Highlights:

Length: 8–21 days (the grand loop from Besishar to Pokhara takes approximately 17–21 days).
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.
Starting elevation: 760 meters (2,493 feet) at Besisahar up to 3,450 meters (11,319 feet) at Manang, depending on your starting point.
Peak elevation: 5,416 meters (17,769 feet) at Thorong La Pass.
Elevation profile: via Adventure Alternative.
Guiding: Recommended but not required.
Accommodations: Teahouse.
When to Go: Fall peak trekking season is from October to early December; spring trekking season is in March and April.
Access: Pokhara, a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu or full day by ground transportation.
Paperwork: The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card can be purchased from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pohkara or through a registered guide; each requires two passport photos.

Most start on the Besisahar side and traditionalists walk from Besisahar to Chamje (2 days) along the dirt road. This stretch is beautiful—it meanders up the Marsyangdi River valley with the big mountains lurking behind—but trekkers compete with a stream of jeeps and busses. On the other side, the road starts around Jomsom and the walk from Jomsom to Pokhara takes 4–6 days.

Annapurna Circuit trek offers an amazing panorama of snowy Mt. Manaslu (8187 m), Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Hiunchuli, Mt. Gangapurna, Mt. Nilgiri, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and many other Himalayan peaks.

The route of Annapurna Circuit Trek opened for foreign nationals in 1977 AD. This trail starts from less than 1000 meters and goes up to a height of 5,416 m. It passes through distinct regional scenery of rivers, flora, and fauna, and above different mountains. It passes through lowland Brahmin and Chhetri villages to the remote village of Manang and also descends via the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.

The highest point of the Annapurna Circuit is the Thorong La (5416m/17769ft). Thorong La is also considered the longest mountain pass in the world. It is a dream of all trekkers to look over the magnificent Himalayan peak with their own eyes just sitting down on the top of that pass.

In Annapurna Circuit Trek the trekkers pass through four regions: Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, and Myagdi. Lamjung and Myagdi are at a lower altitude with lush green subtropical valleys with villages and terraced farming. Manang and Mustang are at a higher altitude with an arid Tibetan-style landscape. The majority of people in Manang and Mustang are Buddhists whose culture is predominantly influenced by Tibetan people. Mustang also is one of the few places in the world to view the ancient Bonpo Religion in action. Life in this region has remained almost unchanged throughout the centuries.