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Annapurna CircuitAnnapurna Circuit info, ideas, and photos Sunrise behind the still-unclimbed Macchapuchare or "Fish Tail Peak" from Poon Hill on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Nepal The Annapurna Circuit is trek of approximately 300 km around Nepal's Annapurna Massif, a sub range of the Himalayas, between Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri the 10th and 6th highest mountains in the world. Starting at around 700 meters and reaching an altitude of 5,415 meters at the Thorung La pass, the trek passes through an extraordinary variety of ecosystems, from jungles, to pine trees, to high alpine tundra. The trek follows old paths made by Tibetan traders and the enterprising Manangi people on a natural circuit up and down deep valleys surrounding the Annapurna range. The western side of the trek follows the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. As remarkable as the scenery is, it is the the cultural diversity from village to village, especially as you get off the beaten track, the makes the Annapurna Circuit probably the greatest long-distance trek in the world.
Travelers generally fly to Kathmandu, and spend a couple of days enjoying the rich culture of Kathmandu, arranging their trek, and acclimatizing. Most trekkers then take an early morning plane flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit.
There are plenty of websites and books with straightforward itineraries for Annapurna Circuit treks. Here's our version: Day 1: You'll likely start walking somewhere between Khude (800m) and Bhulbule (830m), depending on what local you can find. Day 2: The hilltop village of Bahundanda will be the first absolutely tail-kicking climb of the trip, and Syange (1,375m) makes a good night's stop and is the current end of the road on this side of the Annapurna Circuit. Day 3: Tal at 1,675m, with its gorgeous waterfall is an unforgettably beautiful overnight. Day 4: Trek to Chame (2,630m) and enjoy this large, vibrant village. Day 5: Try to make it to Pisang (3,190m). The glacially scoured granite cliffs above Pisang are unforgettably smooth. Day 6: Take the high route on this map to Manang (3,530m) through the seldom-visited villages of Ghyaru and Ngawai. You'll see stunning mountain views while the others on the trail in the valley are walking through ho hum terrain-- and it will aid in acclimatization. Day 7: Acclimatization day. Go for a hike, gain some altitude, and come back down to Manang for the night. Day 8 Trek to Letdar at 4,250m, and acclimatize further. Day 9: Bypass Phedi and head for The lodge at High Camp at 4,600m. It's unforgettably cold yet very convenient. Day 10: Wake up at a reasonable hour and cross the Thorung La pass, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit, and descend. Give Muktinath (3,710m) the miss and head down another hour to the fortress town of Jharkot. A road goes all the way to Beni and Pokhara now, but there are great trail alternatives still. Day 11: For the adventurous, take a little used to reputedly very scenic trail from Jharkot down the Panda Kola to Lupra. Trek past Jomsom to Marpha (2,665m) via a little used trail on the E side of the river. Day 12: Trek to Larjung 2,560m. Day 13: Side Trip to Dhaulagiri Ice Fall and overnight at Larjung. Day 14: Trek to Tatopani (1,189m). The Hot springs at Tatopani are a bit over rated, but the Dhaulagiri lodge owned by the Italian woman is freaking amazing. Day 15: Don't underestimate the 1,500 meter climb from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,540m). Day 16: Wake up early and catch the sunrise at Poon Hill (3,210m) and trek to Tikedunga at 1.525m.
Day 17: Trek to Birethati and catch a minibus back to Pokhara.
From Beganas Tal, just a few miles Southeast of Pokhara, it's a pleasant 2-day trek to join the Annapurna Circuit at Khudi. If you're really up for an adventurous start to the Annapurna Circuit, consider starting from Kalaikasthan near Pokhara and taking 9 days to cross the now seldom used Namun Banjang (5,560m) before joining the main Annapurna Circuit at Bagarchap.
Some guidebooks recommend an alternative start in Gorkha, but don't believe them, you'll end up having to walk along the road for 10 miles or ride a bus from the middle of nowhere to actually start the Annapurna Circuit.
It's possible to do a side trip from Manang to Tilicho Base Camp (4,150m) and Tilicho Tal, the world's highest lake at (4,920m). From here it's actually possible to cross over the Mesokanto La (5,099m) to Jomosom in a long day. Otherwise, from Tilicho Base Camp, it's possible to cut over to Yak Kharka on the Annapurna Circuit without having to go back to Manang. If you arrange the permit in Kathmandu in advance, at Koto you'll have an option to leave the main Annapurna Circuit and head up the Nar valley to see the Tibetan village of Nar-- if you have time for this, definitely do it. After acclimatizing a day or two in Nar, don't hesitate to go West out over the 5,210 meter Kang La pass and down to Hongde. From Manang, an excellent acclimatization hike is to go to Gangapurna Base camp on a high ridge to the SW of Manang. Another option is a long day hike up to Tilicho Lake.
From Larjung, consider heading up to the Dhaulagiri Ice Fall for a day trip. It is 10 hours round trip and sections of the path are sketchy, but you will be rewarded with incredible views. This is the highlight of the Annapurna Circuit for many people.
Yes, the road on the Annapurna Circuit goes all the way from Beni to Muktinath now, and busses go from Beni to Jomosom. Still, the consensus is that it's definitely worth it to trek the Annapurna Circuit Head for Tilicho Tal or Nar-Phu for your best chance at seeing snow leopards. If you stay at high camp, don't leave too early, you will be over the pass in good conditions in less than 90 minutes. People often get up too early and get to the pass before sunrise! Get off the beaten track as described in Lonely Planet as much as possible and see some great villages that deserve more western currency, and avoid Jomsom like the plague.
Don't be one of those Westerners who books a camping trek on the Annapurna Circuit. The lodges are amazing and hygenic and far more comfortable than sleeping in a tent.
For mountain viewing the best time is October-November and March-May. It's possible to cross the Thorong La in the winter, and the only issues will be storms and visibility and extreme cold on certain days, but this can make for quite an adventure. During the summer monsoon from Late May to September it is also possible to trek, because much of the Annapurna Circuit lies in the rain shadow of Annapurna. Expect to see fewer clouds and have deceasing rain between Tal and Jomsom. Himalayan Kingdoms has developed an Annapurna Circuit route that avoids most of the road sections Trekking in the Annapurna Region, 4th: Nepal Trekking Guides by Bryn Thomas Annapurna: A Woman's Place (20th Anniversary Edition) by Arlene Blum and Maurice Herzog Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (Lonely Planet) by Bradley Mayhew Trekking and Climbing in Nepal (Paperback) by Kate Harper and Val Pitkethly The Annapurna Circuit A Himalaya Road Less Traveled: A New Traffic-Free Route Through the Annapurna Massif Annapurna Circuit: Ghorepani residents get the jitters as tourist arrivals fall |
  
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