The Annapurna region of Nepal is an enticing draw for trekkers and climbers alike, thanks to its amphitheatre of huge granite peaks.
But how many people are aware of it? Is the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek Nepal’s best-kept trekking secret? After Everest Base Camp, it is one of Nepal’s most popular treks.
Its climate ranges from subtropical to Alpine, resulting in a diverse range of flora and fauna, as well as different ethnic groupings.
This hike is moderately difficult, but it does not require any prior hiking expertise. This trek takes most people between 10 and 16 days to complete.
If you want to get spectacularly close to the Himalayas but don’t have time to acclimate on other treks like the Annapurna Circuit or the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is the ideal alternative.
Although still high, the highest altitude reached is 13,550 feet, which is lower than most treks in the area.
The Annapurna Himal is a massive mountain range with several peaks rising beyond 23,000 feet.
Annapurna I, Fang, Gangapurna, Glacier Dome, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchhare create an amphitheatre known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, which includes Annapurna I, Fang, Gangapurna, Glacier Dome, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchhare.
Tea houses are the most common kind of lodging on the journey. The teahouses are nearly often run by families and are of high quality.
Toilets are frequently located outside and are sometimes occupied by squatters. A bucket of water is used to “flush” the toilet. Showers with hot water are normally available for a fee.
What are the advantages of trekking the Annapurna Circuit instead of Everest Base Camp?
In comparison to the more popular Everest Base Camp Trek, the Annapurna Circuit is the less traveled way for hikers.
It’s easy to see why: Mt Everest is the world’s tallest mountain, so the bragging rights are alluring. Standing at Everest Base Camp, situated on the Khumbu Icefall, surrounded by the buzz of climbers, may possibly be an experience that is at the top of most trekkers’ bucket lists throughout the world.
You can’t beat the splendor of the Annapurna Circuit if the EBC ‘brag’ isn’t your primary goal.
The quieter routes immerse you in the Nepalese way of life, allowing you to connect with the local culture while taking in a larger range of Nepal’s most stunning scenery.
From the moment trekkers arrive in Lukla, the Annapurna region is adorned with old jungles, lush meadows, and jaw-dropping mountain vistas, while the EBC route is entirely alpine.
For those interested in mountaineering, the Everest Base Camp Trek includes Everest Base Camp, but the Annapurna Circuit visits both Annapurna and Machapuchare Base Camps – so you get two for the price of one! Not to mention the fact that Annapurna 1 is usually considered to be a more technically challenging and daunting ascent than Mount Everest.
With this in mind, the most significant considerations to make while deciding between the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp are:
Culture:
Less tourism equals more cultural absorption, according to a simple formula.
Getting to know climbers:
At EBC, you can go near to the climbers but not engage with them. Climbers love to communicate with trekkers at Annapurna and Machapuchare Base Camps because they are so calm!
Broader range of landscapes:
You’re in the alpine from the moment you board the Everest Base Camp Trek at Lukla Airport. The Annapurna Circuit takes you through deep jungle, luscious meadows, and alpine terrain, so you get to experience it all! Particularly the diverse range of fauna that inhabits each sort of area.
Elevation Anxiety:
The Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to an elevation of 18,000 feet, while the Annapurna Circuit takes you to a height of 13,500 feet.
FAQs: About Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.
The best months to visit Annapurna Sanctuary are mid-September to November and March to May. The weather is sunny and mild, and the sights are spectacular. At most heights, daytime temperatures are generally pleasant for walking, the sky is clear most of the time, and rain and snow are only seen on rare occasions. If you want to get away from the crowds and spend some time alone with nature, it is recommended you trekking there in December, January, or March. However, most visitors may find the weather in the winter to be oppressive. Summer or Monsoon trekking (June to August) will be hampered by rain, however a skilled botanist may find the summer journey beneficial.
Depending on the amount of time you have and your degree of physical fitness, the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek will take 8 to 10 days from/to Pokhara and 2 travel days from/to Kathmandu. Most tourists trek to Annapurna Sanctuary through Ghorepani Poon Hill, which is a more pleasant route that allows you to acclimate, and the schedule is 10 to 12 days. Our 14-day Annapurna Sanctuary trek program is ideal for moderate trekkers. The shortest Annapurna Sanctuary trek itinerary will be 7 days long, including domestic flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara and the commencement of the trek on the same day.
At the End:
The Annapurna Sanctuary is now part of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, which limits the amount of visitors, firewood harvesting, and domestic animal grazing. The Sanctuary has seen a significant growth in the number of trekkers in recent years, owing to the fact that it is the starting point for one of the most popular routes to the Annapurna peaks. The Gurung people, one of the many people who lived in the area, believed the entire sanctuary to be sacred. The sanctuary was said to be home to a number of Hindu and Buddhist gods, as well as ancient animistic gods. The god Shiva was claimed to live on the top of Machhapuchhre at the doorway, and the daily plumes of snow were thought to be the smoke of his divine incense. Thank you very much! Namaste!!!