Annapurna Circuit Trek

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Upgrade your Accommodation in Kathmandu

For our Annapurna circuit trek, your standard accommodation in Kathmandu will be in a twin-sharing room of a reputable three-star hotel such as Hotel Manang or Hotel Thamel Park at a rate of just USD 45 per night. However, if you like to upscale your experience during your Kathmandu stay, then we also facilitate an upgrade to a four-star hotel for an additional cost.

You will have the choice between Hotel Shankar, Hotel Ramada, Hotel Yatri Suites, or similar. These hotels are well-known in the city for their excellent amenities that include 24-hour room service, spa, restaurant, fitness center, and large rooms with flat-screen TV and minibar. Here, you will also have access to meeting rooms, a lounge area, a garden, a swimming pool, and a bar. They maintain not only exceptional service but also cleanliness throughout.

So if you are intrigued with this option, then please tell us ahead and we will finalize your arrangements before you are in Kathmandu.

Upgrade your Transportation with a Private Jeep

Your Annapurna circuit trek commences with a long local bus ride from Kathmandu to Besisahar where you will get in a local shared jeep to travel to Syange. In between the trips, when you travel from Muktinath to Tatopani, you will again rely on the local bus service. And, when during you return, you will get on a tourist bus to travel to Kathmandu from Pokhara.

The local bus services in Nepal are generally satisfactory, however, the roads are not fully asphalted, which means your journey will often take place along uneven dirt tracks that can lead to extreme exhaustion. You will make stops at various points along the way but you will have to stick to the bus schedule. If you desire a more comfortable travel experience, we provide you with an upgrade option with private jeep transfers for all ground transportation throughout your trip.

This upgrade allows you the use of a private jeep for travel from Kathmandu to Syange, from Muktinath to Tatopani, and from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You may also choose to partially use the private jeep service for particular segments of your journey, such as from Kathmandu to Syange or from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

Please note that selecting this service can result in an increase in the overall cost of the trip.

Shorten your walking days with a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara

Our Annapurna circuit trek itinerary includes a drive from Muktinath to Tatopani through Jomsom, and then hiking up to Poon Hill. If you are in a hurry, then you can either trek or drive from Muktinath to Jomsom instead. Jomsom is a pretty developed small town with a small airstrip that operates the local flights to Pokhara. If you like, we can set up a direct flight from Jomsom to Pokhara so you will have more time to enjoy and relax in this queen city.

Trip Information

Right Time Period for the Annapurna Circuit Trek

The most comfortable and favorable time to conquer the 15 days Annapurna Circuit Trek is from the mid-March days to the latter days of May (Spring), and from the mid-September days to the latter days of November (Autumn/Fall).

During April and May, the Annapurna mountains enter the season of melting snow, the season of blooming rhododendrons, purple phoenix flowers, and mustard flowers that dye the whole space yellow. However, at this time in Annapurna, you should also be prepared for the sudden transition in temperatures which can be very hot but then suddenly become cold.

On the other hand, during autumn, the weather is cool, and the scenery is romantic with burnt grass and yellow leaves covering the high mountains. You should avoid going for the Annapurna Circuit trek trail during the rainy time between June through August and the cold winter time between December through February. The river-flooded trails in summer and the snow-piled trail to the Pass in winter will hinder your journey.

Annapurna Circuit Trek: Challenges and Difficulty Level

Our 15 days Annapurna Circuit Trek is a mountain hiking trail that is designed for people aged 15 and above who enjoy walking in nature for longer days. The history of high-altitude travel or trekking is not needed nor is any technical usage of gear. Thus, the Annapurna circuit trek is technically easy however it is essential to understand that the journey is not going to be like walking in the park or jungle.

In terms of difficulty, the trek falls within the moderate or upper intermediate category of hiking journeys in Nepal. However, it is available to even those who are new to mountain hiking, provided they have adequate fitness and health. Our team at Everest Summit Treks has carefully planned this route to ensure that participants of all ages and experience levels can manage it. The highest altitude that the participants will reach is 5416 m of Thorong La Pass where no longer or overnight stay has been planned.

It is still important to understand that for six consecutive nights, participants will be sleeping at elevations exceeding 3,000 meters, which may lead to potential health issues related to hypoxia and the challenges of high-altitude living. The trek also involves a total of nine days, during which participants will hike with backpacks, typically for 4 to 7 hours each day, most of the time uphill and downhill.

One day will involve a significant elevation gain, but the use of ropes, crampons, or chains will not be necessary. But there are certain contraindications that may prohibit participants from taking part in this trip which include issues related to the musculoskeletal, circulatory, or respiratory systems, and a general aversion to hiking.

Is the Annapurna circuit trek itinerary suitable for those who are new to trekking?

Our 15 days Annapurna Circuit Trek is more perfect for undertaking by experienced hikers as they will be more familiar with the risk of some serious altitude gains. The Nepal mountain trails on the other hand are never relatively flat and they contain some steep slopes at some point. As for this trek particularly, there will be some seriously steep climbs and descents that can even go up to 1000 to 1600 m. Most days, you will walk up to 4 to 6 hours and we cannot forget about the mighty Pass as well.

However, it doesn’t mean the newcomers cannot access this trip; they definitely can if they are ready to face the challenges, altitude, and weather, and if they are in their prime health. There will be a lot of sudden temperature changes which is the typical nature of the mountains but it is absolutely a must-do for a Himalayan lover. Plus, the Annapurna areas that we will be passing through are largely inhabited with access to roads, and even the dirt tracks are well-maintained.  In addition, there are multiple lodge facilities en route and the elevation will also be lower than that of the Everest Base Camp trek. So with the determination, right motivation, health well-being, and preparedness, you will definitely be able to do our Annapurna circuit trek.

Altitude Sickness and the Placement of Acclimatization in Annapurna Circuit Trek

When undertaking the 15 days Annapurna Circuit Trek, the altitude and the risk associated with it are the primary concern. Often, the high atmosphere in the areas above 3000 m is less in oxygen and pressure that we are used to at our home ground which thus results in altitude sickness also known as the Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS. Our bodies can well get used to the heights provided the enough time. Thus, our Annapurna circuit trek itinerary includes a driving journey to a relatively lower area followed by a gradual hike. We also have incorporated a rest day in Manang to get accustomed to the dry Manang air before tackling the massive height of the Thorong La Pass.

We will also proceed on our journey further taking our time when going up. Remember, if you rush up, you will face some altitude-related issues such as trouble sleeping, extreme tiredness, appetite loss, vomiting, nausea, and bad headaches. If any one of these conditions occurs, it is important that you halt your progress right away and stay at the same elevated area for a few days to help with acclimatization.

If you still feel the same, then medications like Diamox (acetazolamide) can help. N addition, you also focus on staying hydrated as dehydration can also trigger the AMS. You should aim for at least three liters of fluids a day, including hot broth, drinks, teas, and soups. Plus, also layer up to maintain your body temperature.

Training and Preparation for the 15 days Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna circuit trek is definitely tougher and demanding than its sister counterpart: the Annapurna Base Camp trek. There will be more days on higher grounds, more days of climbing and descending, and more days of walking. So for an indispensable experience of the Annapurna circuit trek, you need to prepare 1 month before the trip to improve your physical strength. If you are new to working out, then it is better to start preparing two months before.

You should also take it slow and make sure to give yourself enough time to recover between workouts. To boost your fitness and health for the adventure, more simple exercises such as swimming, cycling, and running will do the best. You should also focus on any cardio exercises that can get your heart pumping such as skipping. Also, do not forget to work on your calf muscles as they will be the ones doing most of the job when you are walking.

If you can, try stair climbing with a weighted backpack to build those legs up. You can also run up the hills to strengthen your calves. If you don’t have hills or stairs, you can focus on strength training for your calves. Bike rides, long runs, and long hikes along with mixing in different activities, can help you train well without overdoing it on any one muscle group.

Different Approach to Annapurna Circuit Trek

According to our Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary, we will first walk around Annapurna and head to Thorong La Pass, then only, we will head to Poon Hill. If you prefer, you can head to Poon Hill first, then choose to walk around the Annapurna and overcome the Pass of Thorong La. Both routes give you plenty of time to get used to the high altitude. If you want to lessen the trek days of your journey, you can also let the Poon hill trek go.

On the other hand, if you want something a bit different from the usual tourist trails in Annapurna, then you can also undertake a different route through the distant settlements such as Ghalegaon, Bhujung, Ridge Camp, Joli Kharka, Thulo Tal, Phulu, Kori, Tasa Kharka, Sikles, and Ghawchok,  finally finishing up in Pokhara. You will have a real taste of rural Nepal with the adventure of the camping nights. You can also choose to tackle another great pass known as Kang La (5320 m) slightly lower than the Thorong La.

This pass will lead you into the extraordinary Nar and Phu Valleys. For this, you can walk from Upper Pisang to Ngawal. Another beautiful option for the Annapurna circuit trek will be to merge the trek to the 4130 m Annapurna Base Camp itself.

You should also think about Lake Tilicho, which can be reached with a diverted route from Manang. Or, why not stay for a few more days in Manang or go on a walking journey to Lower Mustang from Jomsom to Marpha?

Accommodation and Meal

During the 15 days Annapurna Circuit Trek, you will have a two-night stay in a double room at a delightful three-star hotel in Kathmandu, followed by a night in a similar establishment in Pokhara where bed and breakfast await you each morning. Along your journey, you will be welcomed into charming tea houses of the overnight settlements where you will share moments, and meals with fellow adventurers.

The quality of the tea houses has seen a remarkable upliftment in recent years in Annapurna. In many villages, you will find hotels like tea houses where you can have private baths, hot showers, double or single rooms, WiFi, and electricity.

As for meals, we will present you with three meals a day at lunch, breakfast, and dinner throughout your trek. You must at least once eat Dal Vat and try Momo. As for other food items, you can also get noodle dishes, egg varieties, pizza, tuna, mutton, chicken, pasta, and many more.

Transportation

On our Annapurna circuit trek, we have looked after your comprehensive transportation solutions. You will have a complimentary private transfer to and from TIA in Kathmandu. As your adventure commences, we have organized a comfortable local bus journey from Kathmandu to Besisahar, followed by a shared jeep ride from Besisahar to Syange. At Muktinath, a local bus will transport you to Tatopani. Likewise, a shared jeep will take you from Nayapul to Pokhara, where a tourist bus will complete your journey back to Kathmandu.

Mandatory permits for the Annapurna Circuit Trek

We must have two indispensable permits for the 15 days Annapurna Circuit Trek which are the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permits. The TIMS, at a fee of NPR 2000 per trekker, will help the concerned authorities to monitor the progress of each trekker in the region while the ACAP at NPR 3000 will allow the trekker to walk uninterruptedly inside the restricted region. We will manage the permit procedure and the fees for you.

Travel Insurance

Please remember that travel insurance is a non-negotiable requirement for our Annapurna Circuit trek for the procurement of obligatory permits. It is not only a formality but also a very important shield that will protect you from all sorts of risks you may have during the trip. Illness, lost bags, sudden changes in the plans, accidents, severe AMS, and loss on the trail are some of the unforeseen events of the treks. In such cases, your travel insurance will look after your financial safety; it will cover the cost of your search and rescue.

It will also compensate you in case of any damage or loss to your belongings, or in case of any delays or postponement of the trip requiring you to stay a few extra days in Nepal. Likewise, your travel insurance will also look after your medical bills in need of hospitalization. Please recheck that your policy includes the services for up to the height of 5500 m for this trek.