Annapurna Circuit - Intro

Nepal - The Himalayas - The Annapurna Circuit.

I guess a few of you knew I was going to do a trek in Nepal, but I thought I'd just give you some background on it before I go rambling on about 2½weeks worth of stuff.

After arriving in Kathmandu, we had to get a trekking permit which allows us to roam the mountain side officially and walk on through the various police checkpoints. As there is a "bit of a situation" out here - these are necessary. Basically there's a guerilla army called the Maoists who want the current government kicked out and democracy overturned. With this in mind - it is also common knowledge here that it is quite likely that you will get 'mugged' en route. Not in a terrible way - just a couple of scruffy soldiers asking you for a few thousand roupees - of course if you refuse then they demand again at gunpoint. They do however provide you with a reciept so if there buddies challenge you again - you can prove you were mugged already!

Below show's you the whole Annapurna area in Nepal (the bit with the huge arrow (pointing out of it):

So, to the trek - you firstly have to endure a long 8 hour (40kmph average speed) journey to a town called Besisahar. Here is the last time you'll see a vehicle (almost anyway...) for the 16day duration of the trek (or 20 if you're really old or slow!) - that works out at around 320km's. Then, you walk a portion of the trek each day before resting up in a small lodge run by the locals. Food will be basic - facilities too.

Here you can see the route going counter-clockwise from bottom right to left...

The views will be extremely varied, and you'll have to endure the effects of high altititude as the highest point of the trek, peaks at 5416metres. The circuit is as it suggests - a large loop around some of the worlds tallest mountains - I think it's 8 of the worlds 8000metre peaks are in Nepal. I'll see 4 or 5, sadly not including Everest. But I hear that to get to base camp there is the trekkers equivalent of a motorway, and the scenery is pretty bland at best.

Enough of the background stuff - I've been and completed the trek now - so here is my account of the adventure!