Destinations The Ultimate Guide to Annapurna 29th August, 2023

As the tenth highest mountain in the world and one of the 14 summits over 8,000m, Annapurna is no easy feat and the unique terrain means this peak in particular has a high avalanche risk, is prone to unpredictable weather and the routes to the summit are exceptionally steep, especially the south face, which is renowned for being one of the most difficult climbing routes in the world.

Sound fun?! Probably not. The good news is that the Annapurna range has plenty of more accessible trekking routes that are suited for abilities from budding mountaineers through to experienced climbers. You can even get a scenic flight over Annapurna but where’s the fun in that!?

The mountain summit of Annapurna is about 175km or 109 miles northwest of Kathmandu as the crow flies and there are a variety of ways you experience the mountain without actually climbing it. There are two other summits over 8,000m within a relatively short distance of Annapurna which is Dhaulagiri, 8,167m high and approximately 38km or 24 miles away and Manaslu, at 8,163m and approximately 73km or 45 miles from Annapurna. The Dhaulagiri range is separated from the Annapurna range by the stunning Kali Gandaki gorge which is one of the deepest in the world and follows the Gandaki river.

The nearest airport to Annapurna is in Pokhara which is a 25 minute flight from Kathmandu or around 7 hours by car or bus, depending on conditions. For those wanting to trek the Annapurna Circuit you turn off the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway before Pokhara and drive east to Besisahar where the walking trail starts. For the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek you would take an hour’s drive northwest from Pokhara to Nayapul to find the Annapurna trail start there.

Interestingly, Annapurna was the first 8,000m peak in the world to be summited when a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog climbed the north face in 1950. It wasn’t until 1970 that the infamous Annapurna south face was climbed when members of a British expedition led by Chris Bonnington summited the peak via this route. Since then, the mountain has been solo climbed, summited in winter and via other routes than those first established.

There are new world records being set involving climbing Annapurna all the time. This year Kristin Harila and Tenjen Lama Sherpa became the fastest people in the world to summit all 14 8,000m peaks in just 92 days. In addition to this, three Pakistani mountaineers set separate world records, one being the first Pakistani woman to summit Annapurna, another being the youngest person to summit 11 8,000m peaks and another climbed Annapurna without supplementary oxygen.

Let’s take a closer look at two of the most famous Nepal treks in the Annapurna region.

Depending on which route you take, the circuit can vary from 160-230km, or 99-143miles. The reason for the variance is usually towards the end of the route where some adventure companies choose to walk from Jomsom to Pokhara along the road which passes through the Kali Gandaki gorge. This will add anything from 5-7 days to your trek.

Kandoo Adventures believe that viewing the gorge from above, rather than trekking along a road, is a much better end to your epic adventure and our Annapurna Circuit treks take 11 days with travelling days at either side. We fly from Jomsom to Pokhara as it is a spectacular plane journey and spend a night resting on the shores of Phewa Lake and the Gandaki river in the vibrant town of Jomsom before returning first to Pokhara then onto Kathmandu.

The trek to Annapurna Base Camp begins with a drive from Pokhara to Nayapul where proper trekking begins. Kandoo Adventures Annapurna Sanctuary route takes adventurers up Poon Hill which is known as one of the best viewpoints in Nepal and then onto Machapuchare Base Camp before climbing the last section to the Annapurna Sanctuary.

This Annapurna trek takes you up stepped stone staircase paths, across suspension bridges over lush green gorges, through rhododendron forests and past mountain streams and waterfalls. You’ll discover hidden Nepali villages and surprising vistas throughout and experience the magic of the Himalayas every step of the way.

Aside from this, both trekking routes offer incredible views of the surrounding mountains and a unique insight into life in the Himalayas.

Alternatively, wait until autumn when the days are longer and the temperatures are slightly warmer. You can bet on more clearer blue sky days from September to November as after this the monsoon rains sweep in and trekking becomes an altogether wetter affair.