Top 10 Tips for hiking the Annapurna Circuit Trek

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Tip no: 01 - There is NO need to carry a tent with you
One big myth about the Annapurna circuit trek is that there are these ‘Teahouses’ spread all across the trail (highlighted text from blogs online). When I think of a ‘Teahouse’ on a trail, I imagine a small accommodation with minimal services and few people. However, to be honest, the accommodation options on the whole Annapurna circuit are much more than just teahouses. There are huge lodges and rest houses. Most of the guesthouses have really good food, basic rooms with clean sheets and even blankets.
Therefore, my personal suggestion would be to carry a sleeping bag but there is no need to carry a tent and there is no need to carry a sleeping mat. (tick and cross)

Tip no: 02 - Try to stay in lesser known hamlets
If you are in search of peaceful minimalist accommodation then try staying in the lesser known hamlets of Ghermu, Timang, Ngawal, and Bhraga to name a few.

Tip no: 03 - Carry only what you need
I saw many people on the Annapurna circuit trail struggling not because of the difficulty level of the trek but due to their heavy backpack. Remember, the lighter you are, the more you are going to enjoy the trail.

Tip no: 04 - Buffer days
I say this quite often that ‘the mountains make their own weather’ and therefore, I would recommend you to have 2 buffer/extra days in your plan irrespective of the month in which you are doing the Annapurna circuit trek.

Tip no: 5 - Include Tilicho Lake in your itinerary
The Annapurna circuit will convert into a road trip in the coming years. I have already discussed the impact of road construction on the Annapurna circuit in the previous episode. Therefore, it makes sense to include the Tilicho lake trail in your plan.

Tip no: 06 - Drinking water
When I did the Annapurna circuit, I used to fill my water bottle from the naturally available water sources, mostly waterfall. But if you think that the relatively hard water can make you sick then I would recommend you to carry water bottles with filters attached in them or use water purifying tablets. You can even ask for hot water at the teahouses or the place where you stop for lunch.
Further, there are these Safe Drinking Water Stations in few villages along the trail where you can get your personal bottles filled with purified water and obviously you will have to pay for it but, by doing this you will be reducing your ecological footprint as you are not buying the single use plastic bottles.

Tip no: 07 – Carry and consume Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
The biggest mistake that trekkers do is that they wait for the depletion of salts to go beyond a point where their body starts showing symptoms of energy deprivation and dehydration.

Tip no: 08 - Bring your trash back to the city
Since there are thousands of people visiting the Annapurna Conservation Area every year, trash is indeed a big concern. Though you will see few pits dug into the ground for collection of dry waste, I would urge you all to please bring your trash back to the city of Pokhara or Kathmandu.
This is because all the garbage that is being collected is unfortunately being burned. I have seen similar instances even on the trek to the Annapurna Base camp.

Tip no: 09 - Altitude sickness is real
Altitude or mountain sickness can affect anyone, even if you are an experienced trekker.
Acclimatization is the only way to avoid mountain sickness and this is one big reason why I would suggest everyone to start the trek from Besisahar instead of Manang because then you give your body enough time to acclimatize.

Last but not the least - Do not spend the night at the High camp
Most of the people think that if they stay closer to the pass i.e., at the High camp, they can cross it quickly but they do not account for the probability of getting Acute Mountain Sickness. Since the high camp is at a higher altitude many trekkers experience sleepless nights, headache, dizziness and then they don’t really enjoy crossing the pass the very next day.

So, this is all I have for this Episode. In the next video we are going to talk about how you should plan and prepare for the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

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