Quick Answer
A serious Annapurna Circuit group quote for 2027 must include the ACAP and TIMS permits, full road transport from Besisahar to Bulbule and Jomsom to Pokhara, a licensed English speaking guide with 3 years Annapurna experience, one porter per two trekkers with a 25kg load cap, an oxygen cylinder and Gamow bag at Thorong Phedi, a 24 hour helicopter rescue plan with a named operator, and a buffer day at Thorong Phedi for weather. Expect $1,200 to $1,900 per person for 12 to 18 days for a group of four to six.
Detailed Breakdown
The Annapurna Circuit is a 12 to 18 day trek around the Annapurna massif, climbing from Besisahar at 760m through Manang at 3,540m to the 5,416m Thorong La pass, then descending through Muktinath and the Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom. The route is the classic Nepal teahouse trek, but the Thorong La crossing is the part that makes the quote quality non negotiable. A quote that omits the oxygen, the porter cap, or the rescue plan is a quote that will cost the group extra money and risk on the pass.
Expedition planners should treat the Circuit quote like a small expedition, not a teahouse package. The checklist below is the minimum acceptable standard.
Cost / Component Breakdown
| Component | Cost per Person (USD) | Group of 4 Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| ACAP and TIMS permits | $35 | $140 |
| Besisahar to Bulbule and Jomsom to Pokhara transport | $80 to $140 | $320 to $560 |
| Guide with 3 years experience 14 days | $350 to $490 | $350 to $490 |
| Two porters with 25kg cap 14 days | $420 to $560 | $420 to $560 |
| Lodges and meals 14 days | $420 to $560 | $1,680 to $2,240 |
| Oxygen and Gamow bag at Thorong Phedi | $30 to $50 | $30 to $50 |
| Helicopter rescue standby | $0 to $100 | $0 to $100 |
| Total per person 14 day | $1,335 to $1,995 | $5,340 to $7,980 |
The oxygen standby is what separates a serious quote from a cheap one. Operators who omit it are betting nothing goes wrong on the pass.
What Affects the Answer
Group size is the biggest lever on per person cost because the guide salary, the oxygen standby, and the jeep charter amortise across more trekkers. A group of four is the sweet spot; below three the per person cost climbs sharply. Season matters less for price but heavily for safety: October and November are best, while December to February brings snow closure risk at Thorong La.
Trekker experience also matters. If the group has previous 5,000m pass experience, the operator can plan a tighter 12 day itinerary. If not, the quote must build in a buffer day at Thorong Phedi, which adds $45 to $70 per person.
Booking Tips / Practical Advice
Demand a written day by day itinerary with elevation profile before you pay. Ask the operator to confirm in writing that they have run the full Circuit in the past 24 months, and ask for two previous client references by name. Book the Besisahar to Bulbule jeep and the Jomsom to Pokhara flight or jeep as part of the package, not separately, because the Jomsom flight cancels regularly in cloud.
Insist on the oxygen and Gamow bag in the quote. Pay 25 percent deposit only, and ensure the contract allows free rescheduling if Thorong La closes for weather for two consecutive days.
Comparison With Alternatives
Compared with the Annapurna Base Camp trek, the Circuit is longer, higher, and needs a more serious support package because of the 5,416m pass. Compared with Everest Base Camp, the Circuit is lower and cheaper but the Thorong La crossing is similar in altitude risk to the Kala Patthar day.
For expedition planners weighing alternatives, the Manaslu Circuit is a comparable 14 to 18 day restricted region trek at similar altitude (5,160m Larkya La) and slightly higher cost, with the advantage of being less crowded.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not accept a quote that lists permits as "approximate" or "to be confirmed on arrival". The ACAP and TIMS must be issued in Kathmandu before you travel. Do not skip the oxygen and Gamow bag line item to save $40; the cost of a foot relay to summon a helicopter from Thorong Phedi is far higher. Do not book a group of two; the per person cost is unjustifiable and the safety margin thinner.
Avoid operators who quote below $1,200 per person for a 14 day Circuit. They are cutting corners on porter wages, food quality, or rescue coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions expedition planners ask us most often when building an Annapurna Circuit group quote.
Summary
A real Annapurna Circuit quote includes ACAP and TIMS, full transport, guide and porter ratios, oxygen and Gamow bag at Thorong Phedi, helicopter rescue, and a weather buffer day. Expect $1,200 to $1,900 per person for 12 to 18 days for a group of four to six in 2027.
Conclusion
The Annapurna Circuit is a serious trek that deserves a quote built like a small expedition, not a teahouse package. Use the checklist above in 2027 and you will land a quote that delivers the pass crossing without hidden costs or safety gaps.
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