Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

Trekking up to 5416 m altitude is not easy like a walk in a park. It is definitely challenging. You must possess a certain level of physical and mental fortitude. The journey of Annapurna Circuit Trek is joyous, scenic, and multi-ethnic yet it is a challenging trek. In this blog, let’s try to dissect the Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty.

The blog encompasses information about the Annapurna Circuit Trek route and also has tips to beginners. Moreover, the blog is also the answer to all the frequently asked questions about this trekking route. Make sure to follow our blogs regularly for all kinds of Nepal Trekking queries and and information. All these blogs are written by travel experts for travelers to feel safe before booking trekking trips in Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit with Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a classic and the most beautiful trekking route in Nepal. If you have ample time let’s explore discover the majesty of Annapurna peaks, multi culture and various landscapes.

An Overview of the Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is also known as the Annapurna Round Trek. It is one of the oldest trekking trails of Nepal. Interestingly, the trekking trail is one of the first opened trekking trails for trekkers across the globe! The trip passes through villages of Gurung, Thakali, and Tibetan origin people. The diverse vegetation and difference in landscape make this trekking route a must to do trekking route of Nepal.

The classical itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit Trek included trekking from Besisahar and walking up to Nayapul after visiting Ghorepani. Nowadays, the construction of hilly roads have curtailed the number of days of trekking. You can choose to do full Annapurna Circuit Trek that includes the Ghorepani Poon Hill section. In this trip, trekkers will be using jeep or bus to go to Tatopani once they have reached the Muktinath temple area.

Why the Annapurna Circuit Trek is Challenging?

The major reason of the Annapurna Circuit Trek’s difficulty being in a challenging level is due to the lack of communication and coordination among authorities. This trekking trail is the oldest trekking route yet the government has not worked to improve the rural agricultural road. If the government readies itself for massive overhaul of the trekking route then Nepal can become hub of multi – cultural and natural trekking destination. The Annapurna Circuit Trekking trail’s maximum altitude is 5416 m. On top of that diverse terrain make it more difficult.

Diverse vegetation and diverse terrain are the biggest factor alongside altitude that make the Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty into a challenging level. In the initial phase of this trekking route, trekkers experiences deciduous forests environment. In the later part of the trekking, the trail traverses through alpine forests. Until the trekkers cross the Thorong La Pass, they will experience zero vegetation. The presence of vegetation is directly related to the level of oxygen in the atmosphere. Ultimately, stamina is dependent on the amount of oxygen a body can inhale. However, a careful planning and a proper trekking agency can help you successfully overcome any kinds of challenges while trekking.

What are the physical requirements for Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Make sure that you are physically fit. Your fitness level must be in a shape such that you can easily walk for more than 6 to 7 hours regularly for more than a week! In order to prepare for the trek, trekkers are highly advised to do cardio-vascular exercises at least a month prior to the trek. Do some running, walking, swimming, cycling, and other cardio exercises. Make your own healthy dietary plans. Don’t consume greasy and oily foods that deteriorate your stamina! If you adopt a healthy dietary plan continuously for a month will help you overcome any kinds of challenges during the trek.

Regularly exercising people can easily complete this long trekking trip. Buy clothes in proper consultation with your trekking agency. Don’t pack unnecessary things if you are trekking by carrying your belongings yourselves. Even if you are hiring a porter to carry your things don’t overpack. It may increase the difficulty level and decrease your physical condition. Having a fit and healthy body will definitely act as an anecdote of a successful high altitude trekking trips.

Impact of Altitude on Trekking Difficulty

High altitude places are difficult to survive to those who are naturally from low altitude places. Especially in the high altitude places your lungs and heart must be in a perfect shape. The less oxygen level in the atmosphere make it harder for the trekkers to breathe easily. The impact of an altitude on trekking difficulty is very huge. The continuous walking for about 6 to 8 hours every day is not easy. On top of that, the more high altitude places that you go the more tiring it becomes. The gravity of an earth makes it more tiring. Don’t underestimate the impact of altitude on trekking difficulty.

Get ready to understand the major concept of doing trekking in Nepal. Almost every trekking routes of Nepal reaches the high altitude places. Trekkers can get the rewarding sights of snowy mountains and cascading hills. However, understanding the risk of altitude sickness is equally important. You will have to trek in the trekking trails of Nepal without risk of any kinds of altitude sickness issues. The major hindrance in the successful trekking trip in Nepal is the altitude. Many people have lost their lives while trekking in Nepal. Do not underestimate the impact of altitude. The higher altitude that you go there is high chance of altitude related risks.

Thorong High Camp and Thorong Phedi before Crossing Thorong La Pass

The safety issues during trekking in Nepal depend upon the experience level of your trekking guide. If your trekking guide is an experienced personnel then your trekking will be much more easier. An experienced trekking guide for  Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek recommends you to spend overnight in the high camp after assessing your situation. It is to reduce the fatigue level and increase the excitement level while crossing the Thorong La Pass. The crossing of Thorong La Pass is the biggest event of this trek. Therefore, an experienced trekking guide ensure to provide you the best experiences of trekking. However, spending overnight in Thorong Phedi offers you good night sleep in the low altitude but you will have to walk more hours to cross the pass! Talk with your guide and assess your situation.

What are general weather conditions?

The Annapurna Circuit Trek route experiences four different seasons. According to seasons, the weather conditions differ. During winter season, the temperature reaches below zero and snow fall makes it harder to navigate as well walk. Therefore, people don’t prefer to do trekking in this season. The weather is cloudy and visibility is almost zero. It is not worth doing a trek in the winter season. As for summer and rainy season, the trail becomes muddy. The weather conditions too don’t help for a successful and momentous trekking journey. Therefore, avoid doing trekking during this season.

The best weather conditions are experienced during spring and autumn season in Nepal. You can get the best views of the mountains and the temperature is also bearable. Even more the vegetation in this time of the year is enticing. In comparison to autumn season, spring season is the best time to do this trek. The flowers bloom and the forests becomes green and lush! You can knit a beautiful tale of travel while enjoying the warm and bearable temperature! In addition, your trek itinerary will not be disturbed by heavy rainfall and snowfall during spring and autumn season in Nepal.

Do I need technical skills to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

You don’t need technical skills to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal. All you have to do is fortifying your mental and physical strength. There are no technical ascent sections in the Annapurna Circuit Trek route unlike some high altitude trekking routes. The biggest hurdle in this journey is the altitude sickness and long walking hours. Therefore, any one with best physical fitness level and strong mentality can successfully complete the Annapurna Round Trek trip. Don’t limit yourselves! Lace up your hiking boots and embark on the trekking trip of Nepal’s one of the pioneering trekking trails!

Common problems trekkers face on the Annapurna Round Trek

A well planned trekking trip helps trekkers to avoid any kinds of hassles. However, the trekking up in the mountains can be tricky and it goes beyond planning. Weather condition changes randomly while trekking in the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Therefore, the unexpected change in weather is the most common problem of the trekking route. The long walking hours, proper toilets in high altitude overnight staying places, and internet as well as mobile network coverage are the major problems. These problems will not increase or decrease the Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulty. As mentioned above, choosing an experienced trekking agency and hiring an experienced trekking guide will help you overcome these problems!

Which Section is the most difficult in Annapurna Round Trek?

The most difficult section during the Annapurna Round Trek is when trekkers cross the Thorong La Pass (5416 m). In order to cross this longest high altitude pass, trekkers have to start their journey very early in the morning. Moreover, it requires lots of uphill and downhill walking. In some time of the year, you may have to walk over a snow covered trail.

Spending a night whether in Thorong High Camp or in Thorong Phedi is also challenging. Until this point in the trekking trip, trekkers don’t need to spend overnight in the place above 4000 m altitude. The less oxygen level and tired body make it harder for trekkers to get a sound sleep on this night

Does addition of Tilicho Lake Hike make it harder?

Yes, the addition of Tilicho Lake 4919 m in the original trekking itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit Trek make it harder. Trekkers have to allot 3 to 4 days extra. They must walk on the ridge line with many uphill sections. Even if the scenery is captivating, in terms of difficulty level adding the Tilicho Lake Trek itinerary can take the difficulty level on to the next level. The number of walking days increases if you add the Tilicho Lake in your Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary. It surely increases the difficulty level.

The old Classical Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary includes Poon Hill Trek

Before the construction of the road in the Annapurna Circuit Trek route, trekkers used to start the trek from Besisahar Lamjung. Upon crossing the Thorong La Pass, trekkers trek throughout the section from Muktinath to Tatopani. Nowadays, there is proper road connecting Muktinath and Pokhara. Therefore, you don’t have to walk all the way to Beni rather there is a jeep service or local bus which will take you all the way to Pokhara. In the classical Annapurna Circuit Trek trekkers trek through Marpha village and reach Tatopani. From this place they will have to walk uphill trek to Ghorepani. It is arduous to walk this uphill section. Moreover, early in the morning they will have to walk for about an hour to reach the top of Poon Hill for morning sunrise view!

You can always challenge yourself by doing the detour trekking in Nepal. After reaching the Poon Hill (3210 m) you can add 5 more days in your trekking itinerary! If you do so then you can reach the Annapurna Base Camp as well. This will provide you the insights of the entire Annapurna region of Nepal. It is difficult to get the long holidays nowadays but it is worth every penny spent for the trip.

Avoid Thorong La Pass and Do Meso Kanta La Pass (5099 m)

While discussing about the Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty, you must not forget about the alternative ways to do the trek. If you wish to avoid 5416 m high Thorong La Pass to enter the Lower Mustang region then you can choose the route of Meso Kanta La Pass. However, this route requires you to do the Tilicho Lake Hike. Therefore, some people decide to avoid this route. In terms of altitude difficulties, the route is an ideal choice. Trekkers can reach the Jomsom upon crossing the Meso Kanta La Pass without using the Thorong La Pass (5416 m) section.

In doing so, trekkers will also miss the chance to witness the sacred Muktinath River and nunnery. The major highlight of the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal is the time spent in the premises of Muktinath Temple and nunnery. There is natural flame coming out inside a nunnery. Travelers can also witness the great religious tolerance in Nepal while exploring the Muktinath area. As a blogger, I recommend trekkers to do the Tilicho Lake Trek and cross to Jomsom via Meso Kanta La Pass if you wish to avoid high altitude! If not, the regular Annapurna Circuit Trek route is moderately difficult and you can do the trek easily.

Travel Insurance to reduce Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

Getting a travel insurance helps you travel without any kinds of uncertainties. Travel insurance helps you to save both lives and money in case of emergencies. Understanding the Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulty, it is wise to get a travel insurance that covers emergency helicopter rescue, medical expenses, accidents, and delays. Therefore, don’t forget to buy a reliable travel insurance before starting the trip. In fact, Nepal Government has made it compulsory for employees as well as trekkers about the purchase of a travel insurance before any kinds of trekking adventures in Nepal. Please give a copy of your travel insurance to the trekking agency that is organizing a trek for you. Therefore, in case of emergencies, the office can act promptly to rescue you or do the needful.

Do you know that you can do cycling in the Annapurna Circuit Trek route?

The level of difficulty differs from people to people. It depends upon the physical status and mental understanding. In the Annapurna Circuit Trek route, many people do the cycling tour. The trail is okay to do the mountain biking tours. In fact, the road network has reached up to Manang village and trail beyond this village is okay to do cycling. If you are interested in doing the Annapurna Circuit Cycling Trek Tour in Nepal then contact the travel planners of Nepal High Trek. We are here for you to customize and knit a perfect itinerary for a fabulous holiday in Nepal. The itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit Cycling Trek Tour is similar to the regular Annapurna Circuit Trek. Therefore, the difficulty level of the Annapurna Circuit Trek may not be fair to scale. If some people are cycling in this trail then that means it shouldn’t be hard for people to trek! The Annapurna Circuit Trekking route links to the popular destinations to the Upper Mustang, Annapurna Base Camp, Nar Phu Valley and other destinations too.

Overcome any kinds of difficulties to knit an intrepid travel tale. The journey of Annapurna Circuit Trek is possible for all kinds of trekkers from novice to veterans! Therefore, the trekking route is also called as the family trekking route. If you add Tilicho Lake in your itinerary then the difficulty level moves a notch higher! Always state your conditions to your agency so that they can customize a perfect itinerary for you!