Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty
Since the Annapurna Circuit Trek involves circling the tenth-highest mountain, Annapurna I (8,091 m) along with other nearby mountains and peaks, you can expect it to be challenging.
Based on our experiences of guiding thousands of tourists, Mount Glory labels the Annapurna Circuit trek’s difficulty level as ‘strenuous’. Allow us to explain why is this so.
Firstly, the highest point of the trek is Thorang La Pass (5,416). That’s almost equivalent to a peak, and once you’re here, you feel as if you’ve climbed a mountain!
Not just that. You’d be sleeping in the high-altitude region of Thorang Phedi too (4,600 m). Considering these, the risk of altitude sickness in this Annapurna Circuit trek is extremely high.
Besides high altitude, getting to the destination is itself a challenge. Rugged terrains, steep inclines, and relatively longer walking distance are the other factors too.
The question stands—are you physically fit enough to do this trek then? Unlike other normal trekking, you have to walk nearly 9-10 hours in some of the days to complete the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Considering you have knee pains, backache issues, or other significant health problems, the trek can be a challenge for you. Note that 12 days in a rural region isn’t a joke. You won’t have all those facilities that you enjoy as a city dweller.
While we’re not discouraging you from doing the trek, it’s still essential that you keep your mentality strong throughout your journey. You should be able to keep up with the locals while also respecting their values and norms.
Since you’re here reading about a strenuous trek, we hope you can do it. Nonetheless, there are still other natural problems, like frequent landslides, unpredictable weather, cold temperatures, etc. that can pose other kinds of difficulties.
Best Time to Trek Annapurna Circuit
To tackle the Annapurna Circuit Trek challenges, one thing you can do from your side is to come to Nepal in the appropriate season. This is indeed really important!
Let’s first get into the basics of the seasons in Nepal:
- Spring/Summer Season: March through May
- Summer/Monsoon Season: June through Mid-September
- Autumn Season: Late September through Early December
- Winter Season: Mid-December through February
Spring/summer is one of the best seasons to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek. You can expect rhododendrons to bloom during this time.
Summer/Monsoon is a big no-no! The fear of leeches, frequent landslides, downpours, no significant mountain view, and slippy trails are the reasons you should avoid this season at all costs.
Autumn is one of Mount Glory’s favorite seasons. The weather is perfect, the views are perfect, the temperature is perfect—overall the trip becomes perfect!
The winter season can be a great pick too. However, the cold temperature and snowy path can make it difficult for you to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Yet, the views are majestic!
Permits Required for Annapurna Circuit Trek
While permits are not a challenge to get, it’s still a headache for everyone to wait in the queue and understand the basic policies. You’re here to have fun and gather memories rather than managing these kinds of permits yourself.
Considering this, the government of Nepal requests tourists to choose a trustworthy trekking agency, just like Mount Glory. No matter what agency you choose, they’re going to help you get the permits.
Yet, you should be aware of what you’re paying for. You have to know that you’re not being scammed in this part of the world.
That’s also the reason we have presented this informative guide so that you can have every knowledge of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Note that we do this on all of our packages.
As the Annapurna Circuit Trek lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area, there are two permits required. Let us break them down for you with their respective costs:
| Permit | Nationality | Total Cost |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit(ACAP) | Nepalese SAARC Other Countries | NPR 100 NPR 1000 NPR 3000 |
| Trekkers Information Management System(TIMS) | SAARC Other Countries | NPR 1000 NPR 2000 |
Packing List For Annapurna Circuit Trek
Since the Annapurna Circuit Trek takes 12 days (excluding your arrival and departure), you probably have tons of questions in your mind regarding the things to carry.
Of course, you have to Carry both summer and winter clothes. Your shorts and T-shirts come in handy during the lower parts of the trek while the winter ones are needed in the higher altitude Annapurna region.
But that doesn’t mean you just wear any type of clothing and start the hike. If you wear a high-neck or a woolen sweatshirt, your experience is going to turn bad. While these are still great options during your stay in the tea houses, kindly don’t wear them when walking.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trekker, we’ve prepared a packing list for the Annapurna Circuit trek that you’d love to take a peek at:
- Passport & visa: Valid for at least 30 days
- Insurance and Emergency: Should include the one that covers your health issues, injuries/accidents, air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and personal treatment costs
- All the necessary permits that we mentioned earlier
- Photos and Identifications
- Copies and backups of your documents
- Nepali cash
- Headgear: Wide-brimmed hat, Sun Cap, Woolen Cap, etc.
- Body gear: Categorize based on base-mid-outer layer (thermals, jackets, sweaters, t-shirts, raincoats)
- Handwear: Inner and outer gloves
- Footwear: Trekking boots, Trekking Socks, Gaiters, Rain Shoe Covers, etc.
- Innerwear: Undergarments and sports bras (based on gender)
- Backpacks: Trekking bags, duffle bags, zip-lock bags, garbage bags, etc.
- Hiking Essentials: Trekking poles, Water bottles, Crampons, Swiss Army knives, etc.
- Navigation & Communication: Guidebook, Map, Local SIM cards, etc.
- Toiletries & Personal Hygiene: Sunscreen, Lipbalm, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Moisturizing cream, Deodorants, Tissue papers, Wet tissues, Makeup items, etc.
- First Aid Kit With Medicines: Antibiotics, painkillers, Pain relief sprays, Adhesive bandages, personal medical prescription (important), etc.
- Food and snacks: Protein/energy bars, Dried fruits and nuts, Biscuits, Garlic and cloves, etc.
- Electronics and Accessories: Your smartphone, cameras, earphones, power bank, solar charger, Headlamp, extra batteries, etc.
- Optional Comfort Items: Sewing set, Small padlocks, Sunglasses, Purse, etc.
While the list seems long, it’s not a compulsion that you carry every item here. These are just basic ideas on what you might need.
You may compare each item when you’re shopping and bring those that are the most comfortable for you.
Remember that you’re going to a remote part of Nepal and there won’t be shops nearby to buy those items. You can still stop in Kathmandu or even rent some of the things mentioned for your ease. Mount Glory shall help you in this activity for sure!
Try going for a 60-80L backpack as the Annapurna Circuit is a long-distance trek. You can leave your non-essentials in Kathmandu itself. And for the other bags, you can hire a porter. We’ll help you with that as well!
In case you didn’t find an item on the list and are confused about whether or not to carry it, don’t hesitate to message us directly.
Accommodation and Food During the Trek
If you read the entire story that we put up in the itinerary section, you’re probably already aware that the Annapurna Circuit trek features a few hotels, lodges, guest houses, and mostly tea houses.
For beginners, adapting to these tea house stays is yet another challenge. Sometimes, you need to share your rooms with strangers and even seeking private ones for yourself comes at a cost.
Not to forget that most parts of the hotels in the Annapurna region feature a single toilet for the entire tea house. So, you’ll have to wait for your turn to do your morning duties.
While accommodation might not be the most comforting part of the journey, the food in every part is the best. Maybe not in terms of taste, but in terms of nutrition, these local foods are exactly what you need to get the required energy.
Of course, you can carry your own snacks. But how long will they last and how healthy shall they be? And they even add to your backpack weight.
So, relying on these Nepalese food isn’t just an obligation but best for your health too:
- Dal Bhat Tarkari: Cooked rice with lentils, a variety of veggies, and pickles (can be served with meat too)
- Thakali Set: While Dal Bhat Tarkati is mostly in rural areas, Thakali is popular in the Mustang district (after you reach Muktinath).
- Momos: Not abundantly found in the rural region of the trek but mostly available in the town sections.
- Tibetan bread: Served mostly in your breakfast
- Toast with Butter/Jam: Available in the ‘bazaar’ (town) areas of the trek
- Thukpa: A special type of Tibetan noodles served with soup
- Water: Available from streams and rivers without filtration. So, carry your own purifying tablets!
- Tea and Coffee: Tea is available in all regions of the Annapurna Conservation Area but coffee might be limited
- Soft drinks and juices: Not readily available in the rural region but easily available in the towns
- Other available food: Porridge, Chapati, Muesli, Yak Meat, etc.
- Some sections of the trek also feature Western food (mostly in the town section, like burgers, pizzas, etc.)
Note that the Annapurna Circuit Trek is even applicable to vegetarians. All you have to do is inform the kitchen section that you do not want meat in your diet.
Cultural & Natural Attractions of Annapurna Circuit Trek
The main religions found during the Annapurna Circuit Trek are Hinduism and Buddhism. That’s the reason you’ll encounter a plethora of temples and monasteries throughout the trek.
Talking about ethnic groups, expect to meet Gurung, Thakali, Magar, Brahmin, Chhetri, and Tamang people. Each and every one of their cultural norms is different, but despite that, they live in harmony.
That’s one of the best things you learn from the Annapurna Circuit trek. Even though cultural differences can be a barrier in a lot of terms, they still find their way to live in peace and maintain a similar lifestyle.
While Dashain, Tihar, Lhosar, and Maghe Sankranti are the major festivals celebrated in the region, there are still local festivals that very few are aware of. You have to do this trek in order to get in-depth information about that.
Now, let’s look into the main landmarks that are a must-vising when you’re doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek:
- Taal and Timang villages: Lets you explore the culture and lifestyle of the rural people.
- Bhratang Apple Orchard: Try the local apples here, and there are also cafes near the area to stop by.
- Dhikur Pokhari: A pond that offers a picturesque spot.
- Braga Gompa: Traditional Buddhist monastery that is almost 600 years old!
- Ghyaru and Nagwal villages: Let you explore the culture and lifestyle of the Tibetan people.
- Manang Village: A perfect place for acclimatization while also you get to visit different monasteries.
- Ice Lake (Kicho Tal): A lake situated at 4,600m (requires an extra hike on the fifth day of the trek).
- Tenki, Marsyangdi, and Jarsang Khola valleys: Passing by these valleys gives you more knowledge of the Buddhist and Tibetan culture of the Annapurna region.
- Thorong La Pass: The highest point of the trek at an elevation of 5,416m.
- Muktinath Temple: Situated at 3,760m, it’s famous among both Hindus and Buddhists. Try bathing in the 108 water taps.
- Jwala Mai Temple: Near Muktinath temple which features a natural eternal flame.
- Marpha Village: Stop by this village when heading to Tatopani to try apple brandy and local apples.
- Tatopani Hot Springs: A perfect way to relax on your final days of the trek. Note that it’s also considered sacred.
- Shikha and Chitre villages: Learn more about Magar communities when you pass by here.
- Poon Hill: Situated at 3,210m, another picturesque spot with mountains in the background. Its trail is covered with rhododendron forest (highly suggested in the spring season).
These natural and artificial attractions were part of this 12-day Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary. But if you want more, we can surely offer you more!
You could visit the very religious Tilicho Lake, the Gurung community of Ghandruk Village, explore more of the Mustang region get into Kagbeni & Lo Manthang, and many more!
Challenges in the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Besides the Annapurna Circuit trek being strenuous, other challenges can make you feel overwhelmed. But you don’t have to worry about this anymore!
Choosing Mount Glory Trek as your travel partner has tons of benefits and we also promise to help you overcome those challenges personally. That’s the reason we make you meet professional guides and hire trustworthy porters for you.
Here are some more challenges that you need to learn about:
- While solo trekking is possible in the Annapurna region, you should still be aware of altitude sickness and other unexpected difficulties that can arise during your journey.
- People in Nepal are known for being very hospitable but there can still be scammers. That’s the reason you should consult your guide before doing anything.
- Water purification isn’t possible in such a rural region of the country. So, you’re at risk of water-borne diseases if you don’t carry the purification tablets.
- First aid and basic health services are also hard to get. So, if you have a significant health problem, that’s another challenge!
- Since Annapurna Circuit trekking is mostly in the higher altitude regions, you might need to revert to lower altitudes in case you suffer from altitude sickness.
- If you have a certain diet, you’ll have to adjust that based on the food available in the Annapurna region.
- Especially, during the monsoon season, the trek can get even more tough. So, you have to have both a physically and mentally strong attitude.
- Electricity, Wi-Fi, and even charging facilities are limited.
- You’ll have to adapt yourself to no-shower for more than 4-5 days. In fact, some only dip right into the Tatopani spring on the ninth day.
- Proper communication with locals is also hard as they can hardly speak basic English.
- Limited ATMs, so you’ll have to arrange Nepali cash beforehand.
Essential Tips For Annapurna Circuit Trek
Mount Glory always believes that no matter what the challenge is, with proper tips and tricks, we can easily tackle them. And this goes out, especially to our international guests planning this Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal.
Make sure you read this list thoroughly so that you can prepare for this trek accordingly:
- Do not make your backpack overweight. It’s hard to carry and can lead to shoulder and back pains.
- Don’t hesitate to hire porters even if it costs extra. Your 12-day journey becomes much easier with them.
- Learn to speak basic Nepali. For example, Namaste means respectfully saying hello. Similarly, ‘dai’ refers to the elder brother ‘bhai’ to the small brother, ‘didi’ refers to the elder sister, and ‘bahini’ to the small sister.
- Watch actual YouTube videos to learn where the maximum risks are. Mount Glory will soon feature a dedicated vlog on Annapurna Circuit. So, stay tuned!
- Don’t forget to check your bags multiple times before leaving a tea house. Since we won’t make a return there, you might miss out on your essentials.
- If you’re planning to film or document, make sure you have appropriate permits. We’ll help you with that once we meet in person.
- Keep copies of every document. You never know when you’ll need them.
- And most importantly, carry them with you at all times.
- Don’t hesitate to complain to the guide about anything you’re not satisfied with. They’ll prioritize you more than others.
- Don’t litter around or ask for additional discounts, especially when you’re in the rural region. Those villagers are already earning less and might not feel satisfied if you start negotiating in a bad way.
- Don’t take anything from the Annapurna Conservation Area as you might even be penalized.
- Don’t go to the restricted region unless you are permitted to.
- Start your physical exercises from today itself. Try climbing stairs with a heavy backpack to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
- Even if you have some underlying health issues, inform the guides and our head office beforehand.
These are just basic ones. Mount Glory promises you that the guide we assign you shall help you throughout your Annapurna Circuit trekking journey.
Post-Trek Activities
As soon as you reach Kathmandu, don’t forget to take the certificate of trekking completion. After all, you’d have completed one of the most strenuous climbs in the Himalayas of Nepal, and you truly deserve this token of love.
But what next? Should you leave the country immediately? Definitely not.
Mount Glory rather recommends you be informed about our other packages, which are both budget-friendly and let you explore the culture of Nepal even better.
You can even expect to celebrate a major Nepali festival as soon as you complete your Annapurna Circuit trekking. You can indulge yourself in the jatras when you’re in Kathmandu.
Or, you could very well extend your trip when you’re in Pokhara. The city has a lot to offer and here’s a luxury Pokhara with Chitwan package that you can check out.
But if you want to prioritize rest, staying in Kathmandu and trying out these cafes/restaurants wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost Breakdown
Mount Glory has the best budget price to offer to our international guests for not just Annapurna Circuit trek but also others. The current price we’ve set is USD1090 per person.
But if you’re coming with your partner, friends, or family, we have a special discount policy too. For couples, USD970 on a per-person basis, a further $60 discount (USD910) if you’re with 3-5 people, USD850 for 6-9 pax, and the best of all is for 10 or more people (USD790).
However, as we have mentioned earlier, you can even customize this Annapurna Circuit trek as per your liking and hiking capability. So, your price can vary if you go for a customized/private trip.
Still confused? Here’s our Whatsapp number—+977 9849856378. Message us for further inquiries. We are ready to serve our guests in the best way possible.
Booking and Payment Process
Even if you don’t use WhatsApp, that’s not a big deal. You can send us an inquiry. All you have to do is fill out our name and other details with the message you wish to send us. We’ll contact you via e-mail then.
If you’re all set and have no hesitation regarding our services, hit the Reserve Now button that you’re seeing on the right part of the screen.
Fill out every field in the provided form as we shall be starting your trekking process as soon as we receive your details. Of course, we’ll come in contact with you first in case there are any mistakes, just in case.
One important thing to keep in mind during our booking process is that you must pay at least 20% of the total amount. We really hope you understand that we have to work with professional guides, manage permits, and other hotel stays for your trip.
So, without actual proper confirmation, we won’t be able to proceed further. Don’t hassle with the remaining amount. You can come to visit us at our office once you’re in Nepal and we shall table talk further.
Also, kindly don’t seek cancellation during the final days of your trek. We do not have a proper refund policy and anyway, the process would have started. So, please only book if you’re 100% sure about the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Tipping Culture
Besides the package amount, there’s one important thing you need to know when you’re doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Ever since international guests have come for trekking or mountaineering, they have made a culture of tipping the most needy people out in the rural areas. Out of them all, porters are kept the priority.
When you’re trekking in the Annapurna region, you’ll learn about this even more. You’ll see their struggle and in those rugged terrain and steep climbs, they carry more than 15 kg with the support of their head.
You’ll learn to appreciate their effort and the feeling of tipping them comes naturally. So, Mount Glory just wants you to be prepared for the tipping as you’ll need to carry extra cash than the budget you have planned.
Why Annapurna Circuit Trek is a Must-Do Adventure?
We’ve come to the end of this comprehensive article about the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Mount Glory truly hopes that you have enjoyed reading and understood everything in detail.
Yet, we might have missed out on a lot of things. Of course, just reading the article won’t give you the entire experience, right? So, to learn and experience everything, you have to come to Nepal and go for the adventure yourself.
Well, Mount Glory ranks Annapurna Circuit Trek #3 in the top 10 best trekking destinations in Nepal. Thus, you can expect a thrilling and rewarding adventure while immersing yourself in the local lifestyle and mainly enjoying the beautiful view of the Annapurna range.
Trust us as we promise to provide you with a delightful journey in the Annapurna region. Book your trek today and let’s complete this Annapurna Circuit Trek together!
based on 192 reviews
.webp)
.webp)
-1.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)