*for 15 pax
11 March, 2021
1 December, 2020
What sets the Annapurna Circuit trek apart is its treacherous terrain and a topography which is a favorite of adventure lovers. The views of Annapurna massif as well as other eight-thousanders including Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and Mt. Manasalu (8163 m), are unforgettable. Memories of Manang, a beautiful hamlet, the Muktinath temple which is a holy site for followers of Hinduism and Buddhism and crossing the Thorung La Pass at an altitude of 5416m will remain with you forever.
The Annapurna circuit trek is a difficult hike and requires you to prepare diligently with the target of attaining your peak fitness by the time you land in Kathmandu. The terrain is taxing to your muscles and the thin air at high altitudes increases the risk of altitude sickness. Hence adequate acclimatisation is a must. The treks require two permit cards, which are TIMS, and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Both these cards could be issued at either the Tourism Board Office at Kathmandu or Tourist Information center at Pokhara, open 10 am to 5 pm every day.
Pokhara emergency numbers
- Police: 100
- Tourist Police: 061-462761
- Ambulance: 102
- Charak Hospital: 061535999
- Manipal Teaching Hospital: 061426416
- Nepal Tourism Board: 061465292, 061463029
- Blood Bank: 061521091
The Annapurna Circuit Trek covers a distance of roughly 160 kilometers to 230 kilometers. The entire trek duration is approximately 15 to 20 days, though super-fit and seasoned trekkers have been known to complete the Annapurna Circuit Trek within 14 days.
The duration of the trek also depends on your itinerary. If your itinerary includes embarking on some lesser-known yet spectacular side treks while returning to the base location, then it may get extended.
Annapurna I- 8091 meters tall and the 10th highest peak globally, is one of the stalwarts in the Annapurna Massif. While climbing the Annapurna is very dangerous with a 32% fatality rate, the entire Annapurna Circuit Trek also contains treacherous trails witnessing unpredictable climate. Apart from its snow-covered peaks, the entire Annapurna region is prone to high-velocity wind and snowfall throughout the year and increases the trek's technical difficulties.
Besides, the Annapurna region is a very sensitive avalanche-prone area. The snowstorms and avalanches not only make the trek more complicated, but these are also known to claim the lives of climbers who are on their way to scale the Annapurna.
If you are trekking to the Annapurna Circuit, be mindful of the budget. The Annapurna Circuit Trek cost varies around 20 to 21 USD per day per person, excluding airfare, food, accommodation, and additional gear costs. Ultimately, the average Annapurna Circuit Trek cost varies between 970 USD to 1200 USD per person.
The Everest region is in Eastern Nepal, whereas the Annapurna region is situated in central and north-central Nepal. Thus, it is impossible to see Everest from Annapurna Base Camp or any part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
You can definitely do the Annapurna Circuit Trek solo. Since it is prevalent and one of the classic Nepalese Himalayan treks, you will find many solo travelers on the same trail, and there is a possibility of you buddying up to form small groups.
But there are certain things that you should be wary of. Hiking solo is definitely cheaper than booking the Annapurna Circuit Trek package with renowned travel companies and tour operators. While hiking solo gives you a lot of freedom to go where you want and not stick to a predefined itinerary, it also comes with potential downsides. The cons weigh more than the pros. You have to arrange and organize your tea-house accommodations, or it could happen that you don't find an excellent place to stay. You have to carry all your luggage and permits or recruit local porters and guides from Kathmandu and Pokhara to travel alongside.
A trained professional helps you tread across the treacherous parts of the trail and even identify AMS symptoms. They can also help regulate the speed of the hike. Traveling solo brings safety concerns. Female solo hikers should always look for female porters and travel guides to avoid harassment. Compared to group expeditions, there is a notoriously high rate of solo travelers disappearing en-route.
The starting elevation of the Annapurna Circuit Trek is 760 meters at Besisahar. The Annapurna Circuit Trek's highest point is the Thorung La Pass, situated at the height of 5416 meters.
In the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you cover a trail across the Annapurna Sanctuary to reach the MBC, closely followed by the ABC- situated at 4130 meters. On the other hand, in the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you generally follow an anticlockwise trail spread across central and north-central Nepal to go round the Annapurna Massif and reach the Thorung La Pass- the highest point of the trek, situated at 5416 meters.
There is also a considerable difference between the two treks in terms of distance. While the ABC Trek is 67 km long, the Annapurna Circuit Trek extends from 160 to 230 km. The usual duration of the ABC Trek is 9 to 10 days, whereas it is 15 to 20 days for the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
If you are unsure about the choices before you- ABC Trek or the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you need to consider a few parameters before embarking on the most suitable one.
Fitness and experience: Since the ABC Trek has a lesser length (67 km) and elevation (4130 m) compared to the Annapurna Circuit Trek that is 160 to 230 km long, with the highest point being 5416 m, the latter demands a more significant physical strain than the former. Experience of prior high-altitude mountain expeditions also counts. So if you can bank on your fitness and experience, you can venture on the more difficult one.
Views: Both the ABC and the Annapurna Circuit Trek offer fantastic views. While from the ABC, you will be able to witness the Macchapucchre or the Fish Tail Peak, the Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, etc., the Annapurna Circuit Trek takes you around the Annapurna Massif. It enables you to have exciting views of the Annapurna I- IV, Gangapurna, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak, Paungda Danda, Macchapucchre, etc.
Budget: Though your food and lodging experiences during the ABC Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek are comparable, the latter has a more extensive itinerary. Hence the final budget of the Annapurna Circuit Trek becomes more.
Difficulty level: Both the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the ABC Trek are moderately complex. The drastic gain and loss of elevation and the extensive trails increase the difficulty level, apart from the unpredictable weather conditions. You need to keep a tab on the difficulty level and sort your preferred trail accordingly.
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