Overview

Annapurna Circuit Trek is a world-famous trekking route that explores the mystical peak in the Himalayan region, Mt. Annapurna [ 8,091 meters/ 26,545 feet]. This circumnavigating journey of the 10th highest peak in the world offers incredible views of the Annapurna mountain range, including other pristine peaks in the Himalayas, like Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Gangapurna, Tilicho, Lamjung, Tukuche, Nilgiri and other surrounding peaks.

Besides the breathtaking Himalayan panorama, the culturally enthralling trails across the Magar, Gurung, and Tamang settlements, rare flora and fauna of the Annapurna Conservation Area, spiritual hub- Muktinath, and the highest pass in the Himalayas, Thorong La Pass [5,416 meters/ 17,769 feet] are some popular highlights of this trekking adventure.

Thus, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is not just a simple Himalayan exploration; it is a journey of a lifetime where adventure meets serene tranquility, and the soul soaks in the solace of nature’s grandeur.

Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 days route follows an anti-clockwise route behind the 50km Annapurna massif. As we start gaining elevation, lowland Hindu community gradually gives way to Tibetan group and architecture & agriculture changes accordingly. The stunning Himalayan ranges including 8,000m+ peaks – Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges comes full into view.

Some significant landmarks includes: the Upper Pisang – Braga route which offers great cultural insights and stunning views of Annapurna II and IV. Likewise crossing Thorong La pass at 5,416m/ 17,770 ft, offers you a real sense of achievement.

Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 days itinerary is designed to allow proper exploration and make the short trekking  . The trekking route avoids a recently build road as long as possible.  The total length of round Annapurna trek varies from – 160 – 230 km (100 – 145 miles), depending on where motor transportation is used and where the trek concludes. The Trek Start from  Dharapani  which drive 6, 7  hour by jeep or Bus from Kathmandu and Drive  from Muktinath to Pokhara.

12 Days Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlight

• Crossing of Thorong La Pass at 5,412m – A great sense of accomplishment!
• Astonishing view of Himalayas – Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and numerous 6,000m+ & 7,000m+ peaks
• Great cultural insight – Gurung and Magar Community (believed to be descended of Tibetan)
• Paying homage to Muktinath – a religious place known for enlightenment
• Incredible geographical experience – ranging from sub-tropical – alpine – snowy barren landscapes in short time period

Best time to Annapurna Circuit Trek

Autumn (September – November) and spring (March – May) are the best time to  Annapurna Circuit Trek. The weather during these season is excellent with outstanding views.

If you wish to enjoy lone time with nature, then you can consider trekking Annapurna in (Dec, Jan & Feb). However, the extremely cold temperature might not be suitable for most of the travelers. Trekking in Monsoon is full of risks – landslide & flood – but it can be boon for a keen botanist.

Difficulty of 12 Days Annapurna Circuit Trekking

The rewarding trek of circuiting the Great Annapurna takes you to an altitude of 5,614m (17,769ft), which is one of the major challenging factors of this trek. The elevation can cause trekkers to have altitude sickness, due to which proper acclimatization is a necessity. Moreover, the trekking duration is 13 days which requires the trekkers to walk for 160 to 230 km approximately.

Considering the altitude and length of the trek, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is considered to have a moderate to strenuous difficulty level, depending on various other factors. While the trek is considered difficult, it is completely achievable with proper preparation and good physical fitness. Trekking at such a high altitude for a long period of time requires trekkers to have good physical fitness and determination. Staying active before the trek and doing physical exercises is a must for physical preparation.

Moreover, the level of difficulty also depends on the season you choose to commence the trek. While the weather in the Himalayas is quite unpredictable and trekkers should be prepared for possible weather challenges, some seasons offer better weather and comfortable temperature conditions than others. So choosing the best season for the trek helps limit the difficulty and challenges during the trek.

The trek is just as rewarding as the efforts it requires, if not more. Proper preparation and planning, paired with physical fitness, make the trek achievable and more enjoyable.

12 Days Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost

The cost of the Annapurna Circuit trek can range between USD 900 to USD 1300. There are various factors like itinerary, highlights, difficulty factors, time of the year, etc, that can determine the cost. With proper consideration of the requirements of our clients, Adventure Great Himalaya is offering this wonderful 12-day package of Annapurna Circuit trek at the economical price of only USD 950. 

The package will cover all your accommodations on the trekking trails and during your stay in Pokhara and Kathmandu. However, you will be provided with breakfast only during your stay in Pokhara and Kathmandu. For lunch and dinner during these stays, you have to manage it on your own. Rest assured, you will be provided with 3-time meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek. Moreover, all your permits, along with service fees and transportation after your arrival in Kathmandu, will be handled by us. The package will include the cost of hiring guides and porters, too, but tipping them is exclusive of the cost.

Despite most of the expenses being included in the package, you will have to handle your travel insurance and flight-related expenses in and out of Nepal on your own. Likewise, the meals do not include bars and bottled drinks along with additional amenities of the hot shower, recharging, and WiFi.

Meals on the Annapurna Circuit Trek

The meals during Annapurna Circuit Trek are just as comforting as the place. While you can find a good variety of meal options during the trek, do not expect to find all varieties of Western food in all teahouses and the menu can vary with place.

Breakfast menu options include heavy food options including porridge, fruits, eggs, toast, muesli, tea, coffee, and others of sort. The lunch and dinner menu consists of mainly Nepali cuisine ‘Dal Bhat’, noodles, and dumplings. The infamous Nepali cuisine ‘Dal Bhat’ is basically rice with lentils and a variety of vegetables and meat. This is considered the ‘comfort food’ in Nepal, which gives you nutrition in many ways and fuels your trek. Further, you can find shops along the way for some light local snacks for quick energy.

It is important to know that the food options might be more limited in more remote areas during the trek. Moreover, please make sure to communicate any dietary restrictions you might have with our guides. Overall, the meals during the Annapurna Circuit Trek are designed and served with the necessary nutrition to make you more energized during this journey in the Himalayas.

Accommodations Facility

Accommodations during the 13-day Annapurna Circuit Trek mainly feature teahouses and lodges operated by locals in the Annapurna region. While in Kathmandu, our stay will be at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with all the needed facilities. As we make our way towards the natural wilderness in the Annapurna Circuit trekking journey, the accommodation options tend to decrease with remoteness.

Mostly the accommodations feature teahouses and lodges, whereby we can arrange rooms with attached bathrooms and hot showers in lower altitudes. But as we head towards higher elevations, some teahouses might not provide such service. All in all, the thing to look for during a trek in such remote areas is a comfortable place to sleep and rest, with basic amenities.

The accommodations stop during the Annapurna Circuit Trek are designed to provide comfort and a safe space for trekkers to rest and reset for the next day. In addition to that, the teahouses and lodges in major towns in the Annapurna region serve the most calming views of the Himalayas.

Transportation

As you will be covering the distance to Dharapani from Kathmandu with an overland drive, we will provide you with a comfortable private jeep. From Dharapani, you will be stepping on trails until you reach Muktinath on the ninth day of the Annapurna Circuit trek. After arriving in Muktinath, you will take a jeep drive to Pokhara. If you want, you can trek to Jomson and opt for the 25-minute flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. But those flights usually get canceled due to various reasons, so it is better to take a Jeep drive.

While retracing your path, you will take a drive on a comfortable tourist bus from Pokhara to arrive at the busy metropolis, Kathmandu. While traveling from Kathmandu to Dharapani and back to Pokhara via Muktinath, you can opt for a cheap option of local jeep sharing. However, we do not suggest this method as it can bring discomfort and issues with limited space during the journey.

Annapurna Circuit Trek - 12 Days Itinerary

Cost Include/Exclude

Equipment List

• Big Bag pack  / Rucksack -50 to 70 liters – you can put your gear and stuff for porter, if you don’t have it   Our Company provide duffel bag.
• Day pack – 15-30 liters – Carry yourself to your valuable things like money, camera, passport.
• Sleeping bag – down Sleeping bag rated to –20 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended.
• Light fleece Jacket– during the hiking period
• Hiking Boots- Sticky rubber sole Trekking shoes
• Gaiters –pair of gaiters
• Shocks – 3, 4 pairs of hiking shocks
• Water bottle – Used for Boiled or filtered water
• Hat – Fleece, woolen hat, be sure covers ears as well.
• Head lamp
• Gloves
• Base layer Top – 2 pair Base layer – one pair for night and one pair for morning and evening
• T-shirts – 2, 3 T-shirts
• Rain coat or rain jacket
• Underwear- (4 , 5 pair.)
• Base layer Bottoms – 2 Pairs
• Hiking Pants
• Trekking poles
• Sun glass – Full UV protection
• Sun cream
• Lip boom
• Bath towel
• Shampoo

The Sleeping bag and down jacket, you can rent in Kathmandu which cost  $ 1 per day for each item.

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