The
Annapurna Circuit is a popular name for a
trek within the
Annapurna
mountain range of central
Nepal. The total length of the route varies between
160–230 km (100-145 mi), depending on where the motor transportation
is used and where the trek is ended. The trek rises to an altitude of 5,400m on
the
Thorung
La pass it is c highest tourist pass, touching the edge of the
Tibetan
plateau. This trek crosses two different river valleys and encircles the
Annapurna
massif,
crossing Thorung La (5416m), the highest pass on this trek. Practically all
trekkers hike the route counter clockwise, as then the daily altitude gain is
slower and crossing the high Thorong La pass is easier and safer.
The mountain scenery, seen at close quarters includes the Annapurna Massif
(Annapurna I-IV),
Dhaulagiri,
Machhapuchhre,
Manaslu, Gangapurna
7455m and
Tilicho Peak (7134m). Numerous peaks of 6000-8000m in
elevation rise from the Annapurna range.
View of Annapurna massif near
Manang.
The trek begins at
Besisahar or Bhulbhule in the
Marshyangdi
river valley and concludes in the
Kali Gandaki Gorge. Besisahar can be reached
after a seven hour drive from
Kathmandu. The trail passes along paddy fields and into
subtropical forests, several waterfalls and gigantic cliffs, and various
villages. Annapurna Circuit has often been voted as the best long distance trek
in the world, as it combined, in its old full form, a wide variety of climate
zones from tropics at 600 m also to the arctic at 5416 m also at the Thorong La
pass and cultural variety from Hindu villages at the low foothills to the
Tibetan culture of Manang Valley and lower Mustang. Continuing construction of
a road has greatly shortened the trail and altered the feel of the villages, so
the "best trek in the world" can’t beanid to hold true anymore.
Standard trek
duration
The trek usually takes about 15–20 days, leaving from Kathmandu with a
stopover in
Pokhara
before returning to the capital. 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
for those destined for side trips away from lodges such as climbing a peak
Outline
Itinerary
Day 1 - From Kathmandu, travel west to
Besisahar 820m
via private vehicle or public bus, taking six to seven hours.
Day 2 - Trek to
Khudi [790m]
Day 3 - Trek to
Bahundanda [1310m]
Day 4 - Trek to
Jagat
[1290m]
Day 5 - Trek to
Dharapani [1920m]
Day 6 - Trek to
Chame [2630m]
Day 7 - Trek to Upper/Lower
Pisang [3190m]
Day 8 - Trek to
Manang
[3520m]
Day 9 - Rest day in Manang [3520m]
Day 10 - Trek to
Letdar [4250m]
Day 11 - Trek to
Thorung Phedi [4500m]
Day 12 - Trek to
Muktinath [3800m], crossing the
Thorung La
en route
Day 13 - Trek to
Marpha
[2665m]
Day 14 - Trek to
Lete [2470m] (now often with car)
Day 15 - Trek to
Tatopani [1160m] (now often with car, day 14)
Day 16 - Trek to
Ghorepani [2775m]
Day 17 - Trek to
Birethanti [1050m] and travel to
Pokhara
Day 18 - Return to Kathmandu [1400m]
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 form 8 to 25 days. Many trekkers
short on time choose to fly out form Jomsom airfield, which shortens the trek 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 the shorter 1 day exit from Ghorepani to Pokhara
outlined above. A popular addition to the AC is a visit to Annapurna Base Camp,
ABC, (not to be confused with the
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 form 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 those two villages are the best
preserved samples of Tibetan style villages still in the original state along
the route. Sleeping in either of these villages helps acclimatization, as they
are located already higher than Manang. Another side trip gaining popularity is
the visit to
Tilicho Tal (lake). There are now lodges along the
trail and near the lake at so called Tilicho Base Camp, so tents are not needed
anymore. If one wishes to cross to Jomsom via the Tilicho route, at least one
tent camp is required and snow conditions might prevent the crossing or make it
dangerous.
History and future
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 form
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
early eighties 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 all the way to Muktinath on the Kali Gandaki side. This means
that out of the original 23 days only 5 walking days of the trek is still
without a motor road. It is apparent that there will be a road around the whole
Annapurna Massif before 2017. In places new trails and routes have been marked
so that the road can be partly avoided. The existence of the road has
nevertheless totally changed the area and the appearance and the atmosphere of
the villages.
New areas near Annapurna have been opened for trekkers in the past years,
like Upper Mustang, Naar-Pho Valley, Manaslu and Tsum Valley. These can partly
replace the lost charm the roadless Annapurna had, but at the moment trekking
these areas is restricted and subject to extra permits, costs and limitations.
http://www.nepalguideinfo.com/Annapurna-circuit-Trek.php
Email-:sanjib-adhikari@hotmail.com
Mobile+9779841613822
P.O. Box= 4453 Thamel Kathmandu Nepal
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