Annapurna Circuit

View of Annapurna massif near Manang, Nepal.

The Annapurna Base Circuit trek usually takes about 15–20 days,[1] leaving from Kathmandu with a stopover in Pokhara before returning to the capital.[1] The trail is moderate to fairly challenging and makes numerous river crossings over steel and wooden suspension bridges. Tea houses and lodges along the circuit are available for meals and accommodations. Some groups may opt for tents but these are typically only used for side trips away from lodges such as climbing a peak.[1][2]

Outline Itinerary

Paungda Danda and Marsyangdi river valley near Pisang

Day 01 - From Kathmandu, travel west to Besisahar [820m/2690 ft] via private vehicle or public bus, taking six to seven hours.

Day 02 - Trek to Khudi [790m/2592 ft]

Day 03 - Trek to Bahundanda [1310m/4298 ft]

Day 04 - Trek to Jagat [1290m/4232 ft]

Day 05 - Trek to Dharapani [1920m/6299 ft]

Day 06 - Trek to Chame [2630m/8629 ft]

Day 07 - Trek to Upper/Lower Pisang [3190m/10466 ft]

Day 08 - Trek to Manang [3520m/11549 ft]

Day 09 - Rest day in Manang [3520m/11549 ft]

Day 10 - Trek to Letdar [4250m/13944 ft]

Day 11 - Trek to Thorung Phedi [4500m/14764 ft]

Day 12 - Trek to Muktinath [3800m/12467 ft], crossing the Thorung La en route

Day 13 - Trek to Marpha [2665m/8743 ft]

Day 14 - Trek to Lete [2470m/8104 ft] (now often with car or mountainbike)

Day 15 - Trek to Tatopani [1160m/3806 ft] (now often with car or mountainbike, day 14)

Day 16 - Trek to Ghorepani [2775m/9104 ft]

Day 17 - Trek to Birethanti [1050m/3445 ft] and travel to Pokhara

Day 18 - Return to Kathmandu [1400m/4593 ft] [3] Depending on the speed of the trekkers, number and length of side trips and rest days taken, acclimatization, weather, and where the trek is finished, hiking the Annapurna Circuit can take anything from 8 to 25 days. Many trekkers short on time choose to fly out from Jomsom Airport, which shortens the trek by 6 days compared to the original AC.

It is also possible to continue from Ghorepani to Tadapani, Ghandruk, Landruk, and then to Phedi, which follows the old Annapurna Circuit from the time when the road was not yet extended to Beni. This more faithful variation takes three days instead of the shorter one-day exit from Ghorepani to Pokhara outlined above. A popular addition to the AC is a visit to Annapurna Base Camp, ABC (also called Annapurna Sanctuary). This trail turns to the north from Tadapani and rejoins the old AC at either Ghandruk or Landruk. A visit to the ABC adds about 5 days to the duration of the Annapurna Circuit, slightly less than the normal trek duration to ABC, as trekkers coming from the AC are already acclimatized and "trail hardened".

It is recommended that trekkers take the high trail from Pisang via Ghyaru and Ngawal to Manang, as the views are spectacular and the two villages along the route are some of the best-preserved samples of Tibetan style villages still in their original state. Sleeping in either of these villages assists with acclimatization, as they are located already higher than Manang. Another side trip gaining popularity is the visit to Tilicho Tal, a lake. There are now lodges along the trail and near the lake at the so-called Tilicho Base Camp, so tents are no longer required. If one wishes to cross to Jomsom via the Tilicho route, outdoor camping (and thus a tent) is required.[4] At certain times of year, snow conditions can make the crossing dangerous or prevent it altogether.

In October 2014, Seth Wolpin achieved the fastest known time in 72 hours and 4 minutes. He started in Besisahar and finished in Naya Pull, following all New Annapurna Trekking Trails.[5][6]

It is reported[7] that time has been recently surpassed by Greek athlete and philanthropist Lefteris Paraskevas, who, in May 2017 completed the classic route of the Circuit, from Besisahar to Nayapulin, in 68 hours and 22 minutes.

While much of the Himalayas cannot be trekked in the wet season, much of the Annapurna circuit actually sits within a rain shadow. This means that it is possible to trek most parts of the circuit all year-round, including the monsoon period.[1]

Trekking in the wet season is often encouraged as hikers avoid the crowds that plague the summer months. However, the days are often damp and many of the views are obscured by clouds.

The Annapurna area was opened to foreign trekkers in 1977 after the disputes between CIA backed Khampa guerrillas operating from the area into Tibet, and the local populace and Nepal army were settled. The original trek started from the market town of Dhumre situated at the Kathmandu - Pokhara highway and ended in Pokhara, and took about 23 days to complete. Road construction started in the early 1980s both from Dhumre to the north and from Pokhara to the west and then up the Kali Gandaki valley. The road has now reached Chamje on the Marsyangdi river valley and Muktinath on the Kali Gandaki side. Of the trek's original 23 days, only 5 walking days of the trek are now without a motor road. In places, new trails and routes have been marked so that the road can be partly avoided. The existence of the road has nevertheless changed the area, appearance, and atmosphere of the villages. The road facilitates transport, increasing the popularity of mountain biking in the area. Since 2011, companies in Muktinath and Jomsom rent out mountain bikes to tourists. As the road sees very little traffic, and one can ride downhill (dirt road and/or single track) from Muktinath to Tatopani and descend almost 3000 meters in 2–3 days.

New areas near Annapurna have been opened for trekkers in the past years, such as Upper Mustang, Naar-Pho Valley, Manaslu and Tsum Valley. Currently, trekking these areas is restricted and subject to extra permits, costs, and other limitations.

In October 2014, a sudden blizzard killed over 43 people, half of whom were Nepalese.[10][11] It was caused by the tail end of a dying cyclone which had ravaged the eastern coast of India; there were about 350 hikers caught in the blizzard.[12]

Multiple locations of the trek circuit now have an Internet connection. This multi-district circuit's trekkers can use wireless internet across different districts like in Kaski, Myagdi, Lamjung and Mustang. Cellular 3G is also available at some locations.[13]

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  On the way to thorong la pass
• 
  Back view from Thorong High Camp
• 
  View from High Camp
• 
  on the way to Tilicho Lake Khangsar

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Annapurna Circuit.

• Annapurna Circuit travel guide from Wikivoyage

Terraced land & Begnas Lake view