Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty: How hard is it?
- Monday April 20, 2020
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Most trekkers planning to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek have a common and frequent question about the Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty. Before going on any trekking in the Himalayas, it is essential to know about the difficulties during the trek. Learning about the difficulty level helps you to prepare yourself for the trek. Talking about the difficulty level of the Annapurna Circuit, it is a moderately challenging trek in the terrains of the Annapurna Region.
Annapurna Circuit is one of the longest trekking routes with rocky, steep, and slippery trails. Most of the trails include steep stairways adding up to the difficulty level of the trek. In addition to that, you will be trekking through high and varying altitudes, which is one of the significant Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulties.
Weather condition is another major factor that will decide whether you will have a good trekking experience or bad. The weather around the Annapurna Circuit is unpredictable. Based on the weather condition, the difficulty level varies.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty Due to Duration and Distance of the Trek
The duration also depends on the Annapurna Circuit Trek itinerary and the package you choose from. The packages are available from 10 to 28 days. So, you can choose the packages according to your physical ability and time.
The duration of the trek affects the daily itinerary. If you choose the shorter duration package (10 to 14 Days), you will have more walking distance to cover in a day, while going for a longer trek (usually 18 to 21 days) will have a lesser walking distance. Additionally, rest and acclimatization days also depend on the trek duration.
Depending on your itinerary, the total Annapurna Circuit Trek distance can range from 160km to 230km. That means you have to walk 8 – 15 km per day. A shorter Itinerary is usually for the advanced trekker with enough experience as it requires more physical and mental strength.
Suppose you don’t haven’t trekking experience. In that case, you should better go for a longer trekking itinerary to have a lesser walking distance and enough acclimatization day to adjust to the environment. Hence, more extended packages reduce the Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty. Since you will be walking 6 – 7 hrs a day, I recommend you prepare yourself before the trek to make the trek less difficult.
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Altitude Sickness During Annapurna Circuit Trek
You cannot miss altitude sickness when discussing the Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulty. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the most common problem while trekking in any high altitude trekking destination. While you trek to the higher altitude, the oxygen levels lower and the atmospheric pressure thinner, so your body needs to adjust to these new circumstances.
As the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the Thorong La Pass at 5416m, there is a high chance of altitude sickness. To avoid the sickness, you should walk slow (proper acclimatization and always keep yourself hydrated.
Some of the common symptoms of altitude sickness are nausea, diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, and insomnia. Trekking at higher altitudes can be more complex than walking at lower heights. If you have heart and lung problems, consider consulting your doctors before going on the trek.
Weather And Temperature
The Annapurna Circuit weather and temperature are the key factors that determine your trek’s diary. The weather in Annapurna Circuit is quite unpredictable. Choosing the best time to trek the Circuit can avoid this problem. The best time for Annapurna Circuit trekking is in Autumn (Sep-Nov) and Spring (Mar-May). During this time of the year, the weather and temperature are just perfect, offering picturesque mountain views with very little rainfall so that you will have lesser difficulties.
These are some reasons why thousands of trekkers prefer trekking during this time. The average temperature during the autumn and spring season ranges from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius during the day.
Trekking Equipment to Reduce Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty
Here is the Annapurna Circuit Trek Packing list:
- A comfortable trekking bag: A good trekking bag can adequately distribute the weight in the upper body, resulting in a comfortable walk.
- Good trekking boots: Buy good trekking shoes to avoid blisters and pain in the feet.
- Sleeping bag for cold weather.
- First Aid Kit for minor injuries during the trek. And Personal hygiene – especially for women.
- Trekking Poles.
- Water Bottles and purifying tablets.
- And other necessary gears and equipment.
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Tips to Avoid Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty
Prepare yourself with proper training
If you are not used to trekking, trekking on the more straightforward route can be very helpful. This helps our body adjust and be ready for the more challenging trek and helps prevent our overall health from getting hurt. Proper training doesn’t have to lift weight or some of it but do the primary forms of exercises that pump up your heart rate.
Exercises like cycling, jogging, etc., are suitable for increasing your stamina. Do regular jogging. You can also train in your home by climbing up and down the stairway. This hugely helps to reduce the Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty.
Budget
You should always have extra cash while trekking in the Himalayas, just in emergencies. Spending on souvenirs and gifts is good. But you should know how to get it in a better deal. Sometimes, the souvenirs can be overpriced, significantly impacting the overall Annapurna Circuit Trek cost.
Snacks during the treks are essential. So I recommend you buy them either in Kathmandu or Pokhara because they can get pretty expensive at that height. Furthermore, it would help if you carried cash and not an ATM card because there are no ATMs in the villages during the trek.
Requirements
Make sure you have all the essentials with you. ACAP and TIMS permits are the most important ones. In the case of gears, a good hiking boot and backpack, a down jacket, and a sleeping bag with a liner are a must for the trails and weather. Don’t for tour water bottles and water purifying tablets. Also, Take your favorite snacks with you to munch along the trek. Also, remember your first-aid kit, toiletries, and personal hygiene kits as they are essential.
Preparation
Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the high-altitude treks. So, it would help if you did not underestimate this trek. If you have any signs of altitude sickness, take action immediately as it is a matter of your health. Drink plenty of water and allow your body to acclimatize well.
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Conclusion
Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty can be succeeded by considering many factors before and during the trek.
Depending upon your body and how you react in a particular situation will decide the trek’s difficulty. If you want to Guide and porters, you can easily find them in Kathmandu or Pokhara. They can help during your trek and add to a fantastic trekking experience. Do contact us for further details and questions about the Annapurna Circuit trek.
