The gateway to the Annapurna region is Pokhara, reached from Kathmandu by road (approximately 6 hours by tourist bus or 3–4 hours by private car) or by 25-minute domestic flight. From Pokhara, most trekkers take a taxi or local bus to Nayapul (1.5 hours) for the Annapurna Sanctuary or Poon Hill routes, or to Besi Sahar (3–4 hours) for the start of the full Annapurna Circuit.
For the circuit, many trekkers now take a jeep from Besi Sahar up the Marsyangdi valley to Dharapani or even Chame, skipping the lower sections where the new road has made walking less scenic. This is a practical choice that allows more time for the upper circuit.
Permits required: the TIMS card (Trekking Information Management System) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Both are available at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. For Upper Mustang, an additional restricted area permit costs US$500 per ten days and must be arranged through a registered trekking agency — independent trekking in Upper Mustang is not permitted.