NEPAL
/Travelled 2018 May/
Ready for adventure in Himalayas?
You may still have some questions: How to pack? How long will it take you to finish the trail? Do you need extra exercises before you leave? How much does it cost?
I will try to answer all these questions to make your planning easier.
First things first - deciding which trail to take! This was the hardest task There is a vast array of choices of trails in Nepal and I am sure all of them are amazing, however the choice of only one had to be made. After the uncountable numbers of blogs, pros and cons charts I made a big decision and I didn’t regret it for a second – ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT. It is a circuit, so you will never step into the same spot; it has a very changing scenery - from rainforest to icy peeks, and it is less crowded.
WHEN TO GO?
This is the question with a simple answer – whenever. It is opened all year round. The best time to go is considered: Autumn (September-November) and Spring (March-May). In between the high seasons there is Winter (for more adventurous trekkers) and Monsoon season.
Take into consideration not only the weather, but also the number of fellow trekkers.
HOW TO GET READY?
Annapurna circuit is not a very difficult trail. It has its steep and hot sections, however no specific training before the trek is needed. If you can carry 10 kg bag for 15 km a day, you are all good and set to go.
WHAT PERMITS DO YOU NEED?
For Annapurna circuit trek you have to get Annapurna Conservation Area permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. Both can be obtained at the Tourist Information Center in Pokhara or at the Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu.
HOW DO YOU GET TO THE BEGINNING OF THE TRAIL?
Trekking starts in Besisahar. To reach it from Kathmandu you need to take a bus to Dhumre (there are plenty of tourism shops in Kathmandu to buy tickets, wherever you buy the tickets, all buses will leave at the same time from the same place for the same price). From Dhumre you need to catch a bus to Besisahar. There is no exact recommendation how to get the bus, just ask people around. If you are in Pokhara, there is a direct bus to Besisahar.
SO HOW IT GOES?
Before you go, you need to decide if you wish to do it solo or with a group, and whether to hire a Sherpa, a guide or both. We chose to go solo without a guide, as it is practically impossible to get lost, and didn’t use Sherpa service. If you need company, you will meet people on the way and will not have to adjust your pace or timing. There is really no better or worse choice, it just depends on your preference.
As far as exact planning of the stops it is not necessary, you can plan two/three days in advance and always change your schedule according to weather conditions or health conditions. Most important: don’t rush and bear in mind safety recommendations.
The route we made:
Day 1: Syange – Tal
Day 2: Tal – Chame (a little too hard, I do not recommend making the whole walk in a day)
Day 3: Chame – Upper Pissang
Day 4: Extra day in Upper Pissang due to bad weather
Day 5: Upper Pisang – Manang
Day 6: Extra day in Manang (according to safety recommendations)
Day 7: Manang – Ledar
Day 8: Ledar – Thorong Phedi
Day 9: Thorong Phedi – Thorong La Pass – Muktinath
You can go on for several more days (and it was our initial plan), but the feeling of completing Thorong la Pass was overwhelming and we felt no need to continue the trail.
WHERE TO STAY?
The trek has villages that offer accommodation every several kilometers on the way, so there is really no reason to worry – you can stop earlier or further than you planned, according to how tired you feel. If it is high season and there are plenty people on the trek, try to find accommodation earlier in the day, or you can always head to the next village.
Accommodation is usually very basic, bathroom is almost always shared. Ask if the place has hot water and if it is charged for additionally. Most places have no accommodation fee, but you have to eat where you stay, and this is how locals make their money.
If you ever wished to trek or see Himalayas, don’t overthink it – Annapurna circuit is accessible, easy, cheap and with the best scenery ever.
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