Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

22 Dec 2024 Himalaya Trip

Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the world’s most popular and scenic treks. The trek circumnavigates the Annapurna Massif. It will take you on a voyage with mountain views, terraced farmlands, and lush forests. You will explore the breathtaking views of Annapurnas (II, III, IV), Manaslu Range, Nilgiri, Glacier Dom, and Dhaulagiri Range. This Annapurna trek takes you through the high-altitude to Thorang La Pass while allowing you to explore people’s cultures and lifestyles. However, great things don’t fall into your hands without hardship. The Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulty might make it a bit tough for you to achieve an enjoyable trekking experience. 

Various facets determine the difficulty level of Annapurna Circuit Trek. The altitudes change from 3.800m to 5,416m, the daily hike of 6/7 hours, unpredictable weather conditions, the off-the-beaten trails or the path that births the clouds of dust, and the inexperience of a trekker are some factors. But don’t worry, every problem has some solution to it. Here, we have provided some of the solutions that can be helpful while tackling the challenges. Before jumping into the various aspects of difficulties, let us examine how difficult this trek is.

How Difficult is Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit Trek, like the Everest Base Camp Trek, is one of the world’s most challenging journeys. However, the overall difficulty level depends upon multiple factors like experience, weather, trekking routes, etc. Based on your plan, you will be traveling at least 6-7 hours daily, covering a distance of 12-20 Km every day. If we look at the 10-day itinerary for the Himalayas trip, the total distance covered is 82 km in 6 days (excluding three travel days by bus or Jeep and one acclimatization day). Even if you customize the itinerary and routes as per your preferences, your trek will be a long, strenuous trip.

During your trek, you will see the change in elevations and temperatures. You must cross the rugged, narrow trails to reach Thorong La Pass (5,416m), the trek’s highest point. So, It requires both physical and mental resistance to complete this journey. With the right preparation and support, anyone can complete this. But what are those preparations? We will get into it later, but let us look at the factors that make the Annapurna Circuit Trek difficult. 

What makes Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficult?

Duration of the Trek

If Annapurna Circuit Trek is the whole tree, the detours and sub-treks you have planned to take are its branches. Depending on your plans, you will travel anywhere between 80km to 200km. If you plan to complete the whole circuit on foot, it will take 2 or 3 weeks. Continuous walking for that long will be hard for your body.

Let us assume you plan to complete 200km in 21 days. In this case, you must walk at least 9.5km a day, maybe even more, if we consider factors like the acclimatization period, altitude, and pace. The trek will test your endurance, as you might experience muscle cramps, back pain, ankle pain, and knee pain. Achieving this feat is challenging, even for experienced trekkers. 

Trails and Terrains 

Whether you walk on dirt roads(yes, there are dirt roads in the Annapurna Circuit Trek or rugged terrains, each poses different challenges. Bicycles and buses passing by create clouds of dust and noise, which might hinder your peaceful trek. However, the ascents and descents on dirt roads are less tough than those on trekking trails. 

On the other hand, the classic routes avoid the dust and noise but demand physical fitness. Sometimes, you must ascend and descend the rugged, narrow, and steep trails. It gets even more challenging in the winter and monsoon as the trails get slippery due to rainfall and snowfall. Besides these, you will encounter various suspension bridges and desert-like landscapes, which might be equally challenging. 

Altitude

The starting point of your trek, Dharapani, is at an altitude of 1860 m from sea level, while the highest point, Thorang La Pass, is at 5,416m. You will expose your body to a thinner oxygen level with each elevation gain. Getting to one of the highest mountain passes of Nepal within such a short period is an exceptional accomplishment. However, it comes with a certain price. That price is acute mountain sickness (AMS) or simply altitude sickness. It might even get severe in some cases, resulting in High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). 

Even experienced trekkers might experience symptoms like dizziness, loss of appetite, loss of sleep, nausea, fatigue, and headache. Proper acclimatization is necessary for your body to adapt to the oxygen level and temperature. Nevertheless, if you observe any of the symptoms of altitude sickness, rest and descend if necessary. 

Weather

Annapurna Circuit Trek in the Annapurna Region is not limited to one landscape. It goes from low altitude to high altitude. Similarly, it is not limited to one weather condition. As you hike the Annapurna circuit, you will see changes in temperatures and weather conditions. You will feel the increase in wind speed and decrease in temperature. The varying weather conditions throughout the trek might pose challenges in terms of the weight of the backpack and comfort.

The forecasts and predictability come in handy in the Autumn and Spring seasons, considered the best times for trekking the Annapurna Circuit. It is a real challenge if you are trekking in the winter and summer/monsoon seasons, which are off-season for Nepal. During winter, the temperature at mountain passes and places like Manag decreases significantly, even reaching below -10 degrees Celsius. Constant snowfall will make the trail slippery, making it hard to navigate. In summer, you will have to face heavy rainfall and muddy trails.

Lack of preparation 

For an optimal trekking experience, a trekker must always be prepared in every aspect. Preparing for Annapurna Circuit Trek includes packing the right gear, consulting a travel agency, hiring local trekking guides and porters, and, at last, preparing your body and mind. Along the trek, you will come across different challenges. Having your mind and body on the right track is equally important as having your feet on the right track. 

Continuous walking can cause pain and blisters in your leg, and you might even experience muscle cramps. You must train your body and maintain a certain fitness level to avoid these. It is also extremely important to remain calm and composed in these situations, and you must be mentally resilient. 

Lack of Experience

A difficult and long trek like the Annapurna Circuit Trek also depends on the trekker’s prior experience. If you go on a regular hike or a trek, this becomes much less challenging. Experience is crucial in everything from packing your gear to maintaining your cool. Unlike beginners, experienced trekkers will have faced similar situations and terrains. So, even if beginners maintain physical fitness, they might be unable to handle the trek’s stress. 

Food and Accommodation

Food and Accommodations also define the difficulty of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. It is a no-brainer that you will be traversing the rugged terrains while staying in the remote villages of Nepal. These villages have teahouses and lodges as accommodations with amenities like hot showers, internet, and charging. They will serve you local dishes along with international dishes. However, these services reduce as you ascend, and that might be challenging for many trekkers as they might not be used to such food and accommodations.

Is Annapurna Circuit Trek Suitable for You?

Annapurna Circuit Trek is not an ordinary hike. This trek requires you to be physically and mentally fit. A long journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Manang to Thorong La Pass and back to Kathmandu is a real test of your endurance. It suits those with a moderate fitness level and a love for adventure. It is also suitable for someone who hasn’t trekked in their lifetime. They can complete the trek with a proper amount of preparation. But what are those preparations? Let’s find out. 

Preparing for Annapurna Circuit Trek 

Physical Preparation

The steep ascents, rugged terrains, and elevation demands trekkers to be physically fit. As they climb upwards, the thin air will make breathing harder. So, having good cardiovascular health is also essential. You can start training by building your stamina through cardio exercises like running, cycling, and swimming. Focus on exercises like squats, lunges, and pushups to build strength. You should also include hiking to adapt your body to the weight of your backpack and elevation. Remember, training for the Annapurna Circuit Trek doesn’t mean over-pushing yourself. 

Mental Preparedness 

Along the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you will certainly encounter many challenges. And there is no better solution to them than being prepared mentally. Prepare yourself for unpredictability regarding weather, long-hour walks, altitude sickness, and injuries. Make sure you have done proper research from your end. The environment and the situation are stressful, but that doesn’t mean you have to be as well. Stay calm. Meditation and mindfulness might help. 

Packing 

Underpacking and overpacking, both are bad. Having said that, we also know that it is never enough. You will remember something you missed as soon as you start your hike. Maybe it’s a map, or maybe it’s your shampoo. It will be okay as long as you carry the most essential gear. Sturdy hiking boots, thermal clothing, windproof jackets and pants, waterproof clothes, sleeping bags, first-aid, sunscreens, snacks, trekking poles, and water bottles are some you shouldn’t forget. (Ensure you don’t forget the map and shampoo.) The trick is to pack light smart. 

Determining the Itinerary

An itinerary is important as it will provide you with knowledge about your routes and places of stay and prepare you mentally. Plan for 10-14 days, depending on your pace. While planning, separate the day for acclimatization, especially crossing the Thorong La Pass. Here is an example prepared by Himalaya Trip. 

Permits

Trekking in the Annapurna Circuit requires two permits. Make sure to get them before you start your trek. You can get the permit at the Nepal Tourism Board. If you book through us, we will manage the permits for you. Those two permits are; 

• TIMs Card– Trekkers Information Management System Card is to ensure your safety. It costs around USD 20. 
• The ACAP—Annapurna Conservation Area Permit—ensures the safety of trekkers and the environment. It costs around USD 25. 

If you want to include trekking to the Upper Mustang, you will also require the Restricted Area Permit.

Conclusion

Factors like duration, terrain, unpredictable weather conditions, unpredictable trekking conditions, lack of experience, preparation, and accommodation make the Annapurna Circuit Trek difficult. However, despite its difficulty, it is undoubtedly the best trek in Nepal. Anyone with proper preparation can conquer this trail surrounded by the Annapurna range. Preparing for the Annapurna Circuit Trek includes training your mind and body, selecting the right plans, and packing the right gear and clothing. 

Enjoy the trek!

FAQs

Share this