Annapurna Circuit Trek

The best time to do Annapurna Circuit trek is from October to November and mid-March to mid-April though the trek can be done round the year. September, October and November is autumn with October being the best month with dust-free trails. November and December is winter, so be prepared for colder days and nights. January expects heavy snowfall over the Thorong La pass and the route might be blocked. But February, March and early April bring warmer days. May is warm at lower regions but brings the risk of pre-monsoon rainfall. June, July and August is the monsoon season with flooding rivers and landslides to the unstable slopes.

Annapurna Circuit trek difficulty level is a moderately difficult trek. The trekking trails of Annapurna Circuit trek are rocky, steep or slippery which also includes a lot of stairways which can add difficulty compared to walking on straight paths. Plus, the high and changing altitude makes the trek a bit difficult. Depending on the season, there can also be snow and ice on the trails especially during winter at Thorong La pass.

Though the trek is a moderately difficult graded hike, anyone with good physical fitness can accomplish this trek. Also, no previous trekking experience or technical experience is required. You are required to walk for four to six hours per day over hilly terrain. If you don’t have a previous trek experience or do not exercise regularly, we recommend that you go for a little exercise and daily walking before your trip. The hardest part of the trek is during the crossing over Thorong Phedi and Thorong La Pass.

Absolutely! You are recommended to get travel insurance that covers even at higher altitudes i.e. up to 5000m. The insurance policy usually doesn’t cover over 3,000 meters of altitude. So, make sure these things while purchasing travel insurance for Annapurna Circuit and read their policies.

At higher altitudes, anyone might experience altitude sickness regardless of how you fit you are or age-difference. Those who haven’t lived at high altitudes may also suffer from altitude sickness (also called as AMS or altitude motion sickness). The highest point on this trek is Thorung La at 5,416 meters so altitude sickness can occur. The best thing to do is walk slow and proper hydration altitude sickness on Annapurna Circuit trek can be prevented.

Family-run lodges often called ‘Teahouses’ are in the Annapurna region. Especially the higher you go accommodation is limited, so the room may differ from a private single/double room to a bed in a dormitory. Annapurna Circuit trek accommodation is very basic accommodation and usually be shared shower and toilet facilities. All lodges have a communal dining hall. Though basic, these teahouses are clean and welcoming, friendly and warm resting place after a tiring day’s trek.

Lodges on the trail offer wide choices for foods and drinks. These contain typical Nepali meals to the continental dishes. Nepali dish ‘Dal Bhat’ with season vegetable and pickle. Or, go for pizza, momo, noodles, macaroni, sizzler, sandwich, burger, etc. Different types of coffee, fruit juice, and alcoholic drinks are also available. If you have booked a package tour then the company handles all costs. But if booked on service only then Annapurna circuit trek food cost to US$25-30 per person per day for lunch/dinner, where breakfast will be included. But on high altitude treks, avoiding alcoholic drinks is a good idea.

Bottled water can be bought or you can take along a bottle and fill the bottle with tap water with purifying tablets. These can be bought in Kathmandu before the trek. Most brands of purification tablets take just 30 minutes before you can drink. Drinking a minimum of 3 to 4 liters of water per day is recommended.

Bringing snacks and protein bars is good. Daily meal includes Dal Bhat – Nepali meal which is already high in carbohydrate. If you bring your own food, lodges may charge you an additional cost.

Yes, and trekking permit for Annapurna Circuit trek includes ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) entry fee and TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card. Annapurna conservation area entry fee is US$30 per person. TIMS card is US$10 per person. Both of the permits are already included while booking so you don’t have to worry about it.

Showers are available at Lodges. Especially the higher up you go there will usually be shared bathrooms in most lodges. A hot water shower needs to be paid per person. As you go higher, the colder it gets and you may have to think for the second time for a shower. Wait just a few days until your descent. Wet wipes can be used to clean your body but in trek it might come expensive. So it is good to buy them in Kathmandu.

You can bring trekking gear from your home country. They can also be bought in Kathmandu at many trekking shops around there. But, most of the trekking gears you get here are not up to standard though are comparatively cheaper. So, it’s up to you to decide.

All the electronics can be charged in lodges with an extra cost of US$2-6 per hour. Further up you go, the price for charging increases.

Sickness depends upon its nature. For mild sickness usually descending to a lower altitude with the help and support of the guide or porter is done. For serious illness, emergency helicopter evacuation service is arranged. Our guide will be in constant contact with us and takes immediate action as per the situation. This is where travel insurance comes covering for a medical evacuation service and other medical expenses. Our guides carry first aid kit with basic medication like simple painkillers, altitude sickness tablets, bandages, balm for muscle aches and medication to treat diarrhea and vomiting. They are experienced trek guides and will take care of you if anything happens to you

Solo trek in Annapurna circuit is possible. You can trek without joining a group or you can even trek without any trekking guide too. The trek is completely safe for solo trekkers. But please keep in mind that it will be safe only if you have prior experience of high altitude treks. Otherwise, chances are a novice trekker walking alone may go through several unexpected complications.

The trail to the Annapurna Circuit is safe if certain precautions are taken. The riskiest and difficult part is Thorung la pass crossing which is one of Nepal’s highest passes. It’s safest to cross from east to west in terms of acclimatizing. Up till Manang trek is not so difficult but it’s a long way up at the pass in high altitude which might cause problems.

Booking the trek with us, we shall provide our experienced trek guide and necessary porters. Hiring a trekking staff or booking an organized trek is not mandatory but doing it individually without experienced staff completely depends upon you.

If you are fit and can carry your own baggage which comes to 15 kg maximum and walking the high mountain terrains then hiring a porter isn’t necessary. Otherwise, hiring a porter is a good idea where you only have to carry your day-pack. The maximum load is 15 kgs each porter.

No luxury accommodations are available at Annapurna Circuit trek trail up till now. But we use the best available lodges which also offer the finest services and the best food.

Tipping is not mandatory but let’s not forget that it has become a custom to show gratitude towards your guide and porters who made it all possible for you to finish the trek. You can give them a certain amount as tips for trekking Annapurna Circuit trek as per your desire at the end of the trek.

Wifi on Annapurna Circuit trek is available but they might charge you for it. Free wi-fi might be found higher than Manang. WiFi can be infrequent, slow or unusable.

Taking along children for this trek is an unwise decision. But if they are old enough to trek for days at high altitudes in a cold climate, it shouldn’t a problem. Make sure, they have prior experiences of a few days hike and high altitudes.

Our trek guide carries a comprehensive first aid kit with basic medication for altitude sickness, cold, diarrhea, headache, etc. All of our guides are trained on mountain wilderness medication.

Your lodge where you get a room provides a blanket. But the blanket can’t be sufficient at all times. To be on the safe side bringing along sleeping bag is suggested which we shall provide and already included in the tour cost.

You do not have to carry much cash if you have booked a full tour package from your travel company since your trek guide shall take care of your accommodation and daily meals. Besides that only a few extra costs incur like for bottled water, charging mobile phones/cameras, shower, extra tea/coffee and of course alcoholic drinks also tipping your guide and porters. So, carrying Nepalese Rupees equivalent to a few hundred USD is recommended.

No, there is no ATM on Annapurna Circuit trek. Exchanging into Nepali rupees before the trek in Kathmandu is the only option.

Usually, it’s about 4-6 hours in most of the days. The walks must be slow and steady.

The maximum number is 15 trekkers. Yes, you can also do this trek privately with your personal guide and porter.

Your hotel where you stay in Kathmandu will store your luggage that you don’t want to take to trek without any charge. Later on, you can pick up your luggage after the trek.

Annapurna circuit trek gear list depends upon the season you travel. During winter warm clothes are suggested. These include down jacket, thermal longs and top, comfortable trekking trousers, t-shirts, fleece, windproof jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves. In monsoon requires rain gears are suggested and in summer, still requires light warm clothing. In most cases, your company already provides down jacket and sleeping bag. Besides, clothing can be purchased in Kathmandu at the Thamel area as well where numerous trekking shops exists with both local and foreign brands.

Annapurna Circuit trek temperatures from October to November at lower regions are generally warm with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. But areas above 4000 meters have a minus degree with freezing weather. March to May is good with crystal clear views with colorful blossoms of rhododendron and other wildflowers of the regions. Lower regions have 10 degrees temperature above 4000 meters is a freezing climate. From June to August is monsoon but Annapurna Circuit is at the rain-shadow area so receive less rain compared to other parts of Nepal. In December and January is the winter season and depending upon the altitude, the temperature varies with an average of 7-12 degrees Celsius on the lower regions and higher elevation has minus degrees even during day time.