Top 10 Alpine Huts on Nepal's Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is a 160–230 km loop around the Annapurna massif in central Nepal, crossing the Thorong La pass (5416 m) — one of the highest trekking passes in the world regularly crossed by non-technical walkers. The route passes through terrain ranging from subtropical river gorges to high-altitude glacial desert, and the teahouse infrastructure is the most complete of any Himalayan trekking route after the Everest corridor. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) fee and the TIMS card are required for all trekkers.
1. Manang, 3500 m — Marsyangdi valley
The main acclimatisation town on the Annapurna Circuit, Manang at 3500 m sits in a wide glacial valley below the south face of Annapurna III and Gangapurna. The Annapurna Lodge and other guesthouses in Manang accommodate the standard 2-night acclimatisation stop — essential before attempting the Thorong La. An acclimatisation walk to the Gangapurna Lake (3540 m) or the Ice Lake (4600 m) is recommended during the rest day. The Himalayan Rescue Association office in Manang provides AMS consultations.
2. Thorong Phedi, 4450 m — base of Thorong La
The last teahouses before the Thorong La pass, at 4450 m in the narrow valley below the pass face. Thorong High Camp Hotel and two or three other establishments provide basic accommodation for parties that have walked up from Manang or Yak Kharka on the day before the pass crossing. The altitude here produces AMS symptoms in most guests; sleeping is typically poor. Departures for the pass begin at 04:00–05:00 to cross before afternoon winds build.
3. Thorong High Camp, 4925 m — Thorong La approach
At 4925 m on the face of the Thorong La, Thorong High Camp Hotel offers basic accommodation (dormitory sleeping, simple meals) at the highest staffed teahouse on the circuit. Parties who sleep here shorten the summit-day approach significantly but also spend an additional night at very high altitude. Most guides recommend Thorong Phedi as the better sleeping option; High Camp as a breakfast stop on the crossing day.
4. Muktinath, 3800 m — Mustang district
The sacred town of Muktinath (3800 m), reached after the Thorong La descent, is the most significant Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site on the Annapurna Circuit. Teahouses here are plentiful and of reasonable standard — it is a genuine village, not just a trekking waypoint. The descent from the Thorong La (a 1600 m drop in a single morning) makes Muktinath feel like civilisation after the pass crossing.
5. Tilicho Base Camp Lodge, 4150 m — Tilicho Lake side route
On the side route to Tilicho Lake (4919 m — one of the highest lakes in the world at a trekking elevation), a lodge at 4150 m provides the overnight stop before the lake ascent. The Tilicho Base Camp route branches from the main circuit near Manang and adds 2 days to the journey. The Tilicho Lake viewpoint — the lake frozen for most of the year, surrounded by the Tilicho Peak north wall — is one of the most spectacular in Nepal trekking.
6. Chame, 2710 m — lower Marsyangdi valley
On the lower, ascending section of the circuit, Chame (2710 m) is a well- equipped town with multiple teahouses, a hospital, and good connectivity. The surrounding terrain transitions from subtropical vegetation to the dramatic Paungda Danda rock face and the Annapurna II north face. Used as a first acclimatisation stop for parties coming from Besisahar.
7. Upper Pisang, 3300 m — Marsyangdi valley, upper section
On the alternative high route above Lower Pisang, the village of Upper Pisang (3300 m) provides teahouses and a superlative position below the Pisang Peak (6091 m) — a trekking peak accessible with basic mountaineering training. The Annapurna II-IV massif fills the southern skyline.
8. Ngawal, 3660 m — Annapurna Circuit high route
On the high route variant between Upper Pisang and Manang, Ngawal (3660 m) is a traditional Tibetan-style village with a small gompa and teahouse accommodation. The high route here traverses the north side of the valley with excellent views of Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and the upper Marsyangdi.
9. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), 4130 m — Annapurna Sanctuary
On the separate Annapurna Sanctuary route (the southern approach via the Modi Khola valley from Pokhara), the Annapurna Base Camp at 4130 m is the centrepiece. The Modi Khola Lodge and several other teahouses at ABC sit in the glacial sanctuary enclosed by the Annapurna massif on three sides — one of the most dramatic enclosed high-altitude settings in Nepal. The approach from Jhinu Danda takes 3–4 days.
10. Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), 3700 m — Annapurna Sanctuary
Below ABC on the Annapurna Sanctuary route, MBC at 3700 m is the last acclimatisation stop before the sanctuary cirque. The Fishtail Mountain (Machhapuchhre, 6993 m) rises directly above in a perfect pyramid. The Annapurna Lodge at MBC provides the most famous teahouse setting in southern Nepal.
The Annapurna Conservation Area
The Annapurna region is protected under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), established in 1986 and managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). ACAP encompasses 7,629 km² and is one of the largest protected areas in Nepal. The ACAP entry permit (approximately NPR 3,000 — USD 22 in 2025) is required for all trekkers entering the conservation area and is in addition to the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card.
The ACAP model — conservation linked to tourism revenue and community development — is widely cited as a success. The teahouse income supports community development programmes, trail maintenance, and conservation enforcement. The no-deforestation rules within ACAP have preserved the forest cover on the lower valley slopes; the requirement that teahouses use kerosene or gas rather than firewood for cooking protects the forests above the treeline.
The Thorong La crossing
The Thorong La pass (5416 m) is the key challenge of the Annapurna Circuit. The standard direction is anticlockwise (Manang side to Muktinath side), taking advantage of the altitude acclimatisation at Manang and the fact that the Manang-side ascent (1400 m) is more gradual than the Muktinath descent. The pass is typically crossed in 4–6 hours from Thorong High Camp; departure at 04:00–05:00 is standard to reach the pass before the afternoon winds.
In November, November–December, and March–April (outside the main seasons), the pass may carry snow or ice requiring crampons. In January and February, the pass is frequently closed by snowfall; trekkers attempting a winter circuit must be prepared to wait in Manang for conditions to improve or to abandon the crossing and retrace to Besisahar.
The Jeep road now follows the lower valley sections of both the clockwise and anticlockwise circuit routes, significantly reducing the traditional walking sections. Trekkers who want the full walking experience must deliberately bypass the road sections on upper trails; the traditional Annapurna Circuit as walked in the 1990s no longer exists in its original form due to road construction. The high sections above Manang and the Thorong La crossing remain road-free and are the reason the circuit retains its significance.
Explore on the map
Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary teahouses — from Manang to Thorong High Camp and Annapurna Base Camp — are plotted on the Open the map.