I will try to make the post practical so that it will be useful to potential people wanting to do this trek.
Nepalese prices are used in places in this post. For a simple account, one hundred rupees = 1 dollar.

Preparation.

We started preparing several months in advance. I lost weight and walked around the city for kilometers with a heavy backpack. On my best day, I walked 20 km with a 20 kg backpack.
Likewise, my girlfriend and I can run a couple of kilometers without stopping.
If you can't walk 20 km with a 15-20 kg backpack, you most likely won't make it through the trek.

Equipment

Glasses must have mountain protection. Personally, for us, glasses are the most expensive piece of equipment. We paid 112 dollars. But we bought from a company store already in Kathmandu. In North Face (https://goo.gl/maps/HhAKDQv5hs22)
The cheapest ones were $70.
But you can take a chance and take it on the street for 20-50.

Shoes. We walked in good winter boots, and then at the pass itself we had to put on three socks, because our feet really started to freeze. Shoes must be taken home and taken with you. You still have a couple of hundred kilometers to go.
Lightweight shoes. In general, I walked the trek (and a couple of days in Thailand in 35 degree heat, until I bought sandals) in my winter boots and trekking socks. This did not cause any particular inconvenience.
I had sneakers in my backpack, but I was too lazy to bother with them, and besides, they were less comfortable than boots. But in general it is recommended to have light shoes, at least to walk around the hotel (they are called loggias here)
Socks. Well, then we’ll deal with the socks right away. Trekking socks can be purchased locally. There are thinner socks (most of them), but sometimes there are thicker trekking socks. I walked in thick ones, and crossed the pass in some regular shoes, some thick trekking shoes, and some knitted Czech shoes. In short, it is better to take warmer socks and several pairs.

Thermal underwear. Never wore it to the track. But on the track it is necessary. At first I bought a cheap one, it did not completely cover my back. But then I bought a better one for 3000 (Nepalese rupees). And I don't regret it.

Fleece. I also became familiar with this word on the track. This is the second layer, its purpose is to store heat. You need pants and a jacket.

Windstopper. Third layer. Although instead of windstopper jackets we had winter jackets from Russia. But we bought pants. Why did I take insulated ones (but didn’t take fleece ones)

Scarf. We brought scarves. We bought local analogues of “bafa”. I didn't even use mine.

Cap. The lower part of the route is hot during the day. We even bought special Panama hats that “look like a cap in all directions.” Comfortable.

Well, we also had T-shirts and shirts on our bodies.

Everything about clothes. Now for the rest

Sticks. Sticks are good. Some say they are not needed, others say they get in the way. We were very ok with the sticks. The main thing is to use them correctly.

Gloves. There are two layers here. Just rags are the bottom layer. And the analogue of the windstopper is the top one. (so that the snow doesn't stick)
At the pass, my hands were freezing. I don’t know how to deal with this. It is possible to use a double layer of cloth. I just warmed my hands (with gloves) in my pockets. One hand holds the sticks, the other in the pocket, then vice versa.

Hiking towel. This is such a special fabric, it takes up little space, wipes well and dries quickly.

Cats. We bought it and used it. But in reality they were at least somewhat needed in one place already on the descent, and in general I slipped and fell only once. And this time I was wearing cats. They were covered with snow and frozen. When we go next time we won’t take it. But it generally depends on the weather.

Headlamps. Must have. In the upper villages solar panels and at night there was no light. Plus, access to the pass itself occurs at night in the dark.

Sunscreen. Even if you have never used it, this is the case when it is necessary. It's twenty to thirty degrees below zero, but ultraviolet radiation doesn't care about the temperature. He'll fry you. My forehead and the tip of my nose were slightly burned, and a few days after the trek the skin on my right cheek peeled off.
This is despite the fact that I used cream (although only after an altitude of 3500, it is better to use it after 2500). And I constantly hid my skin from the sun. So, I repeat, even if you have never used it, the track is the best place to use it.
Well, of course, don’t warm yourself by exposing your face to the sun.

Knee pads. I didn’t use it (now after two weeks I feel weakness and discomfort in my knees). My girlfriend used it and says she couldn’t have done it without them. I will also add an ankle bandage here, but this is not at all necessary. The girl just used it, that’s why I’m writing.

Sleeping bag. Now I'll say something unexpected. We didn't use sleeping bags. We carried them with us, but never used them.
No, of course it's cold there. It's very cold, but to combat the cold, just ask for a couple of extra blankets where you're staying.
Some trekkers, who also make do with local blankets, recommend taking the lightest sleeping bag simply for hygienic reasons.

Backpack. It's better to take a big one. So that everything fits into it. The backpack must have a belt. It’s not a problem to buy a backpack on the spot.
I had one for 45. But it has a rather interesting design, which essentially allowed us to increase the useful volume by another 20 liters. (So a total of 65)
Plus we secured the sleeping bags outside.

Medicines. We only used patches to prevent blisters (really helps) and topical paracetamol for colds and headaches while crossing the pass. Plus chapstick to protect your lips. But a much larger first aid kit is usually recommended. I think it would be better to google this question elsewhere.

Map. I had a paper one (I bought it in Kathmandu, they asked for 500, I said that I would give only 300. Of course they agreed) and a computer one.
Computer this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand (You need to download it inside the application world map and separately a map of Nepal)
I also didn’t use it (because I didn’t think it would be needed, and I didn’t have the opportunity to buy it in Nepal), but I think this wouldn’t hurt
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand.srtmPlugin.paid

Tablets for water disinfection. They are inexpensive, you can bargain. Sold in many places. On the track somewhere in the guest house you give a bottle and ask for a free one drinking water and out of harm's way, throw the pill away. After half an hour you can drink. Otherwise, water is too expensive, plus if you take it in bottles, it will generate garbage.

Time.

I'll tell you straight. I don’t understand at all why people flock to the track during peak months. Yes, yes, I read this explanation that “the weather is better.”
But... all serious disasters so far have happened in the “seasonal” months! Even the earthquake occurred during the peak month of spring.

The main problem of peak seasonal months is that there will not be enough room for someone to spend the night. Do you need it? Not to mention the inability to get additional blankets.
In short, it’s certainly better to go in spring/autumn. but not at the peak. We started on the trail on February 22. We crossed the pass on March 5th. And it was the right decision on our part.

Porter

He's a porter. Definitely don't take it.
The only exception can be a situation in which you initially do not believe in your strength and are going to cross the pass on a horse (yes, there is such a possibility). In this case, yes, let the porter carry the entire load, and when it gets heavy, the horse will carry you. But if you are going to cross the pass on your own feet, then under no circumstances take porter at the beginning of the route.

The pass itself is so much harder than the rest of the route that you can immediately say that if you are not able to carry your backpack to the base camp, then you will not have enough strength for the pass.

If you still need porter, you will take it at the pass itself. (Unless, of course, you go during peak season and everyone will be snapped up)

Guide

Not needed. It's worth taking only if you want to chat on the road and have some extra money. In order to navigate the route, the above maps and these marks are enough

There is also a white and blue mark. I will mention it later.

We're haggling.

I don’t know where to insert this paragraph, so I’ll insert it somewhere. In Nepal, bargaining for everything is the norm.
On the track itself, always ask for free accommodation. But for this you will have to eat at your hotel. In general, the menu is the same everywhere (and surprisingly extensive, so the only food you should take with you is a few light packs of cookies for a snack), so it doesn’t matter where you eat.
When moving into large cities, bargain.
When buying gear, try to get more items in one place and save 10% to 30%. If you are embarrassed to bargain or don’t know English, then at least just say “discount”. The seller himself will throw something off.
There will be retail shops along the track. There you can bargain for food and things. I constantly bargained for water, because its price grew too quickly as I gained altitude. Sometimes they gave in, sometimes they were stubborn.
It was very difficult to bargain for food in hotels. But I negotiated a discount on the same water.
You can also bargain a little for transport. (From Pokhara to Besisahar it took 350, they didn’t give us any more. We started at 400).

Arrival in Kathmandu.

So, you've arrived. You need to fill out several papers, fill out something in some terminal, and pay for a visa.
The visa must be paid in dollars, euros or any other internationally recognized currency. You cannot get a visa for rubles or local rupees.

There is a visa for 15 days (it is not suitable for trekking)
There is a visa for 30. If you are limited in time and funds, then it is for you.
Available for 90 days. We took it, but in the end we spent a little less than 30 days in the country; we really wanted to go to Thailand, to Chiang Mai.

The visa is issued at the airport.

From the airport take a taxi for 400-600 to the Thamel area (tourist area)
And there you already choose where to stay. I think it doesn't matter where. Kathmandu - terrible place(you will understand this yourself when you leave the airport), it’s bad everywhere there.

Some manage to leave for Pokhara on the same day. If we find ourselves in Nepal again, we will try to do this too. However, if this is your first time in Nepal, you will still stay in Kathmandu. It’s actually interesting to walk around the streets, if you don’t pay attention to the noise, dirt and other authenticity.

Before the trek, in addition to purchasing equipment, you also need to obtain a permit and a TIMS card. Can be done in Kathmandu. Can be done in Pokhara. It costs 2000 each. You need photos and a passport (we had a lot of tourists receive photocopies of their passports)
We did it in Pokhara. It is done in one building right here. https://goo.gl/maps/VG58HUhd1GL2

Pokhara

Pokhara is not a mandatory destination before the trek. (Although at the end of the trek you will arrive in this city). If you manage to buy equipment and get permits in Kathmandu, then you can go to the trek from there.
But we went from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Pokhara, of course, is not so authentic. But much more pleasant. They probably gave away the most for tourists the best place in the city. The coast of a local lake. That area is called Lake side
The price of housing is from one thousand to two. We paid a thousand.

A good store that I am ready to recommend is located opposite the Godfather’s Pizzeria cafe https://goo.gl/maps/CRGibnKvuwT2 (I also recommend it)

In Pokhara we made two test hikes to see if we were even capable of such hikes. The first time we just walked up the hill on our side of the lake.

Then we went up the hill on the other side of the lake. To a local attraction: “Stupa of Peace”.
We walked around the lake to the left and climbed up.

(Somewhere there, behind the haze in the distance, snowy peaks are hiding)

Then on the way back we climbed to the local dam

Overall, this trip to the Stupa of Peace was useful for me. He helped us test before the actual track.

Track

When all matters are settled, we go to Besisakhar. We arrive in the afternoon. We check in at the first checkpoint (it’s the same place where the bus arrives, if you ask) and off we go. I immediately went the wrong way and the map on my phone helped me out right at the very beginning.

Some spend the night in Besisakhar. Some even go further, shortening the journey by several days. But the right track begins with Besisahar.

And on the very first day of your journey you will come across suspension bridges.

On the first day you can walk to the Bulbule place or a little further to Nadi Bazaar.
If you didn't see snowy peaks in Pokhara, then the next morning you will most likely finally see them.

Let's go, let's go. We spent the night like this. Nadi, Chamche, Timang (Before Timang there is a long and steep climb. It’s just that the height was incorrectly indicated on our paper map and we thought that the road would be easier. But we reached it still in the light.). In fact, there is no need to break into Timang, and those who have a map with normal heights stop in the previous Danaguy.
Because the next stop is still the village of Chame (By no means Bratang), regardless of where you come from.
Somewhere after Chame we finally encountered snow on the road.
And also on the way from Chame there is this mountain.

The impression is fantastic. It's like some kind of giant crater. The mountain has a name Svargadvari, translated it sounds like “Gateway to Paradise”

Then the upper Pisang (But the lower one is also possible, these are two villages, one on the slope, the other in the lowland)

We walked forward, went up a little (We tried not to stay in the “first” hotels, because they are spoiled by tourists and prices can be inflated there, this was the case in Chamcha, for example)

And the next day from Pisang a dash to Manang. There is an upper road (through the villages of Gayaru and Naval), it is difficult, but we followed it. And there is a lower road, it is easy.
But then I thought that if we go along the upper one, then we will overcome the pass.

Manang

This is already 3500.
Here you should stay for a few days. 2-3. We spent 4.

Will explain. The main risk of the pass is not the weather, not your endurance and not wandering yaks, but altitude sickness. To prevent mountain sickness, you need to carefully monitor your condition, sleep well, drink a lot (2-3 liters per person), gradually gain altitude and do acclimatization trips.

We climbed the hill to the left of Lake Gangapurna (Actually it has a different name, but everyone calls it that). This lake is right next to the village, if you open the map you will understand everything.

(the view is already from the hill, but we climbed even higher)

Another day we went to Ice lake. And here we can talk about this in more detail.

Ice Lake

4800m. This already says it all. You will have to climb from a height of 3500 to a height of 4800.

The ascent begins through the village of Braga. (she is on the track a couple of kilometers before Manang). The trail is clearly visible in the appendix to which I provided a link. I just want to note that the fork to the lake is marked with a blue and white mark (not red and white).

In the closer shot (on the left) is Braga. In the background (right) is Manang. In the center is the hill that I wrote about above. As you can see, we have already risen above him.

Occasionally you will come across signs.

Up, up, up. 60 percent of the height has been passed. In the center is Lake Gangapurna (Gangapurna is the mountain on the left. A glacier comes from it, a lake flows from the glacier, so the lake is also called Gangapurna)

And with difficulty we finally get to the lake. First you will encounter this puddle. For some reason it smells.
We'll have to go a little further.

We stand and rest before descending. And then the clouds are approaching us.

We still have time to look at Manang from above

That's all. We spent the entire descent in the clouds.

In the snow clouds.

Long

Long

Long Descent


In fact, for me this climb competes in impressions with the pass itself. Plus, it was the final endurance test before the pass itself. Highly recommend.

Checking the weather

While we are in Manang, where there is electricity and internet, we need to check the weather at the pass for the coming days. You need a more or less sunny day with minimal precipitation.
There are two more overnight stays between Manang and the pass. Yak Kharka and Thorong Pedi, aka base camp. So budget for these overnight stays so you can cross the pass on a good day.

We met a couple who were unable to cross the pass due to snowfall, although they were physically stronger and more resilient than us. In addition, when we arrived at the base camp, there were a lot of people there who were not there when we walked along the trail. I can only explain this pile by the fact that people were waiting for a good day. But it is much more pleasant to wait for a good day in Manang at 3500 than at base camp at 4500.

Let's move on

From Manang there is a purely pedestrian and horse trail. (Before this it is possible to get there by bike or jeep)

Let's go to Yak Kharka.
Some go to Ledar (a little further down the road and higher), some even to Thorong Pedi.
You don't have to do that. By doing this, you do not increase the probability of transition, but reduce it, since you disrupt the dynamics of the climb.

There are already problems with electricity and internet in Yak Kharka.
Try to charge your phone and, just in case, save the charge so that at the pass itself you have a map and a camera. We charged for free from the batteries of the guest house in which we lived, but we went at the end of February - beginning of March, during the season, I think it’s not that there will be no free charging, the battery charge itself is simply not enough.

There is a small hill near Yak Kharka. We didn’t climb, but it’s better to go down for acclimatization.

Thorong Pedi

This is also the base camp. Last night before the pass. Some people spend the night even higher, but first of all, sleeping higher is harmful. Secondly, it's colder.

At base camp we paid for housing (because there were a lot of people and there was no choice of housing)

When you arrive at camp, don't rush to relax. Drop your backpacks and hike to the top camp. First, you will scout out the road (the next day you will have to walk along it in the dark) and better acclimatize before the hardest day of the trek.

Up there. You will go around the rock in the center of the frame on the left. There, higher up, the left and right rocks will converge. And then they will separate again. You need to stick to the right rock. (All trails will be visible on the map on your phone)

It was the coldest night. Lying under the blankets, we waited at least half an hour for our feet to warm up (the body itself usually warms up in a couple of minutes). Between us we had five blankets. Plus thermal underwear, plus fleece, whoever had which. But we never got the sleeping bags. There was no need for jackets to sleep either. But they put on their hats.

Before the pass, it is better to eat as lightly as possible. But, as always, you need to drink plenty.

Pass.

Rise at 4-5 am. If it's easy for you, then maybe even 5:30
It’s better not to go first so as not to trample the road, although at least you will definitely get to the upper camp. And while you are drinking tea, someone will definitely go first.

The main landmarks on the way are those posts over there (near the path, on the right side of the frame)

On the way to the pass you will come across two more seasonal houses. When I passed they were empty, but at the same time they also served as landmarks.

The transition was difficult. We constantly stopped to catch our breath. They walked at a speed of 1-1.5 km per hour. But the need for porter never arose. (What’s the use of porter if you’ve already grown together with your backpack, and what’s the point without it, if you can barely walk with it)
Sometimes tourists on horseback rode past us.
In general, we walked very slowly the entire track; everyone overtook us. And if we overtook someone, we usually overtook those to whom the porter was carrying things...

There were different thoughts, I wanted to give up everything and turn around, I wanted to give up and lie down in the snow to rest. But we experienced this on two more test treks (From upper Pisang to Manang along the upper path. And when climbing the ice lake) so we knew that we just had to stubbornly step forward step by step. An hour, two, three, or, as in our case, the transition took thirteen hours (from the overnight stay to the next village)

And finally the pass itself. With frozen hands we take a few photos and go down the other side. During the day, the rise is from 4500 to 5416 and the descent to 3800.

We reached the town of Mukhtinakh. We slept and decided to finish the trek. Because the challenge was completed, and I really wanted to go to civilization. Well, at the pass we caught a very bad cold.

In general, although the track was difficult for us, we are glad that we went to it. It was not so much a physical test as a psychological one. During the trek, I was once again convinced that a certain amount of perseverance is a very useful trait. Perseverance helps you finish games when you don’t want to look at them anymore, and cross a pass when you no longer have the strength left.

I'm sure I missed something. (For example, I didn’t write a word about the fact that at altitude there is much less air and therefore it’s hard to breathe and sometimes you feel like you’re suffocating). So, if you have any questions, ask.

Rating: 10.0/ 10 (7 votes cast)

Nepal. Trek around Annapurna., 10.0 out of 10 based on 7 ratings
  • The most beautiful snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna massif, which will accompany us throughout most of the trekking
  • Three eight-thousanders that can be seen in the distance: Manaslu (8,156m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna 1 (8,091m)
  • Thorong La Pass (5,416m) - one of the highest passes in the world that can be climbed without special equipment
  • mountain lake Tilicho - it is located at an altitude of 4,949 m and has very large dimensions: length - about 4 km, width - about 1 km
  • Unique gorges mountain rivers Marsiandi and Kali-Gandaki, along which we will walk
  • The longest suspended bridges across gorges - a walk along these can tickle everyone’s nerves
  • The Mustang area - its lower part, which is completely different from anything we've seen before
  • Riding jeeps, frankly speaking, scary roads
  • Fly over the Himalayas from Jomson to Pokhara in a small plane with views of Annapurna
  • Amazing Nepalese traditions, their way of life and culture
  • Delicious, although unusual, Nepalese food
  • Walking around the calm and green town of Pokhara with a boat ride on Phewa Lake
  • The main attractions of Kathmandu are Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Bodtankh, Patan
  • The bustling streets of Thamel - the tourist area of ​​the capital where we will live
  • Evening gatherings for stories..

And much, much more, because it is so individual. Trekking around Annapurna will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting adventures of your life!

Program cost: $850

  • Included in the price:
  • Meeting at the airport;
  • Accommodation in lodges along the route;
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara;
  • Transfer by chartered bus from Kathmandu to Dharapani;
  • Transfer by jeep Dharapani - Chamzhe;
  • Jeep transfer Mukhtinath - Jomson;
  • All necessary permits and permits;
  • Guiding services of the Couloir club;
  • Nepalese guide services;
  • Consultations on preparation for the trek;
  • Help with purchasing air tickets;
  • Group first aid kit;
  • Porter trunk rental
  • The price does not include:
  • Airfare to Nepal ($500-700);
  • Air flight Jomson-Pokhara ($110-125);
  • !Required medical insurance and from the NS;
  • Nepal visa ($30);
  • Meals ($15-20 per day, depending on appetite);
  • Porter services ($120 per 12kg);
  • Excursions in Kathmandu and Pokhara (optional, from $50);
  • Tips for the local guide and porters (about 20-30 dollars);
  • Tips for the guide (not required, but he will be glad to receive them);
  • All expenses not specified in the program (force majeure, evacuation).

Total mandatory expenses, not included in the price, will be approximately 500 $ + airfare to Nepal (400-700). It is advisable to have about $200 with you in reserve.

VERY DESIRABLE: We strongly recommend taking a porter to this track. The cost will be approximately 10 dollars per 12 kg of cargo per day. And that for the whole trek is approximately 120 dollars. + tip (10-20 dollars).

Payment order

To reserve a spot in a group, you must pay a $100 deposit in advance. This money is needed to issue passes and book hotels. If you cancel the trip, the money will not be returned, but can be transferred to another participant or remain in your “account” to pay for future trips. Payment Methods . The rest of the amount is handed over to the instructor on the first day of the hike. If you leave the route, money will not be returned.

Friends! We kindly ask you to select dollar bills from 2003 and newer. Dollars from the 90s are not accepted in many countries and we sometimes have problems when paying with local partners. Thank you for your understanding and new dollars to everyone :)

Changes in the program

Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the instructor has the right to make changes to the route.

Mobile communications, Wi-Fi, charging

While trekking around Annapurna there is communication, but it is poor. The most popular Nepalese operator Ncell has good fishing only in the first days and after the pass - in Mukhtinath. Therefore, we advise you to take SIM cards from the NTC operator, they have coverage of this region better, sometimes you can even watch videos on YouTube :) To buy a SIM card, you will need a foreign passport and a 3x4 photo (can be done on the spot for an additional fee). Wi-Fi is available in every lodge and costs 100-300 rupees. In large cities there are free Internet in the cafe. Charging is available in almost all lodges except Tilicho Base Camp and Thorong La, charging costs can be per hour or per device, price 100-800 rupees.

Nutrition on the track

The menu in all lodges is extremely varied ( different types eggs, pasta, potatoes, soups, pizza, rice). Interesting feature is that the same dishes in different lodges can be prepared differently and taste completely different! Food prices rise proportionally with altitude. On average, it will cost $15-20 per day to eat normally.

For example, we recommend looking at some of the most expensive prices on the route in the village of Gokyo, but here is a folder with photos of menus and food from other lodges on the trek to Everest. Food is much cheaper on the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Let’s say right away that some people really like Nepalese food, but there are also those who “don’t like it.” With meat on the track it’s usually difficult, you can take a little lard and a stick of sausage with you.

Accommodation on the track

In Kathmandu we will live in Hotel Arts ****. Standard accommodation in double rooms.

During the trek on foot, we live in lodges - these are shelters for tourists, which have a public shower and toilet (sometimes in the room). We order food from the same lodge where we live. The rooms are very simple, small, for 2-3 people, not heated. The furniture is often only beds. The beds are made bed linen, but it is recommended to take your own sleeping bag and sleep in it. If desired, you can ask the hosts for a blanket. Almost all lodges have electricity, but there are rarely outlets in the rooms.

To better understand the living conditions, we strongly recommend that you look at some examples of lodges from our tracks. Click on the name: a good lodge in Namche Bazaar with a shower in the room, a basic lodge in Dol - without a shower and with ice in the sink, cool rooms in the Eco-resort in Gokyo, a standard lodge in Chukung, a mug of tea after spending the night in a room in Gorak -Shepe. Even if you spend the night in other populated areas, the lodges will be of approximately the same level.

Individual accommodation is possible for the entire program, it costs +$250. Be sure to notify the manager in advance.

Weather

Most of the trek is at moderate altitudes. During the day the temperature will be about +20 degrees, at night it can drop to zero. During an early exit to the pass, the temperature can drop to -10. It rains rarely. The typical weather for mountainous regions is clear mornings and cloudy evenings.

Prices, money of Nepal

The country's currency is Nepalese rupees. The exchange rate is approximately 100 rupees to 1 dollar. You can exchange at the hotel reception or at an exchange office, with which we have long agreed on a more favorable rate. The guide will take you to the right place. It is noteworthy that Nepalese are very careless about paper money - piercing a packet of rupees with a stapler is quite normal. All expenses along the route are in rupees only. Exchange about 400-500 dollars for them before the trek. Bank cards Only accepted at select locations in Kathmandu, so be sure to take cash. In addition, there are large restrictions on withdrawing cash from an ATM, and the commission for this is simply extortionate. You should buy souvenirs at the stalls in Thamel (the tourist area of ​​Kathmandu), and not at the attractions. Always bargain with the Nepalese, sometimes the price can be reduced several times.

Required documents

A visa to Nepal is issued directly at the border; the cost of a visa for 15 days of stay is $30. detailed instructions according to design. To obtain a visa, you only need a valid passport, which is valid for more than 6 months from the date of return flight.

To participate in the hike, you must have no illnesses that are incompatible with active tourism: .

Annapurna Trek Map

Upcoming dates for the trek around Annapurna + Lake Tilicho

Start Finish Route Price Days
11.04.2020 25.04.2020 850 $ 15 days
12.04.2020 26.04.2020 Trek around Annapurna + Lake Tilicho 850 $ 15 days
07.11.2020 21.11.2020 Trek around Annapurna + Lake Tilicho 850 $ 15 days

Trekking around Annapurna by day

Day 1. Group meeting in Kathmandu

Immediately after receiving a visa (applied without any problems, you can take it for 15 days for 25 dollars, one day of delay is not a problem), pick up your luggage and go to the exit from the airport. While you are alone or already with a group of tourists flying from your city. For example, several people usually fly from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kyiv, and we introduce them before the trip. It's more fun to fly together. At the exit, a guide from the “Kuluar” club or our Nepalese assistant will be waiting for you, who will take you by taxi to your pre-booked hotel. It is at the hotel that the whole group will gather.

Today is the day of your first acquaintance with the peculiarities of Nepal, our guide will tell you how not to get lost, what is best to buy where and at what prices, where to eat deliciously without getting an upset stomach.

In the evening, a general dinner and group acquaintance. The guide tells you your plans for tomorrow and answers all your questions.

Day 2. Transfer Kathmandu - Besisahar (1,100m) - Chamzhe (1,430m)

Even though we won’t walk today, it’s a hard day - we need to rush to the start of the route. First, we take a chartered minibus to the village of Besisahar. The journey will take about 7 hours with a mandatory stop for breakfast - since our departure is at 5 am and it is not a fact that we will be able to eat at the hotel. Many people start walking from Besisakhar. But, frankly, it’s very boring - tramping along a wide road for a day and a half, where the mountains are not yet visible. Is this what we went to Nepal for? Therefore, in Besisakhar we transfer to jeeps and drive through the area to the village of Chamzhe (or even further, if possible). We stay in lodges - mountain shelters.

Day 3. Trek Chamzhe (1,430m) - Dharapani (1,860m)

First day of trekking around Annapurna! Finally, we don’t have to jostle in buses and jeeps along these terrible roads, but can calmly stomp around on our own two feet while admiring the surroundings. The trail goes along the picturesque Marsiandi River, from time to time jumping from one bank to another. There will also be some steep climbs; this will be the first serious test on the track. Towards evening we will reach the village of Dharapani, where we will spend the night. It is notable for the fact that the trekking path to Manaslu begins from here, but this time we are going in the other direction.

Day 4. Trek Dharapani - Chame (2,670m)

Friends, today we will see the really big snow-capped Himalayan peaks for the first time! These peaks are Lamjung (6,983m) and Manaslu (8,157m). They are far away, but their enormous size can be felt even from such a distance. At the same time, Lamdjung is one of the smallest peaks of the Annapurna massif. We will definitely have a cup of masala or ginger-lemon tea with a view of the mountains and continue our journey. And today it is almost constantly up. Step by step, kilometer by kilometer, we will see the real Buddhist gates to the village of Chame, walk along the mani wall and spin the drums with mantras.

Travel time: 6-7 hours, distance: 15 km

Day 5. Trekking Chame - Upper Pisang (3,300m)

We continue to rapidly gain altitude. So much so that today we will see the Gates of Heaven - this is a huge granite amphitheater, smoothed by the Annapurna glacier. In the spring it is covered in snow and looks like a flat plateau for skiing, and in the fall the snow melts and exposes the stone. The scale of these “gates” is truly impressive. We will stop for the night in Upper Pisang, settle into rooms, rest and go for a walk to the monastery. Let's find a time to go to the puja and see monks in traditional red-orange outfits reciting mantras, fingering beads and playing musical instruments. We can stay here until sunset, after which we return to our lodge for dinner.

Travel time: 6 hours, distance: 16 km

Day 6. Trek Upper Pisang - Manang (3,540)

Personal opinion - today is the most beautiful day of the entire trek around Annapurna. For the first hour we will walk along a good, pleasant path, admiring the huge peaks of the Annapurna massif, which will open to us in all their glory. Annapurna II (7,937m) stands out especially, on the slopes of which, if desired, you can distinguish a wolf’s face. We pass a large mani vol, suspension bridge and begin the long climb. Perhaps the most difficult and unpleasant part of the journey. But at the top, an excellent viewing platform and a stall with cool drinks, apples and yak cheese await us. Maximum height We gained it in a day, then the trail smoothly descends, without large changes in heights or climbs. We will have lunch in the village of Ngaval, and in the evening we will go to the largest village in the region - Manang. Here we will stay for two nights.

Travel time: 7-8 hours, distance: 20 km

Day 7. Lake Gangnapurna, walks around Manang

A legal day of rest on the track. For better acclimatization, we will spend it actively - we spend half a day walking over Lake Gangnapurna, which is fed by glacial waters flowing from the mountain of the same name. Very beautiful and unusual landscapes. We spend the second half of the day exploring life in Manang. This is completely small town, which, like most mountain villages in Nepal, still lives somewhere in the Middle Ages. There are delicious baked goods, tongba (Tibetan beer) and even a couple of cinemas showing films about the mountains. We advise you to wash and rest - there is a key part of the Annapurna trek ahead.

Day 8. Manang - Tilicho Base Camp (4,150m)

Truly an extraordinary day. The trail to Tilicho base camp winds along the crumbling slopes of the mountains and takes us to the very heart of the Himalayas. This is where the feeling of a real expedition and some kind of unreality of everything that happens appears. Immediate landscapes and the huge wall of Mount Tilicho (7,134m) bring the brain into a state of constant ecstasy, the camera shutter clicks without getting tired. There are only a few loggias at the base camp, but there are many tourists. You may have to make room a little.

Travel time: 6-7 hours, distance: 16 km

Day 9. Radial hike to Lake Tilicho (4,949m)

Radial - this means that we go to the lake lightly, without all our things, and return to the same place for the night. Lake Tilicho impresses everyone. First of all, of course, we are interested in the most beautiful landscapes with the reflection of snowy peaks in the calm waters of the lake. A very large lake, about 4 km long and about 1 km wide, which is located at an altitude of 4,949 meters. Just imagine such a huge body of water at such a height - this is a unique and inimitable phenomenon. Small icebergs often float on the waters of the lake.

For an overnight stay we return to Tilicho base camp. This outing to the lake will give us not only unique views and wonderful impressions, but will also provide the necessary acclimatization to overcome the key point of the trek around Annapurna - the Thorong-La pass. Today we will overcome the altitude of 5000 m for the first time.

Travel time: 6 hours

Day 10. Trekking Tilicho base camp - Yak Kharka (4,018m)

At altitudes above 4000 meters, the harsh climate of the highlands is clearly felt - little can take root and survive here. And only the yaks walk and chew dry thorns. You wonder how they can get enough of such food. We won’t eat thorns, but will have breakfast and go to the village of Yak Kharka. A remarkable feature of all Nepalese trekking trips is that the higher the altitude you go, the poorer and worse the menu, the simpler the lodges, the higher the prices. After all, all cargo and products are carried here by porters or yaks. There are no cars here and it's wonderful.

Day 11. Trekking Yak Kharka - Thorong Phedi (4,450m) - High Kemp (4,925m)

Trekking around Annapurna continues. Today is a difficult day, we need to gain about 800m. The first part of the day is simple - a gentle path smoothly leads us to the small village of Thorong Phedi. There are only a few lodges here and we will stop for rest and lunch. Gain strength, because one of the most difficult sections of the hike around Annapurna lies ahead - the climb to the upper camp of the Thorong La pass. The height difference is not that big - 500m, but what a difference! The path twists steeply with small, endless zigzags, the altitude takes its toll and it gets harder to walk with every step. Most likely, the group will stretch out here - the fastest ones will go to occupy the lodges, and the rest will gradually move their legs and slowly climb up.

After settling in and having a short rest, we will definitely go for a walk around the surrounding area. In particular, we will go out to a small hill from which views of the harsh rocky ridges open up. It won’t take much time and we will spend the rest of the evening in the dining room: first ordering dinner, then having dinner, then talking and playing games - whoever has the strength and desire. At night, the temperature at this altitude can drop to -10, and the lodges will not save you from this. It seems that it is even colder in the middle than outside. Therefore, we climb into the sleeping bag fully dressed and be sure to cover ourselves with an additional blanket. We are trying to sleep, tomorrow is a very early start and a hard day.

Travel time: 5-6 hours, distance: 9 km

Day 12. Thorong La Pass (5,419m) - Muktinath (3,760m) - Jomson (2,720m)

The key and hardest day of trekking around Annapurna. We get up at 4 am, leave at 5. Before leaving, have a light breakfast - tea with cookies. It will be about -10 outside - that's cold, especially considering the lack of oxygen. Your hands and feet will freeze the most. We wrap ourselves up warmly, turn on the flashlights and set out to storm the pass. We need to gain 550m of vertical. The trail is good, gentle, somewhat reminiscent of climbing Elbrus from the south. Gradually we get into a rhythm and warm up. About two hours later it finally dawns and the sun gradually emerges from behind the rocky peaks. With our mouths open, we take out our cameras and begin frantically filming this action.

At the pass there is a small tea house. Under no circumstances should you drink coffee, but you can have a cup of hot tea and a piece of chocolate. It is imperative to cross the pass before noon, as after that the weather begins to deteriorate, the wind rises and it may even snow heavily.

If it seemed to you that the climb was difficult, then do not rush to conclusions. We need to drop 1,800m along rocky paths. This is really hard. In the nearest lodges we sit down and unwind Ginger-Lemon Ti Wiz Honey- it is an excellent tonic.

Around noon we will already descend to Muktinath. Yes, yes, approximately by one o'clock in the afternoon. And it seemed to you that an entire eternity had already passed.

We have lunch and buy souvenirs. Those who wish can still visit the local temple on the descent from the pass. We get into the jeeps and move to Jomson. Here is the airport from which we will fly to Pokhara tomorrow.

Travel time: 8 hours, distance: 14 km

Day 13. Flight Jomson - Pokhara

That's it, the walking part of the Annapurna trek is completed. Today we are flying on a small plane to Pokhara - one of largest cities Nepal. We'll check into a hotel and spend the rest of the day on excursions. There's a lot to do here. If there is enough time, we will see the Davis Falls and Shiva's Cave, go up to the Stupa of Peace, go down to Lake Phewa and take a boat back to Lakeside - the tourist area of ​​​​the city in which we live. You can also visit the unique mountain museum.

Day 14. Transfer Pokhara - Kathmandu

Long drive to Kathmandu and hotel accommodation. In the evening, walks, shopping - after all, you need to buy souvenirs for home. Farewell dinner, at which we share our impressions and exchange contacts, if someone has not already exchanged.

Day 15. Kathmandu sights, flight home

We will devote the first half of the day to visiting the main attractions of Kathmandu - temple complex Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath stupas.

Buy tickets for evening flights.

Who is this track for?

If you want to see the maximum variety of Himalayan landscapes, walk through the jungles and forests, visit original villages lost among highest mountains planets - you are on the right track. In comparison with, this route is a little easier in terms of acclimatization, but wilder, there are significantly fewer tourists. In addition to the wide variety of nature, you will also often come across monasteries and other Nepalese shrines, where you can attend puja and feel the spirit of Buddhism. The main highlights of the route are Tilicho Lake and the Thorong La Pass, the passage of which will require the maximum effort of which you are capable.

How to prepare for the trek

Thanks to the fact that we spend the night and eat in lodges, our backpacks on the route will be light. In addition, there is always the opportunity to hire a porter, which we strongly recommend to all participants. He will carry the bulk of your things (up to 12 kg), and you will go with a small backpack in which you will carry a warm jacket, water, documents and money. The trek around Annapurna is not easy, but it is possible for every person leading an active lifestyle. The best way to prepare for a mountain trek is running (about 5-7 km 2-3 times a week), squats, and cardio exercises, which will not only increase your endurance, but also train your legs for daily treks. The better your physical condition, the easier you will be to cope with altitude, acclimatize and enjoy the trek and the landscapes around you.

When to go

Like other regions of Nepal, there are two seasons for trekking in the Himalayas - spring (mid-March to late May) and autumn (mid-October to mid-December). If you go in the spring, you need to be prepared for the fact that there will still be a lot of snow on the pass and the approach to the lake, and the lake itself is hidden under ice. But a big plus during this period are the blooming rhododendron forests, which create incredible contrasting pictures against the backdrop of snow-white mountains. In the afternoon in spring, the sky is often cloudy and at about 3-4 o'clock in the afternoon it may begin to rain or snow. But by this time we usually already arrive at the lodge. Autumn is warmer, there are practically no clouds, the snow on the pass has melted, and the lake attracts the eye with the bright blue color of the water.

When and where to buy air tickets to Kathmandu

You need to buy tickets in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the track. The most convenient ways to fly from the CIS are AirArabia and FlyDubai, and it’s worth buying tickets on their websites. Please note that luggage is not included in the price and you will need to order 20 kg at the time of purchase. When boarding, you will need the credit card that was used to pay for the tickets - don’t forget it! Round-trip tickets cost $500-700.

To search for the cheapest tickets you can use the form below:

Get good insurance

Purchasing equipment

Porters

Porters are porters who carry your things for money. One porter can load no more than 24 kg. The cost of such a service is about $20 per day, but you can take one porter for two - it will be half the price! It is not customary to feel sorry for porters, no matter how much work they have to do. As well as inviting them to your table. In lodges, porters have their own room where they eat and sleep with friends. The best gratitude on your part would be a tip in the amount of a porter's daily salary. So prepare an extra $20 to tip the porter and Nepali guide.

IMPORTANT!

The guide has the right not to allow you to participate in the program if your equipment does not correspond to what is recommended on the site. For example, if instead of mountain boots you took sneakers or rubber boots.

Please be as responsible as possible when packing your equipment. Not only your health, but also the comfortable passage of the route by the group as a whole depends on this!

WE RECOMMEND 🔔

When packing your backpack, put all your things in plastic bags (you can use trash bags), this will protect them from getting wet in case of heavy rain or snow.

On a hike, there is nothing worse than a wet sleeping bag; put it in the strongest bag that will definitely not tear. Also, pack warm clothes, especially down ones, very carefully. Stay dry and enjoy the adventure!

Trek equipment list

Shoes

  • Trekking boots - semi-high, hard, well worn. Article: " "
  • Trekking sneakers are optional, but they will be more comfortable at low altitudes
  • Trekking sandals, crocs - for easy trails and relaxing in the camp

Cloth

  • Light headgear - cap, buff
  • Warm hat - ideal ones are sold in Kathmandu for 1-2 dollars
  • Fleece gloves
  • Warm down jacket, always with a hood (designed for -5..-10 degrees)
  • Membrane jacket with ventilation, windproof “skirt” and hood
  • Self-removing membrane pants or with ventilation - optional
  • Lightweight trekking pants
  • Shorts
  • Warm fleece or Polartek
  • Light fleece
  • Fleece sleep suit (or “non-active” thermal suit)
  • A set of good active thermal underwear - for movement. Article: " "
  • T-shirts - 2-3 pieces
  • Trekking socks - 5 pairs. We use Nepalese ones for 1.5-2 dollars per pair.
  • Wool socks - 1 pair for sleeping
  • Shoe covers (flashlights)
  • Changeable underwear
  • Raincoat or poncho
  • Light dress for photos (it's really beautiful:)

Equipment

  • Sleeping bag. Comfort temperature is -5 for men and -7 °C for girls. Article: " "
  • Lightweight trekking backpack for 30-40 l. Article: " "
  • Good sunglasses (SPF 4) in a hard case
  • Microfiber towel
  • Thermos 0.5-0.7 l (optional)
  • Head Torch
  • Trekking poles. Article: " "
  • Personal first aid kit. The contents of a personal first aid kit are here: " "
  • Sun cream with protection of at least 50 units
  • Hygienic lipstick
  • Moisturizing hand cream
  • Stock of wet sanitary napkins
  • Toilet paper
  • Documents, money - in sealed packaging
  • Camera, phone
  • A set of personal goodies - Snickers, nuts. Small, weighing up to 1 kg
  • Power banks - better a couple
  • Small toys, pencils, notepads as gifts for local children

Tablets (in addition to the personal first aid kit)

There are no miracle pills that will save you from altitude sickness. The main thing here is smooth and competent acclimatization. Some pills can speed it up and make it easier. If you are confident in your abilities, taking pills is not at all necessary.

  • Diacarb, Acetezelomide - the active ingredient of Diamax. Start taking one tablet in the morning the day before reaching an altitude of 3000 m. A diuretic, lowers internal pressure. According to our personal observations, it really helps participants tolerate heights better. Contraindicated in the presence of renal failure
  • Hypoxene - recommended for increased physical activity, including mountain climbing. Start taking it a week before the trek
  • Vitamins - will prepare your body for stress, compensate for vitamin deficiency in the mountain diet. Start taking two weeks before the start.

Travel plan

ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU
Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal! You will be met at Tribhuvan Airport and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Participants arrive throughout the day. Meeting with the guide and group. The guide helps you exchange money for local rupees, checks your equipment, and helps you buy what’s missing. If after organizational issues there is still free time, you can take a walk around Kathmandu and go to local temples. Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath or Boudhanath stupa. Swayambhunath is a small town of Buddhist temples, monasteries and Hindu religious buildings. From the top of the hill where Swayambhunath is located, a magnificent panorama of the Kathmandu Valley opens - a colorful green basin surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. Boudhanath is a huge stupa where you can climb the steps and see the eyes of Buddha.
Overnight at a 3* hotel.

KATHMANDU TO CHAJJE (1430 m)
Early morning departure by minibus to Besisahar (8 hours). Along the winding serpentine road you will pass through many small villages. Having reached the village of Besiskhar, the guide notes the permits at the check post. Next we go by jeep to the place where the trek begins - Chamje.

TRACK FROM CHAMJE TO DARAPANI (1920 m)
Rise at 6:30 - 7:00 am.
We cross to the other side of the river via a suspension bridge. The mountain trail climbs towards the Tal Valley, constantly following the flow of the Marshangdi River. On the way up to Tal there is a tea house where you can relax and drink tea. Tal is a very picturesque village, with beautiful houses, all in flowers and green gardens. Today's overnight stay is Darapani, a typical Tibetan village (1920 m).
4.5-5 hours on the road.
We stay overnight in a guesthouse.

TRACK FROM DARAPANI TO CHAMA (2700 m)
Rise at 6:30 - 7:00 am. Today our destination is the village of Chame (2700 m).
Today you will pass through a dense forest of bamboo and rhododendron, and enter the Manang area.
On the way you can turn to the village of Odar. The path there was built quite recently. We pass through small villages, which tourists have recently begun to visit. Before Timang we also turn off the main path and walk through a damp, shady forest, at the end of which we cross suspension bridge and we find ourselves in Timang. IN good weather today there will be an opportunity to see Manaslu. The end point is Chame, the center of Manang district.
6 hours on the road.
Overnight in a guesthouse.

TRACK FROM CHAME TO UPPER PISANG (3300 m)
The journey begins along the road, then villages with large apple orchards and apple processing factories begin. Then, after the bridge, a small steep section in a dense forest.
The road is surrounded by Himalayan peaks all the way to Pisang. Annapurna II (7937 m) rises majestically above Pisang itself. In Upper Pisang you can visit a Buddhist temple in the evening. Having received permission from the monks, you can stay there for the duration of the service.
5 hours on the road.
We stay at a guesthouse for the night.

TRACK FROM PISANG TO MANANG (3570 m)
Exit to Manang. There is little rain here even during the monsoon season over the Annapurna range. You can notice the contrast between the vegetation and the landscape: the cold, harsh climate leaves its mark. The terrain is replete with towering cliffs and exotic rock formations that contrast with the Himalayan peaks.
After Upper Pisang there is a small flat section of trail through the forest. Then, after the chortens and suspension bridge, there is a steep climb to the village of Ghyaru (3670m), which is completely invisible from below until you get close. In the middle of the climb there is a single guesthouse with a friendly hostess and a shady tree in front of the entrance. It’s a great place to relax and drink tea. Ghyaru has a beautiful monastery and chorten. Further after the village there is a long traverse with an ascent leading to a small pass. Right next to it is the Tea House and very tasty pies. But don’t rush to eat your fill, less than 30 minutes ahead is the village of Ngawal, where you need to have lunch.
Next, move to Braga - a very beautiful village with a monastery and a small grove next to it. It is surrounded on three sides by rocks, very warm and windless. The rocks themselves are also very beautiful, soft sandstone, intricately cut by wind erosion. From Braga approx. 30 minutes to the entrance to Manang, past many chortens and the same bizarre rocks. And all this against the backdrop of beautiful views of Annapurnas 2, 4 and 3.
7-8 hours on the road.
Overnight in a guesthouse.

MANANG VILLAGE, SIGHTSEEING.
Rest day in Manang. Today is the day of acclimatization. Stunning views of the peaks of Annapurna 2,4,3, Gangapurna, Tilicho, etc. Depending on the strengths and capabilities of the group, this day can be spent in different ways. Here you can see stunning views of the Gandapurna glacier and the lake below it, as well as all five peaks of Chulu. You can make a radial exit towards Lake Tilicho to the village of Khangsar 3730 m, which is very good for acclimatization. For those who feel strong enough, you can go to Ice Lake. Elevation gain 1 km. 4-6 hours
Radial exits from 1 to 5 hours.
Overnight in a guesthouse.

TRACK FROM MANANGA TO YAK KARKA (4020)
Our transition today cannot be called difficult, but the height is felt. Leaving Manang we pass by fields of buckwheat and wheat. These fields look unusual against the background of the snow giants of Annapurna. Suddenly, the peaks of Chulu, more than 6000 meters high, open on the right. Today's destination is the small settlement of Yak Karka. Beautiful view of Annapurna 3 and Gangapurna.
Overnight in a guesthouse.

TRACK FROM YAK KARK TO TORUNG PETI (4540m).
Today we have to approach the town of Torung Petit (4540 m). All around is a lifeless mountain desert. There are many yaks. But at the rest stop you can buy apples, which are sold right on the trail.
The next day we will cross the Thorung La pass.
3-3.5 hours on the road.
Overnight in a guesthouse.

TRACK TORUNG PETI (4540m) - lane TORUNG LA (5416m) - MUKTINATH (3800 m)
The most difficult day of the trek. Early rise and departure at dawn, at 5:30. There is a trek over the Thorung La pass (5416 m) and it is important to leave early in order to complete it in a day. First there is a steep climb (1-1.5 hours) to High Camp (4850 m), then a gentle and long climb to the pass. The difficulty of this trek will however be rewarded with magical views of the Himalayan peaks and views of the Lower Mustang. A landscape very different from anything else on the track. Then begins the long descent to Muktinath, the most famous place pilgrimages of Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal.
7-8 hours on the road.
Overnight in a guesthouse.

TRACK FROM MUKTINATH TO JOMSOM (2720 m).
Wake up and enjoy the view of Dhaulagiri (over 7000m altitude). After breakfast we head to the nearby villages of Jong and Jharkot. In Jong, the walls of the 14th century fortification have been preserved. Unusual species for these places. There is also a Buddhist school-monastery of the Sakyapa tradition. In Jarkot there are clay statues that belong to the Bon religion.
On the opposite bank of the Jong Khola River to Muktinath, caves have been preserved. They are clearly visible from the road.
The land here is similar to Tibet, just as wild and lifeless and at times you feel completely isolated. Then the descent to warmer areas begins. From Jarkot to Kagbeni we travel by regular jeep.
Walk to Kagbeni. The houses in Kagbeni are made of stone and stand very close together due to the constant winds in the Kali Gandaki valley.
From Kagbeni to Jomsom by regular jeep.
3-4 hours walk. 1-1.5 hours by jeep.
We are staying in a guesthouse in Jomsom.


From September 1, 2019, the full cost of a visa in rubles (including consular fee, bank fee and my registration):
- on 30 days(from April to June) = 2100 rub,
- on 30 days(July to March) = 3000 rub,
- on 1 year multi = 4200 rub,
- on 5 years multi = 7100 rub.
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Why Nepal and the Annapurna Circuit this time? Because these are MOUNTAINS! Himalayas. The beloved Himalayas again, but not Indian, but Nepalese.
I have been interested in Nepal since my youth, but in those years I didn’t even think that I would ever end up here.
On this trip we were called “trekkers” (from the word “trekking” - hiking in the mountains).
Why was I, completely unprepared and never an athlete, able to become a trekker in Nepal?

Because here it is possible for anyone. In Nepal there are routes that go through the mountains from one village to another. Since the slopes in Nepal are all populated, sooner or later you will definitely reach some village where you can have dinner and spend the night, so there is no need to carry a tent and food supplies with you. It is very comfortable.

Annapurna Circuit Trek (or Annapurna Circuit)

Of all the Nepalese treks we chose , because we’ve read a lot on the Internet about how super-duper-picturesque it is, how it goes through a high-mountain pass, and in general the very best. And the fact that climbing this pass is not easy is not something that is written about very much. Apparently, the difficulties are quickly forgotten, only the beauty remains in the memory.

Technical details of the Annapurna trek:
length – 211 km,
duration – about 20 days,
elevation difference - from 800 m (at the beginning of the route) to 5416 m (Thorong-La pass).
The route is circular (not a closed circle), it is recommended to go counterclockwise, because If you walk clockwise, then there is a very sharp rise in altitude before the pass, it’s harder to walk, and besides, the body does not have time to acclimatize at altitude and, as a result, suffers from altitude sickness.

What is the Annapurna Mountain Range?

The Annapurna mountain range is located in central Nepal (the map is enlarged if you open it in a new window):

These are the southern spurs of the Main Himalayan Range.
From east to west this mountain range stretches for 55 km.
Here's what it looks like from an airplane (photo from Wikipedia):

You can enlarge the picture by opening it in a new window and look at all this beauty.

The main peaks of the Annapurna mountain range in descending order of height:
Annapurna I – 8091 m,
Annapurna II – 7937 m,
Annapurna III – 7575 m (on another map – 7555 m),
Annapurna IV – 7535 m (on another map – 7525 m),
Gangapurna – 7455 m,
Annapurna South – 7219 m,
Tilicho Peak – 7134 m,
Nilgiri - has three peaks - 7061, 6940 and 6839 m,
Machapuchare – 6998 m.

Our route goes around this entire massif.

Translated as “goddess of the harvest.” But when you get acquainted with the history of ascents to the main peak of this massif, the question involuntarily arises: “What kind of harvest?” we're talking about? This mountain really reaped the biggest harvest - the highest mortality rate among climbers (41% for all years of ascents). Plus, to this terrible figure in October 2014 was added a terrible tragedy with the death of tourists, porters and local residents in the Annapurna mountain range as a result of a cyclone that came with Indian Ocean and caused abnormal snowfall and avalanches.

Annapurna Trek Map

The card (as it turned out) is quite conditional, but this is the one they give out when. Detailed map large format, which I bought in a bookstore, I will lay out in pieces as I go along the route, since the whole thing does not fit into the scanner.
On this map our trail is colored brown.

The map can be enlarged.

Track elevation diagram

I scanned the height map that is given when you receive permits. Since it is long, I divided it into two parts.
Part 1 – eastern – from Besisakhar to Thorong La pass.
(map enlarges)

And part 2 - western - from Thorong La pass to Nayapul
(increases)

First conquest of Annapurna by Herzog expedition

Annapurna is the 10th highest eight-thousander in the world and the first one conquered by man.
In 1950, people climbed to the top for the first time - French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal. Maurice Herzog wrote a fascinating book “Annapurna” about this expedition. It’s impossible to stop reading, especially after you’ve visited those parts yourself: familiar places, familiar names of rivers along which you also walked, familiar names of villages in which you also stopped... The most amazing thing is that Erzog’s expedition did not have a clear map (the map had errors), and they had to, through numerous reconnaissance, determine which specific peak was Annapurna and how to approach it. The situation was complicated by the fact that initially this group was given the task - to climb either Dhaulagiri or Annapurna (at that time both of them had not been conquered), or, wherever possible, to climb there within the allotted time. And the first peak on which they spent a lot of time was Dhaulagiri, but they failed to climb it, after which they switched to searching for approaches to Annapurna, and there was not much time left, the monsoon was approaching and they had to hurry... And when the peak was , finally conquered, a very difficult, unsuccessful and dramatic descent began... In general, if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it.

The entry was published on November 19, 2014 by the author in the category , with tags , .

About everyone interesting places in the capital of Nepal we will not tell you, you will find on the links above detailed descriptions attractions.

On the fourth day, the walking journey (trek) begins. After climbing to a height of 790 meters we enter the village of Khudi. This is the first village inhabited by representatives of the Gurung people. It is from them that the famous Gurkhas, famous for their valor on the battlefields, are recruited into the British and Indian armies.

They are very famous for their curved knives. Their bladed weapons are called “kukri”, you can see them in our article. They are also known for their inability to swim. Therefore, the use of Gurkha units in war is seriously limited, since they suffer heavy losses in drowning during river crossings and landing operations.

Don’t think that apart from rice fields and peasants, there will be nothing to see along the way. From this area open beautiful views to the Himalchuli and Ngadi Chuli mountains. The Annapurna mountain range itself is still quite far away, but its view is already mesmerizing.

On the fifth day we will have a short descent and a passage through a suspension bridge and a beautiful mountain waterfall“Suyanzh” at an altitude of 1070 meters. Afterwards we will go to the Hindu temple in the village of Jagat. The next part of the path passes through the forest and takes us to the village of Chamzhe at an altitude of 1400 meters, where the group stops for the night.

There is already a strong Tibetan influence in Manang district. If you pay attention during the hike, you will notice how the architecture of the buildings and the clothing of the local residents changes.

During the seventh day we must reach the capital of the Manang district - the village of Chame. Where else can you see the county capital of a state that is home to only about 1,300 people? To get here, you need to walk to the village of Tianzha (2360m), then walk through the forest to the village of Kopar (2590m), and from here walk a little to Chame (2630m).

Despite its small population, Chame is a regional center. There is a bank here and you can change money or withdraw cash from your bank account. There is an equipment store in the village, but with a rather limited selection. And there is the Internet, which causes genuine joy among many tourists.

There is a road leading to Chame that can be driven by an SUV. But vehicles can no longer pass on our route.

On the ninth day we leave Pisang towards the village of Manang. There are two routes here. The first runs south of the Marsuangdi River, and the second runs north. The northern route is easier and will delight us with many picturesque mountain views. After passing through the villages of Mungzhi and Briangda, we will get to the large village of Manang (3520m).

In Manang, the group stops for one day, as the body needs to acclimatize to mountain conditions. This is enough large settlement, and most of the 6,500 residents work in tourism. There is a medical center here, where specialists in “altitude sickness” work. This brings a certain element of security to the journey; in case of problems, specialist doctors are nearby.

In the next three days (11,12 and 13th) we must leave the Marsuangdi River valley and go through mountain passes and valleys to the Thorung La Pass. We will pass through the villages of Ledar (4250m) and Phedi (4420m).

This is the most high point route of this trek. The pass is located at an altitude of 5416 meters. This is even higher than the base camp of Annapurna itself, where trekking routes take place. You can rise higher only in time.

This is a sacred site of Hinduism, one of the most important in Nepal. The Muktinah temple is called a place of liberation where one can easily achieve the state of “mukti”. We will not talk about this in detail, as this is a very complex topic.

On the fourteenth day, after spending the night and a short rest in the village of Muktinah, we move on to the city of Jomsom. It is located at an altitude of 2770 meters, and you will have to walk from the mountain, which makes the journey noticeably easier.

Those who still want to continue the trek stay and follow the route further. The overnight stay takes place in the village of Marpha, famous for its apple orchards and apple liqueur.

On the fifteenth day, the group heads through the villages of Kobang and Larzhin to the settlement of Ghaza. On the sixteenth day we will arrive in the village of Tatopani. The expression “Thato Pani” itself is translated from Nepali as “ hot water" Anyone can swim, and usually all tourists are willing to swim.

By the way, the expression chiso (or tiso) pani is Nepali for “cold water”. The word "pani" itself means "water", which can be useful if you want to ask for water in a restaurant.

On the seventeenth and eighteenth days we will pass through the villages of Ghorepani and Nayapul and arrive at Big City Pokhara. Of course, we will not miss the opportunity to go early in the morning to Pun Hill, which offers a stunning view of the sunrise as the sun rises from behind the ridges of the Himalayan mountains. This is perhaps one of the most striking impressions of this track.

From Pokhara we will travel by car to Kathmandu, from where tourists fly to their homeland.

This is where this journey ends, read about other treks in Nepal and about the country ( links below).