Annapurna Trekking | Best Trekking On The Planet

Published: 25th Oct, 2019

Annapurna trekking is one of the best trekking experiences on the planet, alongside the trek to Everest Base Camp. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, so it is no surprise that travelers come to glimpse the Himalayas. Some trek to the famous base camps, and others climb these towering monuments of nature.

Nepal is widely regarded as one of the world’s top trekking destinations. During the peak seasons of autumn and spring, the largest number of travelers arrive to enjoy Annapurna trekking or to trek to Everest Base Camp.

A Wide Variety of Trekking Options

Annapurna region offers trekkers a wide range of choices. You can trek for just two days or spend three weeks completing the whole Annapurna Circuit.

The region has numerous trails, so you can pick one that fits your time and budget, whether a short Annapurna trek or a long one. Each trail has its own attractions, but whichever you choose, you will enjoy fabulous views of the Himalayas and warm interaction with friendly mountain people.

Some of the most popular Annapurna treks are the Annapurna Panorama Trek (which includes Poon Hill), the Annapurna Base Camp trek, the Annapurna Circuit trek, and the Mardi Himal trek, among others. Each differs in duration and budget, so you can choose the one that suits you best. 

Let us see some of the famous Annapurna treks:

Annapurna Panorama Trek/Poon Hill Trek

Duration: 5 days to/from Pokhara

Level: Moderate

Maximum Altitude: 3210 m at Poon Hill

This is one of the most scenic short treks in Nepal, and one of the best-trodden. It is so popular that you will find lodges and tea stops at hourly intervals or even less. The trail takes you into the heart of Gurung country, climbing through huge green hills and rhododendron forests with ever-improving views of the Himalayas ahead. Wherever you stand, the 360-degree views are breathtaking.

This is one of the most popular treks in the Annapurna region, so expect the trail to be crowded, particularly in the peak seasons of spring and autumn.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Duration: 9 days to/from Pokhara

Level: Moderate

Maximum Altitude: 4095 m at Annapurna Base Camp

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a standout among the world’s trekking trails. Along the way you pass through a remarkable variety of terrain, beginning with rice terraces and thick rhododendron forests. Each day brings exceptional views of the mountains until you reach the base of the tenth highest mountain on the planet. You also walk right through the center of the Annapurna Sanctuary, a radiant amphitheater of peaks on a stunning scale and a place held sacred by the local Gurung people.

The route to Annapurna Base Camp was once a paradise for wildlife and wildflowers, visited by only a few shepherds who brought their flocks to graze on the summer meadows. Today, mules and yaks travel the trails, and it has become one of the busiest routes in the region, where you will meet local people along with a high number of trekkers heading up to base camp.

In many ways, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is a beautiful, challenging, and direct route into the heart of the Himalayas, passing through the best of Nepal’s diversity. It also gives you a fine chance to get up close to enormous peaks that fill the horizon, all within a short time frame. Although the trek has some steep climbs, it is not very strenuous.

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Duration: 12-21 days (Depending where you start and end this trek)

Level: Strenuous

Maximum Altitude: 5416 m at Throng La Pass

Often rated among the world’s best long-distance treks, the Annapurna Circuit passes through the Kali Gandaki gorge, one of the deepest in the world, and is truly a lifetime experience. The trek begins in the subtropical lowlands. As the elevation rises, you notice the landscape, the people, and the culture change until you reach Thorong La Pass, one of the highest trekking passes in the world. Beyond it, you are behind the Himalayas and the scenery turns arid. You will see fluttering prayer flags, Buddhist stupas, and soul-touching prayer bells.

Traditionally, the full circuit takes about 21 days, passing through a rich variety of cultures. Road construction has shortened some sections, so many trekkers now finish in 12 to 18 days. Many consider it the best trek in Nepal. It crosses to the north of the Himalayan range, into the trans-Himalayan region, and reaches about 5,416 meters.

One of the Best Long-Distance Treks

The Annapurna Circuit is frequently rated among the best long-distance treks in the world. In its original full form, the trail combines a wide range of climate zones, from subtropical lowlands at roughly 800 meters to the arctic cold of Thorong La at 5,416 meters. It also offers a cultural journey, from the Hindu villages of the lower regions to the Tibetan culture of the Manang Valley and Lower Mustang.

Mountains, Gorges and Cultures

As the name suggests, the heart of Annapurna trekking is the mountain range that includes Annapurna I, the first 8,000-meter peak ever climbed. Not far away stands another 8,000-meter giant, Dhaulagiri, west of Annapurna I. Between these two mountains lies the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, one of the deepest gorges in the world.

Trekkers in this district meet the intriguing Thakali people, who are known for their business skills. Their home cooking is enjoyed by both local people and foreign visitors.

During Annapurna trekking, you also pass through Gurung, Magar, and Brahmin villages, each practicing its own culture and lifestyle. The trek therefore offers a deep and memorable cultural immersion.

Best Viewpoint

Poon Hill (3,210 m) sits amid the steep, lush hill country between Pokhara and the Kali Gandaki valley, and it is among Nepal’s most popular viewpoints. Most trekkers climb to Poon Hill from the village of Ghorepani in the early morning to watch the sunrise. The views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri are staggering and well worth the long pre-dawn climb along stone stairs through rhododendron forests.

This viewpoint is very crowded, particularly in the peak trekking seasons of spring and autumn. Expect to share the sunrise with several hundred trekkers who make the climb for the same spectacular view.

Best Time for Annapurna Trekking

The most reliable seasons are autumn (October to November) and spring (March to May). Autumn brings clear skies and crisp mountain views, while spring adds blooming rhododendrons along the lower trails. Winter can be good for lower treks such as Poon Hill, but the high passes may be snowbound. The monsoon months bring rain and leeches, though the rain-shadow areas around Manang and Upper Mustang stay drier.

Final Thoughts

Whether you have a long weekend or three weeks, Annapurna trekking has a route for you: a short Panorama trek, a classic Annapurna Base Camp trek, or the epic Annapurna Circuit. Along the way you will enjoy sunrise views, deep gorges, diverse cultures, and the warm hospitality of mountain communities. Ready to start planning? Explore our Annapurna trekking packages and let us arrange your journey.