Maximum Altitude
Our Annapurna Circuit with Base Camp Trek – 22 Days takes you through Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest protected area of Nepal that ranges in elevation between 790 meters and 8091 meters at the summit of the world's 10th tallest mountain peak, Annapurna I. Along the trail of 22 days, we go up and down, staying at varied altitudes. The Annapurna Base Camp sits at an elevation of 4130 meters above sea level, which is still not the highest point of the trek.
The maximum altitude we climb during the Annapurna Circuit with Base Camp is 5416 meters at Thorung La Pass. The pass is also famed as the highest trekking pass in Nepal. Furthermore, the highest elevation we stay at night is 4450 meters at Thorung Phedi, the base of the Thorung La Pass.
Trek Difficulty
Given the duration of the trek and the elevation gained, the 22 Days Annapurna Circuit with Base Camp Trek is categorized as strenuous. The trail is a good mix of difficult, moderate, and easy hikes. You will be ascending and descending multiple times, challenging your body to adjust to the changing oxygen level. Thus, there is a high risk of altitude sickness as you trek above 5000 meters above sea level.
Each day, you'll have to trek for 6-8 hours in the rugged Himalayan terrain, so you must have excellent mental and physical health. The uncertainty of weather conditions at high altitudes also adds up to the difficulty level. This 22-day Annapurna trek is obviously more difficult than other smaller treks in the Annapurna region. But nothing can stop a true adventurer.
Transportation
Apart from walking on the trail, the Annapurna Circuit and Base Camp Trek include road transport at a few locations. In the beginning, we take a bus ride from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule. In the middle, we again take a jeep or a bus ride from Muktinath to Tatopani and resume the hike. At last, we travel on a local bus from Matque to Pokhara and a luxury tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Accommodation
Accommodations during the trip will be in a mountain lodge or a tea house, like any other trekking route in Nepal. These are modest, locally owned hotels that offer basic meals and rooms with 2 to 5 beds, depending on the room size. As a result, during the busiest trekking season, you might have to share a room with other hikers. You will get a comfy mattress, bed linens, pillows, and blankets in the warm rooms.
We suggest you carry your own toiletries for hygiene reasons, as you will have to share a common washroom at many locations along the trail, especially at higher altitudes. Also, get yourself familiar with Asian-style squat toilets because these are common at the lodges you'll be staying at.
However, lodging at Kathmandu and Pokhara will be provided in a 3-star hotel with complimentary breakfast.
Meals
You are free to eat whatever you choose while you're at Kathmandu and Pokhara, as lunch and dinner are not part of our package at these places. Both Lakeside in Pokhara and Thamel in Kathmandu provide a wide range of eateries serving multiple cuisines with veg and non-veg options. There are a handful of vegan restaurants as well.
The menus at the tea houses along the trekking route, though, won't have a lot of options. You'll be given Daal Bhat, a traditional Nepalese dish made of white rice, lentil soup, seasonal vegetables, salad, and pickles, for dinner and possibly lunch. Thanks to the food's high protein and carbohydrate content, you will have enough energy for the entire day's hike. The usual breakfast fare is tea, coffee, boiled eggs, curries, and Tibetan bread. Also, you can taste several regional dishes like noodles and momo.
Drink plenty of fluids like hot water and ginger lemon tea to stay hydrated and avoid altitude sickness.
Drinking Water
We discourage the use of plastic-bottled water due to the increase in plastic waste on the trail. Therefore, bring a thermos flask with you and fill it with hot water in the tea shops along the trail. You can use water purification tablets to cleanse your water if you're concerned with the purity of the water. The best option is to invest in a good bottle with a built-in filter system. You can fill it up with fresh water from natural sources while you're hiking.
Battery Recharge Facility
The tea houses along the trail provide a power supply to charge the batteries of your devices at some minimum cost. The tea house where you stay the night might provide the service without charge. Solar power provides energy for charging batteries and lighting rooms. You might face reliability issues due to less sunlight during winters and even in other months at high altitudes.
Carrying extra batteries with you is always the safest option. The batteries tend to drain out quicker due to cold, so minimize the use of your devices and keep them close to your body to keep them warm.
Network Connectivity on the trek
Let's not anticipate fast WiFi and excellent phone reception in the isolated remote areas of the Annapurna region. You won't really feel like connecting to the outer world while you're tucked in the heavenly world of the Himalayas. If it's essential, you may be able to get WiFi with patchy coverage at the tea shops along the route by paying an additional fee.
you can use mobile data anywhere you receive network coverage. Get a 4G SIM card from the NTC or NCell phone networks in Kathmandu before you head out for the trek. The NTC network is said to work better in remote areas.
Guide and Potters
The Annapurna Circuit with Base Camp Trek – 22 Days comes with a guide and potters.
Two hikers are paired with one potter, who carries a combined 20–22 kg from the two hikers. If you're an experienced trekker and comfortable carrying your own rucksack, you can avoid paying the potter's wage by doing so. But remember, this is not an ordinary trek. You'll be traversing through the rough trail at high altitudes of the Annapurna region for 20 long days. So, think twice before deciding not to hire a potter.
As per the guide, we strongly recommend you hike with a knowledgeable trekking guide that has led a team several times in the Annapurna and is familiar with the particular route's weather conditions. A skilled guide makes a big difference in the expedition's success as they can assist you in an emergency in addition to route navigation and communication with locals.
Permits Required
To embark on the Annapurna Circuit with Base Camp Trek - 22 Days, one must have these two permits:
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit
- Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card
We will arrange these permits for you prior to the trek. The cost of our package also covers the purchase of these two permits, so you don't have to worry about it.
What should I pack for the 22-day-long trek?
Carry only what is necessary, as it is difficult for you and the potters to carry heavy weight at such high altitudes for weeks. The following is a list of some essential trekking equipment:
- Hiking boots
- Sandals/Crocs
- Several sets of undergarments
- Good quality down jacket and pants
- Fleece jacket
- Thermal wear
- T-shirts and pants
- Warm woolen clothes for the night
- Trekking stick
- One set of gloves
- Woolen hat
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle with purifying tablets
- Toiletries
- A medium-sized towel
- Energy bars
- Basic medications
- Raingear