Annapurna Circuit Trek- 17 days

Best Season

The Annapurna Circuit trek 17 days trip is ideal in two flavorful seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September-November). In spring, the piled snow along the trail of the Thorong La Pass melts, and the entire Annapurna terrain bursts with blooming rhododendrons.

In autumn, the weather will be pleasantly warm with the clearest blue sky above the head and the white Himalayas always shining in the distance.

It is, however, best that you avoid the Annapurna Circuit trek in the summer/monsoon of June and August due to flooded trails and hot, humid air.

A winter (December-February) hike will be possible, but reaching Thorong La Pass will be a bit problematic due to thick snow.

Difficulty Level

The Annapurna Circuit trek is classified as a level III Upper Intermediate mountain hiking adventure stretching about 230 km in length with a maximum height of 5416 m.

The overall Annapurna Circuit trek route is nontechnical with no need for the usage of any special gear. Thus, the trek is meant for individuals over 15 years of age who are in their prime health and who enjoy walking for long hours in nature.

Additionally, you don’t need to possess a hiking background to be a part of the Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary. The main strain comes from the long walking days and the rising altitude.

The particularly tough days will be when you cross the pass and then descend around 1600 m to Muktinath. Also, sleeping in the alien-like dry land of Thorong Phedi can be quite difficult.

Is the Annapurna Circuit Trek made for Beginners?

The new adventurers and backpackers, enjoying good health and fitness, can actively take part in our Annapurna Circuit trek. This trek is completely lodge-based, and the accommodations are extensive, with the basic comfort that you need for a night.

Additionally, an experienced guide and porters from Prime Holidays will be with you the entire time of the Annapurna Circuit trek. They will not only guide you but also assist you in challenging sections, motivate you, and provide you with support.

There will be some days that can be grueling, but once you are surrounded by the magical Himalayas, you will instantly forget about all your frustrations.

Also, 12 days of walking is doable even if you have a basic level of fitness. Therefore, if you enjoy adventure, a little challenge, love to be in nature, and want to experience a unique culture, you all can come on our Annapurna Circuit trek 17 days journey.

However, because of the varied high elevation terrain, those with cardiovascular issues must take the advice from their doctors before participating in the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Altitude Sickness/Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS and Prevention

The altitude and the varied terrain are the main worries on our Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary. You will begin your adventure from green low rich forest lands and end in the dry high air of the lower Mustang.

Also, elevation on the trek will keep on increasing, though gradually. To provide our bodies enough time to get used to the environment of the high elevations, we have therefore placed rest days in Kathmandu and Manang, and short hikes before reaching the pass.

Even after these preventive steps, some individuals may have trouble sleeping and eating. They may also feel shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and dizziness.

These symptoms mean you are having the early signs of altitude sickness. If these occur, you should immediately inform our guide, who can stop your ascent or take you down till you get better.

Please respect the decision of our guide as he is not only trained, but also a local of the area and experienced. To improve quickly, please hydrate with 3 to 4 liters of water and fluid, rest plenty, and walk slowly.

Also, keep your body warm and take Diamox if symptoms don’t improve. However, make sure that you don’t have any contraindications for the medicine.

Training and Preparation

The key to a more enjoyable mountain hiking experience lies in adequate physical preparation. This is essential, no matter how many times you have hiked before or if it is your first time.

The Annapurna Circuit trek is one such challenge where your physical strength and fitness will be tested repeatedly, especially on the day of crossing Thorong La Pass.

Thus, you need to be both physically and mentally prepared for the ups and downs of the terrain, along with those long walks. Start your preparation and physical training at least three months in advance.

Focus on improving your cardiovascular health with aerobic workouts like walking, running, swimming, and skipping. Stair climbing will be the best way to prepare yourself for the hilly terrain. Similarly, going on a mountain hike will also help you get ready to face the altitude.

Accommodation, Meals, Drinks, and Transport

As a thorough service on our Annapurna Circuit trek 17 days trip, we will manage for you the detailed logistics of the trip. For three nights in Kathmandu and one night in Pokhara, you will have a very nice and clean double room in a three-star medium hotel.

You can also upgrade it if you like, to a more lavish four or five-star hotel at some surcharge. On the trail of the Annapurna Circuit trek, you will stay in nice, comfortable mountain lodges.

You will have a double bedroom, a hot shower in your bathroom, WiFi, and charging utilities. However, in Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi, you may have to settle for a little bit more modest setting.

In terms of your food arrangement, breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the trek will be looked after. We will also treat you to a special cultural dinner at the end of the Annapurna Circuit trek in Kathmandu.

Drinks and beverages will, however, be on your own throughout the Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary.

As for your traveling, we will offer you a private transfer to the airport (national and international) and hotel. A local bus will take you to Besi Sahar from Kathmandu. Here, we will switch you to a local sharing jeep for your transfer to Jagat.

Likewise, a local bus will again carry you to Tatopani from Muktinath, while a private vehicle will be ready for your transfer to Pokhara from Nayapul. At the end of the Annapurna Circuit trek, we will arrange for you a deluxe tourist bus for your transfer to Kathmandu from Pokhara.

Note

Here we would like to point out that you can also upgrade your transportation to a private jeep if you like, for all your ground transfers that occur during the Annapurna Circuit trek. You can also enjoy a short mountain flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara. A small surcharge will be charged for these additional upgrades.

Permits for the Annapurna Circuit Trek

As per the revised guidelines by the Nepal tourism board, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card will be absolutely needed for the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Many online information suggests the TIMS Card is not essential, but please understand it is compulsory for the trek. The permit costs vary according to nationality, which are as follows:

• ACAP Permit cost for foreign nationals is NPR 3000 per person and NPR 1000 per person for SAARC Nationals
• TIMS Card for foreign nationals is NPR 2000 per person, and NPR 1000 per person for SAARC nationals
• Children under ten years of age do not require these permits

Note

The TIMS Card will not be granted to individuals but only to government-registered travel agencies who will organize your trek in the compulsory company of a local registered guide. Prime Holidays will be organizing these permits on your behalf, and the fees are also incorporated in our trip cost.

Another Route to the Annapurna Circuit Trek and Its Possible Extension

The Annapurna Circuit trek usually goes counterclockwise, which is the safer and more popular option. However, you can also go clockwise around Annapurna if you like.

The clockwise route of the Annapurna Circuit trek will start from Pokhara, passing through lower Mustang towns like Kalopani, Marpha, and Kagbeni.

From here, you will head to Muktinath and, crossing the Thorong La Pass, you will reach Manang. Then, navigating the trail through Pisang, Chame, and Dharapani, you will end your trek in Besisahar, returning to Kathmandu.

If you like a more quieter path, then you can also choose to walk through more secluded villages of Annapurna such as Ghalegaon, Bhujung, Ridge Camp, Joli Kharka, Thulo Tal, Phulu, Kori, Tasa Kharka, Sikles, and Ghawchok, ending back in Pokhara.

If Thorong La Pass seems too much of a challenge for you, you can also choose to take on the Kang La Pass (5320 m), which will direct you to Nar and Phu Valleys, which are the two pleasing options to extend your Annapurna Circuit trek.

Another potential and very pleasing option to extend your Annapurna Circuit trek will be going to the Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m), or to Lake Tilicho.

Travel Insurance

Please remember that travel insurance is not only formally required for getting the Annapurna Circuit trek permits, but it is also your very important protection against various risks that can occur during your journey.

When you are in the mountains, you may face accidents, serious AMS or injuries, unexpected major changes, or you may even get lost on the trail due to some natural factors.

Such circumstances often involve your rescue by helicopter, which may be very hefty if you don’t have your insurance covering for you. Therefore, for the Annapurna Circuit trek, please place the particular specification for the helicopter transport and rescue coverage up to 5500 m altitude.

Additionally, specify the coverage that will compensate you for any damage or loss to your belongings and any delays that may require you to stay longer in Nepal. Make sure that your insurer also takes care of the medical bills in case of any illness or hospitalization.

Charging your Gadgets

The Annapurna region is now well-developed, with a steady supply of electricity and cozy lodges along the way that offer rooms with their own electric outlets.

This means you can easily charge your electronic devices in your room. However, the lodge owner may charge an extra fee for this service. Please remember you may not get this utility in Thorong Phedi and Yak Kharka, where you may have to make use of the common charging outlet at the dining hall or reception area.

Cellular Reception and Internet/WiFi

Many of you may want to just activate the roaming on your mobile. However, the affordable way will be to get a SIM Card from Ncell or Nepal Telecom.

There are many retail shops in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and various lower towns in Annapurna that sell these SIM Cards. We suggest you buy a SIM Card from Nepal Telecom, as it has better coverage and signal strength in the high mountain areas of Nepal.

You can also get an eSIM from these providers online and activate it when you get to Kathmandu. They provide 4G internet for internet surfing too.

As for WIFi, it is available in almost all the lodges along the Annapurna Circuit trek, which may be charged on an hourly basis.