Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Circuit is a trek famous for its natural beauty. The initial phase of the trek was renowned for its abundant waterfalls, culturally rich villages, and great views of the Manaslu (8156m). The highlight of the trek was the Bhraga village and the gompa at Gangapurna. Many trekkers from different regions and with different ages, interests, and ethnicities loved this phase of the trek because of the great views of Annapurna II and the uncommercialized Tibetan-influenced culture of the people in this region. 

The Annapurna Circuit is considered the best trek in the world, though road construction threatens its reputation as a trekking route. The trek takes around 15-18 days, depending on side treks taken, and it reaches an altitude of 5416m at the Thorung La pass, touching the edges of the Tibetan plateau. The trek begins at Besisahar and after 5-7 days of walking, you will reach Manang. 

The true magic of the trek unfolded in the enchanting Bhraga village and the magnificent Gangapurna Gompa. These locations undoubtedly stood out as the highlight of the entire experience, offering an extraordinary opportunity to witness the untamed beauty of the Annapurna II Mountain range. Nestled amidst this spellbinding scenery, trekkers were immersed in a captivating Tibetan-influenced culture, completely untouched by commercialization. It provided an authentic glimpse into the rich traditions and customs of the local people. 

The Himalayas have always been the abode of the gods and the inspiration of the people who live in their shadows. It's a trek that traverses a variety of terrain ranging from sub-tropical below 1000m to the Tibetan highland where the air is thin and the vegetation sparse. Walk through the lowland farms and villages to the arid semi-desert of the Manang Valley and traverse across the starkly barren landscape to the north of the main Himalayan range. By the time we get to our highest point in the trek, the Thorung La pass, which is one of the best points on the AC for a panorama view of the Annapurna Mountain range, the view both north and south is breathtaking. 

Rhododendrons of this region create the most beautiful forests for trekkers to experience and come in many shapes sizes and colors from bright reds to whites and blues. These flowers bloom during the spring and enhance the beauty of the landscapes. The dense forests of the AC provide trekkers with a good opportunity to view Nepal's bird life and peacocks, pheasants, and jungle fowl are often seen. This area is also rich in diverse animal life like Himalayan thar, snow leopard, and red pandas. This diverse range of ecosystems the AC provides us with is one of the most interesting treks in terms of the variety of flora and fauna. 

Ethnic groups of the Annapurna region are the place where you can find diverse cultures, and ethnic and religious groups all living in harmony. There are several different ethnic groups found in the Annapurna region. Some of them are Gurung, Thakali, and Manangba. Their settlements are usually based within the hilly area with beautiful views. Higher up, you will encounter more Tibetan people with their arid landscape and low rainfall. Each of these groups is different in their lifestyles, culture, religion, and even the languages they speak. This is a very fascinating and rewarding experience of trekking in the Annapurna region.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Terrain and Difficulty Level 

The Annapurna Circuit trek offers diverse terrain and varying levels of difficulty, making it suitable for trekkers of different skill levels. Challenges may arise during the ascent and descent, especially when crossing Thorong-la Pass. Without proper acclimatization to the high elevation problem of altitude sickness can be considered. However, weather conditions can also pose challenges during treks like rainfall, low visibility, and snow. Overall, it's essential to be adequately, physically and mentally prepared before the trek. 

Route Details for Annapurna Round Trek 

At a height of 5416m, Thorong La is not to be taken lightly. However, good acclimatization on the way up, a reasonably early start (not too cold and snow is still hard), and basic mountaineering caution will stand most in good stead. There are only two places on the whole western side of the pass to obtain water, so it is important to keep your bottles topped up. Once on the eastern side, it is a very long descent to the next water point, meaning patience and not going too fast too soon. On a GPS, it has been measured that Thorung Phedi is higher than Muktinath, but due to the switchbacks in the trail, Muktinath is still higher in elevation. 

The starting point of the Annapurna Circuit is a village called Besisahar, which is a few hours' drive from Kathmandu. This roadhead is a typical Nepali town with dusty wide streets and a few concrete buildings. The Marsyangdi River flows beside the town, adding a lovely ambiance. The journey of the Annapurna Circuit begins with a walk up the Marsyangdi River to its source in the Manang Valley. Besisahar is the district headquarters, so this part of the town has government offices and a school, but otherwise, it only has the absolute necessities for trekkers 

As trekkers climb higher into the mountains that ring the Annapurna and Damodar Himal, the landscape changes from the subtropical forest to the dry, alpine country. The trail up to Thorong La is steep but is well-made and easy to follow. At the top, the trail is not distinct but the descent to the west side is gentle and becomes obvious as you get further. Over the highest parts of the trail, between 4700m and 5400m, there are the most basic teahouses, but they may not always be open, and they depend on unpredictable seasonal conditions. From Thorong High Camp, the trail winds around ridges and yak pastures before dropping off on the northern side of Thorung La. 

Nayapul is located in the extreme southwest of Pokhara, around 20 km away, which takes around 40 minutes to drive by private vehicle. Nayapul is a major entry point to the Annapurna region trekking. No matter which route trekkers follow, this is the starting and ending point of the trek. 

Best Time for Annapurna Circuit trek 

For anyone planning a trek in the Annapurna region, understanding the seasons and the weather during these times is an important consideration. This is the one factor that could make or break your trek. The four distinct seasons, post-monsoon, winter, spring, and pre-monsoon will have a dramatic effect on your trek. There will be large variations in the climatic conditions in the different regions of Nepal. It is important to appreciate that the information provided below is a generalization and that local conditions may vary from the norm. 

Spring Season (March to May) 

This is regarded as the best time to trek around the Annapurna region. Although it can still be quite cold at higher elevations in March, this is more than compensated for by the riot of flowering rhododendrons that burst into bloom from the end of March into April. May is a great time to do this trek, with lots of flowers, and the farmers will be planting their crops, so the valleys are filled with the sounds of singing and the scene is very beautiful. The weather is getting warmer currently with the temperatures at low elevations ranging from 16-25 degrees. At higher altitudes, the temperatures range from 8-15 degrees. This is a good time to attempt to cross the Thorong La pass as the risks of being snowed in are less likely than later in the year. 

Autumn Season (September to November) 

At the start of the season, the nights are getting colder with the increasing elevation, although the days remain quite warm and sunny. The monsoon will have just finished, and the air will be at its clearest. During September, the trails are less traveled, so the mountain views are still unobstructed. This is the best time for those who want to escape the crowds that come later in the trek. This is also the only season when Tlicho Lake is seen at its best, though it is always a very demanding side trek. 

By October, the monsoon will have finished, and the weather is usually stable and dry. This is the most popular time to trek, with the biggest crowds coming in this month. The lodges are full, and it is a fun time to trek with a lot of like-minded people on the trail. The mountain views are the best this month, and the second half of the month is when the biggest festivals in Nepal will be celebrated (Dashain and Tihar). During these festivals, it is culturally a very interesting time to be in the Himalayas. 

By November, the days are still warm and sunny, but the nights are getting cold. The trek is still quite popular during this month, however, by the end of the month, winter is setting in, and the days are getting quite short. There are fewer trekkers in November, and the biggest advantage is that the lodges are less crowded. 

Summer (June to August) 

Summer is a bad time to trek Annapurna Circuit or any region of Nepal for that matter. The monsoon occurs between June and August and turns the trails into a mudslide. The leeches come out in force during this time of year too. The risk of leeches and heavy rain would turn the normally scenic Annapurna Circuit into a mosquito-infected disease fest. This type of environment also increases the risk of getting food poisoning from teahouses due to the lack of refrigeration at this time of year. Because of bacteria, it also increases the risk of getting sick from drinking water. Due to these problems, it is advised to avoid trekking during the monsoon season. 

Winter (December to February) 

Trekking Annapurna in winter could be a good option if you can handle the cold weather between December through February. The trek is at a lower altitude, so the temperatures are not extremely cold like the Everest Base Camp Trek. Winter could be a better option compared to doing the trek in late monsoon rain too. The problem with trekking at this time of year is that higher elevations of Annapurna Circuit will be blocked by snow, due to which you might have a hard time reaching Thorung La pass. 

History of Annapurna Circuit Trek 

The Annapurna Circuit was opened to foreign trekkers in the late 1970s and is still known as one of the best trekking routes in the world. The trek has developed since its beginnings in terms of tea house access and paths and has seen a significant increase in the density of trekkers, both foreign and local. The building of the access road up Kali Gandaki is rapidly changing the trek experience in the many places regions where the trails run alongside the road. Annapurna region with the many trekking options, has suffered due to a Maoist insurgency. This led to a significant decrease in the number of trekkers visiting the area and caused the trek to be perceived as potentially dangerous in terms of security. Since the end of the war in 2006, the region has been quite safe and has been on the path of recovery in trying to build its reputation as a secure and viable trekking option. Today, the region has a lot of potential as a trekking destination, and it has seen improvements in the perception of foreigners. There is still work to be done, but overall, Annapurna Circuit Trek has a vibrant history and has seen much change from its origins to the present.