CHAPTER 2 – Why Annapurna Circuit??

Annapurna Circuit is one of the most beautiful treks you could do in Central Nepal. The geography is slightly different to that of any trek in Himalayan Range. This is a trek that mostly everyone does anti clock wise due to quick altitude gains you would experience if you are doing otherwise which is not safer and recommended.

During this trek, you sight the beauties of Annapurna I to IV, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak, Dhaulagiri, Machchapuchchre and Pisang Peak – all in the range of 6000m – 8000m. The view everyday are beyond breathtaking in every possible sense.

The absolute breathtaking views during the trek

Given that the full trek is anywhere between 160km – 230km depending on where you begin and end, you also come across multitude of cultures and villages throughout your journey making it one of the best long treks you could take up. The Tibetan culture that you could experience in the Manang Valley as well as in parts of lower Mustang is beyond admirable.

There is never a day with a bad scenery. Each day has something new to offer

Trek starts in Besisahar and throughout mostly goes in parallel to Marsyangdi river for the most part of the trek.  Most trekkers do take the high trail from Upper Pisang via Gyaru and Ngawal to Manang as the view are extremely breathtaking and it helps with the altitude through better acclimatization as well. Also, some of the best-preserved Tibetan villages in their original state is something you could experience as well.

City of Besisahar

Preserved Tibetan Villages

And finally, this was a solo trek! It was going to be just me for 15 days! I was extremely anxious and knew I will have no one to share anything with except myself. There were many days, I tried not to think too much of the detail or what could go wrong. I remember during the Everest Base Camp trek, around 8^th day, we all cried. No one knew why we were crying – it was different reasons for different individuals. But we all did. It was more of a distraction from the fatigue – if I am to look at it from a different perspective now.

So it is all ready now. All that is left is a bag to be packed and a flight to board.

Next up - CHAPTER 3: Landed in Kathmandu - Prep days are fun!

Note: Some of the pictures are extracted from google as I did not have a good camera to capture all of it to preserve the natural beauty