Trekking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal
Kit interviews Tracy Pawelski, author of One Woman in the Himalayas about her Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal, where not everything goes as planned. As adventure travelers, having things change or go wrong is something we need to get used to. You can mitigate some of the risks of this kind of adventure by going with one of my tour affiliates, Active Adventures, so miscues become more their problem, plus their experience and local connections can help smooth the way for whatever pivot you end up taking.
Nepal is one of those magical countries that attract trekkers over and over again to hike their majestic Himalayan mountains. With so many cool places to explore in this world, and our limited time and money, I find it is not uncommon for my guests to continue to return to Nepal.
What is the Annapurna Circuit?
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the popular trekking trails in the Annapurna massif in north central Nepal [a massive is a group of mountains formed by a geological fault]. The trail varies in length between 100-145 miles(160-230 km), depending on where you end your trek. Other popular treks include the Annapurna Seven Passes trek and the Annapurna Seven Hills trek. You will see numerous staggeringly high peaks exceeding 20,000’/6000m.
You cross a couple of river valleys and go around the Annapurna massif. Some trek to the high pass, at Thorung La (17769’/5416m), on the edge of the Tibetan plateau. I recommend doing the trek counterclockwise to take advantage of the less aggressive daily altitude gain to allow your body to better acclimatize to the altitude. [See Training for Altitude]. Tracy ended her trek at Manang, along the former Spice Road, at 11,545’/3,519 m.
The Annapurna Circuit trek is considered by many to be the best long distance trek in the world because you hike through multiple ecological zones, from the tropics to the arctics, and pass through fascinating Hindu villages.
When to trek the Annapurna Circuit
There are two good seasons to hike Annapurna: spring and fall, March and April and mid-September through November. The goal is to avoid the June – August monsoons and mudslides, or the snow-covered and freezing trail in the winter.
If you want to see the rhododendrons, choose spring. For the best chance at clear weather to see the towering peaks, choose fall.
Do I need a Guide to hike the Annapurna Circuit?
While you could trek it solo or with your own party, I don’t advise it, particularly because of the high elevations. Plus when you use a local guide (and porter), you are helping to support the local economy.
And your guide can provide priceless information about the history and flora you’ll be seeing. Plus, should somenthing go wrong, it really helps to have someone with boots on the ground local experience to help figure out what to do. And finally, there are many local languages spoken in Nepal, with about 40% speaking Nepali.
It helps to have a translator when you visit the local villages, order food, ask directions and stay in the tea houses along the way. I recommend my affiliate, Active Adventures (similar name, but separate company). Active also offers a trek of the Mustang region as well as Everest Base Camp adventures. You know you’ll be well looked after so all you have to sorry about is your hike.
Listen to my interview with Stan, see his photos, and view his itinerary on his Active Adventures trek of the Annapurna Circuit HERE.
I also interviewed Janet about her trek along the route to Everest Base Camp (just not going that far). You can listen to that episode and see her photos HERE.
Learn how to TRAIN for your Annapurna Trek
Who can Trek the Annapurna Circuit?
If you have no serious health issues, properly train (see links above), and you have a tolerance for altitude , YOU can trek the Annapurna Circuit! Just be sure that you choose a company with an itinerary that allows your body to slowly acclimatize to the increasing altitude.
How Difficult is the Annapurna Circuit?
Tracy rates it a 4 out of 5, mostly due to the altitude. To get the most enjoyment and fulfillment, be sure that you properly train. I find it helpful to overtrain for my backpack weight to help compensate for my inability to train for altitude. Your porter will carry your main, heavy gear, so you just take a daypack. My Adventure Travel Show podcast episode on How to Backpack can teach you how to safely build up your ability to carry increasing weight on your back. See the webpage and listen to the show HERE.
Is Hiking the Annapurna Circuit Dangerous?
Any time you do ANY adventure travel, there is some component of risk. That being said, if you properly train and hire experienced, local guides to help you hike your Annapurna Circuit trek, you should be fine. There is always the risk of some natural disasters, but personally, that wouldn’t prevent me from going.
There have been some freak incidents, such as an October 2014 early season snowstorm that was created when a typhoon merged with an upper trough. This caused avalanches that trapped and killed some trekkers.
Nepal has been working to improve communication with local villages to advise guides and trekkers about forecasted big weather events. However, Nepalise guide standards are not as high as many other countries’, so it is doubly important that you choose a highly trained and experienced local guide! (Another reason I recommend Active!)
There was also a massive earthquake outside of Kathmandu in 2015 that killed many people. Tracy trekked the Annapurna Circuit a few months after this eathquake, and could see that scarcity was still an issue. Nepal is not a wealthy country, so its infrastructure is nothing like what you’d expect from a First World Nation.
How to Get to the Annapurna Circuit
You first fly in to Kathmandu- be sure to spend a couple of days in Kathmandu!
Then you’ll take another flight to Pokhara.
Be sure to get the FREE Travel Planner that will help you not only plan your adventures, but gives you information on flights, State Dept, currency and other important links. Plus, you’ll gain access to ALL Active Travel Adventures travel planners and free downloads from the companion Adventure Travel Show (where you learn the How To’s of adventure travel). Get access HERE!
As the wind blows the prayer flags, prayers are sent out to all sentient beings.
How long does it take to trek the Annapurna Circuit?
It all depends on how far you want to go. Tracy turned around at Manang (11545’/3520m). Active Adventures goes up to the Annapurna Base Camp (13549’/4130m).
As an example, Active Adventures itinerary has acclimatization and cultural time bookending nine days of hiking, to make a fourteen day tour (including the not to be missed monkey temple!).
Meet Tracy Pawelski
Author of One Woman’s Camino and her latest, One Woman in the Himalayas.
Tracy is a (now) avid adventure traveler, who like me, caught the bug and is addicted. In addition to her first long distance walk, the El Camino de Santiago with her daughter, she has walked the West Highland Way with her husband, and of course, the Annapurna Circuit with a hiking buddy she met on the El Camino. See some of her photos below.
Buy her books on Amazon, or wherever books are sold (you can also buy the set):
