How difficult is Annapurna Circuit Trek?

As the Annapurna region is not popular compared with the Everest region but it is desired for its natural beauty and also its accessibility. Annapurna circuit trek is the moderate neither too difficult nor too easy. It is one of the longest trekking routes in the region so, it a bit harder for the beginner trekkers to complete this journey cause it can be physically challenging to those beginner trekkers without prior training and preparation.

Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most interesting and exciting as well as an adventurous trekking journey for any trekkers which leads to the base of the world 10 highest mountain in the world. Walking through a route which is covered by the green vegetation, walk through the green forest of oak, bamboo, and alpine covered with the blooms rhododendrons, walking through the isolated picturesque of Gurung and Magar villages are the major highlights of the Annapurna circuit trek. Passing through the highest point of the trekking route. Thorong La Pass which is standing at 5500 meters above sea level which is the major highlights of the trek also the major attractive viewpoint of the trek which offers the gorgeous views of the surrounding snowy-peaks.

A famous Hindu and Buddhist temple at the Muktinath and other various Buddhist monasteries on the way, walking through the desert-like terrain in the upper Mustang region, the breathtaking 360 sunrise view from the Poon makes your long Annapurna Circuit Trek very beautiful and exciting.

As we know the several aspects of the trekking route make the trek a simple or a difficult one so we have categorized some certain aspects that will help you to make your trekking trip very comfortable and exciting.

Duration of Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

The duration of the Annapurna Circuit trek is around 18 days long from the time you arrived and your departure. You can easily both extend or reduce the number of the day or duration of the days you want to spend in this hiking. We also provide the different trekking packages like 10 days Annapurna Circuit trek, 15 days Annapurna Circuit trek.

The trekking duration of the Annapurna Circuit trek is around 5-6 hours per day from the normal healthy people. But the time could be very if you spend lots of your time on personal Photography, resting or wishing to spend more time on your trekking trail.

Also, you should be advised to train yourself before trekking on this long journey. This will help you to bear a lot of fewer difficulties on the journey to Annapurna Circuit.

The total distance of Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

Annapurna Circuit Trekking routes cover 160 km to 230 km, depending on which types of transportation is used and where the trek ends.

During the trek, you will be walking around 8-15 km per day.

The trekking route is easy while walking in the hilly region but may be difficult and quite tricky up in the mountains. You will be walking in the terrain, grassland or even you have to walk on snow and also you will experience quite a windy trial.

The route gets more challenging in winter due to the heave snow-fall, you may not reach to the high altitude and pass due to the high snow-level. So it is hardly recommended to trek or explore in the new route. If you planned to trek in the winter season then you should hire an experienced guide for the winter which will help you to make your trek a lot easier.

Proper Training For the Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

You will be hiking at the altitude of 5500 meters which can be quite challenging and difficulty during the Annapurna Circuit Trek so proper training is required.

Doing some hiking and spending time at a higher altitude before the trekking can be very rewarding and beneficial. Keeping a positive mindset and positive determinations can also play a vital role in making your trek less difficult or easy.

You should totally avoid the heavy exercise during the trek or the day near to your hiking trek. Mainly focus on the activities which help you to increase your strength ability, mainly focus the training that helps your arm, legs strong so you can do cycling, gyms, swimming and many others.

Take on with your own pace and keep moving forward, this will help in making your Annapurna Circuit trek much easier.

Essential gears to reduce Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

Walking through some of the world's tallest mountains Like Mt Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and diverse climate zone (which include from Tropical to Freezing alpine peaks), enjoying the beautiful hospitality of the local people and their quaint mountain villages: around 16 days you will spend on the trail are some of the most beautiful, inspiring and challenging you'll ever feel and encounter.

Prepare what gear to pack and take during the Annapurna Circuit trek and another questing like this is definitely tricky to answer. You will spend some windy days and also you will face some cold and freezing days during the trek. So packing the right gear according to this weather is very difficult. Sometimes packing too much or packing too less can make your trek more challenging and difficult. So keep in your mind that you don't ness to pack too much gear while trekking the short trek but you need to put more gear comparatively to them while doing the long trek such as Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek and so on.

Here we have listed some gear which will help to remove your confusing for packing the gears for Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Traveling bags:

•  Day packs
•  Duffer bags
•  And Puck bags with waterproof covers

Head

•  Sunglasses
•  Woolen hat
•  Sun Hat
•  Scarf
•  Headlight

Upper body

•  Light T-shirt
•  Waterproof jackets
•  Thermal Vest
•  Lightweight thermal tops
•  Fleece Jackets
•  Pullover
•  Women sports bra, synthetic

Lower body

•  Fleece pants
•  Waterproof shell pants
•  Lightweight walking pants
•  Hiking short
•  Undergarments

Handwear

•  Lightweight fleece gloves
•  Heavyweight gloves
•  Water and windproof gloves

Footwear

•  Hiking boots
•  Camp sandals
•  Pair of walking poles
•  Thick warm wool hiking socks
•  The inner socks

Other accessories

•  Sunscreen
•  First Kids
•  Sleeping bags
•  Pillowcase and other night accessories
•  Water purifiers
•  Hand sanitizers
•  Towel
•  Wet wipes
•  toiletries

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is also well-known as the Mountain sickness or high altitude sickness refers to the group of the disease and problems stick at a time while hiking or walking too quickly.

Some major symptoms of the altitude sickness are:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Fatigue or nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of energy
• Difficult in breathing

Some preventative measure of the altitude sickness are:

• Starts your journey from 10,000 feet and if you have to drive or fly at the high altitude then stop at the lower altitude stop for 24 hours to get familiar with their atmospheric pressure.
• If you feel quite good walking at 10,000feet then only add additional 1000 feet and after covering the 3000 feet don't forget to take plenty of rest to keep your body far from the altitude problems.
• Climb high and sleep at the low altitude means if you hike around 1, 000 feet per day then make sure to sleep at the lower altitude, it will help to make you familiar with the above altitude and their atmospheric pressure.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco and other drugs like sleeping pills while hiking the Annapurna Base Camp.
• Always drink 4-5 liters per day to make your body hydrated and safe from the altitude sickness.
• Carry some bars and chocolates while hiking in the altitude, it provides your body with the extra energy.
• If you get the symptoms of the altitude sickness then don't get hesitate to share with your professional guide, he/she will give you the quick medical treatment.

Tips to avoid Annapurna Circuit trek difficulty

• Avoid a heavy walk and take rest along the trekking trail
• Avoid alcohol and other drugs consumption
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
• Be up to date with the weather forecasting, check the weather and temperature before you start trekking and packing the required gear accordingly.
• Make an advance booking of the hotel and flight during the season because it is very hard to get a room in the trekking trail, you may also have the share you room with your friends and colleagues due to the limited room in the trial.
• If you want to peaceful trekking experience with less crowd then chose the off-season to enjoy it.
• Hiking in the high altitude means a high possibility of altitude sickness so if you get the symptoms of the altitude sickness then please share with your guide to give the fast medical treatment.

Budgets for Annapurna Circuit Trek

Nepal is one of the most affordable trekking destinations in Nepal. All the trekking here is very affordable. However, trekking in the high altitude doesn't come with the cheap.

You may feel very cheap in the low altitude comparing to the high altitude. Carry the good budget to make your trek less difficult with good experience. Also for the good budgets hiring the private vehicles for traveling by the local trekking agencies also help to make your experience and trekking comfortable.

Also if you carry or have good budgets you can hire professional guides and porter. A guide will help you in providing a good direction and a porter will help you to carry the bags and luggage for you. This will help you in making your trek easy and smooth running.

Always carry some extra amount of money with you. You might need it in the case of emergencies, you might need to buy any missing trekking gear at the last moments. Spending on some gifts and snacks in the trekking is good but you should know how to get them at good prices and at a good discount. Sometimes spending more money on the gifts and other activities might cause a problem when you need it for the actual part of the trek.

Normally buying the required snacks and chocolates, the bar for the trek in Kathmandu and Pokhara is much good as it helps to saves a lot of money. This way if you want or have to spend money on some other important items during the trek then you need to have extra money for it.

It is far better to carry cash then your ATM card as you are trekking in the remote area of Nepal, you may not see or find any ATM machines in this area, you will only see near the Check post.

Types of Trekkers for Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

The difficulty in the Annapurna Circuit Trek can be quite challenging and difficult to the level of the experience and difficulty in the level of your experience. For experienced trekkers, it may not be the main issue and problem.

But for the trekkers who are very new in the trekking can be tiresome and challenging due to your level of experience and a walk to the long journey.

Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the longest trekking routes in the Annapurna region. In this trekking trail, you will have to walk around 6 to 7 hours per day on the very terrain, up and down and so on.

You will also reach an altitude of 5500 meters above sea level. So if you are new trekkers then you have to prepare yourself for a couple of months before the trek. You should increase your strength mainly focus on your arms and legs. You should be both mentally and physically fit and fine. If you are mentally and physically fit and fine then this trek will not bother you.

Best Trekking Season for Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

Trekking in all the season is good for the Annapurna Circuit Trek because the Annapurna region lies in the Rain Shadow. The weather and temperature are quite stable. But there is some region where the weather is pretty good. But here we have listed some season with their climatic condition.

Spring season

The months of March, April, May falls in the Spring season. Spring season is one of the beautiful and picks a season to trek Annapurna Circuit Trek. During this season the trees change their leave, the whole brown hills are covered with the green, the weeds grew up, the flower blooms and the environment is very fresh and wonderful. Here you will get the full blossom of red, pink, yellow rhododendrons in the lower region of the trek. The clean weather also helps you to enjoy the panoramic views of the snowy mountains.

Trekking in the Spring season will also help you to take part in the cultural and tradition programs of the locals as May is time for the Tiji festival which is specially celebrated at Lo-Manthang. This festival lasts for three-day takes place on the premises of the king's palace in Upper Mustang. Here you can encounter the local culture with its full glory. You can also see the local people come here with the finest local clothes and jewelry. They celebrate this festival with songs, drama, prayers and cultural dance.

Reason for trekking Annapurna Circuit in the spring season

• Warm temperature
• Clear and beautiful mountain views

Reason for not to visit Annapurna Circuit Trek in the spring season

• Normally with the warmer and beautiful weather, many travelers visit this reason at this time.

Tips for trekking Annapurna Circuit in the spring season

• Advance booking of the rooms- the high possibility of sharing the room with your friends due to the lack of sufficient room facilities.
• Carry the lightweight warm gear for the night (the temperature remain cold due to the close to winter season)
• Carry rainproof gear if you are trekking in April (you may experience some occasional rainfalls from April).

Summer season

The months June. July, August falls in the Summer Season. This season is also known as Monsoon Season or Rainy season. Summer season is considered as the off-season to trek in the Annapurna region, it means the Annapurna region will get hot and wet at the same time in the Moonsoon/summer season. Monsoon season is the time when you will see frequently heavy rainfalls in the Annapurna region. In this season, it generally rains during the nights and keeps continuing till the next morning.

Because of the frequent rainfalls, the trekking trail in the monsoon becomes too moist and slipper also, the monsoon rain causes the waters in the rivers, waterfalls and also streams to rise, high chance of landslide in the hills region. But if you are adventure lover and want to do enjoy the peaceful environment trail then Annapurna circuit Trek during the Summer season is best for you. The trail is quite peaceful, you will see less number of trekkers, the pollution and dirt are washed and swipe away by the waters and offer you a very beautiful environment. The morning is very clear and the day is pretty warm.

When you trek through the dense forest in the hilly region, there is high chance of getting the leeches bites and irritations, along with the leeches, the other summer bugs like mosquitoes are also active on the trekking trails so you must carry some insect repellent with you if you plan to trek Annapurna Circuit Trek during the Monsoon season.

There are also some of the places and portions of the trail where there are high chances and risks of the avalanche and landslides where you must be extra careful and also during the Annapurna Circuit Trekking trail, you also have to take off your shoes as water from the stream overflows in the trail.

By considering this aspect. If you planned to trek Annapurna Circuit trek cause you may get discounted foods, accommodation services, less busy trail, and a very beautiful environment. Aren't you thinking of what will be the experience like when you have to cross the Thorong La Pass in the monsoon? Crossing the Thronong la pass in the Monsoon season is the real challenging while trekking Annapurna Circuit Trek in the Monsoon season. It will be very difficult and challenging as the trail will be very muddy and slippery.

Reason to visit Annapurna Circuit Trek in monsoon season

• The skies tend to be clear with the perfect views and for beautiful photography.
• The trekking route is very quiet it means you can give more attention to the scenery and local people.

Reason for not to visit Annapurna Circuit Trek in monsoon season

• The trekking route is too slippery, the possibility of disturbance of the bugs and leeches

Tips for trekking in monsoon season are:

• Always carry some insect repellent with you.
• Carry the waterproof and wind proofs jackets.

Autumn season

The autumn season is one of the most popular times of the year to trek Annapurna Circuit Trek in the Annapurna region. In this season, trekkers flow into the Annapurna region to trek Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek.

The Autumn months offer the most stable weather and temperature condition compared to the other season of the year. The days are very bright and sunny with the blue clear skies. The surrounding snowy-mountains views are marvelous, you can expect the clear skies ever during the Night too during the Autumn season as it is a very popular time for watching the star in the clear skies too.

During this season, there are very fewer chances of the rainfalls. You might only encounter a very few occasional showers of the rain. You will have easy trekking with the hear touching views under the nice and warm sunny days. The day time temperature is mild but at night, the temperature can drop below the freezing. However carry some warm gear, you will enjoy the trek.

Normally in early September, it might still rain in the Annapurna region. While trekking in this time, you might still see or feel the wet trail and most atmosphere and also possibilities to rain during the night as in the monsoon season. the weather is quite stable in the time between Mid-September to the mid-November. During this time, there is the least chance of rainfalls and also the snowfalls. Both the night and days are very clear and beautiful and also the temperature in both days and night is pretty moderate.

Reason to Visit Annapurna Circuit Trek in Autumn season

• The weather is stable with clear crystal skies and wonderful views.
• The averages temperature in the lower mountains reaches about 15-24`C.
• The days are very warm.
• Mind-blowing scene
• The celebration of the Dashain and Tihar, the major festival of Nepal falls in this season.
• Wild enrich with greenery.
• Stunning views of Mt Annapurna I, II, III, IV and also Dhaulagiri ranges.

Reason for not to visit the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Autumn season are:

• Normally with the warmer and beautiful weather, many travelers visit this reason at this time.

Tips for trekking Annapurna Circuit trek in Autumn

• Book early for your accommodation (being the peak season it is quite difficult to get the room or you may have to share your rooms with your friends.
• Carry the lightweight warm gear for the night (the temperature falls below the freezing at the night)
• Carry rainproof gear if you are trekking in the early September.

Winter season

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is moderate trekking difficulty it means you can go on this trek at any time you want and according to your vacations. However, Annapurna Circuit trek in the off-season as summer and winter isn't as popular as spring and autumn season

The Annapurna Circuit trek trekking route takes you to the high altitude of 5416 meters at the Throng La Pass which is the major highlights of the trek. but during the winter season, the weather changes at the top of the pass are very cold and dynamic. Due to the high altitude, the temperature at the pass becomes very cold, as the result of the past experience the snowy weather. So it is very difficult to reach this altitude of the pass due to the high level of snow-falls.

Due to this region, trekkers of agency do not recommend trekking Annapurna Circuit trek in the Annapurna region in the winter season. trekking in the winter season means you will see and experience the heavy snowfalls at the higher altitude of the trek and also the heavy snow-falls invited the many hazards. Even the local people of the high altitude migrate towards the lower elevation to escape from the natural disaster and cold weather.

Besides some of the disadvantages, the Himalaya looks gorgeous while covered with the huge piles of the white snow. To the adventure lovers, wants to face the challenging and difficult trekking route then the Annapurna circuit trek in the winter is a perfect adventure.

If you want to enjoy the peaceful trekking route, you can trek in the winter season. you can also easily get the room it means you don't need to book it in advance, you will get a good discount on both food and accommodation and also get the trekking packages in reasonable prices.

But if you make a plan to the Annapurna Circuit Trek in the winter season the make sure you prepare yourself to see the worst weather condition and also other challenges that might obstacle and come along while trekking. Also must be extra careful regarding your safety. Make sure to carry the warm and appropriate trekking gear for the trekking in Annapurna Circuit in winter.

Reason to visit Annapurna Circuit Trek in the winter season

• The skies tend to be clear with the perfect views and for beautiful photography.
• The trekking route is very quiet it means you can give more attention to the scenery and local people.
• You can also celebrate New Year or Christmas in the mountain with the friendly local people and incredible views of the snowy mountains.

Reason for not to visit Annapurna Circuit Trek in the winter season

• Many of the high passes and the teahouse in the altitude are closed due to the heavy snowfalls.
• Colder temperature require more planning, equipment and geras.

Tips for Trekking Annapurna Circuit Trek in Winter season

• Carry the appropriate, warmer gear for trekking in this season.

In conclusion, there are many good aspects and reasons to trek Annapurna Circuit Trek. you may face some problems while trekking in monsoon and winter season, the trek can be difficult and challenging if you are not physically and mentally fit and fine. You may also feel Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty as it is the long trek but don't worry you can bot extend and short your packages according to your interest and wish. Other than that Annapurna circuit trek is not that difficult to complete. Anyone can do this trek successfully and is a must-do for any trekkers and adventure lovers.