How to Prepare for Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Annapurna Region is one of the finest trekking grounds in the world. Located in the shadow of Mt Annapurna, the tenth tallest peak in the world, Annapurna Region is full of beautiful treks. One of them is this Annapurna Circuit Trek, the ultimate trail for trekkers. Annapurna circuit trek is one of the most renowned trekking trails in Nepal. That is why we are writing the “how to prepare for Annapurna Circuit” blog for you. Just like you, a lot of avid trekkers ask us about the preparation for the trek. All of you are in the right place. We will provide you with all the answers to prepare for Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Before that, why do you need to prepare for the trek? Well, the trek is not an ordinary trek. It is a fantastic stroll of 160km-230km through the diverse landscapes of the Annapurna Region. The excursion is exciting but long and demanding. Therefore, good preparation is a must for this trek. No or less preparation may lead to various problems and can make the tour a bad experience.

So let’s get into this.

You might be interested in 10 day Annapurna circuit trek.

How to Prepare for Annapurna Circuit Trek

Physical Preparation

The first thing to prepare for the trek is your physique. Annapurna Circuit Trek is a moderate-rated trek. It involves hill climbing, high-altitude trekking, rough downhills, steep ridges, and more. If you are not a regular trekker, you need to see the physical part the most. The professional trekkers are pretty used to trekking conditions.

Firstly, you have to check your health. You have to be in good health with no health issues or diseases. If you have any ongoing issues, you must do as your doctor says.

If you are sound, you can start training for the trek. Strength Training, Cardiovascular Training, and Hill Climbing Training are musts. Strength training is for your body parts to make them firm. It helps your muscles, soles, ankles, shoulders, etc., to get good shape and strength. You can do exercises like deadlifts, pushups, planks, and squats for strength training. It is fruitful to start the training 2-3 months before the trek date.

Likewise, Cardiovascular training is about conditioning your muscles, lungs, and heart. It is essential for high-altitude trekking. Some options are hiking, running, cycling, swimming, and spinning. In this part, also you have to be regular and disciplined.

Similarly, you have to prepare yourself to climb hills. Annapurna Circuit Trek has lots of hills to climb. Thus, do hikes on elevations and steep sections to get used to the steep hill climbs. You can also use a loaded backpack and trekking gear while doing this. It will help you familiarize yourself with the trek.

Mental Preparation

Mental toughness is necessary if you are making a long and challenging journey. On Annapurna Circuit Trek, you must trek 5-8 hours daily, climb steep sections, face chilly weather, and more. A lot of challenges will come along the day. There will be problems if you are not mentally ready for all possible adversaries. Therefore, prepare yourself mentally for the trek.

Best Duration

The best timing for Annapurna Circuit Trek is around Spring and Autumn. The temperature and weather conditions are just ideal for trekking. March to May is Spring, and September to November is Autumn. If you plan the trek in these two seasons, you will get the best experiences. During these two best times, the weather is suitable for outdoor activities.

However, Monsoon and Winter are not as ideal as Autumn and Spring. Winter has lots of snowfall along the trail and extreme temperatures. And, Monsoon is the wettest time to visit Nepal. The courses are wet, slippery, and challenging. Thus, very few adventurous trekkers only opt for Monsoon and Winter. At the same time, most travelers prefer Autumn and Spring.

Autumn and Spring should be the correct times if you want no dramas.

Visa and Permits

You’ll require a Nepalese visa if you are not from India. Only Indian people need no visa to enter Nepal. Otherwise, you have to apply for a tourist visa for Annapurna Circuit Trek. On-arrival visas are available in Nepal at Tribhuvan International Airport. Alternatively, you can get visas from the Nepalese Diplomatic Embassy in your country.

Then, you need to have trekking permits for Annapurna Circuit Trek. Trekkers Information Management System(TIMS) Card and Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit(ACAP) are the two permits necessary for the trek. TIMS Card is a must for everyone trekking in Nepal. And ACAP is for entering the Annapurna Conservation Area, a protected site in the region.

These permits are obtainable from Kathmandu and Pokhara. A certain fee and photocopies of your passport are required for the permits. If you tour with us, we are responsible for arranging your permits.

Packings, Gear, and Equipment for the Annapurna Circuit Trek

What to pack and what not to pack? This might be a big confusion for every traveler. Well, you have to pack basic things only. We will mention all the basic things you can pack for Annapurna Circuit Trek. Remember, just do not pack everything and make your backpack a heavy stone. Or else that will hurt your or your porter’s back later on the trek.

The primary packing list for Annapurna Circuit Trek is as below:

Clothing

• Waterproof Trekking Shoes
• Trekking Shirts
• Trekking pants
• Down jacket
• Woolen hat
• Trekking gloves
• Waterproof jackets or raincoats
• Thermal layers
• Bandana

Toiletries

• Tampons/Pads
• Bandaids
• Insect repellents
• Diamox tablets
• Hand Sanitizers
• Sunscreen
• Cold cream
• Moisturizer
• Toilet Paper
• Shampoo

Accessories

• Sleeping bag
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Batteries

Documents

• Passport-sized photos
• Passport Photocopies
• Passport

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is mandatory for trekking in Nepal. Thus, all trekkers are required to hold travel insurance. The insurance should cover emergency treatment, medical arrangements, and more. Therefore, buy travel insurance that covers all.

Food and Accommodation

Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most well-developed trekking trails in Nepal. Thus, food and accommodation are no big deal. You can quickly get food on the table and a place to rest. Every stop of Annapurna Circuit Trek has enough teahouses and lodges. The rooms are simple ones with two beds, blankets, and pillows. You can also get standard teahouses at some stops. These rooms are available for around USD 3 to 6. However, the charge increases with charging, hot showers, internet, etc.

Likewise, you can have meals from Local, Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisines. Dal Bhat is the favorite meal of the entire trek. The other commonly served meal items are Pizza, noodles, burgers, Pasta, Spaghetti, etc. You can enjoy these meals for 1 to 5 USD. The costs may increase as you move higher on the trek.

Solo or With a guide?

Annapurna Circuit Trek is doable for solo travelers. However, you have to take all the trek on your own. That can be a bit risky if you are not used to trekking. As you know, it is a long trek. You have to be on your own throughout the walk. Being alone in a foreign land is never safe. You have to manage everything from water to bed during the tour.

Nevertheless, having a guide will solve all the problems. A local guide is someone who has lived in the region. They know everything about the area. You will get the best guidance with such a person by your side. No need to worry about anything; just exploring. Yes, the guide will not come free; they charge you some fee. But your trek will be a memorable one with the right guide.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is real on Annapurna Circuit Trek. The trek is a high-altitude trek where you will touch Thorong La Pass(5,416m). While climbing such a height, if not taken precautions, altitude sickness is contactable. Therefore, you have to take altitude sickness seriously from the very start. No rush; enough acclimatization and hydration are the keys to avoiding it. Learn about altitude sickness.

 Prepare for the Annapurna Circuit Trek using these Tips.

• Learn about trekking in the Himalayas, the weather, and the terrains.
• Have some prior knowledge about the Annapurna Region and Annapurna Circuit Trek.
• Don’t forget to check the dos and don’ts in Nepal.
• Choose the right time for the trek.
• Visit your doctor and look for any problems.
• Be mentally, physically, and logistically ready for the trek.
• Learn about altitude sickness and its dos and don’ts.
• Start training 3-4 months before the trek date and be consistent.
• Make a booking of everything from tickets to rooms during peak times(Autumn and Spring).
• Hire a local guide and experience the trek like a local.
• If the backpack is heavy, hire a porter.
• Pack only those things that are necessary.
• Take altitude sickness seriously and precautions.

Above points are very important and helpful tips for you to prepare for the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Conclusion

Annapurna Circuit Trek is undoubtedly one of the best treks in the world. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to experience the region’s blessed natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The one who does this trek can call themselves a real trekker. This trek is that much rewarding.

However, as said at the start, Annapurna Circuit Trek is a long and demanding trek.

The trek demands some preparations for sure. That is why we have to write this How to prepare for the Annapurna Circuit Trek blog for you. Now, it surely will help you prepare well.

One of the main things to look at is the physical preparation part. Once that is done, you are almost ready for the trek. Do what this blog says, and you can leave the rest to us. Or simply contact us, and we can verbally give you more information on how to prepare for Annapurna Circuit.