Annapurna Circuit trek: when to book accommodations?

hi, we’d like to do a trek in Nepal, and we’re thinking of the Annapurna Circuit—it’s cheaper than the Everest trek. Our plan is to do it without a guide or porter. We’re used to the mountains, not so much to high altitude, but if we acclimate well, there’s no reason it should go wrong ;)

No guide = handling permits, transport, and accommodation on our own...

So my question is: is it possible to book lodges in advance before departure? Or, even better, day by day?

I’ve read some older posts, so I’m asking again to get up-to-date info on what’s happening now. We’re planning to go mid-November 2026 or March 2027.

Thanks for your tips! :)

Hi there, As of 03/31/2023, all travelers wishing to trek in Nepal must use the services of a licensed guide and obtain a TIMS card (Trekking Information Management System) from authorized trekking agencies registered with the Nepalese government, as stated in the directive published on 03/09/2023 on the Nepal Tourism Board. The fees for obtaining TIMS cards have also been updated. For more details, it’s recommended to check the websites of the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Tourism Police.

Happy travels

We’d like to do a trek in Nepal, and we’re thinking of the Annapurna Circuit—it’s cheaper than the Everest trek. Our plan is to do it without a guide or porter. We’re used to the mountains, not so much high altitude, but if we acclimatize well, there’s no reason it should go badly ;)

I did it with my wife—she’s not super sporty—years ago without porters or a guide. No acclimatization problems because back then, we really did the full Annapurna Circuit, which meant starting in Dumre at 800m and only crossing the Thorong La Pass (5,430m) after 8 or 9 days of hiking. We had plenty of time to acclimatize gradually. Nowadays, everyone flies or takes the bus from Jomsom and only does "a quarter of the circuit."

So my question: is it possible to book lodges in advance, or is it better to do it day by day?

Lodges in Nepal still don’t take reservations. It’s actually a good thing because it limits the number of "hikers" a bit.

For the past year or two, there’s been talk about making guides mandatory, but even 20 years ago, it was already being discussed and never enforced—so... nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Hence my question: is it possible to book lodges in advance before departure? Or, better yet, day by day?

Lodges still aren’t booked in Nepal. That’s a good thing because it limits the number of "trekkers" a bit.

Lodges *can* be booked in Nepal—tourism is so significant in certain areas that reservations are mandatory on many routes during peak season and in some villages (Sagarmatha, Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit). My wife, who’s a trek guide, booked accommodations over a month in advance last October/November for the Annapurna Circuit, and some were already fully booked by large groups.

You can absolutely do the Annapurna Circuit without a guide—it’s allowed, and the 2023 law hasn’t been implemented at all. That said, be prepared and organized. If there’s no bad weather, there’s little to worry about, but if there’s severe weather like at the end of October last year with huge snowfalls, it becomes a crisis, and there aren’t enough lodges for everyone. So be prepared. Many underestimate the reality on the ground because it’s crowded and touristy, but it’s still a hostile, high-altitude environment. It’s not the "real" Nepal—most people there are just focused on money, and if you run into trouble without a guide, locals will try to overcharge you. They already overcharge Nepalis, so foreigners get it worse. During the snowfalls, jeeps charging tourists to descend from Manang asked for up to $500–$600 to bring them down, even though the honest price for foreigners is 5,000 NPR per person. So be prepared! :)

Hi there

Okay, so I’ve got one thing right at least The guide still isn’t mandatory... But I never would’ve guessed you could book the lodges along the route! The result? Back in the day, when everything was planned and organized in advance, the density of trekkers was already high—now it’s just gonna get worse! I’m guessing this only happens on the Annapurna Circuit or in Sagarmatha National Park, right? Not in the Tsum Valley, Ganesh Himal, or Kangchenjunga areas?

On the other hand, be prepared and organized. If the weather’s good, no worries—but if you hit bad weather like at the end of October last year, with massive snowfall, then it’s a crisis. There aren’t enough lodges for everyone, so come prepared. A lot of people underestimate the reality of the terrain because it’s crowded and touristy, but it’s still a hostile, high-altitude environment.

About ten years ago, 43 people died in a single day at Thorong Pass—and they all had guides! https://www.altitude.news/himalaya/2023/01/06/annapurna-trek-octobre-2014-43-morts-thorong-la/

Hi

I guess this only happens on the Annapurna Circuit or in Sagarmatha National Park? Not around the Tsum Valley, Ganesh Himal, or Kangchenjunga?

Especially on the Manaslu Circuit, but also in the Tsum Valley, during high season (October/November), it's necessary in some villages, but it's managed by guides. In Ganesh Himal, if you're talking about the southeast area with the Ruby Valley, it's generally not needed, though it's safer for some villages and jeeps. Kangchenjunga is the same, and I can vouch for it—I was there last month. In Ghunsa, there's absolutely no need, but for example, in Amjilosha, it's highly recommended. This season, the Kangchenjunga area saw way more tourists than usual (the locals were pretty happy $$$$). And toward the end of the season, many guesthouses close as locals move to lower altitudes, so booking is necessary to ensure someone is there, like at Selele Base Camp. Things have really changed since COVID in many regions...

About ten years ago, there were 43 deaths in a single day at Thorung Pass, and they all had guides! https://www.altitude.news/himalaya/2023/01/06/annapurna-trek-octobre-2014-43-morts-thorong-la/

Yes, and we almost had a tragedy on the Manaslu Circuit at the end of October, with over 300 people stranded by snow on the way to Larkya La. Many guides follow agency itineraries without checking weather forecasts and take risks, thinking, "Yeah, it’ll be fine." But no, it’s not always fine—far from it. Going with a competent, serious guide or agency that prioritizes safety above all else is more than necessary.

Hence my question: Is it possible to book lodges in advance before departure? Or, even better, on a day-to-day basis?

I’ve read some older posts, so I’m asking again to get updates on the current situation. We’re planning to go in mid-November 2026 or March 2027.

Thanks for your tips! :)

In recent years, it’s indeed recommended to book lodges during peak season on popular trails. Mid-November is now considered peak season. No need to do it from France—you can usually just call the lodge the day before. Plus, there’s no point in planning your stages too far ahead. You never know what might happen. Bad weather can cost you a day or two. Few lodges on the Annapurna Circuit have a website (some of the more comfortable—and pricier—ones do). To choose, check Google Maps and look up the lodges. The phone number is almost always listed, and you’ll find reviews from other travelers about each place.

Happy trekking!