With less crowd, more remote and more rugged trekking trails are available throughout the country but the beauty that you get to spot at the Annapurna Circuit trekking trail cannot be found elsewhere.
You might have known Annapurna Circuit Trek as the highly publicized trekking route of Nepal filled with excessive crowds throughout the way. But do you know the reason why the route remains so crowded? Of course due to the beauty that it bestows. The glam that the Annapurna range provides you during this trek is irreplaceable by nothing. It has its virtue and to experience all its essence you must do this central Nepal trek-Annapurna Circuit Trek. Further, the trekking route is linked with different landmarks of Nepal while letting you have an opportunity to extend your way to various untrodden routes during this crowded trek.
Why Around Annapurna Trekking?
To enlighten you with more details of this trek, we are listing here the top 15 best reasons to do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
1. Experience variation in Environment and Culture
In comparison to the Annapurna base camp trek, this round trek of Annapurna massif introduces you to the various forms of trekking trails ranging from the lush green meadows and farmlands in the lowland of Besisahar to the oak and pine forest in the Marshyangdi river valley eventually taking you to the arid land of Manang and Mustang.
The trekking trail to the high pass of Thorong La shows you its own variation. Similar to the environmental climate and biodiversity variation the trek equally astonishes you with the cultural variation. In the lowlands, you will get to experience Hindu culture in abundance trekking uphill to Pisang, Manang and likewise, you will get to explore Tibetan Buddhist culture followed mostly by the Manganese. As you reach Mustang and Jomsom you will be blessed with Thakali Peoples culture.
The streams, cascading waterfalls like Octopus Waterfall, and river valleys are all the amorous factors of Annapurna Circuit Trek.
2. Saligrams at Jomsom
Do you know what Saligrams are? They are the black-colored fossil stones found on the river banks of Kaligandaki River. Hindus believe it is the representation of Vishnu so they keep these religious stones in the prayer rooms and worship them daily. As the origin of the Kaligandaki River is from the Mustang region of Nepal while wandering around the trekking trail from Muktinath to Jomsom you can see several Saligrams on the Kalagandaki River Bank.
3. Muktinath
- Muktinath Temple
The landmark of Muktinath perfectly encapsulates the religious essence of the culture explorer. Where the passes encountered during the Annapurna Circuit Trek give you an adventurous feel, the Hindu and Buddhist revered site of Muktinath enriches the trek experience with a religious feel and zeal.
4. Tatopani
This destination between Tukuche and Beanibazar is a favorite of every single traveler doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek. If you take a flight from Jomsom you will miss the relaxing bath at the natural hot spring. But the roadway ride will bless you with the opportunity to have a soothing experience of dipping in the natural hot spring. As you take a dip into the hot spring, you will feel like all your stress and pain go away. It’s selected one from the 15 Best Reasons To Do Annapurna Circuit Trek.
5. Manang village
Exploration of Manang’s beauty is a great achievement in itself. Add the experience you get while communicating with the Manganese, and the locals of Manang, and it gives your trek a new dimension. Enticing barley farmlands of Manang beckon you with their picturesque beauty. Known as the country beyond the Himalayas, Manang embodies euphoria in every sense of the word.
6. Gangapurna Lake
Gangapurna Lake in the Annapurna region is a fascination that you will adore to explore in the Annapurna region. In addition to Gangapurna, Ice Lake is also a must-see.
7. Tilicho lake
Doing straight the circuit trek of Annapurna, you will miss savoring the flawless beauty of the highest elevated lake Tilicho. It adds a greater sense of satisfaction to the trek experience when you include it.
8. Marpha Beautiful village
As you enter the village of apple orchards, namely Marpha, you will fall for the trek to the next level. The stone-laid alleys of Marpha entice more for you to capture pictures. From this beautiful village, you can take home different items made out of juicy Himalayan apples like dry apples, beer made out of local apples, and so on.
9. Throng La pass
It is the climax point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Every Annapurna Circuit Trekker gets delighted to be at the elevation of 5416m. The zeal of trekkers for trekking gets double-folded after witnessing the marvelous mountains from Throng La Pass. Names of a few mountains visible from this adventurous spot are Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Machhapuchhre, Thorong La Peak, and so on.
10. Meetup with people worldwide
- Trekkers in Front of Annapurna III
Annapurna Circuit Trek is famed as the crowded trekking trail of Nepal. You will encounter crowds every single step who are there from different parts of the world. For the solitude lover though the crowd might be irritating. But as you start communicating with other fellow trekkers you can get to know and learn the new culture and traditions of different nations. After knowing them, you even start to share your experience with them. The hatred for the crowd automatically dissolves from your heart. Meanwhile, you will love to collect the new experiences of fellow trekkers. Making friends from different parts of the universe within a single trip, isn’t it amazing?
11. Witness Tibetan Culture
Want to experience Tibetan culture and practices in affluence? Annapurna Circuit Trek is your must-go destination. Though a trek during the start and end which is normally on lower hills residence of Brahmin and Chhetris settlements showcases Hindu culture in abundance, the venture to the higher elevated villages of Manag, Pisang, Mustang, Jomsom, Marpha and likewise soaks you completely by the Tibetan Buddhist culture.
- Tibetan Script Mani Wall
12. Kali Gandaki Gorge-the deepest gorge
Located within the Annapurna Conservation Area, the world’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki Gorge is the most memorable part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. In between the soaring Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains, the Kali Gandaki Gorge is something that represents the magic of nature.
13. Yartung-the great horse riding festival in Manang
You might have not heard of the Yartung Festival, it is a horse riding festival and is deliberately celebrated by locals of Manang and Mustang. Doing the Annapurna Circuit trek on these festive occasions, you will fall for the trek more than on normal days. During the celebration time of this festival, locals decorate their houses, trekking paths, and monasteries more attractively.
14. Barga monastery-the largest monastery in Manang district
The largest Monastery in Manang, Barga Monastery showcases the best of Tibetan Buddhist culture and tradition. Even a few trekkers who choose short Annapurna circuit trekking can explore this monastery.
- Braga Monastery
15. The best of Nepal is waiting for you in Pisang
At the base of Annapurna II and Annapurna IV, Pisang village is a village that you encounter during the Round Annapurna Trek. Normally, trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit give priority to Manang and Mustang villages, but if you spend some time exploring Pisang Village, you will fall more in love with it.
During a visit to Pisang, you can see the Gurung and Manangi cultures in abundance. As Pisang is divided into lower and Upper Pisang, you can visit both portions. To witness the beautiful tinted mountain views remember to reach Upper Pisang in the Morning time. It is difficult to find a more friendly or hospitable group of people than those in Pisang. You will notice these all after spending some time in this pristine village.
Final Words of 15 Best Reasons To Do Annapurna Circuit Trek
No, reasons are required to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The inclusion of the Annapurna itself is enough to drag trekkers to this region. But, knowing those mentioned above 15 Best Reasons to do Annapurna Circuit Trek will ensure you have a wonderful experience from your first day. Therefore these are the reasons to embark on this trek. In addition to this, there are also other things to know before trekking the Annapurna circuit.
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
