Classic Annapurna Circuit Trek

Related Information on Annapurna Circuit Trek

Trekking to Annapurna Circuit is undoubtedly the most notable achievement for any adventurer. But to make your adventure the most memorable experience of your life, you need to be well-informed about the destination, its weather, available options for accommodation, and many more. 

How high is Annapurna Base Camp?

Being the base to the 10th highest peak in the world, the elevation is 4130 meters (13,550 feet) from the sea level. This point offers a very mesmerizing view of the Annapurna ranges as well as the region’s surrounding peaks. Along with Annapurna, you can also catch the view of Mount Machhapuchre and other surrounding ranges.

Accommodation for Annapurna Circuit Trek

Depending on your location, the accommodation for your Annapurna Circuit trek ranges from 3-star hotels to teahouses. As you arrive in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to a three-star accommodation, primarily at Kathmandu Business Hotel or similar properties. You will have the option of twin-sharing or double accommodation with breakfast. It is a standard room with all basic amenities like a private bathroom, ample storage, a comfy bed, and more.

Additionally, you can request a five-star accommodation with all amenities, but it does come with an additional cost. While on the trekking trail, you will have standard accommodation in tea houses. Usually, these rooms are shared and have a common washroom. However, here, you will also have the option to get a private room with a personal bathroom, but for an additional cost.

Washroom Facilities on the Trek

Since you will be staying in standard lodges and tea houses, the washroom facilities are reasonable. Stops like Pokhara, Besisahar, Ghandruk, Jhinu Dada, and Poon Hill have standard rooms with private attached bathrooms. However, the washroom services at other stops without settlements or at the base camp will not be that good.

While on the trail, washroom facilities might be limited until you reach a village settlement or your destination for the day. Often, you need to carry a pee bag to relieve yourself in places that lack washrooms. It is necessary to know that comfort on the trek to the mountains is modest, and often, you might have to adjust with limited choices available.

Trek Essentials

Trekking in the Annapurna region is slightly difficult and might involve some risk if you are a beginner in trek. For these reasons, you will have to check off all the boxes of your trekking essentials, as mentioned below.

Permits 

To trek to the Annapurna base camp, you will require two main passes. The Annapurna Conservation Area permit is essential for trekking through the trail that falls onto the territory of this conservation area. Similarly, you will require another permit, the TIMS card, to trek through any region of the country. If you are thinking of passing through the upper Mustang region, then you might need an additional permit to enter that area.

Travel Insurance 

The trek to Annapurna Circuit requires crossing high mountain passes with an elevation above 5000 meters from sea level, and there is always a risk of natural disasters like glacial flooding, avalanches, and landslides. Thus, it is mandatory to have insurance. Besides, the lower temperature and scarce oxygen at higher elevations often cause altitude sickness, frostbite, and other medical emergencies. Having trekking insurance helps a lot in such scenarios.

Trekking insurance usually covers possible events like accidents, emergency evacuations, natural disasters, and flight disruptions. These insurances can be bought from several providers, depending on your location. Here are some suggestions for you:

USA and Canada: Blue Criss, United Healthcare, Tugo, World Nomad

Europe: Austrian Alpine Club, Europe Assistance, Allianz Europe

New Zealand and Australia: Allianz Australia, Fast Cover

Singapore: World Nomad, Ergo

India: ICICI Lombard

Trek Difficulty 

Trekking through the Annapurna circuit is definitely a difficult task. You will have to trek continuously for 6 to 7 hours a day. It is physically demanding, as the trek takes you to an elevation above 5000 meters, where the temperature is low, oxygen is scarce, and the terrain is rough and risky. You must be physically fit and mentally composed to complete the trek successfully. 

Besides, the weather can be quite unpredictable. The temperature is lower and can often drop to freezing at night. The higher-elevation areas can usually have snow storms, soft rains, and chilled breezes.

Trekking Distance of Annapurna Circuit Trek 

The Annapurna Circuit trek’s trekking distance depends on the route you choose and the starting/ending points. The usual starting point is Besisahar, and the total distance is 160 kilometers. If you choose to take an alternative route through a different starting point, like Dharapani or Jagat, the distance might range up to 230 kilometers. And covering this distance takes about 22 days, including the acclimatization and rest days.

Best Time to Trek to Annapurna Circuit Trek 

It is possible to trek to Annapurna Circuit throughout the year, each with different experiences. However, the cold, freezing winters or the heavy rains of the monsoon season might not be for beginners. There is nice snow during winter, but it also comes with a risk of altitude sickness. However, proficient summiteers also choose this time to avoid the crowd of peak season.

Fall and Spring are the best seasons to trek to the Annapurna region. Since the climate is suitable, the trails are dry, and the skies are clear during these two seasons, it is also the best season for climbing the Himalayan regions of Nepal. Usually, during September-November and April-May, most visitors ascend through different trekking routes of the Annapurna region. 

Safety on the Annapurna Circuit Trek 

Traveling to one of the highest peaks in the world, situated above 5000 meters from sea level, obviously comes with some risks and challenges. However, these risks can be mitigated with proper trekking, preparation, and adaptation of the necessary safety measures. Plan your trip in favorable climbing seasons to get off safely from your adventure.

 Before travel, you must train and prepare your body to trek rough terrain for up to 7 hours daily. You will also need to be ready to tackle altitude sickness and other health conditions that might appear when traveling to high altitudes. You can buy trekking insurance to prepare for additional security, as you will be trekking above 5000 meters in an area with high avalanches and unpredictable climate risks.

Preventing Sickness during the Annapurna Circuit Trek

While trekking to higher elevations, such as the Annapurna Circuit trek, altitude sickness is inevitable and often carries fatal risks. Since medical facilities are limited en route, you need to prepare well to avoid any symptoms of altitude sickness. Ensure you bring proper layers of clothes and warmers to protect yourself well. 

You should also opt for a gradual ascent, as this helps you adapt to the harsh climate and low temperatures. 

However, if you get altitude sickness on your way to the Annapurna Circuit, let your trekking guide know about the situation. The guides are prepared with first aid required for such a situation. 

Rest for a while at the same spot and take the anti-sickness medications. After you feel a little better, you can descend to a lower altitude. If the situation worsens, request the guide contact the head office in Kathmandu for a helicopter rescue.

Wi-Fi and Internet Facilities on Annapurna Circuit Trek

Compared to most trekking routes, the Annapurna region has good internet and Wi-Fi facilities, given that it is the most travelled route. Most tea houses en route to the Annapurna Circuit have internet services, which are often free of cost. However, you might need to buy internet packages from the service providers for the trekking trail.

You can also get mobile SIMs from different network providers in Nepal to make the internet more accessible. However, you must remember that these SIMs might encounter network issues while traveling through dense forests and remote areas.

How to Get to the Annapurna Region? 

You can reach the Annapurna region by taking a scenic drive along the hills or catching a flight to Pokhara. Then, you can continue driving until the starting point of the trek. Depending on which trekking route you choose, there are different routes to the Annapurna region. 

Usually, for the ABC trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, and other similar short treks, you will have to come to Pokhara. Then, you can start the ascent from Nayapul, whereas, for the Annapurna circuit, trekkers usually go to Besisahar via bus, begin the trek, and end it in Pokhara.

Pokhara Flight from Kathmandu Airport

If you do not want to exert yourself by travelling around 8 hours by road, there is also an option to take a fight. When the air traffic is under control, the flight to Pokhara takes off from the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport. You can catch these flights easily in the off-season, but during the spring and fall seasons, the traffic flow is heavy, and often, you might get stuck in an air traffic delay.

Bag Allowances in Pokhara Flight

On the flight to Pokhara Airport, a traveler is allowed to have a maximum of 15kg (approx. 33 pounds) of baggage. This weight includes both the duffle bag and your backpack. Hence, we suggest you pack light and carry only the essential trekking requirements.

If your bag exceeds the given weight limit, you must pay an extra fee of US $ 2 to 5 for each kilogram of additional weight. 

Extending Your Trips 

It is possible to extend your trek to the Annapurna Circuit even after you start the adventure, as long as you have a few extra days in hand. However, adding a few additional days to your trek involves some additional costs.

Charging Your Gadgets

Electricity is available in standard guesthouses and teahouses on the route to the Annapurna Circuit trek. However, these cost around 1-5 US dollars per charge, specifically in higher altitudes without proper electricity facilities.

It is advisable to carry your own solar-powered charges or batteries to keep the devices charged. It would be helpful while camping on the base of Everest, where there are no guesthouse facilities.

Similarly, remember to bring the two-pin and three-pin types of adapters to help charge your devices. In case you forget, you can buy these C-type and D-type adapters in Kathmandu.

Food in the Annapurna Region

Food in the Annapurna Circuit trek is heavily influenced by its residents. The kind of food and accommodation you will find varies vastly based on the locations and terrains you intend to travel through. 

Typically, city areas in Pokhara offer all kinds of cuisine, including Mexican, Chinese, Continental, Nepalese, etc. But on the trek, it will be more ethnic cuisine, including noodles, soups, teas, coffee, and sandwiches. In Ghandruk, you will find more Gurung cuisine, whereas higher altitudes might serve Thakali or Tibetan-Chinese cuisine.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost 

The classic Annapurna Circuit trek package costs approximately $1440 per person. However, the cost may vary depending on how food and accommodation are customized, the variation of the trekking package, and the routes you choose. 

The cost might increase with added amenities like personalized guides, private rooms with attached bathrooms, additional acclimatization days, and rest days. This trekking cost doesn’t include any personal expenses or charges for services made upon request. Please check the packages for the price and find the amenities/services offered. 

Annapurna Trek Packages  

For an exclusive experience of the Annapurna region, you need to find the right package for your requirements. Choosing the right package ensures a smooth experience and makes the experience memorable for you. From luxurious to budget itineraries, there are multiple packages to choose from:

Standard ABC Trek 

The standard Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek is one of the classic Himalayan treks that takes you closer to experiencing the divinity of nature. This 14-day adventure in the Annapurna region begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu, taking you through river banks, green hills, and mesmerizing scenic beauty. Being one of the easiest treks that can be completed even in the shortest time, the ABC trek is very popular among domestic and international tourists.

Annapurna Circuit Trek 

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a 22-day adventure that offers an unparalleled experience of the Himalayas while taking us through lush subtropical forests, diverse landscapes, and high-altitude desert plains. The trek circles the Annapurna Massif, crossing the Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet), and provides stunning views of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchre. It is the perfect trek for those looking to experience the best of Nepal’s natural beauty and cultural diversity.

Mardi Himal Trek

The Mardi Himal trek is a hidden gem that offers a peaceful and rewarding adventure through some of Nepal’s most stunning landscapes. This trek lasts 11 days, which is relatively short compared to other treks in this region, and takes you through lush rhododendron and oak forests across alpine meadows. It is a perfect adventure for someone looking for a refreshing contrast to the hectic and busier scenario. You get to experience unforgettable moments surrounded by the grandeur of the Himalayas in serene solitude. You can enjoy panoramic views of the majestic Annapurna range, including the iconic Machhapuchre (Fishtail) and Himchuli.

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a 5-day adventure that begins with a short drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and offers a unique cultural experience along with panoramic views of peaks in the Annapurna region. This trek takes you through the pleasant ambiance of rural villages, luscious green forests, and ethnic homestays before ascending to the base camp of the Annapurna range. It also perfectly blends natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure, making it one of Nepal’s most popular trekking routes.

Annapurna or Manaslu: Which is the correct circuit trek for you?

Annapurna and Manaslu: Both circuits are best for exploring the Himalayas, biodiversity, and diverse cultures. The Annapurna Circuit is a better trail for you if you want a comparatively easy trail with many facilities. However, if you wish to experience the solitude of traveling through rough terrain, then opt for the Manaslu Circuit trek.

Training for Annapurna Circuit Trek

The trekking route to Annapurna Circuit consists of rough, rocky terrain, steep hills, and narrow trails. You must train well to build your core strength, as this adventure requires you to trek continuously for 7 to 8 hours daily. It will also take you above an elevation of 5000 meters, where the temperature is low, oxygen is scarce, and the terrain is rough and risky. You must be physically fit and mentally composed to complete the trek successfully. You will also require good cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength to ascend easily through rough terrain.

If you aren’t somebody who doesn’t perform physical training regularly, it is better to start training at least ¾ months in advance. Ensure you include cardio, flexibility exercises, and strength training in your workout to prepare your body for the trek.

Some of the best ways to train for the trek are through regular cardio, focusing on breathing exercises, strength training, lifting weights, hamstring sketching exercises, and so on. You can switch to climbing stairs instead of taking lifts, walking instead of driving, or jogging instead of driving to smaller distances to prepare your body. Additionally, going on regular hikes or climbing up the hills can be the best way to train for the trek.

Beginner’s Guide to the Annapurna Region 

The Annapurna Circuit trek is definitely a fascinating trip, but it also comes with certain challenges of its own. Like any adventure, you need to have physical strength and a calm and well-prepared mind to face the challenges that may come your way. You need to train well with cardio and strength exercises, gradual acclimatization, and adequate gear to succeed on this trek. In addition, you need to rest well and let your body recover while using mindfulness for success.