Round Annapurna Trek

Annapurna circuit trekking is only trek in Nepal with diverse itinerary. Because of the development of roadway network, Annapurna circuit trekking itinerary has been changed by a lot.
It takes 7 days to 4 weeks for Annapurna circuit trek. Number of days for Annapurna circuit trekking depends on the route, itinerary & side trips you want to make while doing trekking in Annapurna region.
Standard trekking itinerary for Annapurna circuit trekking is of 14 days.

Most of the trekking trail of Annapurna circuit trail has access to road. Thus trekking to Annapurna circuit is not hard as it used to be before road access.
People with average physical fitness level can surely complete Annapurna circuit trekking at ease. But 3 days of the trekking will not be easy. Trekkers might get high altitude symptoms which is normal. Trekking guide with you will take care and monitor your oxygen level and make sure you are all good to go for the completion over thorong la pass.
Only the higher altitude destinations are tough from altitude prospective. Destinations like; Yak kharaka, Phedi or low camp and high camp will be tough, if you are not properly acclimatized at Manang or your body is not used to with high altitude.
Apart from above mentioned destinations of Annapurna circuit trekking – you will find this trekking an easy trekking in Nepal.
If you want to make trekking to Annapurna circuit easy you can walk on the road – but it is still possible to do Annapurna circuit trekking avoiding the road sections.

Yes, Annapurna circuit still worth doing. There is alternative trekking route to avoid the road of Annapurna circuit trail. This is why – even after the motor able road construction – Annapurna circuit is as beautiful as before.
Most of the destinations of Annapurna circuit trek are more comfortable, tea houses are nice and toilet is clean – this change would not be possible without motor able road. Which is why taking motor able road all the way to Manang is not bad idea. As there is alternative trail for this circuit trek with abundant scenery with still preserved remoteness. And yes the view of the mountains and region is still pretty and similar as before.

Yes, you can. There are proper sign post and map can guide you to trek in Annapurna circuit over Thorong la pass.
But taking a trekking guide with you will surely make it easier. Paying extra dollars for the trip will surely help you to reduce the stress for your Annapurna circuit trek. Basically for the upper section of the trek where you will have altitude sickness – your guide makes a lot of different.
Taking a trekking guide is not just for your safety but hiring a trekking guide and a porter for your trekking in Nepal – you are also supporting their living. Thus it is strongly recommended to use trekking guide while your trek in Nepal.

US $ 500 to 2000 is the range of Annapurna circuit trek. But Nepalgram have self-guided trekking – which is to guide you using satellite phone. If you use our remote guiding service – it will cost you couple of 100 dollars.
All-inclusive package for Annapurna circuit trek starts from 800 USD. This all-inclusive package is one of the common and mostly purchased package trip to Annapurna circuit.
However, the cost of Annapurna circuit depends on the mode of transportation you use while trekking, number of days for the trip, itinerary, mode of trekking (either camping or tea house), type of hotel you use for your accommodation and number of people in your group.

Both of these trekking are equal with respect to walking hours and fitness level.
But Everest base trek has more number of nights above 4000 meters whereas Annapurna circuit trek has only 2 days above 4k altitude.
If Altitude is not an issue – Everest base camp is easier than Annapurna circuit trek. Everest base camp is harder just because of high altitude nights at Diongboche, Lobuche & Gorakshep for 4 nights straight.

It is better to bring mini spikes. But crampons are not needed for Annapurna circuit trekking.
Mini spike can also be replaced with shoes with good grip. But spending few dollars for mini spike at Thamel will surely make your decent of Annapurna circuit easier than you think.

It is not mandatory to take a guide for Annapurna circuit trek but it is recommended to take a guide from 2 prospective. One you will be able to relax while your guide will manage your trip and another – you will be supporting local economy by hiring a trekking guide.
Annapurna circuit trek alone is not a restricted trekking trail – hence trekking guide and special permit is not necessary. But if you join thorong la pass trek with Narphu valley trail in your wide/lengthy Annapurna circuit trek plan– you must have trekking and a special permit to trek in Nar phu region.

Most of the destinations of Annapurna circuit trail has WiFi. But these WiFi are not reliable and they are weather dependent. If there is gloomy day – you might not have internet connection at all.
However, sim-card like NTC & Ncell has internet service in most of the places in Annapurna circuit trail.
If you thinking to work and trek relying on the internet of Annapurna circuit trek – at least one week of the entire Annapurna circuit will not have stable connection for your work. Whereas rest of the trekking days will still be okay for remote working and trekking at the same time.

Temperature of Annapurna circuit trek is directly related to the time of travel. There are 4 season in Nepal and among all, winter is the cold time to trek to Annapurna circuit. Whereas spring season is regarded as the best time from the temperature prospective. During spring season – Annapurna circuit region & most of Nepali mountains has mild temperature and clear sky.
In spring the temperature of Annapurna circuit will be between 0 to 25 degree Celsius.
Another best season is autumn and has temperature in between 3 to 20 degree Celsius.
During monsoon sky is mostly covered and temperature remains in between 0 to 20 degree Celsius.
Winter is the coldest but the sky will be clear and the temperature can go below zero to 15 degree Celsius.

After development of motorable road there are multiple start point for Annapurna circuit trekking. Among all the best point to start your Annapurna circuit trek is at Bahun danda.
However other start point of Annapurna circuit trek are – Nagdi, Chyamje, Dharapani, Pisang and rarely Manag. Starting trekking at Manang village is doable if altitude is not an issue with you. Manang is at 3500 meters above the sea level.

Annapurna circuit trekking trail is always open. But yea, during COVID the route was closed and is full open now.
If you are referring to closure due to landslide and the present road condition – Annapurna circuit trekking starting from Nagdi or Bahundanda will not have any issue of route closure/open even during natural calamity like landslide and flood.

More people trek in Annapurna than in Everest basecamp route has 3 reasons.
1 – Annapurna circuit trek is cheaper than Everest basecamp trek, 2- APC has just 2 nights of sleeping destination above 4000meters whereas EBC has 4 nights above 4000 meters which is not wasy at all and 3 – Annapurna circuit has diverse landscape because the trekking start point is accessible by road whereas for Everest basecamp trekking you must take flight to lukla; so as to make EC trek duration as long as APC trek.

Mt Annapurna is not higher than Everest but the trekking is.
If you trek to Everest basecamp only – highest trekking altitude is 5364 meters if you do not climb Kalapatthar. Whereas Annapurna circuit Thorong la pass is at 5416 meters above the sea level. You can skip Kalapatthar in EBC trek but you cannot skip Thorong la pass while doing Annapurna circuit trekking. Thus from the prospective of mandatory destination while trekking – Annapurna circuit trek is higher than Everest basecamp trekking.
But if you consider Kalapatthar side trip from Gorakshep while doing Everest basecamp trekking – Kalapatthar is 5545 meters above the sea level – which is higher than Thorong la pass top of Annapurna circuit trekking.

Not at all. Annapurna circuit trekking is not technical trek. If you are used to walking in uphill and downhill – Annapurna circuit trekking is easier than you imagine. Hard side of Annapurna circuit trek is just those longer walks and high altitude.
But if you are trekking to Annapurna circuit Thorong la pass in the winter – this trek can be technical while crossing the Thorong la pass with snow. Also the trail in between Yak Kharka and Muktinath has some steep slopes which need proper guides.
In the normal trekking season – Annapurna circuit trek do not involve any technicality.

If you are hiring a trekking porter – please take one sleeping bag with you. It is good idea to take your clean sleeping bag to sleep in the cold nights.
But if you are carrying your own bag pack carrying sleeping bag might add an extra load. You can ask for blankets at the tea houses.
Not taking sleeping bag can be a big problem if you are trekking in peak season like mid of spring and mid of autumn. But in off season – if you are fine with blanket of the tea houses – not taking sleeping bag with you is not a problem at all.
Trekking companies like Nepalgram Adventure provide sleeping bag as a complementary service – you can always ask for one and use when necessary.

Mostly yes but not always. Thorong la pass has snow but the lower part of Annapurna starting from Yak Kharka – there will not be snow.
But in the winter – it snows all the way down to Dharapani. There are plenty of Thorong la pass closure news while trekking over Thorong la pass of Annapurna circuit and that is because of snow fall in the region.

The best way to train for Annapurna circuit trekking is – gym, running, football like sports, cycling, yoga & any of the fitness activities in regular basis. It is better to do regular of these activates at least 2 months prior to your trekking.
With 2 months of regular activities mentioned above – even a laziest person can easily do Annapurna circuit trek.
Also there are options for some short hikes around Kathmandu valley before doing Annapurna circuit trekking in Nepal.