Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake and Poon Hill

When it comes to the difficulty level of any trekking route in Nepal, we should not ignore the issue of altitude sickness. For most people, walking for hours at sea level or a little more is usually comfortable, but when you start to climb above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), those many hours seem to never end. The Annapurna Circuit Trail is the longest trail in the region and is a complete circuit of the Annapurna Massif. Comparatively, it is considered more difficult and longer than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. This is because trekkers will cross the high-altitude Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters (17,764 feet). In addition to the altitude, what really makes this trek difficult are the steep climbs and long distances as well as the low-down features. The trail is usually closed during the winter season due to heavy snow accumulation on the trekking routes. Since it is a long trek, you need to be physically fit so that you can walk for at least 5 to 7 hours each day. Even beginners can do this trek if they have trained themselves for at least 4 weeks before the trek. Cycling, swimming, acrobatics, hiking, running and cardiovascular exercises are some of the ways to train your body for a successful trek in the Himalayas.

The weather in the Annapurna Area varies differently in different seasons. The snow-capped Himalayan region is never really hot, not even during summer season. The maximum temperature during the day reaches up to [25°C/77°F] while the night temperature falls as low as [-20°C/-4°F] or sometimes lower. Considering the whole trekking journey, the lower hiking regions are much warmer than the base camp. Spring season is relatively hot especially during the daytime when there is no cloud or snowfall.

The best time to trek the Annapurna Circuit is the pre-monsoon months from March to May. The post-monsoon months from late September to December are also favorable for trekking. This trek can also be done in February and early September but the most suitable time for this trek is as mentioned above.

Absolutely yes! Under normal circumstances, our booked trips are guaranteed to run. We are a tailor-made company. If you are in a last-minute stress, remember to find us to sort out your trip decisions. Please feel free to book your stress-free holidays with us. Unless there is a situation which is out of control such as a political riot, natural disaster, pandemic, epidemic or weather catastrophes, our trips are 100% guaranteed to run.

AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions offers a lifetime deposit policy which allows you the flexibility to transfer your deposit to anyone or any other trip. If you wish to cancel your booked trips, certain cancelation charges apply. Please visit our booking terms and conditions for detailed info.

Rest assured that you will be in good hands with our experienced trek guides, who have multiple years of experience trekking in Nepal and India. All of our guides, known as AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions dedicated Guides, are locals with a deep understanding of the mountain, its people, culture, health, hygiene, and most importantly, your safety. They are fluent in English and will be able to communicate effectively with you throughout the trek. Our guides are passionate about their work and will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.

The guides have many years of guiding experience in trekking. Most have been exploring the Himalayas for years. Our guides are also trained in first aid and know how to handle any situation. All our guides speak fluent English and are happy to share their in-depth knowledge of the culture, geography, flora, festivals, lifestyle with you. It is enough to take visitors to special places or special cultures, who can engage people in what they are experiencing, explain it well and entertain them. They are well versed in how to make the journey comfortable and safe while appreciating the beauty of the Himalayas.

Accommodation in the Annapurna region is considered to be the best with a high level of service compared to other places in the upper Himalayas. It is up to you to decide where you want to sleep – guesthouse, hotel or resort, or teahouse. Guesthouses range from high-end to very budget and low-quality. For a comfortable lifestyle, especially after a day of trekking, there are hotels and resorts, some of which boast expensive amenities. These hotels or resorts may not be as deluxe as those in urban areas, but they are definitely better than the cheap lodges or budget guesthouses. Teahouse accommodations are the most popular among trekkers in the Annapurna region and they come equipped with furnished wooden beds and solar-heated showers. You will have a two-bed room with a pillow, mattress and blanket as well as Western toilet facilities. As you climb higher, the accommodation will become more and more basic, perhaps with a shared toilet and bucket shower.

During the trek, electricity is available at all teahouses where you will spend the night. You can recharge your phone, laptop or iPad from micro-hydropower and solar panels for a nominal fee. Regarding W-iFi, there are no free hotspots along the trek route, so we do not encourage you to bring your laptop. Some teahouses offer paid Wi-Fi services by the hour, but do not expect high-speed connectivity on remote trails.

Trekkers will enjoy 3 delicious meals on each day of the trek. Typically, you will have breakfast and dinner at the lodge where you will spend the night. Lunch will be provided at tea shops or small restaurants along the trail. You are free to choose your meals from the menu wherever possible; they will provide you with the best food items – our leader will ensure that you are provided with the right food. Throughout the trek, you will be fed fresh and organic fruits, either brought from Kathmandu or sourced locally in local villages. The meals include a nutritionist-designed balanced diet containing complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The chefs are trained by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in hygienic food preparation and allergy safety. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher diets can be arranged if required with prior notice.

Sample menu for Annapurna Region, Trek

Breakfast:

• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate
• Toast with jam or honey, toast omelet, pancake, Tibetan bread, porridge/muesli
• Eggs on your choices
• American breakfast or Continental breakfast

Day Lunch:

• Rice item: veg fried rice, egg fried rice, mixed fried rice, dal-bhaat
• Noodle item: vegetable fried noodle, mixed fried noodle
• Potato item: chips, fried potato, hash brown potato, veg fried potato, boiled potato
• Burger: veg burger, chicken burger, veg sandwich, chicken sandwich
• Pasta: spaghetti tomato sauce, macaroni cheese sauce
• Pizza: veg pizza, tomato cheese pizza, chicken pizza, mushroom pizza
• Momo (Nepali style dumplings): veg momo, chicken momo
• Meat item: chicken sizzler, chicken steak, yak steak
• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate

Dinner In Night:

• Soups: vegetable soup, mushroom soup, chicken soup, chicken noodle soup, Rara noodle soup, French onion soup, pumpkin soup, potato soup
• Main Meals: (Dinner in Night)
• Rice item: veg fried rice, egg fried rice, mixed fried rice, dal-bhaat
• Noodle item: vegetable fried noodle, mixed fried noodle
• Potato item: chips, fried potato, hash brown potato, veg fried potato, boiled potato
• Burger: veg burger, chicken burger, veg sandwich, chicken sandwich
• Pasta: spaghetti tomato sauce, macaroni cheese sauce
• Pizza: veg pizza, tomato cheese pizza, chicken pizza, mushroom pizza
• Momo (Nepali Dumplings): veg momo, chicken momo
• Meat item: chicken sizzler, chicken stake, yak stake
• Dessert: apple pie, chocolate cake, carrot cake, apple fritter, canned fruit
• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate

Yes, cell phone networks are available on all trekking routes in the Annapurna region. Most small villages and trekking routes have cell phone coverage via Ncell or NTC networks. However, in some areas, network coverage may be very poor or may not be available at all.

If you are planning to conquer the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Thorong La Pass without the problem of altitude sickness, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some tips from our experienced guides and trip planners to avoid altitude sickness during the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Thorong La Pass trek.

• Slow ascend with proper rest and enough acclimatization
• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
• Eat enough and balanced food
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco during the entire trek
• Be head-strong and mentally prepared
• Train your body to cope with uphill hikes with enough cardio or gym workouts 4,5 weeks s before the start of
  the trek

Typically, the first symptoms begin to appear 12-24 hours after reaching high altitude. Different levels of altitude sickness have different symptoms. Mild, short-term symptoms of altitude sickness include dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, general lack of energy, and shortness of breath. Sometimes, these symptoms may be accompanied by headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

No. Generally, oxygen is not required during the trekking program, so it is possible to do sufficient environmental acclimatization. In addition, we provide Diamox from the beginning to prevent illness, which suppresses the symptoms of altitude sickness. However, in case of severe altitude sickness, we will immediately descend to a lower altitude, which is extremely rare in Annapurna region trekking.

Diamox is a medication that is usually taken as a preventative measure for altitude sickness, not to cure its symptoms. The risk of altitude sickness is lower on this trek compared to the Everest Base Camp trek. However, we will give you the medication from the start as a precaution. No need to worry as your trekking leaders are equipped with first aid kits and enough Diamox tablets. It is advisable to consult your doctor about any allergic reactions or side effects that the medication may cause you.

Caffeine can contribute to altitude sickness because it can cause altitude sickness, which can lead to dehydration. In contrast, caffeine is known to stimulate your brain, kidneys, and respiratory system, all of which are useful at high altitudes. People who have been drinking caffeinated beverages for a long time and suddenly stop drinking them while hiking may experience severe headaches.

AlpineTrav Treks has a capable team of trekking guides teams who are highly skilled in dealing with any difficulties or emergencies that may arise during the trip. If you feel sick with altitude, the first thing you should do is inform your leader so that he or she knows what to do. With years of experience, he or she can sense the severity of the situation and respond accordingly, either by bringing you down to a lower altitude or by using a helicopter to rescue you. If for some reason a helicopter is unable to fly, we will use our local staff and contacts to coordinate alternative rescue and treatment procedures, which may mean using a horse or stretcher to transport the sick person down the mountain to the nearest health post or a safe helicopter landing site.

Yes: We advise all our clients to get travel insurance that covers up emergency evacuation that may be needed in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or any other reasons in high altitudes where there are no other means of transportation available. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision. Carry proof of your insurance with you on the holiday and you must ensure that your insurance provides an adequate level of protection and covers you for the activities involved. More information Travel Insurance

On the trek, you should pack light but at least enough for your journey. If you don’t pack wisely, it is certain that you won’t be able to enjoy your trek in the Himalayas. Since this is a lodge-to-lodge trek, you will be sleeping in small lodges or tea houses throughout the trek. Since it can be cold at high altitudes, especially during the colder months, you should be prepared with the right clothes and equipment. For detailed information on what to carry with you during the trek, please visit our detailed packing lists. Packing equipment lists

Your safety is of imperative concern while traveling with AlpineTrav Treks. Please take care to note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to your safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather or health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The trek leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.