Useful Information
Annapurna Circuit Trekking (A classic trek in the Annapurna Region); being a teahouse trek, each and every stop provides decent guesthouses and mountain lodges. As for the local’s need and accessibility, there is the road from Besishar to Manang has been built now, this means the trek is badly affected by the road but no problems will arise as we will be following the different trail to skip the road. The very famous and beautiful trail called NATT trail (New Annapurna Trekking Trails) which is the best and peaceful trekking trail on the Annapurna circuit trek that skips the entire roads walk. We have been conducting Annapurna circuit trek as a small group departure or a private trek. Contact us for letting us know how many of you are there in your group to do this trek so that we can provide you the cost and other information according to your group size.
Trek Duration: 17 Days (13 days in the mountain and 4 days in Kathmandu and Pokhara)
Trek Begins-Ends: Kathmandu, Besishar, Jomsom, Pokhara
Trek Grade: Moderate Plus
Highest Point: Thorong La Pass (5,416 meters)
Total Distance of the Trek: 165 km to 235 km, depending on the start and end of the trek
Required Permits: Annapurna circuit trekking requires two permits to enter the region. The first one is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the second one is Trekker’s Information Management System card (TIMS). We organize both permits in Kathmandu with your passport details.
Your Trek Bag: Your trek bag, duffel bags will be carried by our porters. 1 porter for 2 clients and our porter can carry up to 20 kilograms.
Trip Orientation
About 6 hours local bus drive from Kathmandu to Besishar and 2 to 3 hours local jeep drive to Bulbule or Chame from where the real adventure begins with our guide and porters. Trek from Bulbule or Chame to Manang, Thorong Phedi, Thorong La pass, Muktinath, and then finally to Jomsom via Lubra village. 3 night’s standard accommodation in Kathmandu on the bed and breakfast basis, 12 night’s guesthouse accommodation on full board basis (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 3 cups of coffee, tea per day) during the trek and 1-night standard accommodation in Pokhara on the bed and breakfast basis.
How challenging is the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Annapurna Circuit Trek or Annapurna Round Trek is one of the longest treks in Nepal. Assimilating into a 3-weeks long outdoor journey, the trek got enlisted into the best long treks in the world and was regarded as the world's best trekking destination. It traverses the ancient trading route between Nepal and Tibet. Annapurna Circuit remains famous for its challenging endeavors. The trek rises to an altitude of 5,416m (17,769ft) at Thorong La Pass. However, the daily altitude gain remains gradual, which offers enough acclimatization along the trek to Thorong La Pass. Anyone with a good fitness level can join the trek. The itinerary accommodates comfortable trek experience with ample time for sightseeing and cultural exploration.
How fit do I have to be for the Trek Annapurna Circuit?
Annapurna Circuit Trek is an arduous trek with a long duration of walking. Since the daily altitude gain is less than 500 meters, it is suitable for anyone with reasonable fitness. The highest altitude gain during the trek is 876 meters from Thorong Phedi to Thorong La Pass. Anyone with previous medical histories such as knee, ankle, heart, or lung problems must seek medical consent before undertaking this trek. The standard itinerary requires a six to nine-hour-long trek excluding lunch. Alpine Eco Trek keeps in mind the need for acclimatization and exploration along the trek. With enough physical preparation, anyone can undertake this trek.
High altitude sickness during the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness is a common problem in any high-altitude trek. The lack of oxygen in high altitude can trigger altitude sickness in trekkers who fail to adapt to thin air. Annapurna Circuit trek has gradual ascents not reaching over 500 meters in a day, yet altitude sickness can overcome many trekkers who find it hard to adapt to thin air. Altitude sickness becomes common once a trekker reaches above 2,500 meters.
Alpine Eco Trek provides professional leaders trained in first aid and emergency medical treatments. They carry proper medications, oxygen cylinders, and oxygen chamber bags to help deal with any altitude-related ailments. Your trek guide will assess your health throughout the trail and apply basic guidelines to prevent altitude sickness. Taking Diamox before approaching the high-altitude region can help prevent altitude sickness.
What are the best months for an Annapurna Circuit Trekking?
The best months to undertake Annapurna Circuit Trek are in the spring and autumn seasons. Spring spans from March until May and autumn span from September until November. These two seasons guarantee the best weather for outdoor adventure.
Trekkers can undertake the trek any time of the year. However, winter and monsoon seasons often present harsh weather conditions. Keen trekkers often visit Annapurna Circuit during winter (December till February) despite the lower temperature because winter often offers crystal clear weather to witness exceptional mountain views. There are chances of zero access to Thorong La Pass during winter due to heavy snowfall.
How many hours a day are you walking on the Trek Annapurna Circuit?
The daily walk duration is usually not more than six to nine-hours, excluding lunch. Since Annapurna circuit trek is mostly done in a counterclockwise pattern, it encounters longer walk duration and altitude gain. The daily trek duration depends on your own pace and can enjoy slight adjustments to accommodate your fitness and preferences. The day starts early as we must reach the destination on time.
Why do I need to join a licensed company for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Nepal Government recommends trekkers to book Annapurna Circuit Trek with only national, licensed, and reputed trek agencies. Joining the trip with a licensed company makes the entire trip a hassle-free experience in terms of issuing permits, booking hotels, and transportation. Moreover, in case of an emergency, the necessary prompt assistance will only be available if you go with a reputed company. Alpine Eco Trek is a reliable company, and always there to provide you with quality service at a very competitive price along with guaranteeing your safety.
What if I'm in the group very slow?
Each trekking group is assigned a leader trek guide and assistants. Other than the group leader, each person in the group will have assistant guides to look after them. For ease, the group is generally divided into sub-groups according to the walking speed of trekkers. The trek guide or leader always takes the tail end of the group or the slowest group. Nevertheless, your group leader will always counsel each one in the group on the trek.
Food and accommodation during the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Teahouses along the Annapurna Circuit trail are well-equipped with comfortable rooms and beds. Every teahouse has its kitchen, where the hosts prepare healthy meals.
Each lodge offers a room with a twin bed and common toilets. One can occasionally find rooms with attach toilet bathrooms. Booking isn't possible a few times during the peak seasons. Hence, the trekkers manage to spend the night in the dormitory or dining hall with heated chimney. However, we try our best to accommodate our clients in cozy and comfortable rooms.
A balanced and nourishing diet is important during the trek. Hence, Annapurna Circuit Trek offers extensive meal menus. This trek offers three meals a day, and the items can range from Tibetan, Nepalese, and Continental to Indian cuisines.
Breakfast menu-Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, French toast with Jam-Butter-Cheese- Honey, Tibetan bread or Chapati, Local tsampa porridge, Hashed-brown eggs, Varieties of egg items, Pancakes, Muesli, Bread, Fruits and Vegetables, Caffeinated drinks, Hot chocolate, etc.
Lunch Menu -Dhal Bhat and Tarkari (Rice and lentils), Tibetan bread, Varieties of soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (Dumplings), Thenduk, Spaghetti/Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta and Macaroni, Vegetable curry, Varieties of potato items, Vegetable and salad, Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad or Prawn), Desserts, etc.
Dinner menu -Dhal Bhat and Tarkari (Rice and lentils), Tibetan bread, Varieties of soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (Dumplings), Thenduk, Spaghetti/Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta and Macaroni, Vegetable curry, Varieties of potato items, Vegetable and salad, Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad or Prawn), Korean Ramen, Desserts, etc.
What is the distance of the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
The original Annapurna circuit spans approximately 248km or 154miles in length and covers four districts of Nepal, namely Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, and Myagdi. The trek begins at Beshisahar in Lamjung District and reaches the highest point of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters before descending towards Mustang District. The last leg of the trail goes past Jomsom and Poon Hill to reach Myagdi District.
Any vaccination required for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Any sort of vaccinations isn’t mandatory for Annapurna Circuit Trek, but you should consider taking vaccinations recommended by the WHO and your embassy before entering Nepal. We recommend you bring a personal medical consent along with personal medical history before undertaking the Annapurna Circuit.
Equipment for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Alpine Eco Trek may help secure a warm sleeping bag with a warm fleece liner that goes into the sleeping bag to keep trekkers warm and cozy at night and a feather duvet jackets designed for high-altitude trekking. We recommend trekkers bring their sleeping bag and a feather duvet jacket. You must purchase or rent necessary trek gear and equipment such as trek boots, walking stick, warm clothes, glasses, gloves, etc. in Kathmandu.
Can we entirely avoid the motor road and instead use a trekking trail?
Natural Annapurna Trekking Trails (NATTs) introduced the latest trail designed to cater trekkers looking for an ultimate natural experience and to avoid the embarrassment of walking on motorable roads. Although we assure you to skip motorable roads along the trail, we might encounter few sections with human-made roads since NATTs have delayed assigning the trail due to the survey delay after the 2015 earthquake.
Jomsom – Pokhara Flight, any alternative in case of bad weather?
The flight from Jomsom to Pokhara poses less or no risk to the passengers. Nepal’s air aviation follows a strict guideline when it comes to the safety of both passengers and the crew. With a slight deviation in the weather conditions such as likely chances of rainfall or high-velocity wind, the flight delays until the weather stabilized. As an alternative, tourists can take a road trip from Jomsom to Pokhara.
Can I charge my devices on the Annapurna Circuit trek and have hot showers?
Teahouses, along with the trail, offer trekkers with facilities to charge their electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets. The charging privilege is available around the trek except for few places in the high elevation. The lodges in the high-altitude region rely on solar power, which isn’t reliable for charging electronic devices. We recommend all of our clients to carry extra batteries or fully charged power bank. The availability of hot shower depends on the altitude and remoteness of the region. The trek leader may suggest you not have a shower in high elevation to prevent any health issues.
Tips on Annapurna Circuit Trekking
Embark on an adventurous hike, Annapurna circuit trekking is the second most popular trek in Nepal (Everest Base Camp trek is the first one), the trek to Annapurna Circuit, Thorong La pass begins with a pleasant walk through ever-charming villages and cool and refreshing jungles crossing several suspension bridges and waterfalls enjoying the mesmerizing view of snowy peaks interacting with lovely and welcoming locals. The trek is demanding and adventure one, but no need for any previous trekking, climbing experience. However, you need to be physically fit to complete the trek successfully so that we suggest you to spend at least 4 to 5 days a week doing some physical training (like treadmill, jogging, cycling and etc for about 40 to 55 days prior to the trek departure date.
Can I customize the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Indeed, you can customize the trek as per your convenience. You can choose to customize the trip according to your schedule, fitness level, and other preferences. Depending on your schedule, you can either book the entire circuit trek i.e., joining the Poon Hill in the last leg of the trek or join the semi circuit trek which omits trek to Poon Hill, and instead ends with a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Alpine Eco Trek assures great customizable services.
