Annapurna Circuits Trek – 22 days

Annapurna Circuit trek is one of the great walks of the world, making a complete circuit of the huge Annapurna Massif in central Nepal; Annapurna Circuit trek provides dramatic mountain scenery and a fascinating mix of local people and culture. Starting from Besisahar, we head north up the Marshyangdi Valley, through lush green foothills and terraced rice fields. Climbing higher we progress through alpine forests to a dry desert region and the Tibetan Buddhist village of Manang. During  Annapurna circuit trek you can have the superb view of Lamjung, Himalchuli, Manaslu and the Annapurnas tower spectacularly over the valley.

Annapurna Circuit trek, the mountain scenery, seen at close quarters includes the Annapurna Massif (Annapurna I-IV), Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, and Paungda Danda. Numerous other peaks of 6000-8000m in elevation rise from the Annapurna range.

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 or two hours drive from Pokhara. The trail passes along paddy fields and into subtropical forests, past several waterfalls and gigantic cliffs, and through various nomadic villages.

Annapurna Circuit trek has been voted the best long-distance trek in the world, as it combined, in its old full form, a wide variety of climate zones from the tropics at 600m to the Thorong-La pass at 5416m and cultural variety from Hindu villages at the low foothills to the Tibetan culture of Manang Valley and lower Mustang.

While trekking in the Himalayas in the wet season is generally not possible, much of the Annapurna circuit sits within a rain shadow, so it is possible to trek most parts of the circuit year-round, including during the monsoon period. Trekking in the wet season is often encouraged as hikers avoid the crowds that plague the summer months. However, the days are often damp and many of the views are obscured by clouds.

The main season for Annapurna Circuit Trek is from October and November and this is the most popular trekking season in Nepal. Though the weather is generally warm, nighttime temperatures drop below freezing. This is the busiest period on the circuit and tea houses book up very quickly.

However, December to February is the coldest period on the circuit. Depending on the altitude, daytime temperatures will be cold and nighttime temperatures drop well below freezing. The trade-off is that the trails are much less busy. Thorung-La Pass, which stands at over 5400 meters, is often blocked with snow and may be closed for days on end. Unless the snow blocks most trails, tea houses remain open during this period. Clouds prevail more frequently, but clear days are still common. Towards March the rhododendrons start flowering.

You can also opt for April to May, is the second most popular trekking season on the Annapurna circuit, because of the warming weather. Most of the snow has melted. As the monsoon period builds toward the end of May, the days become hotter and more humid.

The highlight of this trek is crossing the famous Thorung-La Pass (5416m) to enter the Kali Gandaki Valley and the long descent to the Hindu temple at Muktinath. We continue down through the deepest gorge in the world before climbing to Ghorapani. Awaking early we ascend Poon Hill (3193m) for a sensational sunrise with views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. We return to Pokhara takes us through delightful villages and ends at weeks long trek in Pokhara.