Trekking the Annapurna Circuit
December 5th, 2008by andy 
Do you want to find a travel destination which is a little bit out the ordinary? Fed up of beach holidays? Feeling the credit crunch?
How about Nepal?
Nepal is a landlocked mountain kingdom situated to the North of India. It borders India and TIbet – and is home to the ubiquitous Himalaya mountain range – the home of mount Everest and seven other peaks standing at over 8000 metres high. It’s also great value for money.
But it is more than just a load of mountains. Nepal’s people are possibly the friendliest and warm, helpful people that you are ever likely to meet. This makes visiting the country an absolute pleasure. The capital, Kathmandu is a vibrant and fascinating melting pot of cultures and religions from across Asia. You’ll have to spend some time here to get your permits (a relatively simple procedure) before you can go trekking.
Trekking is the main activity in Nepal – which means traveling around the mountains on foot for days or weeks, with your life on your back. Most major trekking routes in Nepal have guest houses en route, so you wont have to rough it in a tent whilst you are enjoying the most spectacular mountain scenery the world has to offer.
You can also easily hire porters relatively cheaply if you wish, who can help with carrying your gear, we well as making your journey go more smoothly.
The Annapurna Circuit is blessed with a great choice of food, and although it gets more pricey the higher you go up the mountain, you’ll find some great western food including apple pie, tuna melts and even pizza as well as the local staple diet of dhal bhat – which is rice and lentils. Tibetan ‘Momos’ (steamed pastry with meat inside) are also widely available and really should be experienced.
You get to the start of the Annapurna by taking a bus from Pokhara to Dumre, where the trek begins in earnest. The start of the trek is draped in jungle – and one could easily mistake the place for somewhere a little more amazonian.
This soon changes a few days into the trek though when you start to climb up into the mountains proper.
You’ll pass thundering mountain waterfalls, where you can spend time relaxing and cleaning up after some serious walking activity!
As you climb up towards Manang there are spectacular views into Tibet as well as a constantly evolving view of the Himalayan giants which make up the Annapurna Massif. This consists of Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Gangapurna (7,455m) and Annapurna South( 7,219m).
Rest days are essential to acclimatise your body before attempting the high point of this trek, the Thorung La pass, standing at 5416 meters (17769 feet). This is the most difficult part of the trek and should only be attempted when you have acclimatised properly.
Here’s a video to give you an idea of this part of the trek:
Having crossed the Thorung La pass, you descend into the dusty valleys of Mustang before descending into greener surroundings, with the promise of natural hot springs at Tatopani to cleanse your weary body.
One of the high points of the trek then comes at Ghorepani – where you can watch the sunset rising across the Himalaya from high on Poon Hill. A sight you will never forget.
Your trek finally ends close to Pokahara, where you can get a bus back into town for some rest and relaxation by the lake.
The best time to go trekking in Nepal is April/May and September/October – although treks are possible outside these times, weather conditions may make some routes impossible.
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Tags: mountains, travel
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