Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna region is best described as the most happening incentive trekking destination of Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit Trek has been proved as a highly praised and spectacular trekking route in the Annapurna region since it opened to foreign trekkers in 1977. This three weeks trek starts right from Besishahar and goes along the Marshyangdi River, with great view of Manashlu and Himal Chuli to the east. This magnificent trek leads you to the fine village inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups, offering spectacular and majestic view of the white Himalayas. As it continues to the north of the main Himalayan range on to the high and dry Tibetan Plateau, the scenery is equally breathtaking.

The highest point of the trek is Thorungla pass at the top of the valley at high. Due to the difficulties of crossing the pass, the circuit is usually walked in a counterclockwise direction. Traveling clockwise the longer ascent and shorter descent from west to east is too much for many peoples to manage in one day.

As we descend to the west at Muktinath from Manang, we continue to the the barren Tibetan like village of the kali Gandaki – the world’s deepest gorge passes between the giant Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. After you cross the Thorung La pass from Manang to Muktinath the final seven days of the circuit trek are the same as the Jomsom Trek from Pokhara, but in reverse.

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 02: Sightseeing to Swayambhunath, Kathmandu and Patan
Day 03: Kathmandu drive to Beshi Sahar (820m) then Bhulbhule (840m)
Day 04: Bhulbhule trek to Jagat (1330m)
Day 05: Jagat trek to Dharapani (1960m)
Day 06: Dharapani trek to Chame (2670m)
Day 07: Chame trek to Pisang (3200m)
Day 08: Pisang trek to Manang (3540m)
Day 09: Acclimatization in Manang (3540m)
Day 10: Manang trek to Yak Kharka (4110m)
Day 11: Yak Kharka trek to Thorung Phedi (4420m)
Day 12: Thorung Phedi trek to Muktinath (3800m) Over the Thorung La Pass (5416m)
Day 13: Muktinath trek to Marpha (2680m)
Day 14: Marpha trek to Ghasa (2010m)
Day 15: Ghasa trek to Tatopani (1190m)
Day 16: Tatopani trek to Ghorepani (2855m)
Day 17: Visit Poon Hill (3210m) trekking to Tadapani (2610m)
Day 18: Tadapani trek to Ghandruk (1940m)
Day 19: Ghandruk trek to Pothana (1900m)
Day 20: Pothana trek to Dhampus phedi then drive to Pokhara (850m)
Day 21: Drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus
Day 22: Sightseeing to Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Bhaktapur
Day 23: Leisure day in Kathmandu
Day 24: Depart Kathmandu [/tab]

The Trekking Day

While you are on trekking, days begin with breakfast at the tea house you stay, you will need to pack up your duffle bags / trekking bag before breakfast, as porters will set off early. After breakfast approximately 2-3 hours of trekking you take a break for lunch somewhere in the trail. After a relaxing lunch, you typically spend around 2-3 hours or even more sometimes on the trail before reaching your stopping point. Throughout the day, you will take frequent rest beaks and take time to admire the fascinating mountains views. You take plenty of pictures of yourself with incredibly panoramic mountains, rivers, landscapes, prayer flags, temples, shrines, cairns, monasteries, etc. Once you arrive at your teahouse, you take a brief rest or simply relaxing with a book and catching up on your diary. Dinner is generally around 7pm.

What you carry

Your baggage is restricted to 25kgs in two people. The duffle baggage is carried by porters and is not available to you during the day. Your daypack should contain all that you need during the day. This generally consists of warm clothing, water bottle, camera gear, sunscreen, lip salve etc. Your guide will let you know each evening of any extra items you will need for the following day. If you have a comfortable daypack you load will only be a few kilograms and hardly noticeable.

Food

Kathmandu part we includes breakfast but trekking we includes three meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) a day in tea house / lodges that you can choose from teahouse / restaurant menu but if you are on big group at that time your guide / team leader will choose the food for you. Meals are generally available Nepalese and continental on different taste in everyplace but you have to eat the meals in same tea house where you are going to staying at night but if you are staying in tented camp (Camping) then our cook prepare food and provide to you.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Kathmandu is on a twin share basis with private facilities. Whilst trekking accommodation is in Trekkers lodges / teahouses and is of a basic (normal) standard. Twin Rooms or multi share with basic shared toilet facilities. Hot Showers are available in some places but they will charge directly to client when they ask for hot shower and if you wish to book tented camp (Camping trekking) instead of teahouse we will provide two men tent for two people to share the accommodation on tent camp.

Transportation

Transportation within Kathmandu valley is done with Cars or Jeeps, Van, Hiace, Coaster bus, Mini bus, Coaches depending upon the group size. In trekking region, transportation mean is hiking and in some cases Yaks / horses / mules / donkeys are used for baggage carriage. In this trekking route, hiking is the major mean of transportation while your baggage will be carried by porters and/or animals.

Trekking Staff

The Guide is in overall charge of the trek and looking after you. This is the person you should go to with all problems, concerns and questions. All our guides are trained in all aspects of trekking, conservation, high altitude medicine, and first-aid and emergency procedures. They are professionals selected for their knowledge and passion for Nepal and its peoples, remember they are local guides and their English may be basic and limited to trek-related topics.

Porters

Transport your duffle bags / rucksack – one porter for every two trekkers in Tea house trekking and camping (Tented camp) trekking it is depend on luggages/equipments that we need for your camping trekking.

Trek Grading

it is impossible to have a ‘foolproof’ grading system as everyone has different expectations and perceptions of their own fitness level. Remember that no trek in the Himalaya is a stroll as all involve going up and down at altitude and that altitude affects everyone differently. Regardless of age or fitness, preparation before you arrive is essential. Aerobic activity, swimming, cycling or brisk walking is recommended or, at the very least, walk up and down stairs in your trekking boots but some can do this trekking without did any preparation of trekking.

Money

It is best to bring a mixture of cash and traveler’s checks in major currencies-In Nepal, some of the currencies are banned for conversion and you must find the convertible currencies in Nepal. USD, CAD, EUR, and AUD are generally convertible. Ensure you have a mixture of large and small denominations.

You should exchange enough money into Nepalese Rupees to last the entire time of your trek before leaving Kathmandu. You can find the money exchange counters near your hotel and there are no exchange facilities in villages / trekking trails.

Tipping

Tipping is a personal and voluntary matter and tips are not included in the trip price but who will working for you they are expect the trips so you can give trips directly to them at end of your trekking / tours and tipping is not any limitation so you can give trips as much you like if they will make you happy.

Insurance

your Travel insurance is not included in the trip price. It is essential that you take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to your trek. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and repatriation (including helicopter evacuation) and personal liability. We also recommend that it cover cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects but our company is included trekking crews’ against personal accident.

Health

There are no specific health requirements for travel into Nepal. However, for the trekking in Himalayas, you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination, you can accomplish this trek successfully but you should consult your doctor for up-to-date information regarding vaccinations, high altitude medication and medications for any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst traveling in Nepal. Some part of trekking have a small health post for emergency treatment with limited equipments, limited health workers and medication. Be aware that some drugs, including anti-malarial, have side effects at altitude. Please discuss this carefully with your doctor.
Please be aware that you will be in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip. We strongly recommend that you carry a personal First Aid kit as well as sufficient quantities of any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses).

Altitude Sickness

AMS (acute mountain sickness) is a serious issue. It is the result of the failure of the body to adapt to high altitude and can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness. It usually occurs above 1,800 meters and the likelihood of being affected increases as you ascend. The way to reduce the affects of altitude is to ascend slowly, 300 meters per day above 3,000 meters until you have acclimatized. Poor acclimatization results in headache, nausea, sleeplessness, difficulty breathing and swelling of fingers and glands. The only cure for AMS is to descend to lower altitude and your guide’s decision on this matter is final. When you are planning to trek above 3,000 meters we recommend not walks faster. If you will get altitude sickness please consult with your guide to go down at least 500 meters to recover.

Nepal Visa

Multiple entry visas are available on arrival at Kathmandu airport and all land borders except the citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Palestine, Afghanistan. Multiple entry visas can be obtained from the immigration points costing US Dollars 25 or other convertible foreign currency equivalent thereto for 15 days multiple entry visas, US Dollars 40 or other convertible foreign currency equivalent there to for 30 days multiple entry visa, US Dollars 100 or other convertible foreign currency equivalent thereto for 90 days multiple entry visa.

Packing for your Trekking

you will need to bring a comfortable medium sized daypack to carry the things you will need during the day. This should have a waist strap or (better) a padded waist belt.

• Walking shoes / trekking boots
• Socks, several pair of heavy wool outer socks and a few pairs of nylon inner socks.
• Some pairs of Pants, shirts, T shirts
• Skirts med-calf to above the ankle
• Worm sleeping bag and  jacket
• Water bottle and Trekker’s bag
• Flashlight
• Toiletries ( soap, towel , toothbrush, washcloth ,paste , Comb and shampoos )
• lighter and Sunglasses
• Umbrella, raincoat ( monsoon season )
• Hand bag / day bag
• Walking shoes with new waffle soles(monsoon season)
• Waterproof jacket.( monsoon season)
• Plastic sheeting for covering the bag ( monsoon season)
• Shaving paraphernalia for men
• Woolen hat (high place or snowy place)
• Woolen sweater or down jacket (high place or snowy place)
• Woolen long Underwear (high place or snowy place)
• Good Trekking boots (high place or snowy place)
• Sun cream and Sandal for night
• Some other worm cloths .
• Some dry food