Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most stunning treks inside the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal. Waking on the base of the Annapurna Himalayan massive to reach barren land Upper Mustang and the Holy Muktinath. To reach there need to pass so many delightful villages such as Chame, Pisang, Nawal, and Manang. There are various reasons why you should do Annapurna Circuit Trek once in your lifetime.
Annapurna Circuit Trek is also called Annapurna Round and Thorong La Pass Trek. Thorong La Pass is one of the highest and most well-known trekking passes in Nepal. Every year thousands of trekkers walk through this pass as the Annapurna Trek. The beauty of this region is beyond the imagination because the trek starts below 1000m above sea level and ends after passing 5416m. The level of the elevation is also the purpose why you should do this journey for a real trekking experience.
The panoramic view of the Annapurna range such as Annapurna first, second, third, and fourth. Other peaks like Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna Himal, Tilicho Peak, Dhaulagiri and many more. And some more trekking peaks such as Pisang Peak, Cholu east, middle, west, Thorong Peak, and more. Marsandhi river on Manang side and Kali Gandaki on the mustang side. These natural beauties are other attractions why you most do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a diverse Trek in Nepal
The variousness of this trek is the one and the most attractive reason to do ACT Trek. This trek starts with a greener 800m above sea level and needs to walk on the alpine land to Thorong La. Annapurna Circuit Trek slowly go high and high and the diversity of flora and fauna.
Religious harmony and diversity are fascinating to point of the Annapurna round Trek. Hindu and Buddhist religions are in this region and both religions live under one roof peacefully. Muktinath Temple is a pure example of religious harmony in Nepal.
Annapurna Circuit Trek is culturally also diverse because in the lower elevation living Braman and another caste; at the upper region living Gurung people. The rich culture of the distinct caste is different and respect each other. So that diversity is one of the reasons why you most do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Beautiful Lakes are the reasons why you should do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Inside the Annapurna Conservation area, there are many lakes and during Annapurna Circuit Trek there are three lakes that can be seen. Those lakes are Tilicho Lake known as the world’s highest lake, Ice Lake, and Gangapurna Lake nearby Manang village. Even there are many other lakes that are undercover by the authorized places.
Tilicho Lake is popular as the world’s highest lake and suited at an elevation of 4920m from sea level. Not only the highest lake it’s a gorgeous lake on the lap of the Annapurna Himalaya. To go there you have to follow the path of Annapurna Circuit Trek and need to walk in very challenging and scary trails.
Ice lake lies above the Manang valley at the altitude of 4600m; most of the trekkers hike there as an acclimatize to Tilicho Lake and Thorong La Pass. While hiking to the Ice lake, you can enjoy spectacular visits to the Annapurna range. Also the Marsandi Valley and the Manang and Braga Village.
Gangapurna Lake is another lake nearly by Manang and almost 100% of trekkers visit there. The altitude of this lake is lower than Tilicho Lake and Ice lake and just a few steps far from Manang.
Spectacular Mountain and landscapes view.
The other reason why you should accomplish Annapurna Circuit Trek is the amazing views of the Mountains and landscapes. You can enjoy a glimpse of the Annapurna range, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri.
Farmland in the lower elevation and dry and snowy landscapes in the upper region; because of this, every pedestrian enjoys ACT Trek. Mountain views and landscapes views are some of the reasons why you should do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Annapurna first, Manalsu, and Dhaulagiri are the 3 out of the 8 world’s highest peaks in Nepal. These peaks can see when you do Annapurna Circuit Trek and other associate mountain peaks will add more beauty to this region.
High Passes to access the other region
Annapurna Round Trek is that trek where trekkers can experience everything. Such as Mountain views, walking trails, roads, typical villages, traditional couture, and traditions. For adventure lovers, there are some popular high passes such as Thorong La, Namrung Bhanjyang, Kangla, and Mesokantala Pass.
Among these passes, Thorong La pass is the most renowned one and commonly every hiker has to walk through this pass. The high altitude of Thorong La is 5416m and known as the world’s widest pass. And this pass is the border between Manang and Mustang district.
Namrung Bhangyang Pass trail is that trekking trail that starts from the Pokhara side and meets the classic Annapurna Circuit trail at Timang. This pass is also called Namun Bhangyang pass and the elevation of this pass is 5560m above sea level.
Kangla Pass to do Kangla Pass you need to do Nar Phu Trek. Nar Phu is a beautiful hidden valley in Manang district and this trekking trail is one of the restricted trekking trails. The high altitude of Kangla Pass is 5320m above sea level.
Mesokantala Pass is a trekking pass above the world Tilicho Lake. Tilicho Lake is popular as the world’s highest lake and located in the Manang district. This trekking pass is for those who want the camping trekking experience in the Himalayas.
Monastery, Stupa, and Mani walls
During the Annapurna circuit trek, every village has a monastery. That monastery is the ideal place for villagers to get together and pray for their god and goddess. Along the way, we can see the Mani walls and Mani stones, those Mani walls are not only beautiful it is significant to the local people.
Buddhist stupas along the way add more beauty to nature. These stupas are the identification of the Buddhist religion in the Himalayan region. The monasteries in the villages are very ancient and typical. However, in some places, monasteries are renovated recently and Stupas are being unprotected.
Muktinath Temple – The famous Hindu and Buddhist Temple in Nepal
The Muktinath Temple is one of the power stations of the Hindu religion after Pashupatinath and Kedarnath in India. This temple is located in the Mustang district at an elevation of 3700m above sea level. As the most significant Hindu shrines every year thousands of pilgrimage will travel there from all over the world; especially from India and of course from Nepal.
When you do Annapurna Circuit Trek, after the Thorong La pass, your first night will be on the bank of this temple. So that you will purify your hardship and suffering of this trek by taking a shower at the 108 taps at Muktinath. Muktinath temple is a similarly important Buddhist monument in Nepal. Therefore it’s the place of harmony and unity of the religion. So that Muktinath Temple is also an attraction why you should do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Witness the Tibetan Culture in Nepal
People in the Annapurna region are Nepali and the people who are living in the upper region practice Tibetan culture and traditions. Thus do Annapurna Round Trek will allow you to witness the Tibetan culture and tradition. People also seem like Tibetans.
Just nearly by Marpha, there is a Tibetan Camp; so if you wish to observe the real Tibetan culture you can visit that refugee camp too. In Nepal, there are some camps where living Tibetan, Bhutanese, and Burmese refugees. So that while you do Annapurna Circuit Trek you can visit one of the Tibetan refugees camps. Observing the Tibetan culture might be one of the reasons why you should do Annapurna Circuit Trek as culture lovers.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a completely customizable trek in Nepal. It can do in 10 days 11 nights to 20 days too and even more so it all depends on your choice. But the classic ACT Trek starts from Besisahar and ends from Jomsom or Nayapul. Nowadays the road, all the way to Manang made this trek shorter.
| Day 1 | Drive to Bulbule |
| Day 2 | Bulbule to Ghermu |
| Day 3 | Ghermu to Taal |
| Day 4 | Taal to Timang |
| Day 5 | Timang to Chame |
| Day 6 | Chame to Pisang |
| Day 7 | Pisang to Manang |
| Day 8 | Manag rest day |
| Day 9 | Manang to Yak Kharka |
| Day 10 | Yak Kharka to High camp |
| Day 11 | High Camp to Muktinatha via Thorong La |
| Day 12 | Muktinath to Jomsom |
| Day 13 | Jomsom to Pokhara flight or drive |
This itinerary is based on what I did when I was there. It can change according to you and places you want to visit inside the Annapurna Conservation Area and the ACT trekking route. Annapurna Circuit Trek can add with other treks such as Narphu Trek and Tilicho Lake trek. Nar Phu Trek starts from Koto so the itinerary goes like this.
- Koto to Meta
- Meta to Phu Gaun
- Phu Gaun to Nar Gaun
- Nar Gaun to Nawal via Kangla Pass
Tilicho Lake can add on Annapurna Circuit Trek can add as like
- Manang to Shree Kharka
- Shree Kharka to Tilicho Lake Base Camp
- Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake and trek back to Shree Kharka
- Shree Kharka to Yak Kharka
Choosing the best seasons is crucial why you should to Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal for a successful trekking trip.
Nepal has four seasons and for trekking, spring and autumn are the best seasons. Spring season – March, April, and May and Autumn season – September, October, and November. During these seasons weather will be clear and you can have the best mountain and surrounding views. Temperature is also not very cold and neither hot so temperature-wise these seasons best time to do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
In the end,
Annapurna Circuit is one of the popular trekking in Nepal and inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. This trek is a diverse trekking trail in Nepal and offers the best trekking experience. Because of the amazing mountain vistas, traditional culture, costumes, and the combination of the Buddhist and Hindu religions. The high passes, waterfalls, the world’s renowned mountain rivers, and the highest mountain peaks. So that whatever you wish to see all the elements can observe when you do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
