How Difficult is the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the milder forms of trekking adventure in the Nepali Himalayas. This iconic trekking adventure in the second mainstream trek destination in the country doesn’t have any strenuous or technical sections along the trail. Thus, even a beginner can take part in this incredible excursion with the right amount of preparation. However, this is still a high-altitude Himalayan journey, so you will have to consider several aspects of this high-altitude journey.
This circuit trekking adventure around the Annapurna massif takes you across the high-altitude points of the region where the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can be prominent if you are not careful. You will begin your trekking journey from Jagat (1,430 meters) and move along the gradually inkling route, reaching the peak point at Throrong La Pass (5,416 meters). Similarly, during your exploration, you will have to traverse an approximate distance of about 211 km (131 miles) across the rugged and challenging landscapes of the Himalayas.
You will walk about 6 hours on average per day across winding and diverse Himalayan landscapes. Thus, physical preparation is a vital aspect that determines how your experience on this mainstream route turns out. The success rate of Annapurna Circuit Trek ranges between 98% to a complete 100%, so this exciting trip overall is not a challenging endeavor.
Best Time for Trek
You can take part in the Himalayan route exploration in Nepal throughout the year. Still, the most core period to make the best out of your trip would be during the high seasons like autumn (Septemeber, October, and November) and spring (March, April, and May). The autumn season, in particular, is the most favored season for high altitude trekking adventures in Nepal due to the pleasant temperature and dry trekking trails the season offers. On top of that, the stunning Himalayan vistas till the end of the horizon under clear blue skies are something of a magical experience.
Similarly, the hues of crimson, grey, and yellow and the festive atmosphere that invites some of the major festivals in the country make the journey even more memorable. Spring is also pretty much on par with the number one season and enchants the trekkers with its spectacular landscapes. The blooming of nature’s peak season in the Himalayas seems like something straight out of a fairytale. The lower trekking regions are entirely covered with the rhododendron flower and other bright-colorful wildflowers; the lushness covers entire landscapes, and the charming waterfalls/rivers gain momentum as the snow starts to melt, making space for the spring bloom.
Temperatures of the Annapurna Region
Temperature of Annapurna Region During Spring (March to May):5°C to 20°C
Temperature of Annapurna Region During Autumn (September to November): 4°C to 18°C
Training and Preparation for Annapurna Circuit
Although the Annapurna Circuit Trek is a moderate trekking adventure in the Himalayas, the overall difficulty level will depend on how much you are prepared for the trip. If you take part in this iconic Himalayan excursion without any physical preparation, the long trekking route and gradually rising altitude can take a toll on your body. You have to work on your strength and endurance level to handle the physical demands of the route. Also, including cardiovascular exercises in your training will improve your high-altitude adaptability capabilities and extend your stamina reserve.
You should consider training for at least 3 to 8 weeks, depending on how well you can fit the training period into your daily schedules. You can also adjust the duration depending on your physical aspects; although there isn’t actually a level of fitness requirement for this trek, you should at least be on a basic level. To determine the working aspects of your physicality, you can do some practice, which also gives you the opportunity to test out your brand-new trekking gear.
Strength Training Exercises: Squat, Lunge, Deadlift, Plank, Push Up, Bicep Curl, Calf Raise, Overhead Press, Woodchop, Glute Bridge, etc
Cardiovascular Exercises: Jumping Jack, Mountain Climber, Swimming, Jumping Rope, Dancing, Aerobics, Jogging, Cycling, etc
What to Pack for Annapurna Circuit Trek?
You should consider packing multi-layers of clothes that are appropriate for the different climatic zones you will traverse across. Also, packing the right set of gears can enhance the overall experience and add more comfort to your journey. This circuit trekking adventure will take you across five climatic zones: tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, sub-alpine, and alpine zones; thus, you pack your backpack to accommodate all these zones.
However, be mindful about making your backpack as light as possible, of courser, without leaving the essentials. Explorer Adventure will provide you with a helpful porter to assist you with your luggage; we will assign one porter to trekkers. The porter will carry about 15 kg of luggage for each trekker; you will have to carry the remaining luggage by yourself. You can check out our following pack list suggestion as a reference to optimize your packing for the trek.
Head and Upper Body
- Sunbrim hat
- Woolen or insulated hat
- Head and neck scarf
- Neck gaiter
- Comfortable base layers (moisture-wicking)
- Lightweight t-shirt (full and half)
- Sweatshirt and sweater
- Warm thermals
- Fleece jacket
- Hooded rain jacket
- Windproof jacket
- Down jacket
- Undergarments (several pairs and different layers)
Lower Body and Feet
- Lightweight cotton pant
- Hiking shorts
- Breathable trousers
- Waterproof/windproof trousers
- Insulated trousers for alpine altitudes
- Comfortable trekking boots
- Sports shoes
- Slipper or sandals
- Waterproof gaiter
Personal Hygiene
- Sunscreen cream
- Bars soap, shampoo and conditioner
- Body lotion and lip care
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Small mirror
- Body deodorants
- Nail clipper and disposable razor
- Female hygiene products
- Quicky drying towel
- Hand sanitizer
- Personal medication
- Insect repellent
- Foot powder
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes and tissue paper
Trekking Gear/Equipment
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bag or pad
- Portable power bank
- Thermos flask
- Rain cover
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Headlamp and flashlight
- Guidebook and trail map
- GPS device
- Binoculars
- Duct tape
- Multi-tool knife
- Magazines or books
- Board games
- Journal and pen
Required Permits
During this exciting circuit trek in the second mainstream Himalayan trekking destination, you will trek across the conserved area in the region. Thus, to access this conserved area you will have to get the necessary permit. Similarly, the Nepali authorities have made the TIMS Card mandatory permit for the high altitude treks in the country. This card helps the authorities keep track of your entry points and makes it efficient to take action if search and rescue operations are required.
Necessary Permits for Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit
- Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card
The cost of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit is around US$ 30, and the TIMS Card costs approximately US$ 17. These trekking permits can be collected at the Nepal Tourism Board Office located in Kathmandu and the Tourism Board’s Tourist Service Centre in Pokhara. However, Explorer Adventure will take care of all the necessary permits and collect them for you to add a seamless experience to your journey.
Safety and Considerations
Your safety and well-being is the top priority of the Explorer Adventure; during your Himalayan trek, we will take care of every minor detail to ensure you can enjoy a safe and enjoyable trek. An experienced and licensed guide in this circuit route will lead your trekking team, and we will also provide assistant guides depending on the size of the team to ensure that the guides can be on the lookout for the well-being of every trekker.
On top of being licensed and well-versed in the circuit route, our guides have also received high altitude and first-aid training. So, you can rely on them to act efficiently and tactfully in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Your guide will monitor your physical condition throughout each day of the trek and oversee your comfort level. They will also coordinate with the head office and arrange an evacuation if it is necessary without taking risks on the health of our esteemed guests.
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Is This Trek Right For Me?
Exploring the naturally enticing and culturally diverse trails of the Annapurna region is a lifelong dream of many. This thrilling circumnavigating adventure of the blessed Annapurna is not just a Himalayan but a life-changing journey as well. If you are concerned about whether this is the right trek for you or not after considering the demanding factors of the trip, then you don’t have to worry about a thing. Although this circuit trekking is a high-altitude trekking adventure in the central Himalayas, and you have to walk over one of the highest Himalayan passes in the country, Throrong La Pass (5,416 meters), the journey itself isn’t strenuous.
You will take your time to slowly navigate the rugged trails of the Himalayas and acclimatize properly before heading toward the high-altitude points of the trek. If you are physically prepared, you will be able to easily overcome the major demanding portions of this trip. Also, doing this trek in the high season, like spring and autumn, will ensure dry trekking trails for a comfortable walking experience. So, in overall, it will the difficulty level of your trip will depend on how well you have planned and prepared for the journey.
Otherwise, with a basic fitness level and good health conditions, this thrilling journey isn’t that big of a challenge. The trekking success rate on the Annapurna Circuit Trek route is around 98% to 100%; the mild challenges and the surreal experience are the factors that make this journey memorable. Even children as young as 8 years old have successfully completed this iconic Himalayan trekking route.
