The Annapurna Circuit Trek is no doubt one of many hottest expeditions throughout the Himalayas of Nepal. Whereas Everest Base Camp typically is essentially the most well-known trek in Nepal, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is certainly an in depth second! I’ve achieved every the EBC and the Annapurna Circuit Trek amongst many various routes in Nepal.
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On this info, I will share with you my experience on a lot of routes all by way of the Himalayas to help put collectively you in your trekking experience. Basic I’d worth the Annapurna Circuit as primarily essentially the most scenic trek in Nepal from the first day to the ultimate.
We checked out 7000m and 8000m peaks from the first to the ultimate day, had excellent tea house areas, and had been blown away by the environment every single day. Nonetheless, there are some negatives that modernization and commercialism have dropped on the Annapurna Trekking Circuit with roads, infrastructure, and air air pollution. I’ll cowl all factors of this path to give you an reliable notion into what to anticipate and why you would possibly want to pick out this route in your journey.
On this weblog put up, I will cowl all of the issues you need to know regarding the logistics of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. I’ve moreover created guides for the following treks and climbs in Nepal in case you’re to look at these out as correctly.
TRY THE 3 BEST TREKS IN NEPAL
Manaslu Circuit: My non-public favorite 2-week trek by way of Tibetan villages and beautiful environment with a lot much less crowds.
Annapurna Circuit: Most likely essentially the most pretty & scenic 2-week trek in Nepal although could also be crowded at events.
Everest Base Camp Trek: Most likely essentially the most iconic 2-week route reaching the well-known (EBC) Everest Base Camp at 5,300m.
A GUIDE TO THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
On this info, you will note all of the helpful knowledge you need to plan your trek along with my non-public experience on all of the trek along with the detour to Tilicho Lake
ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK DETAILS
- Distance: 130km or 80 miles
- Days required: 10-13 days
- Entire Incline: 8000 meters
- Entire Decline: 7000 meters
- The easiest stage on the trek: The two highest components on the trek are Tilicho Lake (4,919m) and the Thorong La Go (5,416m).
- Downside: The issue of the Annapurna Circuit Trek depends upon a lot on what variety of days you have gotten. While you break it up over 12-14 days, it is going to possible be identical to the issue of EBC. Nonetheless, we took only one acclimatization/rest day in Manang and the itinerary was pretty highly effective for us given we squeezed into Tilicho Lake. Many days had been about 20km of distance with 1000m of incline.
- Permits: You may want a TIMS card and Park Entrance Permit, every could also be purchased when coming into the park.
- Data: A info is simply not required on this trek. Nonetheless, the data manages all of the logistics, distances, directions, and tea properties in your group. I used maps.me to navigate from tea house to tea house and positioned the paths easy to look at. If it’s your first time trekking in Nepal, I’d advocate having a info.
- Lodging: Customer Houses, typically referred to as Tea Houses, might be discovered alongside the best way wherein the place you may sleep in a cosy mattress and have entry to showers (at extra price) and restaurant facilities. It was very cosy lodging and good after an prolonged day of climbing.
KEY POINTS ABOUT THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
- This circuit is way much less crowded than Everest Base Camp Trek nevertheless nonetheless pretty busy. Significantly spherical Tilicho Base Camp as many locals merely come to trek to the Lake and don’t do the whole circuit.
- There are teahouses in each village alongside the best way wherein so each night time time you get an unbelievable sleep in a mattress with blankets, have entry to showers, eat good meals in a restaurant, and may cost a little your electronics and cameras.
- The trailhead could also be reached by vehicle so there is no should pay for expensive house flights.
- The road reached all the best way wherein to Khangsar, which suggests it isn’t pretty as distant, peaceful and pure as you could be anticipated until the latter phases of the hike. There are side trails most hikers take for increased views and to steer clear of the automobiles nevertheless nonetheless, it could be demoralizing to see a vehicle full of vacationers drive earlier as you eat their mud.
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BOOKING A GUIDE FOR THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
The Annapurna Circuit Trek doesn’t require a info nevertheless it’s good to have a info managing the logistics akin to directions, tea properties, distances, medical factors, and the overall group. I’d say 80% of trekkers associate with a info. I did the trek with Himalayan Masters which is no doubt one of many excessive trekking corporations on the subject of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
The trek costs spherical $1400 USD with Himalayan Masters as of 2022 and incorporates all transfers, lodging, meals, drinks, permits, and even the resort preserve sooner than and after the trek at a high-quality resort. I honestly had fun on this trek and I can wholeheartedly recommend Himalayan Masters.
It’s essential use my low price code ‘JACKSON5‘ for 5% off the entire worth of your trek with Himalayan Masters which is a reasonably useful saving.
Piece of email: knowledge@himalayan-masters.com
ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK PACKING LIST
I packed pretty mild and managed to clean most of my clothes each afternoon/night time time for the first half of the journey. Throughout the latter phases of the journey, it was pretty chilly so we weren’t sweating as loads and we wore our warmth gear principally nonstop whereas on the teahouses. There was no precise need for a lot of outfits.
That’s solely a info and it labored pretty correctly for me with no complaints from my set-up. You gained’t need a sleeping bag as there are blankets in each guesthouse and when it obtained chilly I merely wore my down jacket to mattress. This meant I didn’t have to carry a sleeping bag for all of the trek.
- 1 pair of pants that maybe convert to shorts
- 1 pair of shorts
- 1 Warmth or thicker pair of climbing pants
- 1 Prolonged sleeve quick-dry shirt
- 1 Prolonged-sleeve thermal shirt
- 2 Fast-sleeve t-shirts
- 1 Thermal prolonged underwear
- 4 pairs of quick-dry underwear
- 1 Lightweight down jacket
- 1 Heavy-duty summit down jacket
- 1 Beanie
- 1 Cap
- Shades
- 1 Neck Buff
- Gloves
- Mountaineering boots
- Headtorch
- 1 pair of warmth summit socks
- 2-3 pairs of ordinary socks
- Sunscreen
- Trekking poles
- Water filter
- Powerbank
All of this might match proper right into a backpack no better than 50L and must be decrease than 14kg.
What are my favorite objects of climbing gear?
There are 4 objects of medicine that I merely at all times bear in mind after I am going on a hike. These are 4 objects that I using correct now and this report will rise up so far yearly! Listed below are my climbing requirements.
- Arcteryx BETA AR Rain Jacket: That’s my go-to rain jacket. It’s great mild, folds down proper right into a tiny ball, and protects brilliantly in a storm. This one in no way leaves my backpack.
- Salomon X Extraordinarily 3 Mid GTX Mountaineering Boots: For the best ankle help, waterproofing, and durable exterior I’m a fan of highly effective nevertheless mild climbing boots like these Salomons for my adventures.
- Black Diamond Head Torch: I can’t inform you what variety of events, I’ve arrived once more from a hike unexpectedly late. I always keep this lightweight nevertheless sturdy headtorch in my bag for the shocking.
- Darn Strong Socks: These are primarily essentially the most cosy climbing socks I’ve ever worn and remaining for years. Moreover they’ve a lifetime assure and in addition you merely ship them in with a spot they often change it no questions requested.
WIFI/ELECTRICITY AVAILABILITY ON THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
- Wifi: Costs anyplace from $0 to $4 to utilize wifi on the guesthouses. Buy an NTC Sim sooner than you go. It labored in some spots nevertheless after Pisang, the service dropped and it was principally WiFi until we obtained all through the cross to Muktinath.
- Electrical power: You may should pay anyplace from $0 at low elevations to $5 to price your power banks, cameras, and telephones. I found that the majority rooms had free electrical power powerpoints throughout the room. The key’s to get an enormous power monetary establishment. Pay to price it then price all of the issues out of your power monetary establishment. My power monetary establishment lets me price my cellphone and 4 digital digital camera batteries sooner than it dies. Lots of the areas we stayed enable us to price our gear for gratis nevertheless when it is busy they typically price a fee as many teahouses run off gas or photograph voltaic.
ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK ITINERARY
The beneath itinerary was the exact journey I did nevertheless I’d advocate together with in an extra day or two to account for rest days or being able to interrupt up the day everytime you rise as much as Tilicho Base Camp. This was pretty a strenuous train. I moreover recommend not climbing to Dharapani from Besishar as a result of the road is full of automobiles and vehicles. Equally, whenever you attain Muktinath, I like to recommend driving to Jomsom because it’s pretty constructed up from there with principal, paved roads.
- Day 1: Drive Kathmandu to Dharapani (1,960m)
- Day 2: Trek to Chame (2,710m) Interval: 5-6 hours trek
- Day 4: Trek to Pisang (3,300m) Interval: 5-6 hours trek
- Day 5: Trek to Manang (3,500m) Interval: 6-7 hours
- Day 6: Acclimatization Day at Manang
- Day 7: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4000m) Interval 6-8 hours
- Day 8: Trek to Tilicho Lake & Trek to Shreekharka (4080m) Interval 10 hours
- Day 9: Trek to Thorong Phedi (4600m) Interval 6-7 hours
- Day 10: Trek to Thorong La & Trek proper all the way down to Muktinath
- Day 11: Drive to Jomsom
- Day 12: Fly to Pokhara
INSURANCE FOR THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
Nepal may very well be a dangerous place for trekking or climbing because of the extreme altitude can lead to many illnesses, weak level in trekkers, and misjudgments. There’s moreover a risk on trails for falls, avalanches, or completely different mishaps. Your frequent journey insurance coverage protection most probably gained’t cowl you at extreme altitudes and gained’t cowl a helicopter evacuation. There is a reply though.
Need extra security?
Widespread journey insurance coverage protection is good nevertheless gained’t cowl you for prime altitude hikes or for helicopter evacuation. Yearly, I purchase a Worldwide Rescue Subscription.
For decrease than $500 per 12 months or $100 per expedition, you should purchase a Worldwide Rescue subscription and be coated regardless of how extreme the hike or how extreme the climb is.
DRINKING WATER ON THE ANNAPURNA VALLEY TREK
I make the most of the Grayl Ultralight Water Air air purifier and it is a game-changer for climbing in Nepal, making this great easy and low price. The Grayl Ultralight Water Air air purifier removes 99.9999% of viruses of disease-causing micro organism. The easiest issue about it is it solely takes 15 seconds and one press to purify water from any modern water provide. You don’t wish to buy bottled water at every tea house contributes to huge portions of plastic waste and costing you $4+ per day.
Alongside the Annapurna Circuit Trek, we crammed up tea properties, rivers, and native village taps. Not like aqua purification tablets which require you to attend half-hour sooner than consuming, you could have rehydrated your self immediately with the Grayl Ultralight Water Air air purifier.
GrayL Water Air air purifier
- On no account pay for water on the trek
- Save 3-4 plastic water bottles a day
- Turns any water into consuming water
BEST TIME AND SEASON FOR THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
The peak season for the Annapurna Circuit Trek is March to April and October to November. The time to steer clear of this trek is thru the moist season from June to August. Having talked about that, I usually found that off-season or shoulder seasons have been my most interesting (uncrowded) trekking experiences in Nepal
By the winter from December to February, this space will get very chilly and there shall be snow cowl throughout the elevated parts of the trek. A lot of the guesthouses actually shut up for the winter and re-open in late February to March.
I hiked the Annapurna Circuit Trek in late October/early November and we had 12 days of fastened photo voltaic. Not a single day with clouds and no probability of rain. Lucky us.
HOW TO GET TO THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
There are two principal strategies to reach Dharapani, which is the small metropolis on the place to start of the trek. Whatever the hole from Kathmandu to Besishar solely being 125km, the journey takes a really very long time due to the guests and top quality of the road.
Jeep: We passed by private Jeep organized by our tour agency Himalayan Masters. It costs about $180 to lease the car out for the drive so could also be reduce up between your group. It’s not low price nevertheless loads a lot much less brutal than the extended bus journey.
Public Bus: The bus costs about $12 USD and would possibly take anyplace from 7-12 hours counting on the guests and if there are any roadworks or landslides not too way back. The bus station in Kathmandu is called ‘New Bus Station‘.
MY EXPERIENCE ON THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
All by way of this a part of this info, I will share my experience with each part of this trek and gives my concepts on the elevated stage of infrastructure and avenue entry all by way of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
TREKKING FROM DHARAPANI TO MANANG
After surviving the bumpy expertise alongside the cliff-side roads to Dharapani, we spent the night time time in a small teahouse sooner than beginning our trek the next morning. Dharapani is certainly the place the Manaslu Circuit Trek finishes, so I had been on this small river-side metropolis on a lot of occasions beforehand. The trail for the Annpurna Circuit doesn’t overlap with that route the least bit and really follows a avenue for the opening parts of the journey.
The first few days of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, shouldn’t primarily essentially the most peaceful or distant. Trekkers will uncover themselves being overtaken by Jeeps full of vacationers driving deeper into the circuit or being dropped nearer for a quick summit attempt at Tilicho Lake. I always hate when automobiles can drive earlier me whereas I’m working arduous trekking nevertheless it’s sadly merely part of this route now.
No matter trekking on a avenue for portion of the first day, there are a number of side trails that quickly immerse you into the pure surroundings. We found ourselves on steep stairs throughout the forest and strolling by way of small villages as we wound our means on and off of the road all by way of the instances. The highlights when it acquired right here to views early on throughout the trek was that from the very first morning, we had views of Manaslu (8,163m). This qas pretty nostalgic for me and really pretty unimaginable to have Manaslu as a relentless backdrop supplied that I’d stood atop the mighty mountain a 12 months earlier.
Chame was our first stop for the night time time and was most probably my least favorite metropolis of the lot. That’s usually to be anticipated when you end up merely getting started on the trail. The second night time time in Greater Pisang, we had a direct view from the tea house attempting within the route of Annpurna II. They identify it the unlucky mountain as a result of it merely misses out on being one among many 14 revered 8000ers. At 7,937m, it is an imposing peak, providing an unbelievable view correct from the doorstep of the tea house.
Manang was the first metropolis that felt pretty distant and had a bit of little bit of ambiance. In Manang there have been a lot of bakeries, spiritual web sites, sacred lakes and monasteries. We spent two nights in Manang, as do many trekkers, and used the ‘rest’ day to maneuver as a lot as Chonggen Viewpoint for further unimaginable views over Manang and the encircling mountains.
The environment alongside the trail had become unimaginable by day three. Whereas automobiles can nonetheless entry to Manang, there was loads a lot much less guests and that rural, distant feeling had change the chaotic, touristic vibe from the early moments of the trek.
TREKKING TO TILICHO LAKE
After a rest day in Manang, it was time to put in just some ‘giant effort’ days as we head some extreme distance and elevation obtain ahead of us. Many groups head from Manang to Yakharka and proceed on to the cross. Nonetheless, it is attainable to make a two-day or ideally three-day detour with a mission of climbing as a lot as Tilicho Lake.
The lake is marketed as the perfect lake on the earth although given some evaluation, you will note that there are about twenty completely completely different lakes which could be elevated than it akin to Lake Titicaca. Others declare it is the very best glacial lake on the earth nevertheless merely all through the border at 6,216 meters above sea stage is the Changtse Pool in Tibet.
No matter being a bit over-hyped and falsely marketed to pull in extra tourism, the lake is an unimaginable pure website online. You may curse me for the extra few days of effort to get there nevertheless I really feel it’s correctly worth making the detour for just some causes.
The trek into Tilicho Base Camp was among the many greatest sections of all the trail. The vegetation mild away and the terrain began to evolve into an outer-space, moon-like scene. Monumental slops of gravel had been segregated by rock archways and sharp ridgelines. It was like no completely different part of the trail.
While you attain Tilicho Base Camp, you’ll uncover that it isn’t a metropolis and is an opportunistic assortment of tea properties set as a lot as meet the demand of those on a mission to reach the high-altitude lake. An entire lot of trekkers wake early to attempt to climb 900m of vertical obtain to just about 5000m for a viewpoint on the rim of the lake. It’s pretty steep and a relentless set of switchbacks make the path a tough route, notably after just a few days at extreme altitude.
After just some hours, trekkers attain the lakeside to find a small teahouse serving espresso and tea. Taking a seat on the stone wall, it’s actually unimaginable to look out all through the vivid blue water absolutely surrounded by snowy peaks and ridges.
The highly effective half about trekking to Tilicho Lake is that it is a 12-kilometer spherical journey journey with 900 meters of incline to get to the lake and once more to base camp. Most itineraries dictate that you’re going to quickly eat lunch after which stroll one different few hours to Shreekharka. It might very properly be a suggestion to stay one different night time time at Tilicho Base Camp to ease the robust of the trek itinerary.
TREKKING ACROSS THORONG LA PASS
The prolonged day up and down from Tilicho Lake after which from Tilicho Base Camp really took it out of us. Nonetheless, the current ought to go on and we made an enormous effort to push all by way of from Shreekharka to Thorong Phedi. That’s the backside camp for the Thorong La Go, which is the penultimate stage and highest elevation of the journey.
The views continued to be immense on the journey to Thorong Phedi, nevertheless a third straight day with a vertical kilometer of incline and 20km of distance took its toll. We arrived late to Thorong Phedi, merely sooner than the sunset as you may even see throughout the first image beneath.
The tea house at Thorong Phedi was buzzing, packed to the rafters. Many groups set off as early as 2:30 am on their quest to cross the path. We decided to ship up the rear and set off an hour sooner than daybreak at spherical 5 am after a quick breakfast throughout the tea house.
The journey all through the path begins with about 500m of elevation obtain whereas ascending up relentless switchbacks. You can see the switchbacks from the tea house throughout the image beneath. After about 1.5 hours, trekkers attain the ‘extreme camp’, which is certainly the place many people carry on their methodology to Thorong La Go. It’ll make the cross day shorter nevertheless the prior day longer. It’s all about selection.
After the extreme camp, the environment turns from rock to snow. We for the time being are in a white, winter wonderland as we cross the 5000m mark on our journey all through the cross. Up a seemingly endless slope, we wind our means spherical each nook.
Secretly, we hope to see the prayer flags of Thorong La nevertheless they in no way come. What we do uncover is a tea house serving overpriced nevertheless extraordinarily wanted instantaneous espresso and tea. Proper right here we recharge for half an hour sooner than making our final push to the cross.
About an hour extra and we make it as a lot because the cross after about six hours of trekking. My dad and his mates are gassed nevertheless glad to be on the very best stage of the journey. We cling round, take just some images and even witness an unlimited avalanche from the seracs on the very best side. Fortuitously it dispersed proper all the way down to the side of the mountain and by no means in direction of us.
The journey down from Thorong La Go must be simple and is nearly eight kilometers. Nonetheless, with icy circumstances and slippery rocks, it was slow-going. It is extraordinarily actually useful to ship micro spikes for this descent and for the descent from Tilicho Lake. Regardless that you’re going to solely use them twice, they’re worth bringing alongside.
Late throughout the afternoon, we roll into Muktinath after crossing over into the Mustang space from the Annapurna Sanctuary side. It’s pretty environment nevertheless we’re all merely glad to make it to the resort. It was a reasonably highly effective ‘summit’ day all points being talked about.
Many trekkers will stroll yet one more day to Jomsom sooner than flying to Pokhara. Nonetheless, we decided to take a Jeep for about $15 per head. It’s solely an hour’s jeep expertise to Jomsom.
I’d advise taking the Jeep as a result of the trek regarded want it went alongside the road in scorching, uncovered, dry terrain for twenty kilometers. It’s a brutal and pointless a part of path to walk nevertheless some purists might like to complete the outdated ‘genuine’ circuit. If that is you, be certain you stroll all the best way wherein to Pokhara, and don’t cheat with any planes from Jomsom!
We spent the night time time in Jomsom and celebrated with a number of beers. The next morning, we watched because the sunshine planes flew into the airport. It’s a novel landing strip with an incredible backdrop of mountains on all sides. The planes take off and do a full U-turn immediately sooner than flying up and out of the valley with views of Dhaulagiri (8,167m) on the very best.
After just some nights in Pokhara, we flew once more to Kathmandu to wrap up an unimaginable journey on the Annapurna Circuit with Himalayan Masters.
I hope you liked this info to the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal and have an unbelievable experience your self! To finish up, proper here’s a {photograph} from the epic Jomson airport. Not a nasty technique to complete the journey.
TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN KATHMANDU
HAVE YOU READ MY OTHER NEPAL BLOGS?
I’ve been lucky ample to have many superior adventures in Nepal, which you may check out beneath the place I’ve listed a number of of my favorite weblog poss from Nepal.
