How much does the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost in 2026? A full breakdown — permits, guide, teahouses, food, transport and hidden extras — with budget, standard and comfort tiers. From $600 with HSJ.
Let me be honest about why this page exists: most "Annapurna Circuit cost" articles either quote one vague number or bury you in a spreadsheet. Neither helps you actually plan. So here's the real picture — what the trek costs in 2026, where every dollar goes, and where you can save without making yourself miserable at 5,000 metres.
We've run this trek for years, so these aren't guesses — they're the numbers our trekkers actually spend.
💰 Annapurna Circuit Cost — At a Glance (2026)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided package (land cost) | $650–850 | $900–1,200 | $1,400–2,000 |
| Duration | 12–14 days | 14 days | 12–16 days |
| Style | Basic teahouses, shared guide | Private guide + porter, better lodges | Best lodges, private jeep legs, flight out |
| Best for | Experienced budget trekkers | Most people ⭐ | Comfort-first / limited time |
HSJ's 14-day guided Annapurna Circuit starts at $600 per person (group rates lower). Permits, trek meals, tips and optional extras are the main add-ons — all detailed below.
What "the cost" actually includes
The single biggest source of confusion is that "the cost of the Annapurna Circuit" means different things depending on how you trek it. There are three ways to do it, and they cost very differently:
- Fully independent — you arrange your own permits, walk without a guide, pay teahouses as you go. Cheapest on paper, but you carry all the risk and logistics. (Note: since 2023, Nepal requires a licensed guide for most trekking regions — solo independent trekking is restricted.)
- Guided package (most people) — one price covers your guide, porter, permits, accommodation and transport. Predictable and safest.
- Luxury / comfort — same route, premium lodges, private transport, and a flight out instead of the long drive back.
This guide breaks down every line item so you can see exactly what changes between them.
The full cost breakdown
1. Permits — about $40 total
| Permit | Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) | NPR 3,000 (~$23) | Required for the whole circuit |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000 (~$15) individual / NPR 1,000 via agency | Trekkers' information management |
On a guided package these are usually arranged for you — always confirm whether they're included or added on top.
2. Guide & porter — the biggest variable
| Service | Cost/day | Over 14 days |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed guide | $25–35 | $350–490 |
| Porter | $18–22 | $250–310 |
| Combined guide-porter | $22–28 | $310–390 |
A guide is now effectively mandatory and genuinely worth it on the Circuit — Thorong La (5,416 m) is no joke, and a good guide manages your pace, altitude and the occasional trail reroute that catches people out. A porter is optional but transforms the experience: you walk with a daypack instead of 15 kg.
3. Accommodation — $5–10/night
Teahouse rooms are cheap — often NPR 500–1,000 (~$4–8) for a twin room, sometimes free if you eat dinner and breakfast there. Prices climb with altitude (Thorong Phedi and High Camp are the priciest). Budget roughly $70–120 for the whole trek in rooms.
4. Food & drinks — $25–35/day
This is where money quietly disappears. A plate of dal bhat runs NPR 600–900 (~$5–7) and rises with altitude, since everything is carried up by mule or porter. Add tea, treats and the occasional beer and most trekkers spend $25–35/day → $350–490 over 14 days.
| Item | Low altitude | High altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Dal bhat | ~$5 | ~$8–9 |
| Bottle of water | ~$1 | ~$3–4 (bring purification instead) |
| Hot shower | ~$2–3 | ~$4–5 |
| Device charging | ~$1–2 | ~$3–5 |
| Wi-Fi | free–$2 | $3–5 |
5. Transport — $30–260 depending on style
| Leg | Budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu → Besisahar (start) | Local bus ~$10 | Private jeep ~$120–180 (shared) |
| Besisahar → Chame (skip lower road) | Shared jeep ~$25 | Private jeep |
| Jomsom/Muktinath → Pokhara (end) | Jeep ~$25–35 | Flight ~$120 (saves a day, spectacular) |
| Pokhara → Kathmandu | Tourist bus ~$12 | Flight ~$100 |
6. Gear — $0 if you own it, ~$40–120 to rent/buy in Kathmandu
You don't need full expedition kit for the Circuit, but you do need a proper down jacket and a −15 to −20°C sleeping bag for Thorong La. Both rent in Kathmandu for ~$1–2/day, or buy for $30–80 each. (Our EBC packing list gear guide is nearly identical.)
7. Tips — $150–250
Not compulsory, but customary and genuinely appreciated. Budget roughly $8–12/day for your guide and $6–8/day for your porter, given at the end.
Sample total costs (per person, 14 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide / porter | $310 | $390 | $450 |
| Permits | $40 | $40 | $40 |
| Accommodation | $80 | $110 | $200 |
| Food | $350 | $420 | $490 |
| Transport | $60 | $140 | $340 |
| Tips + extras | $150 | $220 | $300 |
| Approx. total | ~$990 | ~$1,320 | ~$1,820 |
Excludes international flights, Nepal visa (~$50), travel insurance (~$100–150, must cover high-altitude trekking + helicopter evacuation), and Kathmandu/Pokhara hotels.
What HSJ's $600 package includes — and what you'll spend on top
Booking a guided package folds most of the big-ticket items into one predictable price. Here's exactly what our $600 Annapurna Circuit covers versus what you pay out of pocket:
| Included in the $600 package | Pay on top (est. 14 days) |
|---|---|
| Licensed guide + porter (1 per 2 trekkers) | Trek lunches & dinners — $180–300 |
| ACAP + TIMS permits | Tips (guide + porter) — $150–250 |
| All ground transport + airport transfers | Jomsom→Pokhara flight (optional) — $120 |
| 3-star hotels in Kathmandu & Pokhara (B&B) | City sightseeing entry fees — ~$25 |
| Teahouse lodging + breakfast throughout the trek | Personal expenses (drinks, showers, Wi-Fi) |
| Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu + Pokhara | |
| Welcome + farewell dinners, sleeping bag/duffel, first-aid, taxes | |
| Realistic all-in with HSJ: about $1,050–1,200 per person | |
That's the honest picture: the $600 covers more than a bare-bones DIY trek (including city hotels and sightseeing a solo trekker pays separately), and once you add your own trail meals and tips, most trekkers land around $1,050–1,200 all-in.
How to save money without suffering
- Trek in a small group. Splitting a guide/porter across 2–4 people is the single biggest saving — our group rates drop the per-person price significantly.
- Bring your own water purification (SteriPen or tablets) instead of buying bottled — saves $30–50 and cuts plastic.
- Take the jeep in, fly out. The lower Circuit is now a road; jeeping past Besisahar saves 1–2 days walking beside traffic, and flying out of Jomsom is worth every rupee.
- Rent your down jacket and bag in Kathmandu rather than buying gear you'll use once.
- Eat dal bhat. Best value on the menu, unlimited refills, and exactly the fuel your legs want.
The simplest way to budget it
If you'd rather not assemble this piece by piece, our 14-day Annapurna Circuit Trek starts at $600 per person (lower for groups) — experienced local guides, all permits, city hotels, and the acclimatisation schedule that gets you safely over Thorong La. If you're weighing it against Everest, our EBC cost guide breaks that trek down the same way, and a dedicated EBC-vs-Annapurna comparison is coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost in 2026?
Most trekkers spend between $990 and $1,820 per person for a 14-day trek, depending on style. A guided package covering guide, porter, permits, accommodation and transport typically runs $900–1,200. HSJ's guided Annapurna Circuit starts at $600 per person, with trek meals, tips and optional extras added on top — a realistic all-in of about $1,050–1,200.
Is the Annapurna Circuit cheaper than Everest Base Camp?
Yes, usually. The Annapurna Circuit avoids the expensive Lukla flight (~$400 round trip) that EBC requires, so transport costs are much lower. Expect the Circuit to come in $200–500 cheaper than a comparable EBC trek.
Do I need a guide for the Annapurna Circuit, and how much does one cost?
Since 2023, Nepal requires a licensed guide for most trekking regions, including Annapurna. A guide costs about $25–35 per day; a combined guide-porter runs $22–28 per day. Splitting one guide across a small group lowers the per-person cost significantly.
How much are the Annapurna Circuit permits?
Two permits are required: the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) at about NPR 3,000 (~$23) and the TIMS card at about NPR 2,000 (~$15), or NPR 1,000 through an agency. Total is roughly $40, usually organised for you on a guided trek.
How much money should I carry in cash on the trek?
Bring enough Nepali rupees for meals, extras and tips — roughly $400–600 equivalent for a 14-day trek if meals aren't pre-paid, plus tip money. ATMs exist in Besisahar, Chame and Jomsom but are unreliable, so draw cash in Kathmandu or Pokhara first.
How much does food cost on the Annapurna Circuit?
Budget $25–35 per day. A plate of dal bhat is $5–7 at lower altitudes and $8–9 higher up, since everything is carried in. Tea, snacks, hot showers and Wi-Fi add up, so most trekkers spend $350–490 on food over two weeks.
Is the Annapurna Circuit worth the money?
For most trekkers, yes. You get one of the world's most varied treks — subtropical valleys to high desert to a 5,416 m pass — for less than a comparable Everest trek. The scenery, culture and sense of a genuine long-distance journey make it exceptional value.
Can I do the Annapurna Circuit on a tight budget?
Yes. Trekking in a small group to split guide costs, purifying your own water, eating dal bhat and taking local transport can bring the total to around $990 per person for 14 days, permits and tips included.
How much are tips for the guide and porter?
Tipping is customary. Budget roughly $8–12 per day for your guide and $6–8 per day for your porter, given at the end of the trek — around $150–250 total for most trekkers.
Does the cost include the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara?
Usually not — it's a popular optional add-on at around $120 per person. Many trekkers fly out to save a day and enjoy the mountain views; others take a jeep to Pokhara for about $25–35. Check whether your package includes it.
How much does accommodation cost on the trek?
Teahouse rooms are cheap — about NPR 500–1,000 (~$4–8) per night for a twin, and sometimes free if you eat there. Rooms are pricier near Thorong La. Total trek accommodation is usually $70–120; guided packages often include it plus city hotels.
What's not included in a typical Annapurna Circuit package price?
Package prices usually exclude international flights, your Nepal visa (~$50), travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation (~$100–150), tips, trek lunches and dinners, and personal expenses like drinks, hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi. Always read the inclusion list carefully.
Is travel insurance required, and how much does it cost?
Strongly recommended and required by reputable operators. It must cover trekking to at least 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation. Expect to pay $100–150 for a two-week policy — non-negotiable given Thorong La's altitude.
When is the Annapurna Circuit cheapest to trek?
Costs are fairly stable year-round, but the off-season months (December–February and the monsoon June–August) see lower demand and occasional discounts. The trade-off is cold or wet conditions. Peak seasons — spring and autumn — offer the best weather at standard prices.
How can I get the best price on a guided Annapurna Circuit trek?
Trek in a small group to share guide and porter costs, book directly with a local operator rather than an overseas agency (which adds markup), and choose a jeep-in / fly-out itinerary to trim days. HSJ's group rates start from $600 per person and include permits, city hotels and an experienced local guide.
