Annapurna Circuit Trek

Highlights

• Experience two mountain regions – Manang and Mustang.
• Watch the landscape change from lush vegetation and waterfalls to high altitude passes.
• Look out for Himalayan wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard.
• Stand high over the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.
• Marvel at the mountains such as Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhare.
• Cross one of the highest trekking peaks in the world – the Thorong La at 5,416 m / 17,769 ft.
• Learn something of the culture of the local communities and experience their warmth in the comfortable teahouses you will stay in.
• While most of the communities are Buddhist, visit the sacred Hindu temple at Muktinath with its 108 water spouts and eternal flame.
• Contemplate the deepest river gorge in the world – the Kali Gandaki Gorge.
• Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara, a short but mountain-filled flight.
• Visit the lake town of Pokhara, combining its cultural heritage with a modern vide ideal for trekkers to relax in.

Short Itinerary

Why the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

The Annapurna's are the most loved mountains in Nepal. This range is home to one of the highest mountains in the word, Annapurna I at 8,091m / 26,545 ft. Of course there are other majestic mountains in the Annapurna mountain range including Annapurna II, III, IV, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhare, and others.

With these astounding mountains, a landscape ranging from meadows to forests and rivers, and peoples from both Buddhist and Hindu cultures, it is no wonder this 15 day trek is so well-loved among trekkers from around the world.

With elevations ranging from 1,700 m / 5,577 ft to 5,416 m / 17,769 ft and going over the Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m / 17,769 ft this is a moderate to somewhat challenging trek. Trekkers should be in good health and fitness to undertake this trek. And of course have an interest in nature and culture.

Why Trek With Us?

At Annapurna Trekking we visualize becoming a leading Destination Management Company (DMC) for the Himalayan Region and a trusted partner for B2B travel agencies, tour operators etc. We also endeavour to inspire travellers, empower local communities and preserve the heritage of the Himalayas.

For our trekking clients we are committed to their safety and interests. We can customize itineraries to meet your needs, fitness levels and timeframes. Or you can join one of our scheduled trips with the knowledge we will provide the best service on all tours, treks and adventures. Rest assured we are also committed to the environment and the preservation and care of the local communities we trek through.

What Does a Day on the Trek Look Like?

On this trek you will have breakfast early in the morning and be out on the trail not long after sunrise. Yes, that sounds like a chore rather than a holiday but trust us, you will get used to it!

Before breakfast we would ask you to pack up your gear – particularly if you are hiring your own porter as they will leave before you do.

The terrain of the day will definitely include some ups and downs, but whether you are walking over rough trails, or through forests and pastures will depend on the day and location. Regardless of the terrain, the mountains will surround you and air will be fresh and clean.

You will stop at a small teahouse or teashop on the trail for lunch and a break. If you are lucky there may be a chance for morning tea on the trail as well. Nothing beats a hot cup of tea when trekking.

On arrival at your overnight teahouse you can have another cup of tea, coffee, or a cold drink while you order dinner. Then there is time for a shower (should you want it) before joining other trekkers in the communal dining room for dinner around a warm stove. Your guide will give you an idea of what to expect on the trail the following day before your head off to sleep – early. Bedtimes are always early on a trek.

How Difficult is the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Yes, it is a tough trek but with the right preparations and mindset most fit and healthy trekkers can make this trip.

Preparations Before You Come

If you are considering this trek we can assume you are of good health and fitness. But it never hurts to increase your stamina and muscles before arriving in this mountainous country. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trek. As mentioned in the section 'how difficult is this trek', do increase the time you spend in the gym or doing your usual exercise routine. We suggest hiking in your area – with a day pack to simulate being on the trek. If there are hills in your area, so much the better. Otherwise, set the equipment in the gym to mimic climbing.

Be mentally prepared before you come also. Make sure you have the right gear with you, so you don't have to worry about being cold or being burnt by the high altitude sun. Get into the mindset that maybe there will be delays or things out with your control that you will face on the trek. But also be prepared for the most wonderful scenery and experience of your life!

Safety

The most important thing to us is your safety on our tours. And of course that you have a wonderful time!

Here are a few tips from our guides:

• Acclimatization is extremely important to avoid altitude related illnesses.
• Staying hydrated may seem like a straightforward request but on the trail it is easy to forget to drink enough water.
• The right gear is crucial – see our packing list. What you are wearing in Pokhara lounging in the sun, is not what you want to wear in the strong sunlight and chill at altitude.
• Listen to your guide! You may be an expert trekker in other areas or countries, but your guide is the expert and last word in the Himalayas! He has to also take care of others in the group, so please cooperate with him.
• Those early mornings. After a long day on the trek you might not want to be getting up at 5am. But if it's going to be another long day on the trek or if the weather is uncertain, getting up and out early is the best idea. Going to bed early is also the norm.
• Don't drink on the trail – it reduces overall oxygen and energy. Safe that to the final night.
• Bring your own warm sleeping bag. Not just warmer than the provided blanket but cleaner too.
• Don't forget your first aid kit with all the things you may need (see packing list) including your regular medicines. Carry spares in your day pack if you are hiring a porter to carry your main pack.
• Watch out for animals. We don't just mean the wildlife who will be doing its best to stay away from you but the yaks that are being herded along the same trail. Always pass them on the inside, never on the outside of the trail. Or let them go past you before you attempt a narrow section of the trail.
• Be flexible. Keep a couple of days spare in case of delays in any form. You don't want to miss your international flight because there was bad weather on the trail or you had a minor accident.
• Be insured. For the minor to the major accidents and upsets.

Is the Annapurna Circuit a High Altitude Trek?

Yes. Any trek that goes about 3,000 m / 9,842 ft can be considered a high altitude trek.

From day 6 onwards when you reach Upper Pisang (3,300m / 10,826 ft) until you reach Kagbeni on day 12 in Mustang you will be trekking and sleeping at high altitude. The highest point is the Thorong La Pass at 5,416m / 17,769 ft. But you will be well acclimatized before reaching the pass. Additionally, there is an acclimatization day in Manang to accustom your body to the altitude before attempting to cross the pass.

What Happens if I Get Altitude Sickness?

Our main aim is for you to AVOID getting altitude sickness on this trek. We, and your guide, will repeat over and over that staying hydrated is half the battle. This circuit starts at a low altitude and gradually builds up to the higher altitudes. Acclimatizing slowly this way goes a long way to mitigate altitude related problems.

Should someone become sick, but not seriously so, the procedure is to go down to a lower altitude and stay the night. If everything is fine the next day, the person can continue on up. Should they not be well, it is time to consider the next steps. Should they stay where they are? Go down further? Call for evacuation? It very much depends on the symptoms, and your guide is trained in recognising different levels of illness.

Signs and Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

There are a few different types of altitude illnesses. And science does not yet know who is more likely to suffer from the effects of altitude and who is not. Therefore it is important to be able to recognise symptoms. Symptoms can appear like a cold or flu. We should not ignore any sign such as headaches, unusual fatigue, dizziness, feeling nauseous and/ or vomiting, and having difficulty sleeping.

Everyone is likely to experience some changes in their body when they are in the thin air, it is important to recognise what is merely tiredness due to long days on the trail, or being out of breath (a little) due to altitude and what could potentially be more serious.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) can be life threatening. In particular HACE can cause confusion and hallucinations making the sufferer believe he is perfectly fit to continue on when he is not. Keep monitoring your body for signs and let you guide know immediately you feel unwell, even it is just a little unwell. As we have said, if someone is suffering from HACE they can think they are perfectly fine.

Accommodation – Teahouses - Our Nepali Guest Houses in the Mountains

As in many of the treks in Nepal, accommodation on the Annapurna Circuit Trek ranges from comfortable to basic depending on the altitude. The higher the altitude the harder to 'import' luxury from downhill.

Basically accommodation consists of twin bed sleeping rooms with some very basic furniture, like a chair. Shared showers and toilet facilities, usually outside the main building. A warm dining room for communal eating and a kitchen for food preparation. The owners usually stay in the teahouse themselves and cook, serve and organise everything on a daily basis.

There is no heating in the sleeping rooms. Hence a good sleeping bag is essential.

Wi-Fi and electricity will be available in most areas but there will be a charge for this. Somewhere around USD2-3 per charge.

Hot showers are also chargeable for around the same price.

Food on the Trek

Food in the teahouses will reflect the area you are trekking in and the people who are running that particular establishment.

The Annapurnas have many well established trekking routes with long established teahouses and supply routes. There are even cake shops in some locations!

Overall, most teahouses serve very similar fare. For example:

Certainly at the lower altitudes you will be able to buy cold drinks, beer (we do not recommend drinking at altitude), and snacks in the teahouses.

What Should I Pack for this Trip?

Here is a list of what you should pack, with some variations depending on the time of year and expected weather. Obviously, pack light – give consideration to the length of your trek, in this case 15 days. It is highly likely you will not be able to wash anything on the trek so also take that into consideration when planning your inner clothes.

Don't forget to pack light – for your sake, or the sake of the porter's back! Also, flights restrict baggage to 10 – 15 kg / 22 – 33 lbs per person. Since you will be carrying your own day pack, even if you hire a porter, keep that light as well.

The Culture and People of the Annapurnas

When you trek in the Annapurna Region you will be astounded by the diversity of the communities – both in terms of ethnicity and in religion. The Annapurna Circuit Trek passes through villages made up of different groups of people with their own language and cultural practices. As you travel, your guide will be able to explain which villages are homes to which ethnic groups. But let us give you some background information here.

Agriculture

All these groups practice agriculture. Although in more recent times they have shifted from pastoral to agricultural practices they still have sheep and cattle. In the higher areas you will also see yaks.

Architecture Designs

You will notice a blend of Hindu and Buddhist designs in the Annapurnas. At lower levels you will come across Hindu temples (you will be visiting Muktinath – a much revered temple on this trek), while as you rise in altitude Buddhist stupas, chortens, and monasteries dominate.

Homes in this region are built from stone and wood. Most roofs are flat.

The architecture in the Annapurna region is a unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist designs, with Tibetan influences as you move higher up into the mountains.

Festivals

Like the rest of Nepal, the Annapurna Region has many festivals! Some are shared with the rest of the country such as Dashain, the biggest Hindu festival, and Tihar which is also a Hindu festival celebrated throughout the country. If you are at Muktinath during Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival held in February/ March, you will witness a lot of Hindu holy men gathered there.

Tibetan New Year or Lhosar as it is called, is celebrated around February by the Tibetan Buddhists while Gurungs have their own new year usually at the end of December.

Annapurna – Hindu Goddess of Food and Nourishment

The Annapurna mountain range gets its name from a Hindu goddess who lives among the mountains there. She is the Goddess of Food and Nourishment or of 'everlasting food'. Perhaps the name comes from the fact streams and rivers coming off the Annapurna Massif provide the water for the fields and pastures lower down.

The Annapurna mountain range is certainly one of the most fascinating in the world. Home to one of the 14 peaks in the world over 8,000 metres (26,247 ft), namely Annapurna I, it is also home to thirteen peaks over 7,000 m / 22,966 ft, and sixteen over 6,000 m / 19,685 ft. No wonder it attracts so many mountaineers of different levels and thousands of trekkers every year.

The entire range sits within a 7,629 square km / 2,946 square miles conservation area known as the Annapurna Conservation Area. This is the largest conservation area in Nepal.

Manang is the highest permanent settlement in the Annapurnas, at 3,540m / 11,614 ft. Villagers carry out traditional agriculture and animal husbandry but have also turned to tourism, now most likely their biggest income source. There are other high, but temporary or seasonal settlements such as Thorong Phedi at 4,540 m / 14,895 ft – which is the 'stop' before crossing the Thorong La Pass, and Yak Kharka (4,050m / 13,287 ft) which is a seasonal grazing ground for yaks.

Mountaineering and trekking in this region started as far back as to when Nepal first opened to foreigners. In 1950 Maurice Herzog summitted Annapurna I. The international attention that he drew put the Annapurnas on the map – so to speak! Commercial trekking began in the 60s and by the 1980s this region became a world famous trekking region. You could say Herzog did for the Annapurna Region what Hillary did for the Everest Region.

Today the Annapurna Region has trekking routes that suits everyone – from beginners to experienced trekkers. And in more recent times, for adventure seeking cyclists and motorcyclists.

Responsible Eco Conscious Trekking

We at Annapurna Trekking Agency take great pride in being eco conscious on our treks. We ensure nothing is left behind in the way of garbage on the trails. We ask our clients to also take care regarding garbage and avoid damaging stupas, chortens and other items on the trail. Do not start fires to keep warm or pull down branches, flowers etc. Do not remove prayer flags – they are readily available to buy at various large villages. Do not bargain too much if you are buying anything. What is a fun interaction, a lovely souvenir and a low price for you is income for the family for the seller. Rs150 (USD1) may not be much from your daily budget but can buy the produce for several meals for a family.

Overall, remember you are a visitor so set a good example and be polite and friendly to those you meet. And enjoy the warm and hospitality of the local community in return!

Sustainable Trekking

At Annapurna Trekking, sustainability is at the heart of our operations. We believe in creating travel experiences that benefit the environment, local communities, and future generations while preserving the unique beauty and heritage of the Himalayas.

We do this by:

• Supporting Local Communities
• Being Environmental Responsible
• Cultural Preservation
• Sustainable MICE and Partnerships
• Education and Advocacy

Best Time for the Annapurna Circuit Trek

Each season has its own beauty and difficulties.

We would recommend this trek for the spring or autumn seasons, and this is why:

Transport Options

You will travel by public transport between Kathmandu and Besisahar, but should you wish to hire your own private vehicle (with driver!) there is an extra charge for that. Please discuss with us.

Similarly, the drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu is by tourist bus but if you wish to fly back (cutting travel from around 8 hours to 25 minutes) there is the normal flight ticket price to pay. Please also discuss this option with us.

Should I Tip the Guide?

While tipping is not mandatory, it is a great way to show how much you appreciate all the hard work your guide did on the trek. If you hire a porter it is also very much appreciated if you tip him also.

As a suggested amount, you should tip your guide 10% of your total trip cost. That amount is divided by the number of trekkers in your group. For example if there are four of you, that 10% is divided by four. Similar applies for the porter.

You can of course pay more if you had great service!

You can tip the guide in USD or other currencies, but it would be helpful to tip the porter in Nepali rupees.

Permits Required

You are required to have the following permit to enter this area:

• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) – Nrs3,000 (USD22)
• TIMS – Trekkers' Information Management System Nrs3,000 (USD22)

Extending Your Trip

You may wish to extend your trip in either Pokhara or Kathmandu. We can help you with arranging accommodation and activities. Alternatively you can arrange this yourself. Please do ask us.