Guide to Annapurna Circuit Trek
Annapurna Circuit Trek is potentially Nepal’s favorite trekking destination. It’s one of the most beautiful adventure holidays in the Himalayas. From green pastures to arid desert terrain, Annapurna Circuit is a highly customizable trekking destination with varied landscapes and cultures. High Himalayan view from Thorong La Pass is life-changing. The most impressive mountains on Annapurna are Annapurna I – II – III – IV, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna and Tilicho Mountain.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek takes between 15-18 days, but the number of days can also be reduced by flights or vehicles or extended on one or more side trips. The entire route is featured by a range of rich natural and cultural heritages, which inspire trekkers to discover more.
Main Highlights of the Annapurna Circuit Trek
The spectacular view of a sequence of mountains in the area of Annapurna from 6000 m to 8000 m. Trekkers can receive the wonderful views of Annapurna I (8,091 m) – Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Tilicho Pek, Manaslu and other sister summits in this area.
Thorang-La Pass (5,415 m), the highest elevation on the Annapurna Circuit and the most demanding part of this trek, is one of the popular viewpoints in the Annapurna area.
Tilicho Lake (side trip) is the highest altitude lake (4,919 m) in the world and the Kali Gandaki Gorge or Andha Galchi (between Dhulagiri and Annapurna), the deepest canyon in the world.
Hike between two of the world’s highest mountain peaks: Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
The Muktinath Temple is one of the most significant temples of Hindus and Buddhists.
The Natural Hot Spring in Tatopani to calm down your tired muscles.
PoonHill is the second popular perspective in Nepal after Kala Patthar in the Everest region. (Needed side trip)
Explore the Sunrise or Sunset view from PoonHill and Thorung La Pass.
The Unique and fascinating ethnic Gurung, Thakali and Magar settlements, such as Ghorepani, Marpha, Jomsom and Manang.
A massive range of landscapes from lush green paddy fields, subtropical rainforest, deep valleys, alpine slopes to arid Tibetan plateau and the world’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki.
What to expect
Annapurna Circuit is clearly glorious as a worldwide destination for trekking. Undoubtedly one of Nepal’s most popular trekking trails, this 2-3 week trek provides a varied lifestyle, scenery and topography.
With each step in Annapurna Circuit, the scenic views and landscape modifications, remarkable mountains, happy people, beautiful terrains and rolling clouds, this trek is a lifetime experience. It Starts from a dense pine forest and green paddy fields, the trail progresses gradually to more arid and dry land. Many villages are heavily influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. Many villages in this area are adorned with colorful prayer flags, mani walls and ancient monasteries.
Best Time to Trek
You can trek during the year, depending on the region. Nepal has enormous temperature variability due to large altitude variations. The lowland plateau is subtropical (600-1200 m), the hills are dry (1200-2100 m) and the cold (2100-3300 m) and the high mountains are Alpine (3300-5000 m) and Tundra (5000-8848 m). Nepal is regarded best trekking season from Mid-September to mid-December. Get the information about the best time to trek in Nepal.
ACAP &TIMS required for Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit trail requires all travelers to buy two permits: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card. Such permits must reach Annapurna City. These cards are checked at several checkpoints along the circuit.
How to Prepare for Trek?
Trekking in Nepal is a strong physical challenge, and the healthier you are before you travel, the more you’ll enjoy your trek.
The most critical thing to build, however, is mental toughness. Many Himalayan trekkers aren’t elite athletes or mountain climbers. We are highly committed ordinary men. You’ll walk every day for 5-7 hours, every day of your journey. The best way to plan is to walk, hike or climb some mountains or hills near where you stay and get used to putting in the hours. With the right mentality, approximately everyone can climb in the Himalayas.
Trekking is hard work without at least some pre-trip training or good physical fitness. Let’s be real — it’s still hard work. Check here how to prepare for the trek.
Packing list for trekking
Here we highly suggested things for a typical multi-day trek in Nepal; some treks have tea houses, whereas others involve camping and equipment. Your gear bag size mainly depends on whether you have porters on your trip or not. Porters generally bring a daypack with drinks, food, a camera, and rain cover. Those without porters need a bigger pack to accommodate all their personal supplies and sleeping gear. Some trekking things can be bought in Nepal, but it is not required to buy sensitive outdoor gear. Check out the packing list for Trek.
Travel Insurance
Before hiking the Annapurna Circuit, make sure your insurance covers high-altitude evacuations.
A travel insurance policy covering robbery, injury, and medical complications is best for Nepal travel. A wide range of policies are available, so review the small print carefully. Make sure you’re prepared for adventure and high altitude events. Because you enter more than 4000 meters on a few treks in Nepal, it is best to select a policy that includes medical and emergency resettlement, including helicopter evacuation for trekkers and general medical evacuation. Most of the medical care and facilities/hospitals must be charged at the patient’s point of delivery. And it’s smart to have a policy that pays physicians or hospitals directly, rather than trying to pay for it on the spot and demand it later.
Outline Itinerary for Annapurna Circuit Trek
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Khudi (800m/2,624ft): 7- 8 hours
Day 02: Trek from Khudi to Sirung (2200m/7216 ft): 6 – 7 hours
Day 03: Trek from Sirung to Jagat (1,300m/4265ft): 6 – 7 hours
Day 04: Trek from Jagat to Dharapani (1,960m/6,430ft): 7-8 hours
Day 05: Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2,710m/8,891ft): 5 – 6 hours
Day 06: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m/10824ft): 5 – 6 hours
Day 07: Trek from Pisang to Manang: 6 – 7 hours
Day 08: Manang Rest: Acclimatization day
Day 09: Manang to Yak Kharka (4,110m/13,484ft): 3 – 4 hours
Day 10: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m/15,092ft): 3 – 4 hours
Day 11: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,800m/12,467ft) via Thorong La pass (5416m/17764ft): 7 – 8 hours
Day 12: Trek from Muktinath to Marpha (2,670m/8,760ft): 4 – 5 hours
Day 13: Trek from Marpha to Kalopani (2,530 m/8,300 ft): 5 – 6 hours
Day 14: Trek from Kalopani to Tatopani (1,200m/3,937ft): 6 – 7 hours
Day 15: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,850m/9,350ft): 7 – 8 hours
Day 16: Trek from Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani (2,700m/8,860ft): 6 – 7 hours
Day 17: Trek from Tadapani to Pokhara (827m/2,789ft) via Ghandruk: 5 – 6 hours trek, 1 hour drive
Day 18: Drive back to Kathmandu and finish Our Trek
