There is absolutely no doubt that the Annapurna circuit is one of the most challenging things a hiker can do. A minimum of 100 miles of trekking in high altitude (and potential extremely harsh) conditions is enough to push even the most experienced of trekkers to their limits.
Sounds daunting, right?
It is, but (and that’s a big ‘but’!) if prepared for correctly it can be completed in a much easier fashion than you’d expect. Of course, in the grand scheme of things it will never be ‘easy’, but with the right knowledge and preparation, you can improve your chances of a successful hike. And it is for this reason that we’ve written this article. We’ve completed the circuit several times and would like to share with you our top tips.
Before we delve into that, however, if you’ve not already booked your trip then we cannot recommend the following website highly enough:
https://www.trekkingteam.com/annapurna-circuit-trek.html
Preparing for the Annapurna Circuit
Many guides to preparation for Annapurna will mainly focus on physical training and conditions, equipment and aspects of that ilk. While it does not need to be said that these are all critical factors, there are often others that are overlooked, and in this piece, we will examine these in more significant detail.
Vaccinations: Being protected against diseases such as Malaria is of paramount importance - but it’s not the only Malaria you need to be aware of. Several months before your trek always speak to your doctor about what vaccinations you’ll require before heading out to Nepal. They may also provide you with extra medical advice which you can use during your trek. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry, so if your budget allows for it get as much medical help as possible prior to flying out.
Oh, and don’t forget to book your travel insurance too!
Research: Obviously you’re aware of the need for research otherwise you wouldn’t be here! But we mean beyond reading guides such as this one. Get yourself onto blogs and also onto YouTube and watch videos of Annapurna circuit treks. See what it’s like (we definitely recommend watching videos of the actual trek), what people are saying, any advice they may have etc. The more information you gather, the better you can prepare both physically and mentally.
Hydration: Although this may seem like an obvious one, it’d shock you to find out how many Annapurna trekkers aren’t au fait with the levels of hydration required during the hike itself. In low oxygen environments hydration becomes even more important (as does not getting sunburnt); therefore it is imperative that you are aware of just how much water you will need to consume on a daily basis. When I did the Annapurna circuit, I always aimed to drink at least 900ml of water at breakfast, another 1800ml before lunch and then another 1800ml in the afternoon. Yes, that’s 4.5 litres of water! This may seem a lot, but I really cannot stress how much water you will need during your trek. A lot more than on a typical day that’s for sure!
Pacing: Although most guides will know how to get the best out of you and allow you not to burn out too quickly, you still must prepare yourself correctly. Pacing is vitally important during a trek as it will enable you to complete the hike at your own pace without many (or any) issues or discomforts. The key is to keep your heart rate as low as possible, so monitoring this during your trek is very important. Remember, it’s not a race!
We hope you found this useful!
Thanks for reading!