Annapurna Circuit Gear List & Packing Guide
Nepal · standard circuit via Thorong La pass
Gear research & fact-checking
The Annapurna Circuit climaxes at the 5,416 m Thorong La pass, often crossed before dawn in sub-zero wind. It's a teahouse trek so packs stay manageable, but the cold-weather sleep and insulation system for the high section is what makes or breaks the trip.
- Distance
- ~160–230 km · ~100–145 mi
- Elevation gain
- Varies — confirm locally
- Max altitude
- 5,416 m
- Typical length
- 12–18 days
- Season
- Mar–May and Sep–Nov
- Difficulty
- very strenuous
Permits & logistics
An ACAP permit is required (TIMS is no longer enforced on the Annapurna routes), and a licensed guide from a registered agency is now legally mandatory. Plan around the Mar–May and Sep–Nov window; this is a very strenuous one way with high-altitude pass, cold, exposed.
What makes the Annapurna Circuit different
- ▸An acclimatization plan and a doctor conversation about altitude meds — the route climbs high enough for AMS to be a real risk.
- ▸Insulated gloves, a warm hat, and a sub-rated bag — camps get genuinely cold here.
- ▸Extra guy-lines and solid stakes — exposed sections funnel strong wind.
- ▸Microspikes (and an ice axe + skills if early/late season) — snowfields linger on the high passes.
The gear list, matched to this trail
Shelter
The Annapurna Circuit is a hut-to-hut route, so most hikers carry no tent at all — book your refuges ahead in the Mar–May and Sep–Nov season instead.
No tent needed on the standard itinerary — a sleeping bag liner usually replaces a full sleep system.
Sleeping bag (or hut-weight quilt)
Nights near 5,416 m run cold even in Mar–May and Sep–Nov — bias your bag toward a colder comfort rating, not the lightest fill.
Sleeping pad
Sleeping on ground near 5,416 m means cold loss into the pad, so R-value matters more than grams here.
Backpack
A comfortable 50–65 L pack covers a 12–18 days self-supported trip on the Annapurna Circuit.
Insulation & shell
The Annapurna Circuit demands a real insulating layer for sub-freezing camps, a wind layer.
Water treatment
Reliable filtration covers the regular water sources along this route.
Stove & cooking
Canister output drops in cold and thin air near 5,416 m — a wind-resistant or cold-capable stove is worth the few extra grams.
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Annapurna Circuit packing FAQ
How cold is the Thorong La pass crossing?
The pass is crossed early morning at 5,416 m, frequently well below freezing with wind. You need expedition-grade insulation, a warm hat and gloves, and a sleeping bag rated for the unheated high teahouses.
Is the Annapurna Circuit a teahouse trek?
Yes — lodges along the route provide beds and meals, so you don't carry a tent or stove. Your pack is layers, a warm sleeping bag, and water; many trekkers add a porter for the altitude.
Your Annapurna Circuit kit: start here
If you buy nothing else on this list, these are the three that decide whether the trip is comfortable.
Prices move with sales and season, so check the current listing rather than budgeting from an old number.