Today, you will learn about "Circuit Trekking in Nepal" through this blog. Nevertheless, before we jump directly into the definition of it, let's read about simply trekking and Nepal in short first.
Trekking is one of the types of adventure activities, that takes more than 24 hours or a day to complete. It often falls under the category of hard adventure, depending on the route, terrain, region, weather conditions, etc., and is most common in Nepal. You will find thousands of tourists visiting this incredible country every year, especially for trekking purposes.
So, basically, trekking in any region in Nepal offers you stunning views of mountains, rivers, landscapes, local culture and traditions along the way, etc., making your experience a unique one that you will ever have. It is because the country is placed on the lap of the Himalayas, one of the most remarkable mountain ranges where the world's highest peak, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha), is located and inhabited by diverse ethnic groups.
There is a category of some of the world's most famous mountains, with 14 peaks that are equal to or above 8,000 meters listed. Including Everest, eight out of 14 of them are situated in Nepal, which makes it an adventurous country, providing you with a reason to visit here every year.
What Is Circuit Trekking?
Circuit trekking is defined as a kind of trekking trail that creates a circle, where the journey begins from one point but ends at a different point or the same. As a result, you don't have to retrace the same path to finish it, letting you enjoy the new place and immerse in the culture of the locals in the villages along with the views of the hills, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, geography, etc. every day.
Circuit trek is ideal for those who wish for a bit of extreme adventure, as it mostly goes from moderate to challenging, depending on the trail and travel duration. Consequently, you need to have better preparation and high endurance ability to experience it.
If you already are a person with proper endurance and hiking experience, you do not need to worry much about going anywhere in this world for a circuit hike. However, if you are not that experienced with hiking or nature walking and still wish to explore the destination from your bucket list, you can prepare yourself by following some steps that we are going to learn about as well later below.
Circuit Trekking In Nepal: Everything You Need To Know
In the context of Nepal, there are several circuit treks available for adventure enthusiasts that range from one district to at least two or three more. These treks are a minimum of eight days and vary depending on your walking pace, stamina, and constancy level.
You will need to walk 6 to 7 hours daily during any of the circuit treks in Nepal, but not more than that. If you are a beginner or new to trekking, then you should not be pushing yourself beyond your limit.
Since such treks require more than the usual duration to complete, you need to walk slowly with no worry of reaching your destination for an overnight stay because the slower you walk the more energy you will be saving for another day. If you think you are a slow walker and worry about reaching your other destination before it gets dark, then better leave the hotel or place where you spend the night a bit earlier. But speeding up during trekking is never a good idea.
Below are the types of circuit trails in Nepal:
Annapurna Circuit Trekking
Annapurna Circuit Trek lies in the western development region of the country that starts from Lamjung and concludes in Mustang via Manang. Most of the beautiful parts, including the highest and main point of the trek are in Manang, meaning you will cross the entire district by walking on your feet.
It is one of the most commercialized routes in the country. There are plenty of hotels and teahouses available on the way and all of them are equipped with modern amenities, such as Wi-Fi, electricity, and hot showers. But not as perfect as the hotels we find in the cities. Nevertheless, you will at least have such comforts and facilities even in a remote part of the country.
The total length of this trek is between 160 to 230 km (100 to145 mi), varying depending on the starting point, as it is not fixed. You can begin your adventure from any point of the trek. However, most trekkers generally start from Jagat (1,300 m/4,256 ft). It usually takes 8 to 12 days to finish. As for its difficulty level, it is moderate to challenging.
The highest point, Thorong La Pass, is situated at an elevation of 5,416 m (17769.03 ft), which is also the world's highest pass. For that reason, most trekkers feel proud of themselves upon reaching there and celebrate their achievements. It is the ending point of Manang after crossing it you will finally enter Mustang and by descending non-stop for 3 to 4 hours you will arrive at one of the world's popular pilgrimage sites, Muktinath (3,710 m/12,172 ft).
Muktinath is a holy place for both Buddhists and Hindus, and it is where trekking the Annapurna Circuit ends. From there, you can either take a ride on a public vehicle straight to Kathmandu via Pokhara or fly to Kathmandu from the district's headquarters, Jomsom (2,710 m/8,891 ft).
During trekking, you will get the chance to enjoy the stunning views of the peaks like Annapurna I to IV, Manaslu, Pisang, Thorong, Tilicho, and many more in the Annapurna Mountain Range. In addition, you will learn about the culture and tradition of the ethnic groups, such as Gurung, Tibetan Buddhist, and Thakali.
You can also visit the world's highest lake, Tilicho (4,919 m/16,138 ft). However, to reach there, you will need to extend two more days, as it is not along the route and should have to take another turn and again come back to the same trail that leads to Thorong La. So, basically, Tilicho Lake is optional. If you have enough time and resources, then you can visit there or you can just skip it.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking
Manaslu Circuit Trek is an alternative to the Annapurna Circuit Trek, but not so commercialized yet. Therefore, it is a less crowded trekking trail and perfect for those who seek a peaceful environment along with hard adventure. Nevertheless, the route is on its way to gaining popularity. In recent times, tourists are found on the trail enjoying the region more than before.
Most parts (almost 90%) of the trek lie within theManaslu Conservation Area (covering a total area of 1,663 km2/642 sq mi)in the Gorkha district of Gandaki province, and the remaining parts are in Manang. It is also considered a restricted area by the government, as some endangered species: himalayan tahr, blue sheep, and snow leopard are found in the area.
In addition to this, the region is also highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhist culture. So, in order to preserve and protect, the culture of the locals and those species by the huge flow of visitors, it is recognized as a restricted area. Please note that you are not allowed to trek there alone. You must go through trekking agencies with a guide, and there should be at least two people in the group.
The common starting point of the trek is Soti Khola (710 m/2,329 ft) and ends at Dharapani (1,860 m/6,102 ft), Manang, and generally takes 14 to 18 days to complete. Its difficulty level is moderate to challenging.
The main and highest point of the Manaslu Circuit Trail is Larke Pass, which sits at an altitude of 5,106 m (16,752 ft). The pass is also known as the longest pass in Nepal, which takes 6 hours of straight descending to the next point. It is the ending point of the Gorkha, after you cross it, you will enter Manang.
During this trek, you will also visit the last village on the northern side of the country, Samdo (3,800 m/12,467 ft.), allowing you to visit the Nepal-China border as well. Before Samdo, you will reach a beautiful village known as Sama (3,530 m/11,581 ft). It is a typical destination for acclimatization, where most trekkers spend an extra day and hike to the beautiful lake, Birendra Lake (3,691 m/12109.58).
Two individuals trekking in the Manaslu Region with Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m) is ahead on their way
Manaslu Hiking is especially popular for the stunning views of the world's eighth-highest mountain, Mt. Manaslu, located at an elevation of 8,163 m (26,781 ft) in the sub-Himalayan range, Mansiri and other peaks in the same range: Ganesh Himal, Boudha Himal, and Himal Chuli. As stated earlier, the region is heavily influenced by Tibetan Buddhist culture, especially in the upper sections, which means you will not only have the opportunity to witness these majestic mountains but also learn about the culture of the locals along the trail at the same time.
Even though Manaslu Hiking is not as commercialized and famous as Annapurna Circuit Trek, you will still be able to find the hotels and teahouses along the way with the same modern facilities. You will not face the problem of getting a room packed here even during the peak season, as the trail has just gained popularity recently, which is one of the major benefits of choosing this trek as an alternative to trekking the Annapurna Circuit.
Everest Three Passes Circuit Trekking
Everest Three High Passes Trekking Route is located in the Solukhumbu district of Koshi province in the eastern development region and falls within the Sagarmath Conservation Area. It normally takes 17 to 20 days to finish, depending on your pace, which starts from Lukla (2,850m / 9,350ft) and also ends at the same point. As for its difficulty level, it is moderate to challenging.
It is known as the three-passes circuit trek because, during the trek, you will cross three different passes: Kongma La (5,535 m/18,159.45 ft), Cho La (5,420 m/17,782.15 ft), and Renjo La (5,340 m/17,520 ft) and this is the unique highlight of the trek. You will enjoy the best view of the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m/29032 ft) from the place called Kalapatthar (5,555 m/18,225.07 ft) and one of the most beautiful glacial lakes in Nepal, Gokyo (4,750 m/15,580 ft), located in Gokyo Ri.
Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)
As for the local culture and tradition, the area is mostly occupied by a high-reputation ethnic group in the mountaineering sector, Sherpa. Hence, you will witness their lifestyle and learn about the Buddhist culture and tradition. Here on this trail as well, there are several teahouses available for an overnight stay.
In addition, you will enjoy the vibrancy of the country's one high-altitude market area, Namchee Bazaar (3,440 m/11286.09 ft) twice, once at the beginning of the trek for acclimatization and another at the end. There is also a bar, The Hungry Yeti, that offers live music, which you can enjoy if you are more into Western music, especially to have a chill and relaxed moment after completing the three high passes in a single journey.
Langtang Circuit Trekking
Langtang Circuit Trek usually takes 15 to 17 days to finish and is considered moderate in difficulty. Teahouses, lodges, and hotels are all easily available along the route. Most parts of the trek lie in the Langtang region, which is situated in the Rasuwa district of Bagmati province and the remaining are in the Sindhupalchowk and Kathmandu districts of the same province. All three districts are part of the central development region.
During the trek, you will visit and cross the beautiful Langtang Valley ( 3,430 m to 4,985 m/16,355 ft to 11,254 ft), the sacred lake, Gosaikhunda (4,380 m/14,370.08 ft), and the Helambu Region. The usual beginning point of the trek is Syabru Besi (1,503 m/49,31.102 ft), Rasuwa and the ending point is Sundarijal (1,460 m/4790.026 ft), Kathmandu.
This trek offers you amazing views of the peaks in the Langtang Mountain Range: Langtang Lirung (7,234 m/23,734 ft), Langtang Ri (7,205 m/23,638 ft), Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m/22,854 ft), etc. Also, you will have the chance to experience the culture of Tamang and Sherpa with highly Tibetan Buddhist influence.
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking is another underrated trekking route in Nepal, located in the western part of the country, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Regions. The region and trek are named after the seventh-highest peak in the world, Mt. Dhaulagiri, which stands at an elevation of 8,167 metres (26,795 ft). It is also acknowledged as the world's highest peak from 1808 to 1847.
The trek circles two beautiful districts: Myagdi and Mustang, where most trails lie in Myagdi. It generally starts from Beni ( 836 m/2,743 ft), the headquarters of Myagdi and finishes in one of the stunning villages of Mustang, Marpha (2,670 m/8,760 ft), taking normally 17 days to complete.
As for the difficulty level of trekking in Dhaulagiri Region, it is moderate to challenging due to the height and remote terrain. The trail is not that hard up to the Dhaulagiri base camp, however, after that, it is challenging.
Another reason for the trek going from easy to tough is because there are unavailability of hotels in several places. From Beni to Choriban Khola (3,110 m/10,203.41 ft), just don't worry about accommodation facilities, as there are already plenty of teahouses. Nevertheless, from the Italian Base Camp to YarKharka (3 680 m/12073.49 ft), there are no teahouses available which means you have to sleep in a tent.
During the trek, you will also go through other notable places: Japanese Camp (3810 m/12,500 ft), French Pass (5,360 m/17,585.3 ft), Hidden Valley (5,050 m/16,568.24 ft), etc. Among these, Italian and Dhaulagiri Base Camps are the usual destinations where trekkers stay for another day to acclimatize their bodies upon reaching there.
This trek offers panoramic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Dhampus/Thapa Peak (6,012 m/19,724.41 ft) of the Dhaulagiri Mountain Range. Furthermore, along the route, you will make your way to the typical and beautiful villages of various ethnic groups, such as Magar, Gurung, and Thakali, in the lower part and Tamang and Tibetans in the upper part.
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is one of the most adventurous routes in the Eastern Development Region in Nepal. The trek is situated in the Taplejung district of Koshi province. It falls within the boundary of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and is recognized as a restricted area. It is the lesser-known trek to the world. Only extreme adventure enthusiasts know about it and prefer to travel on this trek.
The major highlight of the trek is the breathtaking view of Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 m/28,169.29 ft), the third-highest peak in the world, which you will have a closer look at from Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camps (5,143 m/16873.36 and 4,610 m/15124.67 ft). During trekking, you will pass through remote high-altitude areas and lush forests.
To complete this adventure, you will need to walk for approximately 18 days through the remote areas, making it challenging in difficulty level. Nevertheless, the good part of the trek is no matter how remote the trail, there are sufficient teahouses at every point available for your accommodation. Moreover, you will experience the culture of various ethnic groups in the country, such as Rai, Limbu, and Tibetan along with the majestic view of Kanchenjunga and other mountains.
Lower Dolpo Circuit Trekking
Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek is another off-the-beaten-path journey in the Himalayas of Nepal. Very less people go for this adventure. It is situated in the Dolpa district of Karnali province in the Mid-Western Development Region of the country. Also, some parts are in the Jumla district of the same province.
The trail was opened for foreigners in 1982 and falls within the Shey Phoksundo National Park area, the largest protected area in the country which was established in 1984. The trekking route lies in a restricted area, as the Dolpo Region is considered so by the gorvernment and includes both the lower and upper parts. In terms of accommodation, the trek is a combination of both a teahouse and a camp.
The journey lasts for 17 to 20 days, which means the adventure is challenging, where you will cross two high passes: Numa-La (5,290 m/17,356 ft) and Baga-La (5,175 m/16978.35 ft). The main highlight of this trek is you will visit the country's alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake, Phoksundo, which stands at an elevation of 3,611.5 m (11,849 ft) in Dolpa. Additionally, you pass by the villages with the heavy influence of Tibetan Buddhists and have the chance to learn about their culture.
Upper Mustang Circuit Trekking
Upper Mustang is located in the Mustang district of Gandaki province, which spans from Annapurna to Dhaulagiri Region. It is one of the most visited destinations in Nepal by people around the world. Its capital is Lo Manthang, situated at 3,840 m (12598.43 ft).
Upper Mustang is popular for its ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture and tradition. Furthermore, it is called the 'Last Forbidden Kingdom' and was not open to tourists until 1992. Lo Manthang, Ghar Gompa, the monks’ meditation caves, and the Tiji Festival (celebrated every year in May) are the primary attractions of the area.
The entire district is a rain-shadow area, but windy. For that reason, it is cold and dry, and very little greenery can be found there. Nevertheless, the desert look of the place is the beauty itself.
Trek to the Upper Mustang Circuit is also among the renowned and commercialized trekking routes in the country. Hotels are available in every place along the trail. In terms of the duration, it is normally 10 days long, with an easy trial. The only issue will be high-altitude sickness sometimes, especially for beginners or people from the seaside during the trek, as you ascend to Lo Manthang (3,840 m). Consequently, the difficulty level of the trek is moderate.
This adventure is very special for the one who prefers to see the culture of different places along with nature and learn about it, which typically begins from Kagbeni (2,850 m/9350.394 ft) and ends in the district headquarters, Jomsom (2,710 m/8,891 ft). During trekking, you will pass through several gorgeous villages occupied by the ethnic groups: Gurung and Thakali, in the lower part, and Tibetan in the upper part.
Is A Permit Required For Circuit Trekking?
Yes, a permit is required for circuit trekking at any destination in the world. This blog is about some of the best routes for a circuit hiking in Nepal and to go for an adventure on these trails you must have a permit to enter that region.
However, any of the trials that are stated above, require multiple permits not just one. All the types of permits that are needed to go for these circuit treks are as follows:
Annapurna Circuit Trekking: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card
Manaslu Circuit Trekking: Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card
Everest Three Passes Circuit Trekking: Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card, the Sagarmatha National Park Permit, and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Card
Langtang Circuit Trekking: Langtang National Park Permit and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking: Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP) and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card
Lower Dolpo Circuit Trekking: Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card, Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit and Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
Upper Mustang Circuit Trekking: Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card
What Is The Best Season For Circuit Trekking In Nepal?
There are two best seasons for trekking the circuit in Nepal: spring and autumn, with March to May falling in spring and September to November in autumn. All the trails that are mentioned earlier are best to visit during these two seasons, as the weather is often favourable, allowing you to enjoy the perfect views of the mountains in the Himalayan Range.
But the weather is unpredictable and can become unclear sometimes. Hence, you should make a habit of checking the forecast for the dates that you plan to go on a trek to any of those trails and also, remember to check it daily during the trek.
Is A Guide Necessary For Circuit Trekking In Nepal?
Yes, a guide is necessary for circuit trekking in Nepal. Not for every destination, but for the destinations that are viewed as restricted areas by the government.
The circuit hikes that fall under the category of restricted area in the country are Manaslu Circuit Trekking, Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking, Upper Mustang Circuit Trekking, and Lower Dolpa Circuit Trekking. And only having a guide with you is not enough for trekking on these trails, there must also be at least two persons in a group.
