Annapurna Circuit Trek

Best Time To Travel

Spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November) are considered as the best seasons to complete the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The weather stays dry and clear during these times which makes it ideal for trekking and enjoying unobstructed views of mountains. The days are warm and the nights chilly. On the downside however, these are peak seasons and the trails get crowded and busy.

During spring, the trail is filled with wildflowers. Blue Sheep and Musk Deers, come out to graze on alpine meadows. Walking through the hills covered with colourful blooms, against the backdrop of the snowy Himalayas will seem heavenly.

Autumn is the most popular season for Annapurna Circuit Trek. With the end of wet monsoon season which clears the skies of dust and impurities, you can enjoy crystal clear views during this season. Timing your trek around late September or October will allow you to experience the most important festivals of the Nepalese Dashain and Tihar. These festivals celebrated by Hindus, last for several days. Expect good food, merry-making, dance and music at all the villages along the trail. 

Yartung, one of the oldest festivals in the Himalayan region, is celebrated in Manang, Upper Mustang and Muktinath. It is a horse racing festival where riders from Manang and Mustang compete with each other and show-off their horse riding skills. Though according to custom it is observed for 3 days, the celebration continues for a week. Unfortunately this festival falls during the rainy season (July or August). If you can brave inclement weather, you can be a part of this ancient and wonderful festival. You can do half the circuit and trek only up to Manang and skip the Thorong La crossing.

This trek involves walking across Thorong La (5,416m), one of the highest mountain passes in Nepal, which can be quite risky during bad weather. Taking this route during monsoon or winter season can be hazardous.

Getting to the Annapurna Circuit

The classic Annapurna Circuit route takes around three weeks to complete. It involves walking across two river valleys with diverse cultures and landscape. With the development of a road network in this remote region in the recent years, it is now possible to complete the circuit in a short timeframe two to three weeks.

While the classic itinerary involves trekking from Besisahar or Khudi, now it is possible to drive up to Chame or Lower Pisang and begin your trek from there. The Besisahar-Chame Sadak (Highway) also known as the Manang Sadak is a rough and narrow jeep track built along a steep mountainside. The off-road journey past narrow hair-pin bends, canyons and waterfalls, is an adventure in itself.

To reach the trailhead, you can take a drive directly from Kathmandu to Besisahar and change vehicles to reach the starting point of your trek. If you are in Pokhara you can find local as well as private transportation to whichever point your trek starts (Besisahar, Khudi, Jagat or Chame).

Local buses and micro vans depart daily for Besisahar form Gongabu and Naya Bus Park in Kathmandu. While the micro vans leave at around 6:30 AM and 7 AM the buses depart somewhere around 8 or 9 AM. Besisahar lies 190 km from Kathmandu and it takes nearly six and a half hours drive to reach the place.

 As per our itinerary, your trip lasts for 16 days. You take a ride from Kathmandu to Jagat via Besisahar on a private vehicle. After spending a night at Jagat, you drive further to Lower Pisang via Chame. Your Annapurna Circuit adventure begins from Lower Pisang and ends in Jomsom, from where you take a flight back to Pokhara. The flight, which lasts for around 25 minutes, offers grand views of the Himalayan mountains.  From Pokhara you return to Kathmandu by a tourist bus. Depending on the traffic, it will take around 6 to7 hours to reach the capital city by road.

Entry Permits & Requirements

The permits you need for Annapurna Circuit Trek are – 1) Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit, and 2) TIMS (Tourist Information Management System) card.

Both Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit and TIMS Card can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board’s Office in Kathmandu or Tourist Information Centre in Pokhara.

To get these permits you need to provide the following documents and information:

• Copy of your passport
• 2 Passport-sized photos
• Dates when your trek starts and ends
• Itinerary/route
• Entry and exit points
• Emergency Contact Information (local and home country’s)
• Travel Insurance Details

Permit Fees: Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit: NRS 3000 per person for foreigners, NRS 1000 for citizens of SAARC countries, and NRS 100 for Nepalese.

TIMS Card: NRS 1000 if you are trekking with a guide. NRS 2000 for free individual trekker (FIT). For SAARC country nationals, NRS 300 if trekking with a guide and NRS 600 for a solo trekker.

You won’t have to worry about queuing up to get the permits as the company or our guides will arrange all the permits for you.

Altitude Sickness & Acclimatization

You will be trekking under the foothills of 8000 and 7000 metre peaks and crossing one of the highest mountain passes in the world, the Thorong La (5416m).,  the highest point of your trek. In this environment, there is less oxygen which will lead to breathing difficulty.

To let your body get used to the thin air, you need to walk slowly, steadily and keep your body hydrated. If you try to hasten and walk fast to reach your destination in less time, chances are you may suffer from AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness.

AMS symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue etc., are seen at elevations above 2000 metres.  Taking diamox and a good night’s rest may work for mild cases. Drinking plenty of fluids (water, tea, soup etc.) and keeping your body hydrated will also help to keep the sickness at bay. One should take necessary precautions to ensure that the condition does not worsen. But if the symptoms persist even after taking diamox, one may have to return to a lower elevation and get medical help.

There is a medical aid post run by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) in Manang which offers treatment for high altitude sickness and basic care for minor ailments. In the worst case scenario, an air evacuation will be arranged, where the patient will be flown to Kathmandu or Pokhara to receive medical aid. AMS, if untreated or ignored can take your life.

Annapurna Circuit Trek is a high-altitude trek for which acclimatization is very important. Your body needs time to get used to thin air which can be done by resting at a lower altitude before ascending higher. Our experts have included two days in the itinerary for acclimatization. You will be spending 2 days in Manang (3540m) for acclimatization, so as to adapt your body to thin mountain air before going higher.

The chart given below will give you a rough idea about the level of oxygen in the atmosphere on the trail.

Drinking Water

It is important to keep your body hydrated on the trail as dehydration also causes AMS. One should drink at least 3-4 litres of fluid

Inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, you will find several safe drinking water stations.  We highly recommend you to carry a reusable water bottle with you, one that can hold hot water. You can use one with a steri pen or an inbuilt filtration system like LifeStraw.

You can also use water purification tablets to treat the water. While the water in the mountains tend to be pure and without impurities, it’s better not to take chances and filter or treat the water before drinking.

Using chlorine or iodine tablets to treat the water may alter its taste. You can add flavored electrolyte powder (which are readily available at pharmacies in Kathmandu) to mask the bitter chemical taste. Adding electrolyte to your drinking water may also be beneficial as the minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium etc.) you lose while walking gets replenished.

Teahouses offer boiled and filter drinking water at additional cost. At some stops you will get to buy bottled drinking water. It can cost anywhere from USD 1 to 3. Charges vary according to altitude (the higher you reach, the more expensive it will be) and quantity.

Internet Connectivity

Internet connection (though erratic and irregular at some places) is available in the Annapurna Region. You can connect with your loved ones while trekking, post updates and upload pictures on social media. Wi-fi is available at all teahouses. Teahouses charge extra for using their Wi-Fi hotspot. You can also get a sim card (preferably Ncell) in Kathmandu and purchase internet data to use on your trek.

Packing Checklist for Annapurna Circuit Trek

As opposed to popular belief, you don’t need a lot of complicated gear and equipment for an Annapurna Circuit adventure. Here’s a basic checklist of the most essential items that you should not forget to bring with you during your Annapurna Circuit Trek:

• A sturdy pair of trekking boots with good ankle support
• Rucksack or daypack (30 litres) with waterproof cover
• Trekking pants and waterproof trousers
• T-shirts or shirts
• Down jacket
• Wind/ waterproof light jacket
• Fleece jumper or jacket
• Inner Thermal (top and trouser)
• Socks and underwear
• Sunglasses, sun hat, woolen cap or balaclava
• Inner and outer gloves
• Headlamp, power bank  and extra batteries
• Sun protection cream, wet wipes and hand sanitizer
• Towel, flip-flop or rubber sandal, toiletries
• Water bottle and water purification tablets
• 4 season Sleeping bag
• Sleeping bag liner
• Trekking poles
• Crampons and gaiters

These are only some of the essential items. Find a more detailed list by clicking here.

Most of the trekking equipment are available on hire in Kathmandu. You can keep your baggage light by only packing the most essential items and renting or buying the rest in Kathmandu. Shops in Thamel offer branded as well locally made gear and equipment.

You can leave your spare luggage at your hotel’s storage room. It is completely safe and free. But do make sure to lock your luggage before leaving it at the storage unit.    

Guide(s) & Staff Arrangements

A trek along the Annapurna Circuit takes involves walking under the shadows of 8000 and 7000 metre peaks. You cross one of the highest mountain passes in the world, Thorong La and visit two high altitude mountain lakes (Tilicho lake and Ice Lake).

Having an experienced local guide accompanying you will enrich your trip in so many ways. Trekking with a person who has in-depth knowledge of the mountain will also keep you safe and secure.

When you book a trek with us, we pair you up with one of our local guides. All our guides have an experience of more than 10 years and have a vast knowledge of the area you are visiting. They have completed the trekking guide course and have the required government license to work as a mountain guide. They can communicate in English and have received training on wilderness first aid and crisis management.

The trek will be led by a chief guide or trek leader. For every 4 trekkers, there will be an assistant guide assisting them personally. One porter will carry the luggage of 2 clients. Make sure that your luggage does not exceed 15 kg, as the porter can only carry a weight of 30 kg.

We believe in ethical treatment of our staff. All our Guides and Porters are provided with weather appropriate gear and clothing to battle the harsh weather in the mountains. Before the start of a trek, we ensure that our mountain guides are fully insured. They are given fair wages and treated with respect.

We seriously follow the guidelines set by IPPG (International Porter protection Group) and offer assistance to porters to develop other skills. A portion from the booking fee goes to fund the education of our field staffs’ kids.

Travel Insurance

For Annapurna Circuit Trek, you need a good travel insurance policy that offers you coverage for all activities and altitudes included in your itinerary. The highest altitude you reach is 5416 metres and your travel insurance should offer you suitable coverage up to this elevation.

Though we take your safety as our number one priority, we cannot rule out mishaps and emergencies that may occur at this altitude. There is less oxygen in the environment and trekkers usually suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness, which could prove to be fatal if not treated on time.

Walking on a treacherous mountain environment also exposes you to physical injuries. Therefore make sure that your insurance covers the cost of all injuries and emergencies that you can possibly face during this trekking adventure.

Your insurance policy should especially cover the cost of helicopter evacuation and hospitalization in case of an accident or medical emergency as these happen to be quite expensive. Check for vaccination requirements as some travel insurance policies makes it mandatory to immunize yourself before you leave your country. 

Before you decide on a policy, be mindful and don’t forget to read the fine print. It would be advantageous for you also to choose a company that offers insurance cover on both domestic as well as international flight cancellations and lost or stolen baggage.

Trip Safety

We ensure the safety of our clients by following all safety protocols during the trip. This itinerary has been designed by travel experts and veteran guides who have trekked on this route innumerable times.

To prevent AMS, required number of rest days have been added in the itinerary. Our guides always carry a first-aid kit and pulse oximeter (to measure the oxygen level in your blood) with them. The guides assigned to you have more than 10 years’ experience and know what steps to take during an emergency. They are well-trained in wilderness first aid and crisis management.

If a client shows symptoms of AMS and needs to descend to a lower elevation, an assistant guide will escort him/her and will follow the safety protocol. He will closely monitor the client’s condition and will take the required steps needed for the well-being of the client.

If he/she feels alright after a night’s rest, the guide will escort the client back to join the group. But if the condition worsens, the client will be escorted down to a lower elevation or get air lifted to Pokhara or Kathmandu for expert medical aid.

A typical day on the Annapurna Circuit Trek

A typical day on the trail begins with a wakeup call at around 6 AM by your guide. Freshen up and get ready. Pack your belongings and head to the dining area for breakfast by 7 AM. Check your luggage for the final time and fill your water bottle, before you hit the trail by 8 AM along with your guide.

To avoid walking in the heat and to enjoy clear views of the mountains, you make an early start. En route there will be short breaks to enjoy the views and take photographs. You stop for lunch at a local teahouse around noon or mid-day. After a quick rest of about an hour or 40 minutes, you get back on the trail and continue till you reach your overnight stop.

Upon reaching the stop for the night, you head to your teahouse, check in and have some rest. Tea with some light refreshments (cookies or biscuits) will be served at 5 PM. As the rooms are not insulated, you can warm yourself by the heater or stove in the communal area.

Exchange stories or play cards with other trekkers till dinner is served (around 7PM). After dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s trek – the route you will take, difficulty, where you will stop for lunch etc. Afterwards, retire for the night and have a well-deserved rest.

On average, you may have to walk 5 to 6 hours daily. The toughest day will be Day 12, when you cross Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), one of the highest mountain passes in the world. You have to make an early start on this day to cross the snow covered pass before the trail gets battered by strong winds and fog in the afternoon.

Responsible Travel

Travel responsibly and try to limit any negative impact on the environment. Limit the use of plastic and be mindful about throwing waste in the mountains. When you trek with us, you will be supporting local communities (from the guides and porters to teahouse owners). We as a company support sustainable tourism and patronize local businesses. We partner with service providers who work towards saving the environment.  As an active member of KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project) we make sure that our trips are environment friendly.