The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal. Although it's a challenging trek compared to Everest Base Camp, it’s fairly difficult. This amazing trek destination spans around 10-21 days. The initial point of the trek starts from Besisahar or Jagat to Nayapul, passing through the Thorong La Pass (5,416m). It comes from subtropical Marsyangdi Valley rice terraces through arid Tibetan plateaus to Kali Gandaki gorges and rhododendron forests.
One of the key reasons to go on the Annapurna Circuit Trek is to get a glimpse of the beautiful mountains. What’s the most interesting thing about this trek is that trekkers can experience the 360-degree mountain panoramas during the trekking journey. Mountains are the most mesmerising thing to watch, and feeling them while trekking can give amazing feelings to the trekkers.
This trek is moderately hard and best for trekkers who want to have an effortless trek. Some trekkers find it quite difficult to trek hills at high altitudes and on roads. Treks like Everest Base Camp are often said to be the most difficult trekking places to trek. So, compared to it Annapurna Circuit Trek is more modest and workable.
Trekkers love the wide range of landscapes in these trek routes. Its topography is unique and consists of many high-elevation solitary land and low plains. This gives hikers a wonderful experience to watch varying scenery while walking the path. In the lowland, you will find river valleys with lush forests, waterfalls, and corn fields. Alongside, mesmerising oak and pine trees that spread greenery everywhere, with sparking red colour of rhododendrons in the spring season. Then comes the mid-hill region that consists of Chame and Pisang villages with the Marsyangdi River on the way. In the summer, you can expect to see the glacial riverbeds, rocky slopes, and scattered vegetation areas. Slowly, you will be crossing Thorong La and Kali Gandaki Valley, to find the high, deserted land above, with a narrow valley with cliffs, and barren, weathered slopes, with occasional Tibetan‑style monasteries and prayer flags.
Trekking on the Annapurna Circuit Trek lets you get in touch with various ethnic cultures and communities like Gurungs, Thakalis, and Tibetan-ethnic groups. The whole Annapurna region is covered by these racial groups. Gurungs reside around Chame and Pisang. They offer comfortable homestays and enjoy their traditional dances and folk music. Thakali people that lives in Jomsom and Kagbeni present delicious feasts like buckwheat-based meals, spicy curries, and handmade momos. Likewise tibetan and Buddhist religion locals live near Manang and Thorong Phedi. They celebrate Loshar by offering their traditional foods like barley soup and khapse.
Teahouses are the most attractive and necessary place for travellers while going for trek. A well-structured, clean, and spacious tea house is what trekkers look for while taking a break. Especially, the tourists coming from foreign lands are overwhelmed by the tea offerings in the trekking regions in Nepal. Some of the best teahouses, while on the way, are at key stops from Besisahar to Jomsom. While in the tea house, trekkers can also enjoy the dal bhat, noodle soups, and ginger tea. In the region of Tatopani, you will find quite a better teahouses with standard menus and hot showers.
Unlike other treks, Annapurna Circuit Trek offers package for shorter days like 8 to 10 days. The most shortest package range is its 8 days tour. The 8-day tour package is available from most trek companies. In the 8-day package, the journey starts from Chame with Muktinath as its final destination. Though it's a short trek, trekkers can make it quite memorable and enjoyable. They can explore a wide range of landscapes like greenery, forests, and plain lowland. The majestic manang along with muktinath temple. Hence, the Annapurna Circuit Trek 8-day package is the best one for trekkers who have limited time but want to enjoy an adventurous trek.
The Annapurna Conservation Area is the most important place while on Annapurna Circuit Trek. Its also known as ACA. It was opened in the year 1986 by the National Trust for Nature Conservation(NTNC). This area covers the whole route of Annapurna Circuit Trek. The ACA is very popular for upgrading tourism in the community via permit fees. The fund collected by the fees is utilized in developing government schools and promoting medical facilities.
