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Annapurna Circuit Trek, Nepal
Mysterious and Exotic, Nepal holds prime position in the imagination of every mountain lover and trekker in the world. It is home to the bulk of the Himalaya and of course Mt. Everest, planet Earth’s highest peak. In fact, of the world’s 14 highest peaks, 8 are in Nepal. It is also the birthplace of Buddha and home of the famed porters and mountain climbing Sherpa. This mixture of mountains and ancient culture make Nepal a magical land of superlatives and an absolute delight for trekkers..
Himalaya means Abode of the Snows and of course the main purpose of any self respecting pilgrimage to Nepal is to reach out to the Himalaya. To touch a piece of these wild and jagged abodes. To feel their power. And of course, to walk among the high peaks and deep valleys. To trek. And Nepal is perhaps one of best places in the world to do just that. Considering that 80% of the villages of Nepal are not connected to roads, walking is the way everybody and everything (carried by porters) gets around. So as a result trekking is just natural here.
The Annapurana circuit has changed much over the years, but the one constant is its status as one of the world's greatest treks. Currently most trekkers completing most or all of the circuit start in Besi Sahar and end at any one of various villages after a spectacular views of some of the most spectacular mountains in the Himalays: Annapurna, Gangapurna, and Annapurna II through IV.
While there are many variations in the trek that allow you to shorten your trip, the most fulfilling is to follow the circuit all the way around, seeing multiple views of each massif, experiencing the delights of the many villages, variations of scenery, and wildlife.
While Mount Everest often captures the general public's eye, the trek around Annapurna is often considered superior to the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek. Although considerably longer than the Everest Trek, it does offer a greater variation in villages and landscape. While Everest also seems to capture attention for it's dangerous summits, Annapurna has proven to be a much more formidable mountain to climb with one person dieing for every two that make its summit.
While there is no one particular highlight that crowns this incredible trek, certainly the most physically challenging portion of the trek is crossing the Thorung Lo Pass at 17,600 feet. Although lower than Kala Patar and the same height as Gokyo Ri, the pass can be much more challenging as your trek across at high altitude is much longer than summiting a mountain and coming back down quickly.
Fundamentals Days Trekking: 15-21 days
Highlights
When to Go The prime trekking seasons in Nepal are fall and Spring. Fall in Nepal is October to early December and the Spring season runs from mid March to mid April. Fall offers clearer skies and more crowds on the trails. Spring presents a greater possibility for dusty or hazier skies Spring also gives you a chance to see the spectacular Rhododendrun Trees in bloom. Be aware that starting your trek too early could result in a shortened trek as the Thorung La Pass could be closed.
Guided vs Independent Treks Nepal is perhaps the birthplace of the independent tea house trek. In the “old days” before guided treks, travelers ventured forth into the mountains going from village to village and staying at the same little tea-houses where locals stopped for a night rest and a cup of tea on their own journeys to and from their homes in the mountains. more...
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Orientation The Himalayan range crests across northern Nepal sharing the border with Tibet. The Solu Khumbu Region which is home to Mt. Everest is 200 kilometers east of the Nepali capital of Khatmandu. Lukla is at the meeting point of the Himalayan foothills and the Himalayn Range. The trail winds north towards the village of Gokyo and then up to the Summit of Gokyo Ri. Everest itself saddles the Border between Nepal and Tibet.
Elevation
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Access / Local Information
Kathmandu is the gateway for most Himalayan Treks. The Du is an easy flight from Bangkok, a little longer from Hong Kong and a puddle jump from New Delhi, India. You can also cross in to Nepal by land from India.
Kathmandu is a traveler’s paradise. Everything you need is available here. Hotels in any price range, culinary feasts of any world wide cuisine, cheap and fast internet access and a wealth of western bookstores are found in Kathmandu’s honky-tonk backpacker ghetto of Thamel. Furthermore, any trekking gear, souvenir and supplies you need can be had in the myriad of shops around Thamel.
The start of the trek is Besi Sahar which can be reached by a local bus. Some might prefer a tourist bus to Phokara and then a local bus to Besi Sahar, however the local bus was not overly inconvient until it got close to Besi Sahar. Many locals hop on and off there, but whether you take a tourist bus to Phokara or not, you'll still have this experience.
Day to Day Account - Jeff Salvage - Annapurna Circuit
My trek to Annapurna was my third trek in Nepal and took place directly after my trek to Goyko Ri around Mount Everest. Here’s the story from when we returned to Kathmandu and journeyed to Besi Sahar and the rest of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
