Annapurna Circuit Trek is the most popular trekking in Nepal among every thrill-seeking adventurer. Experts and professional trekkers often say Annapurna Circuit is the world's best trekking and somehow, it's true. Even Lonely Planet Magazine even mentioned Trek around Annapurna to cross Thorong la in the list of the world's 25 best destinations to visit. It is because of the thrilling routes, best mountain views, thrilling mysteries of the Himalayas, extreme Himalayan geography, glorious moments, and all over them, Round Annapurna trek goes through one of the world’s highest and widest Mountain Pass at Thorong, the Thorong La Pass at the elevation of 5,416m. Even several snow-capped mountains surrender in front of the drastic Thorong La Pass. Annapurna Circuit Trek is an exploration of Paradise in an extremist and adventurous way.
Moreover, The Annapurna Circuit Trek is equally valuable and
incredible with the cultural and geographical diversity of Nepal. The nomads
can enjoy and explore the villages of the Native Gurung and Magar Peoples and can
learn more about the Traditional Tibetan- Buddhist Religion. We can enjoy the
traditional and typical foods of the native civilians, enjoy their beautiful
and awesome dresses and costumes, enjoy their cooking styles, and learn their
religious norms, practices, and faiths. All after these, you understand how
beautiful, helpful, and kind the Native Himalayan people are. Trek in round Annapurna to cross Thorong la combines several attractions and experiences
in a journey. Crossing the paddy fields, walking through the subtropical forest
of lush rhododendron, pines, junipers, oaks, and many other wildflowers and
endemic and rare species of plants, encountering the wild animals, passing the
native and typical Himalayan settlements and their religiously valuable
monuments, glacial rivers, streams and springs, suspension bridges, etc., all
these things make ACT so incredible even before entering the
core Himalayan region. The Kali Gandaki Gorge and the Marsyangdi valley add
more charm to the scenery. Throughout the trek, the splendid views of the Mountains
and peaks of Annapurna Massif and Dhaulagiri Massif touch your heart, they will
be your forever memories.
Annapurna Circuit Trek begins from Chyamche after the jeep ride from Besisahar. From here we go through the Dharapani, Chame, and Pisang for Manang where we spend a day and explore the surrounding. It is necessary to spend a day in Manang for even the Acclimatization. From Manang, we pass through Yak Kharka and reach High Camp. After High Camp, we cross the Thorong La Pass before arriving at Muktinath. Then we descend to Jomsom and return to Pokhara and celebrate glorious journey accomplishment with Pokhara exploration and entertainment. During the trek, we have a splendid view of the sky dominating the mountains of Annapurna Massif and Dhaulagiri Massif. We can admire the dozens of mountains and peaks such as Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m), Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), Mt. Annapurna II (7,937 m.), Mt. Annapurna III (7,555m), Mt. Annapurna IV (7,525m), Mt. Annapurna south (7,219m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,041m), Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,998m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441m), Mt. Lamjung Himal (6,986m), Tukuche peak (6,920m), and Tilicho peak (7134m), etc. Don’t forget to capture those in a frame with the prayers flag waving on the trails.
Discovering the Annapurna Circuit Trek in 2024/2025
An extraordinary journey begin through the Annapurna Circuit Trek, renowned for its diverse landscapes, cultural encounters, and panoramic mountain views. This trek is celebrated as one of the most picturesque in Nepal, offering a complete immersion into the natural and cultural tapestry of the Himalayas.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Route and Accessibility
The Annapurna Circuit Trek traditionally begins from Besisahar and progresses through lush valleys, terraced fields, remote villages, and high mountain passes, eventually encircling the majestic Annapurna Massif. The route traverses through villages such as Chamje, Pisang, Manang, and Muktinath, culminating in a descent through the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge.
Annapurna Conservation Area
The trek passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest protected area, spanning 7,629 square kilometers. This region is home to diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species like the snow leopard and blue sheep. Trekkers can experience the rich biodiversity and conservation efforts within the area.
Altitude on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit Trek reaches varying altitudes, starting from approximately 800 meters at Besisahar and ascending to 5,416 meters at Thorong La Pass. Proper acclimatization is essential to manage altitude changes effectively and avoid altitude sickness. The trek's diverse altitudes offer breathtaking landscapes and a rewarding trekking experience.
Altitude Sickness on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Altitude sickness is a concern as the trek reaches heights of up to 5,416 meters. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. To mitigate altitude sickness:
A) Acclimatize properly with gradual ascent and adequate rest days.
B) Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol.
C) Be aware of symptoms and descend immediately if they worsen.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Safety
Safety on the Annapurna Circuit Trek is paramount. Important safety measures include:
A) Hiring experienced guides and porters for local expertise and emergency situations.
B) Carrying a well-equipped first aid kit and medications.
C) Having comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuations.
D) Staying hydrated and following a proper acclimatization schedule.
E) Monitoring health conditions and descending if necessary.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Preparation
Proper preparation is crucial for the Annapurna Circuit Trek:
A) Physical Fitness: Moderate to high fitness level required; training with hikes and cardio exercises recommended.
B) Gear: Pack appropriate clothing layers, sturdy trekking boots, and essential trekking equipment.
C) Permits: Obtain necessary permits such as the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card.
D) Travel Insurance: Arrange comprehensive travel insurance covering trekking activities in high-altitude regions.
Getting to Besisahar
Besisahar, the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, is accessible by a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then further to Besisahar. The journey offers scenic views of rural Nepal and the Annapurna ranges.
Visa and Permits for Annapurna Circuit Trek
A) Visa Requirements: Obtain a visa upon arrival at Kathmandu airport or from a Nepali embassy.
B) Entry Permits: Ensure you have the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card before starting the trek.
Conclusion
The Annapurna Circuit Trek promises a remarkable adventure through diverse landscapes, rich culture, and unparalleled mountain views. Proper preparation, understanding of altitude challenges, and adherence to safety measures ensure a memorable and safe trekking experience. Travers Nepal welcomes you to explore the Annapurna Circuit in 2024/2025, where every step brings you closer to the heart of the Himalayas.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, the representative of Travers Nepal will welcome you and take you to the hotel as per the itinerary. After refreshing and resting, you may also visit the Office of Travers Nepal. The Trekking Guide and/or the Travers Nepal’s Official will visit you for the remaining processes and formalities before the trip begins. You may ask related questions and queries to the official Guides as well.
After Breakfast, the City Tour Guide will visit your Hotel with a Private Vehicle for Kathmandu City Tour. The Tour will be done with other crew members (No needs to join others for Private trips). Out of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, we explore four sites. You may also visit other sites with applicable charges.
Sites Visit: -
For more information about Kathmandu Sightseeing, visit the Link. Kathmandu City Tour
After Breakfast, we start a long drive. We start to drive towards the Besisahar from where we exclusively start the Glorious Annapurna Circuit Trek. During the drive, we can explore and understand the great geographical variance and diversity of Nepal. We get astounding landscapes, beautiful mountain sceneries, hills, and farmlands. Driving along with the Trisuli and Marsyangdi Rivers, we reach Besisahar with an amazingly long drive. From Besisahar, we catch the Jeep/4X wheel due to the off-road travel. We pass the terrains and reach Chyamche where we spend a night in a Tourist Standard Local Guest House.
Hiking for the day starts with one of the most thrilling and highly challenging ascents through the rocky curved trail. We must climb up the narrow and steep valley of the rocky hill that goes almost 1500m high from the level of the river Marsyangdi. After reaching the pinnacle of the ridge, we descend towards the Valley of the Manang and reach Upper Pisang for the Overnight stay.
After breakfast, we continue to go through the beautiful and off-the-beaten valley of Manang. We go through the trail leading towards Manang Village passing through the Ghyaru and Nawal. We will witness the stunning views of the several whiteys and snowy mountains and peaks of Annapurna Massive such as Annapurna II, III, IV, Pisang, Tilicho, Gangapurna, etc. The Valley used to be dry and cold. The greeneries are very low in counts; bushes are seen mostly. Manang is the true Tibetan- Buddhist influenced valley and the villages show the true color and culture of the Tibetan Buddhists. We also explore the Barge Monastery which is the largest and biggest Buddhist Monastery in Manang Valley. After a while of walking, we reach the Manang Bazar where we spend a couple of nights.
The day here in the Manang is one of the best parts of the f the Annapurna Circuit Trek. We explore the Manang Village, visit the souvenir shop and stores, explore the surroundings and roam around the beautiful and typical village. We also explore the nearby ice lakes and admire the beauty of Mt. Gangapurna from a very close sight. We also visit the “Himalayan Rescue Association” and learn more about AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) also learn the basics prevention tips and tricks to face such challenges.
After breakfast in Manang, we continue the Annapurna Circuit trek and head towards the Yak Kharka. The word ‘Kharka” means the place of grazing or the pasture field. So, Yak Kharka is the Yak grazing/ Pastureland. The Yak Kharka is one of the best attractions of Annapurna Circuit Trek. The open and wide grazing field offers a beautiful scene to capture in your reel.
For Yak Kharka, we must cross the small stream and hike to the Tenki village before passing the Jar Sang Khola Valley on the northwest side. From here we leave the River Marsyangdi and follow the Jar Sang River. We left the beautiful land of the pines and junipers before approaching the spectacular village of Yak Kharka. The Meadow and grasses make the place incredible to rest.
This segment of the trek is one of the best parts of Annapurna Trekking and is equally important for the whole journey. We are reaching the high camp of one the highest Mountain passes and considered one of the deadliest passes due to the height, narrowness, extreme cold, and unpredictable weather. We ascend to the ridge before crossing the bridge of the river Marsyangdi. Crossing the hilly/ mountainous area, we go through the sloped narrow path. Then we approach the camp region with a short descent. The whole segment offers majestic views of the Annapurna Range, Tilicho peak, Gangapurna, and other neighboring snowy peaks.
The segment of the trek we are doing on this day is the most remarkable and the best of the entire Annapurna Round Trek. This part of the journey offers the real thrill, adventure, and excitement of true Himalayan trekking. It is equal beauty with the beast. The unpredictable wind and air swing, fogs, misty environment, and high altitude with extreme cold make this segment one of the most challenging and highly remarkable ones. Besides the challenges and difficulties, it offers glorious and majestic views of the several peaks of Annapurna Massif and Dhaulagiri Massif. The segment between Thorong la to Muktinath separates the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki Valley. After hours of walking, we reach another remarkable destination and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal namely ‘Muktinath”. Here in Muktinath, we spend a night.
More about the Muktinath, the Muktinath is one of the prestigious and religiously valued places. It is one of the biggest sacred places for both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. Followers of both religions visit this site to pray and blessings. The Muktinath temple Area, Muktinath Kshetra has 108 taps of stream water, and the peoples believe in Moksha by bathing/showering in all those taps.
From Muktinath, we descend to the Jomsom which is also famous for the Apple. The Apple harvested in this region is considered one of the best apples in the world. Jomsom is also the district headquarter of the Manang. We cross the Kali Gandaki River, the Thakali Village, and the Kali Gandaki Gorge before arriving at Marpha Village, the origin of one of the world’s finest Apple Brandy called “Marpha”. Moreover, Thakali Village at Thak Khola is also the origin of Nepal’s most popular Cuisine “Thakali Khana”. We spend a few moments in Marpha before heading to Jomsom where we spend a night. We also explore the Jomsom Bazaar and visit the souvenir shops where we can find handmade gifts, crafts, and tokens.
From Jomsom, we catch the jeep/ or available vehicle as per the itinerary for Pokhara. The Jomsom also runs the Domestic Airport, and the flight option is also available if you like to skip the long travel.
We have enough memories, joy, and exciting-thrilling adventures from Annapurna Trekking, now it’s time to enjoy a great variation of Natural Nepal. We visit lakes, caves, hill stations, heritages and monuments, and temples.
Pokhara is a beautiful city located in the basin of the Himalayas and high hills. It’s a popular destination in Nepal for tourists with Nepalese/ Domestic or foreigners. Pokhara is also famous as the tourism capital of Nepal and is the biggest tourist hub as well. We explore the city accordingly in a private vehicle.
Pokhara Sightseeing: -
We catch the Luxury Tourist Bus from Pokhara to return to Kathmandu which takes around 7-8 hours of traveling. While Pokhara- Kathmandu flights are also available for those who will take a short journey.
The shuttle service of Traverse Nepal will drop you at the Airport.
An absolutely great trek with our guide Tenji Sherpa . This is my second trek with Tenji. Travers Nepal is an excellent company right from booking to arrival they communicated effectively. Our guide was perfect. He had knowledge of everything in the Himalaya. He arranged good place to stay and eat. I would like to recommend Tenji and Travers Nepal for your adventure in Nepal.
I recently had the pleasure of taking a trek with Travers Nepal Trekking Company and I have to say, it was an absolutely incredible experience. From start to finish, the team at Travers Nepal made sure that every detail was taken care of and that our trek was a complete success. The guides and porters were knowledgeable, friendly, and always went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and safe. They were also very accommodating when it came to any special requests or needs we had. The accommodations and food throughout the trek were top-notch and it was clear that the team at Travers Nepal put a lot of thought and effort into ensuring that we had the best possible experience. I would highly recommend Travers Nepal Trekking Company to anyone looking for a professional, reliable, and enjoyable trekking experience in Nepal. They truly went above and beyond to make our trek a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will never forget. So, overall it was an excellent trekking company.
Autumn and Summer are the best seasons for Annapurna Circuit Trek. Both seasons offer clean and clearer mountain views and panoramic sceneries. The Routes and often dry and clean. During autumn, if falls do not happen early, the snow only begins from the snow line area, and the lower side will be easier and safer. However, routes may be covered with snow in summer but not that hard to walk or slippery. Weather and climate remain more stable and predictable too. So, all Trekkers either attempt Annapurna Circuit Trekking in summer or in Autumn.
Most of the segments of Annapurna Trekking are easy and anyone with physical fitness can be able to complete them. With the Elevation, the trekking becomes tougher. The Old Annapurna Circuit Trek is often listed as the most difficult trekking route. However, the new routes and easier and less challenging though. The experts and professionals; trekkers use to describe the Annapurna Round Trek from Challenging to Demanding.
The hardest challenge of Annapurna Circuit Trek is the
Elevation. The Trek goes through the Thorong La Pass. Thorong La Pass is one of
the highest mountain passes and the widest one. Not only the height but the
wideness of this pass makes it harder and weather challenging with heavy winds.
Moreover, Altitude Sickness, unpredictable Snow falls, sudden weather and
climatic changes, Extreme cold, slippery track, rugged and rough moraine way,
etc. are some challenges of Round Annapurna Trek.
The hardest challenge of Annapurna Circuit Trek is the Elevation. The Trek goes through the Thorong La Pass. Thorong La Pass is one of the highest mountain passes and the widest one. Not only the height but the wideness of this pass makes it harder and weather challenging with heavy winds. Moreover, Altitude Sickness, unpredictable Snow falls, sudden weather and climatic changes, Extreme cold, slippery track, rugged and rough moraine way, etc. are some challenges of Round Annapurna Trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the longest treks in Nepal and the Himalayas. The classical and traditional Annapurna Circuit trek is of more than 20 days. However, new routes and starting-ending points have emerged and shortened the Annapurna Circuit trek. Travers Nepal has the specially crafted 16 Days Annapurna Circuit Trek including arrival-departure, Kathmandu City tour, and Pokhara Sightseeing.