Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek Summary

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a trek within the Annapurna mountain range of central Nepal. The total length of the route varies between 160–230 km (100-145 mi), depending on where motor transportation is used and where the trek is ended. The trek rises to an altitude of 5,416m on the Thorung La pass, touching the edge of the Tibetan plateau. This trek crosses two different river valleys and encircles the Annapurna massif, crossing Thorung La (5416m/17769 ft), the highest pass on this trek. Practically all trekkers hike the route anticlockwise, as this way the daily altitude gain is slower, and crossing the high Thorong La pass is easier and safer. The mountain scenery, seen at close quarters includes the Annapurna Massif (Annapurna I-IV), Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Gangapurna [7455m/24459 ft] and Tilicho Peak (7134m/23406 ft). Numerous peaks of 6000-8000m in elevation rise from the Annapurna range. The trek begins at Besisahar or Bhulbhule in the Marshyangdi river valley and concludes in the Kali Gandaki Gorge. Besisahar can be reached after a seven-hour drive from Kathmandu. The trail passes along paddy fields and into subtropical forests, several waterfalls and gigantic cliffs, and various villages. Annapurna Circuit has often been voted as the best long distance trek in the world, as it combined, in its old full form, a wide variety of climate zones from tropics at 600 m asl to the arctic at 5416 m asl at the Thorong La pass and cultural variety from Hindu villages at the low foothills to the Tibetan culture of Manang Valley and lower Mustang. Continuing construction of a road has shortened the trail and changed the villages.[clarification needed] With construction of the road, mountain biking is becoming popular, with Mustang in particular is becoming one of the world's most popular mountain biking destinations.

Annapurna circuit trek encircles the Annapurna Himalayas traversing over paddy farming fields, high hills, mountains, typical traditional villages, scenic river banks, valleys etc. The travelers cross four districts during the Annapurna circuit trek and that includes Lamjung, Myagdi, Manang and Mustang. Myagdi and Lamjung region trails are lower elevation trekking trails inhabited by traditional village of Hindu settlements of Nepal dominated by lush subtropical valleys and terraced farming lands. Trails and the routes are high elevation inhabited by traditional villages of Tibetan Buddhist civilization in Mustang and Manang region. Manang region consists of Gurung, Magars, Thakali, Limbu, Rai, Sherpa but they are not of Tibetan ethnicity. Mustang is lot more influenced by Tibetan culture. It is also one of the last places in the world to view the ancient Bonpo Religion in action.