The Annapurna circuit Trek is known as one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world. This journey takes us from Nepal's green fields to Mustang's dry mountains. The Himalayan mountains stretch across Asia, going from Pakistan to Bhutan and covering most of northern Nepal. These mountains are famous for having the tallest peaks in the world and some of the most beautiful trails, like the Annapurna circuit!

What is the best time of year to trek in Nepal?

The best time for trekking in Nepal is generally from October to April. Among these months, October and November are the best. The rains have stopped, and it is not too cold up high in the mountains. We did the Annapurna circuit trek in the second week of November, and the weather was perfect! In early December, the Annapurnas can still be trekked if you don't mind the cold, but the trek to Everest Base Camp becomes quite challenging. Be careful in early October because it can still have late monsoon rain!

The Famous Annapurna Circuit

Today, we will walk from Jagat to Jomosom, following the Marsyangdi River valley. This hike is like a "wonderland" filled with beautiful mountains and glaciers. After we climb steadily to Manang, you can cross the Thorong Pass (the main route with lodges to stay) or take a more adventurous path via Mesokanto La to see the stunning Tilicho Lake. If you choose the latter, we will camp in nature for the last two nights. After the trek, we can fly back to Kathmandu in two days or take a bus if the weather is not good.

Exploring the Nar Phu Valley

The Nar Phu Valley is located between the tall Annapurna mountains and the border with Tibet. This area looks like "little Tibet" because of its similar landscapes. It takes two days to walk to reach Koto, and then we will turn into the Naar Phu gorge to reach Phu, a village with Tibetan people, three days later. After this, it's another two days before we get to Naar and the foot of Kang La. When we cross this pass at 5,350 meters, we will see a breathtaking view of the Annapurna mountains and even Machhapuchchhre, a beautiful mountain that looks like a fishtail. We will descend to Ngawal and Chame and return to Kathmandu through Jagat in four days. This route offers a mix of cultural experiences.

Annapurna South Sanctuary and Ghorepani

This trek is perfect for those trying to climb a high altitude for the first time, above 4,000 meters. Climbing this high is impossible in Europe, and beginners may worry about how they will feel. The risks of altitude sickness are real. This shorter trek takes us to the southern glacier area of Annapurna I. You can stop or turn back if you start feeling unwell. Those who go all the way will see stunning views of the tall mountains and ice. We return through the Ghorepani pass, which has a famous viewpoint from which to see the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Gurja Himal mountains.

The Balconies of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri

This trek is a variation of the previous one, taking us around the Annapurna massif with four excellent viewpoints: Muldai Peak, Khopra Danda, Poon Hill, and Mohare Danda. We start from Kimche and walk through the beautiful villages of the Annapurna foothills, like Ghandruk, Kimrong, and Tadapani. We then head north to the base of Annapurna South and climb to Muldai Peak for our first view. After that, we cross over to Khopra Danda for impressive views of Dhaulagiri.

The next day, we can go to a mineral desert at 4,600 meters, where a sacred lake called Kayer Pokhari is located. Then, we will walk back into the countryside with deciduous forests and farms, passing through Swanta, and ascend towards Ghorepani, famous for its giant rhododendron trees.

In spring, the forest looks like a red carpet from above. The next day, we will climb up to Poon Hill, a prevalent viewpoint, then make our way down to the lodges at Mohare Danda, where we can see the stunning northern faces of Annapurna at sunset. We will end our trek by exploring the authentic Gurung villages.