The Annapurna Circuit

The Annapurna Circuit

Circling the entire Annapurna Massif, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is a long distance route that varies between 160-230km in length. It can take anywhere between 12 to 22 days. The highest altitude gained is 5,416m at the Thorung La Pass. Beginning in the town of Besisahar and ending in Pokhara, each individual journey varies and can be altered to fit individual needs/capability. Some take short cuts or detours and others schedule a rest day. Along the route trekkers are treated to some absolutely stunning scenery, including all of the mountains in the Massif (Annapurna I, II, III and IV as well as Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre). 

In terms of difficulty, it is hard to accurately label it all depending on an individual's physical and mental strength. The trek is long and its altitude can be tough but there are certain measures that can be taken in order to prepare yourself for the journey. 

Drink lots of water and take it slow. To put it into perspective, at the treks highest point Thorung La Pass there is only half the available oxygen you would have at sea level. It is important to listen to your body and rest when needed, we would recommend you familiarise yourself with the symptoms of altitude sickness so you are aware. Your guides are an invaluable resource who are very experienced, so rely on them and seek help when needed. 

Most people follow the route outlined above (Besisahar to Pokhara) which is anti-clockwise, this gives you almost two weeks to get used to the altitude before hitting the Thorung La pass. If you were to go clockwise, you would only have two days to acclimatise which is quite the undertaking! 

Annapurna has been consistently rated in the top ten best treks on the planet and it's not hard to understand why, the route allows visitors to experience pretty much everything the Himalaya has to offer. You will wander through a great variety of landscapes including sub-tropical forests, low-lying villages, agricultural pastures and of course the imposing mountain scapes. The Annapurna Massif is front and centre at all times the trek skirts around the Massif allowing you to get up close and personal with the majestic peaks. A real bonus of this route is that it is a circuit, so no two days or in fact two views are the same! You will be staying in tea houses along the route and these, and their owners are known for their hospitality. Not only do they provide you with some truly excellent local food, they give you the opportunity to meet and get to know fellow trekkers and local people all of which, I'm sure, have fascinating stories to tell. 

Ultimately, the Annapurna Circuit is truly a once in a lifetime trek and the perfect Himalayan adventure.

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