ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK

Annapurna Circuit Trek is widely acclaimed as one of the world’s most popular treks, the route begins with a dirt road that extends up valley of Beshisahar. Much of the way to Khudi makes use of this dirt road. The first part of the trek makes easy walking. The trek links the valley of the Marshyangdi river with that of the Kaligandaki making a long horse shoe loop of the Annapurna Himal. Thorong La (5416m) is the climax of the trek and one can gain Himalayan experiences going through subtropical to alpine and ultimately an arid semi-desert plateau- Mustang region. Varied ecosystems, diverse cultures and an ever-changing landscape – lush, green paddy fields and oak forests, arid deserts and the deepest gorge in the world make this one of the most popular treks in the world.

The classic Annapurna Circuit Trekking also well-known as Round Annapurna Trekking via Throng La Pass Trek; has long been so popular amongst trekkers.  The region is considered to be one of the world’s great treks. Annapurna Mountain range of central Nepal with the total length of the route varies between 160-230 km (100-145 mi), depending where the motor transportation is used and where the trek is ended. The trek rises to an altitude of 5,416m on the Thorung La pass, touching the edge of the Tibetan plateau. Annapurna circuit trek route crosses two different river valleys and encircles the Annapurna massif, crossing Thorung La Pass (5416m), the highest pass on this trail. Basically all trekkers hike the route counter clockwise, as then the daily altitude gain is slower and crossing the high Thorong La pass is easier and safer.

The mountain scenery, seen at close quarters includes the Annapurna Massif (Annapurna I-IV), Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Gangapurna/7455m and Tilicho Peak/7134m. Numerous peaks of 6000-8000m in elevation rise from the Annapurna range. Now from recent years, the trek starts from Dharapani in the Marshyangdi river valley and concludes in the Kali Gandaki river valley. Besisahar can be reached after a seven hour drive from Kathmandu. And jeep ride to Dharapani or Chame is available in dry season and taking jeep from Besi sahar to Chame shortens the trip so this trek can be done within 10 days if you are a good walker in the mountain. The trail passes along paddy fields and into subtropical forests, several waterfalls and gigantic cliffs, and various villages. Annapurna Circuit has often been voted as the best long distance trek in the world, as it combined, in its old full form, a wide variety of climate zones from tropics at 600m asl to the arctic at 5416m asl at the Thorong La pass and cultural variety from Hindu villages at the low foothills to the Tibetan culture of Himalayan Manang Valley and lower Mustang. Continuing construction of a road has greatly shortened the trail and altered the feel of the villages, so the “best trek in the world” cannot be said to hold true anymore but still one can fully enjoy of this trip.