Quick answer: A guided Annapurna Circuit Trek is good value, with mandatory but cheap permits and transport as the flexible cost. There is no fixed mountain flight, so it stays affordable. Group size, season, and comfort set the price. The 2026 breakdown below covers every line item.
A guided Annapurna Circuit Trek usually costs US$900 to US$1,600 per person in 2026. The price depends on length, group size, and comfort level. The biggest factors are simple. First, how many days you trek. Second, whether you take the bus or fly back from Pokhara. Third, your guide and porter. Unlike the Everest region, the Circuit needs no costly mountain flight. So it is one of the better-value classic treks in Nepal.
Key Takeaways
- A guided Annapurna Circuit trek usually costs US$900 to US$1,600 per person in 2026.
- Permits are cheap: ACAP (about NPR 3,000) plus the TIMS card (NPR 2,000), roughly US$38 total.
- A licensed guide is mandatory in the Annapurna region. So it is not a cost you can skip.
- There is no costly flight like Lukla. Transport is by road, with an optional Pokhara to Kathmandu flight.
This guide breaks down every cost, so you can budget well. The figures are for the classic 12-day Annapurna Circuit Trek. The longer 15-day version via Thorong La and Mustang costs a little more, for the extra days and sightseeing.
Quick cost breakdown (2026)
| Cost item | 2026 price (per person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) | about NPR 3,000 (about US$23) | Fixed, paid in rupees |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000 (about US$15) | Mandatory, non-SAARC rate |
| Licensed guide | about US$30 to US$35 per day | Mandatory in the Annapurna region |
| Porter (one per two trekkers) | about US$25 to US$30 per day | Shared between two people |
| Food and teahouse lodging | about US$25 to US$40 per day | Rises with altitude |
| Ground transport (jeep or bus) | about US$30 to US$120 | Depends on private vs shared |
| Pokhara to Kathmandu flight (optional) | about US$100 to US$130 | The tourist bus is far cheaper |
| Travel insurance (with helicopter cover) | about US$100 to US$250 | Mandatory for a guided trip |
| Nepal visa | US$30 / US$50 / US$125 | 15 / 30 / 90 days |
| Tips (guide and porter) | about US$120 to US$220 total | Customary |
A guided package rolls most of these into one price. Spade Himalaya’s 12-day trek is US$1,250 per person. That covers permits, a licensed guide, porter support, transport, lodging, and all meals on the trek.
Why is the Annapurna Circuit good value?
The Annapurna Circuit avoids the most expensive part of an Everest trek: the Lukla flight. That round-trip flight can cost around US$400. Here, you reach the trailhead by road instead, usually a jeep up the Marsyangdi valley. Then you exit through Pokhara. From there, you choose a cheap tourist bus or a short flight back to Kathmandu.
Annapurna Circuit Trek 12-Days
So, with cheap permits too, the Circuit often comes in lower than a similar Everest trip. And you still get a high pass, huge variety, and the holy site of Muktinath, all for less money.
How much are the permits?
The Annapurna Circuit permits cost about US$38 in total. However, they are not optional. You need two.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): about NPR 3,000 for foreign trekkers. It funds conservation in Nepal’s largest protected area.
- TIMS card: NPR 2,000 for non-SAARC trekkers (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-18).
There is one more rule. Since April 2023, the Annapurna region also requires a licensed guide through a registered agency. That rule still holds in 2026, and one guide may lead up to seven trekkers (Kathmandu Post, 2023; Nepal Tourism Board, 2026). So the guide is a built-in cost, not an extra. Spade Himalaya arranges both permits and provides the guide. For how the rules apply across every Nepal region, see our complete guide to Nepal trekking permits.
How much does transport cost?
Transport is where you can most easily raise or lower the price. The Circuit starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar and up to Chame. Then it ends down the Kali Gandaki valley to Pokhara.
- Shared jeep or local bus: the cheapest way in and out. It is also part of the adventure.
- Private jeep: faster and more comfortable, but more expensive, mainly on the rough upper roads.
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: a tourist bus is cheap and takes a few hours. A short flight costs about US$100 to US$130 and saves most of a day.
On a package, your ground transport is included. So the main choice is whether you add the Pokhara flight.
What are the daily costs on the trail?
Budget about US$25 to US$40 a day for food and lodging, a little less than the Everest region. Teahouse rooms are cheap, and the Annapurna trail is well developed with good food. Still, you pay extra for a few things.
- Hot showers and Wi-Fi: a small fee, rising with altitude.
- Device charging: often a few dollars higher up.
- Drinks, snacks, and treats: beer, soft drinks, and chocolate cost more the higher you go.
- Bottled water: it is cheaper and greener to refill and purify your own.
On an all-inclusive trip, your three daily meals are covered. So these extras are the main out-of-pocket spend.
What other costs should you plan for?
Travel insurance with helicopter cover is mandatory, and it is the one cost you must never skip. Your policy must cover trekking above 5,000 m and helicopter rescue, because Thorong La tops out at 5,416 m. Expect about US$100 to US$250, depending on your country and cover.
A few other items:
- Tips: customary for your guide and porter, usually US$120 to US$220 in total.
- Gear: rent a four-season sleeping bag or down jacket for about US$35 each in Kathmandu or Pokhara, if you do not own them.
- City extras: meals and nights in Kathmandu or Pokhara, before or after the trek, are usually not included.
How do you save money on the Annapurna Circuit?
You cannot cut the permits, guide, or insurance, but you can still save. Here are a few honest tips.
- Travel in a small group to share the guide, porter, and jeep costs.
- Take the tourist bus from Pokhara instead of flying.
- Refill and purify your own water instead of buying bottled water.
- Bring your own base layers and boots, and rent only the bulky items.
Do not cut the guide or insurance, though. The guide is mandatory anyway. And a helicopter rescue without cover can cost thousands. So that is the one saving that is never worth it.
What does a Spade Himalaya package include?
Our 12-day Annapurna Circuit Trek is US$1,250 and covers the essentials. That includes the ACAP and TIMS permits, a licensed guide, porter support, all ground transport, teahouse lodging, and all meals on the trek. So most of the variable costs above become one clear price.
Want the longer cultural version with Muktinath, Mustang, and sightseeing? Then see the 15-day Annapurna Circuit via Thorong La Pass. For a shorter, lower, and often cheaper trek in the same region, try the 9-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek. For the full regional picture, see our Annapurna region trekking guide.
FAQs
How much does the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost in 2026?
A guided trek usually costs US$900 to US$1,600 per person. It depends on length, group size, and comfort. Spade Himalaya’s 12-day package is US$1,250. The Circuit is good value, because it has no costly mountain flight. You reach the trail by road and exit via Pokhara.
How much are the Annapurna Circuit permits?
About US$38 in total. That is the ACAP (about NPR 3,000) and the TIMS card (NPR 2,000 for non-SAARC trekkers). Both are paid in Nepalese rupees and arranged for you on a guided trip. They are mandatory, along with a licensed guide.
Do I have to pay for a guide on the Annapurna Circuit?
Yes. Since April 2023, Nepal requires foreign trekkers in the Annapurna region to hire a licensed guide through a registered agency. The rule still applies in 2026. A guide costs about US$30 to US$35 per day, and it is included in our packages.
Is the Annapurna Circuit cheaper than Everest Base Camp?
Usually, yes. The Circuit avoids the Lukla flight, which is around US$400 round trip. Its permits and daily costs are similar or a little lower too. So the main variable is your transport, and whether you fly or take the bus from Pokhara.
Can I do the Annapurna Circuit on a tight budget?
You can keep costs down. Trek in a small group, take buses instead of flights, refill your own water, and rent only bulky gear. However, the guide, permits, and insurance are fixed costs you should not cut. Realistically, budget at least US$900 for a guided trip.
Accuracy note: official fees, rules, and hard facts in this guide are cited inline from their sources; trail and price details are Spade Himalaya field research; route details reviewed by Yubaraj Katel, government-licensed trekking guide (Licence No. 19827) with 10 years of experience leading treks in the Annapurna region.
