Annapurna Circuit Trek:

Challenging human strength and limitation, Annapurna Circuit trek is a complete trekking package that offers adventure, and scenic views. Due to its popularity, this trek has been rated as one of the top ten treks in the world. It starts off with a warm lowland trek through villages that offers you a glimpse of local culture. We will initially follow the river Marshyangdi upstream along an easy trail that undulates over and around hills and gradually gains height. The higher we get the more the scenery changes, and also the culture and ethnic makeup of local people amazes you with their rich culture and tradition. By the sixth day of trekking, we will be in the high alpine valley of Manang, surrounded by snow capped peaks to the south, barren moonscape hills to the north.

We come across typical villages; ancient monasteries and High Mountain pass thorung la, to leave Manang valley, and Kali Gandaki valley to Muktinath. We make a long steady descent passing apple orchards and quaint whitewashed villages ending the descent at the hot springs of Tatopani. Poon Hill then welcomes you with a dazzling Dhaulagiri range. From here it's a scenic descent through Gurung villages and eventually for a well earned rest at the pretty lakeside town of Pokhara

Length:

Days: 23

Highest Point: Thorung La (Pass) – 5416 m

Difficulty Level: Easy

Highlights:

·         One of the top 10 trekking destinations in the world

·         Complete circuit of Annapurna Mountain Ranges

·         Passes through one of the most sacred holy sites of Hindus (Muktinath)

·         Passes via one of the most sacred holy sites of Hindus (Muktinath)

·         Hike over challenging pass of Thorung la at 5416 meter

·         Passes through the deepest gorges on the planet of Kali Gandaki River

·         Geo thermal hot Spring Bathing Pool in Tatopani

·         Superb  vistas of 7000 and 8000 meter peaks including Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges

·         Explore Mustang-the last forbidden kingdom and Bonpo Religion in action at Thini and Lupra villages

·         Walk around the high alpine valley of Manang

·         World's classic, most diverse and stunning teahouse treks

Trip notes:

A typical day:

Generally, on camping trips, you will wake up at 6 or 7 am with a cup of tea and bowl of hot water for washing. You wash and get ready, and before breakfast pack your gear into your kitbag which will be carried by a porter. You will get your kitbag in the afternoon when we reach camp. Breakfast will be outdoors or in the dining tent, and after breakfast you walk for 2, 3 hours. Lunch is generally served at 11 am on trail. You will get about an hour break during lunch when you can rest, write a diary, talk or do anything you like. After lunch, we walk for 2 to 3 hours and reach to camp late afternoon. All tents and gear are already set up by the time you arrive, and you are greeted at camp with tea and snacks. Stow your gear in your tent where your kit bag will also be waiting, and freshen up before dinner, again served in the dining tent. On teahouse treks, it’s pretty much the same routine but you have rooms to sleep in, a dining room to eat in (often with food you can order of the menu) and proper toilets with running water and showers. Lunch on teahouse treks are on lodges on the way.

Accommodation: For the first two days you will be accommodated in Shanker Hotel with only breakfast. You have to manage you Lunch and dinner where you need not to worry as restaurants and dinning places are available within corners.  On ‘tea house’ treks, we use lodges which though comfortable, may be basic compared to European standards.  Most lodges on trek offer wholesome food, comfortable to basic rooms and common hot showers and toilets. Some use solar water heaters but these are entirely dependent on fine weather, so you cannot always rely on them. Meals are served in a common dining hall. On camping trips, we will have our own chosen campsites. Often on private campsites with showers rooms and toilets, but also often we stay in wilderness, which consist of a dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent and two person tents for sleeping.

Meals: With this package you get 21 breakfasts, 19 lunches and 19 dinners. The menu varies daily and in teahouse treks you can choose food from the lodge menu, while on camping trips, the kitchen turns out comprehensive meals 3 times a day, besides tea and afternoon. Beside included meals, guests need to pay for packaged and alcoholic drinks they may purchase, as well as for souvenirs, laundry, optional sightseeing. The prices of meal and drinks may be different in different locations.

Money: All meals and accommodation are covered by within trip cost, but you carry spending money while on trek to take care of purchases you may make on journey. About 4000 Nepali Rupees per person per day should be adequate in most cases. There are no ATM’s on most treks, the only ATM’s are in Kathmandu city or in larger towns or cities, so it’s best to carry cash on trek.  It is recommended you use a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of cash and other valuable items, and though our staffs are trustworthy, the ultimate responsibility for safekeeping of money rests with the guest. American dollars and Indian rupee are easily accepted in most of the places and all major banks of Nepal and licensed money exchangers can exchange hard currencies into Nepali rupee. Indian 500 and 1,000 rupee notes are not accepted in Nepal.  Credit cards are not accepted by all businesses, restaurants, or hotels and you should check with your guide about where you may or may not use them. Traveler’s cheque, visa card, master card and other international cards are easily accepted in Kathmandu but may not be accepted while on trek.


High Altitude Sickness: Since this trip goes with in a variation of altitude changes, one has to be careful. The highest point during this trekking is at Thorung La (Pass) which 5416 m. Guests may suffer from altitude sickness if they travel rapidly to elevations above 3,000 meters. Most itineraries are however geared to make a reasonable ascent minimizing altitude sickness possibilities.  Typical symptoms of altitude sickness are persistent headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, disorientation and loss of balance, persistent cough and difficulty in breathing.  The immediate and best solution for acute mountain sickness is descent to lower altitude. In the absence of such an option, a medical evacuation by helicopter may be necessary or if possible, the use of a Hyperbaric chamber (Gamov bag).  Our guides and tour leaders will be monitoring group health on all treks that take us to altitude, and though not common, it is sometimes necessary to take clients off trek and descend to lower altitudes for their safety. For more information on altitude sickness, please visit (provide link to detailed info on site).

The tour leaders can exclude anyone if they feel that the very person is not fit, healthy and is not able to complete the tour.

Weather: The climate may be freezing or very low which may drop to -20 degree Celsius during the evening, night and early morning. The daytime temperatures may be generally between 20- 35 degree Celsius. The weather can change and snow fall may occur at any time at higher altitudes.

Mountain flights:  The flights to and from Pokhara are a spectacular journey and a highlight of any trip to Nepal. Unlike the small mountain airstrips that use small aircraft and are often unreliable due to weather delays, this flight is from the major airport of Pokhara to the capital of Kathmandu. The many flights between these two cities use larger aircraft and have frequent schedules. The views of the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang ranges are breathtaking.

Visa information: Travelers can apply for Nepalese visa from Nepalese embassy or consulate office situated nearby. They can also get a visa from Tribhuvan International Airport or from any other entry point in Nepal if they have no time to visit an embassy, or are not travelling from their home country. Visitors should have a few sets of photos, a passport, and required money to apply for visa.

Note: All visas sold on arrival are multiple entry visas and are available to cover 3 different durations of visit: US$25 for 15 days, US$40 for 30 days, and US$100 for 90 days. Please ensure you purchase the duration sufficient to cover your whole visit including days of entry and exit. Please do note that these durations refer to each country into Nepal e.g. 15 days for each entry

Visa extensions: Visitors can extend their visas from the immigration offices of Kathmandu and Pokhara only. They need to pay US $30 for 15 days extension, US $ 5 per day after 15 days and US$50 for multiple- entry visa. If visitors overstay then they need to pay a fine of US$3 per day if they overstay less than 30 days (plus a US$2 per day visa extension fee).

Health and travel insurance: Visitors should visit their personal physician or health clinic 4 or 8 weeks before coming to Nepal and vaccinate themselves. Travel and medical insurance is a must, and should include coverage for emergency flights and medical expenses.

Packing tips:

• Warm clothes for cold weather, including a set or two of thermal inner wear.
• Water and wind proof outer shell jacket and pants.
• Walking clothes like lightweight loose trousers, shorts and comfortable and cool shirts.
• Rain ponchos, wool socks, broken in walking boots, long trousers, warm hats, gloves, bandana, trekking poles, cap/hat for walking in the sun
• Sleeping bags if you have them.
• Travelers wearing lenses should carry plenty of lenses solution and backup prescription glasses.
• Sunglasses or ski glasses if walking in snow or high altitudes
• Basic first aid kit and personal medication.
• Sunscreen and sun hat help.
• Water purifiers like iodine tablets, filters etc.
• Best chances to see snow leopard at Tilicho Tal or Nar-Phu
• Headlamps with spare batteries.
• Hand sanitizers.
• Photocopies of passports and other important documents
• A travel guide book and map.
• Cameras and carrying cases
• For a comprehensive packing list, see (link to site on trekking FAQ).

FAQs:

What is the trekking route?

Kathmandu/ Besishar/ Syange/ Danakyu/ Bharthang/ Pisang/ Manang/ Throung La pass/Muktinath /Tatopani( natural hotspring)/ Ghorepani Poonhill/ Ghaundrung village/Pokhara.

What are the best seasons for this trek?

The best season for this trek are February, March, April, May, June, September, October , November and early December.

What kind of Trekking is this?
Annapurna circuit trek is a challenging trek, which demands higher concentration and physical fitness. If you are healthy and can walk 5 to 6 hours daily, you can do this trekking. However, daily jugging or walking exercise is useful before you depart. The trekking package has been designed understanding the geography and terrain so it’s very adventuring and exciting.  

What meals facilities do I get during the trekking?

With this program 21 breakfasts, 19 lunches and 19 dinners are covered in the program fee. Please be prepared to pay for non-included meals. Please note that costs for drinks and meals can vary depending on location and the prices.

What is climate of Annapurna circuit Trek?

The temperatures vary from about 28°C/80°F to 35°C/95°F at lower elevations to around 10°C/50°F higher up during the day time whereas during night and early morning, the temperature will be considerably lower, and may drop to freezing or a few degrees below.
Snow fall is unpredictable depending upon time and situation.

What to carry?

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rain jacket, water bottle, film and camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, etc. Porters and mules carry all group gear and your trek pack.