A Geo-heaven on Earth, Nepal is a dreamland for those who fancy being on the top/roof of the world and acclaim their pride for traveling to the country of Gautam Buddha in the lap of the Himalayas. Definitely, it’s worth visiting Nepal for countless reasons.
Usually, globe trotters and wanderers across the globe pay a visit to this beautiful nation to pursue trekking owing to its giant snow-clad peaks, but they should undoubtedly expose to other places too. Perched between India and China, Nepal is a sandwiched nation that possesses countless tourist attractions and beguiling travel experiences, hosting millions of holiday-makers from around the globe.
Apart from walking and trekking, wanderers interested in several adventurous deeds will surely enjoy their vacation in the Himalayan country with a handful of souvenirs, mindful of memories and devices full of stunning captures and pocketful of new experiences to take back home, which is worth their hard-earned bucks.
If you happen to be a wildlife enthusiast or a keen bird watcher, the southwestern part of the country is the right pick for you, with Bardia National Park as the spotlight. Also, Chitwan National Park’s jungle safari awaits. The mandatory trip inside Nepal is its golden triangle of popular destinations, i.e., Kathmandu – Pokhara – Chitwan, so one could easily hop to Lumbini from Chitwan.
And last but not least, if you are a peace seeker or lover, you will have a fantastic opportunity to visit more than two dozen famed monasteries in the holy birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini. No doubt! Nepal is a country in the Himalayas, bestowing a deep connection between nature and cultural facets.
Table of Contents
Highlights
- Thorong La Pass: The main highlight of the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the Thorong La Pass at 5416 meters. This is the maximum altitude the trek will stretch. The pass bestows you with the most beautiful and mesmerizing view of the highest mountains and the river valleys beneath them. The hike to this pass covers most of the Annapurna Circuit Trek distance but delivers the beauty everyone expects from this pass.
- Tilicho Lake: At an elevation of 4919 meters, Tilicho lake is the highest lake in Nepal. Surrounded by mountains, Tilicho lake gives the trekkers a sense of calm and thrill along the way.
- Muktinath Temple: A popular destination for pilgrims and tourists, Muktinath temple, is famous for its sacred 108 water sprouts. The temple is popular among both Hindus and Buddhists.
- Natural Hot Spring - Tatopani: The natural hot springs in Tatopani is another famous attraction for tourists during the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The trek takes you on a ride of the natural hot springs of Nepal close to the border of Nepal, with cheap Chinese products overflowing the market.
- Sunrise at Poonhill: The trek ends with the all-so-popular sunrise view at Poonhill before reaching Pokhara. The sunrise view from Poonhill is prevalent among tourists because the rays of the morning sun hitting the mountains and the lakes are sensational.
Best Time for Annapurna Circuit Trek
Like any other trek, you should first know what time is best for you to visit the destination. To cover such a daring trek, you should be fully prepared. And by prepared, I mean to know the best time to visit the place.
With every hiking or uphill trek, the weather is the primary determinant of how your experience of the trek is going to be. The Annapurna Circuit Trek is primarily uphill with sudden alleviation, so you should mind the climate and the weather.
The best time for the Annapurna Circuit Trek is autumn and spring. Each season has something unique to provide you. Different seasons have different specialties, although all aren’t positive. Learn more about why these seasons are considered the best time to set on the Annapurna Circuit Trek below:
Autumn Season
After the monsoon season has ended, the autumn season arrives with the best temperature and climate for trekking. The months from late September to November are the best months to travel in autumn.
With the temperature not being too harsh on you or rainy, the trails are perfect for the trek. Also, another reason for Annapurna Circuit Trek in the autumn season is the occurrence of major Nepali festivals. The festive season envelops the trails of Annapurna Circuit Trek, making you feel the spirit and culture of Nepali people.
Spring Season
The second best time for Annapurna Circuit Trek is the spring season. Spring is good for anything and everything. The freshly blooming flora and fauna to the animals coming out from hibernation. The spring season offers you a clear view of the mountains, unique flowers, animals, and clear weather. The spring season is also helpful in the matter of luggage. With the moderate temperature till halfway, you don’t have to carry heavy luggage.
The months from March to May mark the beautiful spring season with plenty of things to watch, from flowers to animals to the glorious mountains.
Daily Travels and Distances
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Kathmandu to Bhulbhule
Total Distance: 186.8 km
Estimated time: 10-11 hours
Max Altitude: 923 m
This is the most distance you will cover in a day throughout the trek. The actual starting point of the circuit trek is reached today. More than half of the journey is a bus ride.
You will drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar on a bus that takes around 7-8 hours. You can enjoy the views on the way there.
We will walk for about 3 hours to reach Bhulbhule from the last stop, Besisahar. The trail from Besisahar to Bhulbhule is filled with beautiful waterfalls and views of mountains like Manaslu and Himalchuli.
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Bhulbhule to Chamje
Total Distance: 22.2 km
Estimated time: 5-6 hours
Max Altitude: 1400 m
The distance from Bhulbhule takes an estimated time of about 5-6 hours of walking. The trails take you to the brahmin village called Bahun Dada. This village is the home for the Brahmin inhabitants of this place.
The trail past Bahun Dada is another whimsical journey through all the waterfalls, farmland, and beautiful Marsyangdi river. The hills with the terrace farming on display look beautiful from the cliffs. After around 5-6 hours of walking, you will reach Chamje.
Difficult Trails to Cover
Being marked as a challenging trek, you will have to overcome some problematic trails throughout the trek. The Annapurna Circuit Trek covers an enormous distance in a short amount of time. This being said, the trek distance covered in such a short time means hiking a lot. This results in a sudden increase in altitude along the way. There is a chance of altitude sickness because of this sudden increase in altitude.
Apart from the altitude sickness, some trails along this trek are hard to travel. The major difficult-to-travel trails while covering the 260 km Annapurna Circuit Trek distance are listed below:
1. Thorong La Pass: At 5415 meters, the Thorong La Pass is one of the most challenging yet stunning trails to cover in the circuit trek. On the day of traveling through the Thorong La Pass, you will have to walk for almost 10 hours. The rise in altitude increases, so there is a chance of altitude sickness. Most of the Annapurna Circuit Trek distance is covered by the hike to Thorong La Pass. The hike to Thorong La pass should be made before 10 am to avoid strong winds, which makes it even harder.
2. Bhulbhule to Chamje: The trail from Bhulbhule to Chamje is a walk of 5-6 hours, but the distance to cover is more than 22 kilometers. So, prepare yourself for a long walk ahead. The total Annapurna Circuit Trek distance has many hikes and treks, and this is one of the long ones. But through proper precautions and preparation, you can get through the Annapurna Circuit Trek distance without many difficulties and enjoy the true beauty of the Annapurna trek.
You can experience the most magical moment of your life through these problematic trails. The accomplishment of successfully covering the Annapurna Circuit Trek distance and seeing the glorious mountain in pictures and through your own eyes in its natural habitat is a different feeling. So, if you are in for an adventure of a lifetime, pushing through all hardships and living life to the fullest, Annapurna Circuit Trek is the one for you.
3. Muktinath Temple: A popular destination for pilgrims and tourists, Muktinath temple, is famous for its sacred 108 water sprouts. The temple is famous among both Hindus and Buddhists.
4. Natural Hot Spring-Tatopani: The natural hot springs in Tatopani is another famous attraction for tourists during the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The trek takes you on a ride of the natural hot springs of Nepal close to the border of Nepal, with cheap Chinese products overflowing the market.
5. Sunrise at Poonhill: The trek ends with the all-so-popular sunrise view at Poonhill before reaching Pokhara. The sunrise view from Poonhill is prevalent among tourists because the rays of the morning sun hitting the mountains and the lakes are sensational.
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