Annapurna Circuit Trek in November

The Annapurna Circuit Trek in November is a mesmerizing way to seek unique Himalayan experiences and is a perfect opportunity to escape the bustling environment and nerve-racking lifestyle. The stunning adventure takes you to the heartland of the Annapurna massifs, which includes several peaks: Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, and Annapurna Fang. The Annapurna Circuit Trek involves trekking through distinct places in the Annapurna region, diverse landscapes, distinct settlements, terraced fields, and high mountain passes and serves you with excellent mountainous vistas and incredible Himalayan experiences.

Mt. Annapurna (8091m) is the 10th tallest mountain in the world and lies in the Gandaki Province of Nepal. The magnificent adventure makes your way through numerous sightseeing places like Besisahar, Bhulbhule, Jagat, Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, Manang, and Thorang Phedi, and takes you to the highest point of this trek, Thorang La Pass (5416m). The incredible journey takes you through a cluster of viewpoints that offer you the magical beauty of Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Mt. Fishtail, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, Pisang Peak, Annapurna Fang, and many more. On top of that, this is a fantastic way to explore ethnic communities like Gurung, Thakali, Manangi, Tibetan, and others.

The unique way to approach the mountain by exploring local settlements and the Himalayan lifestyle rewards you with a marvelous experience and personal reflection if you consider the trek in November. Planning the journey during a suitable time has many benefits that encompass your safety, mesmerizing views, and outstanding experiences. Annapurna Circuit Trek in November not only lets you relish the transparent beauty of the mountainous vistas but also presents you with an excellent opportunity to delve into the distinct culture and festive atmosphere. The journey takes you through numerous monasteries, chortens, and mani walls and lets you explore Tibetan culture and Buddhist practices.

Highlights of Annapurna Circuit Trek in November

• Clear and naked beauty of the 10th tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Annapurna (8091m)
• Stunning transparent mountainous landscapes of Annapurna massifs, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, Pisang Peak and others
• Riveting journey through cascading waterfalls, thundering rivers, lush forests, terraced fields, quaint villages, magical lakes, and high mountain passes all the way to Thorang La Pass (5416m), the highest point of this trek
• Excellent opportunity to witness Buddhist customs and delve into the rich culture of Gurung, Thakali, Manangi, Tibetan, and others
• Insights into the traditional way of living or Himalayan lifestyle
• Exploration of Himalayan settlements as the trek presents a good occasion for spending time at Besisahar, Bhulbhule, Jagat, Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, Manang, and Thorang Phedi
• World’s deepest gorge (Kali Gandaki gorge), Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers
• Spectacular Poonhill viewpoint and natural hot spring at Tatopani
• Muktinath Monastery, Jharkot Monastery, Braga Monastery, Pisang Monastery, Chortens, Mani Walls and others
• Warm hospitality and delectable cuisines

Overview of Annapurna Circuit Trek in November

The Annapurna Circuit Trek in November engages you in spectacular mountainous beauty while letting you explore the Himalayan settlements. This is a 16-day package, and the journey begins with a scenic drive through from Kathmandu (1400m) to Dharapani (1860m). Dharapani is the endpoint of the Manaslu Trek and is the perfect spot to spend the night. You’ll continue your trekking journey the next day from Dharapani to Chame (2710m). From Chame, the journey stretches towards Pisang (3300m) alongside the Marsyangdi River.

The route passes through pine forests and apple farms and through settlements like Bhratang (2850m) and Dhikur Pokhari (3060m). The journey also serves you with stunning views of Annapurna massifs and Chulu East. Then, the journey continues through Ghyaru and Ngawal. The trails take you through numerous monasteries and mani walls along the way before you reach Manang (3800m), where you’ll rest and acclimatize for a day. Trek resumes through steep ascents up the hill and takes you to Yak Kharka (4050m). Also, you’re approaching the challenging aspects of this trek as you ascend towards Thorang Phedi (4600m) from Yak Kharka.

You’ll continue the journey at a steady pace to avoid altitude sickness. The next day, after your early morning breakfast, you’ll hop on the trails to Muktinath (3800m) via the longer point of this trek, Thorang La Pass (5416m). After exploring the local places and visiting Muktinath Temple, you’ll trek towards Tatopani (1160m). From Tatopani, you’ll catch a drive to Sikha and trek to Ghorepani (2860m), where you’ll spend the night. The next day, you’ll trek to Poonhill (3210m) to catch the breathtaking sunrise view. After that, you’ll trek to Ulleri and catch a drive to Pokhara via Nayapul.

Why Annapurna Circuit Trek in November?

Clear visibility

The Annapurna Circuit Trek in November provides you access to clear and transparent mountain views. With stable weather, the skies remain clear and unobstructed by clouds, and this lets you catch stunning glimpses of Annapurna massifs, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, and others. While you’ll get access to the beauty of mountains in any season, the experience of catching naked picturesque views of those mountains may differ.

November falls in the month of Autumn, and this presents you with the magical beauty of the Himalayas while letting you immerse in the vibrant atmosphere of autumn. The journey not only serves you excellent views of mountains but magnifies the trekking experience by offering you the stunning beauty of rivers, waterfalls, lakes, lush forests, and gorges, along with glimpses of Himalayan flora and fauna.

Stable climatic conditions

Another major highlight of November is that the weather during this time tends to remain stable. This ultimately lets you have a safe and secure experience while also enhancing your overall trekking experience by thrice. As you’ll be passing through numerous village settlements and as the destination of the journey is Thorang La Pass, you’ll have to pass through steep ascents and descents along the way.

Conquering challenges along the way and navigating to the highest point of this trek is not easy if the climatic conditions tend to remain unstable. It can pose challenges like heavy rainfall, snowfall, and slippery tracks, along with the risks of flood and landslides, which are alleviated by the favorable climatic conditions of November. This is why embarking on the Annapurna Circuit Trek in November lets you have an amusing journey while also assuring your safety.

Cultural immersion and festive atmosphere

Planning your Annapurna Circuit Trek in November has another benefit to it, and its the cultural exploration. You will be treated to the unique customs and civilizations of the Himalayan region throughout this walk. It has villages belonging to many communities, the main ones being Gurung, Magar, and Tibetan. You’ll get knowledge about Buddhism and Hinduism on this trip. The journey takes you through numerous Himalayan settlements, where you’ll encounter numerous monasteries, mani walls, chortens, and other significant landmarks.

In addition to this, November is the month when the grand festival of Nepal, Tihar, falls in, and you’ll have an excellent opportunity to immerse in this festive atmosphere. Tihar is also known as the festival of lights and is one of the most significant Hindu festivals. It is celebrated over a period of 5 days, and during this time, people will get dressed in local costumes and perform traditional dances to local music, which is known as Deusi Bhailo. Homes and villages during this time will be decorated with colorful lights, candles, and rangoli. You’ll also get to savor the delectable cuisines during this time, like Selroti, Fini roti, and others.

The high Himalayan region is greatly influenced by this festival, while November also enrolls one of the major Tibetan festivals, Lhabab Duchen. While the date may vary as it is based on the Tibetan calendar, it generally falls under November. During this time, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the religious rituals of Buddhism in numerous monasteries. The festival reflects on Buddha’s teachings and gives you insights into spirituality.

On season

November is the peak time for any high Himalayan trekking due to positive aspects like breathtaking views, stable climatic conditions, and cultural immersion. Due to this, many tourists from different parts of the world come to seek to quench their vacations during this time. In the context of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, November is considered to be a popular month to trek to the region. Trekkers from all around the world embark on the journey during this time and create a lively atmosphere.

You’ll get to meet people of different ethnicities and cultures out of which some shall be from your own country or neighbouring country. Trekkers get the chance to connect with other travelers from all backgrounds, exchange stories, and create new friendships. On top of that, trekking with a lot of other hikers on the routes improves safety concerns as it creates a sense of solidarity and camaraderie among hikers and raises the possibility of aid in case of emergency.

Challenges and Necessary Preparations of Annapurna Circuit Trek in November

High Altitude

The Annapurna Circuit Trek demands ascending in altitude all the way to Thorang La Pass, which stands at a height of 5416m. Navigating the steep paths to reach over 5000m in altitude is not a simple task but a major challenge. Ascending in altitude results in changing atmospheric pressure and oxygen levels. And in case of the inability of the body to adapt to such changes results in altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can have symptoms like nausea, headache, loss of coordination, insomnia, and loss of balance. The sickness can start with mild symptoms, which proper rest and medication will be able to deal with. But if the condition worsens, it can reach severe cases, which are known as high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). On top of that, other issues like dehydration and breathing problems are cases to be considered as well. Along with that, intense UV radiation at higher altitudes can cause snow blindness.

Necessary preparations: To prevent from catching altitude sickness, it is important to stay hydrated and maintain a steady pace during the trekking journey. Proper acclimatization is very crucial twice during the Annapurna Circuit Trek. To let your body adapt to the changing environment, the body needs rest and nutritious food. If you catch altitude sickness during the journey, it is important to immediately descend to the lower region and let your body fight the sickness by properly acclimatizing. Along with that, taking a dose of diamox can help to cope with the sickness, and in case the sickness worsens, you can have the option of emergency helicopter evacuation. Moreover, to deal with snow blindness, you can carry a pair of sunglasses during your journey.

Physical difficulties

The trekking journey during this adventure starts from Dharapani to Thorang La Pass through challenging paths, steep ascents, and descents and demands walking for about 6-7 hours per day for weeks. This can result in muscle soreness and tiredness during the journey, which is why it is important to take care of physical difficulties with the necessary training. Reaching the heartland of Mt. Annapurna requires you to have strong physical strength, unwavering determination, and good observation skills.

The route takes around 2-3 weeks and involves a series of ascents and descents, hard terrain, and rugged paths. The journey has risks of strain and sprain and can cause leg pain, back pain, joint pain, and fatigue. It is important to be mindful of physical difficulties as it can cause minor injuries along the way. Worn out body can’t deal with physical challenges and also alters the quality of decision-making. The tired body can lose the sense of coordination and result in falls and accidents along the way. These are the aspects that need to be taken care of by proper preparation before the trek.

Necessary preparations: The necessary preparations for the Annapurna Circuit Trek in November involve performing strength training exercises and cardiovascular exercises. To deal with the challenging path and prevent yourself from any injuries during the journey, it is important to take some time and focus on lightweight exercises. Exercises like squats, pushups, bench presses, deadlifts, lateral raises, pull-ups, chin-ups, crunches, planks, and others will help strengthen the muscle.

Along with that, cardiovascular exercises like running, walking, hiking, swimming, cycling, and others will help in maintaining and advancing endurance. Developing endurance will help you with tiredness from long trekking hours. Along with that, think about doing yoga and stretching techniques to improve your body’s flexibility. You may ensure a trouble-free and seamless trek over the Annapurna Circuit by doing this. Consider performing these exercises 3-4 weeks prior to your trekking journey. In addition to these exercises, being equipped with necessary trekking gear and essential clothing is important.

Fluctuating Weather and Environmental challenges

Even if you’re planning on the Annapurna Circuit Trek in November, the weather in the Himalayan region can fluctuate. The fluctuating weather can impose numerous challenges along the way. Rainfall, Snowfall, and windstorms can cause slight issues during your trekking journey. Also, the impacts of rainfall, like slippery tracks and the appearance of blood-sucking insects like leeches, can pose a further threat. Heavy rainfall can further lead to environmental challenges like landslides and floods.

Even in November, sometimes the temperature may fluctuate, and this can result in extreme coldness. Extreme coldness can cause frostbite and hypothermia, which further needs proper care. Moreover, the journey can also cause accidents and injuries along the way, and the high-altitude region has less access to advanced facilities. The region lacks healthcare facilities and services, which is another major concern. Therefore, these challenges should be taken care of, and preventive measures should be taken to avoid any difficulties during the journey.

Necessary preparations: To deal with unstable weather conditions, you need to make sure of the weather of the region by monitoring the weather forecast. Also, communicating with locals will give you an idea of what the weather will be like during the time. Necessary preventive measures for fluctuating weather involve extensive packing with warm clothes. Be mindful of the altering weather, and pack your bags with both summer and winter clothes. Also, packing your bag with necessary gear like trekking boots, trekking poles, gaiters, raincoats, and wind sweaters will help you deal with changing climatic situations.

Regarding environmental challenges, you need to be attentive during your trekking journey. Not being driven completely by the magical beauty of the Himalayas but also maintaining keen observation of the surroundings is essential. Also, hiring a guide will help you a lot in navigating the challenging paths and risk-prone areas. Numerous regions are prone to landslides and avalanches during the Annapurna Circuit Trek, and the skills of an experienced guide will come into role during this time. It is important to stay in a group and do not head anywhere alone. Also, form a proper planning and supporting team to aid you in times of difficulties during the journey. In addition, to deal with limited services, it’s important to pack extensively with essential requirements like personal hygiene, toiletries, first aid items, chargers, extra batteries, and so on.

You may also like:

• Annapurna Circuit Trek in March
• Annapurna Circuit Trek Permits and How to Obtain Them?
• How Difficult Is The Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Food and Accomodation

The accommodation in the Annapurna region is mainly teahouses and lodges. Along the trekking route, there are numerous teahouses and lodges that will serve you with warm nights and delicious food. They provide you with comfortable rooms with beds, blankets, and pillows. Sometimes, the teahouses do provide you with an attached bathroom, while other times it can be shared. The accommodation ranges from single rooms to double rooms and also dormitories. They have communal dining areas and also provide you with an option for hot showers. While the wifi facility can be limited in the higher altitude region, some teahouses do provide you wifi on an hourly basis, but do not expect high speed. Electricity is available in the region which means you can charge your phone and electrical instruments.

Regarding food, as November is the month of harvesting, you’ll be able to delve into the fresh food of the region. The food options in the teahouses of this region include both Nepali and Western dishes. They have their own menu with a variety of dishes to select from for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, but it’s best you consume vegetarian dishes in higher altitude regions. In addition to the variety of alternatives, you can savor delicacies from Tibetan, Indian, and other Asian countries, as well as fine dining menus from the Western region. Also, regarding drinking water, its best to drink water by purchasing mineral water. Do not drink from wells, taps, and rivers, but you can refill your bottle at teahouses.

Menus for Breakfast: Bread, Butter, Jam, Oatmeal, Sel roti, Muesli, Cornflakes, Roti, Paratha, Pancakes, Pudding, Soup, etc.

Menus for Lunch and Dinner: Daal Bhat, Momo, Chowmein, Thukpa, Gundruk, Sandwich, Pasta, Pizza, Puri Tarkari, Dhido, Aalu Tama, Kwati, Khaja Set, etc.

Necessary Permits

The required permits for the Annapurna Circuit Trek in November are as follows:

• Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit that costs around USD 25
• Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card that costs around USD 20

You can easily obtain these permits from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or the Tourism Board Service Center at Pokhara. If you’re considering your journey through us, you don’t have to worry about the permits as our team will get it issued for you. Just be sure to bring along the travel documents with you.

Travel documents

• Passport
• 2-4 Passport size photos
• Valida Visa
• Travel Insurance