The 7 Best Treks in Annapurna
The 7 best treks in Annapurna
Annapurna Region can be described as the home to world class treks every trekker would want to experience. The Annapurna trek routes, lying on the north-central Nepal , the massif of Himalayas comprises of one peak over 8,000 meters (26,247 ft), thirteen peaks over 7,000 meters (22,966 ft), and sixteen more over 6,000 meters (19,685 ft). The massif is 55 kilometres (34 mi) long, and bounded by the Kali Gandaki Gorge on the west, the Marshyangdi River spanning on the north and east, and by Pokhara valley on the south. At the western end, the massif encloses a high basin called the Annapurna Sanctuary.
The entire surrounding area of the Annapurna region is protected within the first and the largest conservation area of Nepal, Annapurna Conservation Area, a land of amazing mountains-capes and lively villages. Mostly known as the trekking region, this conservation area provides trekkers with a wide range of spectacular views, rich culture and heart-warming hospitality. So here we provide the seven world class treks in this region which can be a lifetime experience for daring adventurers. The list below contains the details of the seven top treks within the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Treks Overview
Going on an adventure is as good as lying on your bed if the destination fails to entice you. Every trekker would want to experience a journey full of challenges, thrill and awe-inspiring memories to be remembered for a lifetime. Annapurna region can be the ultimate choice for wild wanderers to experience such a raw and rigorous journey worth to be reminisced about.
#1 Annapurna Circuit
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a rather controversial as well as an exciting experience one can have on a trip. The trek winds through the world’s tallest mountain, diverse climatic zones ranging from tropical to freezing alpine peaks. Although the trek might have lost a bit of character mainly due to the constructed roads, reducing it to minimum of 12 days.
Thorong La Pass in the clear day
It still is the most preferred trek region .The Annapurna Circuit trek is like a surprise package which gets better in every step for the people who prefer to wander in the wild. The trek truly embodies a fun adventure while crossing the great Thorong La Pass.
Facts about Annapurna:
Location: Central Nepal
Difficulty:Challenging
Trek length: generally 16-20 days
Accommodation: Tea-house
Highest point of trek: Thorong La Pass (5416 m)
Preferred time of trek: September -December and March – May
Start/ End: Besisahar- Bhirethati
Getting to trail-head: Flight from kathmandu to Pokhara followed by a 2-3 hour drive
Itinerary for Annapurna Circuit:
Besisahar-khudi- Bahundanda-Jagat-Dharapani-Chame-Upper/lower Pisang-Manang-Letter-Thorung Phedi-Muktinath crossing the Thorung La route-Marpha-Lete-Tatopani-Ghorepani-Birethanti
#2 Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Mustang trek passes through one of the driest regions of Nepal and is best known for the desert beauty, harsh and raw cliff-faced landscapes making it distinct to almost all other treks. The ultimate path to the mysteriously amazing world of the old Buddhist Kingdom of Mustang-Lo makes the upper mustang trek a culturally captivating trek. With its rich and complex history, tanned red cliffs and never ending variety of hills of Mustang will take anyone to a heart captivating experience into the middle of wilderness.
Ghami village in Mustang and Mountain
Facts about Upper Mustang Location: Northern Nepal
Difficulty: Moderate
Trek length: 12-15 days
Trek-type: Tea-house
Highest point of trek: Lo Manthang
Preferred time to trek: March to early November
Start/Finish: Jomsom/ Jomsom
Getting to trail-head: Flight from kathmandu to Pokhara followed by a 2-3 hour drive
Itinerary for Mustang Trek:
Jomsom-kagbeni-Chele-Syangboche-Ghami-Charang-Lo-Manthang-Dhamkar-descend to Syangboche-Chhuksang-Jomsom
#3 Tilicho Lake Trek
With the location in the isolated area of Annapurna region, the trek to the world’s highest lake is one of the most scenic and challenging treks to be experienced. The best part of this trek is the astonishing glimpse of Nilgiri and Himchuli, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre , Annapurna , beautiful landscapes and valleys. The green dense forests, historic sacred temples, monasteries, artistic waterfalls, lakes and the wilderness add beauty to this adventurous trek.
Facts about Tilicho Lake Location: Manang
Annapurna Difficulty: Adventurous
Trek length: 12-18 days
Trek-type: Tea-house
Highest point of trek: Thorong La(5416 m)
Preferred time to trek: Spring and Autumn Season
Start/Finish: Chame/ Besisahar
Getting to trail-head: Flight from kathmandu to Pokhara followed by a 2-3 hour drive
Itinerary for Tilicho Lake Trek:
Chame-Upper Pisang- Manang Village/GangaPurna Lake-Siri kharka-Tilicho Base Camp-back to Siri Kharka-Back to Manang Village- Besisahar
#4 Nar Phu Valley Trek
The Nar Phu Valley trek is one of the rawest, exotic and yet to be explored trekking regions which provides a true feeling of wilderness and an extraordinary experience to explore unspoiled valleys. It includes the wonderful Himalayan nature along with the ancient Buddhist culture.Since it has been opened for tourism only since 2003 , the valley has remained undiscovered for centuries and turns out to be a hidden gem for trekkers offering them an opportunity to feel like travelling back to mesmerizing stone villages beneath snow covered Annapurnas.
Facts about Nar Phu Valley
Location: North of Annapurna Circuit
Difficulty: Challenging
Trek length: 16-18 days
Trek-type: Rustic Lodges
Highest point of trek: Kang La pass(5240m)
Preferred time to trek: Spring and Autumn Season
Start/Finish: Koto/Pisang
Getting to trail-head: a day long drive from kathmandu to besisahar and ahead to Koto
Itinerary for Narphu Valley Trek:
Koto-Meta-Phu-Nar Phedi-Nar Village-Ngawal via Kang la Pass-Pisang
#5 Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna base camp is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal. This trek consists of diverse terrain, culture and wilderness with the most spectacular view of Annapurna range, Machapuchare and Dhaulagiri.A wonderful walk through rich natural paths to experience a magical sunrise through Annapurna base camp is the highlight to this trek.The Annapurna Base Camp is a high glacial basin lying 40 Km directly north of Pokhara, Nepal. The oval-shaped plateau sits at an altitude of over 4100 meters above sea level. The Annapurna Sanctuary is surrounded by a ring of mountains, the Annapurna range, most of which are over 7000 m above sea level.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Facts about Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
Location: western Nepal
Difficulty: Moderate
Trek length: 6 to 8 days
Accommodation: Guest houses
Preference time of trek: February, March, April (pre-monsoon) and October, November, December (post monsoon)
Start/finish: nayapul/ Kyumi
Highest point: 4130m
Getting to trailhead: Flight from Kathmandu to pokhara a followed by 2-3 hour drive
Itinerary for Annapurna Sanctuary Trek:
Nyapul-Syauli-Ghandruk-Sinuwa-Deurali-MBC-ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) Dovan-Bamboo-Jhinu-Kyumi-Pokhara
#6 Mardi Himal Trek
The Annapurna trekking region has a beautiful peak called Mardi Himal that stands 5,587 meters above sea level. And this trekking adventure takes you to the base camp of this beautiful mountain to be at the elevation of 4,500 meters above sea level. The Mardi Himal trek offers its own unique experience. This trek consists of a diverse landscape consisting of dense forest, lush green valleys, rich flora and fauna, rivers and giant mountains. While being a moderately difficult trek it has such majestic views of the perplexing Himalayas and nature making it worth a walk.
Facts about Mardi Himal Trek
Location: western Nepal
Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Trek length: 5-7 days
Accommodation: Tea houses
Highest point: 4500m
Preferred time to trek: Mid-September to early December and February to April
Start/Finish: Pokhara/Pokhara
Getting to trail-head: Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and drive to kande
Itinerary for Mardi Himal Trek:
Pokhara-Australian camp-Pothana deurali-Forest camp-Low camp-Mardi Himal base camp-Badal dada-sliding-Pokhara
#7 Poon hill trek
The Poon hill trek is one of the easiest treks in Annapurna sanctuary. It is located 270 km west from Kathmandu. The poon hill view point is on the way to Annapurna sanctuary which lies in the centre of Annapurna conservation area. You will follow the ancient trails that connect local communities, pass through blooming rhododendrons, forest, rice fields and can enjoy the view of snow-covered mountains.The Poon Hill Trek will definitely make the trekkers enjoy every bit of the journey.
Facts about poon hill trek
Location: Western Nepal
Difficulty: Easy
Trek length: 4-5 days
Accommodation: Guest houses
Highest point: 3210m
Preferred time: March to May and September to November
Start/finish: Nayapul/Nayapul
Getting to trail-head: Kathmandu to pokhara in flight then two hours ride to nayapul
Itinerary to Poon hill trek:
Nayapul-Hile-Ghorepani – sunrise at poonhill-Ghandruk – Nayapul-Pokhara
Conclusion of the Annapurna Treks
However, Annapurna region is one of supreme trek destination for people who have passion for hike, culture and admiring the fascinating nature wonders. Even, there are so many things to do while you are on the trek. Much more side hiking places, Ice-lakes, glaciers, hill-top and view point and you can explore the unexplored places such a Lubra Monastery, Shyang Village, Nache Village, Titi-Lake, Kunjo village those are empire soul and hidden gems of Annapurna Ring. The natural hot spring, World deepest gorge and Rupse water fall and the sunrise view from Poon hill is most not do things in the whole Annapurna around. If you like to know even hand-picked trip plan, updated information and other services for this trek do not hesitate to contact us. Our local expert awaiting for your reply.
