11. The altitude sickness is not a joke.
You may have gained a super fitness level. A Marathon runner in Gymnasium won the triathlon, but it’s useless for altitude sickness. It can affect anyone, including the fittest athletes. Therefore, equip yourself with all the necessary precautions after 3000m. This means taking Diamox, staying hydrated, resting adequately, and not missing meals. If you sense the symptoms, inform your guide and take immediate action.
12. Tea houses and lodges on the Annapurna circuit for more than a decade
There is a complete guide to accommodation in Nepal, so if you expect to stay at a 5-star hotel, you will disappoint yourself as you can imagine it’s a remote place away from the touch of the roads. You will be satisfied with the necessary accommodations provided at that altitude.
Generally, tea houses and guest houses are spotted everywhere along the trek from Besisahar to Jomsom Valley. And these houses are made up of stone and wood,d which provide relief during the long trekking days. Most tea houses are generally twin-shared, with enough space to open out.
Furthermore, as the elevation increases, accommodation becomes more essential. Soon you will be ok with any form of bedding as you start gaining altitude. All the tea houses are inbuilt with a furnace in the dining hall. Moreover, it is where you spend most of your time, and you can also meet fellow travelers talking, eating, and sharing their experiences.
The tea houses make their living by selling food and snacks. It is likely to be a little more expensive than the capital. You can buy snacks, food, and drinks at a tea house to support them. Doing this, firstly, you will lighten your bag packs, and second, it offers a required flow of money which helps to sustain their livelihood.
As the flow of dollars supports their livelihood, you spend up there, which means your bargain can disturb their financial situation. However, we request to pay for food and accommodation for anyone traveling up there as people on the trail rely on the dollar you spend for survival.
Most tea houses have the necessary facilities. You will find a hot shower; you don’t have to pay for it. You can also charge your electronic devices for a small cost. For the alternatives, you can carry a solar charger to keep your device active all the time.
Essential things to know before Annapurna Circuit Trek
13. Take a few mandatory things.
There are legendary people in Nepal who are super active and go up and down the mountains carrying heavy luggage on their backs, and we call them Porters. They do this so you can focus on your journey without discomfort. While they possess superhuman strength, they are quiet and shy with actual muscles.
You can help them by bringing 10 to 15 kg of what is needed. Avoid all your make-up kits, extra pair of jeans, and other auxiliary things, which increases your bags’ weight.
For detailed information, please read our blog, “Packing List for Annapurna Circuit Trek.”
Trekker in Annapurna Circuit — Breathtaking Trekking to do in Nepal
14. Having a well equipped medical equipment for an unanticipated situation
Imagine this: you are enjoying your meal sitting near the fire and playing a few rounds of cards with your friend that night before going back to bed. Suddenly, you suffer from diarrhea at midnight and must fetch a toilet every 2 minutes. So, if you haven’t carried Pepto-Bismol, the possibility of continuing your trek would be rare.
Likewise, you may suffer from a cold, fever, headache, stomachache, etc. You must discontinue your trekking if you don’t have a medical kit. At higher elevations, getting altitude sickness is very high, so you must carry Acetazolamide.
Walking with those boots for long hours may cause blisters. It would help if you carried band-aids and blister plasters. You may also need water purification tablets as well. Antibacterial cream is also essential for scratches and cuts. Antihistamine tablets for allergic reactions.
Anti-nausea tablets for motion sickness, Paracetamol, or ibuprofen for fever and pain relief. Finally, taking some toilet paper with you will be helpful; later, you will thank yourself for carrying it. So, for precaution, you need to carry a fully equipped medical kit with everything supporting giving first aid during an emergency.
15. Four seasons in one trek
Going through the pleasant weather in the first early days, you probably doubt using those warm clothes. As the altitude increases, you will realize why you pack those clothes above 3000m. You will face various kinds of weather as the Annapurna circuit trek covers all the climatic zones from alpine to tropical. On some days, you will trek in shorts and a t-shirt; on others, you will cover your whole body as it is mercilessly cold at a higher level.
Annapurna’s range of climatic zones is terrific, giving you a grand view. That is why be ready and then ask your guide; what kind of picture to expect and what type of temperature to face.
16. Best quality and approachable price
While lumbering through the snow to Thorong La Pass, you might wonder how the food would be. But, your thoughts end when you get to see the food menu. You would still be confused after seeing the food you ordered on your table. All kinds of food, including Italian, Chinese, Continental, Indian cuisine, and famous Nepali dal bhaktas available everywhere you stay.
You don’t need to fret about your taste buds, as the cuisine in the Annapurna region is amazingly superb. As the altitude increases, the pricing of the food increases, so the price is around 35 to 40 dollars per day.
Conversely, the cost of food decreases with a decrease in elevation. At 3000m in Manang, you can also treat yourself to the famous Yak Burger. In Nepal, the Dhal Bhat is more popular than any other meal. As the saying goes, “Dal Bhat power 24 hours”.
17. The Annapurna circuit trekking is cost-effective.
While trekking, you may break your leg, but it shouldn’t break your bank balance. As discussed earlier, all your expenses, including breakfast, meal, dinner, and permits, are included in the amount you paid first. If you are trekking solo, consider paying around 1300 USD, covering your permits, food, and lodgings.
Regarding food, around $40 per person daily is sufficient to experience everything, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We suggest you stock up on giant snacks, drinks, and chocolate on your haversack for long walking days.
Furthermore, you won’t find any ATMs on the trail until you reach Jomsom. Therefore, stock up on Nepalese currency before you start trekking. To keep the money safe, hide it in your kit bag and always keep it with you.
Also, See:
Essential things to know before Annapurna Circuit Trek
18. Giving tips is not compulsory but highly expected.
In Nepal, tipping is not mandatory, but it’s reasonable to expect tips for porters and guides. Most trekking agencies here are set up depending upon the tips they gain from carrying our heavy luggage and leading groups. Generally, for your leader, you should separate $10-15 per person daily; for your porters, $7 per traveler.
Add about USD$200 in cash to your cost, and put it separately from the rest. In this case, if you spend everything in flow and forget about the tips.
19. Unambiguously require 100% travel insurance.
After reading this blog for a while, you might have noticed already that we do nothing without travel insurance when you are trekking at a high altitude in the Annapurna Circuit. Likewise, the unanticipated can occur, whether it is altitude sickness, sprained ankle, or a natural disaster (2015 Nepal earthquake). Thus, it is always better to prepare yourself.
20. Esteem the local culture
For most people, trekking is about finding yourself, acknowledging yourself, and breaking through your limit. But, the Annapurna circuit is filled with natural beauties and enriched with culture and tradition. The trail is upheld by the Nepalese’s magnificent culture and sacred path.
Therefore, as a visitor, acting accordingly and respecting their learning is important. Proper dressing, not littering, and not criticizing are essential. Further, take some time to talk with locals and understand their beliefs and way of life. In conclusion, the foremost part of traveling is to engulf in another culture.
21. Dare not to pollute the Annapurna Circuit Region.
As we all know, the Annapurna region is remote, and most villagers don’t have enough methods to eliminate waste materials due to its altitude. Alternatively, they must carry it off the mountain region, which is not absolute. And burning waste materials is not the best possible thought.
In the busy season, more than a thousand trekkers cross over the routes of the Annapurna Circuit. However, if you pause for a while to think about the effect that many people across the world who visit the Annapurna region unmistakably bring waste products with them, and the waste (plastic bottles, sunscreen bottles, food wrappers, etcetera.) materials left behind will surely burn or stay there on the other side.
You must be a responsible traveler on the Annapurna Circuit. Thus, you can reduce the trail from pollution using reusable products, not littering, and taking all the trash out of the National parks.
22. There will be enough spare time in the evening.
After you arrive at your teahouse, there is plenty of free time to do things that satisfy you. Moreover, you can prepare yourself for the coming day. The evening becomes dearest as you catch up with your group and have a good time with them.
There is also a WiFi connection; you can talk at home and share your whole day’s experience. Mostly, you can chat with the locals who know about their livelihood. If you are a book lover, reading books introduces you to the places you are traveling; night is the perfect time to explore your fantasy about travel.
23. Celebratory summit chocolate means a lot.
Day to day, our group has always talked about the experience of the celebratory summit chocolate. So, when we reach the top of Thorong La Pass (5416m), having a jollification of your success seems mandatory.
The celebration is the ultimate because reaching the highest point of your trek in good condition is not less than winning a war. It seems like kid stuff, but enjoying a victory at the top is incomparable.
Final Words
Annapurna Circuit is one of the best treks to witness the nature and culture of Nepal. Considered the best long-distance trek in the world by many, Annapurna Circuit is a bucket-list trek in the Himalayas of Nepal for most adrenaline junkies.
Before going on the trek, you must know about the ins and outs of the trek. Thus, I hope this blog on “Essential Things to know before Annapurna Circuit Trek” will help you plan your trek better and make your trip successful.
Furthermore, please contact us if you have any more questions or want to book this trek with us. To explore more trekking in Nepal, you can visit Nepal Trekking Packages.
No responses yet