For many Australians, the Annapurna Circuit sits near the top of the Himalayan wish list. It crosses a 5,416-metre pass, passes through landscapes that change almost daily, and still runs through villages with teahouses rather than tents. It also takes real preparation. This guide covers the three things Australian trekkers most often ask about: when to go, what permits and paperwork to expect, and how to get fit for a high-altitude walk when your local hills top out at a few hundred metres.
When to go: matching the season to your calendar
The best trekking windows in Nepal are spring (roughly March to May) and autumn (roughly September to November). For the Annapurna Circuit, the most commonly recommended periods are April to May and late September to November. Autumn gives the clearest mountain views. Spring brings milder days and flowering forests in the lower sections.
For Australians, the practical question is leave. October and November fall in the Australian spring, which suits people who can take two to three weeks around school holidays or use accumulated leave. Remember to allow time for travel on both ends. A 14-day itinerary in Nepal usually becomes closer to three weeks door to door once flights from the east coast, connections through Asia or the Middle East and recovery days are included.
Avoid the monsoon months (June to August) unless you have a specific reason. Rain, cloud and landslide risk make the walk harder and the views poorer.
What the route looks like today
The Annapurna Circuit has changed over the last decade because roads now reach deep into the valley. Many operators now start trekking further up the trail and use a vehicle for the first sections, then walk the more scenic stretches. On the Annapurna Circuit trek from Highland Expeditions, for example, the 14-day itinerary drives to Besisahar, then takes a jeep to Chame before walking via Pisang and Ngawal to Manang. You spend an acclimatisation day in Manang, continue to Yak Kharka and Thorung Phedi, cross Thorong La (5,416 metres) to Muktinath, and finish through Kagbeni and Jomsom before the drive to Pokhara and a short flight to Kathmandu.
That mix of driving and walking is a good thing for most trekkers. It saves time, keeps the days focused on the best terrain and shortens the total length of the trip.
Permits and paperwork
Most visitors need the following for the Annapurna Circuit:
- Nepal visa: available on arrival or online in advance. Rules and fees can change, so check the official immigration site before you fly.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): the page for this trek lists NPR 3,000 per person for a single entry.
- TIMS card: the same page lists NPR 2,000 for independent trekkers or NPR 1,000 for group trekkers, although the requirements around TIMS have been changing in recent years.
When you book a guided package, the operator normally arranges and pays for these permits, so your main job is to provide passport details and photos on time. Check the inclusions list so you know exactly what is covered. Fees and rules change, so confirm current amounts before you travel.
Insurance: do not skimp
Standard travel insurance often excludes trekking above a set altitude. Before you buy, read the policy wording and confirm that it covers trekking up to at least 5,500 metres and, ideally, helicopter evacuation. Australian travellers should also check whether pre-existing conditions and adventure activities are covered by the card or policy they already hold. This is one of the few trip costs where the cheapest option can turn out to be the most expensive.
Getting fit when you live at sea level
You do not need to be an athlete, but you do need stamina. A typical day on the circuit is six to eight hours of walking, often over uneven ground, and the pass day can be ten hours or more. Training that works well:
- Hills and stairs: walk uphill with a loaded daypack at least twice a week. If you live somewhere flat, use stairs in a tall building or a stepper at the gym.
- Long weekend walks: build up to six to eight hours with a pack, ideally on consecutive days to simulate back-to-back trekking.
- Cardio base: running, cycling or swimming two or three times a week.
- Strength: squats, lunges and step-ups protect your knees on long descents.
- Heat is not altitude: you cannot train for thin air at sea level, so respect your schedule and acclimatise properly instead of trying to rush.
Start at least three months before departure. If you have any heart, lung or other medical concerns, talk to a doctor who has experience with high-altitude travel.
Altitude: the part training cannot fix
Thin air affects everyone differently, and fit people get altitude sickness too. The safest approach is a schedule with proper acclimatisation days and a guide who monitors you daily. Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual fatigue are signals to slow down. Persistent or worsening symptoms mean you should not go higher, and you may need to descend. On a guided trip, you should never feel pressured to push on.
Combine it with something else
Many Australians build a wider Nepal trip around the circuit. A few ideas:
- Add a few days in Kathmandu and Pokhara before or after the trek.
- Pair the circuit with a second trek in another season on a later visit, such as the classic classic Everest Base Camp trek, which is a 16-day itinerary built around staged acclimatisation.
A simple planning timeline
- 9 to 12 months before: choose your season and start looking at operators.
- 6 months before: book flights and the trek, and arrange insurance.
- 3 months before: begin structured training and check vaccinations with your doctor.
- 1 month before: finalise gear, break in your boots and confirm passport validity (generally at least six months).
- On arrival: allow a buffer day in Kathmandu before the trek begins.
Final thoughts
The Annapurna Circuit is a big trip, but it is a very manageable one when you plan it in the right order: pick a season, secure good insurance, build a training routine and choose a schedule that respects altitude. Do those things well and the rest, including the views from the top of Thorong La, takes care of itself.
About the author: this guide was prepared by the team at Highland Expeditions, a Nepal-based trekking operator. Permit fees, visa rules and trail conditions change, so confirm current details before you travel.
