THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK - A LIFETIME ADVENTURE
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY PHILIPP AMMON
What to Expect on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit trek is nothing short of a life-changing adventure and somewhat of a holy grail in the hiking community. If you enjoy the great outdoors and want to push yourself to take on new heights, then Nepal might be the perfect destination for your next bucket-list adventure.
Along the 211 KM of winding roads, the Annapurna Circuit will lead you across a scenic variety of breath-taking Himalayan landscapes and wildlife. The trail snakes through several completely distinct and stunning biomes, with low-lying marsh and rice farms surrounded by dense, humid jungles, rushing rivers and refreshingly cool waterfalls in the lower altitudes. As you push for higher ground, your surroundings shift to lush pine forests opening up to views of some of the world's highest snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes above the tree-line.
Possibly the most physically demanding segment will take you over the Thorong-La pass at 5416m in the early morning hours and drop you in the desert after a day of rapid descent, roughly halfway through your trek. Expect to make new friends along the way, as well as interact with some of the most kind-hearted hosts. (Not to mention, if you have never before spotted a live yak, then you are in for a treat.)
Spend the evenings with a hearty meal, a hot drink (or cold one...) with a deck of cards in small guesthouses and wake up to stunning sunrises over white-peaked mountain tops. Hear the distant chants of Tibetan monks as you start your mornings with the smell of wood stoves accenting the crisp mountain air. Spin the wooden prayer wheels for safe passage, and get ready for another stunning day in this beautiful corner of the world.
My journey on the Annapurna circuit remains to be one of my most memorable life experiences and I would urge anyone looking for a change of pace to take the challenge. Dive in and start planning your trip with our guide to trekking the Annapurna circuit, or read more about my journey in my Annapurna Circuit Itinerary.
