I trained for months, read every blog, and still — nothing prepared me for the raw beauty of the Annapurna Circuit.
The Lowlands: Rice Paddies to Rhododendrons
The first few days felt deceptively easy — warm weather, lush forests, and waterfalls everywhere. We passed through Gurung villages where children ran alongside us. The teahouses served the most incredible dal bhat, which I ended up eating for every single meal. Dal bhat power, 24 hour — as the locals say.
High Altitude: Manang & Acclimatization
Manang was a revelation. A tiny settlement at 3,500m that felt like stepping into a different world. We spent two days acclimatizing, hiking up to Ice Lake and visiting centuries-old Buddhist monasteries. The views of the Annapurna range from here left me speechless every morning.
Thorong La: The Ultimate Test
We woke at 3 AM to cross Thorong La Pass at 5,416m. The wind was brutal, the cold was numbing, but when we reached the prayer flags at the top and saw the sun rise over the pass — every blister, every breathless step was worth it. I cried, I laughed, I hugged strangers.
Muktinath & The Descent
The descent to Muktinath Temple was surreal — dropping from frozen alpine to almost arid landscape in hours. The sacred flames burning on water at the temple felt like the perfect spiritual end to the climb. The remainder of the trek through Jomsom and back was a gentle unwinding of 18 extraordinary days.
Photos from the trip
“The Annapurna Circuit is not a trek — it's a pilgrimage. Visualize Nepal's sustainable approach, their respect for local culture, and their deep knowledge of the terrain made this experience truly life-changing.”
