Trekking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal is, for some, the culmination of a life’s dream and for others, simply the opportunity to explore one of the most remote mountain regions of the world. Passing through four provinces, the lower regions of Lamjung and Myagdi, and Manang and Mustang in the higher elevations, the Annapurna Circuit will take you on a journey not only of miles and mountains but of fascinating flora, fauna, and culture. The Annapurna circuit stretches for over 300km and circumnavigates the majestic Annapurna Massif comprising six mighty peaks and many smaller ones. It is difficult to choose an ultimate highlight of the trek but it is easy to work out which are the high points…

Thorong La Pass
A trek of the Annapurna Circuit will start from the city of Pokhara and follow the Marshyangdi River to the summit pass of Throng La. This is the highest point of the entire circuit and, at 5,416 metres above sea-level, it affords spectacular views across cloud-strewn valleys to the other great snowy peaks which surround it. Hikers set off before sunrise on the climb to Throng La Pass as strong winds later on in the day can hamper the journey and make the hike more strenuous.

Annapurna 1
Holding the title of the world’s tenth highest mountain at 8,091m, Annapurna I is one of only fourteen mountains which fall into the ‘eight-thousanders’, and was the first of this elite group to be conquered. Attempted far less often than its counterpart Everest, Annapurna is notorious for the avalanches which ravage its slopes and terrorise those who try to summit. As you trek the Annapurna Circuit you can view the sun-kissed snowy peak of the mountain from a more respectable vantage as you pass by the base of this magnificent monolith.

Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South
All these peaks, although sharing a name, are fully independent and have been conquered at various times through the 1950s and 1960s. They each have distinct silhouettes and on a clear day their sharply contoured peaks stand in vivid contrast to the dazzling blue Himalayan skies. As the journey continues around the Annapurna Circuit you will come to know each of these mountains by name and their dominating presence will track you every step of the way.

Gangapurna
While still a giant in terms of the world’s peaks, (at 7,455m it is ranked as the 59th highest mountain in the world) Gangapurna is the second smallest of the peaks seen on the Annapurna Circuit. With Annapurna III as its parent mountain, Gangapurna was never going to be a pushover and was in fact the last to be scaled in its entirety. It took until 1965, fifteen years after the first ascent of Annapurna I, before it was taken on by an expedition of German climbers.

Trekking the high points of the Annapurna Circuit is a true adventure. Those who face the challenge head-on and trek the entire route are treated to a magnificent reward, of not merely a personal physical accomplishment but also experiencing what is widely considered to be the most beautiful landscape in the world.

Author Bio: Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company that specialises in the Annapurna Circuit and trekking holidays in various destinations including North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Annapurna Circuit