Modern Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the oldest trekking routes of Nepal. When Nepal opened its door for people across the globe to explore, the Annapurna Round Trek was the most popular and most trekked trekking trail of Nepal. Therefore, one can say that the circuit trek has its charm and benefits. However, nowadays the trekking trail is overshadowed by lots of other trekking routes of Nepal.

After the construction of Lukla Airport, people started to flock to do trekking in the Everest region of Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit Trek used to be the longest detour trekking trail of Nepal. The construction of the road network has curtailed the number of days required for the trek. Even if the trail has shortened, the charm and attractions are still there. Every year thousands of trekkers traverse on the magnificent trekking trail of Modern Annapurna Circuit Trek.

On this blog, find out all the information about the frequently asked questions about Modern Annapurna Circuit Trek. There are plenty of information about the meals, accommodation, distance, and difficulty level of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Therefore, on this blog, we will skip the usual things. The blog tries to provide the answers of your questions and for some, it can become the best piece of blog to motivate themselves to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal.

What is the difference between classical and modern Annapurna Circuit Trek Trail?

Lots of people often ask this question. Those people who have frequently visited Nepal for trekking know the enticing aspect of Annapurna Circuit Trek. However, the same people who did the circuit trekking a decade ago may find differences now. The major differences between classical and modern Annapurna Circuit Trek are the trekking trailhead and the trekking trail condition.

In the Annapurna Circuit Classical Trek, the trekking starts from Besisahar. However, the Modern Annapurna Circuit Trek starts from Chame. The construction of the road network has made it possible to reach Chame directly from Kathmandu. Therefore, the trekking starts from Chame.

Can I take a Jeep or can I drive to Manang directly?

The road network has reached Manang and Nar Phu Valley as well. Therefore, some trekkers inquire about the possibility of driving up to Manang. As a responsible travel planner and blogger, I request all travelers to avoid driving to Manang directly. There is a high risk of altitude sickness in doing this activity. Manang is situated at 3519 m. The journey starts from Kathmandu (1300 m). If you travel to a place more than three thousand meters altitude, there is a high risk for you get caught in altitude sickness. For high-altitude trekking, you must not ignore the sensibility of altitude sickness. Therefore, please avoid drive to Manang directly.

Manang Acclimatization

The modern Annapurna Circuit Trek also includes the acclimatization rest day in Manang. It is to ensure that you are fully acclimatized in the high altitude place. The more you trek higher the lesser the oxygen level becomes. Therefore, it is crucial to plan the trekking itinerary with an experienced trekking agency like Nepal High Trek. We encourage trekkers to enjoy the attractions of Mother Nature and relish the chance to immerse into the local culture in the safest way.

During Manang acclimatization, trekkers visit the Ice Lake (4600 m). It is the most popular and safe acclimatization activity for the trekkers. Besides acclimatization benefits, trekkers get to visit century-old monasteries during the acclimatization day.

After the acclimatization break day in Manang, trekkers head towards Yakkharka.

Is it Possible to include Tilicho Lake Trek in the itinerary?

Many people also ask about the addition of Tilicho Lake Trek during the Annapurna Circuit Trek. People often ask the possibility of adding the Tilicho Lake Trek hike within the trek. Yes, it is possible to trek to Tilicho Lake during the Annapurna Circuit Trek. However, you need to add extra 3 days to include the Tilicho Lake in the journey. You will have to go off the circuit trek trail. Once you have explored the lake, you can again join the original Annapurna Circuit Trek trail to continue your voyage. Tilicho Lake (4919 m) is one of the highest-situated lakes of the world. Therefore, if you wish to leave your footprints on its shores, contact the travel planners in advance. They will knit the itinerary accordingly. Make sure to book 2 – 3 days extra vacation days.

Nowadays, the trekkers doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek do the Tilicho Lake Trek too. Therefore, trekking agencies of Nepal sell the Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trek too. If you wish to add Tilicho Lake in an itinerary, make sure that you are well-prepared and well-informed. There are few teahouses in the base camp of Tilicho. You must pre inform about the plans. Up in the Himalayas, unplanned things may not pan out well. So, plan in advance with the travel planners of Nepal High Trek.

Thorong Phedi or High Camp, Which place is better for an overnight stay before Thorong La Pass Crossing?

There are two overnight staying places before crossing the Thorong La Pass (5416 m). The first one is Thorong Phedi (4540 m) and the other one is Thorong High Camp (4880 m). There are perks and disadvantages of staying in both the places. If you want to avoid the risk of high altitude while spending the overnight then choose Thorong Phedi. However, if you choose to stay in Thorong Phedi, you need to walk more while crossing the Thorong La Pass. In some cases you might have to start as early as 4 am in the morning.

If you wish to spend overnight at Thorong High Camp (4880 m), it would become easier for you to cross the Thorong La Pass. However, the place is about three hundred meters higher than Thorong Phedi. It is detrimental for some to stay overnight in such high altitude. Therefore, I leave decision for you to take. For some trekkers Thorong Phedi is the best option and for some Thorong High Camp is the best.

Muktinath Temple

Upon crossing the Thorong La Pass, trekkers reach the famous temple of Nepal the Muktinath Temple. It is the temple of Lord Bishnu. The most interesting thing about this temple surrounding is the presence of a nunnery and monastery. The place is an ideal example that Nepal is the most astounding place where two religions exist harmoniously together. In fact, Nepal’s religious tolerance and harmony is an example for the world to follow.

The temple is in the most picturesque place with the Kaligandaki Kagbeni Valley in the south and the gorgeous gigantic Neelgiri Peak in the north. Moreover, the temple is one of the most sacred places for the Hindus. There are 108 sacred taps and two ponds. These two ponds represent sin and holiness.

Once people take a bath in the 108 holy taps, they dip into sin pond and again dip into the holy pond. It is believed that one’s sins and sorrows will disappear after paying their visits to this temple. Interestingly, in the surrounding of this Hindu temple, a nunnery and monastery are also thriving. You can visit the monastery where the natural light continues to light. After a brief visit to the temple, trekkers take the jeep drive from Muktinath to Jomsom which takes about 2 hours.

Lower Mustang Region

Jomsom is the most vibrant town of the Mustang region of Nepal. This region is divided into two parts; Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang. If you wish to travel to the Upper Mustang region, you need to take special permits. The place is classed as a restricted trekking destination of Nepal. In the Modern Annapurna Circuit Trek, trekkers take the jeep or bus from Jomsom to Pokhara.

Adding Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary in Annapurna Circuit Trek Trip

While returning from Jomsom, trekkers can dip into the natural hot springs in Tatopani near Beni. The usual itinerary of Classical Annapurna Circuit Trek includes trekkers to again start trekking from Tatopani to Ghorepani. However, the Modern Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary doesn’t include this section. This doesn’t mean that you cannot add the Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary on this trail. Yes, you can add either the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek trail or extend up to Annapurna Base Camp. The choice is yours. In fact, if you wish to explore almost every trekking route of the Annapurna region in one single trip, this is the best itinerary. In doing so, you will have covered most of the commercial trekking routes of the Annapurna Region barring the Khopra Hill trek and Mardi Himal Trek trail.

In this blog, we have tried to cover most of the things that are not listed on the internet. Things like difficulty level, food, accommodation and cost are all over the internet. However, the information on this blog about Modern Annapurna Circuit Trek has tried to provide never heard before ideas. For more information and for hassle-free trekking in Nepal, contact the travel planners of Nepal High Trek. We have a diverse group of people working on a single mission to exceed guests’ expectations and give back to them the worth of every penny they spend!