The route, in one paragraph
The Circuit is the trek that put Nepal on my map and on most of my clients'. Three weeks, four climate zones, a single pass that asks you for everything. We walk slowly, take two acclimatisation days, and cross Thorong La at first light when the wind is still asleep. The descent into Mustang is a different planet.
What you'll remember
The days that stay with you.
- 01
Crossing Thorong La (5,416 m) at sunrise
- 02
Acclimatisation day in Manang — short walk to Gangapurna ice lake
- 03
Descending into the Kali Gandaki gorge — deepest in the world
- 04
An afternoon at Muktinath, where Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims share a courtyard
Day by day
The 21-day itinerary.
- 01 DAY
Kathmandu → Besisahar (820 m)
Drive day. Briefing in the evening.
- End alt.
- 820 m
- Walking
- 6 h
- 02 DAY
Besisahar → Chamje
- End alt.
- 1,410 m
- Distance
- 21 km
- Walking
- 6 h
- 03 DAY
Chamje → Dharapani
- End alt.
- 1,860 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 6 h
- 04 DAY
Dharapani → Chame
- End alt.
- 2,670 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 6 h
- 05 DAY
Chame → Pisang
- End alt.
- 3,200 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5 h
- 06 DAY
Pisang → Manang (upper route)
- End alt.
- 3,540 m
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 7 h
- 07 DAY
Manang — acclimatisation
Short walk to Gangapurna lake.
- End alt.
- 3,540 m
- 08 DAY
Manang — acclimatisation walk to 4,200 m
- End alt.
- 4,200 m
- Walking
- 4 h
- 09 DAY
Manang → Yak Kharka
- End alt.
- 4,050 m
- Distance
- 9 km
- Walking
- 4 h
- 10 DAY
Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi
- End alt.
- 4,525 m
- Distance
- 7 km
- Walking
- 4 h
- 11 DAY
Phedi → Thorong High Camp
Short day. Sleep early.
- End alt.
- 4,880 m
- Distance
- 2 km
- Walking
- 2 h
- 12 DAY
High Camp → Thorong La → Muktinath
The big one. 4 am start.
- End alt.
- 3,760 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 9 h
- 13 DAY
Muktinath — rest, visit temple
- End alt.
- 3,760 m
- 14 DAY
Muktinath → Kagbeni
- End alt.
- 2,810 m
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 5 h
- 15 DAY
Kagbeni → Marpha
- End alt.
- 2,670 m
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6 h
- 16 DAY
Marpha → Kalopani
- End alt.
- 2,535 m
- Distance
- 24 km
- Walking
- 7 h
- 17 DAY
Kalopani → Tatopani (hot springs)
- End alt.
- 1,190 m
- Distance
- 27 km
- Walking
- 6 h
- 18 DAY
Tatopani → Ghorepani
- End alt.
- 2,870 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 7 h
- 19 DAY
Poon Hill (sunrise) → Tadapani
- End alt.
- 2,630 m
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 6 h
- 20 DAY
Tadapani → Ghandruk → Pokhara
- End alt.
- 820 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5 h
- 21 DAY
Pokhara → Kathmandu (drive or fly)
- End alt.
- 1,400 m
The fine print
Everything that's in the price.
No surprise add-ons. No "premium upgrades." This is the trek.
Included
- All ACAP, TIMS and restricted-area permits
- Twin-share teahouse lodging every night
- Three meals daily — daal bhat unlimited at altitude
- Mukunda as your lead guide, plus an assistant guide above 4,000 m
- Porters (one per two trekkers, 12 kg limit)
- All ground transport (Kathmandu → Besisahar → Pokhara)
- Two pre-trek briefings and an acclimatisation walk
- Satellite messenger, oximeter, comprehensive first-aid kit
- Helicopter-evacuation coordination if required (cost on your insurance)
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Comprehensive travel + rescue insurance to 6,000 m (mandatory)
- Personal trekking gear (rental list provided)
- Tips for guide team and porters
- Drinks beyond water and tea, hot showers (charged by teahouses)
- Any optional side trips (Tilicho Lake, Ice Lake)
What to expect
- 6 to 8 hours walking on big days, 4 to 5 on most
- Altitude — headaches are normal, real symptoms are not. We watch you daily.
- Cold nights from Manang onward. Down bag rated to -10 °C minimum.
- Long teahouse afternoons. Bring a book. Talk to porters. Drink the tea.
Fitness honestly
You should be able to walk 8 hours a day for several days in a row in hilly terrain at home. Previous altitude experience is welcomed but not required if you have done long-distance walking.
Permits
ACAP + TIMS — arranged by Mukunda. No restricted-area permit required.
From past clients on this trek
“Mukunda made the altitude feel manageable — he was reading us before we read ourselves. I had a headache on day six and he caught it before I did. The whole trip was unhurried in the best way.”
Sarah Bristol · 2024
“I am a fast walker and I have done the Tour du Mont Blanc twice. Mukunda slowed me down and I am glad. The Circuit is not a race and he knew that without saying so.”
Henrik Copenhagen · 2024
Begin an enquiry
Tell me what you're imagining. I reply in writing, within forty-eight hours.
No booking engine, no automated funnel, no payment requested at this stage. Send the form and I'll write back with availability, a gear list, and any questions of my own.