pass, five thousand meters, two worlds. This private Annapurna Circuit route is built around Thorong La Pass at 5,416m, but it keeps you moving through forests, villages, and sacred stops so it never feels like one long grind. I also like the private setup, meaning you follow your guide’s rhythm instead of being rushed.

Two things I really like are that you get trekking support gear (poles and crampons) and full meal coverage during the trek, so you can spend energy on walking, not logistics. I’m also a fan of the cultural pacing, especially the day that heads through Manang’s area and the 900-year-old Braga monastery.

The catch is the altitude. You’ll be around 4,000m on Yak Kharka, about 4,600m at Thorong Phedi, then you crest 5,416m on day 9. If long days at high elevation scare you, you’ll want to take the acclimatization seriously and listen to your guide.

Key things that make this trek tick

• Thorong La Pass at 5,416m: the big summit moment without technical climbing skills
• Real acclimatization time in Manang: two nights to adjust before the pass
• Suspension bridges and prayer flags: lots of small wow-moments before the main challenge
• Permits handled (ACAP + TIMS): built into the trek setup, plus you register on the way
• Meals + lodge nights + recovery: included food coverage and even a one-hour foot massage after the trek

Kathmandu start: briefing day, not scramble day

Your trip begins in Kathmandu, with a representative from MTA Trekking meeting you and handling your transfer to a deluxe budget hotel. After you freshen up, there’s a short briefing on how the trek will unfold. That matters more than it sounds. Annapurna can feel intimidating on paper, and a clear plan helps you get your bearings fast—especially when you’re about to change elevations every couple of days.

This is also where the private nature of the trip shows up. Instead of hoping things line up, you get face time with the team and can ask practical questions like what to expect from the schedule and how your day-to-day pacing will work.

Besisahar day: road trip energy before the trails

On day 2 you travel to Besisahar, about a 4–5 hour ride by public transportation. Expect rural Nepal scenery from the window, not a smooth “tour bus all day” vibe. When a trek begins with shared roads, it usually means the day stays more real and less staged.

Once you arrive, you check into a hotel and have the afternoon and evening at leisure. This is a useful buffer. You’re not yet grinding upward. You’re letting your body and mind switch from city mode to mountain mode, which can make day 3 feel less like a shock.

Chame and permits at Dharapani: when planning turns into progress

Day 3 is a drive from Besisahar to Chame, roughly 2–3 hours, passing Gurung and Magar villages, pine and rhododendron forests, and even a roadside waterfall. The drive is more than “getting there.” It’s a preview of how the trek will keep changing. Forests now, higher cold later. You’ll see that rhythm repeat.

You also stop at Dharapani to register for trekking permits. On top of that, the package includes the ACAP permit and TIMS. That’s a win for you because permits are one of those annoying tasks that can derail a vacation if you do them late or wrong. Here, it’s handled as part of the route flow.

Chame is where you sleep in a trekking lodge and enjoy a home-cooked meal. That combination—comfortable lodging plus food that’s meant for trekkers—usually keeps energy steady for the next day’s hike.

Chame to Pisang: apple orchards, prayer flags, and that bridge feeling

Day 4 hikes from Chame to Pisang in about 4–5 hours. You pass apple orchards, rhododendron and conifer forests, and suspension bridges decorated with colorful prayer flags. If you like small, frequent moments of beauty (and you don’t want all the excitement saved for day 9), this is a great day.

You also get views of Paungda Danda, described as a little-known, flat-topped mountain. That’s the kind of specific sight that helps the trek feel personal instead of generic.

Manang: your acclimatization headquarters (use it well)

Day 5 moves from Pisang to Manang in about 5–6 hours. The hike goes through evergreen forest and passes villages like Humde and Braga, plus a visit through the 900-year-old Braga monastery area. When a trek includes a monastery stop, it’s not just photo bait. It gives you a sense of how religious life and mountain travel have overlapped here for generations.

Manang is one of the larger communities in the Annapurnas, and that’s practical. Larger means more services and more ways to settle in. You arrive in the afternoon and stay in a trekking lodge.

Day 6 is a full acclimatization day in Manang. This is a big deal, because you’re planning for a pass at 5,416m. The itinerary gives you time to rest, restock supplies, and eat local fare. You may also take a day hike to places like Gangapurna Lake or Kicho Tal if you feel good. The key is you’re not forced to “perform” on schedule. You’re using time to adjust to the altitude.

This is where the private format can be a quiet advantage. If you feel stronger, you can explore. If you feel slow, you don’t get punished for it.

Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi: teahouse nights at altitude

Day 7 hikes from Manang to Yak Kharka, around 4 hours, crossing several suspension bridges. You’re trekking at about 4,000m, and the itinerary specifically suggests taking it easy to acclimatize. That’s smart planning. At this stage, “fast” usually equals “sweaty and miserable,” not “better.”

Yak Kharka is small but workable. You’ll stay in a teahouse, and the area includes a bakery and charming teahouse accommodations. It’s one of those nights where you can eat, hydrate, and keep your routine simple. Routine matters when your body is adjusting.

Day 8 is Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi in about 4–5 hours. Expect another high bridge crossing (the description calls it gravity-defying), and you’ll be around 4,600m. When you arrive, you also sleep in a teahouse.

Thorong Phedi is positioned like a pre-pass staging point, with great views that include Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak (plus the Annapurnas). Even if you’re tired, it helps to have a place with views the afternoon before a big summit day. It keeps motivation from turning into dread.

Thorong La Pass to Muktinath: the long day with the payoff

Day 9 is the day you’ve been building toward: a climb to Thorong La Pass (5,416m). The hike is long—about 8 hours—and it’s described as strenuous. But it’s also a crucial point: this pass is one of the highest crossings in the world that can be done without technical climbing skills. That distinction matters if you’re deciding whether you can handle the challenge safely with the right gear and guidance.

From the pass, you get views of tall giants like Dhaulagiri and Manaslu. After reaching the top, you descend to Muktinath, a sacred town for both Hindus and Buddhists. The itinerary frames this part as a chance to relax and reflect. Practically, it’s also a chance to stop “climbing mode” and enter “recovery mode” while you’re still close to the end of this major trek block.

Jomsom and the shift toward Pokhara: gorge views and a softer finish

Day 10 takes you from Muktinath to Jomsom with a trek time of about 5 hours. This leg is shorter than the pass day, which helps your body transition after the hardest elevation effort.

Day 11 brings you to Pokhara, described with varied terrain you pass through—arid mountains to greener valleys, plus the Kali Gandaki Gorge, traditional villages, terraced fields, and views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The key on your final day is not to rush. Your legs will be tired. The route gives you something to look at even when your pace slows.

And you finish with the package support: you’ll have one night in Pokhara after the trek, plus the itinerary includes a one-hour foot massage after the trek. That’s not a small extra. After high altitude walking, it can feel like someone reset your body clock.

Price and value: what $1,150 buys you (and where you’ll spend extra)

At $1,150 per person for 11 days, the main question is: what are you paying for beyond scenery?

Here’s the value logic in plain terms:

• You’re paying for a guided, fully supported experience with meals included during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
• You’re paying for the “big hassle” items: ACAP permit and TIMS, plus all fees and taxes.
• You’re paying for trekking essentials: trekking poles and crampons included.
• You’re paying for lodging structure: one night in Kathmandu before, trek nights in lodges/teahouses, and one night in Pokhara after.
• You’re paying for recovery and comfort touches like the one-hour foot massage.

What’s not included (and you’ll likely plan for):

• Travel and rescue insurance
• Tips for guides and porters
• Bottled or boiled water, laundry, bar bills, and international phone calls
• Showers
• Porter (not included)

One practical consideration: if you’re carrying a heavier pack than you want, the cost savings of not including a porter can turn into a fatigue tax. If you’re the type who likes to travel light, you’ll be fine. If not, plan to factor in extra help.

Guides and care: how MTA Trekking earns trust

The operator’s service style comes through in guide feedback: MTA Trekking is associated with guides who adapt to your needs and keep morale up during the slog.

In their Annapurna experiences, guides like Ghanshyam have been praised for taking care of people and adapting to individual needs. Other guides, like Shishir, have been noted for staying upbeat and cheerful, even singing during the trek—small things, but they matter when you’re walking hour after hour at altitude. There are also examples from within the operator’s trekking lineup of guides like Jeevan tailoring routes when weather or physical condition requires a change.

You shouldn’t assume your guide will be the exact person you read about. Still, it tells you something useful: the team’s best reputation isn’t only about logistics. It’s about attitude and adjustment.

Who this Private Annapurna Circuit trek is perfect for

This trek fits best if you:

• Have moderate physical fitness
• Want a private feel but still want a classic Annapurna Circuit structure
• Are excited by high elevation challenges, especially the Thorong La Pass day
• Value having permits, meals, and gear handled as part of the package

You might reconsider (or plan extra caution) if:

• You get anxious about altitude changes around 4,000–4,600m before a 5,416m pass day
• You expect to travel with zero physical discomfort and no need for acclimatization days

Should you book this trek?

If you want a well-run Annapurna Circuit that includes the “mountain homework” (permits, gear, food, lodge nights) and still leaves room for real village life and faith sites, this is a strong choice. The biggest reason I’d say yes is the structure: two nights in Manang for acclimatization, then a clear build-up to Thorong La Pass, followed by a meaningful descent to Muktinath and an organized finish.

But be honest with yourself about altitude. This isn’t a casual stroll. If you’re prepared for long, high-elevation hiking and you’ll use Manang’s acclimatization time, the reward is a pass day with serious views and a trip that feels more like a journey than a checklist.

FAQ

How high is Thorong La Pass on this trek?

Thorong La Pass is listed at 5,416 meters above sea level.

How long is the Private Annapurna Circuit Trek?

It’s listed as 11 days approximately.

What parts of the trip include meals and lodging?

Meals during the trek include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You also get one night of hotel accommodation before the trek and one night after the trek, plus one night in Pokhara after the trek.

Are permits included in the price?

Yes. The package includes the ACAP permit and TIMS, and you register for trekking permits during the route at Dharapani.

Is this trek private, and is pickup offered?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. Pickup is also offered.

What’s the cancellation and refund timing?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. Cancelling 2–6 days before gives a 50% refund, and less than 2 days before is not refunded.

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