The Annapurna Circuit in 54 Photos

The Annapurna Circuit is one of Nepal’s best-known and most-traveled treks. That said, it can be difficult to know what to expect on the circuit if you’ve never been to Nepal before – especially when a lot of information out there is coming from trekking companies who simply want to sell you things.

I’ve put together a collection of photos to help convey what an Annapurna Circuit trek looks like. Despite my having some misgivings about the trek, it’s still a beautiful part of the world and an impressive mountain to (nearly) circumnavigate. If anything is missing from these photos that you would like to see included.

Annapurna Circuit Bus — The but I took from Kathmandu to Besi Shahar

Annapurna Circuit Road — Walking down the road – some serious infrastructure

Annapurna Circuit Village — One of the villages at a lower elevation on the east side of the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Marking — A red and white blaze marks the Annapurna Circuit’s route

Annapurna Circuit directions — A red and white blaze marks the Annapurna Circuit via the road; a blue and white blaze marks the Annapurna Circuit via the trail.

Annapurna Circuit stinging nettle — Stinging nettle on the Annapurna Circuit – don’t touch it unless you want some unpleasant tingling sensations.

Annapurna Circuit Low Elevation Bridge — You’ll be crossing the river quite a few times during the Annapurna Circuit.

Annapurna Circuit Mountain — A look at the Annapurna Massif – the world’s tenth highest mountain.

Annapurna Circuit Cloudy Village — A cloudy morning on the Annapurna Circuit.

Annapurna Circuit Trekker Gateway — The trail (or road) is easy to follow on the Annapurna Circuit.

Annapurna Circuit Looking East Down Valley — Looking back east on the Annapurna Circuit while hiking toward Manang.

Annapurna Circuit Hillside Trail — A nice break from being close to the road during the first half of the Annapurna Circuit.

Annapurna Circuit Foothills — Dramatic cliff bands end abruptly upon reaching the valley floor.

Annapurna Circuit Massif — The Annapurna Massif from Kicho Tal (Ice Lake)

Annapurna Circuit Iceberg Lake — Kicho Tal (Ice Lake) – a worthwhile detour on the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Inside Teahouse — Inside a teahouse on the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Landscape — Looking south across the valley from Manang

Annapurna Circuit Manang — Looking north at Manang from a spur trail

Annapurna Circuit — Looking east from the north-facing slopes of the valley opposite Manang.

Annapurna Circuit Gangapurna Tal — Gangapurna Tal – located just south of Mamang – a side trek along the Annapurna Circuit

Inside of a shop on the Annapurna Circuit — The inside of a shop on the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Safe Water Station — A station providing clean, filtered water to trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit trail to Tilicho — Leaving the official Annapurna Circuit to being the Tilicho Lake side trek

Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trail — Looking west on the trail to Tilicho Base Camp

Tilicho Base Camp trail — Looking back east along the trail to Tilicho Base Camp

Trail to Tilicho Lake — Looking east, on the way up the trail from Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake Frozen — Tilicho Lake is still a worthwhile detour when it’s frozen (despite what the locals may tell you).

Tilicho Lake snow-covered trail — The snow-covered trail leading to/from Tilicho Lake

Looking east back toward the Annapurna Circuit — Heading back to the Annapurna Circuit from the Tilicho Lake side trek

Annapurna Circuit trail to Thorung Phedi — The trail leading up to Thorong Phedi – the last stop before Thorong La, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Base Camp — Passing Base Camp (aka High Camp) on the way up to Thorung La

Annapurna Circuit pass trail — Trekkers coming up the trail toward Thorung La

Thorung La trail — The final bit of trail before reaching Thorung La

Thorung La shelter — The shelter at the top of the pass, Thorung La, 5,416 m (17,769 ft)

Trail west from Thorung La — Looking west down the trail from Thorung La

Muktinath – a large village just west of Thorung La

Annapurna Circuit trail — The trail from Muktinath to Lupra – an alternate route

A glimpse of Dhaulagiri – the world’s seventh highest peak

Annapurna Circuit Bridge — Crossing a bridge on the way to Lupra

Dhaulagiri Circuit intersection — The intersection of the Annapurna Circuit and the (far more rugged) Dhaulagiri Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Hotel Tanpopo — Hotel Tanpopo in Marpha – one of the nicest guesthouses I found on the Annapurna Circuit

Well-maintained trail at lower elevation — A well-maintained trail at lower elevations on the western half of the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Valley — The long, flat, slog south out of the valley continues (many people choose to fly back from Jomsom)

Wild cannabis growing along the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit humid — Humidity can be an issue at lower elevations the further away from winter you get in either direction.

Annapurna Circuit trash — Unfortunately, an all-too-common sight in Nepal’s mountains – pack out whatever you can.

Annapurna Circuit Nayapul — If you manage to make it to the western terminus in Nayapul before deciding to catch a jeep, bus, or plane, you’ll find yourself on a paved road.

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